Conventional Pad Research Articles

Winter habitat use of greater sage‐grouse relative to activity levels at natural gas well pads

ABSTRACTEnergy development in western North America has been shown to negatively influence greater sage‐grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) populations. No effective methods of reducing on‐site impacts of energy development to greater sage‐grouse are known. We investigated greater sage‐grouse use of wintering habitats relative to distances to infrastructure, densities of infrastructure, and activity levels associated with infrastructure of a natural gas field over 5 years in southwestern Wyoming. We compared year‐long drilling locations, locations of conventional well pads, locations of well pads with off‐site condensate and produced water gathering systems (LGS), and plowed main haul roads to the number of and time associated with greater sage‐grouse visits to continually monitored, distinct patches of habitat. Liquid gathering systems reduced human activity levels at producing well pads approximately 53%. We used data loggers to monitor distinct patches of habitat throughout the 2005–2006 to 2009–2010 winters and used the number of times and the amount of time individuals from a sample of greater sage‐grouse (n = 236) were detected at data logger stations to model frequency and time of occurrence as functions of anthropogenic and habitat variables. Greater sage‐grouse avoided suitable winter habitats in areas with high well pad densities regardless of differences in activity levels associated with well pads. Our results further suggested that greater sage‐grouse avoidance of conventional well pads was stronger than LGS well pads. We found relatively consistent positive relationships between distance to infrastructure with high levels of human activity and average hours greater sage‐grouse spent in an area. Greater sage‐grouse avoidance of natural gas field infrastructure during the winter may be explained mechanistically as movements of individuals from areas close to high levels of activity—movements that may occur at the time human activity is experienced—followed by a lack of movement back into these areas. Minimizing the densities of well pads may reduce on‐site impacts of energy development on wintering greater sage‐grouse. Our study, additionally, indicated that reducing anthropogenic activity levels associated with energy developments may reduce the temporal scale of indirect greater sage‐grouse winter habitat loss. © 2015 The Wildlife Society.

Unobtrusive Tremor Detection While Gesture Controlling a Robotic Arm

<div class=""abs_img""><img src=""[disp_template_path]/JRM/abst-image/00270001/12.jpg"" width=""300"" />Gesture based validation</div> A light weight robotic arm (Jaco) has been interfaced with a novel gesture detection sensor (Leap Motion Controller), substituting complicated conventional input devices, i.e., joysticks and pads. Due to the enhanced precision and high throughput capabilities of the Leap Motion Controller, the unobtrusive measurement of physiological tremor can be extracted. An algorithm was developed to constantly detect and indicate potential user hand tremor patterns in real-time. Additionally a calibration algorithm was developed to allow an optimum mapping between the user hand movement, tracked by the Leap Motion Controller, and the Jaco arm, by filtering unwanted oscillations, allowing for a more natural human-computer interaction. </span>

Dynamic Soil Property Change in Response to Reclamation following Northern Appalachian Natural Gas Infrastructure Development

Development of historical conventional gas and recent unconventional shale-gas infrastructure in Appalachia has led to extensive landscape disturbance. Construction of >1500 well pads in Pennsylvania thus far has resulted in 2 ha of soil per pad typically being removed, stockpiled, and eventually reclaimed. Based on evidence of infrastructure leading to hydrologic capture and increased erosion and sedimentation risk, we hypothesized that unconventional gas development would cause measurable changes in soil function. To test this hypothesis, we examined dynamic soil property (DSP) change on three types of reclaimed gas infrastructure: 75-yr-old conventional gas pads, 25-yr-old conventional gas pads, and recently developed unconventional gas pads. Disturbed and undisturbed soils within a site were analyzed for bulk density, soil organic C (SOC) pools, soil N pools, and available P pools. Results show that conventional sites do not currently exhibit significant differences in DSPs between disturbed and undisturbed soils, while unconventional sites show significantly higher (potentially root limiting) bulk density and lower SOC and N pools on disturbed soils. We attribute the significant DSP change on unconventional sites to soil compaction during reclamation surface grading and increased soil organic matter decomposition, N mineralization, and soil mixing during soil stockpiling. The 75- and 25-yr-old conventional sites probably exhibit less DSP change currently because more time has passed for these soils to recover.

G1300106 鋳鉄ラップと多孔質ウレタンパッドの相似性

In this paper, we examined the processing characteristics of the cast iron plate and the urethane resin porous polishing pads. The similarities between the cast iron lapping plate and the porous urethane resin polishing pad are described. It was known that the conditioning state of tool surface affects the processing characteristics greatly. To improve the performance of conventional tools, we developed the metallic fiber lapping tools and the epoxy resin pads. The metallic fiber tool can grip the abrasives on the lapping area with microasperity. The epoxy resin polishing pad showed higher removal rate and lower surface roughness than a conventional urethane resin polishing pad, because of high hydrophilic property.

Screen-pad printing for electrode patterning on curvy surfaces

Pad printing is a simple but effective method for fabricating electrodes onto complex curved surfaces. In this method, ink is picked up from the gravure plate by the soft pad, after which the ink pattern is transcriptionally formed from the pad to the final substrate. However, this printing method has some problems; primarily, it is difficult to form thick and large patterns. To address these limitations, we developed a new printing technique called "screen-pad printing." In this technique, ink is first screen-printed onto a blanket made of silicone resin, after which the ink pattern is picked up by the soft pad, and the pattern on the pad is transferred to the substrate. In this paper, we describe the features of the developed screen-pad printing technique when forming patterns on objects that have complex surfaces. Further, the impact of our new method is analyzed by comparing the experimental results of screen-pad printing with results obtained from conventional pad printing.

Design, simulation and fabrication of a flexible bond pad with a hollow annular protuberance to improve the thermal fatigue lifetime for through-silicon vias

This paper presents a flexible bond pad (FBP) with a hollow annular protuberance to improve the thermal fatigue lifetime for its application to through-silicon vias (TSVs). The hollow annular protuberance structure across the interface between the filled copper in TSV and silicon substrate not only isolates the FBP from stress/strain concentration regions (the corners of the TSV) but also disperses TSV-induced deformation. The plastic strain distributions of the FBP and conventional plate-type bond pad (CPBP) were simulated by finite element method (FEM) under the temperature cycles. Based on the simulation results, the thermal fatigue lifetimes of the CPBP and the FBP with different TSV diameters were predicted by the Coffin–Manson equation. The results indicate that thermal fatigue lifetimes of the FBP are significantly greater than those of the CPBP and their fatigue lifetimes both decrease with the increase of TSV diameter. To examine the reliability of the predicted results, the CPBP and the FBP with TSV diameter of 100 µm were fabricated by MEMS technology and temperature cycling tests (TCTs) were performed to obtain their thermal fatigue lifetimes. The test results are in good agreement with the numerical simulation results, and it shows that the proposed FBP can effectively improve the thermal fatigue lifetime for TSVs.

Conductive cotton fabrics for heat generation prepared by mist polymerization

Cotton fabrics were coated with conducting polypyrrole (PPy) by mist polymerization derived from aqueous solution of pyrrole (Py) with ferric chloride (FeCl3) as oxidant. The polymerization conditions, such as the reaction time and the concentrations of monomer and oxidant, were systematically investigated. The prepared PPy-coated fabrics could keep their temperature at about 24–44 °C when charged by a fixed DC voltage of 1–3 V. The results indicate that these PPy-coated fabrics can be used potentially as heating pads and integrated into the apparel to make the wearer warm enough using a portable battery. Furthermore, such fabrics are more comfortable than the conventional heating pads due to their flexibility and breathability.

Cooling Broiler Chickens by Surface Wetting: Indoor Thermal Environment, Water Usage,and Bird Performance

Abstract. A surface-wetting cooling system was evaluated and compared to a conventional evaporative cooling system in commercial, tunnel-ventilated broiler houses during five flocks in summer months over three years. Surface wetting (accomplished using low pressure sprinklers, SPRK) and a conventional evaporative pad cooling system (PAD) were employed in adjacent houses at the University of Arkansas Applied Broiler Research Farm. With SPRK, overhead sprinklers were spaced evenly 6 m apart and 1.2 to 2.4 m above the litter surface and were intermittently operated to apply controlled volumes of large water droplets onto the birds. The SPRK house had substantially higher air temperature but lower relative humidity compared to the PAD house during critical supplemental cooling periods. During a 2-day heat stress period, the core body temperatures of birds in the SPRK house were similar to those of birds in the PAD house. The bird live weight and livability were not significantly different between SPRK and PAD with feed conversion being better in the SPRK treatment. No correlations were found between daily mortality and either daily maximum ambient temperature or flock age, indicating both cooling systems were effective in relieving heat stress of broiler chickens. Apparently, the evaporation of sprinkled water from the bird’s surface, benefiting from favorable convective conditions (intrinsically high air velocity of tunnel ventilation) and lower relative humidity, was able to compensate for higher temperatures measured in the SPRK house. Final litter moisture conditions were not significantly different. Due to the nature of the water delivery, cooling water usage per bird basis in SPRK was significantly less than that used by PAD (water in SPRK averaged 33% of that used in PAD). This represents a major opportunity for water conservation in broiler production.

Relationship between polishing performance and viscoelasticity of epoxy resin polishing pads

Polishing performances of glass using epoxy resin polishing pads from the aspect of their mechanical properties are described. Material removal rates are independent to the hardness of the epoxy resin pads. The different types of epoxy resin pads are produced by varying the composition of the resin and the curing agent. Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) of the epoxy and conventional urethane resin polishing pads was conducted to investigate the relationship between the material removal rates and the mechanical properties of the epoxy resin polishing pads. DMA measurement indicates that the epoxy resin polishing pads showed a significant difference in the storage and loss modulus compared to the conventional urethane pads. Moreover, the epoxy resin pads showed a higher loss tangent (tan δ) than the urethane resin polishing pad. From the investigation of the relationship between the material removal rates and tan δ of the polishing pads, the strong positive correlation between the material rate and tan δ is observed. Finally, the dependence of polishing conditions on the material removal rate by the epoxy and urethane resin pads is evaluated. It is found that the difference in the material removal rate between the epoxy and urethane resin pads becomes larger under a condition of a low abrasive concentration and a high rotation rate.

S1330203 多孔質研磨パッドの研磨特性([S133-02]先進砥粒加工技術(2))

In this paper, we described the polishing performance of soda-lime glass using the urethane resin and the epoxy resin polishing pads. The epoxy resin pads can improve the stagnation of abrasives on the surface of polishing pad. The epoxy resin pad and urethane-epoxy resin polishing pad showed higher removal rate and lower surface roughness than a conventional urethane resin polishing pad. We also investigated the polishing characteristics of polishing pads made by the urethane resin or epoxy resin. It was found that the epoxy resin polishing pad could hold abrasives on the flat area of polishing pad and improve the polishing ability. It was also clarified that pore size impact polishing performance of urethane resin pad greatly.

Experimental performance analysis of a solar evaporative cooler with three different types of pads

This article presents the operation of a simple DC-powered solar evaporative cooler which was designed in the University of Tehran. This suggested design aims to implement innovation by using the minimum of energy to cool a room and concentrates on solar cooling technology. In the present paper, we describe how it can be useful, without wasting a lot of energy. The cooler was tested in a specified room for measuring different temperatures at different locations in the room and comparing the results in the summer during sequential days in order to evaluate the performance of the cooler. Three kinds of pads are used in the cooler including a conventional pad, a cellulosic pad, and a metal foam pad. The results showed that the performance of the cooler is relatively reasonable during the summer. However, its performance can be more improved using high performance cooling pads such as metal foam pads.

Efficacy and safety study of subcutaneous injection of bortezomib in the treatment of de novo patients with multiple myeloma

To explore the efficacy and safety of subcutaneous injection of bortezomib in the treatment of de novo multiple myeloma (MM) patients. A total of 36 MM patients treated with bortezomib, adriamycin and dexamethasone (PAD) from January 2012 to April 2013 were analyzed. Among them, 18 received improved PAD (improved PAD group) with the subcutaneous injection of bortezomib, another 18 received conventional PAD (PAD group). The efficacy and safety of two groups were analyzed. Except 4 cases can not be assessed, 32 patients were evaluated. Of 32 cases, 19(59.4%) achieved complete remission (CR) or very good partial remission (VGPR) after induction therapy, which were 61.1% and 57.1% for PAD group and improved PAD group, respectively (P=1.000). No significant difference between the time to achieve maximum effectiveness in two groups was detected. In the PAD group, one patient (5.6%) died of serious lung infection and eight (44.4%) experienced grade 3 or higher adverse events, while only one (5.6%) discontinued treatment in improved PAD group due to similar toxicity. Compared to PAD group, grade 3 or worse adverse events was significantly reduced in improved PAD group, the most common symptoms were leucopenia (33.3% vs 61.1%, P=0.086), thrombocytopenia (50.0% vs 61.1%), anaemia (27.8% vs 16.7%), infection (16.7% vs 50.0%, P=0.075), diarrhea (5.6% vs 33.3%, P=0.088), peripheral neuropathy(0 vs 27.8%, P=0.045). The improved PAD regimen by changing bortezomib from intravenous administration to subcutaneous injection significantly reduced adverse events, improved the safety of clinical application of bortezomib without affecting curative effect, and had great progress.

Ultrasmooth surface polishing based on the hydrodynamic effect

This study will examine the feasibility of applying the hydrodynamic effect to ultrasmooth surface polishing. Differing from conventional pad polishing, hydrodynamic effect polishing is noncontact, as the polishing wheel is floated on the workpiece under the hydrodynamic effect. The material removal mechanism and the removal contour are analyzed in detail. Dynamic pressure and shear stress distribution on the workpiece are numerically simulated in three dimensions under different clearances between the polishing wheel and the workpiece, showing that the dynamic pressure distribution and the magnitude of shear stress on the workpiece are greatly influenced by the clearance. It is clearly demonstrated from fixed-point polishing experiments that material removal rates and contours are determined by the combined action of dynamic pressure and shear stress. A material removal analytic model is presented with the hydrodynamic effect polishing method. Finally, a polishing experiment is conducted on a quartz glass and the plastic scratches, cracks, and bumpy structures on the initial surface are clearly removed. Moreover, the processed surface roughness is improved to 0.145 nm rms, 0.116 nm Ra.

Charge collection studies on custom silicon detectors irradiated up to 1.6·1017 neq/cm−2

Silicon n+-p diodes with special design of the implant — so called ``spaghetti diodes'' — were used to study the impact of implantation process on charge multiplication afterirradiations to extremely large 1 MeV neutron equivalent fluences ofreactor neutrons up to 1.6·1017 cm−2. Silicon remainsfunctional even at these unprecedented levels of irradiation. Above1015 cm−2 collected charge (Q) grows linearly with biasvoltage, with the Q−V slope exhibiting a power law dependence onfluence. Different implantation processes were implemented on samplesto study the impact of implantation on chargemultiplication. ``Spaghetti'' diodes of different thicknesses werealso compared to conventional strip and pad detectors in order todetermine the impact of different electric and weighting field on thecollected charge.

Design and application of position pad for cervical surgery via anterior approach

Objective To discuss the clinical effect of new position pad for cervical surgery via anterior approach.Methods A total of 100 patients who had cervical surgery via anterior approach from January to December 2011 were chosen and divided into the observation group (n =52) and the control group (n =48).The observation group adopted the new position pad composed by gel shoulder pad,head wear,cylindric cotton fabric roll,while the control group used conventional position pad composed by gel shoulder pad,head wear,sandbag and assistant cushion.Positioning time,operative time,surgical exposure degree,neck skin integrity and position firmness was compared between two groups.Results Positioning and operative time was respectively (3.63 ± 0.67) min and (1.35 ± 0.23) h in the observation group,both shorter than (8.23 ± 0.81) min and (1.56 ± 0.47) h in the control group,and the differences were statistically significant (t =26.78,4.59,respectively; P ＜0.01).The score of surgical exposure degree was (95.41 ±5.48) in the observation group and (70.24 ± 6.46) in the control group,and the difference was statistically significant (t =32.81,P ＜0.01).The rate of position firmness and neck skin integrity was 92.31％ and 88.46％ in the observation group,and 33.33％,33.33％ in the control group,and the differences were statistically significant (x2 =37.68,32.20,respectively; P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions The new position pad for cervical surgery via anterior approach,which can shorten surgical time,improve position firmness and surgical exposure degree,is practical,effective,convenient and therefore has favorable clinical value. Key words: Cervical spine; Anterior approach surgery; Position pad

Negotiating Uneven Terrain with a Compliant Designed Unmanned Ground Vehicle Equipped with Locomotive Master‐Slave Operation

In recent years, a number operational unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) have been developed that can negotiate irregular terrain. They have a number of degrees‐of‐freedom (DOF) giving them enhanced mobility, e.g., the ability to climb stairs and over obstacles. However, operating them remotely is complicated because their controllers are similar to conventional control pads or joysticks used in computer games or toys. It is hard for the operator to achieve an intuitive and natural feel, thus mistakes are common. To intuitively control the locomotion of a UGV with many DOFs, a master‐slave operation was implemented. A novel UGV called Kurogane, which consists of a typical crawler combined with a human‐like torso section, was developed. The torso section is controlled via a wearable controller interface. In addition, the UGV is equipped with models of muscle viscoelasticity and stretch reflex, called the involuntary autonomous adaptation system, inspired by the adaptive compliance of animals. The proposed system can autonomously and flexibly react and adapt to irregular terrain in real time. Therefore, the operation of Kurogane is simple and does not require great skill or precision. Experimental results show that it performs well over a fixed step, stairs, and rough outdoor terrain. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Improved Polishing Performance for Glass by a Novel Suede Pad Utilizing Epoxy Resin

This paper describes newly developed suede pads for final polishing of glass that employ epoxy resin to improve the stagnation properties of the abrasives. From contact and sliding angle measurements on resin films, it was found that epoxy resin exhibited higher hydrophilicity than urethane or fluorine resin. In an attempt to improve the polishing performance of commercially-available polyurethane suede pads, various types of resin films were deposited on them, and glass polishing tests were carried out. It was found that an epoxy-coated pad exhibited a two times higher removal rate than an untreated pad, whereas the fluorine resin coating actually reduced the removal rate. Suede pads containing epoxy resin were then fabricated using a wet solidification method. A Fourier transform infrared analysis indicated that the resin remained in the fabricated pads. The resin containing pads exhibited significantly higher performance than conventional polyurethane suede pads. The removal rate when polishing glass was found to increase with epoxy resin content. The surface waviness was also improved using the new pads. High polishing performance could be maintained even after a 3 h polishing test.

S133013 エポキシ樹脂研磨パッドによる高付加価値研磨技術([S133]先進砥粒加工技術)

In this paper, we described the polishing performance of glass and various materials using the epoxy resin polishing pad that can improve the stagnation of abrasives on the polishing pad. The epoxy resin and epoxy-urethane resin polishing pad showed higher removal rate and lower surface roughness than a conventional urethane resin polishing pad. We also investigated the double-sided polishing characteristics and found that the epoxy resin polishing pad could markedly improve the stagnation of abrasives especially on the upper side lap plate. The epoxy resin polishing pad also achieved higher polishing performance of Si, sapphire and metal workpiece.

A Carbon Fiber Reinforced Nylon 6 (CFRPA6) Composite Specialized for Military Field Cooking Task

In this study, nylon PA6 resin was filled with carbon fibers by employing the technique of mechanical alloying and utilizing the special properties of carbon fiber. The effects of carbon fiber on the mechanical property of the nylon PA6 were also studied. From the results, filling nylon PA6 resin with carbon fiber could effectively enhance the tensile strength, the elastic modulus, the flexural strength and the flexural modulus for the material. In addition, the material shrinkage was also significantly reduced. The enhancing effects varied as CF content changed. Through comparative experiments, the optimal proportion of the addition was determined. Replacing the conventional irony back pad of military outdoor pot by this composite would not only largely reduce the load and improve the motility for the soldiers, but also ensure a better battlefield adaptability and comfort.

An Experimental and Numerical Investigation of Press Force and Weld Line Displacement of Tailor Welded Blanks in Conventional and Rubber Pad Sheet Metal Forming

An Experimental and Numerical Investigation of Press Force and Weld Line Displacement of Tailor Welded Blanks in Conventional and Rubber Pad Sheet Metal Forming