bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Fatigue strength assessment of laser stake‐welded T‐joints subjected to reversed bending
Authors: Frank D. , Dissel P. , Remes H. , Romanoff J. , Klostermann O. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractThe paper investigates the fatigue strength of laser stake‐welded T‐joints subjected to reversed bending. The fatigue tests are carried out with the load ratio, R ≈ −0.8. The experimental data is firstly analysed using the nominal stress approach and then by the J‐integral as the local fatigue strength parameter in the finite element (FE) assessment.The nominal stress approach demonstrated that the fatigue strength of the investigated T‐joints is lower than encountered for any other steel joint under reversed tensile loading. The results also showed that the fatigue strength of this joint under the load ratio R ≈ −0.8 increases with respect to R = 0 bending by 22.6% in the case of the nominal stress approach and 13% in the case of the J‐integral approach. However, the slopes of the fatigue resistance curves for different load ratios appear very similar, suggesting that the load ratio has an insignificant influence to the slope. In contrast to the similar slopes, the scatter indexes were different. The nominal stress approach shows that the scatter index is 3.4 times larger for R ≈ −0.8 than R = 0 bending. The J‐integral approach showed that the scatter index for R ≈ −0.8 is only 67% larger than in the R = 0 case because the weld geometry is modelled in the FE analysis.
Fatigue crack propagation and overload damaging micromechanisms in a ferritic–pearlitic ductile cast iron
Authors: Iacoviello F. , Cocco V. Di , Cavallini M. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractRecently discovered (1948), ductile cast irons (DCIs) are able to combine the good castability of grey irons with the interesting mechanical properties, both static and cyclic, of carbon steels, allowing to directly produce components with complex shape that are requested to be characterized by high mechanical performances, especially considering toughness and fatigue resistance. DCIs mechanical properties and damaging micromechanisms depend on the matrix (ferritic, pearlitic, ferrite pearlitic, ausferritic, etc.) and on the graphite nodules morphological peculiarities (shape, dimension, distribution, etc.).In this work, the fatigue‐crack propagation micromechanisms in a ferritic–pearlitic DCI were investigated, focusing both the role played by the microstructure and the contribution of the graphite nodules. In addition, the overload effects on the composite microstructure of the investigated ferritic–pearlitic DCI were analysed.
Gradient elasticity: a transformative stress analysis tool to design notched components against uniaxial/multiaxial high‐cycle fatigue
Authors: Bagni C , Askes H , Susmel L 
Published: April 2016

AbstractThis paper investigates the accuracy of gradient elasticity in estimating high‐cycle fatigue strength of notched components subjected to both uniaxial and multiaxial fatigue loading. A novel design methodology is formulated by combining Ru and Aifantis' gradient elasticity with the Theory of Critical Distances and the Modified Wöhler Curve Method. The key feature of this innovative design methodology is that, via the Theory of Critical Distances, gradient elasticity's length scale parameter is directly estimated from conventional material fatigue properties (i.e. the plain fatigue limit and the threshold value of the stress intensity factor). From a stress analysis point of view, the proposed approach directly post‐processes the gradient‐enriched stress states determined, at the hot‐spots, on the surface of the component under investigation (and independently of the sharpness of the stress concentrator being assessed). The accuracy and reliability of this design method were checked by using a large number of experimental results taken from the literature and generated by testing notched metallic samples under uniaxial as well as under multiaxial fatigue loading. This comprehensive validation exercise demonstrates that the systematic usage of this transformative design approach leads to the same level of accuracy as the one which is obtained by applying the classic Theory of Critical Distances. This result is certainly remarkable because the proposed approach is not only very efficient from a computational point of view, but it also allows high‐cycle fatigue damage to be assessed by directly post‐processing gradient‐enriched stress states determined on the surface of the component being assessed.
Gross primary production controls the subsequent winter CO2 exchange in a boreal peatland
Authors: Zhao Junbin , Peichl Matthias , Öquist Mats , Nilsson Mats B. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractIn high‐latitude regions, carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions during the winter represent an important component of the annual ecosystem carbon budget; however, the mechanisms that control the winter CO2 emissions are currently not well understood. It has been suggested that substrate availability from soil labile carbon pools is a main driver of winter CO2 emissions. In ecosystems that are dominated by annual herbaceous plants, much of the biomass produced during the summer is likely to contribute to the soil labile carbon pool through litter fall and root senescence in the autumn. Thus, the summer carbon uptake in the ecosystem may have a significant influence on the subsequent winter CO2 emissions. To test this hypothesis, we conducted a plot‐scale shading experiment in a boreal peatland to reduce the gross primary production (GPP) during the growing season. At the growing season peak, vascular plant biomass in the shaded plots was half that in the control plots. During the subsequent winter, the mean CO2 emission rates were 21% lower in the shaded plots than in the control plots. In addition, long‐term (2001–2012) eddy covariance data from the same site showed a strong correlation between the GPP (particularly the late summer and autumn GPP) and the subsequent winter net ecosystem CO2 exchange (NEE). In contrast, abiotic factors during the winter could not explain the interannual variation in the cumulative winter NEE. Our study demonstrates the presence of a cross‐seasonal link between the growing season biotic processes and winter CO2 emissions, which has important implications for predicting winter CO2 emission dynamics in response to future climate change.
The distribution and diversity of insular ants: do exotic species play by different rules?
Authors: Roura‐Pascual Núria , Sanders Nathan J. , Hui Cang 
Published: April 2016

AbstractAimTo examine the relationship between island characteristics (area, distance to the nearest continent, climate and human population size) and ant species richness, as well as the factors underlying global geographical clustering of native and exotic ant composition on islands.LocationOne hundred and two islands from 20 island groups around the world.MethodsWe used spatial linear models that consider the spatial structure of islands to examine patterns of ant species richness. We also performed modularity analyses to identify clusters of islands hosting a similar suite of species and constructed conditional inference trees to assess the characteristics of islands that explain the formation of these island–ant groups.ResultsIsland area was the best predictor of ant species richness. However, distance to the nearest continent was an important predictor of native ant species richness, as was human population size for exotic species richness. Native species appear slightly more modulated (i.e. well grouped in species assemblages that are present over a distinct cluster of islands) than are exotic species. Exotic species, while still exhibiting some modularity, tended to be widely distributed among island groups. Interestingly, ocean currents accounted for most of the variation in modularity and thus species composition for both native and exotic ant species.Main conclusionsContrary to previous work, both native and exotic species appeared to be confined to particular island regions, and patterns in the distribution of both native and exotic species were limited by a similar suite of factors. However, the distribution of exotic ant species appeared to be more influenced by human‐related variables and less structured relative to those of native ant species, perhaps due to the long‐term (and increasing) influence of human‐mediated dispersal that favours exotic species.
Optimization of the thrombin generation test components to measure potency of factor VIII concentrates
Authors: Jha N. K. , Shestopal S. A. , Gourley M. J. , Woodle S. A. , Liang Y. , Sarafanov A. G. , Weinstein M. , Ovanesov M. V. 
Published: April 2016

IntroductionThe thrombin generation test (TGT) is used both as a global haemostasis assay, and to compare activities of coagulation factor concentrates that have been spiked into patient plasma. However, TGT has not been systematically optimized to evaluate factor VIII (FVIII) product potency.AimsTo improve the sensitivity of TGT to FVIII and allow a comparative analysis of the thrombin generating capacities of FVIII concentrates against reference preparations with known FVIII activity.MethodsConcentrations of TGT components (analytical variables) were assessed to maximize the linearity and range of responses to the concentration of FVIII.ResultsWe optimized the range and sensitivity of the TGT assay with respect to FVIII through the addition of FXIa to the assay. Other parameters that were adjusted, i.e. tissue factor (TF), procoagulant lipids and plasma concentrations, did not improve the ability of the assay to measure both high and very low levels of FVIII. In the optimized TF/FXIa‐activated TGT assay, all thrombin generation curve parameters were suitable for FVIII quantification, but thrombin peak height and maximal velocity demonstrated better linearity in the desired FVIII range. We found that the optimized TF/FXIa‐activated TGT has a wider range of sensitivity to FVIII than a commercially available TGT. Additionally, we demonstrated that the TF/FXIa‐activated assay performs adequately by comparing potency measurements of five commercially available FVIII products using TGT and traditional chromogenic and one‐stage clotting assays.ConclusionsThe optimized TGT assay can be used to quantify and compare the thrombin generating capacities of FVIII concentrates.
HIV Pharmacist's Impact on Inpatient Antiretroviral Errors
Authors: Liedtke MD , Tomlin CR , Skrepnek GH , Farmer KC , Johnson PN , Rathbun RC 
Published: April 2016

ObjectivesTransitions in care between out‐patient and in‐patient settings provide ample opportunity for medication errors to occur in HIV‐infected patients. The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of an HIV pharmacist monitoring service in decreasing antiretroviral medication errors in a large south central teaching hospital in the USA.MethodsA retrospective, observational study was conducted to examine the frequency of antiretroviral medication errors in HIV‐seropositive patients with hospital admissions between 1 September 2011 and 30 September 2013 at a single tertiary care centre in Oklahoma. Patient assignment to the 12‐month pre‐intervention and intervention study periods was determined by admission date. Demographic, laboratory, and in‐patient medication data were collected. Bivariate analyses were conducted using χ2 analysis with the Yates correction factor for continuity to examine frequencies in specific antiretroviral classes and error categories. A multivariable Poisson regression was employed to examine the frequency of medication errors before and after initiation of the pharmacist service.ResultsMedication errors were examined in a total of 330 patient admissions during the 2‐year study period. A multivariable‐adjusted decrease of 73.9% in the number of errors was observed between the pre‐intervention and intervention periods (P < 0.001). Patients on protease inhibitor regimens or with impaired renal function had 2.6‐fold and 2.8‐fold higher numbers of errors, respectively (P < 0.001).ConclusionsHIV pharmacist monitoring can decrease medication errors in HIV‐infected patients as they transition between out‐patient and in‐patient care. Patients receiving protease inhibitor‐based therapy or with renal insufficiency are at higher risk for medication errors upon admission.
Structural and ion transport properties of [(AgI)x(AgBr)0.4−x](LiPO3)0.6 and (AgBr)x(LiPO3)(1−x) solid electrolytes
Authors: Kumar Asheesh , Sharma Raghunandan , Gayner Chhatrasal , Rao Siddanathi Nageswara , Singh Devendra P. , Das Malay K. , Kar Kamal K. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractThe (AgBr)x(LiPO3)(1−x) (x=0.4 and 0.5) and [(AgI)x(AgBr)0.4−x](LiPO3)0.6 (x=0.1, 0.2, and 0.3) superionic electrolytes have been prepared by conventional melt quenching using a twin roller. These electrolytes are characterized by X‐ray diffraction, SEM, and energy dispersive X‐ray analysis (EDAX) for structural investigation. Electrical characterizations have been carried out by the AC impedance analysis. The conductivity of LiPO3 glassy system at room temperature is improved by doping with the silver bromide (AgBr)x(LiPO3)(1−x) and the mixture of silver iodide, silver bromide (AgI‐AgBr‐LiPO3 system) up to 10−5 and 10−3 Ω−1 cm−1, respectively (improvements by four or five orders of magnitude). The frequency response of ionic conductivity has been analyzed by universal dynamic response model (Jonscher's law) and AC conductivity data are fitted using the Jonscher's power law. The conductivity values obtained by the power law and impedance plots are comparable. The frequency exponent (n) has a value between 0 and 1. The AgI‐AgBr‐LiPO3 system shows the mixed alkali effect. Summerfield scaling master curve is temperature dependent, which may be due to the contribution of the both lithium and silver ions to ionic conduction.
Identification and functional characterization of four transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 variants in Apolygus lucorum (Meyer‐Dür)
Authors: Fu T. , Hull J. J. , Yang T. , Wang G. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractAs signal integrators that respond to various physical and chemical stimuli, transient receptor potential (TRP) channels fulfil critical functional roles in the sensory systems of both vertebrate and invertebrate organisms. Here, four variants of TRP ankyrin 1 (TRPA1) were identified and cloned from the green plant bug, Apolygus lucorum. Spatiotemporal expression profiling across development and in different adult tissues revealed that the highest relative‐transcript levels occurred in first‐instar nymphs and antennae, respectively. In Xenopus laevis‐based functional assays, Apo. lucorum TRPA1‐A (AlucTRPA1‐A), AlucTRPA1‐B and AlucTRPA1‐C were activated by increasing the temperature from 20 to 40 °C with no significant desensitization observed after repeated temperature stimuli. The activation temperature of AlucTRPA1‐A and AlucTRPA1‐B was < 25 °C, whereas the activation temperature of AlucTRPA1‐C was between 25 and 30 °C. Amongst the variants, only AlucTRPA1‐A and AlucTRPA1‐C were directly activated by high concentrations of allyl isothiocyanate, cinnamaldehyde and citronellal. Taken together, these results suggest that AlucTRPA1 variants may function in vivo as both thermal and chemical sensors, with the four variants potentially mediating different physiological functions. This study not only enriches our understanding of TRPA1 function in Hemiptera (Miridae), but also offers a foundation for developing new pest control strategies.
Preference for Dynamic Human Images and Gaze‐Following Abilities in Preterm Infants at 6 and 12 Months of Age: An Eye‐Tracking Study
Authors: Imafuku Masahiro , Kawai Masahiko , Niwa Fusako , Shinya Yuta , Inagawa Michiyo , Myowa‐Yamakoshi Masako 
Published: April 2016

Preterm children are reported to be at higher risk of social communication problems such as autism spectrum disorder compared with full‐term infants. Although previous studies have suggested that preference for social stimuli in infancy is a possible indicator of later social communication development, little is known about this relation in preterm infants. We examined the gaze behavior of low‐risk preterm and full‐term infants at 6 and 12 months' corrected ages using two types of eye‐tracking tasks, which measured 1) preference for social stimuli by biological motion and human geometric preference and 2) ability to follow another's gaze direction. We found that preterm (compared with full‐term) infants at both 6 and 12 months of age spent less time looking toward dynamic human images, followed another's gaze less frequently, and looked for a shorter time at an object cued by another. Moreover, we found a positive correlation between looking time toward dynamic human images and frequency of gaze following at 12 months of age in full‐term, but not preterm, infants. We discuss the relation between the atypical patterns of gaze behavior in preterm infants and their higher risk of later social communication problems.
Changes in the Distribution of After‐Tax Wealth in the US: Has Income Tax Policy Increased Wealth Inequality?
Authors: Looney Adam , Moore Kevin B. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractA substantial share of the wealth of Americans is held in tax‐deferred form such as in retirement accounts or as unrealised capital gains. Most data and statistics on assets and wealth are reported on a pre‐tax basis, but pre‐tax values include an implicit tax liability and may not provide as accurate a measure of the financial position or material well‐being of families. In this paper, we describe the distribution of tax‐deferred assets in the Survey of Consumer Finances (SCF) from 1989 to 2013, provide new estimates of the income tax liabilities implicit in those assets, and present new statistics on the level and distribution of after‐tax net worth. The results of our analysis suggest that, relative to published statistics on pre‐tax net worth, the distribution of after‐tax wealth is slightly less concentrated in the early years of our sample period, but the effectiveness of the income tax system in reducing wealth inequality has decreased during the last decade. We find the reduction in the long‐term capital gains rate is the primary reason for the muted effectiveness of the current income tax system in reducing wealth inequality.
Novel extrapancreatic effects of incretin
Authors: Yamada Yuichiro , Tsukiyama Katsushi , Sato Takehiro , Shimizu Tatsunori , Fujita Hiroki , Narita Takuma 
Published: April 2016

AbstractThe hormonal factors implicated as transmitters of signals from the gut to pancreatic β‐cells are referred to as incretins. Gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon‐like peptide‐1 (GLP‐1) are incretins. In addition to the insulinotropic effects, we have shown, using the GIP receptor and GLP‐1 receptor‐deficient mice, that GIP and GLP‐1 have direct actions on adipocytes and the kidney, respectively. Because GIP receptors and GLP‐1 receptors are differentially expressed in a tissue‐specific manner, GIP and GLP‐1 have specific physiological activities, and further comprehensive characterization of the extrapancreatic actions of GIP and GLP‐1 is anticipated, as dipeptidyl peptidase IV inhibitors activate both GIP and GLP‐1 signaling.
Stenamoeba polymorpha, a New Species Isolated from Domesticated Horse Equus ferus caballus
Authors: Peglar Michael T. , Nerad Thomas A. , Anderson O. Roger 
Published: April 2016

AbstractA new species of lobosean amoeba, Stenamoeba polymorpha n. sp., was isolated from the diarrheic stool of a domesticated horse in Great Falls Virginia, U.S. It shares characteristics with the five other described Stenamoeba species. However, electron microscopy revealed S. polymorpha has a substantially thickened cell surface lamina. Under light microscopy, the amoebae had a dynamic polymorphic appearance because hyaloplasm readily formed and resorbed subpseudopodia from any peripheral region of the cell. While in locomotion, the amoebae produced subpseudopodia that led and alternated the direction of movement with an apparent zigzag path. Sometimes, stationary amoebae had a vertical cell posture that was substantially taller than wide or long. The new species description is also supported by small subunit ribosomal ribonucleic acid gene analyses using phylogenies with both broad and narrow taxon sampling, pairwise nucleotide comparisons, and in‐silico secondary structure predictions. The latter suggested Stenamoeba spp. discriminatory motifs in variable region eight. Stenamoeba polymorpha n. sp. is the first of its genus to be recovered from mammal feces, the first to yield a potential group one intron and the second described from North America. Here, the phylogenies suggest Stenamoeba limacina is this new species' nearest known relative.
Numerical Simulation of Corn Drying in a Hybrid Fluidized Bed‐Infrared Dryer
Authors: Nejadi Jalil , Nikbakht Ali Mohammad 
Published: April 2016

AbstractThis study deals with numerical modeling and experimental validation of hybrid fluidized bed‐infrared drying of bulk grain. A mathematical model of simultaneous heat and mass transfer for the aforementioned dryer was developed: first single phase model was used to establish heat and mass transfer equations over the fluidized bed, then the effect of infrared heating was incorporated into the single phase model as a source term to develop the model for a hybrid fluidized bed‐infrared dryer. The model is capable of predicting the moisture content of bulk corn as well as the drying air parameters (i.e., out let air temperature and out let air absolute humidity) during drying. The model was validated by comparison with experimentally obtained drying kinetics for different combinations of inlet air temperature, infrared power density and bed height. The results of verification test for all drying conditions indicated that the mean relative deviation for prediction of grain moisture content, out let air temperature and absolute humidity were less than 8, 11 and 7%, respectively, which reflects an acceptable accuracy (<15%). Other results showed that the application of infrared power in conjunction with fluidized bed drying to reduce corn moisture content from 0.23 to 0.12 kg H2O/kg dry solid led to a 45–87% saving in drying time and 36–68% saving in specific energy consumption compared to conventional fluidized bed configurations. The model indicated acceptable performance and hence the model could be suggested as a mathematical tool providing precise prognostications dealing with fluidized bed drying equipped with infrared heat source.Practical ApplicationsThe suggested model is an efficient method to simulate drying process of bulk grain in infrared‐fluidized bed dryers. This model provides precise prognostications regarding the variations in grain moisture content, gas temperature and gas absolute humidity. Additionally the features of the model introduced in the present study might qualify it for use in automatic control of fluidized bed dryers and online prediction of drying time to reach a desired value of moisture content.