bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Socio‐economic determinants of HIV testing and counselling: a comparative study in four African countries
Authors: Obermeyer Carla Makhlouf , Neuman Melissa , Hardon Anita , Desclaux Alice , Wanyenze Rhoda , Ky‐Zerbo Odette , Cherutich Peter , Namakhoma Ireen 
Published: August 2013

AbstractObjectivesResearch indicates that individuals tested for HIV have higher socio‐economic status than those not tested, but less is known about how socio‐economic status is associated with modes of testing. We compared individuals tested through provider‐initiated testing and counselling (PITC), those tested through voluntary counselling and testing (VCT) and those never tested.MethodsCross‐sectional surveys were conducted at health facilities in Burkina Faso, Kenya, Malawi and Uganda, as part of the Multi‐country African Testing and Counselling for HIV (MATCH) study. A total of 3659 clients were asked about testing status, type of facility of most recent test and socio‐economic status. Two outcome measures were analysed: ever tested for HIV and mode of testing. We compared VCT at stand‐alone facilities and PITC, which includes integrated facilities where testing is provided with medical care, and prevention of mother‐to‐child transmission (PMTCT) facilities. The determinants of ever testing and of using a particular mode of testing were analysed using modified Poisson regression and multinomial logistic analyses.ResultsHigher socio‐economic status was associated with the likelihood of testing at VCT rather than other facilities or not testing. There were no significant differences in socio‐economic characteristics between those tested through PITC (integrated and PMTCT facilities) and those not tested.ConclusionsProvider‐initiated modes of testing make testing accessible to individuals from lower socio‐economic groups to a greater extent than traditional VCT. Expanding testing through PMTCT reduces socio‐economic obstacles, especially for women. Continued efforts are needed to encourage testing and counselling among men and the less affluent.
Estimation of content of anti‐TB drugs supplied at centres of the Revised National TB Control Programme in Tamil Nadu, India
Authors: Ramachandran Geetha , Chandrasekaran Vedachalam , Hemanth Kumar Agibothu Kupparam , Dewan Puneet , Swaminathan Soumya , Thomas Aleyamma 
Published: August 2013

AbstractObjectiveTo determine the content of certain antituberculosis (TB) drugs supplied at TB treatment centres of the Revised National TB Control Programme (RNTCP) in the state of Tamil Nadu, India.MethodsEight districts across the state were selected, and the following drugs were collected from five settings (District TB centre, TB unit, designated microscopy centres, DOT providers) in each district: rifampicin (150 and 450 mg), isoniazid (300 mg), pyrazinamide (500 and 750 mg), ethambutol (400 and 600 mg), ethionamide (250 mg), levofloxacin (500 mg) and cycloserine (250 mg). A maximum of 10 tablets/capsules were collected from each setting. The drugs were coded prior to analysis. All drugs were assayed by validated spectrophotometric methods. The acceptable limits for drug content were taken as 90–110% of the stated content.ResultsMore than 90% of tablets of rifampicin 450 mg, isoniazid 300 mg, pyrazinamide 500 and 750 mg, ethambutol 400 and 600 mg and ethionamide 250 mg were within acceptable limits. Eighty per cent of rifampicin 150 mg, 21% of cycloserine 250 mg and 87% of levofloxacin 500 mg were within acceptable limits. The mean cycloserine content was below the acceptable limit in all districts, the mean drug content being 200 mg (range: 108–245 mg).ConclusionThis systematic study showed that the stated drug content of cycloserine was not reached in all districts. Deterioration of cycloserine could be minimised by storing the drug in refrigerators. The geographical location of the districts had no influence on the drug content.
Type III hypersensitivity reaction with immune complex deposition in 2 critically ill dogs administered human serum albumin
Authors: Powell Cassandra , Thompson Lisa , Murtaugh Robert J. 
Published: August 2013

AbstractObjectiveTo describe 2 cases of vasculitis that were attributed to a type III hypersensitivity reaction in critically ill dogs occurring 8–16 days postadministration of human serum albumin (HSA).Case or Series SummarySkin biopsies were obtained from 3 different sites in 2 critically ill dogs that developed vasculitis 8–16 days following treatment with HSA. Histopathological findings from both dogs indicated epidermal pallor, widespread edema and hemorrhage, degenerative neutrophilic perivascular infiltrates, and multifocal areas of neutrophilic or leukocytoclastic vasculitis. Immunohistochemical staining using an anti‐human serum albumin rabbit antibody suggested that the antigen‐antibody complexes seen in the dermis were associated with the administration of HSA.New or Unique Information ProvidedIn this case series, we documented a leukocytoclastic vasculitis and probable antigen‐antibody complexes to human albumin in the dermis of 2 critically ill dogs after administration of HSA. Previously, type III hypersensitivity reactions had only been reported in healthy dogs that had received HSA. This report also describes the potential use of immunohistochemical staining to detect the HSA antigen in tissue sections through the use of specifically labeled antibodies.
Modulation of synaptic depression of the calyx of Held synapse by GABAB receptors and spontaneous activity
Authors: Wang Tiantian , Rusu Silviu I. , Hruskova Bohdana , Turecek Rostislav , Borst J. Gerard G. 
Published: August 2013

Key points
Spontaneous activity contributes to low synaptic depression of the calyx of Held synapse in vivo.
Application of a reversible blocker in combination with juxtacellular recordings allows a relatively good estimate of local drug concentrations reached during microiontophoresis.
Activation of the GABAB receptor on the young‐adult calyx of Held can reduce short‐term depression, both in vivo and in slices.
The ambient concentration of GABA in the auditory brainstem is low.
Abstract  The calyx of Held synapse of the medial nucleus of the trapezoid body is a giant axosomatic synapse in the auditory brainstem, which acts as a relay synapse showing little dependence of its synaptic strength on firing frequency. The main mechanism that is responsible for its resistance to synaptic depression is its large number of release sites with low release probability. Here, we investigated the contribution of presynaptic GABAB receptors and spontaneous activity to release probability both in vivo and in vitro in young‐adult mice. Maximal activation of presynaptic GABAB receptors by baclofen reduced synaptic output by about 45% in whole‐cell voltage clamp slice recordings, which was accompanied by a reduction in short‐term depression. A similar reduction in transmission was observed when baclofen was applied in vivo by microiontophoresis during juxtacellular recordings using piggyback electrodes. No significant change in synaptic transmission was observed during application of the GABAB receptor antagonist CGP54626 both during in vivo and slice recordings, suggesting a low ambient GABA concentration. Interestingly, we observed that synapses with a high spontaneous frequency showed almost no synaptic depression during auditory stimulation, whereas synapses with a low spontaneous frequency did depress during noise bursts. Our data thus suggest that spontaneous firing can tonically reduce release probability in vivo. In addition, our data show that the ambient GABA concentration in the auditory brainstem is too low to activate the GABAB receptor at the calyx of Held significantly, but that activation of GABAB receptors can reduce sound‐evoked synaptic depression.
Design and Implementation of a Simulator for 3D Flexible-Link Serial Robots
Authors: Boscariol P. , Gasparetto A. , Giovagnoni M. , Moosavi A. K. , Vidoni R. 
Published: August 2013

In this paper, an effective method in dynamic modeling of spatial flexible-link robots under large displacements and small deformations is discussed and a generic Matlab™ software simulator based on it is presented and validated. The adopted method is based on an Equivalent Rigid Link System (ERLS) that enables to decouple the kinematic equations of the ERLS from the compatibility equations of the displacements at the joints allowing an easy and recursive procedure to build the robot dynamic matrices.
The simulator is suitable for dynamic modelling of generic 3D serial flexible-link robots. The Matlab™ software simulator is validated with respect to the Adams-Flex™ commercial software, which implements Floating Frame of Reference (FFR) formulation, one of the most used methods for dynamic modeling of multibody flexible-link mechanisms with large displacements and small deformations.
A Comprehensive Framework for Skin Model Simulation
Authors: Schleich Benjamin , Walter Michael , Wartzack Sandro , Anwer Nabil , Mathieu Luc 
Published: August 2013

The need for geometrical variations management is an important issue in design, manufacturing and all other phases of product development. Two main axioms cover geometrical variations, namely the axiom of manufacturing imprecision and the axiom of measurement uncertainty. Therefore, this paper reviews common models for the description of non-ideal geometry (shape with geometric deviations) and shows how the random field theory can be applied to create more realistic skin models (a model which comprises these geometric deviations).
Furthermore, methods to estimate and to express the underlying random field from a sample population are shown. These can be used to create and simulate random shapes considering systematic and random deviations observed through measurement or gathered from manufacturing process simulations.
The proposed approach incorporates given information from manufacturing process simulations or prototypes. Based on these information, skin model samples are created which can represent the “realistic” part in assembly simulations or other geometrical analyses. This can help to identify the optimal tolerance sets within every stage of the product development process. The efficiency of the introduced approaches is shown in a case study.
Satisfying Piping Stress and Flexibility Requirements With the Implementation of Expansion Joints: Techno-Economical Optimization
Authors: Jocic Misa 
Published: August 2013

There have been various attempts to deal with the optimization of solutions which involve expansion joints in piping systems where sufficient flexibility can’t be found using suitable pipe routing.
The difficulty of piping designs which involve expansion joints is that they rely upon two engineering expertises: Pipe Flexibility and Stress Analysis on one side and Expansion Joint Design and Construction on the other. Arguably distinctively different, they have been looked upon as totally detached engineering disciplines and it is rarely that companies have two of these experts residing under the same roof. Pipe Stress Engineers basically relied on support form Expansion Joint Experts on “as required basis” and called upon their knowledge only when needed. Thus, we have the situation where knowledge related to the design and construction of expansion joints sits with expansion joints manufacturing companies, which are totally separate and often remote entities in the piping design process.
Even so, the ever present demand for techno-economical optimizations, points us to the following observations.
The “Traditional method”, where Pipe Stress Engineer defines on his own the requirements for expansion joints and describes them in the technical specification for purchasing is, or should be, a theme of the past.
This approach may be used only as a first attempt in search for the solution, but given that it never heads in the direction of achieving optimal techno-economical results, needs to be upgraded with additional steps.
Experimental Analysis of Viscoelastic Properties of High Density Polyethylene (PE100)
Authors: Celikkan Ozan , Palabiyik I. Mehmet , Gemici Zafer , Gökgöz Isminur 
Published: August 2013

A High-density polyethylene has been used for buried plastic pipe production for over a decade. The structural performance of these pipes mainly depends on the viscoelastic properties of using materials. The aim of this study is to determine the creep behavior of PE100 material under constant tensile and flexural stress within 24 hours. In both tests, large deformation occurs within the first 1000 seconds and then very little or no deformation is observed. Primary and secondary creep stages have also been observed. At highest stress level, maximum strain is 5%, approximately.
At the flexural creep experiments, modulus of the material has been obtained from total deflection value at the end of 24 hours by using three point bending experiment under constant load. Large deflection occurs within in first 1000 seconds, after that, continues to increase slowly. Maximum strain is about 2%. The material exhibits linear viscoelastic response to 8 MPa stress level.
Applications for a New Production Technology: Analysis of Linear Flow-Split Linear Guides
Authors: Karin Ivan , Lommatzsch Nils , Lipp Klaus , Landersheim Volker , Hanselka Holger , Bohn Andrea 
Published: August 2013

Within the collaborative research centre 666 “Integral Sheet Metal Design with Higher Order Bifurcations” the innovative manufacturing technologies linear flow-splitting and linear bend-splitting are researched that allow the continuous production of multi-chambered steel profiles in integral style. The massive forming processes create an ultra-fine grained microstructure in the forming area that is characterized by an increased hardness and lower surface roughness compared to as received material. These properties predestine the technology to be used in the production of linear guides. Additionally, the multi-chambered structure of the linear flow-split and -bend components can be used for function integration. To design and evaluate linear guides that use the whole technological potential, the research is focused on a macroscopic and a microscopic point of view.
The macroscopic approach is targeting the development of linear flow-split linear guides with integrated functions to provide additional performance values to the established machine parts. Continuously produced guidance systems with innovative functionality can be introduced to a new market with the technology push approach. Preliminary designs of linear flow-split guidance systems and integrated functions are promising. Therefore, an approach to develop new functions for linear flow-split linear guides basing on calculation models and property networks is shown [1]. With this approach, optimized solutions can be created and possible design modifications can be derived. In this contribution, the development and integration of a clamping function for decelerating the slide is presented. Calculation models for analyzing the functionality are presented and validated by finite element models and experiments.
The microscopic examination of the profiles aims to investigate the material behavior, particularly of the formed areas. Beside the conventional mechanical and fatigue properties of linear flow-split material ZStE500 [2], the present work focuses on the rolling contact fatigue. This is necessary to evaluate linear flow-split components regarding their eligibility with regard to the rolling contact fatigue behaviour. The Hertz theory for rolling contact fatigue is only valid for homogeneous materials [3]. The flow-split material ZStE500 shows a non-homogeneous behaviour and has to be analyzed with the Finite Element Method in order to determine stresses and strains. In comparison to simulation results with unformed and therefore homogeneous material, the effect of linear flow-split surfaces on the rolling contact behavior is demonstrated. Based on these results, it is possible to start experimental investigations on rolling contact fatigue of linear flow-split components to validate the FE model and determine the performance of linear flow-split flanges for rolling contact fatigue.
Model-Based Design of Mechatronic Systems by Means of Semantic Web Ontologies and Reusable Solution Elements
Authors: Oestersötebier Felix , Just Viktor , Trächtler Ansgar , Bauer Frank , Dziwok Stefan 
Published: August 2013

When designing complex mechatronic systems, a team of developers will be facing many challenges that can impede progress and innovation if not tackled properly. In meeting them simulation tools play a central role. Yet it is often impossible for a single developer to foresee the overall impact a design decision will have on the system and on the other domains involved. For this task multi-domain simulation tools exists, but because of its complexity and the different levels of detail that are needed, the effort to specify a complete system from scratch is very high. Another challenge is the selection of the most suitable solution elements provided by the manufacturers. Currently they are often chosen manually from catalogues. The development engineer is therefore usually inclined to employ well-known solution elements and suppliers. To tackle both challenges our aim is an increase in efficiency and innovation by means of generally available solution knowledge, such as well-proven solution patterns, ready-to-use solution elements, and established simulation models [1].
Our paper presents a tool-supported, sequential design process. From the outset, the comprehensive functional capability of the designed system is supervised by means of multi-domain simulation. At significant points in the design process, solution knowledge can be accessed as it is stored in ontologies and therefore available via Semantic Web [2]. Thus, one can overcome barriers resulting from different terminologies or referential systems and furthermore infer further knowledge from the stored knowledge. The paper focuses on an early testing in the conceptual design stage and on the subsequent semantic search for suitable solution elements. After the specification of a principle solution for the mechatronic system by combining solution patterns, an initial multi-domain model of the system is created. This is done on the basis of the active structure and of idealized simulation models which are part of a free library and associated with the chosen solution patterns via the ontologies. In further designing the controlled system and its parameters with the completed model, the developer defines additional criteria to be fed into the subsequent semantic search for solution elements. Information on the latter is provided by the manufacturers as well as detailed simulation models, which are used to analyze the functional capability of the concretized system. Therefore, the corresponding idealized models are replaced automatically with the parameterized models of the solution elements containing for example the specific friction model for the chosen motor. We show this process using the concrete example of a dough-production system. In particular, we focus on its transport system. Resulting requirements for the simulation models and their level of detail are expound, as well as the architecture and benefits of the ontologies.
Recognizing Algorithm for Digitized Rotational Parts
Authors: Manolescu Alexandru , Fota Adriana , Oancea Gheorghe 
Published: August 2013

It is a well known fact that Reverse Engineering techniques involve the following steps: scanning the object, pre-processing a cloud of points, processing the cloud of points, redesigning, and manufacturing the part.
Difficulties arise when processing clouds of points resulted from digitization, obtaining geometrical parameters of the scanned object itself and getting the final associated CAD model.
This paper presents an algorithm for the recognition of a rotational part form. The part has been previously scanned and will be redesigned for re-manufacturing.
To determine the surfaces of a rotational part, it is necessary to scan the part in order to obtain the cloud of points which is afterwards cleared of noise points. Beginning with the cloud of points, an algorithm is built that automatically determines the part’s axis. The axis is then used to generate the required sections. The same tool also facilitates the recognition of simple, basic shapes like cylinders, cones and spheres.
The points cloud data are stored in a text file. The text file contains all the points’ coordinates of the cloud. After running the software on the data file we obtain the geometrical data necessary for the parametric model. This data can then be exported to a 3D design environment to redesign the digitized part.
This paper contains two case studies in which a part was scanned and then, following the steps outlined above, the geometrical data of the part are obtained. With the geometrical data, the part can be modelled like a parameterized object.
Application of Laser Technology for Measurement and Verification of Marine Propellers
Authors: Cavada Javier , Fadón Fernando 
Published: August 2013

Marine propellers are geometrically complex elements, formed by multiple blades and one central hub. Their measurement during manufacturing process will determine their future performance. The state-of-the-art measurement methods used in the majority of the propeller manufacturers require physical contact between the measuring tool and the surface.
In front of these excessively rigid and inflexible mechanical system, Laser scanning offers a vast number of advantages for marine propeller measurement like high precision and small size of the equipment required, and this paper describes several practical tests carried out on real propellers.
Besides these multiple advantages, this paper identifies a remarkable list of constraints found during measuring tests, caused in principal by the high sensitivity of laser scanners to vibrations, noise, roughness, reflections and metallic particles floating in the air.
This paper concludes offering detailed recommendations for the application of laser techniques in propellers verification, as well as suggestions for further research.
Energy Efficiency Design Method for Electrical and Electronic Equipments
Authors: Evrard Damien , Brissaud Daniel 
Published: August 2013

Energy consumption during the use phase often contributes significantly to the overall energy demand and to the environmental impacts of an elect(on)ic product’s lifecycle. Therefore, regulations, standards, and customers tend to demand that the electronic industry supplies products with lesser consumption. However, manufacturers lack of systematic methods and tools to integrate energy consumption into their design projects from the early design phases.
This paper presents the Synergico method which is meant to be incorporated in the current design practices of manufacturing companies, therefore helping design more energetically efficient electr(on)ic products without compromising the other design criteria (ergonomics, performances, usage value, quality, cost, delay, etc.). This method is based on three tools to use from the earliest design phases.
Firstly, an In-Use Energy consumption indicator providing an assessment of the energy consumption during the use phase during each design phase. Thanks to the consideration of several use scenarios, it calculates values of the product’s energy consumption for each product sub-assembly, and each operating mode, thus monitoring the consumption and compliance of a product with design objectives. Secondly, a Guideline-based tool adapted to electronic products. These guidelines can easily be filtered to consider only the most relevant ones according to the context (design phase, expert concerned, scope of the guideline, etc.). Thirdly, a Lifecycle Check tool to verify that no pollution trade-offs, between life cycle phases, would hinder the design of an energy efficient product with good overall environmental performances. A case study illustrates the use and integration of the Synergico method and the way it coordinates the tools.