bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Correlation of two radioimmunoassay systems for measuring plasma pregnancy‐associated glycoproteins concentrations during early pregnancy and postpartum periods in water buffalo
Authors: Barbato Olimpia , Menchetti Laura , Sousa Noelita M. , Brecchia Gabriele , Malfatti Alessandro , Canali Claudio , Beckers Jean‐Francois , Barile Vittoria L. 
Published: July 2018

ContentsThis is the first time that PAG determination using two different antisera raised against PAG molecules purified from both caprine (RIA‐706) and bubaline placentas (RIA‐860) is reported in water buffalo. Ninety‐eight buffalo cows, belonging to a buffalo herd subjected to a synchronization and artificial insemination (AI) programme, were enrolled in this study. Blood samples were taken on days 0 (AI), 23, 25, 28, 30 and 45. Pregnancy was confirmed by ultrasonography on days 28 and 45. The blood of 20 buffaloes that had calved was tested every five days from the day of calving until day 50 postcalving. Differences in PAG concentrations were observed between pregnant and nonpregnant buffaloes starting from day 23 post AI using both RIA‐706 and RIA‐860 (p < 0.001). However, estimated mean concentrations of PAG measured by RIA‐706 were higher than RIA‐860 (p < 0.001) and Bland–Altman analysis showed biases ranged from 0.0 ng/ml at day 23 to 0.79 ng/ml at day 28 post AI. Moreover, RIA‐706 showed greater sensitivity and accuracy both at 23 and 25 days of pregnancy. RIA‐706 and RIA‐860 decreased below 1 ng/ml from 40 and 30 days postpartum, respectively, suggesting that PAG are better recognized by the antisera raised against the caprine PAG in the postpartum period also. This is essential when using PAG as an appropriate marker of early pregnancy after postpartum for detecting new pregnancies. The results of this study show that the ability of RIA systems to recognize early PAG could be improved using antisera raised against PAG molecules isolated from caprine placenta.
Buffalo oocyte‐secreted factors promote cumulus cells apoptosis and the rate of cGMP production but not steroidogenesis
Authors: Moussa Mahmoud , Li Meng‐Qi , Zheng Hai‐Ying , Yang Chun‐Yan , Yan Sheng‐Fei , Yu Nong‐Qi , Huang Jia‐Xiang , Shang Jiang‐Hua 
Published: July 2018

ContentsThe objectives of this study were to investigate the effect of buffalo oocyte‐secreted factors (OSFs) on cumulus cells (CCs) functions, apoptosis and cGMP generation, and whether the direct contact between oocyte and CCs is essential for oocyte‐mediated regulation of CCs functions. Buffalo CCs were cultured during IVM within three groups: (a) intact cumulus–oocyte complexes (COCs), (b) CCs cocultured with denuded oocytes (DOs) (CCs + DOs) and (c) CCs monolayer cultured alone (CCsM). After 24 hr of IVM, CCs were harvested for evaluation of the relative mRNA abundance of the genes encoding gap junction (GJA1), glycolysis (PFKP and LDHA), apoptosis (CASPASE‐3 and BCL‐2) and steroidogenesis (ER‐β and PGR) by QRT‐PCR, and CASPASE‐3 proteins, using western blot. Intracellular cGMP content was also assessed by ELISA. Results showed that the relative abundance of LDHA, PFKP and BCL‐2 significantly increased (p < 0.05) in COCs, whereas GJA1 and CASPASE‐3 exhibited lower expression (p < 0.05) compared to CCs + DOs and CCsM groups. However, the expression levels of CASPASE‐3, both mRNA and protein, were significantly (p < 0.05) downregulated in CCs + DOs compared to CCsM. There was no significant difference in the expression level of PGR and ER‐β between the groups. The intracellular content of cGMP was notably (p < 0.05) higher in COCs compared to CCs + DOs and CCsM groups. In conclusion, this study demonstrated, for the first time, that buffalo OSFs protect CCs against apoptosis and stimulate their cGMP production; however, the regulation of cumulus glycolysis and gap junction is confined to those in close contact with the oocyte. Neither OSFs from COCs nor those from DOs have any effect on CCs steroidogenesis.
Public Acceptance of Fully Automated Driving: Effects of Social Trust and Risk/Benefit Perceptions
Authors: Liu Peng , Yang Run , Xu Zhigang 
Published: July 2018

AbstractAutomated driving (AD) is one of the most significant technical advances in the transportation industry. Its safety, economic, and environmental benefits cannot be realized if it is not used. To explain, predict, and increase its acceptance, we need to understand how people perceive and why they accept or reject AD technology. Drawing upon the trust heuristic, we tested a psychological model to explain three acceptance measures of fully AD (FAD): general acceptance, willingness to pay (WTP), and behavioral intention (BI). This heuristic suggests that social trust can directly affect acceptance or indirectly affect acceptance through perceived benefits and risks. Using a survey (N = 441), we found that social trust retained a direct effect as well as an indirect effect on all FAD acceptance measures. The indirect effect of social trust was more prominent in forming general acceptance; the direct effect of social trust was more prominent in explaining WTP and BI. Compared to perceived risk, perceived benefit was a stronger predictor of all FAD acceptance measures and also a stronger mediator of the trust–acceptance relationship. Predictive ability of the proposed model for the three acceptance measures was confirmed. We discuss the implications of our results for theory and practice.
Downscaling incidence risk mapping for a Colombian malaria endemic region
Authors: Altamiranda‐Saavedra Mariano , Porcasi Ximena , Scavuzzo Carlos Marcelo , Correa Margarita M. 
Published: July 2018

AbstractObjectiveTo map at a fine spatial scale, the risk of malaria incidence for the important endemic region is Urabá‐Bajo Cauca and Alto Sinú, NW Colombia, using a new modelling framework based on GIS and remotely sensed environmental data.MethodsThe association between environmental and topographic variables obtained from remote sensors and the annual parasite incidence (API) for the years 2013–2015 was calculated using multiple regression analysis; subsequently, a model was constructed to estimate the API and to project it to the entire endemic region in order to design the risk map. The model was validated by relating the obtained API values with the presence of the three main Colombian malaria vectors, Anopheles darlingi, Anopheles albimanus and Anopheles nuneztovari.ResultsTemperature and Normalized Difference Water Index (NDWI) showed a significant correlation with the observed API. The risk map of malaria incidence showed that the zones at higher risk in the Urabá‐Bajo Cauca and Alto Sinú region were located south‐east of the region, while the northern area presented the lowest malaria risk. A method was generated to estimate the API for small urban centres, instead of the used reports at the municipality level.ConclusionsThese results provide evidence of the utility of risk maps to identify environmentally vulnerable areas at a fine spatial resolution in the Urabá‐Bajo Cauca and Alto Sinú region. This information contributes to the implementation of vector control interventions at the microgeographic scale at areas of high malaria risk.
The MED7 subunit paralogs of Mediator function redundantly in development of etiolated seedlings in Arabidopsis
Authors: Kumar Koppolu Raja Rajesh , Blomberg Jeanette , Björklund Stefan 
Published: July 2018

SummaryMED7 is a subunit of the Mediator middle module and is encoded by two paralogs in Arabidopsis. We generated MED7 silenced lines using RNAi to study its impact on Arabidopsis growth and development. Compared with wild type, etiolated seedlings of the MED7 silenced lines exhibited reduced hypocotyl length caused by reduced cell elongation when grown in the dark. The hypocotyl length phenotype was rescued by exogenously supplied brassinosteroid. In addition, MED7 silenced seedlings exhibited defective hook opening in the dark as well as defective cotyledon expansion in the presence of the brassinosteroid inhibitor brassinazole. Whole transcriptome analysis on etiolated seedlings using RNA sequencing revealed several genes known to be regulated by auxin and brassinosteroids, and a broad range of cell wall‐related genes that were differentially expressed in the MED7 silenced lines. This was especially evident for genes involved in cell wall extension and remodeling, such as EXPANSINs and XTHs. Conditional complementation with each MED7 paralog individually restored the hypocotyl phenotype as well as the gene expression defects. Additionally, conditional expression of MED7 had no effects that were independent of the Mediator complex on the observed phenotypes. We concluded that the MED7 paralogs function redundantly in regulating genes required for the normal development of etiolated Arabidopsis seedlings.
CFD Analysis of Axial Thrust in Three Stages Centrifugal Pump at Design and Partload Conditions
Authors: Watanabe Hiroyoshi , Yamashita Tetsuya , Watanabe Satoshi , Hara Yoshinori 
Published: July 2018

The performance, internal flow fields and fluid forces acted on the impellers and balance piston of three stages centrifugal pump at design and partload conditions are investigated by using URANS (Unsteady Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes) CFD analysis.
In this study, investigations were concentrated on the details of the flow fields in the sidewall gaps of the impellers and at the impeller exit/diffuser inlet with the rotor axial offsets, and its effects on the thrust forces acting on the impeller, especially at the partload condition.
From the details of flow field predicted by CFD, the mechanisms of change of axial thrust forces with the rotor axial offsets are as follows. The overwrap between the impeller shroud wall and diffuser casing wall becomes smaller by the axial offsets at the opposite side of axial offset direction, this makes the flow to leak out easier from the impeller side into the side wall gaps there. As a result, the interaction between the swirl flow in the side wall gap and reverse flow from the diffuser become stronger. The strong inward flow in the front side wall gap induced by the diffuser reverse flow works as a swirl breaker weakening the swirl flow in the gap. The pressure distributions in the side wall gaps are affected by these changes of swirl flow in the gap and the axial thrust forces working on the rotor are changed.
The predicted change of axial thrust forces with the rotor axial offsets show good agreement with the experimental values.
Performance of Oil Separator According to the Depth of the Outlet Tube
Authors: Jang Seongil , Ahn Joon , Lim Si Hyung 
Published: July 2018

Recent years have witnessed a growing concern over saving energy because of global warming issues and energy price hikes caused by increased oil prices. The need to improve energy efficiency to reduce energy consumption has been raised. Refrigeration systems are also expected to have their energy efficiency improved. A refrigeration system’s the compressor uses lubricating oil. Lubricating oil, along with refrigerant, circulates in a refrigeration system. During this process, the pressure drop increases, and the heat transfer coefficient decreases. Moreover, insufficient lubricant may incur a decrease in performance and damage to a compressor. Therefore, an oil separator is used to separate the lubricant and return it to the compressor. Since an oil separator causes an additional pressure drop, energy consumption should be decreased by increasing the oil separator’s separation efficiency and decreasing the pressure drop.
The recent increase in development of large-scale buildings such as skyscrapers and large supermarkets has also increased the demand for large refrigeration machines. At the same time, refrigeration piping is becoming longer, and refrigerant must circulate up to the highest points. A high-pressure head and long piping configuration inevitably increase the quantity of lubricant left on the pipe wall, which in turn increases the loss of lubricants. The increased length and fall height for lubricants to circulate with refrigerant increase the related energy loss.
In order to use a compressor in a high-head long-piping refrigeration system, the separation efficiency of the oil separator must be improved. Doing so will also reduce energy losses. Even with an improved separation efficiency, however, an increased pressure drop means additional energy losses. Thus, an oil separator with high separation efficiency and low pressure drop should be designed. So using the Numerical analysis, designed a new oil separator. A series of numerical simulation has been carried out to study peformance of a cyclone type oil separator, which is designed for the compressor of a refrigeration system. Working fluid is R22, which is a typical refrigerant, and mineral oil droplet is supplied. Depending on the outlet tube length, separation efficiency varies from 98.74 to 99.25%. Considering both of the separation efficiency, outlet tube length of the separator has been designed as 158 mm and oil separator length is 310mm.
Large-Scale Numerical Simulation of Unsteady Flow Field in a Half-Ducted Propeller Fan Using Lattice Boltzmann Method
Authors: Yamada Kazutoyo , Kusano Kazuya , Furukawa Masato 
Published: July 2018

Recently, the lattice Boltzmann method (LBM) is being applied in turbomachinery field, regarded as a good candidate for tool of flow simulation as well as aerodynamic sound analysis.
For better prediction of broadband noise with high frequecy, which is generally generated in high Reynolds number flows, not only high grid resolution is required to capture very small eddies of the sound source inside the turbulent boundary layer, but also the computation of acoustic field is often needed. In such case, the direct simulation of flow field and acoustic field is straight-forward and effective. However, the computational cost becomes extremely expensive. Moreover, for low Mach number flows the compressible Navier-Stokes simulation not only requires high-order scheme which is unsuitable for parallel computation, but also suffers from stiff problem. LBM is suitable for such simulation thanks to its advantages.
In the present study, a large-scale numerical simulation of flow field around a half-ducted propeller fan is conducted with LBM, and its result is validated by comparing with the experimental result.
Influence of Spoke Geometry on Performance and Internal Flow of Contra-Rotating Small-Sized Hydroturbine
Authors: Shigemitsu Toru , Takeshima Yasutoshi , Tanaka Chihiro , Fukutomi Junichiro 
Published: July 2018

Small hydropower generation is one of important alternative energy, and potential of small hydropower is great. Efficiency of small hydroturbines is lower than that of large one, and these small hydroturbine’s common problems are out of operation by foreign materials. Then, there are demands for small hydroturbines to keep high performance and wide flow passage. Therefore, we adopted contra-rotating rotors, which can be expected to achieve high performance and enable to use low-solidity rotors with wide flow passage, in order to accomplish high performance and stable operation. Final goal of this study is development of a small hydroturbine like electrical goods, which has high portability and makes an effective use of unused small hydro power energy source. Efficiency of the contra-rotating small hydroturbine was high in pico-hydroturbine and high efficiency could be kept in wide flow rate range. On the other hand, the relatively large loss occurred at the spokes which should be installed for this small hydroturbine to support the rotors. Then, the new spoke to increase its performance is proposed in this research. Internal flow condition, which was difficult to measure experimentally, was shown by the numerical flow analysis. Further, the influence of spoke geometry was clarified. Then, a relation between the performance and internal flow condition was considered by the numerical analysis results.
In the present paper, the performance of the contra-rotating small hydroturbine using different spoke geometry is shown by the numerical results. Further, internal flow condition between the front and rear rotors are investigated.
Experimental Characterization of Particle-Laden Air Flow in a Horizontal Pipe
Authors: Dai Y. , Khan T. S. , Alshehhi M. S. , Khezzar L. 
Published: July 2018

In many engineering applications, movement of micron and submicron size solid particles with compressed air or gas causes major engineering problems as in the case of black powder in oil and gas industry. Therefore, understanding its physical and flow dynamics characteristics inside a pipeline can be very useful to efficiently manage pipelines contamination issues.
This paper presents an experimental study carried out to simulate characteristics of air-sand particles flow through a transparent horizontal pipe with various flow conditions. Experimental analysis focuses on determination of critical pickup velocity of the solid particles and measurement of pressure drop across the sand bed of various blockage ratios. Results have been compared with previous studies in literature. Limited experiments are conducted using black powder samples as well. Comparison of results shows vast deviation between sand and black powder behavior.
Structural Integrity Validation for Rotor Discs and Shafts in Aero-Engines
Authors: Kumar Sanju , Rao Rashmi , Ananthappa Rajeevalochanam B. , Mogullapally Venkateshwarlu 
Published: July 2018

Design of rotating structures in military gas turbine engine is complex and arduous. The aero engine main discs and shafts are designed to achieve maximum operating capabilities under severe loads. The potential failures of primary rotating parts are extremely catastrophic. Hence, ignoring structural integrity aspects, results in engine failures, which is a major concern and motivation for the present paper.
In this paper structural integrity analysis using CAE are discussed for rotating components and various structural validation testing employed are highlighted. The structural integrity study carried out conforms to stipulation of MIL 5007 D/E. The validation carried out includes material characterization, cyclic spin tests, overspeed and burst speed tests. This paper also emphasizes structural integrity studies on engine main shafts, for buckling, maneuvers and blade-off loads.
Parametric Studies on Bolted Flange Thermal Analysis to Improve LCF Life
Authors: Yousuf Mohd. , Nelanti Krishna , Allabanda Rajendra Prasad 
Published: July 2018

Low cycle fatigue (LCF) life plays an important role in the design of aircraft engine components, especially that of bolted joints. Bolted joints are of critical importance in aircraft engines as they connect parts and transfer loads. In gas turbine engines, most of the bolted flanges experience high pressure loads & high thermal gradients. LCF life/stress is very sensitive to the thermal gradients encountered in flight cycle (from idle to takeoff & takeoff to landing). Accurate flange leakage modeling & accurate boundary condition estimation are critical to design.
This paper emphasizes on thermal analysis of bolted flange using the finite element method. Thermal analysis results show that, during flight cycle (Accel/Decel), flange leakage is a key contributor to thermal gradients. The flange leakage is majorly influenced by the gap between the flanges. Parametric studies have been carried out to understand the impact of gap between the flanges, flange thickness and flange height on the flange thermal gradients. The results presented in this paper will be helpful to the designer in designing better bolted flange joints with improved LCF life.
Isothermal Fatigue Behaviour of Two Nickelbase Alloys for Turbine Blades of Fighter Aircraft Engines
Authors: Sahoo Benudhar , Satpathy R. K. , Panigrahi S. K. 
Published: July 2018

Turbine blades of fighter class aero-engines are subjected to repeated and unsteady throttle excursions during exploitation leading to thermo-mechanical fatigue. Failures of few turbine blades have led to premature withdrawals and major accidents. Hence, there is a need to study the high temperature fatigue behavior of these alloys. This case study deals with the isothermal fatigue behavior at 900°C for two nickel base alloys which are used for manufacturing turbine blades. The materials selected for study are precipitation strengthened wrought nickel base super alloy AP 220BD of Russian origin and western origin nickel base DS cast alloy MAR-M 002.
Tensile and low cycle fatigue (LCF) tests were carried out at 900°C. LCF test was carried out at three strain ranges Δεt, i.e., ±0.3%, ±0.5% and ±0.8% using a triangular waveform of frequency 0.33 Hz with the help of MTS 800 servo hydraulic fatigue testing machine. Fractography and metallography have been done on the fracture surface to study the mode of failure and changes in morphology.
Both AP220BD and MAR M 002 shows initial cyclic softening followed by cyclic hardening at low strain Δεt, i.e., ±0.3%. Stabilisation of hysteresis loop takes place at strain range Δεt ±0.5% for both the alloys. At Δεt/2 = 0.8%, AP220 BD shows cyclic hardening while MAR M 002 shows cyclic softening. MAR M 002 shows higher degree of hardening compared to that of AP220BD. The reduction in LCF life with increase in strain range is exponential for wrought alloy but for DS cast alloy it is approximately linear.
LCF life has been correlated with fatigue damage parameters such as Ostergren energy(σmax Δεp) and plastic strain amplitude Δεp/2. Ostergren energy for MAR-M 002 is found to be significantly less compared to that of AP220BD. The increase in plastic strain range Δεp is significant for wrought alloys. While Ostergren energy is a good indicator of fatigue damage for wrought alloy, plastic strain amplitude Δεp/2 seems to be a better indicator for DS cast alloy.
Fractography reveals inter-granular failure with initiation of cracks at at grain boundary / carbides in wrought alloy. DS cast alloy shows cleavage failure with crack initiation at pore cavities in interdendritic spacing.
Improved Thermal Transfer Efficiency for Planar Solar Thermophotovoltaic Devices
Authors: Bierman David M. , Lenert Andrej , Wang Evelyn N. 
Published: July 2018

Solar thermophotovoltaic (STPV) devices provide conversion of solar energy to electrical energy through the use of an intermediate absorber/emitter module, which converts the broad solar spectrum to a tailored spectrum that is emitted towards a photovoltaic cell [1]. While the use of an absorber/emitter device could potentially overcome the Shockley-Queisser limit of photovoltaic conversion [2], it also increases the number of heat loss mechanisms. One of the most prohibitive aspects of STPV conversion is the thermal transfer efficiency, which is a measure of how well solar energy is delivered to the emitter. Although reported thermophotovoltaic efficiencies (thermal to electric) have exceeded 10% [3], [4], previously measured STPV conversion efficiencies are below 1% [5], [6], [7].
In this work, we present the design and characterization of a nanostructured absorber for use in a planar STPV device with a high emitter-to-absorber area ratio. We used a process for spatially-selective growth of vertically aligned multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) forests on highly reflective, smooth tungsten (W) surfaces. We implemented these MWCNT/W absorbers in a TPV system with a one-dimensional photonic crystal emitter, which was spectrally paired with a low bandgap PV cell. A high fidelity, system-level model of the radiative transfer in the device was experimentally validated and used to optimize the absorber surface geometry. For an operating temperature of approximately 1200 K, we experimentally demonstrated a 100% increase in overall STPV efficiency using a 4 to 1 emitter-to-absorber area ratio (relative to a 1 to 1 area ratio), due to improved thermal transfer efficiency. By further increasing the solar concentration incident on the absorber surface, increased emitter-to-absorber area ratios will improve both thermal transfer and overall efficiencies for these planar devices.