bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Body hair counts during hair length reduction procedures: a comparative study between Computer Assisted Image Analysis after Manual Processing (CAIAMP) and Trichoscan™
Authors: Van Neste D. J. J. 
Published: January 2015

PurposeTo compare two measurement methods for body hair.MethodsCalibration of computer assisted image analysis after manual processing (CAIAMP) showed variation <4% for thickness and <2.3% for densities. Images from 6 body sites with ‘good natural contrast between hair and skin’ were taken before hair dye, after hair dye or after hair length reduction without hair extraction or destruction. Data in the same targets were compared with Trichoscan™ quoted for ‘unambiguous evaluation of the hair growth after shaving’.ResultsCAIAMP detected a total of 337 hair and showed no statistically significant differences with the three procedures confirming ‘good natural contrast between hair and skin’ and that reduction methods did not affect hair counts.While CAIAMP found a mean number of 19 thick hair (≥30 μm) before dye, 18 after dye and 20 after hair reduction, Trichoscan™ found in the same sites respectively 44, 73 and 61. Trichoscan™ generated counts differed statistically significantly from CAIAMP‐data. Automated analyses were considered un‐specifically influenced by hair medulla and natural or artificial skin background.ConclusionQuality control including all steps of human intervention and measurement technology are mandatory for body hair measurements during experimental or clinical trials on body hair grooming, shaving or removal.
Investigation of Buoyancy Effects on Heat Transfer Characteristics of Supercritical Carbon Dioxide in Heating Mode
Authors: Pidaparti Sandeep R. , McFarland Jacob A. , Mikhaeil Mark M. , Anderson Mark H. , Ranjan Devesh 
Published: January 2015

Experiments were performed to investigate the effects of buoyancy on heat transfer characteristics of supercritical carbon dioxide in heating mode. Turbulent flows with Reynolds numbers up to 60,000, at operating pressures of 7.5, 8.1, and 10.2 MPa, were tested in a round tube. Local heat transfer coefficients were obtained from measured wall temperatures over a large set of experimental parameters that varied inlet temperature from 20 to 55°C, mass flux from 150 to 350  kg/m2s, and a maximum heat flux of 65  kW/m2. Horizontal, upward, and downward flows were tested to investigate the unusual heat transfer characteristics due to the effect of buoyancy and flow acceleration caused by large variation in density. In the case of upward flow, severe localized deterioration in heat transfer was observed due to reduction in the turbulent shear stress and is characterized by a sharp increase in wall temperature. In the case of downward flow, turbulent shear stress is enhanced by buoyancy forces, leading to an enhancement in heat transfer. In the case of horizontal flow, flow stratification occurred, leading to a circumferential variation in wall temperature. Thermocouples mounted 180° apart on the tube revealed that the wall temperatures on the top side are significantly higher than the bottom side of the tube. Buoyancy factor calculations for all the test cases indicated that buoyancy effects cannot be ignored even for horizontal flow at Reynolds numbers as high as 20,000. Experimentally determined Nusselt numbers are compared to existing correlations available in the literature. Existing correlations predicted the experimental data within ±30%, with maximum deviation around the pseudocritical point.
Torque Distribution Control for Multi-Wheeled Combat Vehicle
Authors: Ragheb Hossam , El-Gindy Moustafa , Kishawy Hossam 
Published: January 2015

Multi-wheeled combat vehicles behavior depends not only on the available total driving torque but also on its distribution among the drive axles/wheels. In turn, this distribution is largely regulated by the drivetrain layout and its torque distribution devices.
In this paper, a multi-wheeled (8×4) combat vehicle bicycle model has been developed and used to obtain the desired yaw rate and lateral acceleration to become reference for the design of the controllers. PID controllers were designed as upper and lower layers of the controllers. The upper controller develops the corrective yaw moment, which is the input to the lower controller to manage the independent torque distribution (torque vectoring) among the driving wheels. Several simulation maneuvers have been performed at different vehicle speeds using Matlab/Simulink-TruckSim to investigate the proposed torque vectoring control strategy. The simulation results with the proposed controller showed a significant improvement over conventional driveline, especially at severe maneuvers.
Cued Active Learning: An Initial Study
Authors: Orsborn Seth , Hutcheson Ryan 
Published: January 2015

It has become common knowledge that effective teaching requires more than just the rote dissemination of knowledge. By using active learning, teachers involve the students in the learning process. As the students subjectively handle the class material, their comprehension and retention improves. In the classroom, teachers commonly prompt actively learning through a verbal cue such as, “We are now going to break into groups.” This forces the student to switch from a receptive mental state to an active mental state.
We theorize that this verbal, short duration transition from lecture to active learning, especially in large classroom settings, is not sufficient to make this transition quickly and thus limits how active students are in the active learning session. In this paper we present a technique and exploratory study results for cueing active learning through a representative icon in a visual lecture presentation. This cue enables the students to mentally prepare themselves for actively learning during a more passive part of the lecture. The results of our exploratory study demonstrate that the cued active learning did not conclusively correlate with average student performance, but that it did show a decrease in the standard deviation of performance, thereby demonstrating an improvement in the comprehension of the students that were more likely to perform lower than average. The results of this study will be used to conduct a more formal study including direct measurement of lecture participation by students.
A Robust Surrogate Modeling Approach for Material Selection in Sustainable Design of Products
Authors: Eddy Douglas , Krishnamurty Sundar , Grosse Ian , Wileden Jack , Lewis Kemper 
Published: January 2015

A sustainable solution should holistically optimize all objectives related to the environment and a product’s cost and performance. As such, it should explicitly address material selection, which significantly affects environmental impacts and other objectives of a product design. While Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) provides credible methods to account for environmental impacts, current methods are not efficient enough for use at the early design stages to prune the entire design space without requiring execution of costly LCA analysis for each design scenario. Alternatively, surrogate modeling approaches can facilitate efficient concept selection during early design stages. However, material properties consist of discrete data sets, thus posing a significant challenge in the construction of surrogate models for numerical optimization.
In this work, we address the unique challenges of material selection in sustainable product design in some important ways. Salient features of the robust surrogate modeling approach include achieving manageable dimensionality of LCA with a minimal loss of the important information by the consolidation of significant factors into categorized groups, as well as subsequent efficiency enhancement by a streamlined process that avoids the construction of full LCA. This novel approach combines efficiency of use with a mathematically rigorous representation of any pertinent objectives across an entire design space. To this end, we introduce an adapted two stage sampling approach in surrogate model construction based on a feasible approximation of a Latin Hypercube design at the first stage. The development and implementation of the method are illustrated with the aid of an automotive disc brake design, and the results are discussed in the context of robust optimal material selection in early sustainable product design.
Preliminary Calibration and Validation of a Finite Element Model of THOR Mod Kit Dummy
Authors: Untaroiu Costin D. , Putnam Jacob B. , Somers Jeffrey T. , Pellettiere Joseph A. 
Published: January 2015

New vehicles are currently being developed to transport crews to space by NASA and several commercial companies. During the takeoff and landing phase, vehicle occupants are typically exposed to spinal and frontal loading. To reduce the risk of injuries during these common impact scenarios, NASA has begun research to develop new safety standards for spaceflight. The THOR, an advanced multi-directional crash test dummy, was chosen by NASA to evaluate occupant spacecraft safety due to its improved biofidelity.
Recently, a series of modifications were completed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to improve the bio-fidelity of the THOR dummy. The updated THOR Modification Kit (THOR-K) dummy was tested at Wright-Patterson (WP) Air Base in various impact configurations, including frontal and spinal loading. A computational finite element (FE) model of the THOR was developed in LS-DYNA software and was recently updated to match the latest dummy modifications. The main goal of this study was to calibrate and validate the FE model of the THOR-K dummy for use in future spacecraft safety studies.
An optimization-based method was developed to calibrate the material properties of the pelvic flesh model under quasi-static and dynamic loading conditions. Data in a simple compression test of pelvic flesh were used for the quasi-static calibration. The whole dummy kinematic and kinetic response under spinal loading conditions was used for the dynamic calibration. The performance of the calibrated dummy model was evaluated by simulating a separate dummy test with a different crash pulse along the spinal direction. In addition, a frontal dummy test was also simulated with the calibrated model. The model response was compared with test data by calculating its correlation score using the CORA rating system.
Overall, the calibrated THOR-K dummy model responded with high similarity to the physical dummy in all validation tests. Therefore, confidence is provided in the dummy model for use in predicting response in other test conditions such as those observed in the spacecraft landing.
Knowledge Discovery of Student Sentiments in MOOCs and Their Impact on Course Performance
Authors: Tucker Conrad S. , Dickens Bryan , Divinsky Anna 
Published: January 2015

The objective of this research is to mine textual data (e.g., online discussion forums) generated by students enrolled in Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) in order to quantify students’ sentiment, in relation to their course performance. Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) are free to anyone with a computing device and a means of connecting to the internet and serve as a new paradigm for distance based education. While student interactions in traditional based brick and mortar classes are readily observable by students and instructors, quantifying the sentiments expressed by students in MOOCs remains challenging. This is in part due to the quantity of textual data being generated by students enrolled in MOOCs, in addition to a lack of quantitative methodologies that discover latent, previously unknown knowledge pertaining to student interactions and sentiments in the digital world.
The authors of this work introduce a data mining driven methodology that employs natural language processing techniques and text mining algorithms to quantify students’ sentiments, based on their textual data provided during course assignment discussions. The researchers of this work aim to help educators understand the factors that may impact student performance, team interactions and overall learning outcomes in digital environments such as MOOCs.
Compensating Inertia Forces During Human Load Carrying Using a Motorized Second Spine
Authors: Park Joon-Hyuk , Jin Xin , Agrawal Sunil K. 
Published: January 2015

This study focuses on how the inertia force of a backpack induced by human walking can be compensated by active load modulation through a Second Spine, a device that provides an alternate pathway to transfer loads from the shoulder to the pelvis. Human walking induces periodic vertical acceleration of the upper body. A backpack worn on the upper body undergoes this same acceleration. Inertia force is induced by this acceleration and the human body has to sustain this motion and provide necessary energy.
Based on this knowledge and our previous studies on a passive Second Spine, we present studies on a motorized Second Spine that can actively modulate the vertical motion of a backpack such that the inertia forces can be reduced. This is realized by real-time sensing and actuation so that the backpack is kept inertially fixed. The performance of such a device was evaluated on an instrumented test-bed using an Instron machine, showing results in good agreement with simulation. It was shown that the backpack motion can be made nearly stationary with respect to the ground by active modulation using motors and the inertia force is reduced.
Kinematic Synthesis of Quasi-Homokinetic Four-Bar Linkages Through the Burmester and Chebyshev Theories
Authors: Figliolini Giorgio , Pennestrì Ettore 
Published: January 2015

The present paper deals with the formulation of specific algorithms for the kinematic synthesis of quasi-homokinetic four-bar linkages, slider-crank mechanisms included, which are based on the fundamentals of kinematics, as the centrodes, the inflection circle, the cubic of stationary curvature, Freudenstein’s theorem, the Euler-Savary equation and Chebyshev’s theory.
These algorithms are aimed to obtain in a given range of motion, a quasi-constant transmission ratio between the driving and driven links, thus producing a quasi-homokinetic behaviour. In particular, the infinitesimal Burmester theory and the Chebyshev optimality criterion are applied to propose a compact closed-form solutions, which are validated through several significant examples.
Analysis of Design for X Methodologies for Complex Assembly Processes: A Literature Review
Authors: Aliende Urrutia Usue , Webb Philip , Summers Mark 
Published: January 2015

Historically, products have been developed following the “we design it, you build it” approach. Design and production belonged to two independent entities, with no feedback from downstream activities to upstream activities. In order to avoid redesign costs caused by the lack of feedback, pioneer organisations began to apply methodologies such as ‘Design for Assembly’ or ‘Design for Manufacture’ on a daily basis.
Over the years, further research has been carried out to refine these generic methodologies adding previously unconsidered perspectives, such as quality, reliability, environmental, etc. which evolved into a concept called ‘Design-for-X’ (DfX). However, existing methodologies have largely focused on simply reducing product’s structural costs, without taking into consideration other important aspects of more complex assembly processes common in the aerospace industry.
The complex assembly process that this paper focuses on is the systems’ installation process within the aerospace business. The installation of fuel, electrical and other systems must follow strict aerospace regulations, intra-organisational design rules, safety policies and many more restrictions, which are not considered as key factors in current methodologies.
In this paper, we endeavour to provide an extensive analysis of existing DfX methodologies and support our conclusion that there is an opportunity to develop a new methodology which will ease the aerospace systems’ installation process for the shop-floor operator.
Creation of Empathic Lead Users From Non-Users via Simulated Lead User Experiences
Authors: Vaughan Meagan R. , Seepersad Carolyn C. , Crawford Richard H. 
Published: January 2015

Customer Needs Analysis (CNA) is a common method used to help non-user designers to identify latent user needs. However, efforts by engineers in developed countries to conduct CNA with lead users from developing countries is complicated by differences in culture, geographical location, and language among participants. To overcome these issues, we present in this paper an alternative strategy to create Empathic Lead Users (ELU) from non-user product design engineers through the use of simulated lead user experiences.
The strategy for creating ELU includes two exercises to build empathic understanding of the needs of lead users. The problem selected for this case study was to improve lower-limb prosthetics for amputees in developing countries. The first exercise was an academic, lecture-style training session — based on videos, photos, and literature — to build understanding of the needs of amputees worldwide and in a particular developing country, Bolivia. The second exercise simulated the experiences of lead users by allowing participants to don, ambulate, and doff a mock-prosthetic limb. Each participant was interviewed before, between, and after the experiences and customer needs were interpreted from their responses. For comparison, lead users in Bolivia and typical users in the United States were similarly interviewed and customer needs interpreted from their responses.
The ELU participants were able to identify a majority of the lead user group’s needs and the traditional user group’s needs, 95% and 95% respectively. Further, by completing a CNA with the ELU group, there was a 100% increase in the number of latent needs that could be utilized in future design efforts in this study, relative to the 5 latent needs identified by the lead users themselves. As a result of this study, it appears that customer needs analysis with ELU helps to identify more latent needs, and possibly more avenues for product innovations, than interviewing lead or traditional users alone.
Research Experience for Veterans and Teachers: Motivation, Program Description, Outcomes and Expectations for Future
Authors: Mandala Mahender , Goldberg Mary , Pearlman Jonathan , Cooper Rory 
Published: January 2015

Students, especially from the underrepresented groups, are largely underprepared for and unaware of all the STEM opportunities at the undergraduate level. We have recognized this need with two populations: students that come directly out of K-12 schools and military veterans transitioning into college.
We offer two programs to combat lower STEM enrollment and attrition at post-secondary institutions: a Research Experience for Teachers program that instructs teachers on an innovative product realization process to excite their K-12 students about STEM disciplines and an Experiential Learning for Veterans in Assistive Technology and Engineering program as a mechanism to advise and prepare Veterans with disabilities for their transition from the combat field to an academic career.
In the following paper we look at a novel attempt to combining the two seemingly diverse populations of Teachers and Veterans in a single training initiative, made possible by their overlapping needs and STEM theme.
Design Considerations for Hybridizing Additive Manufacturing and Direct Write Technologies
Authors: Perez K. Blake , Williams Christopher B. 
Published: January 2015

The layer-by-layer nature of additive manufacturing (AM) allows for access to the entire build volume of an artifact during manufacture, including its internal structure. Internal voids are accessible during the build process and allow for components to be embedded and sealed with subsequently printed layers. When AM is combined with Direct Write (DW) of conductive materials, the resulting hybrid process enables the direct manufacture of parts with embedded electronics, including interconnects and sensors. However, the hybridization of DW and AM technologies is non-trivial due to (i) identifying DW materials and processes that are compatible with AM infrastructure, throughput and resolution, (ii) temperature processing requirements, and (iii) interactions between the two materials.
In this paper, the authors explore DW technologies and materials to identify those that are most compatible with AM. From this exploration, the authors abstract a set of generalized design considerations for the design of a hybrid AM and DW process. These considerations are then employed in a systematic design process in which a DW system for depositing conductive materials during the PolyJet manufacturing process is realized. The resulting system is able to create embedded functional electronic interconnects and sensors in printed parts composed of both stiff and flexible polymers.
Polymyxin B Resistance and Biofilm Formation in Vibrio cholerae Are Controlled by the Response Regulator CarR
Authors: Bilecen Kivanc , Fong Jiunn C. N. , Cheng Andrew , Jones Christopher J. , Zamorano-Sánchez David , Yildiz Fitnat H. 
Published: January 2015

ABSTRACT

Two-component systems play important roles in the physiology of many bacterial pathogens.
Vibrio cholerae
's CarRS two-component regulatory system negatively regulates expression of
vps
(
Vibrio
polysaccharide) genes and biofilm formation. In this study, we report that CarR confers polymyxin B resistance by positively regulating expression of the
almEFG
genes, whose products are required for glycine and diglycine modification of lipid A. We determined that CarR directly binds to the regulatory region of the
almEFG
operon. Similarly to a
carR
mutant, strains lacking
almE
,
almF
, and
almG
exhibited enhanced polymyxin B sensitivity. We also observed that strains lacking
almE
or the
almEFG
operon have enhanced biofilm formation. Our results reveal that CarR regulates biofilm formation and antimicrobial peptide resistance in
V. cholerae
.