bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluating the efficacy of fully automated approaches for the selection of eyeblink ICA components
Authors: Pontifex Matthew B. , Miskovic Vladimir , Laszlo Sarah 
Published: February 2017

AbstractIndependent component analysis (ICA) offers a powerful approach for the isolation and removal of eyeblink artifacts from EEG signals. Manual identification of the eyeblink ICA component by inspection of scalp map projections, however, is prone to error, particularly when nonartifactual components exhibit topographic distributions similar to the blink. The aim of the present investigation was to determine the extent to which automated approaches for selecting eyeblink‐related ICA components could be utilized to replace manual selection. We evaluated popular blink selection methods relying on spatial features (EyeCatch), combined stereotypical spatial and temporal features (ADJUST), and a novel method relying on time series features alone (icablinkmetrics) using both simulated and real EEG data. The results of this investigation suggest that all three methods of automatic component selection are able to accurately identify eyeblink‐related ICA components at or above the level of trained human observers. However, icablinkmetrics, in particular, appears to provide an effective means of automating ICA artifact rejection while at the same time eliminating human errors inevitable during manual component selection and false positive component identifications common in other automated approaches. Based upon these findings, best practices for (a) identifying artifactual components via automated means, and (b) reducing the accidental removal of signal‐related ICA components are discussed.
Appraisal and standardization of curvilinear velocity (VCL) cut‐off values forCASAanalysis of Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) sperm
Authors: Farooq U , Malecki IA , Mahmood M , Martin GB 
Published: February 2017

ContentsOne of the basic steps in objective analysis of sperm motility is the subdivision of a motile sperm population into slow, medium and rapid categories based on their velocity. However, forCASAanalysis of quail sperm, the velocity values for categorization of slow, medium and rapid sperm have not yet been standardized. To identify the cut‐off values of “velocity curvilinear” (VCL) for quail sperm categorization, we captured and analysed 22,300 tracks of quail sperm usingSCA®‐CASA. The median and meanVCLvalues were 85 and 97 μm/s. To define theVCLcut‐off values, we used two methods. In the first, we identified the upper (rapid sperm) and lower (slow sperm) cut‐off values using: (i) medianVCL± 25% or ± 50% or ± 75% of medianVCLvalue; (ii) first and third quartile values ofVCLdata (i.e. 25% cut‐off setting); and (iii) 33% and 66% ofVCLdata. Among these settings, sperm categories and their corresponding motility characteristics recorded using the “25%” setting (i.e. slow ≤36 ≤ medium ≤154 ≤ rapid) were found the most realistic and coherent with male ranking by fertility. In the second method, we calculated heteroscedasticity in the totalVCLdata usingPCAand the two‐step clustering method. With this approach, the mean of the high and low clusters was 165 and 51 μm/s, respectively. Together, the mean from two methods suggested that, forSCA®‐CASAcategorization of quail sperm, sperm should be classed as “rapid” atVCL≥160 μm/s and “slow” atVCL≤45 μm/s.
The role of epicardial adipose tissue in cardiac biology: classic concepts and emerging roles
Authors: Antonopoulos Alexios S. , Antoniades Charalambos 
Published: February 2017

AbstractClassic concepts about the role of epicardial adipose tissue (EpAT) in heart physiology include its role in cardiac metabolism, mechanical protection of coronaries, innervation and possibly cryoprotection of the heart too. Nevertheless, recent evidence has revealed that epicardial adipose tissue regulates multiple aspects of cardiac biology including myocardial redox state, intracellular Ca2+ cycling, the electrophysiological and contractile properties of cardiomyocytes, cardiac fibrosis as well as coronary atherosclerosis progression. Moreover, it is now understood that the communication between EpAT and the heart is regulated by complex bidirectional pathways, since not only do adipokines regulate cardiac function, but also the heart affects EpAT biology via paracrine ‘reverse’ signalling. Such complex interactions as well as epicardial fat accumulation as a consequence of cardiac disease and epicardium to adipocyte differentiation should be taken into account by the clinical studies investigating EpAT as a risk marker and its potential as a therapeutic target against cardiovascular disease. Further in‐depth exploration of the molecular mechanisms regulating the cross‐talk between the heart and EpAT is expected to enhance our understanding regarding the role of the latter in cardiac physiology and relevant disease mechanisms.
image
Perinatal nicotine exposure impairs the maturation of glutamatergic inputs in the auditory brainstem
Authors: Baumann Veronika J. , Koch Ursula 
Published: February 2017

Key points
Chronic perinatal nicotine exposure causes abnormal auditory brainstem responses and auditory processing deficits in children and animal models.
The effect of perinatal nicotine exposure on synaptic maturation in the auditory brainstem was investigated in granule cells in the ventral nucleus of the lateral lemniscus, which receive a single calyx‐like input from the cochlear nucleus.
Perinatal nicotine exposure caused a massive reduction in the amplitude of the excitatory input current.
This caused a profound decrease in the number and temporal precision of spikes in these neurons.
Perinatal nicotine exposure delayed the developmental downregulation of functional nicotinic acetylcholine receptors on these neurons.
AbstractMaternal smoking causes chronic nicotine exposure during early development and results in auditory processing deficits including delayed speech development and learning difficulties. Using a mouse model of chronic, perinatal nicotine exposure we explored to what extent synaptic inputs to granule cells in the ventral nucleus of the lateral lemniscus are affected by developmental nicotine treatment. These neurons receive one large calyx‐like input from octopus cells in the cochlear nucleus and play a role in sound pattern analysis, including speech sounds. In addition, they exhibit high levels of α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, especially during early development. Our whole‐cell patch‐clamp experiments show that perinatal nicotine exposure causes a profound reduction in synaptic input amplitude. In contrast, the number of inputs innervating each neuron and synaptic release properties of this calyx‐like synapse remained unaltered. Spike number and spiking precision in response to synaptic stimulation were greatly diminished, especially for later stimuli during a stimulus train. Moreover, chronic nicotine exposure delayed the developmental downregulation of functional nicotinic acetylcholine receptors on these neurons, indicating a direct action of nicotine in this brain area. This presumably direct effect of perinatal nicotine exposure on synaptic maturation in the auditory brainstem might be one of the underlying causes for auditory processing difficulties in children of heavy smoking mothers.
Reducing Wear Debris and Increasing Lower-Limb Amputees’ Comfort by Optimizing Prosthetic Socket Design Using Local Contact Pressure Relief and Implementing Appropriate Holes
Authors: Nehme Gabi , Dib Micheline 
Published: February 2017

Maintaining a comfortable fit in prosthetic socket for trans-tibial amputees (TTA) using design of experiment (DOE) and finite element model (FEM) to implement relief areas and holes in socket structure are important goals to help ensure better pressure distributions and successful rehabilitation. Design and fit of socket rely on patient acceptance and comfort. Sixteen sockets designed with different levels of reliefs and holes were investigated by Finite Element Model (FEM) and Design of Experiment (DOE) for flexibility and pressure distribution using ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) and polyamide 6 (PA6) or Duraform then compared to conventional socket without any compliance.
The purpose of this study was to assess performance of sockets with compliant features integrated into the socket wall to relieve in-socket pressure, increase flexibility and patient comfort during transtibial amputee gait. Reducing thickness at designated areas and hole implementation between the Patellar Tendon (PT) and Distal Tibia (DT) would decrease stiffness and increase prosthesis range of motion where flexibility is needed without compromising mechanical efficiency and the structural integrity of the socket. Different materials sockets 3 of each obtained by FEM/DOE analysis were manufactured and used by six amputees of the same age groups to measure the level of comfort and check the worn surfaces using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and amputee performances after one year of usage. SEM and optical images were compared. The calculated stiffness of the two compliant sockets with holes are much less than the conventional sockets; they were more comfortable and showed significant decrease in wear debris over the course of the trial period.
Development of an Active Curved Beam Model Using a Moving Frame Method
Authors: Murakami Hidenori 
Published: February 2017

In order to develop an active large-deformation beam model for slender, flexible or soft robots, the d’Alembert principle of virtual work is derived for three-dimensional elastic solids from Hamilton’s principle. This derivation is accomplished by refining the definition of the Cauchy stress tensor as a vector-valued 2-form to exploit advanced geometrical operations available for differential forms.
From the three-dimensional principle of virtual work, both the beam principle of virtual work and beam equations of motion with consistent boundary conditions are derived, adopting the kinematic assumption of rigid cross-sections of a deforming beam. In the derivation of the beam model, Élie Cartan’s moving frame method is utilized. The resulting large-deformation beam equations apply to both passive and active beams. The beam equations are validated with the previously reported results expressed in vector form.
To transform passive beams to active beams, constitutive relations for internal actuation are presented in rate-form. Then, the resulting three-dimensional beam models are reduced to an active planar beam model. Finally, to illustrate the deformation due to internal actuation, an active Timoshenko-beam model is derived by linearizing the nonlinear planar equations. For an active, simply-supported Timoshenko-beam, the analytical solution is presented.
Boom Lift Operator Protection From Stored Energy Hazards
Authors: Pierce William H. , Railsback Ben T. 
Published: February 2017

Boom lifts are useful throughout a variety of industries, such as manufacturing, maintenance service, real estate management, and construction. Boom lifts are designed to allow operator mobility at high elevations and are often used as a substitute for traditional ladders, man-baskets on lift trucks and scaffolding. Although boom lifts are very practical and efficient in allowing personnel to work at high elevations and in areas with limited access, several known hazards exist with boom lifts such as falls, machine tipping, crushes, collapse of machine and electrocution.
Although boom lift operator manuals and safety literature discuss the aforementioned hazards, they do not or incompletely discuss the hazard of suddenly released stored energy when stored energy is rapidly converted from potential energy to kinetic energy through the boom to the operator platform.
One example of rapid conversion of potential energy to kinetic energy involves the boom lift driven over a sudden drop off such as a curb. A relatively low drop off can be amplified substantially by the lever arm of the boom, and as a result, the operator platform and operator(s) within, rapidly accelerate. A second example is when the operator platform is snagged on an external structure and continued hydraulic movement builds up potential energy within the boom. The buildup of potential energy can suddenly and unexpectedly release if the platform springs free from entanglement with the structure. Such release results in the boom, the platform, and the operator(s) rapidly accelerating.
During the rapid acceleration experienced in both examples, operators can potentially be and have historically been violently thrown against the railing of the platform, ejected from the platform, and/or crushed by any nearby overhead obstacles.
The purpose of this paper is to address, analytically quantify, and propose engineering solutions to guard against the sudden conversion of potential energy to kinetic energy on boom lifts. This hazard is currently not discussed or incompletely discussed in boom lift operator manuals and safety literature.
Analytical techniques are used to quantify the rapid acceleration experienced by operator platforms and operators upon the sudden conversion of potential to kinetic energy in various scenarios. Further, the principles of safety engineering are utilized to determine methods to eliminate or reduce the frequency and severity of injuries associated with the sudden conversion of potential to kinetic energy on boom lifts.
This engineering and safety engineering analysis demonstrates that the sudden conversion of energy on boom lifts can rapidly accelerate the operator platform and operator(s) within. Further, there are technologically feasible designs that protect operators against the sudden conversion of potential energy to kinetic energy on boom lifts. Such improved, safer designs are more effective at eliminating or reducing the frequency and severity of injuries than simply warning against the hazards.
Impact of Particle Selection on Nanoparticle Self-Assembly in Evaporating Colloidal Droplets
Authors: Greyson Marcette , Maki Kara L. , Schertzer Michael J. 
Published: February 2017

Abstract
Colloidal droplets often leave behind ring-shaped depositions of material after they evaporate called “coffee ring” patterns that are undesirable in many medical diagnostic and printing applications. By applying electric fields to a droplet, additional electrowetting and electrophoretic forces can be applied on the droplet’s contact line and particles, respectively, to suppress this phenomenon. Better understanding of the effects of electrowetting and electrophoresis may lead to novel techniques for nanoparticle self-assembly in evaporating colloidal droplets that are subjected to electric fields.
This work experimentally examines the effect of particle selection on nanoparticle deposition in evaporating droplets. Droplets consist of deionized water seeded with polystyrene or titanium oxide nanoparticles on the order of 20 nm. Colloidal droplets are evaporated on substrates coated with an SU-8 photoresist. Before fundamentally understanding the effects of an applied electric field, the evaporative dynamics and resultant colloidal transport in similar unactuated systems must first be understood. Current trials involve studying these unactuated control cases, but future trials will involve droplets actuated on the same material with applied AC or DC electric fields. Droplet interface shapes during evaporation are recorded and compared between trials. Final deposition patterns and their particle distributions are also qualitatively examined. Polystyrene droplets pinned for approximately the first 30% of the total evaporation time and then receded at a constant contact angle and produced ring depositions. Titanium oxide droplets pinned for approximately the first 60% of the total evaporation time and then receded in a slip-stick pattern. These produced more uniform depositions with a less-distinct outer ring, despite pinning for more of the evaporation time. The variations in transient behavior suggest that differences in particle characteristics may be impacting the contact line dynamics and resulting in different final deposition pattern.
An Eulerian Approach for Characterization of Solid Suspension in Multiphase Flow Systems and its Application in Hole Cleaning During Drilling
Authors: Zhang Feifei , Miska Stefan , Yu Mengjiao , Ozbayoglu Evren , Takach Nicholas 
Published: February 2017

Solids suspension has broad applications in the oil and gas industry (i.e., sand production, cuttings transportation during drilling, and barite sag in drilling fluids). The conventional modeling approaches for solids suspension and transportation include mechanics models (i.e., layer models) and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) based Eulerian-Lagrangian models. One of the most important assumptions for these approaches is that the solid particles have uniform size, which is not true in the actual applications. The computational fluid dynamics/discrete element method (CFD-DEM) approach can track each single particle in the system; however, the computational time is not practical for industrial applications.
This paper presents a relatively simple Eulerian approach for characterizing solids suspension in multiphase flow systems. The multiphase flow equations are derived by using a proper averaging procedure without considering interphase mass transfer. A proposed new solids suspension model, which is based on the fluid-solid interaction and kinetic theory, account for multiple solids sizes in the flow. The suspension characterizations for particles with different sizes are considered by introducing a particle size distribution function, which also captures detailed particle distribution and fluid/particle and particle/particle interactions. Therefore, a more realistic solids transportation prediction can be achieved. A simulation package is developed by solving the model using the finite difference method. The boundary-fitted coordinate system is applied to integrate the irregular geometry caused by drillpipe eccentricity and a packed solids bed. The influence of the solid phase on the carrier fluid is considered, and solid-liquid two-way coupling is implemented.
The simulation package has been used for transient hole cleaning simulations during drilling. Simulation results show that cuttings’ backsliding makes the hole cleaning process in intermediate inclined wells different from that in horizontal and highly inclined wells. The cuttings movement in this part of the well follows the two-steps-forward, one-step-back routine. Well packoff is also captured by the program for improper hole cleaning operations in an intermediated inclined position. Transient hole cleaning tests were conducted on a 90 ft long, 8 × 4.5 in. flow loop. Experimental data are compared with the simulation results, and good matching is obtained. This method can also be used as a general tool for solids suspension and transportation simulation in multiphase systems.
Computational Investigations for a New, Constrained Least-Squares Datum Definition for Circles, Cylinders, and Spheres
Authors: Shakarji Craig M. , Srinivasan Vijay 
Published: February 2017

For engineering drawings and CAD definitions, the problem of a suitable datum definition for datum features of circles, spheres, and cylinders has been sought by standards writers over decades. The maximum-inscribed and minimum-circumscribed definitions that have often been used have known problems relating to stability in many common, industrial cases. Examples of these problem cases include cylindrical datum features having an hourglass shape, barrel shape, or the shape of a tapered shaft and circular or spherical datum features that are dimpled. For this cause, many resort to using a least-squares fit whose diameter is scaled to be just inside (or just outside) the datum feature. However, we show this shifted least-squares solution has its own drawbacks.
This paper investigates a new datum definition based on a constrained least-squares criterion. The use of this definition for datum planes has already elegantly solved the problem of providing a full contact solution when that solution is stable, while providing a balanced, stable solution in the case of rocker conditions. With that success as motivation, we now investigate using this definition for circles, spheres, and cylinders.
We demonstrate that the constrained least-squares is an excellent choice for several known problematic cases. This datum definition maintains stability in cases where the maximum-inscribed fits are not unique and thus not stable. Yet they also maintain close adherence to the maximum-inscribed solution when such solutions are stable. We also show that the constrained least-squares solution has clear benefits over the shifted least squares solution.
This is the first computational investigation into the behavior of the constrained least-squares as a possible datum definition for these features. While not being fully comprehensive, these initial findings indicate that the constrained least-squares appears to be a safe and advantageous datum definition choice and provide substantial optimism that results in future investigated cases will be pleasing as well.
Towards a Technoeconomic Framework for Estimating Cost-Performance Tradeoffs for Power Plants Incorporating Transformative Dry-Cooling Technologies
Authors: Short Geoffrey , Stark Addison K. , Matuszak Daniel , Klausner James F. 
Published: February 2017

Fresh water withdrawal for thermoelectric power generation in the U.S. is approximately 139 billion gallons per day (BGD), or 41% of total fresh water draw, making it the largest single use of fresh water in the U.S. Of the fresh water withdrawn for the power generation sector, 4.3 BGD is dissipated to the atmosphere by cooling towers and spray ponds. Dry-cooled power plants are attractive and sometimes necessary because they avoid significant withdrawal and consumption of freshwater resources that could otherwise be used for other purposes. This could become even more important when considering the potential effects of climate change (1). Additional benefits of dry-cooling include power plant site flexibility, reduced risk of water scarcity, and faster permitting (reducing project development time and cost). However, dry-cooling systems are known to be more costly and larger than their wet-cooling counterparts. Additionally, without the benefit of additional latent heat transfer through evaporation, the Rankine cycle condensing (cold) temperature for dry-cooling is typically higher than that for wet-cooling, affecting the efficiency of power production and the resultant levelized cost of electricity (LCOE).
The Advanced Research Projects Agency - Energy (ARPA-E) has developed a technoeconomic analysis (TEA) model for the development of indirect dry-cooling systems employing steam condensation within a natural gas combined cycle power plant. The TEA model has been used to inform the Advanced Research in Dry-Cooling (ARID) Program on the performance metrics needed to achieve an economical dry-cooling technology. In order to assess the relationship between air-cooled heat exchanger (ACHX) performance, including air side heat transfer coefficient and pressure drop, and power plant economics, ARPA-E has employed a modified version of the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) model of a 550 MW natural gas combined cycle (NGCC) plant employing an evaporative cooling system. The evaporative cooling system, including associated balance of system costs, was replaced with a thermodynamic model for an ACHX with the desired improved heat transfer performance and supplemental cooling and storage systems. Monte Carlo simulation determined an optimal ACHX geometry and associated ACHX cost. Allowing for an increase in LCOE of 5%, the maximum allowable additional cost of the supplemental cooling system was determined as a function of the degree of cooling of the working fluid required. This paper describes the methodologies employed in the TEA, details the results, and includes related models as supplemental material, while providing insight on how the open source tool might be used for thermal management innovation.