bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
GTR1 and GTR2 transporters differentially regulate tissue‐specific glucosinolate contents and defence responses in the oilseed crop Brassica juncea
Authors: Nambiar Deepti M. , Kumari Juhi , Augustine Rehna , Kumar Pawan , Bajpai Prabodh K. , Bisht Naveen C. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractGTR1 and GTR2 transporters are components of the source to sink translocation network of glucosinolates, which are major defence metabolites in the Brassicaceae. These transporters can be genetically manipulated for reduction of seed‐glucosinolates without inhibiting glucosinolate biosynthesis, thereby maintaining the inherent defence potential of plants. However, the different roles of GTRs in influencing tissue‐specific distribution of glucosinolates in agriculturally important Brassica crops are yet unknown. Here, we report functional characterization of two groups of glucosinolate transporters (GTR1 and GTR2) from Brassica juncea based on gene expression data, biochemical analysis, gene‐complementation studies in GTR‐deficient mutants and RNAi‐based knockdown followed by insect feeding experiments. Although both GTRs showed ubiquitous expression patterns and broad substrate specificity, the single‐gene knockdown lines displayed different phenotypes. The GTR2‐knockdown plants showed a significant reduction of glucosinolates in seeds and a higher accumulation in leaves and pods, while the GTR1‐knockdown plants displayed a smaller reduction of glucosinolates in seeds and significantly lower glucosinolate levels in leaves. Consequently, knockdown of GTR2 resulted in higher resistance towards the generalist pest, Spodoptera litura. Overall, our study highlights the distinctive roles of B. juncea GTRs in tissue‐specific accumulation of glucosinolates and the potential for manipulating GTR2 for enhanced nutrition and plant defence.
The chaperone‐like protein Cdc48 regulates ubiquitin‐proteasome system in plants
Authors: Rosnoblet Claire , Chatelain Pauline , Klinguer Agnès , Bègue Hervé , Winckler Pascale , Pichereaux Carole , Wendehenne David 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThe degradation of misfolded proteins is mainly mediated by the ubiquitin‐proteasome system (UPS). UPS can be assisted by the protein Cdc48 but the relationship between UPS and Cdc48 in plants has been poorly investigated. Here, we analysed the regulation of UPS by Cdc48 in tobacco thanks to two independent cell lines overexpressing Cdc48 constitutively and plant leaves overexpressing Cdc48 transiently. In the cell lines, the accumulation of ubiquitinated proteins was affected both quantitatively and qualitatively and the number of proteasomal subunits was modified, while proteolytic activities were unchanged. Similarly, the over‐expression of Cdc48 in planta impacted the accumulation of ubiquitinated proteins. A similar process occurred in leaves overexpressing transiently Rpn3, a proteasome subunit. Cdc48 being involved in plant immunity, its regulation of UPS was also investigated in response to cryptogein, an elicitor of immune responses. In the cell lines stably overexpressing Cdc48 and in leaves transiently overexpressing Cdc48 and/or Rpn3, cryptogein triggered a premature cell death while no increase of the proteasomal activity occurred. Overall, this study highlights a role for Cdc48 in ubiquitin homeostasis and confirms its involvement, as well as that of Rpn3, in the processes underlying the hypersensitive response.
Secular trends in muscular fitness from 1983 to 2014 among Slovenian children and adolescents
Authors: Đurić Saša , Sember Vedrana , Starc Gregor , Sorić Maroje , Kovač Marjeta , Jurak Gregor 
Published: April 2021

Low physical fitness has been found to be associated with many chronic diseases and medical conditions. Knowledge of secular trends in physical fitness is important to initiate countermeasures for addressing negative trends. The aim of this study was to analyze secular trends in health‐related muscular fitness in Slovenian children and adolescents between 1983 and 2014. Data were collected as part of “The Analysis of Children's Development in Slovenia (ACDSi)” study in 1983, 1993/94, 2003/04, and 2013/14. Anthropometry (body weight, height, BMI, and triceps skinfold) and muscular fitness (standing long jump, bent‐arm hang, and sit‐ups 60 s test) of 18730 (9168 female) students from primary and secondary schools were recorded. The secular trend was analyzed considering anthropometry. The results showed that anthropometric measures had an increasing trend and overall muscular fitness had a decreasing trend. Leg muscle power decreased over the decades in all age groups (relative difference between −1.5% and −2.6%), being more pronounced in boys. Arm muscle strength decreased in two younger age groups (range −21.1% to −42.7%, 6–10, and 11–14 years), but not in the oldest group (15–19 years), where the increase occurred in both genders (0.4% to 9.3%). In terms of decades, the largest negative changes (−30.1%) occurred from 1993/94 to 2003/04 and the smallest changes (−4.2%) from 2003/04 to 2013/14. The overall trend in repetitive core strength surprisingly increased (1.1% to 18.3%). There is a need to promote healthy lifestyles, raise parental awareness and use all government resources to redirect the negative trend in physical fitness.
Impact of Performance‐Based Financing on effective coverage for curative child health services in Burkina Faso: Evidence from a quasi‐experimental design
Authors: Koulidiati Jean‐Louis , De Allegri Manuela , Lohmann Julia , Hillebrecht Michael , Kiendrebeogo Joel Arthur , Hamadou Saidou , Hien Hervé , Robyn Paul Jacob , Brenner Stephan 
Published: April 2021

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate the impact of Performance‐Based Financing (PBF) on effective coverage of child curative health services in primary healthcare facilities in Burkina Faso.MethodsAn impact evaluation of a PBF pilot programme, using an experiment nested within a quasi‐experimental design, was carried out in 12 intervention and 12 comparison districts in six regions of Burkina Faso. Across the 24 districts, primary healthcare facilities (537 both at baseline and endline) and households (baseline = 7978 endline = 7898) were surveyed. Within these households, 12 350 and 15 021 under‐five‐year‐olds caretakers were interviewed at baseline and endline respectively. Linking service quality to service utilisation, we used difference‐in‐differences to estimate the impact of PBF on effective coverage of curative child health services.ResultsOur study failed to detect any effect of PBF on effective coverage. Looking specifically into quality of care indicators, we detected a positive effect of PBF on structural elements of quality of care related to general service readiness, but not on the overall facility quality score, capturing both service readiness and the content of childcare.ConclusionThe current study makes a unique contribution to PBF literature, as this is the first study assessing PBF impact on effective coverage for curative child health services in low‐income settings. The absence of any significant effects of PBF on effective coverage suggests that PBF programmes require a stronger design focus on quality of care elements especially when implemented in a context of free healthcare policy.
Dynamic Modulus of Staggered Nanocomposites With Different Distributions of Platelets Considering the Interface Stress Effect
Authors: Chao Cezhou , Guo Hanlin , Yan Peng , Dong Leiting 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Biological staggered composites, like bone, nacre, and dentin, possess the superior capacity of energy dissipation than that of conventional materials. In these nanocomposites, different staggered microstructures are widely observed, for example, symmetric staggered structures with regular platelet layouts and asymmetric staggered structures with offset and stairwise platelet layouts. In addition, the thickness of platelets in these biological materials is at the nanoscale, and the distance between the adjacent ends of platelets is large enough in staggered structures, which indicates the interface effect and tension region (TR) cannot be ignored in staggered nanocomposites. In order to investigate the possible synergistic effect of the platelet layouts, interface effects, and tension region on the dynamic properties of the nanocomposites, a generalized tension-shear chain model (TSCM) with TR is proposed. According to the analytical solutions derived, the staggered nanocomposites with optimal structures can be designed to obtain superior energy dissipation capacity. Considering different loading frequencies in natural environment, the optimal dynamic properties of nacre can be achieved with a regular staggering platelet distribution, while the optimal dynamic properties of bone can be achieved when the number of periodic stairwise staggering platelets is appropriately smaller. These optimal platelet layouts in nacre and bone are consistent with the experimental results reported in many literatures. Therefore, the energy dissipation capacity of staggered nanocomposites can be highly improved, based on the profound understanding of the damping mechanism in biological nanocomposites.
Numerical Simulation of a Three-Dimensional Axisymmetric Hill: Performance Evaluation of Hybrid RANS–LES Models
Authors: Jamal Tausif , Chitta Varun , Walters D. Keith 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation of flow over a three-dimensional (3D) axisymmetric hill presents a unique set of challenges for turbulence modeling. The flow past the crest of the hill is characterized by boundary layer separation, complex vortical structures, and unsteady wake flow. As a result, traditional eddy-viscosity Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) models have been found to perform poorly for this benchmark test case. Recent studies have focused on the use of large eddy simulation (LES) and hybrid RANS–LES (HRL) methods to improve accuracy. In this study, several different HRL models are investigated, and results from the different models are evaluated relative to each other, to an eddy-viscosity RANS model, and to previously documented high-fidelity LESs and experimental data. Results obtained from the simulations in terms of mean flow statistics, surface pressure distribution, and turbulence characteristics are presented and discussed in detail. Results indicate that eddy-viscosity based HRL models can improve predictions over comparable eddy-viscosity based RANS models such as the shear stress transport (SST) k–ω model used in this study, but only when the development of turbulent velocity fluctuations in the separated shear layer and recirculation region are well resolved.
The Differences in Reading Schematic Drawings of Mechanisms by Expert and Naive Mechanical Designers
Authors: Waldron M. B. , Waldron K. J. , Abdelhamied K. 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
In order to better understand the conceptual design process and to be able to design better computer aids for conceptual design, a qualitative as well as quantitative body of knowledge must be generated regarding the conceptual design process. This paper is a step in that direction. Results on the knowledge and reasoning used by 15 mechanical engineering designers of different levels of expertise in interpreting 8 mechanical engineering drawings are reported. The results partially support the theory that expert designers recognize drawings from knowledge and experience based on functions they have encountered. In addition, two types of reasoning strategies have been identified and studied; namely: forward and inverse reasoning. Inverse reasoning was used more often and more successfully by expert designers.
A Natural Language Approach to Feature Based Modeling
Authors: Gandhi A. , Myklebust A. 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Traditionally design geometries are represented using orthographic views which require a human being to interpret them and recognize geometric features to evaluate the design. Solid modeling systems have made the task somewhat easier, but they often require tedious and complex operations using simple geometric primitives to create a model assembly. This has led to investigation of modeling systems which allow the creation of assemblies the way engineers conceive them — as features.
To be able to efficiently describe models in terms of features, a rich set of feature descriptors is necessary. An exhaustive study of English words describing form, shape, feature, shape altering transformations and surface conditions was done to establish a wide vocabulary for feature based description.
Classification based on topology and form was done and constraint relations were implemented to differentiate between features. A feature is created from a topological group and a constraint relation. Points are then computed which will be interpolated by uniform rational B-Splines patches. Control points needed to compute the patches are computed from the interpolation points by an inverse relation.
A designer-oriented modeling language, based on simple English syntax, was devised to specify procedures to be executed by the modeler in order to create features using minimal user input.
Pattern Matching Synthesis As an Automated Approach to Mechanism Design
Authors: Hoeltzel D. A. , Chieng W.-H. 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
A new knowledge-based approach for the synthesis of mechanisms, referred to as Pattern Matching Synthesis, has been developed based on committee machine and Hopfield neural network models of pattern matching applied to coupler curves. Computational tests performed on a dimensionally parameterized four bar mechanism have yielded 15 distinct coupler curve groups (patterns) from a total of 356 generated coupler curves.
This innovative approach represents a first step toward the automation of mapping structure-to-function in mechanism design based on the application of artificial intelligence programming techniques.
A Reference Point Algorithm for Planar Path Planning Strategies
Authors: Natarajan R. , Naganathan N. G. 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
This paper presents a simple and efficient algorithm to find a collision free path for a convex polygonal object moving amidst fixed convex polygonal obstacles. Given the initial and the final positions and orientations of the object, the positions and the orientations of the obstacles, the algorithm traces a collision free path. The algorithm identifies reference points at the centroids of these polygonal entities, configures potential candidate obstacles for collision, analyzes the type of collision, and devises a simple method to avoid the obstacles. The reference points help in locating potential obstacles for collision in an environment where large number of obstacles affect computational efficiency and real time implementation. In addition, the computational complexity is found to vary linearly as the number of obstacles increases in the environment. This algorithm is capable of running in real time.
Parameter Sensitivity Analysis in Two-Level Design Optimization
Authors: Li W.-C. , Azarm S. 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Parameter sensitivity analysis of a two-level design optimization problem can be decomposed into two levels. In the first-level, the sensitivities of the subproblems are calculated separately. In the second-level, the sensitivities obtained for the first-level subproblems are co-ordinated to obtain the overall sensitivity information. Using this approach, we can not only obtain the overall effect that a small change in a parameter has on the optimum solution of a problem (or system) but also its local effects on the subproblems (or subsystems). A simple two-bar truss example demonstrates the approach.
A Hybrid Variable Metric Update for the Recursive Quadratic Programming Method
Authors: Beltracchi T. J. , Gabriele G. A. 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
The Recursive Quadratic Programming (RQP) method has been shown to be one of the most effective and efficient algorithms for solving engineering optimization problems. The RQP method uses variable metric updates to build approximations of the Hessian of the Lagrangian. If the approximation of the Hessian of the Lagrangian converges to the true Hessian of the Lagrangian, then the RQP method converges quadratically. The convergence of the Hessian approximation is affected by the choice of the variable metric update. Most of the research that has been performed with the RQP method uses the Broyden Fletcher Shanno (BFS) or Symmetric Rank One (SR1) variable metric update. The SR1 update has been shown to yield better estimates of the Hessian of the Lagrangian than those found when the BFS update is used, though there are cases where the SR1 update becomes unstable. This paper describes a hybrid variable metric update that is shown to yield good approximations of the Hessian of the Lagrangian. The hybrid update combines the best features of the SRI and BFS updates and is more stable than the SR1 update. Testing of the method shows that the efficiency of the RQP method is not affected by the new update, but more accurate Hessian approximations are produced. This should increase the accuracy of the solutions and provide more reliable information for post optimality analyses, such as parameter sensitivity studies.
Optimum Design of Crown Brakes
Authors: Elbella A. , Seireg A. 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
The use of crown brakes with heat input from both the inner and outer surfaces has been suggested as a means of improving the performance of frictional brakes. This paper presents an algorithm for the design of the optimal thermal load sharing and configuration of the rotor for brakes with different ratios of inner to outer radius. Several illustrative examples are considered and the results show that significant improvement in the performance and weight of the brake rotor can be achieved by this approach.
The Determination of the Probabilistic Properties of Velocities and Accelerations in Kinematic Chains With Uncertainty
Authors: Lee S. J. , Gilmore B. J. 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
A probabilistic model and methods to determine the means and variances of the velocity and acceleration of stochastically-defined planar pin jointed kinematic chains are presented. The presented model considers the effect of tolerances on link length and radial clearance and uncertainty of pin location as a net effect on the link’s effective length. The determination of the mean values and variances of the output variables requires the calculation of sensitivities of secondary variables with respect to the random variables. It is shown that this computation is straightforward and can be accomplished by a conventional kinematic analysis package. Thus, the concepts of tolerance and clearance have been captured by the model and analysis. The only input data is the nominal linkage model and statistical information. The “effective link length” model is shown to be applicable to both analytical solution and Monte Carlo simulation. The results from both methods are compared. This paper solves the higher-order kinematics problem for the probabilistic design analysis of stochastically defined mechanisms.
Robust Mechanical Design Through Minimum Sensitivity
Authors: Belegundu A. D. , Zhang S. 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
The problem of designing mechanical systems or components under uncertainty is considered. The basic idea is to ensure quality control at the design stage by minimizing sensitivity of the response to uncertain variables by proper selection of design variables. This formulation is applied to the design of a brass sleeve which is press fitted over a steel shaft in an uncertain thermal environment. The contact pressure is determined using finite element analysis. By optimizing the shape of the sleeve, the sensitivity of contact pressure with respect to operating temperature is reduced. The minimum sensitivity approach offers a straightforward procedure for robust design and can be implemented in a general manner. It is shown that reduction in sensitivity leads to increase in probability of safety.
A Multi-Objective Design Tree Approach for Optimization Under Uncertainty
Authors: Sandgren E. 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
A means of including uncertainty in the design process is presented. A design tree structure is developed which considers both geometric and topological change as well as material and manufacturing considerations. The design tree is evaluated by formulating and solving a multi-objective nonlinear goal programming problem. This allows for the inclusion of both hard and soft constraint specifications. Design sensitivities with respect to uncertain parameters are included as goals which enables the issue of latitude to be considered as part of the process. An example involving the design of a welded beam structure is presented with uncertainty in both loading condition and material properties. Various alternative designs are considered.
Inverse Dynamic Models Used for Force Control of Compliant, Closed-Chain Mechanisms
Authors: Manko D. J. , Whittaker W. L. 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
A general inverse dynamic model is presented that is applicable to mechanisms incorporating member, joint and base compliance. Previous approaches for defining inverse dynamic models of compliant mechanisms have been approximations or limited to simple mechanism geometries and open-chain mechanisms. Hence, the motivation for a more general approach. Inverse dynamic equations for compliant mechanisms modeled with and without constraint equations are shown to be solvable sets of differential/algebraic equations (DAE’s); relevant characteristics and solutions of DAE systems are discussed. An important application for inverse dynamic models of compliant mechanisms is model-based force control of closed-chain mechanisms. The formulation and solution procedures discussed in this paper have been successfully applied to model legged locomotion on natural terrain.
Implicit Numerical Integration of Constrained Equations of Motion via Generalized Coordinate Partitioning
Authors: Haug E. J. , Yen J. 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
An implicit, stiffly stable numerical integration algorithm is developed and demonstrated for automated simulation of multibody dynamic systems. The concept of generalized coordinate partitioning is used to parameterize the constraint set with independent generalized coordinates. A stiffly stable, backward difference numerical integration algorithm is applied to determine independent generalized coordinates and velocities. Dependent generalized coordinates, velocities, and accelerations, as well as Lagrange multipliers that account for constraints, are explicitly retained in the formulation to satisfy all of the governing kinematic and dynamic equations. The algorithm is shown to be valid and accurate, both theoretically and through solution of a numerical example.
Synthesis of Geometric Primary Circles of Externally Meshed Skew-Axes Gears
Authors: Abadjiev V. , Petrova D. 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
What are considered are geometric primary circles of gears which transform rotations between fixed skewed axes with a constant speed ratio. These imaginary circles differ from the pitch ones of the gears with parallel or intersecting axes. It seems they are used succeessfully for the first time as a start point in designing hyperbolic gears. Both the diameters and the mutual position parameters of the geometric primary circles are needed when gear over-alls and mounting distances as well as teeth geometry are determined.