Finite element approach to mathematical modeling of high-speed elastic linkages

A general approach is described for deriving the equations of motion of planar linkages in high-speed machinery. Based on the work of several current authors, well-known displacement finite element method is used to develop the mass and stiffness properties of an elastic linkage. To demonstrate the various steps in the analysis, a 4-bar linkage is utilized; however the method is readily extendible to other planar multi-loop linkages. Starting with a typical elastic planar beam element, the nodal displacement and acceleration expressions are derived including the terms coupling the elastic and rigid-body motions. The linkage is modeled as beam elements and its equations of motion are stated in matrix form. Methods are described for systematic assembly of all elements, resulting in the undamped equations of motion of the total system. Conventional forms of structural damping are reviewed and appended to this paper for inclusion in the equations of motion. This paper also includes assumptions made in order to simplify the analyses here as well as facilitate numerical solutions.     

Effects of brown midrib corn silage on the energy balance of dairy cattle

Effects of genotype and level of intake on net energy for lactation values of corn silage were evaluated by indirect calorimetry in two experiments using lactating and dry, nonpregnant dairy cows. In experiment 1, six multiparous Holstein cows in early lactation were fed experimental diets containing either brown midrib (bm3) or isogenic normal corn silage. Dietary treatments were isogenic and bm3 diets fed ad libitum, and the bm3 diets restricted-fed. Dry matter (DM) intake was 2.4 kg/d greater for cows fed the bm3 diet ad libitum compared with cows fed the isogenic diet. Apparent digestibilities of DM, organic matter, neutral detergent fiber, and acid detergent fiber were greater for cows restricted-fed bm3 than the isogenic diet. In experiment 2, six dry, nonpregnant Holstein cows were fed maintenance diets containing either bm3 or isogenic corn silage. Apparent digestibilities of DM, organic matter, neutral detergent fiber, and acid detergent fiber were greater for cows fed bm3 compared with isogenic corn silage. Digestible energy and metabolizable energy were greater for maintenance diets containing bm3 compared with isogenic corn silage, respectively. These data indicate increased milk production seen in other studies is a result of increased DMI rather than an increase in energy efficiency. Increased organic matter digestibility of bm3 corn silage resulted in greater digestible energy and metabolizable energy values in cows fed at maintenance energy intake. However, calculated net energy for lactation values of bm3 and isogenic corn silages were similar at both productive and maintenance levels of feeding.     

Three and four precision point kinematic synthesis of planar linkages

Dyads modelled by complex numbers are presented in several different equation forms for three prescribed positions of either motion, path generation with prescribed timing or function generation. Different strategies are suggested depending on how the free choices are best utilized. Interactive computer techniques are suggested for both the three and four prescribed position cases. Several examples are presented to help illustrate each of the design situations.     

Determination of lycopene, α- and β-carotene and retinyl esters in human serum by reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography

A rapid specific, microdetermination of the major human blood carotenoids by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) separation and quantitation at 466 nm is detailed in this paper. Serum retinyl esters can also be quantified utilizing the same separation procedure but detected at 325 nm. One hundred microliters of deproteinated serum were extracted with chloroform and injected on a reverse-phase column. Separation occurred within 16 min for all compounds of interest employing a mobile solvent of MeOH/AcN/CHCl₃ (47∶47∶6). All compounds were quantified at the wavelengths cited by integrated peak areas using retinyl acetate as a daily standard. Analysis of serum from a hypercarotenemic anorexia nervosa patient and a person suffering from hypervitaminosis A are presented as examples of the clinical application of this procedure.     

The Potential Role of DNA Methylation in Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a complex disorder that has a significant impact on the aging population. While both genetic and environmental risk factors have been implicated in AAA formation, the precise genetic markers involved and the factors influencing their expression remain an area of ongoing investigation. DNA methylation has been previously used to study gene silencing in other inflammatory disorders and since AAA has an extensive inflammatory component, we sought to examine the genome-wide DNA methylation profiles in mononuclear blood cells of AAA cases and matched non-AAA controls. To this end, we collected blood samples and isolated mononuclear cells for DNA and RNA extraction from four all male groups: AAA smokers (n = 11), AAA non-smokers (n = 9), control smokers (n = 10) and control non-smokers (n = 11). Methylation data were obtained using the Illumina 450k Human Methylation Bead Chip and analyzed using the R language and multiple Bioconductor packages. Principal component analysis and linear analysis of CpG island subsets identified four regions with significant differences in methylation with respect to AAA: kelch-like family member 35 (KLHL35), calponin 2 (CNN2), serpin peptidase inhibitor clade B (ovalbumin) member 9 (SERPINB9), and adenylate cyclase 10 pseudogene 1 (ADCY10P1). Follow-up studies included RT-PCR and immunostaining for CNN2 and SERPINB9. These findings are novel and suggest DNA methylation may play a role in AAA pathobiology.     

Effects of soya protein on mineral Availability

Conclusions There is no evidence that soy protein per se directly affects the bioavailability of minerals. Most researchers believe that soybean protein in soybean products plays a casual role in reduced bioavailability of minerals from soya. The bioavailability of mineral, particularly zinc, may decline during the processing of soya products by the formation of protein-phytic acid-mineral complexes. These complexes seem to form more readily at pH from 7 up to 8 or 10, especially in the presence of high amounts of dietary calcium. Neutralized soya protein concentrates and isolates have been shown to have relatively low zinc bioavailability for rats as compared to other soy products. Experimental evidence based upon work with the rat and chick demonstrate a highly variable bioavailability of minerals, especially zinc. Unit food processing procedures can greatly modify zinc utilization for these experimental animals. These results do not necessarily predict how man will utilize minerals from soya products. Thus far, a few published studies of humans raise hopes that man can utilize soy products in mixed diets without alterations in mineral metabolism. Considerably more basic research is needed to determine the bioavailability of minerals from soya for man and, if necessary, to develop economically feasible processing procedures that optimize recovery and functionality of soya protein, yet reduce the amount or effect of phytic acid on mineral bioavailability. The alternative action is prudent fortification of soya protein products. Fortification should be undertaken when the product has the potential or making a significant contribution to the human diet. Indiscriminate fortification is to be avoided; this could lead to induction of alternate mineral deficiencies. For example, calcium addition to diets containing phytate reduces zinc utilization, whereas zinc addition may reduce copper utilization.     

Integrated CAD of mechanisms

There are three major components in an integral linkage design package: synthesis, analysis and design/drafting. Through the utilization of existing design software and integration tools, such a system is being developed at the University of Minnesota. This paper presents the prototype system along with a detailed example. The system, not yet all encompassing, ties the three major components together into one useful design tool utilizing LINCAGES for synthesis, DRAM for analysis, and ICEM DESIGN/DRAFTING for the design/drafting component. The example illustrates the use of the package in the design of a six-bar stamper mechanism. The design process is followed through from initial problem definition to the final analysis of the mechanism.     

Effects of Food Processing on Blueberry Antiproliferation and Antioxidant Activity

Cultivated highbush (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) and wild lowbush (Vaccinium angustifolium Ait.) blueberries are excellent sources of phytochemicals that are believed to have significant biological activity. The objective of this study was to determine whether incorporation of blueberries into food products affects their phenolic content or antioxidant and antiproliferation activity. Several blueberry fruit‐containing products including fresh, individually quick frozen (IQF), freeze‐dried, spray‐dried, heat‐dried, cooked, juice concentrate, pie filling, and jam were fractionated to remove sugars and isolate groups of phytochemicals based on solubility. The fractions were analyzed for total phenolics and assayed for ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) antioxidant activity, 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity, and hepa‐1c1c7 antiproliferative activities. For both cultivated and wild berries, fresh and IQF berries had the highest total phenols, antioxidant activity, and antiproliferation activity. Whole freeze‐dried wild blueberries also retained significant antiproliferative activity in 2 fractions eluted with acetone (fraction 4, 4% of control cell growth at 20 (μg/mL) and 50% aqueous acetone (fraction 5, 69% of control cell growth at 20 (μg/mL) and ranked close to the activities recorded for fresh (30% of control cell growth at 20 (μg/mL for fraction 5) and IQF whole fruit (27% of control cell growth at 20 (μg/mL for fraction 5). Products that were heat‐processed retained most of the antioxidant activity and total phenolics found in unprocessed whole fruit. However, the heat‐treated products lacked or had diminished antiproliferation activity, suggesting that although products may be high in phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity, some forms of bioactivity may be compromised by harsh processing methods.     

Changes in milk fat in response to dietary supplementation with calcium salts of trans-18:1 or conjugated linoleic fatty acids in lactating dairy cows

Milk fat was investigated in lactating dairy cows fed diets supplemented with Ca salts of trans fatty acids (Ca-tFA) or Ca salts of conjugated linoleic acids (Ca-CLA). Forty-five Holstein cows (115 days in milk) were fed a control diet (51% forage; dry matter basis) supplemented with 400 g of EnerG II (Ca salts of palm oil fatty acids) for 2 wk; subsequently, 5 groups of 9 cows each were assigned for 4 wk to the control diet or diets containing 100 g of Ca-CLA or 100, 200, or 400 g of Ca-tFA in a randomized block design. Treatments had no effect on dry matter intake, milk production, protein, lactose, or somatic cell count. Milk fat percentage was reduced from 3.39% in controls to 3.30, 3.04, and 2.98%, respectively, by the Ca-tFA diets and to 2.54% by the Ca-CLA diet. Milk fat yield (1.24 kg/d in controls) was decreased by 60, 130, and 190 g/d with increasing dose of Ca-tFA and by 290 g/d with the Ca-CLA supplement. Consistent with increased endogenous synthesis of cis-9-containing CLA from precursors provided by the Ca-tFA diets, total CLA were similar in milk of cows fed Ca-CLA or Ca-tFA. Compared with controls, the Ca-CLA diet increased trans-10, cis-12-18:2 yield in milk, without altering levels of trans-18:1 isomers. In contrast, yields of most trans-18:1 isomers were elevated in milk of cows fed Ca-tFA diets, whereas yields of trans-10, cis-12-18:2 remained similar to control values. We conclude that milk fat depression can occur without an increase in trans-10, cis-12-18:2 in milk and that other components, perhaps the trans-10-18:1 isomer, may be involved.     

davidclovers: The Repulse Bay Complex,Repulse Bay,Hong Kong

Adaptation and alteration of existing building are a fertile area for mass customisation, as well as new builds. With growing land values and an increasing maturity of building stock in Southeast Asian cities, this has become a more viable option than carte blanche development. David Erdman and Clover Lee , founding directors of davidclovers based in Hong Kong, describe how they employed a composite of technological approaches when undertaking the ‘gut renovation’ and alteration of The Repulse Bay Complex in the city.