Real-time visual biofeedback during weight bearing improves therapy compliance in patients following lower extremity fractures.

PubMed

Raaben, Marco; Holtslag, Herman R; Leenen, Luke P H; Augustine, Robin; Blokhuis, Taco J

2018-01-01

Individuals with lower extremity fractures are often instructed on how much weight to bear on the affected extremity. Previous studies have shown limited therapy compliance in weight bearing during rehabilitation. In this study we investigated the effect of real-time visual biofeedback on weight bearing in individuals with lower extremity fractures in two conditions: full weight bearing and touch-down weight bearing. 11 participants with full weight bearing and 12 participants with touch-down weight bearing after lower extremity fractures have been measured with an ambulatory biofeedback system. The participants first walked 15m and the biofeedback system was only used to register the weight bearing. The same protocol was then repeated with real-time visual feedback during weight bearing. The participants could thereby adapt their loading to the desired level and improve therapy compliance. In participants with full weight bearing, real-time visual biofeedback resulted in a significant increase in loading from 50.9±7.51% bodyweight (BW) without feedback to 63.2±6.74%BW with feedback (P=0.0016). In participants with touch-down weight bearing, the exerted lower extremity load decreased from 16.7±9.77kg without feedback to 10.27±4.56kg with feedback (P=0.0718). More important, the variance between individual steps significantly decreased after feedback (P=0.018). Ambulatory monitoring weight bearing after lower extremity fractures showed that therapy compliance is low, both in full and touch-down weight bearing. Real-time visual biofeedback resulted in significantly higher peak loads in full weight bearing and increased accuracy of individual steps in touch-down weight bearing. Real-time visual biofeedback therefore results in improved therapy compliance after lower extremity fractures. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Design guidelines for wind-resistant structures

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

McDonald, J.R.; Mehta, K.C.; Minor, J.E.

1975-06-01

The purpose of this document is to prescribe criteria and to provide guidance for professional personnel who are involved in the design and evaluation of buildings and structures to resist tornadoes and extreme winds at the Oak Ridge, Tennessee, Portsmouth, Ohio, and Paducah, Kentucky, Plant Sites. The scope of the document covers loads due to extreme winds and tornadoes. Other loading conditions such as dead, live, or earthquake loads shall be considered as prescribed by the Union Carbide Corporation. In Section II the method for determining the maximum design windspeed for any specified level of risk is described. The straightmore » wind and tornado parameters are then deduced from the value of maximum design windspeed. The three types of tornado and extreme wind loads (aerodynamic, atmospheric pressure change and missiles) are treated in Sections III, IV, and V, respectively. Appropriate load combinations are defined in Section VI. The final section contains several examples showing how the design guidelines are used to determine appropriate design wind pressures. A description of the computer program used to predict missile accelerations, velocities and trajectories is contained in Appendix A. Additional design examples are provided in Appendix B.« less

A Methodology for Multihazards Load Combinations of Earthquake and Heavy Trucks for Bridges

PubMed Central

Wang, Xu; Sun, Baitao

2014-01-01

Issues of load combinations of earthquakes and heavy trucks are important contents in multihazards bridge design. Current load resistance factor design (LRFD) specifications usually treat extreme hazards alone and have no probabilistic basis in extreme load combinations. Earthquake load and heavy truck load are considered as random processes with respective characteristics, and the maximum combined load is not the simple superimposition of their maximum loads. Traditional Ferry Borges-Castaneda model that considers load lasting duration and occurrence probability well describes random process converting to random variables and load combinations, but this model has strict constraint in time interval selection to obtain precise results. Turkstra's rule considers one load reaching its maximum value in bridge's service life combined with another load with its instantaneous value (or mean value), which looks more rational, but the results are generally unconservative. Therefore, a modified model is presented here considering both advantages of Ferry Borges-Castaneda's model and Turkstra's rule. The modified model is based on conditional probability, which can convert random process to random variables relatively easily and consider the nonmaximum factor in load combinations. Earthquake load and heavy truck load combinations are employed to illustrate the model. Finally, the results of a numerical simulation are used to verify the feasibility and rationality of the model. PMID:24883347

Mechanical characterization of alloys in extreme conditions of high strain rates and high temperature

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cadoni, Ezio

2018-03-01

The aim of this paper is the description of the mechanical characterization of alloys under extreme conditions of temperature and loading. In fact, in the frame of the Cost Action CA15102 “Solutions for Critical Raw Materials Under Extreme Conditions (CRM-EXTREME)” this aspect is crucial and many industrial applications have to consider the dynamic response of materials. Indeed, for a reduction and substitution of CRMs in alloys is necessary to design the materials and understand if the new materials behave better or if the substitution or reduction badly affect their performance. For this reason, a deep knowledge of the mechanical behaviour at high strain-rates of considered materials is required. In general, machinery manufacturing industry or transport industry as well as energy industry have important dynamic phenomena that are simultaneously affected by extended strain, high strain-rate, damage and pressure, as well as conspicuous temperature gradients. The experimental results in extreme conditions of high strain rate and high temperature of an austenitic stainless steel as well as a high-chromium tempered martensitic reduced activation steel Eurofer97 are presented.

The influence of minimalist footwear and stride length reduction on lower-extremity running mechanics and cumulative loading.

PubMed

Firminger, Colin R; Edwards, W Brent

2016-12-01

To examine the effects of shoe type and stride length reduction on lower-extremity running mechanics and cumulative loading. Within-subject with four conditions: (1) control shoe at preferred stride length; (2) control shoe at 90% preferred stride length; (3) minimalist shoe at preferred stride length; (4) minimalist shoe at 90% preferred stride length. Fourteen young healthy males ran overground at their preferred speed while motion capture, force platform, and plantar pressure data were collected. Peak moments, impulse, mechanical work, and cumulative impulse were calculated at the metatarsophalangeal, ankle, and knee joint, and compared between conditions using a 2×2 factor repeated measures ANOVA. In general, running in minimalist footwear increased measures of loading at the metatarsophalangeal joint and ankle joint (mean increases of 7.3% and 5.9%, respectively), but decreased measures of loading at the knee (mean decrease of 7.3%). Conversely, running with reduced stride length decreased single-stance measures of loading at the ankle and knee joint (ranging from -0.9% to -20.5%), though cumulative impulse was higher at the ankle and lower at the knee. Running in minimalist shoes increased loads at the metatarsophalangeal and ankle joint, which may explain some of the incidence of overuse injuries observed in minimalist shoe users. Decreased ankle loads at 90% preferred stride length were not necessarily sufficient to reduce cumulative loads when impulse and loading cycles were weighted equally. Knee loads decreased more when running at 90% preferred stride length (16.2% mean reduction) versus running in a minimalist shoe (7.3% mean reduction), but both load reduction mechanisms appeared to have an additive effect (22.2% mean reduction). Copyright © 2016 Sports Medicine Australia. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Ocean power technology design optimization

DOE PAGES

van Rij, Jennifer; Yu, Yi -Hsiang; Edwards, Kathleen; ...

2017-07-18

For this study, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and Ocean Power Technologies (OPT) conducted a collaborative code validation and design optimization study for OPT's PowerBuoy wave energy converter (WEC). NREL utilized WEC-Sim, an open-source WEC simulator, to compare four design variations of OPT's PowerBuoy. As an input to the WEC-Sim models, viscous drag coefficients for the PowerBuoy floats were first evaluated using computational fluid dynamics. The resulting WEC-Sim PowerBuoy models were then validated with experimental power output and fatigue load data provided by OPT. The validated WEC-Sim models were then used to simulate the power performance and loads for operationalmore » conditions, extreme conditions, and directional waves, for each of the four PowerBuoy design variations, assuming the wave environment of Humboldt Bay, California. And finally, ratios of power-to-weight, power-to-fatigue-load, power-to-maximum-extreme-load, power-to-water-plane-area, and power-to-wetted-surface-area were used to make a final comparison of the potential PowerBuoy WEC designs. Lastly, the design comparison methodologies developed and presented in this study are applicable to other WEC devices and may be useful as a framework for future WEC design development projects.« less

Ocean power technology design optimization

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

van Rij, Jennifer; Yu, Yi -Hsiang; Edwards, Kathleen

For this study, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and Ocean Power Technologies (OPT) conducted a collaborative code validation and design optimization study for OPT's PowerBuoy wave energy converter (WEC). NREL utilized WEC-Sim, an open-source WEC simulator, to compare four design variations of OPT's PowerBuoy. As an input to the WEC-Sim models, viscous drag coefficients for the PowerBuoy floats were first evaluated using computational fluid dynamics. The resulting WEC-Sim PowerBuoy models were then validated with experimental power output and fatigue load data provided by OPT. The validated WEC-Sim models were then used to simulate the power performance and loads for operationalmore » conditions, extreme conditions, and directional waves, for each of the four PowerBuoy design variations, assuming the wave environment of Humboldt Bay, California. And finally, ratios of power-to-weight, power-to-fatigue-load, power-to-maximum-extreme-load, power-to-water-plane-area, and power-to-wetted-surface-area were used to make a final comparison of the potential PowerBuoy WEC designs. Lastly, the design comparison methodologies developed and presented in this study are applicable to other WEC devices and may be useful as a framework for future WEC design development projects.« less

Postural Stability Assessment of University Marching Musicians Using Force Platform Measures.

PubMed

Magnotti, Trevor D; McElhiney, Danielle; Russell, Jeffrey A

2016-09-01

Lower extremity injury is prevalent in marching musicians, and poor postural stability is a possible risk factor for this. The external load of an instrument may predispose these performers to injury by decreasing postural stability. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between instrument load and static and dynamic postural stability in this population. Fourteen university marching musicians were recruited and completed a balance assessment protocol on a force platform with and without their instrument. Mean center of pressure (CoP) displacement was then calculated for each exercise in the anterior/posterior and medial/lateral planes. Mean anterior/posterior CoP displacement significantly increased in the instrument condition for the static surface, eyes closed, 2 feet condition (p≤0.005; d=0.89). No significant differences were found in the medial/lateral plane between non-instrument and instrument conditions. Significant differences were not found between test stance conditions independent of group. Comparisons between the non-instrument-loaded and instrument-loaded conditions revealed possible significance of instrument load on postural stability in the anterior/posterior plane. Mean differences indicated that an unstable surface created a greater destabilizing effect on postural stability than instrument load.

Characterization of Low Noise, Precision Voltage Reference REF5025-HT Under Extreme Temperatures

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Patterson, Richard; Hammoud, Ahmad

2010-01-01

The performance of Texas Instruments precision voltage reference REF5025-HT was assessed under extreme temperatures. This low noise, 2.5 V output chip is suitable for use in high temperature down-hole drilling applications, but no data existed on its performance at cryogenic temperatures. The device was characterized in terms of output voltage and supply current at different input voltage levels as a function of temperature between +210 C and -190 C. Line and load regulation characteristics were also established at six load levels and at different temperatures. Restart capability at extreme temperatures and the effects of thermal cycling, covering the test temperature range, on its operation and stability were also investigated. Under no load condition, the voltage reference chip exhibited good stability in its output over the temperature range of -50 C to +200 C. Outside that temperature range, output voltage did change as temperature was changed. For example, at the extreme temperatures of +210 C and - 190 C, the output level dropped to 2.43 V and 2.32 V, respectively as compared to the nominal value of 2.5 V. At cryogenic test temperatures of -100 C and -150 C the output voltage dropped by about 20%. The quiescent supply current of the voltage reference varied slightly with temperature but remained close to its specified value. In terms of line regulation, the device exhibited excellent stability between -50 C and +150 C over the entire input voltage range and load levels. At the other test temperatures, however, while line regulation became poor at cryogenic temperatures of -100 C and below, it suffered slight degradation at the extreme high temperature but only at the high load level of 10 mA. The voltage reference also exhibited very good load regulation with temperature down to -100 C, but its output dropped sharply at +210 C only at the heavy load of 10 mA. The semiconductor chip was able restart at the extreme temperatures of -190 C and +210 C, and the limited thermal cycling did not influence its characteristics and had no impact on its packaging as no structural or physical damage was observed.

Is early weight bearing resumption beneficial after total hip replacement?

PubMed

Merle, J; Rougier, P; Belaid, D; Cantalloube, S; Lamotte, D

2009-04-01

Current rehabilitation protocols of patients following total hip replacement recommend weight bearing on the operated extremity as early as possible. This strategy is likely to induce specific consequences on postural balance control; this study seeks to highlight these reactions to early loading. Eight men and six women, ranging in age from 57 to 85 years, volunteered enrolling this study on their arrival at our rehabilitation center. This study assessed their postural behavior using a system composed of two separate force platforms under two loading situations; in the course of these tests they were required to minimize their body sway as much as possible by keeping their eyes open. In the natural uncontrolled situation, the subjects adopted a comfortable body weight distribution. In the imposed (IMP) situation, they had to load their operated extremity more than in regular natural conditions in order to distribute their body weight more evenly. Three successive 32-s trials (sampled at 64 Hz) with intermediate recovery periods of equivalent duration were performed allowing period of rest between each trial. The balance strategies were evaluated through a frequency analysis of the resultant and plantar centers of pressure (CP(Res)) of each foot and of the estimated trajectories of the vertical projection of the center of gravity (CG), and from the difference CP(Res)-CG. No difference was found for the plantar CP trajectories in the situation where body weight is spontaneously distributed, whereas loading the implanted extremity induced increased CP(Res), CG, and CP(Res)-CG trajectory amplitudes along the mediolateral axis. No effect was observed along the anteroposterior axis. Finally, when comparing the two limbs for each testing condition, the statistical analysis demonstrated greater displacements along the ML axis for the trajectories measured under the healthy leg than under the implanted extremity. Loading the operated extremity early in the rehabilitation process leads to less stability (an increase in the CG movements) and to increased energy expenditure (an increase in the CP(Res)-CG movements). These postural behavior alterations can be explained by various factors including a loss of muscle strength, residual apprehension due to the disuse of this limb, and persistent pain, all of which are increased by limb loading. These features should be taken into consideration when elaborating the rehabilitation protocol for these patients.

Determining the mechanical constitutive properties of metals as a function of strain rate and temperature: A combined experimental and modeling approach

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

I. M. Robertson; A. Beaudoin; J. Lambros

2004-01-05

OAK-135 Development and validation of constitutive models for polycrystalline materials subjected to high strain rate loading over a range of temperatures are needed to predict the response of engineering materials to in-service type conditions (foreign object damage, high-strain rate forging, high-speed sheet forming, deformation behavior during forming, response to extreme conditions, etc.). To account accurately for the complex effects that can occur during extreme and variable loading conditions, requires significant and detailed computational and modeling efforts. These efforts must be closely coupled with precise and targeted experimental measurements that not only verify the predictions of the models, but also providemore » input about the fundamental processes responsible for the macroscopic response. Achieving this coupling between modeling and experimentation is the guiding principle of this program. Specifically, this program seeks to bridge the length scale between discrete dislocation interactions with grain boundaries and continuum models for polycrystalline plasticity. Achieving this goal requires incorporating these complex dislocation-interface interactions into the well-defined behavior of single crystals. Despite the widespread study of metal plasticity, this aspect is not well understood for simple loading conditions, let alone extreme ones. Our experimental approach includes determining the high-strain rate response as a function of strain and temperature with post-mortem characterization of the microstructure, quasi-static testing of pre-deformed material, and direct observation of the dislocation behavior during reloading by using the in situ transmission electron microscope deformation technique. These experiments will provide the basis for development and validation of physically-based constitutive models, which will include dislocation-grain boundary interactions for polycrystalline systems. One aspect of the program will involve the dire ct observation of specific mechanisms of micro-plasticity, as these will indicate the boundary value problem that should be addressed. This focus on the pre-yield region in the quasi-static effort (the elasto-plastic transition) is also a tractable one from an experimental and modeling viewpoint. In addition, our approach will minimize the need to fit model parameters to experimental data to obtain convergence. These are critical steps to reach the primary objective of simulating and modeling material performance under extreme loading conditions. In this annual report, we describe the progress made in the first year of this program.« less

Hip and knee net joint moments that correlate with success in lateral load transfers over a low friction surface.

PubMed

Catena, Robert D; Xu, Xu

2016-12-01

We previously described two different preferred strategies used to perform a lateral load transfer. The wide stance strategy was not used successfully on a low-friction surface, while the narrow stance strategy was successful. Here, we retrospectively examined lower extremity net joint moments between successful and unsuccessful strategies to determine if there is a kinetic benefit consideration that may go into choosing the preferred strategy. Success vs. failure over a novel slippery surface was used to dichotomise 35 healthy working-age individuals into the two groups (successful and unsuccessful). Participants performed lateral load transfers over three sequential surface conditions: high friction, novel low friction and practised low friction. The unsuccessful strategy required larger start torques, but lower dynamic moments during transfer compared to the successful strategy. These results indicate that the periodically unsuccessful strategy may be preferred because it requires less muscle recruitment and lower stresses on lower extremity soft tissues. Practitioner Summary: The reason for this paper is to retrospectively examine the joint moment in two different load transfer strategies that are used in a lateral load transfer. We found that periodically unsuccessful strategies that we previously reported may be a beneficial toward reduced lower extremity joint stresses.

Solutions for Critical Raw Materials under Extreme Conditions: A Review

PubMed Central

Grilli, Maria Luisa; Bellezze, Tiziano; Gamsjäger, Ernst; Rinaldi, Antonio; Novak, Pavel; Balos, Sebastian; Piticescu, Radu Robert; Ruello, Maria Letizia

2017-01-01

In Europe, many technologies with high socio-economic benefits face materials requirements that are often affected by demand-supply disruption. This paper offers an overview of critical raw materials in high value alloys and metal-matrix composites used in critical applications, such as energy, transportation and machinery manufacturing associated with extreme working conditions in terms of temperature, loading, friction, wear and corrosion. The goal is to provide perspectives about the reduction and/or substitution of selected critical raw materials: Co, W, Cr, Nb and Mg. PMID:28772645

Medial Elbow Joint Space Increases With Valgus Stress and Decreases When Cued to Perform A Maximal Grip Contraction.

PubMed

Pexa, Brett S; Ryan, Eric D; Myers, Joseph B

2018-04-01

Previous research indicates that the amount of valgus torque placed on the elbow joint during overhead throwing is higher than the medial ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) can tolerate. Wrist and finger flexor muscle activity is hypothesized to make up for this difference, and in vitro studies that simulated activity of upper extremity musculature, specifically the flexor digitorum superficialis and flexor carpi ulnaris, support this hypothesis. To assess the medial elbow joint space at rest, under valgus stress, and under valgus stress with finger and forearm flexor contraction by use of ultrasonography in vivo. Controlled laboratory study. Participants were 22 healthy males with no history of elbow dislocation or UCL injury (age, 21.25 ± 1.58 years; height, 1.80 ± 0.08 m; weight, 79.43 ± 18.50 kg). Medial elbow joint space was measured by use of ultrasonography during 3 separate conditions: at rest (unloaded), under valgus load (loaded), and with a maximal grip contraction under a valgus load (loaded-contracted) in both limbs. Participants lay supine with their arm abducted 90° and elbow flexed 30° with the forearm in full supination. A handgrip dynamometer was placed in the participants' hand to grip against during the contracted condition. Images were reduced in ImageJ to assess medial elbow joint space. A 2-way (condition × limb) repeated-measures analysis of variance and Cohen's d effect sizes were used to assess changes in medial elbow joint space. Post hoc testing was performed with a Bonferroni adjustment to assess changes within limb and condition. The medial elbow joint space was significantly larger in the loaded condition (4.91 ± 1.16 mm) compared with the unloaded condition (4.26 ± 1.23 mm, P < .001, d = 0.712) and the loaded-contracted condition (3.88 ± 0.94 mm, P < .001, d = 1.149). No significant change was found between the unloaded and loaded-contracted conditions ( P = .137). Medial elbow joint space increases under a valgus load and then decreases when a maximal grip contraction is performed. This indicates that wrist and finger flexor muscle contraction may assist in limiting medial elbow joint space, a result similar to findings of previous research in vitro. Muscle activation of the upper extremity limits the medial elbow joint space, suggesting that injury prevention programs for throwing athletes should incorporate exercises for the elbow, wrist, and hand to limit excessive medial elbow joint space gapping during activities that create high valgus load.

The relations among upper-extremity loading characteristics and bone mineral density changes in young women.

PubMed

Wang, Man-Ying; Salem, George J

2004-06-01

The relations among the reaction forces engendered during an upper-extremity dynamic impact-loading exercise (DILE) program and bone mineral density adaptations (DeltaBMD) in the radius were investigated in 24 healthy premenopausal women (mean age = 29 +/- 6 years). Subjects performed DILE 36 cycles/day, 3 days/week for 24 weeks. The exercised arm was allocated randomly to either the dominant or the nondominant limb. In addition, subjects were assigned randomly into either damped or nondamped treatment arms to examine the effects of both higher- and lower-magnitude loading prescriptions. Measurements including anthropometrics, self-reported physical activity levels, hand-grip strength, radial BMD (DEXA, Hologic QDR1500, MA) at the ultradistal radius (UD), distal 1/3 radius (DR), and total distal radius (TOTAL), and exercise-related loading characteristics (impact load, loading rate, and impulse) were recorded at baseline and at 6 months. Simple linear regression models were used to fit the regional BMD changes to the reaction force, changes in hand-grip strength (DeltaGRIP), and changes in body weight (DeltaBW). Findings demonstrated that the damping condition utilized during DILE influenced the relations between loading events and BMD changes. Specifically, none of the reaction-force characteristics significantly predicted changes in BMD in participants performing DILE using the damped condition, whereas, in the nondamped condition, impact load accounted for 58% of the variance in BMD change at DR and 66% of the variance in BMD change at TOTAL. Thresholds of 345 and 285 N of impact force to promote BMD increases at DR and TOTAL, respectively, were obtained from the regression models in the nondamped group. Impulse was also an independent predictor of BMD changes at TOTAL, accounting for 56% of the variance. Neither DeltaGRIP nor DeltaBW significantly predicted DeltaBMD at any radial site. These findings, in young adult women, parallel previous reports identifying significant, regionally specific relations among external loading events and BMD changes in both animal and human models.

The dynamic failure behavior of tungsten heavy alloys subjected to transverse loads

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tarcza, Kenneth Robert

Tungsten heavy alloys (WHA), a category of particulate composites used in defense applications as kinetic energy penetrators, have been studied for many years. Even so, their dynamic failure behavior is not fully understood and cannot be predicted by numerical models presently in use. In this experimental investigation, a comprehensive understanding of the high-rate transverse-loading fracture behavior of WHA has been developed. Dynamic fracture events spanning a range of strain rates and loading conditions were created via mechanical testing and used to determine the influence of surface condition and microstructure on damage initiation, accumulation, and sample failure under different loading conditions. Using standard scanning electron microscopy metallographic and fractographic techniques, sample surface condition is shown to be extremely influential to the manner in which WHA fails, causing a fundamental change from externally to internally nucleated failures as surface condition is improved. Surface condition is characterized using electron microscopy and surface profilometry. Fracture surface analysis is conducted using electron microscopy, and linear elastic fracture mechanics is used to understand the influence of surface condition, specifically initial flaw size, on sample failure behavior. Loading conditions leading to failure are deduced from numerical modeling and experimental observation. The results highlight parameters and considerations critical to the understanding of dynamic WHA fracture and the development of dynamic WHA failure models.

The measured contribution of whipping and springing on the fatigue and extreme loading of container vessels

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Storhaug, Gaute

2014-12-01

Whipping/springing research started in the 50'ies. In the 60'ies inland water vessels design rules became stricter due to whipping/springing. The research during the 70-90'ies may be regarded as academic. In 2000 a large ore carrier was strengthened due to severe cracking from North Atlantic operation, and whipping/springing contributed to half of the fatigue damage. Measurement campaigns on blunt and slender vessels were initiated. A few blunt ships were designed to account for whipping/springing. Based on the measurements, the focus shifted from fatigue to extreme loading. In 2005 model tests of a 4,400 TEU container vessel included extreme whipping scenarios. In 2007 the 4400 TEU vessel MSC Napoli broke in two under similar conditions. In 2009 model tests of an 8,600 TEU container vessel container vessel included extreme whipping scenarios. In 2013 the 8,100 TEU vessel MOL COMFORT broke in two under similar conditions. Several classification societies have published voluntary guidelines, which have been used to include whipping/springing in the design of several container vessels. This paper covers results from model tests and full scale measurements used as background for the DNV Legacy guideline. Uncertainties are discussed and recommendations are given in order to obtain useful data. Whipping/springing is no longer academic.

Biomechanical loading on the upper extremity increases from single key tapping to directional tapping.

PubMed

Qin, Jin; Trudeau, Matthieu; Katz, Jeffrey N; Buchholz, Bryan; Dennerlein, Jack T

2011-08-01

Musculoskeletal disorders associated with computer use span the joints of the upper extremity. Computing typically involves tapping in multiple directions. Thus, we sought to describe the loading on the finger, wrist, elbow and shoulder joints in terms of kinematic and kinetic difference across single key switch tapping to directional tapping on multiple keys. An experiment with repeated measures design was conducted. Six subjects tapped with their right index finger on a stand-alone number keypad placed horizontally in three conditions: (1) on single key switch (the number key 5); (2) left and right on number key 4 and 6; (3) top and bottom on number key 8 and 2. A force-torque transducer underneath the keypad measured the fingertip force. An active-marker infrared motion analysis system measured the kinematics of the fingertip, hand, forearm, upper arm and torso. Joint moments for the metacarpophalangeal, wrist, elbow, and shoulder joints were estimated using inverse dynamics. Tapping in the top-bottom orientation introduced the largest biomechanical loading on the upper extremity especially for the proximal joint, followed by tapping in the left-right orientation, and the lowest loading was observed during single key switch tapping. Directional tapping on average increased the fingertip force, joint excursion, and peak-to-peak joint torque by 45%, 190% and 55%, respectively. Identifying the biomechanical loading patterns associated with these fundamental movements of keying improves the understanding of the risks of upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders for computer keyboard users. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Wind/seismic comparisons for upgrading existing structures

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Giller, R.A.

1989-10-01

This paper depicts the analysis procedures and methods used to evaluate three existing building structures for extreme wind loads. The three structures involved in this evaluation are located at the US Department of Energy's Hanford Site near Richland, Washington. This site is characterized by open flat grassland with few surrounding obstructions and has extreme winds in lieu of tornados as a design basis accident condition. This group of buildings represents a variety of construction types, including a concrete stack, a concrete load-bearing wall structure, and a rigid steel-frame building. The three structures included in this group have recently been evaluatedmore » for response to the design basis earthquake that included non-linear time history effects. The resulting loads and stresses from the wind analyses were compared to the loads and stresses resulting from seismic analyses. This approach eliminated the need to prepare additional capacity calculations that were already contained in the seismic evaluations. 4 refs., 5 figs., 5 tabs.« less

Coupling continuum dislocation transport with crystal plasticity for application to shock loading conditions

DOE PAGES

Luscher, Darby Jon; Mayeur, Jason Rhea; Mourad, Hashem Mohamed; ...

2015-08-05

Here, we have developed a multi-physics modeling approach that couples continuum dislocation transport, nonlinear thermoelasticity, crystal plasticity, and consistent internal stress and deformation fields to simulate the single-crystal response of materials under extreme dynamic conditions. Dislocation transport is modeled by enforcing dislocation conservation at a slip-system level through the solution of advection-diffusion equations. Nonlinear thermoelasticity provides a thermodynamically consistent equation of state to relate stress (including pressure), temperature, energy densities, and dissipation. Crystal plasticity is coupled to dislocation transport via Orowan's expression where the constitutive description makes use of recent advances in dislocation velocity theories applicable under extreme loading conditions.more » The configuration of geometrically necessary dislocation density gives rise to an internal stress field that can either inhibit or accentuate the flow of dislocations. An internal strain field associated with the internal stress field contributes to the kinematic decomposition of the overall deformation. The paper describes each theoretical component of the framework, key aspects of the constitutive theory, and some details of a one-dimensional implementation. Results from single-crystal copper plate impact simulations are discussed in order to highlight the role of dislocation transport and pile-up in shock loading regimes. The main conclusions of the paper reinforce the utility of the modeling approach to shock problems.« less

Crystal Thermoelasticity at Extreme Loading Rates and Pressures: Analysis of Higher-Order Energy Potentials

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-07-01

ARL-RP-0526 ● JULY 2015 US Army Research Laboratory Crystal Thermoelasticity at Extreme Loading Rates and Pressures : Analysis of...ARL-RP-0526 ● JULY 2015 US Army Research Laboratory Crystal Thermoelasticity at Extreme Loading Rates and Pressures : Analysis of...2015 4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE Crystal Thermoelasticity at Extreme Loading Rates and Pressures : Analysis of Higher-Order Energy Potentials 5a. CONTRACT

Microbial response to high severity wildfire in the southwest United States

Treesearch

Steven T. Overby; Stephen C. Hart; Gregory S. Newman; Dana Erickson

2006-01-01

Southwest United States ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa Dougl. ex Laws) ecosystems have received great attention due to fuel conditions that increase the likelihood of large-scale wildfires with severe fire behavior. The fire season of 2002 demonstrated these extreme fuel load conditions with the largest fires in southwest history. The Jemez District of the Santa Fe...

AB INITIO Molecular Dynamics Simulations of Water Under Static and Shock Compressed Conditions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Goldman, Nir; Fried, Laurence E.; Mundy, Christopher J.; Kuo, I.-F. William; Curioni, Alessandro; Reed, Evan J.

2007-12-01

We report herein a series of ab initio simulations of water under both static and shocked conditions. We have calculated the coherent x-ray scattering intensity of several phases of water under high pressure, using ab initio Density Functional Theory (DFT). We provide new atomic scattering form factors for water at extreme conditions, which take into account frequently neglected changes in ionic charge and electron delocalization. We have also simulated liquid water undergoing shock loading of velocities from 5-11 km/s using the Multi-Scale Shock Technique (MSST). We show that Density Functional Theory (DFT) molecular dynamics results compare extremely well to experiments on the water shock Hugoniot.

Assessment of Wind Parameter Sensitivity on Extreme and Fatigue Wind Turbine Loads

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Robertson, Amy N; Sethuraman, Latha; Jonkman, Jason

Wind turbines are designed using a set of simulations to ascertain the structural loads that the turbine could encounter. While mean hub-height wind speed is considered to vary, other wind parameters such as turbulence spectra, sheer, veer, spatial coherence, and component correlation are fixed or conditional values that, in reality, could have different characteristics at different sites and have a significant effect on the resulting loads. This paper therefore seeks to assess the sensitivity of different wind parameters on the resulting ultimate and fatigue loads on the turbine during normal operational conditions. Eighteen different wind parameters are screened using anmore » Elementary Effects approach with radial points. As expected, the results show a high sensitivity of the loads to the turbulence standard deviation in the primary wind direction, but the sensitivity to wind shear is often much greater. To a lesser extent, other wind parameters that drive loads include the coherence in the primary wind direction and veer.« less

Influence of central set on anticipatory and triggered grip-force adjustments

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Winstein, C. J.; Horak, F. B.; Fisher, B. E.; Peterson, B. W. (Principal Investigator)

2000-01-01

The effects of predictability of load magnitude on anticipatory and triggered grip-force adjustments were studied as nine normal subjects used a precision grip to lift, hold, and replace an instrumented test object. Experience with a predictable stimulus has been shown to enhance magnitude scaling of triggered postural responses to different amplitudes of perturbations. However, this phenomenon, known as a central-set effect, has not been tested systematically for grip-force responses in the hand. In our study, predictability was manipulated by applying load perturbations of different magnitudes to the test object under conditions in which the upcoming load magnitude was presented repeatedly or under conditions in which the load magnitudes were presented randomly, each with two different pre-load grip conditions (unconstrained and constrained). In constrained conditions, initial grip forces were maintained near the minimum level necessary to prevent pre-loaded object slippage, while in unconstrained conditions, no initial grip force restrictions were imposed. The effect of predictable (blocked) and unpredictable (random) load presentations on scaling of anticipatory and triggered grip responses was tested by comparing the slopes of linear regressions between the imposed load and grip response magnitude. Anticipatory and triggered grip force responses were scaled to load magnitude in all conditions. However, regardless of pre-load grip force constraint, the gains (slopes) of grip responses relative to load magnitudes were greater when the magnitude of the upcoming load was predictable than when the load increase was unpredictable. In addition, a central-set effect was evidenced by the fewer number of drop trials in the predictable relative to unpredictable load conditions. Pre-load grip forces showed the greatest set effects. However, grip responses showed larger set effects, based on prediction, when pre-load grip force was constrained to lower levels. These results suggest that anticipatory processes pertaining to load magnitude permit the response gain of both voluntary and triggered rapid grip force adjustments to be set, at least partially, prior to perturbation onset. Comparison of anticipatory set effects for reactive torque and lower extremity EMG postural responses triggered by surface translation perturbations suggests a more general rule governing anticipatory processes.

A flight-test and simulation evaluation of the longitudinal final approach and landing performance of an automatic system for a light wing loading STOL aircraft

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Brown, S. C.; Hardy, G. H.; Hindson, W. S.

1983-01-01

As part of a comprehensive flight-test program of STOL operating systems for the terminal area, an automatic landing system was developed and evaluated for a light wing loading turboprop aircraft. The aircraft utilized an onboard advanced digital avionics system. Flight tests were conducted at a facility that included a STOL runway site with a microwave landing system. Longitudinal flight-test results were presented and compared with available (basically CTOL) criteria. These comparisons were augmented by results from a comprehensive simulation of the controlled aircraft which included representations of navigation errors that were encountered in flight and atmospheric disturbances. Acceptable performance on final approach and at touchdown was achieved by the autoland (automatic landing) system for the moderate winds and turbulence conditions encountered in flight. However, some touchdown performance goals were marginally achieved, and simulation results suggested that difficulties could be encountered in the presence of more extreme atmospheric conditions. Suggestions were made for improving performance under those more extreme conditions.

Effects of load carriage and footwear on lower extremity kinetics and kinematics during overground walking.

PubMed

Dames, Kevin D; Smith, Jeremy D

2016-10-01

Kinetic and kinematic responses during walking vary by footwear condition. Load carriage also influences gait patterns, but it is unclear how an external load influences barefoot walking. Twelve healthy adults (5 women, 7 men) with no known gait abnormalities participated in this study (age=23±3years, height=1.73±0.11m, and mass=70.90±12.67kg). Ground reaction forces and 3D motion were simultaneously collected during overground walking at 1.5ms -1 in four conditions: Barefoot Unloaded, Shod Unloaded, Barefoot Loaded, and Shod Loaded. Barefoot walking reduced knee and hip joint ranges of motion, as well as stride length, stance time, swing time, and double support time. Load carriage increased stance and double support times. The 15% body weight load increased GRFs ∼15%. Walking barefoot reduced peak anteroposterior GRFs but not peak vertical GRFs. Load carriage increased hip, knee, and ankle joint moments and powers, while walking barefoot increased knee and hip moments and powers. Thus, spatiotemporal and kinematic adjustments to walking barefoot decrease GRFs but increase knee and hip kinetic measures during overground walking. The ankle seems to be less affected by these footwear conditions. Regardless of footwear, loading requires larger GRFs, joint loads, and joint powers. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Turbulent Extreme Event Simulations for Lidar-Assisted Wind Turbine Control

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schlipf, David; Raach, Steffen

2016-09-01

This work presents a wind field generator which allows to shape wind fields in the time domain while maintaining the spectral properties. This is done by an iterative generation of wind fields and by minimizing the error between wind characteristics of the generated wind fields and desired values. The method leads towards realistic ultimate load calculations for lidar-assisted control. This is demonstrated by fitting a turbulent wind field to an Extreme Operating Gust. The wind field is then used to compare a baseline feedback controller alone against a combined feedback and feedforward controller using simulated lidar measurements. The comparison confirms that the lidar-assisted controller is still able to significantly reduce the ultimate loads on the tower base under this more realistic conditions.

The effects of squatting footwear on three-dimensional lower limb and spine kinetics.

PubMed

Southwell, Daniel J; Petersen, Shane A; Beach, Tyson A C; Graham, Ryan B

2016-12-01

Altering footwear worn during performance of the barbell back squat has been shown to change motion patterns, but it is not completely understood how this affects biomechanical loading demands. The primary objective was to compare lower back and extremity net joint moments in 24 experienced weightlifters (12M, 12F) who performed 80% one-repetition maximum back squats under three different footwear conditions (barefoot, running shoes, weightlifting shoes). Results showed that there was a significant main effect of footwear condition on the knee extension moment (p=0.001), where the running and weightlifting shoes produced significantly larger moments than the barefoot condition. There was also a main effect of footwear condition on knee external rotation moments (p=0.002), where the weightlifting shoe produced significantly larger moments than both other conditions. At the hip, there was also a main effect of footwear condition on the extension moment (p=0.004), where the barefoot condition produced significantly larger moments than either the running shoe or weightlifting shoe condition. Lastly, there was also a significant main effect of footwear condition on both hip external (p=0.005) and internal (p=0.003) rotation moments, where the barefoot condition produced greater internal rotation and less external rotation moments than either shod condition. This study indicates that altering footwear conditions while performing the barbell back squat may redistribute the internal biomechanical loading patterns amongst the lower extremity joints and perhaps alter the musculoskeletal adaptations elicited. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Apparatus for measurement of thermal conductivity of insulation systems subjected to extreme temperature differences

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dube, W. P.; Sparks, L. L.; Slifka, A. J.; Bitsy, R. M.

1990-01-01

Advanced aerospace designs require thermal insulation systems which are consistent with cryogenic fluids, high thermal loads, and design restrictions such as weight and volume. To evaluate the thermal performance of these insulating systems, an apparatus capable of measuring thermal conductivity using extreme temperature differences (27 to 1100 K) is being developed. This system is described along with estimates of precision and accuracy in selected operating conditions. Preliminary data are presented.

Apparatus for measurement of thermal conductivity of insulation systems subjected to extreme temperature differences

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dube, W. P.; Sparks, L. L.; Slifka, A. J.; Bitsy, R. M.

Advanced aerospace designs require thermal insulation systems which are consistent with cryogenic fluids, high thermal loads, and design restrictions such as weight and volume. To evaluate the thermal performance of these insulating systems, an apparatus capable of measuring thermal conductivity using extreme temperature differences (27 to 1100 K) is being developed. This system is described along with estimates of precision and accuracy in selected operating conditions. Preliminary data are presented.

Lower extremity injury criteria for evaluating military vehicle occupant injury in underbelly blast events.

PubMed

McKay, Brian J; Bir, Cynthia A

2009-11-01

Anti-vehicular (AV) landmines and improvised explosive devices (IED) have accounted for more than half of the United States military hostile casualties and wounded in Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) (Department of Defense Personnel & Procurement Statistics, 2009). The lower extremity is the predominantly injured body region following an AV mine or IED blast accounting for 26 percent of all combat injuries in OIF (Owens et al., 2007). Detonations occurring under the vehicle transmit high amplitude and short duration axial loads onto the foot-ankle-tibia region of the occupant causing injuries to the lower leg. The current effort was initiated to develop lower extremity injury criteria for occupants involved in underbelly blast impacts. Eighteen lower extremity post mortem human specimens (PMHS) were instrumented with an implantable load cell and strain gages and impacted at one of three incrementally severe AV axial loading conditions. Twelve of the 18 PMHS specimens sustained fractures of the calcaneus, talus, fibula and/or tibia. The initiation of skeletal injury was precisely detected by strain gages and corresponded with local peak axial tibia force. Survival analysis identified peak axial tibia force and impactor velocity as the two best predictors of incapacitating injury. A tibia axial force of 5,931 N and impactor velocity of 10.8 m/s corresponds with a 50 percent risk of an incapacitating injury. The criteria may be utilized to predict the probability of lower extremity incapacitating injury in underbelly blast impacts.

Numerical modelling of closed-cell aluminium foam under dynamic loading

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hazell, Paul; Kader, M. A.; Islam, M. A.; Escobedo, J. P.; Saadatfar, M.

2015-06-01

Closed-cell aluminium foams are extensively used in aerospace and automobile industries. The understanding of their behaviour under impact loading conditions is extremely important since impact problems are directly related to design of these engineering structures. This research investigates the response of a closed-cell aluminium foam (CYMAT) subjected to dynamic loading using the finite element software ABAQUS/explicit. The aim of this research is to numerically investigate the material and structural properties of closed-cell aluminium foam under impact loading conditions with interest in shock propagation and its effects on cell wall deformation. A μ-CT based 3D foam geometry is developed to simulate the local cell collapse behaviours. A number of numerical techniques are applied for modelling the crush behaviour of aluminium foam to obtain the more accurate results. The simulation results are compared with experimental data. Comparison of the results shows a good correlation between the experimental results and numerical predictions.

Host nutrition alters the variance in parasite transmission potential

PubMed Central

Vale, Pedro F.; Choisy, Marc; Little, Tom J.

2013-01-01

The environmental conditions experienced by hosts are known to affect their mean parasite transmission potential. How different conditions may affect the variance of transmission potential has received less attention, but is an important question for disease management, especially if specific ecological contexts are more likely to foster a few extremely infectious hosts. Using the obligate-killing bacterium Pasteuria ramosa and its crustacean host Daphnia magna, we analysed how host nutrition affected the variance of individual parasite loads, and, therefore, transmission potential. Under low food, individual parasite loads showed similar mean and variance, following a Poisson distribution. By contrast, among well-nourished hosts, parasite loads were right-skewed and overdispersed, following a negative binomial distribution. Abundant food may, therefore, yield individuals causing potentially more transmission than the population average. Measuring both the mean and variance of individual parasite loads in controlled experimental infections may offer a useful way of revealing risk factors for potential highly infectious hosts. PMID:23407498

Host nutrition alters the variance in parasite transmission potential.

PubMed

Vale, Pedro F; Choisy, Marc; Little, Tom J

2013-04-23

The environmental conditions experienced by hosts are known to affect their mean parasite transmission potential. How different conditions may affect the variance of transmission potential has received less attention, but is an important question for disease management, especially if specific ecological contexts are more likely to foster a few extremely infectious hosts. Using the obligate-killing bacterium Pasteuria ramosa and its crustacean host Daphnia magna, we analysed how host nutrition affected the variance of individual parasite loads, and, therefore, transmission potential. Under low food, individual parasite loads showed similar mean and variance, following a Poisson distribution. By contrast, among well-nourished hosts, parasite loads were right-skewed and overdispersed, following a negative binomial distribution. Abundant food may, therefore, yield individuals causing potentially more transmission than the population average. Measuring both the mean and variance of individual parasite loads in controlled experimental infections may offer a useful way of revealing risk factors for potential highly infectious hosts.

Constructing An Event Based Aerosol Product Under High Aerosol Loading Conditions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Levy, R. C.; Shi, Y.; Mattoo, S.; Remer, L. A.; Zhang, J.

2016-12-01

High aerosol loading events, such as the Indonesia's forest fire in Fall 2015 or the persistent wintertime haze near Beijing, gain tremendous interests due to their large impact on regional visibility and air quality. Understanding the optical properties of these events and further being able to simulate and predict these events are beneficial. However, it is a great challenge to consistently identify and then retrieve aerosol optical depth (AOD) from passive sensors during heavy aerosol events. Some reasons include:1). large differences between optical properties of high-loading aerosols and those under normal conditions, 2) spectral signals of optically thick aerosols can be mistaken with surface depending on aerosol types, and 3) Extremely optically thick aerosol plumes can also be misidentified as clouds due to its high optical thickness. Thus, even under clear-sky conditions, the global distribution of extreme aerosol events is not well captured in datasets such as the MODIS Dark-Target (DT) aerosol product. In this study, with the synthetic use of OMI Aerosol Index, MODIS cloud product, and operational DT product, the heavy smoke events over the seven sea region are identified and retrieved over the dry season. An event based aerosol product that would compensate the standard "global" aerosol retrieval will be created and evaluated. The impact of missing high AOD retrievals on the regional aerosol climatology will be studied using this newly developed research product.

The effects of load carriage and muscle fatigue on lower-extremity joint mechanics.

PubMed

Wang, He; Frame, Jeff; Ozimek, Elicia; Leib, Daniel; Dugan, Eric L

2013-09-01

Military personnel are commonly afflicted by lower-extremity overuse injuries. Load carriage and muscular fatigue are major stressors during military basic training. To examine effects of load carriage and muscular fatigue on lower-extremity joint mechanics during walking. Eighteen men performed the following tasks: unloaded walking, walking with a 32-kg load, fatigued walking with a 32-kg load, and fatigued walking. After the second walking task, muscle fatigue was elicited through a fatiguing protocol consisting of metered step-ups and heel raises with a 16-kg load. Each walking task was performed at 1.67 m x s(-1) for 5 min. Walking movement was tracked by a VICON motion capture system at 120 Hz. Ground reaction forces were collected by a tandem force instrumented treadmill (AMTI) at 2,400 Hz. Lower-extremity joint mechanics were calculated in Visual 3D. There was no interaction between load carriage and fatigue on lower-extremity joint mechanics (p > .05). Both load carriage and fatigue led to pronounced alterations of lower-extremity joint mechanics (p < .05). Load carriage resulted in increases of pelvis anterior tilt, hip and knee flexion at heel contact, and increases of hip, knee, and ankle joint moments and powers during weight acceptance. Muscle fatigue led to decreases of ankle dorsiflexion at heel contact, dorsiflexor moment, and joint power at weight acceptance. In addition, muscle fatigue increased demand for hip extensor moment and power at weight acceptance. Statistically significant changes in lower-extremity joint mechanics during loaded and fatigued walking may expose military personnel to increased risk for overuse injuries.

The Effects of Load Carriage and Muscle Fatigue on Lower-Extremity Joint Mechanics

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wang, He; Frame, Jeff; Ozimek, Elicia; Leib, Daniel; Dugan, Eric L.

2013-01-01

Military personnel are commonly afflicted by lower-extremity overuse injuries. Load carriage and muscular fatigue are major stressors during military basic training. Purpose: To examine effects of load carriage and muscular fatigue on lower-extremity joint mechanics during walking. Method: Eighteen men performed the following tasks: unloaded…

Effects of high-heeled shoes and asymmetrical load carrying on lower-extremity kinematics during walking in young women.

PubMed

Lee, Soul; Li, Jing Xian

2014-01-01

Asymmetrical load carrying and wearing high-heeled shoes are very common. Biomechanics studies on the combined effects of high-heeled shoe wearing and asymmetrical load carrying are lacking. We sought to identify changes in lower-extremity joint kinematics associated with the effect of shoes and asymmetrical load carrying during walking. Fifteen healthy young women (mean ± SD: age, 24.67 ± 3.54 years; body weight, 54.96 ± 6.67 kg; and height, 162.2 ± 3.91 cm) who habitually wore high-heeled shoes participated in the study. They were asked to walk under nine combined conditions of three heights of shoe heels (0, 3, and 9 cm) and three carried loads (0%, 5%, and 10% of body weight). Temporospatial parameters and maximal joint angles in the sagittal and frontal planes of the hip, knee, and ankle on both limbs were studied. It was found that high-heeled shoe wearing and asymmetrical load carrying altered temporospatial parameters and joint kinematics. With increased heel height and load weight, cadence decreased and stride length increased. The knee flexion angle increased with an increase in heel height, and the load served only to exacerbate the changes. Changes in the hip angle were mostly caused by asymmetrical load carrying, whereas angle changes in the ankle were mostly caused by an increase in heel height. This study demonstrated that when high-heeled shoe wearing and asymmetrical load carrying are combined, changes at each joint are much greater than with high-heeled shoe wearing or load carrying alone.

Numerical simulation of deformation and failure processes of a complex technical object under impact loading

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kraus, E. I.; Shabalin, I. I.; Shabalin, T. I.

2018-04-01

The main points of development of numerical tools for simulation of deformation and failure of complex technical objects under nonstationary conditions of extreme loading are presented. The possibility of extending the dynamic method for construction of difference grids to the 3D case is shown. A 3D realization of discrete-continuum approach to the deformation and failure of complex technical objects is carried out. The efficiency of the existing software package for 3D modelling is shown.

Extreme anthropogenic loads and the northern ecosystem condition

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kryuckkov, V.V.

1993-11-01

In the extreme North, the polar region of siberian Russia, the largest mining and processing enterprises for metallic and nonmetallic ores, coal, oil, and gas are situated. The extremely vulnerable boreal and polar ecosystems of the north are responding adversely to the impact of these activities, and are in danger of collapse because of them. The mechanisms of such impacts, their formation, continuous extension, and merger have been studied. The deforested and destroyed areas of former forest-tundra and taiga ecosystems resemble the Arctic zones of a much harsher environment more than the typical Arctic zones where they occur. 5 refs.,more » 3 figs., 2 tabs.« less

Power Controller

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1983-01-01

The power factor controller (PFC) senses shifts in the relationship between voltage and current, and matches them with a motor's need. This prevents waste as motors do not need a high voltage when they are not operating at full load conditions. PFC is manufactured by Nordic Controls Company, among others, and has proved extremely cost effective.

Ultrasonic Drilling and Coring

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bar-Cohen, Yoseph

1998-01-01

A novel drilling and coring device, driven by a combination, of sonic and ultrasonic vibration, was developed. The device is applicable to soft and hard objects using low axial load and potentially operational under extreme conditions. The device has numerous potential planetary applications. Significant potential for commercialization in construction, demining, drilling and medical technologies.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Portone, Teresa; Niederhaus, John Henry; Sanchez, Jason James

This report introduces the concepts of Bayesian model selection, which provides a systematic means of calibrating and selecting an optimal model to represent a phenomenon. This has many potential applications, including for comparing constitutive models. The ideas described herein are applied to a model selection problem between different yield models for hardened steel under extreme loading conditions.

Biomechanical compensations of the trunk and lower extremities during stepping tasks after unilateral transtibial amputation.

PubMed

Murray, Amanda M; Gaffney, Brecca M; Davidson, Bradley S; Christiansen, Cory L

2017-11-01

Lower extremity movement compensations following transtibial amputation are well-documented and are likely influenced by trunk posture and movement. However, the biomechanical compensations of the trunk and lower extremities, especially during high-demand tasks such as step ascent and descent, remain unclear. Kinematic and kinetic data were collected during step ascent and descent tasks for three groups of individuals: diabetic/transtibial amputation, diabetic, and healthy. An ANCOVA was used to compare peak trunk, hip and knee joint angles and moments in the sagittal and frontal planes between groups. Paired t-tests were used to compare peak joint angles and moments between amputated and intact limbs of the diabetic/transtibial amputation group. During step ascent and descent, the transtibial amputation group exhibited greater trunk forward flexion and lateral flexion compared to the other two groups (P<0.016), which resulted in greater low back moments and asymmetric loading patterns in the lower extremity joints. The diabetic group exhibited similar knee joint loading patterns compared to the amputation group (P<0.016), during step descent. This study highlights the biomechanical compensations of the trunk and lower extremities in individuals with dysvascular transtibial amputation, by identifying low back, hip, and knee joint moment patterns unique to transtibial amputation during stepping tasks. In addition, the results suggest that some movement compensations may be confounded by the presence of diabetes and precede limb amputation. The increased and asymmetrical loading patterns identified may predispose individuals with transtibial amputation to the development of secondary pain conditions, such as low back pain or osteoarthritis. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Extreme Sea Conditions in Shallow Water: Estimation based on in-situ measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Le Crom, Izan; Saulnier, Jean-Baptiste

2013-04-01

The design of marine renewable energy devices and components is based, among others, on the assessment of the environmental extreme conditions (winds, currents, waves, and water level) that must be combined together in order to evaluate the maximal loads on a floating/fixed structure, and on the anchoring system over a determined return period. Measuring devices are generally deployed at sea over relatively short durations (a few months to a few years), typically when describing water free surface elevation, and extrapolation methods based on hindcast data (and therefore on wave simulation models) have to be used. How to combine, in a realistic way, the action of the different loads (winds and waves for instance) and which correlation of return periods should be used are highly topical issues. However, the assessment of the extreme condition itself remains a not-fully-solved, crucial, and sensitive task. Above all in shallow water, extreme wave height, Hmax, is the most significant contribution in the dimensioning process of EMR devices. As a case study, existing methodologies for deep water have been applied to SEMREV, the French marine energy test site. The interest of this study, especially at this location, goes beyond the simple application to SEMREV's WEC and floating wind turbines deployment as it could also be extended to the Banc de Guérande offshore wind farm that are planned close by. More generally to pipes and communication cables as it is a redundant problematic. The paper will first present the existing measurements (wave and wind on site), the prediction chain that has been developed via wave models, the extrapolation methods applied to hindcast data, and will try to formulate recommendations for improving this assessment in shallow water.

Downwind pre-aligned rotors for extreme-scale wind turbines

DOE PAGES

Loth, Eric; Steele, Adam; Qin, Chao; ...

2017-03-08

Downwind force angles are small for current turbines systems (1-5 MW) such that they may be readily accommodated by conventional upwind configurations. However, analysis indicates that extreme-scale systems (10-20 MW) will have larger angles that may benefit from downwind-aligned configurations. To examine potential rotor mass reduction, the pre-alignment concept was investigated a two-bladed configuration by keeping the structural and aerodynamic characteristics of each blade fixed (to avoids a complete blade re-design). Simulations for a 13.2 MW rated rotor at steady-state conditions show that this concept-level two-bladed design may yield 25% rotor mass savings while also reducing average blade stress overmore » all wind speeds. These results employed a pre-alignment on the basis of a wind speed of 1.25 times the rated wind speed. The downwind pre-aligned concept may also reduce damage equivalent loads on the blades by 60% for steady rated wind conditions. Even higher mass and damage equivalent load savings (relative to conventional upwind designs) may be possible for larger systems (15-20 MW) for which load-alignment angles become even larger. Furthermore, much more work is needed to determine whether this concept can be translated into a practical design that must meet a wide myriad of other criteria.« less

Downwind pre-aligned rotors for extreme-scale wind turbines

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Loth, Eric; Steele, Adam; Qin, Chao

Downwind force angles are small for current turbines systems (1-5 MW) such that they may be readily accommodated by conventional upwind configurations. However, analysis indicates that extreme-scale systems (10-20 MW) will have larger angles that may benefit from downwind-aligned configurations. To examine potential rotor mass reduction, the pre-alignment concept was investigated a two-bladed configuration by keeping the structural and aerodynamic characteristics of each blade fixed (to avoids a complete blade re-design). Simulations for a 13.2 MW rated rotor at steady-state conditions show that this concept-level two-bladed design may yield 25% rotor mass savings while also reducing average blade stress overmore » all wind speeds. These results employed a pre-alignment on the basis of a wind speed of 1.25 times the rated wind speed. The downwind pre-aligned concept may also reduce damage equivalent loads on the blades by 60% for steady rated wind conditions. Even higher mass and damage equivalent load savings (relative to conventional upwind designs) may be possible for larger systems (15-20 MW) for which load-alignment angles become even larger. Furthermore, much more work is needed to determine whether this concept can be translated into a practical design that must meet a wide myriad of other criteria.« less

Energy-Absorbing, Lightweight Wheels

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Waydo, Peter

2003-01-01

Improved energy-absorbing wheels are under development for use on special-purpose vehicles that must traverse rough terrain under conditions (e.g., extreme cold) in which rubber pneumatic tires would fail. The designs of these wheels differ from those of prior non-pneumatic energy-absorbing wheels in ways that result in lighter weights and more effective reduction of stresses generated by ground/wheel contact forces. These wheels could be made of metals and/or composite materials to withstand the expected extreme operating conditions. As shown in the figure, a wheel according to this concept would include an isogrid tire connected to a hub via spring rods. The isogrid tire would be a stiff, lightweight structure typically made of aluminum. The isogrid aspect of the structure would both impart stiffness and act as a traction surface. The hub would be a thin-walled body of revolution having a simple or compound conical or other shape chosen for structural efficiency. The spring rods would absorb energy and partially isolate the hub and the supported vehicle from impact loads. The general spring-rod configuration shown in the figure was chosen because it would distribute contact and impact loads nearly evenly around the periphery of the hub, thereby helping to protect the hub against damage that would otherwise be caused by large loads concentrated onto small portions of the hub.

Effects of step rate manipulation on joint mechanics during running.

PubMed

Heiderscheit, Bryan C; Chumanov, Elizabeth S; Michalski, Max P; Wille, Christa M; Ryan, Michael B

2011-02-01

the objective of this study was to characterize the biomechanical effects of step rate modification during running on the hip, knee, and ankle joints so as to evaluate a potential strategy to reduce lower extremity loading and risk for injury. three-dimensional kinematics and kinetics were recorded from 45 healthy recreational runners during treadmill running at constant speed under various step rate conditions (preferred, ± 5%, and ± 10%). We tested our primary hypothesis that a reduction in energy absorption by the lower extremity joints during the loading response would occur, primarily at the knee, when step rate was increased. less mechanical energy was absorbed at the knee (P < 0.01) during the +5% and +10% step rate conditions, whereas the hip (P < 0.01) absorbed less energy during the +10% condition only. All joints displayed substantially (P < 0.01) more energy absorption when preferred step rate was reduced by 10%. Step length (P < 0.01), center of mass vertical excursion (P < 0.01), braking impulse (P < 0.01), and peak knee flexion angle (P < 0.01) were observed to decrease with increasing step rate. When step rate was increased 10% above preferred, peak hip adduction angle (P < 0.01) and peak hip adduction (P < 0.01) and internal rotation (P < 0.01) moments were found to decrease. we conclude that subtle increases in step rate can substantially reduce the loading to the hip and knee joints during running and may prove beneficial in the prevention and treatment of common running-related injuries.

Effects of precision demands and mental pressure on muscle activation and hand forces in computer mouse tasks.

PubMed

Visser, Bart; De Looze, Michiel; De Graaff, Matthijs; Van Dieën, Jaap

2004-02-05

The objective of the present study was to gain insight into the effects of precision demands and mental pressure on the load of the upper extremity. Two computer mouse tasks were used: an aiming and a tracking task. Upper extremity loading was operationalized as the myo-electric activity of the wrist flexor and extensor and of the trapezius descendens muscles and the applied grip- and click-forces on the computer mouse. Performance measures, reflecting the accuracy in both tasks and the clicking rate in the aiming task, indicated that the levels of the independent variables resulted in distinguishable levels of accuracy and work pace. Precision demands had a small effect on upper extremity loading with a significant increase in the EMG-amplitudes (21%) of the wrist flexors during the aiming tasks. Precision had large effects on performance. Mental pressure had substantial effects on EMG-amplitudes with an increase of 22% in the trapezius when tracking and increases of 41% in the trapezius and 45% and 140% in the wrist extensors and flexors, respectively, when aiming. During aiming, grip- and click-forces increased by 51% and 40% respectively. Mental pressure had small effects on accuracy but large effects on tempo during aiming. Precision demands and mental pressure in aiming and tracking tasks with a computer mouse were found to coincide with increased muscle activity in some upper extremity muscles and increased force exertion on the computer mouse. Mental pressure caused significant effects on these parameters more often than precision demands. Precision and mental pressure were found to have effects on performance, with precision effects being significant for all performance measures studied and mental pressure effects for some of them. The results of this study suggest that precision demands and mental pressure increase upper extremity load, with mental pressure effects being larger than precision effects. The possible role of precision demands as an indirect mental stressor in working conditions is discussed.

Usage of Parameterized Fatigue Spectra and Physics-Based Systems Engineering Models for Wind Turbine Component Sizing: Preprint

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Parsons, Taylor; Guo, Yi; Veers, Paul

Software models that use design-level input variables and physics-based engineering analysis for estimating the mass and geometrical properties of components in large-scale machinery can be very useful for analyzing design trade-offs in complex systems. This study uses DriveSE, an OpenMDAO-based drivetrain model that uses stress and deflection criteria to size drivetrain components within a geared, upwind wind turbine. Because a full lifetime fatigue load spectrum can only be defined using computationally-expensive simulations in programs such as FAST, a parameterized fatigue loads spectrum that depends on wind conditions, rotor diameter, and turbine design life has been implemented. The parameterized fatigue spectrummore » is only used in this paper to demonstrate the proposed fatigue analysis approach. This paper details a three-part investigation of the parameterized approach and a comparison of the DriveSE model with and without fatigue analysis on the main shaft system. It compares loads from three turbines of varying size and determines if and when fatigue governs drivetrain sizing compared to extreme load-driven design. It also investigates the model's sensitivity to shaft material parameters. The intent of this paper is to demonstrate how fatigue considerations in addition to extreme loads can be brought into a system engineering optimization.« less

Leg length discrepancy and osteoarthritis in the knee, hip and lumbar spine

PubMed Central

Murray, Kelvin J.; Azari, Michael F.

2015-01-01

Osteoarthritis (OA) is an extremely common condition that creates substantial personal and health care costs. An important recognised risk factor for OA is excessive or abnormal mechanical joint loading. Leg length discrepancy (LLD) is a common condition that results in uneven and excessive loading of not only knee joints but also hip joints and lumbar motion segments. Accurate imaging methods of LLD have made it possible to study the biomechanical effects of mild LLD (LLD of 20mm or less). This review examines the accuracy of these methods compared to clinical LLD measurements. It then examines the association between LLD and OA of the joints of the lower extremity. More importantly, it addresses the largely neglected association between LLD and degeneration of lumbar motion segments and the patterns of biomechanical changes that accompany LLD. We propose that mild LLD may be an important instigator or contributor to OA of the hip and lumbar spine, and that it deserves to be rigorously studied in order to decrease OA’s burden of disease. PMID:26500356

Mechanical annealing under low-amplitude cyclic loading in micropillars

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cui, Yi-nan; Liu, Zhan-li; Wang, Zhang-jie; Zhuang, Zhuo

2016-04-01

Mechanical annealing has been demonstrated to be an effective method for decreasing the overall dislocation density in submicron single crystal. However, simultaneously significant shape change always unexpectedly happens under extremely high monotonic loading to drive the pre-existing dislocations out of the free surfaces. In the present work, through in situ TEM experiments it is found that cyclic loading with low stress amplitude can drive most dislocations out of the submicron sample with virtually little change of the shape. The underlying dislocation mechanism is revealed by carrying out discrete dislocation dynamic (DDD) simulations. The simulation results indicate that the dislocation density decreases within cycles, while the accumulated plastic strain is small. By comparing the evolution of dislocation junction under monotonic, cyclic and relaxation deformation, the cumulative irreversible slip is found to be the key factor of promoting junction destruction and dislocation annihilation at free surface under low-amplitude cyclic loading condition. By introducing this mechanics into dislocation density evolution equations, the critical conditions for mechanical annealing under cyclic and monotonic loadings are discussed. Low-amplitude cyclic loading which strengthens the single crystal without seriously disturbing the structure has the potential applications in the manufacture of defect-free nano-devices.

The Effect of Military Load Carriage on Postural Sway, Forward Trunk Lean, and Pelvic Girdle Motion

PubMed Central

STRUBE, EILEEN M.; SUMNER, ANDREA; KOLLOCK, ROGER; GAMES, KENNETH E.; LACKAMP, MARIE A.; MIZUTANI, MASAHIRO; SEFTON, JOELLEN M.

2017-01-01

Musculoskeletal injuries are a common occurrence in military service members. It is believed that the load carried by the service member impedes stability and alters back and pelvis kinematics, increasing their susceptibility to musculoskeletal injuries, specifically in the lower extremities. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of two different loads on postural sway, forward trunk lean, and pelvic girdle motion in United States Army Cadets. Twenty male Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps Cadets participated in this study. Each participant performed the Modified Clinical Testing of Sensory Interaction (mCTSIB) Protocol and the Unilateral Stance (ULS) Protocol under three different rucksack load conditions (unloaded, 16.0 kg, and 20.5 kg loads). Mean postural sway velocity was recorded along with 2-D kinematics of the trunk in the sagittal plane and the pelvis in the frontal and sagittal planes. External loads of 16.0 kg (p < 0.001) and 20.5 kg (p ≤ 0.003) significantly increased mean sway velocity by 16% to 52% depending on stance and visual condition, but did not produce significant changes in trunk and pelvic kinematics. PMID:28479946

Qualification Motor no. 8 (QM-8), volume 1

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Garecht, D. M.

1989-01-01

All inspection and instrumentation data indicate that the QM-8 static test firing conducted 20 January 1989 was successful. Ambient temperature at T-0 was 28 F. With two flights successfully accomplished, this final test in the redesigned solid rocket motor (RSRM) program certified that the design meets motor performance requirements under extreme cold conditions. This test was a prerequisite to the third flight. The entire test article was cold conditioned at 20 to 25 F for approximately 31 days to assure a maximum propellant mean bulk temperature (PMBT) of 40 F, making it the lowest PMBT in the history of the program. This extreme condition also presented the opportunity to certify critical components at low temperatures. Certification of field joint and igniter heaters, adhesive bondline integrity, flex bearing performance, flight instrumentation performance, RSRM seal performance, and LSC and nozzle plug performance was accomplished. Prior to motor ignition, the field joints were maintained between 75 to 130 F, the igniter-to-case joint was maintained between 75 to 123 F, and the case-to-nozzle joint was maintained between 75 to 120 F. QM-8 was tested with induced side loads to simulate the strut loads experienced during ignition and maximum aerodynamic loading conditions. The ability of the safe and arm device to change position from safe-to-arm and arm-to-safe was certified. Ballistics performance was certified at the lower limits. Values were within specification requirements. Nozzle performance was nominal with typical erosion. The use of Fiberite carbon-cloth phenolic was certified. The water deluge system, CO2 quench, and other test equipment performed as planned during all required test operations.

Accelerated in vitro release testing of implantable PLGA microsphere/PVA hydrogel composite coatings

PubMed Central

Shen, Jie; Burgess, Diane J.

2011-01-01

Dexamethasone loaded poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) microsphere/PVA hydrogel composites have been investigated as an outer drug-eluting coating for implantable devices such as glucose sensors to counter negative tissue responses to implants. The objective of this study was to develop a discriminatory, accelerated in vitro release testing method for this drug-eluting coating using United States Pharmacopeia (USP) apparatus 4. Polymer degradation and drug release kinetics were investigated under “real-time” and accelerated conditions (i.e. extreme pH, hydro-alcoholic solutions and elevated temperatures). Compared to “real-time” conditions, the initial burst and lag phases were similar using hydro-alcoholic solutions and extreme pH conditions, while the secondary apparent zero-order release phase was slightly accelerated. Elevated temperatures resulted in a significant acceleration of dexamethasone release. The accelerated release data were able to predict “real-time” release when applying the Arrhenius equation. Microsphere batches with faster and slower release profiles were investigated under “real-time” and elevated temperature (60°C) conditions to determine the discriminatory ability of the method. The results demonstrated both the feasibility and the discriminatory ability of this USP apparatus 4 method for in vitro release testing of drug loaded PLGA microsphere/PVA hydrogel composites. This method may be appropriate for similar drug/device combination products and drug delivery systems. PMID:22016033

Accelerated in vitro release testing of implantable PLGA microsphere/PVA hydrogel composite coatings.

PubMed

Shen, Jie; Burgess, Diane J

2012-01-17

Dexamethasone loaded poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) microsphere/PVA hydrogel composites have been investigated as an outer drug-eluting coating for implantable devices such as glucose sensors to counter negative tissue responses to implants. The objective of this study was to develop a discriminatory, accelerated in vitro release testing method for this drug-eluting coating using United States Pharmacopeia (USP) apparatus 4. Polymer degradation and drug release kinetics were investigated under "real-time" and accelerated conditions (i.e. extreme pH, hydro-alcoholic solutions and elevated temperatures). Compared to "real-time" conditions, the initial burst and lag phases were similar using hydro-alcoholic solutions and extreme pH conditions, while the secondary apparent zero-order release phase was slightly accelerated. Elevated temperatures resulted in a significant acceleration of dexamethasone release. The accelerated release data were able to predict "real-time" release when applying the Arrhenius equation. Microsphere batches with faster and slower release profiles were investigated under "real-time" and elevated temperature (60°C) conditions to determine the discriminatory ability of the method. The results demonstrated both the feasibility and the discriminatory ability of this USP apparatus 4 method for in vitro release testing of drug loaded PLGA microsphere/PVA hydrogel composites. This method may be appropriate for similar drug/device combination products and drug delivery systems. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Test load verification through strain data analysis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Verderaime, V.; Harrington, F.

1995-01-01

A traditional binding acceptance criterion on polycrystalline structures is the experimental verification of the ultimate factor of safety. At fracture, the induced strain is inelastic and about an order-of-magnitude greater than designed for maximum expected operational limit. At this extreme strained condition, the structure may rotate and displace at the applied verification load such as to unknowingly distort the load transfer into the static test article. Test may result in erroneously accepting a submarginal design or rejecting a reliable one. A technique was developed to identify, monitor, and assess the load transmission error through two back-to-back surface-measured strain data. The technique is programmed for expediency and convenience. Though the method was developed to support affordable aerostructures, the method is also applicable for most high-performance air and surface transportation structural systems.

[Process strategy for ethanol production from lignocellulose feedstock under extremely low water usage and high solids loading conditions].

PubMed

Zhang, Jian; Chu, Deqiang; Yu, Zhanchun; Zhang, Xiaoxi; Deng, Hongbo; Wang, Xiusheng; Zhu, Zhinan; Zhang, Huaiqing; Dai, Gance; Bao, Jie

2010-07-01

The massive water and steam are consumed in the production of cellulose ethanol, which correspondingly results in the significant increase of energy cost, waster water discharge and production cost as well. In this study, the process strategy under extremely low water usage and high solids loading of corn stover was investigated experimentally and computationally. The novel pretreatment technology with zero waste water discharge was developed; in which a unique biodetoxification method using a kerosene fungus strain Amorphotheca resinae ZN1 to degrade the lignocellulose derived inhibitors was applied. With high solids loading of pretreated corn stover, high ethanol titer was achieved in the simultaneous saccharification and fermentation process, and the scale-up principles were studied. Furthermore, the flowsheet simulation of the whole process was carried out with the Aspen plus based physical database, and the integrated process developed was tested in the biorefinery mini-plant. Finally, the core technologies were applied in the cellulose ethanol demonstration plant, which paved a way for the establishment of an energy saving and environment friendly technology of lignocellulose biotransformation with industry application potential.

An evaluation of some unbraked tire cornering force characteristics

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Leland, T. J. W.

1972-01-01

An investigation to determine the effects of pavement surface condition on the cornering forces developed by a group of 6.50x13 automobile tires of different tread design was conducted at the Langley aircraft landing loads and traction facility. The tests were made at fixed yaw angles of 3,4.5, and 6 deg at forward speeds up to 80 knots on two concrete surfaces of different texture under dry, damp, and flooded conditions. The results showed that the cornering forces were extremely sensitive to tread pattern and runway surface texture under all conditions and that under flooded conditions tire hydroplaning and complete loss of cornering force occurred at a forward velocity predicted from an existing formula based on tire inflation pressure. Futher, tests on the damp concrete with a smooth tire and a four-groove tire showed higher cornering forces at a yaw angle of 3 deg than at 4.5 deg; this indicated that maximum cornering forces are developed at extremely small steering angles under these conditions.

The life times of polymer composites in construction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Meier, Urs

2016-05-01

This paper discusses examples that prove the long-term reliability of Fiber Reinforced Polymers (FRP) under extreme loading conditions and outdoor weathering. Results of polymer/steel-composite anchorage systems, Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) plates and shells, GFRP box girders, Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) post-tensioning tendons and CFRP stays are going to be presented.

Characterization of focal muscle compression under impact loading

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Butler, B. J.; Sory, D. R.; Nguyen, T.-T. N.; Proud, W. G.; Williams, A.; Brown, K. A.

2017-01-01

In modern wars over 70% of combat wounds are to the extremities. These injuries are characterized by disruption and contamination of the limb soft tissue envelope. The extent of this tissue trauma and contamination determine the outcome of the extremity injury. In military injury, common post-traumatic complications at amputation sites include heterotopic ossification (formation of bone in soft tissue), and severe soft tissue and bone infections. We are currently developing a model of soft tissue injury that recreates pathologies observed in combat injuries. Here we present characterization of a controlled focal compression of the rabbit flexor carpi ulnaris (FCU) muscle group. The FCU was previously identified as a suitable site for studying impact injury because its muscle belly can easily be mobilized from the underlying bone without disturbing anatomical alignment in the limb. We show how macroscopic changes in tissue organization, as visualized using optical microscopy, can be correlated with data from temporally resolved traces of loading conditions.

Effect of gamma-ray irradiation on the unloaded animal model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Choi, Jong-Il; Yoon, Min-Chul; Sung, Nak-Yoon; Kim, Jae-Hun; Jong Lee, Yun; Lee, Ki-Soo; Choi, In-Ho; Nam, Gung Uk; Lee, Ju-Woon

During the space flight, human beings encountered the extreme conditions such as the cosmic ray irradiation and microgravity. There have been developed the animal models to simulate the microgravity condition in laboratory, but no study was carried out to investigate the combined effect of microgravity and exposure to irradiation. In this study, it was examined the effect of gamma irradiation on the suspension model. Rats were divided into four groups, Group I was loaded and not exposed to gamma irradiation, Group 2 was unloaded and not exposed, Group 3 was loaded and exposed to gamma irradiation at the dose of 50 mSV, and Group 4 was unloaded and exposed to gamma irradiation at the same dose. It was measured body, muscles and tissues weights and the biological analysis and the hematological response in blood samples were conducted. Anti-gravity tissue weight was only changed between loading and un-loading condition. However, there was no difference between irradiation exposed and not exposed unloaded groups. To know the difference of protein expression in anti-gravity tissues, 2 dimensional electrophoresis was performed. It has been found that the expression levels of several proteins were different by unloading condition and by irradiation exposed condition, respectively. These results provided the information on the combined effect of irradiation and microgravity to simulate space flight, and could be useful to search the candidate material for the countermeasure against space environment.

Effects of Step Rate Manipulation on Joint Mechanics during Running

PubMed Central

Heiderscheit, Bryan C.; Chumanov, Elizabeth S.; Michalski, Max P.; Wille, Christa M.; Ryan, Michael B.

2010-01-01

Purpose The objective of this study was to characterize the biomechanical effects of step rate modification during running on the hip, knee and ankle joints, so as to evaluate a potential strategy to reduce lower extremity loading and risk for injury. Methods Three-dimensional kinematics and kinetics were recorded from 45 healthy recreational runners during treadmill running at constant speed under various step rate conditions (preferred, ± 5% and ± 10%). We tested our primary hypothesis that a reduction in energy absorption by the lower extremity joints during the loading response would occur, primarily at the knee, when step rate was increased. Results Less mechanical energy was absorbed at the knee (p<0.01) during the +5% and +10% step rate conditions, while the hip (p<0.01) absorbed less energy during the +10% condition only. All joints displayed substantially (p<0.01) more energy absorption when preferred step rate was reduced by 10. Step length (p<0.01), center of mass vertical excursion (p<0.01), breaking impulse (p<0.01) and peak knee flexion angle (p<0.01) were observed to decrease with increasing step rate. When step rate was increased 10% above preferred, peak hip adduction angle (p<0.01), as well as peak hip adduction (p<0.01) and internal rotation (p<0.01) moments, were found to decrease. Conclusion We conclude that subtle increases in step rate can substantially reduce the loading to the hip and knee joints during running and may prove beneficial in the prevention and treatment of common running-related injuries. PMID:20581720

Structural tests on a tile/strain isolation pad thermal protection system. [space shuttles

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Williams, J. G.

1980-01-01

The aluminum skin of the space shuttle is covered by a thermal protection system (TPS) consisting of a low density ceramic tile bonded to a matted-felt material called strain insulation pad (SIP). The structural characteristics of the TPS were studied experimentally under selected extreme load conditions. Three basic types of loads were imposed: tension, eccentrically applied tension, and combined in-plane force and transverse pressure. For some tests, transverse pressure was applied rapidly to simulate a transient shock wave passing over the tile. The failure mode for all specimens involved separation of the tile from the SIP at the silicone rubber bond interface. An eccentrically applied tension load caused the tile to separate from the SIP at loads lower than experienced at failure for pure tension loading. Moderate in-plane as well as shock loading did not cause a measurable reduction in the TPS ultimate failure strength. A strong coupling, however, was exhibited between in-plane and transverse loads and displacements.

Constitutive modeling of the dynamic-tensile-extrusion test of PTFE

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Resnyansky, A. D.; Brown, E. N.; Trujillo, C. P.; Gray, G. T.

2017-01-01

Use of polymers in defense, aerospace and industrial applications under extreme loading conditions makes prediction of the behavior of these materials very important. Crucial to this is knowledge of the physical damage response in association with phase transformations during loading and the ability to predict this via multi-phase simulation accounting for thermodynamical non-equilibrium and strain rate sensitivity. The current work analyzes Dynamic-Tensile-Extrusion (Dyn-Ten-Ext) experiments on polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). In particular, the phase transition during loading and subsequent tension are analyzed using a two-phase rate sensitive material model implemented in the CTH hydrocode. The calculations are compared with experimental high-speed photography. Deformation patterns and their link with changing loading modes are analyzed numerically and correlated to the test observations. It is concluded that the phase transformation is not as critical to the response of PTFE under Dyn-Ten-Ext loading as it is during the Taylor rod impact testing.

The Interaction of Trunk-Load and Trunk-Position Adaptations on Knee Anterior Shear and Hamstrings Muscle Forces During Landing

PubMed Central

Kulas, Anthony S.; Hortobágyi, Tibor; DeVita, Paul

2010-01-01

Abstract Context: Because anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries can occur during deceleration maneuvers, biomechanics research has been focused on the lower extremity kinetic chain. Trunk mass and changes in trunk position affect lower extremity joint torques and work during gait and landing, but how the trunk affects knee joint and muscle forces is not well understood. Objective: To evaluate the effects of added trunk load and adaptations to trunk position on knee anterior shear and knee muscle forces in landing. Design: Crossover study. Setting: Controlled laboratory environment. Patients or Other Participants: Twenty-one participants (10 men: age  =  20.3 ± 1.15 years, height  =  1.82 ± 0.04 m, mass  =  78.2 ± 7.3 kg; 11 women: age  =  20.0 ± 1.10 years, height  =  1.72 ± 0.06 m, mass  =  62.3 ± 6.4 kg). Intervention(s): Participants performed 2 sets of 8 double-leg landings under 2 conditions: no load and trunk load (10% body mass). Participants were categorized into one of 2 groups based on the kinematic trunk adaptation to the load: trunk flexor or trunk extensor. Main Outcome Measure(s): We estimated peak and average knee anterior shear, quadriceps, hamstrings, and gastrocnemius forces with a biomechanical model. Results: We found condition-by-group interactions showing that adding a trunk load increased peak (17%) and average (35%) knee anterior shear forces in the trunk-extensor group but did not increase them in the trunk-flexor group (peak: F1,19  =  10.56, P  =  .004; average: F1,19  =  9.56, P  =  .006). We also found a main effect for condition for quadriceps and gastrocnemius forces. When trunk load was added, peak (6%; F1,19  =  5.52, P  =  .030) and average (8%; F1,19  =  8.83, P  =  .008) quadriceps forces increased and average (4%; F1,19  =  4.94, P  =  .039) gastrocnemius forces increased, regardless of group. We found a condition-by-group interaction for peak (F1,19  =  5.16, P  =  .035) and average (F1,19  =  12.35, P  =  .002) hamstrings forces. When trunk load was added, average hamstrings forces decreased by 16% in the trunk-extensor group but increased by 13% in the trunk-flexor group. Conclusions: Added trunk loads increased knee anterior shear and knee muscle forces, depending on trunk adaptation strategy. The trunk-extensor adaptation to the load resulted in a quadriceps-dominant strategy that increased knee anterior shear forces. Trunk-flexor adaptations may serve as a protective strategy against the added load. These findings should be interpreted with caution, as only the face validity of the biomechanical model was assessed. PMID:20064042

Wear of human enamel: a quantitative in vitro assessment.

PubMed

Kaidonis, J A; Richards, L C; Townsend, G C; Tansley, G D

1998-12-01

Many factors influence the extent and rate at which enamel wears. Clinical studies in humans are limited by difficulties in the accurate quantification of intra-oral wear and by a lack of control over the oral environment. The purpose of this study was to determine the wear characteristics of human dental enamel under controlled experimental conditions. An electro-mechanical tooth wear machine, in which opposing enamel surfaces of sectioned, extracted teeth were worn under various conditions, was used to simulate tooth grinding or bruxism. Enamel surface wear was quantified by weight to an accuracy of 0.1 mg, with water uptake and loss controlled. The variables considered included the structure and hardness of enamel, facet area, duration of tooth contact, relative speed of opposing surfaces, temperature, load, pH, and the nature of the lubricant. Enamel wear under non-lubricated conditions increased with increasing load over the range of 1.7 to 16.2 kg. The addition of a liquid lubricant (pH = 7) reduced enamel wear up to 6.7 kg, but when the load increased above this threshold, the rate of wear increased dramatically. With the viscosity of the lubricant constant and pH = 3, the rate of wear was further reduced to less than 10% of the non-lubricated rate at 9.95 kg, after which the rate again increased substantially. Under more extreme conditions (pH = 1.2, simulating gastric acids), the wear was excessive under all experimental loads. When saliva was used as a lubricant, the amount of wear was relatively low at 9.95 kg, but rapid wear occurred at 14.2 kg and above. These results indicate that under non-lubricated conditions, enamel wear remains low at high loads due to the dry-lubricating capabilities of fine enamel powder. Under lubricated conditions, low loads with an acidic lubricant lead to little enamel wear, whereas very low pH results in a high rate of wear under all loads.

The operator's emotional stability

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Zilberman, P. B.

1975-01-01

An attempt is made to provide a psychological interpretation of the concept of emotional stability in connection with other psychics qualities of an operator's personality. Emotional stability is understood as a person's capacity to control his emotional state for the purpose of maintaining the necessary level of work performance under extreme stress conditions. By modeling the operator's sensorimotor activity and by comparing the productivity indicators under ordinary conditions with those obtained during work involving an emotional load, the level of emotional stability can be determined.

Behavioral and cognitive effects of tyrosine intake in healthy human adults.

PubMed

Hase, Adrian; Jung, Sophie E; aan het Rot, Marije

2015-06-01

The amino acid tyrosine is the precursor to the catecholamine neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine. Increasing tyrosine uptake may positively influence catecholamine-related psychological functioning. We conducted a systematic review to examine the effects of tyrosine on behavior and cognition. Fifteen studies were reviewed. All studies except one involved tyrosine loading during a single test session. In most behavioral studies, there were no significant effects of tyrosine on exercise performance. In contrast, cognitive studies employing neuropsychological measures found that tyrosine loading acutely counteracts decrements in working memory and information processing that are induced by demanding situational conditions such as extreme weather or cognitive load. The buffering effects of tyrosine on cognition may be explained by tyrosine's ability to neutralize depleted brain catecholamine levels. There is evidence that tyrosine may benefit healthy individuals exposed to demanding situational conditions. For future research we recommend moving from studying the acute effects of a single tyrosine load in small samples to studying the behavioral and cognitive effects of tyrosine in larger groups over multiple weeks. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Characterization of Solid Polymers, Ceramic Gap Filler, and Closed-Cell Polymer Foam Using Low-Load Test Methods

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Herring, Helen M.

2008-01-01

Various solid polymers, polymer-based composites, and closed-cell polymer foam are being characterized to determine their mechanical properties, using low-load test methods. The residual mechanical properties of these materials after environmental exposure or extreme usage conditions determines their value in aerospace structural applications. In this experimental study, four separate polymers were evaluated to measure their individual mechanical responses after thermal aging and moisture exposure by dynamic mechanical analysis. A ceramic gap filler, used in the gaps between the tiles on the Space Shuttle, was also tested, using dynamic mechanical analysis to determine material property limits during flight. Closed-cell polymer foam, used for the Space Shuttle External Tank insulation, was tested under low load levels to evaluate how the foam's mechanical properties are affected by various loading and unloading scenarios.

Effects of wearing different personal equipment on force distribution at the plantar surface of the foot.

PubMed

Schulze, Christoph; Lindner, Tobias; Woitge, Sandra; Finze, Susanne; Mittelmeier, Wolfram; Bader, Rainer

2013-01-01

The wearing of personal equipment can cause specific changes in muscle activity and posture. In the present study, we investigated the influence of differences in equipment related weight loading and load distribution on plantar pressure. In addition, we studied functional effects of wearing different equipment with a particular focus on relevant changes in foot shape. Static and dynamic pedobarography were performed on 31 male soldiers carrying increasing weights consisting of different items of equipment. The pressure acting on the plantar surface of the foot increased with higher loading, both under static and dynamic conditions (p < 0.05). We observed an increase in the contact area (p < 0.05) and an influence of load distribution through different ways to carry the rifle. The wearing of heavier weights leads to an increase in plantar pressure and contact area. This may be caused by flattening of the transverse and longitudinal arches. The effects are more evident in subjects with flat feet deformities which seem to flatten at an earlier load condition with a greater amount compared to subjects with normal arches. Improving load distribution should be a main goal in the development of military equipment in order to prevent injuries or functional disorders of the lower extremity.

The shock and spall response of three industrially important hexagonal close-packed metals: magnesium, titanium and zirconium.

PubMed

Hazell, P J; Appleby-Thomas, G J; Wielewski, E; Escobedo, J P

2014-08-28

Magnesium, titanium and zirconium and their alloys are extensively used in industrial and military applications where they would be subjected to extreme environments of high stress and strain-rate loading. Their hexagonal close-packed (HCP) crystal lattice structures present interesting challenges for optimizing their mechanical response under such loading conditions. In this paper, we review how these materials respond to shock loading via plate-impact experiments. We also discuss the relationship between a heterogeneous and anisotropic microstructure, typical of HCP materials, and the directional dependency of the elastic limit and, in some cases, the strength prior to failure. © 2014 The Author(s) Published by the Royal Society. All rights reserved.

Effects of extreme-duration heavy load carriage on neuromuscular function and locomotion: a military-based study.

PubMed

Grenier, Jordane G; Millet, Guillaume Y; Peyrot, Nicolas; Samozino, Pierre; Oullion, Roger; Messonnier, Laurent; Morin, Jean-Benoît

2012-01-01

Trekking and military missions generally consist of carrying heavy loads for extreme durations. These factors have been separately shown to be sources of neuromuscular (NM) fatigue and locomotor alterations. However, the question of their combined effects remains unresolved, and addressing this issue required a representative context. The aim was to investigate the effects of extreme-duration heavy load carriage on NM function and walking characteristics. Ten experienced infantrymen performed a 21-h simulated military mission (SMM) in a middle-mountain environment with equipment weighing ∼27 kg during battles and ∼43 kg during marches. NM function was evaluated for knee extensors (KE) and plantar flexors (PF) pre- and immediately post-SMM using isometric maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) measurement, neural electrical stimulation and surface EMG. The twitch-interpolation method was used to assess central fatigue. Peripheral changes were examined by stimulating the muscle in the relaxed state. The energy cost, mechanical work and spatio-temporal pattern of walking were also evaluated pre-/post-SMM on an instrumented treadmill in three equipment conditions: Sportswear, Battle and March. After the SMM, MVC declined by -10.2±3.6% for KE (P<0.01) and -10.7±16.1% for PF (P = 0.06). The origin of fatigue was essentially peripheral for both muscle groups. A trend toward low-frequency fatigue was detected for KE (5.5%, P = 0.08). These moderate NM alterations were concomitant with a large increase in perceived fatigue from pre- (rating of 8.3±2.2) to post-SMM (15.9±2.1, P<0.01). The SMM-related fatigue did not alter walking energetics or mechanics, and the different equipment carried on the treadmill did not interact with this fatigue either. this study reports the first data on physiological and biomechanical consequences of extreme-duration heavy load carriage. Unexpectedly, NM function alterations due to the 21-h SMM were moderate and did not alter walking characteristics. Name: Effect of prolonged military exercises with high load carriage on neuromuscular fatigue and physiological/biomechanical responses. Number: NCT01127191.

Effects of Extreme-Duration Heavy Load Carriage on Neuromuscular Function and Locomotion: A Military-Based Study

PubMed Central

Grenier, Jordane G.; Millet, Guillaume Y.; Peyrot, Nicolas; Samozino, Pierre; Oullion, Roger; Messonnier, Laurent; Morin, Jean-Benoît

2012-01-01

Trekking and military missions generally consist of carrying heavy loads for extreme durations. These factors have been separately shown to be sources of neuromuscular (NM) fatigue and locomotor alterations. However, the question of their combined effects remains unresolved, and addressing this issue required a representative context. Purpose The aim was to investigate the effects of extreme-duration heavy load carriage on NM function and walking characteristics. Methods Ten experienced infantrymen performed a 21-h simulated military mission (SMM) in a middle-mountain environment with equipment weighing ∼27 kg during battles and ∼43 kg during marches. NM function was evaluated for knee extensors (KE) and plantar flexors (PF) pre- and immediately post-SMM using isometric maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) measurement, neural electrical stimulation and surface EMG. The twitch-interpolation method was used to assess central fatigue. Peripheral changes were examined by stimulating the muscle in the relaxed state. The energy cost, mechanical work and spatio-temporal pattern of walking were also evaluated pre−/post-SMM on an instrumented treadmill in three equipment conditions: Sportswear, Battle and March. Results After the SMM, MVC declined by −10.2±3.6% for KE (P<0.01) and −10.7±16.1% for PF (P = 0.06). The origin of fatigue was essentially peripheral for both muscle groups. A trend toward low-frequency fatigue was detected for KE (5.5%, P = 0.08). These moderate NM alterations were concomitant with a large increase in perceived fatigue from pre- (rating of 8.3±2.2) to post-SMM (15.9±2.1, P<0.01). The SMM-related fatigue did not alter walking energetics or mechanics, and the different equipment carried on the treadmill did not interact with this fatigue either. Conclusion this study reports the first data on physiological and biomechanical consequences of extreme-duration heavy load carriage. Unexpectedly, NM function alterations due to the 21-h SMM were moderate and did not alter walking characteristics. Clinical Trial Registration Name: Effect of prolonged military exercises with high load carriage on neuromuscular fatigue and physiological/biomechanical responses. Number: NCT01127191. PMID:22927995

Suspended sediment and bedload in the First Broad River Basin in Cleveland County, North Carolina, 2008-2009

USGS Publications Warehouse

Hazell, William F.; Huffman, Brad A.

2011-01-01

A study was conducted to characterize sediment transport upstream and downstream from a proposed dam on the First Broad River near the town of Lawndale in Cleveland County, North Carolina. Streamflow was measured continuously, and 381 suspended-sediment samples were collected between late March 2008 and September 2009 at two monitoring stations on the First Broad River to determine the suspended-sediment load at each site for the period April 2008-September 2009. In addition, 22 bedload samples were collected at the two sites to describe the relative contribution of bedload to total sediment load during selected events. Instantaneous streamflow, suspended-sediment, and bedload samples were collected at Knob Creek near Lawndale, North Carolina, to describe general suspended-sediment and bedload characteristics at this tributary to the First Broad River. Suspended- and bedload-sediment samples were collected at all three sites during a variety of flow conditions. Streamflow and suspended-sediment measurements were compared with historical data from a long-term (1959-2009) streamflow station located upstream from Lawndale. The mean streamflow at the long-term streamflow station was approximately 60 percent less during the study period than the long-term annual mean streamflow for the site. Suspended-sediment concentrations and continuous records of streamflow were used to estimate suspended-sediment loads and yields at the two monitoring stations on the First Broad River for the period April 2008-September 2009 and for a complete annual cycle (October 2008-September 2009), also known as a water year. Total suspended-sediment loads during water year 2009 were 18,700 and 36,500 tons at the two sites. High-flow events accounted for a large percentage of the total load, suggesting that the bulk of the total suspended-sediment load was transported during these events. Suspended-sediment yields during water year 2009 were 145 and 192 tons per square mile at the two monitoring stations. Historically, the estimated mean annual suspended-sediment yield at the long-term streamflow station during the period 1970-1979 was 250 tons per square mile, with an estimated mean annual suspended-sediment load of 15,000 tons. Drought conditions throughout most of the study period were a potential factor in the smaller yields at the monitoring stations compared to the yields estimated at the long-term streamflow station in the 1970s. During an extreme runoff event on January 7, 2009, bedload was 0.4 percent, 0.8 percent, and 0.1 percent of the total load at the three study sites, which indicates that during extreme runoff conditions the percentage of the total load that is bedload is not significant. The percentages of the total load that is bedload during low-flow conditions ranged from 0.1 to 90.8, which indicate that the bedload is variable both spatially and temporally.

An Integrated Musculoskeletal-Finite-Element Model to Evaluate Effects of Load Carriage on the Tibia During Walking.

PubMed

Xu, Chun; Silder, Amy; Zhang, Ju; Hughes, Julie; Unnikrishnan, Ginu; Reifman, Jaques; Rakesh, Vineet

2016-10-01

Prior studies have assessed the effects of load carriage on the tibia. Here, we expand on these studies and investigate the effects of load carriage on joint reaction forces (JRFs) and the resulting spatiotemporal stress/strain distributions in the tibia. Using full-body motion and ground reaction forces from a female subject, we computed joint and muscle forces during walking for four load carriage conditions. We applied these forces as physiological loading conditions in a finite-element (FE) analysis to compute strain and stress. We derived material properties from computed tomography (CT) images of a sex-, age-, and body mass index-matched subject using a mesh morphing and mapping algorithm, and used them within the FE model. Compared to walking with no load, the knee JRFs were the most sensitive to load carriage, increasing by as much as 26.2% when carrying a 30% of body weight (BW) load (ankle: 16.4% and hip: 19.0%). Moreover, our model revealed disproportionate increases in internal JRFs with increases in load carriage, suggesting a coordinated adjustment in the musculature functions in the lower extremity. FE results reflected the complex effects of spatially varying material properties distribution and muscular engagement on tibial biomechanics during walking. We observed high stresses on the anterior crest and the medial surface of the tibia at pushoff, whereas high cumulative stress during one walking cycle was more prominent in the medioposterior aspect of the tibia. Our findings reinforce the need to include: (1) physiologically accurate loading conditions when modeling healthy subjects undergoing short-term exercise training and (2) the duration of stress exposure when evaluating stress-fracture injury risk. As a fundamental step toward understanding the instantaneous effect of external loading, our study presents a means to assess the relationship between load carriage and bone biomechanics.

Reconfiguration of the upper extremity relative to the pushrim affects load distribution during wheelchair propulsion.

PubMed

Munaretto, Joseph M; McNitt-Gray, Jill L; Flashner, Henryk; Requejo, Philip S

2013-08-01

Repetitive loading during manual wheelchair propulsion (WCP) is associated with overuse injury to the upper extremity (UE). The aim of this study was to determine how RF redirection and load distribution are affected by changes upper extremity kinematic modifications associated with modifications in seat positions during a WCP task. The aim of this study was to determine how RF redirection and load distribution are affected by upper extremity kinematic changes associated with seat position adjustment during a WCP task. Dynamic simulations using an experiment-based multi-link inverse dynamics model were used to generate solutions for redistributing UE mechanical load in different seating positions without decrements in WCP task performance. Experimental RF and kinematic data were collected for one subject propelling at a self-selected speed and used as input into the model. Shoulder/axle distance, wrist angular position, and RF direction were systematically modified to simulate how the mechanical demand imposed on the upper extremity (elbow and shoulder net joint moments (NJMs) and net joint forces) may vary. Load distribution depended on UE orientation relative to the wheel. At peak force, lower shoulder/axle distances and more anterior wrist positions on the pushrim allowed for more extended elbow positions and reduced total NJM load. Simulation results incorporating subject-specific data may provide mechanically based information to guide clinical interventions that aim to maintain WCP performance and redistribute load by modifying RF direction, seat configuration and hand/rim interaction. Copyright © 2012 IPEM. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Floating Offshore WTG Integrated Load Analysis & Optimization Employing a Tuned Mass Damper

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Rodriguez Tsouroukdissian, Arturo; Lackner, Matt; Cross-Whiter, John

2015-09-25

Floating offshore wind turbines (FOWTs) present complex design challenges due to the coupled dynamics of the platform motion, mooring system, and turbine control systems, in response to wind and wave loading. This can lead to higher extreme and fatigue loads than a comparable fixed bottom or onshore system. Previous research[1] has shown the potential to reduced extreme and fatigue loads on FOWT using tuned mass dampers (TMD) for structural control. This project aims to reduce maximum loads using passive TMDs located at the tower top during extreme storm events, when grid supplied power for other controls systems may not bemore » available. The Alstom Haliade 6MW wind turbine is modelled on the Glosten Pelastar tension-leg platform (TLP). The primary objectives of this project are to provide a preliminary assessment of the load reduction potential of passive TMDs on real wind turbine and TLP designs.« less

Moving in extreme environments: extreme loading; carriage versus distance.

PubMed

Lucas, Samuel J E; Helge, Jørn W; Schütz, Uwe H W; Goldman, Ralph F; Cotter, James D

2016-01-01

This review addresses human capacity for movement in the context of extreme loading and with it the combined effects of metabolic, biomechanical and gravitational stress on the human body. This topic encompasses extreme duration, as occurs in ultra-endurance competitions (e.g. adventure racing and transcontinental races) and expeditions (e.g. polar crossings), to the more gravitationally limited load carriage (e.g. in the military context). Juxtaposed to these circumstances is the extreme metabolic and mechanical unloading associated with space travel, prolonged bedrest and sedentary lifestyle, which may be at least as problematic, and are therefore included as a reference, e.g. when considering exposure, dangers and (mal)adaptations. As per the other reviews in this series, we describe the nature of the stress and the associated consequences; illustrate relevant regulations, including why and how they are set; present the pros and cons for self versus prescribed acute and chronic exposure; describe humans' (mal)adaptations; and finally suggest future directions for practice and research. In summary, we describe adaptation patterns that are often U or J shaped and that over time minimal or no load carriage decreases the global load carrying capacity and eventually leads to severe adverse effects and manifest disease under minimal absolute but high relative loads. We advocate that further understanding of load carrying capacity and the inherent mechanisms leading to adverse effects may advantageously be studied in this perspective. With improved access to insightful and portable technologies, there are some exciting possibilities to explore these questions in this context.

The Effect of Prosthetic Foot Push-off on Mechanical Loading Associated with Knee Osteoarthritis in Lower Extremity Amputees

PubMed Central

Morgenroth, David C.; Segal, Ava D.; Zelik, Karl E.; Czerniecki, Joseph M.; Klute, Glenn K.; Adamczyk, Peter G.; Orendurff, Michael S.; Hahn, Michael E.; Collins, Steven H.; Kuo, Art D.

2011-01-01

Lower extremity amputation not only limits mobility, but also increases the risk of knee osteoarthritis of the intact limb. Dynamic walking models of non-amputees suggest that pushing-off from the trailing limb can reduce collision forces on the leading limb. These collision forces may determine the peak knee external adduction moment (EAM), which has been linked to the development of knee OA in the general population. We therefore hypothesized that greater prosthetic push-off would lead to reduced loading and knee EAM of the intact limb in unilateral transtibial amputees. Seven unilateral transtibial amputees were studied during gait under three prosthetic foot conditions that were intended to vary push-off. Prosthetic foot-ankle push-off work, intact limb knee EAM and ground reaction impulses for both limbs during step-to-step transition were measured. Overall, trailing limb prosthetic push-off work was negatively correlated with leading intact limb 1st peak knee EAM (slope = −0.72 +/− 0.22; p=0.011). Prosthetic push-off work and 1st peak intact knee EAM varied significantly with foot type. The prosthetic foot condition with the least push-off demonstrated the largest knee EAM, which was reduced by 26% with the prosthetic foot producing the most push-off. Trailing prosthetic limb push-off impulse was negatively correlated with leading intact limb loading impulse (slope = −0.34 +/− 0.14; p=.001), which may help explain how prosthetic limb push-off can affect intact limb loading. Prosthetic feet that perform more prosthetic push-off appear to be associated with a reduction in 1st peak intact knee EAM, and their use could potentially reduce the risk and burden of knee osteoarthritis in this population. PMID:21803584

The effect of prosthetic foot push-off on mechanical loading associated with knee osteoarthritis in lower extremity amputees.

PubMed

Morgenroth, David C; Segal, Ava D; Zelik, Karl E; Czerniecki, Joseph M; Klute, Glenn K; Adamczyk, Peter G; Orendurff, Michael S; Hahn, Michael E; Collins, Steven H; Kuo, Art D

2011-10-01

Lower extremity amputation not only limits mobility, but also increases the risk of knee osteoarthritis of the intact limb. Dynamic walking models of non-amputees suggest that pushing-off from the trailing limb can reduce collision forces on the leading limb. These collision forces may determine the peak knee external adduction moment (EAM), which has been linked to the development of knee OA in the general population. We therefore hypothesized that greater prosthetic push-off would lead to reduced loading and knee EAM of the intact limb in unilateral transtibial amputees. Seven unilateral transtibial amputees were studied during gait under three prosthetic foot conditions that were intended to vary push-off. Prosthetic foot-ankle push-off work, intact limb knee EAM and ground reaction impulses for both limbs during step-to-step transition were measured. Overall, trailing limb prosthetic push-off work was negatively correlated with leading intact limb 1st peak knee EAM (slope=-.72±.22; p=.011). Prosthetic push-off work and 1st peak intact knee EAM varied significantly with foot type. The prosthetic foot condition with the least push-off demonstrated the largest knee EAM, which was reduced by 26% with the prosthetic foot producing the most push-off. Trailing prosthetic limb push-off impulse was negatively correlated with leading intact limb loading impulse (slope=-.34±.14; p=.001), which may help explain how prosthetic limb push-off can affect intact limb loading. Prosthetic feet that perform more prosthetic push-off appear to be associated with a reduction in 1st peak intact knee EAM, and their use could potentially reduce the risk and burden of knee osteoarthritis in this population. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Shoulder model validation and joint contact forces during wheelchair activities.

PubMed

Morrow, Melissa M B; Kaufman, Kenton R; An, Kai-Nan

2010-09-17

Chronic shoulder impingement is a common problem for manual wheelchair users. The loading associated with performing manual wheelchair activities of daily living is substantial and often at a high frequency. Musculoskeletal modeling and optimization techniques can be used to estimate the joint contact forces occurring at the shoulder to assess the soft tissue loading during an activity and to possibly identify activities and strategies that place manual wheelchair users at risk for shoulder injuries. The purpose of this study was to validate an upper extremity musculoskeletal model and apply the model to wheelchair activities for analysis of the estimated joint contact forces. Upper extremity kinematics and handrim wheelchair kinetics were measured over three conditions: level propulsion, ramp propulsion, and a weight relief lift. The experimental data were used as input to a subject-specific musculoskeletal model utilizing optimization to predict joint contact forces of the shoulder during all conditions. The model was validated using a mean absolute error calculation. Model results confirmed that ramp propulsion and weight relief lifts place the shoulder under significantly higher joint contact loading than level propulsion. In addition, they exhibit large superior contact forces that could contribute to impingement. This study highlights the potential impingement risk associated with both the ramp and weight relief lift activities. Level propulsion was shown to have a low relative risk of causing injury, but with consideration of the frequency with which propulsion is performed, this observation is not conclusive.

Response and representation of ductile damage under varying shock loading conditions in tantalum

DOE PAGES

Bronkhorst, C. A.; Gray, III, G. T.; Addessio, F. L.; ...

2016-02-25

The response of polycrystalline metals, which possess adequate mechanisms for plastic deformation under extreme loading conditions, is often accompanied by the formation of pores within the structure of the material. This large deformation process is broadly identified as progressive with nucleation, growth, coalescence, and failure the physical path taken over very short periods of time. These are well known to be complex processes strongly influenced by microstructure, loading path, and the loading profile, which remains a significant challenge to represent and predict numerically. In the current study, the influence of loading path on the damage evolution in high-purity tantalum ismore » presented. Tantalum samples were shock loaded to three different peak shock stresses using both symmetric impact, and two different composite flyer plate configurations such that upon unloading the three samples displayed nearly identical “pull-back” signals as measured via rear-surface velocimetry. While the “pull-back” signals observed were found to be similar in magnitude, the sample loaded to the highest peak stress nucleated a connected field of ductile fracture which resulted in complete separation, while the two lower peak stresses resulted in incipient damage. The damage evolution in the “soft” recovered tantalum samples was quantified using optical metallography, electron-back-scatter diffraction, and tomography. These experiments are examined numerically through the use of a model for shock-induced porosity evolution during damage. The model is shown to describe the response of the tantalum reasonably well under strongly loaded conditions but less well in the nucleation dominated regime. As a result, numerical results are also presented as a function of computational mesh density and discussed in the context of improved representation of the influence of material structure upon macro-scale models of ductile damage.« less

Selection criteria for wear resistant powder coatings under extreme erosive wear conditions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kulu, P.; Pihl, T.

2002-12-01

Wear-resistant thermal spray coatings for sliding wear are hard but brittle (such as carbide and oxide based coatings), which makes them useless under impact loading conditions and sensitive to fatigue. Under extreme conditions of erosive wear (impact loading, high hardness of abrasives, and high velocity of abradant particles), composite coatings ensure optimal properties of hardness and toughness. The article describes tungsten carbide-cobalt (WC-Co) systems and self-fluxing alloys, containing tungsten carbide based hardmetal particles [NiCrSiB-(WC-Co)] deposited by the detonation gun, continuous detonation spraying, and spray fusion processes. Different powder compositions and processes were studied, and the effect of the coating structure and wear parameters on the wear resistance of coatings are evaluated. The dependence of the wear resistance of sprayed and fused coatings on their hardness is discussed, and hardness criteria for coating selection are proposed. The so-called “double cemented” structure of WC-Co based hardmetal or metal matrix composite coatings, as compared with a simple cobalt matrix containing particles of WC, was found optimal. Structural criteria for coating selection are provided. To assist the end user in selecting an optimal deposition method and materials, coating selection diagrams of wear resistance versus hardness are given. This paper also discusses the cost-effectiveness of coatings in the application areas that are more sensitive to cost, and composite coatings based on recycled materials are offered.

Gravo-Aeroelastic Scaling for Extreme-Scale Wind Turbines

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Fingersh, Lee J; Loth, Eric; Kaminski, Meghan

2017-06-09

A scaling methodology is described in the present paper for extreme-scale wind turbines (rated at 10 MW or more) that allow their sub-scale turbines to capture their key blade dynamics and aeroelastic deflections. For extreme-scale turbines, such deflections and dynamics can be substantial and are primarily driven by centrifugal, thrust and gravity forces as well as the net torque. Each of these are in turn a function of various wind conditions, including turbulence levels that cause shear, veer, and gust loads. The 13.2 MW rated SNL100-03 rotor design, having a blade length of 100-meters, is herein scaled to the CART3more » wind turbine at NREL using 25% geometric scaling and blade mass and wind speed scaled by gravo-aeroelastic constraints. In order to mimic the ultralight structure on the advanced concept extreme-scale design the scaling results indicate that the gravo-aeroelastically scaled blades for the CART3 are be three times lighter and 25% longer than the current CART3 blades. A benefit of this scaling approach is that the scaled wind speeds needed for testing are reduced (in this case by a factor of two), allowing testing under extreme gust conditions to be much more easily achieved. Most importantly, this scaling approach can investigate extreme-scale concepts including dynamic behaviors and aeroelastic deflections (including flutter) at an extremely small fraction of the full-scale cost.« less

Criteria for Hull-Machinery Rigidity Compatibility,

DTIC Science & Technology

1981-05-01

that between extreme ship load conditions the radius of curva- ture of this circular arc should not be less than 30 x 103m . Engine manufacturers have...141 1-1 14(4. 4.4 4 44 004 4048᝾ 44040 444 40 88 1. 4 1.0404 40404.04.4 *4,1 (44.40 00.604 140444 CO 0 4 0464 04. ’ Rh 40 4 44041.140404 404

Extreme Environment Technologies for Space and Terrestrial Applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Balint, Tibor S.; Cutts, James A.; Kolawa, Elizabeth A.; Peterson, Craig E.

2008-01-01

Over the next decades, NASA's planned solar system exploration missions are targeting planets, moons and small bodies, where spacecraft would be expected to encounter diverse extreme environmental (EE) conditions throughout their mission phases. These EE conditions are often coupled. For instance, near the surface of Venus and in the deep atmospheres of giant planets, probes would experience high temperatures and pressures. In the Jovian system low temperatures are coupled with high radiation. Other environments include thermal cycling, and corrosion. Mission operations could also introduce extreme conditions, due to atmospheric entry heat flux and deceleration. Some of these EE conditions are not unique to space missions; they can be encountered by terrestrial assets from the fields of defense,oil and gas, aerospace, and automotive industries. In this paper we outline the findings of NASA's Extreme Environments Study Team, including discussions on state of the art and emerging capabilities related to environmental protection, tolerance and operations in EEs. We will also highlight cross cutting EE mitigation technologies, for example, between high g-load tolerant impactors for Europa and instrumented projectiles on Earth; high temperature electronics sensors on Jupiter deep probes and sensors inside jet engines; and pressure vessel technologies for Venus probes and sea bottom monitors. We will argue that synergistic development programs between these fields could be highly beneficial and cost effective for the various agencies and industries. Some of these environments, however, are specific to space and thus the related technology developments should be spear headed by NASA with collaboration from industry and academia.

The Digital Twin Paradigm for Future NASA and U.S. Air Force Vehicles

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Glaessgen, Edward H.; Stargel, D. S.

2012-01-01

Future generations of NASA and U.S. Air Force vehicles will require lighter mass while being subjected to higher loads and more extreme service conditions over longer time periods than the present generation. Current approaches for certification, fleet management and sustainment are largely based on statistical distributions of material properties, heuristic design philosophies, physical testing and assumed similitude between testing and operational conditions and will likely be unable to address these extreme requirements. To address the shortcomings of conventional approaches, a fundamental paradigm shift is needed. This paradigm shift, the Digital Twin, integrates ultra-high fidelity simulation with the vehicle s on-board integrated vehicle health management system, maintenance history and all available historical and fleet data to mirror the life of its flying twin and enable unprecedented levels of safety and reliability.

Numerical Stress Analysis during Cooldown and Compressive Loading in an Imperfect Nb 3Sn Wire

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

d’Hauthuille, Luc; Zhai, Yuhu

In this paper, high field superconductors are critical to the success of next step magnetic fusion confinement devices such as ITER and DEMO. The low-temperature superconducting material that is currently favored for these applications, Nb 3Sn, is susceptible to performance due to its brittleness and high strain-sensitivity. Under extreme loads, an irreversible degradation in the maximum critical current density has been shown to occur and believed to be strongly influenced by two factors: plasticity and cracked filaments. Cracks in filaments are induced when sufficiently high stress concentrations occur in the wire. In this paper, we explore using finite element analysismore » the impact that voids have on the stress distributions and peak stresses under two loading conditions: transverse compressive loading in a 2D model, and a full cool down phase in a 3D model.« less

Destruction of tungsten limiters in the T-10 Tokamak under high plasma heat loads

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Grashin, S. A.; Arkhipov, I. I.; Budaev, V. P.; Giniyatulin, R. N.; Karpov, A. V.; Klyuchnikov, L. A.; Krupin, V. A.; Litunovskiy, N. V.; Masul, I. V.; Makhankov, F. N.; Martynenko, Yu V.; Sarytchev, D. V.; Solomatin, R. Yu; Khimchenko, L. N.

2017-10-01

Tungsten limiters were tested in the T-10 tokamak. The limiters were made from the ITER-grade WMP “POLEMA” tungsten. The influence of the edge tokamak plasma on tungsten limiters leads to significant cracking of tungsten. The heat load of up to 2 MW · m-2 leads to the micro-crack development at the grain boundaries accompanied by the loss of grains. The heat loads that exceed 5 MW · m-2 lead to the macro crack development. Under the present T-10 tokamak conditions, the heat and particle fluxes in the edge plasma lead to the significant destruction of tungsten limiters during the experimental campaign. During the disruption and runaway electron formation, extreme heat loads of more than 1 GW/m2 cause strong melting of tungsten on the inner and outer part of the ring limiter.

Cornering and wear behavior of the Space Shuttle Orbiter main gear tire

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Daugherty, Robert H.; Stubbs, Sandy M.

1987-01-01

One of the factors needed to describe the handling characteristics of the Space Shuttle Orbiter during the landing rollout is the response of the vehicle's tires to variations in load and yaw angle. An experimental investigation of the cornering characteristics of the Orbiter main gear tires was conducted at the NASA Langley Research Center Aircraft Landing Dynamics Facility. This investigation compliments earlier work done to define the Orbiter nose tire cornering characteristics. In the investigation, the effects of load and yaw angle were evaluated by measuring parameters such as side load and drag load, and obtaining measurements of aligning torque. Because the tire must operate on an extremely rough runway at the Shuttle Landing Facility at Kennedy Space Center (KSC), tests were also conducted to describe the wear behavior of the tire under various conditions on a simulated KSC runway surface. Mathematical models for both the cornering and the wear behavior are discussed.

Numerical Stress Analysis during Cooldown and Compressive Loading in an Imperfect Nb 3Sn Wire

DOE PAGES

d’Hauthuille, Luc; Zhai, Yuhu

2017-07-11

In this paper, high field superconductors are critical to the success of next step magnetic fusion confinement devices such as ITER and DEMO. The low-temperature superconducting material that is currently favored for these applications, Nb 3Sn, is susceptible to performance due to its brittleness and high strain-sensitivity. Under extreme loads, an irreversible degradation in the maximum critical current density has been shown to occur and believed to be strongly influenced by two factors: plasticity and cracked filaments. Cracks in filaments are induced when sufficiently high stress concentrations occur in the wire. In this paper, we explore using finite element analysismore » the impact that voids have on the stress distributions and peak stresses under two loading conditions: transverse compressive loading in a 2D model, and a full cool down phase in a 3D model.« less

Characterization of Focal Muscle Compression Under Impact Loading

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Butler, Ben; Sory, David; Nguyen, Thuy-Tien; Curry, Richard; Clasper, Jon; Proud, William; Williams, Alun; Brown, Kate

2015-06-01

The pattern of battle injuries sustained in modern wars shows that over 70% of combat wounds are to the extremities. These injuries are characterized by disruption and contamination of the limb soft tissue envelope. The extent of this tissue trauma and contamination determine the outcome in extremity injury. In military injury, common post-traumatic complications at amputation sites include heterotopic ossification (formation of bone in soft tissue), and severe soft tissue and bone infections. We are currently developing a model of soft tissue injury that recreates pathologies observed in combat injuries. Here we present characterization of a controlled focal compression of the rabbit flexor carpi ulnaris (FCU) muscle group. The FCU was previously identified as a suitable site for studying impact injury because its muscle belly can easily be mobilized from the underlying bone without disturbing anatomical alignment in the limb. We show how macroscopic changes in tissue organization, as visualized using optical microscopy, can be correlated with data from temporally resolved traces of loading conditions. Funding provided by the Royal British Legion.

Constitutive Modeling of the Dynamic-Tensile-Extrusion Test of PTFE

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Resnyansky, Anatoly; Brown, Eric; Trujillo, Carl; Gray, George

2015-06-01

Use of polymers in the defence, aerospace and industrial application at extreme conditions makes prediction of behaviour of these materials very important. Crucial to this is knowledge of the physical damage response in association with the phase transformations during the loading and the ability to predict this via multi-phase simulation taking the thermodynamical non-equilibrium and strain rate sensitivity into account. The current work analyses Dynamic-Tensile-Extrusion (DTE) experiments on polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). In particular, the phase transition during the loading with subsequent tension are analysed using a two-phase rate sensitive material model implemented in the CTH hydrocode and the calculations are compared with experimental high-speed photography. The damage patterns and their link with the change of loading modes are analysed numerically and are correlated to the test observations.

An empirical model to quantify fecal bacterial loadings to coastal areas: Application in a Mediterranean context

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rio, Marlène; Salles, Christian; Rodier, Claire; Cantet, Franck; Marchand, Pierre; Mosser, Thomas; Cernesson, Flavie; Monfort, Patrick; Tournoud, Marie-George

2017-10-01

In coastal catchments, rainfall events primarily drive bacterial inputs to the sea by causing land runoff, surface leaching and sewer overflow. Under semi-arid climate, extensive dry periods are interspersed with extreme precipitation. This paper aims to assess the impact of intense summer rainstorms events on Fecal Indicator Bacteria loadings to Mediterranean seawaters. Firstly, explanatory relationships were derived between an Antecedent Precipitation Index and the loads of thermo-tolerant coliforms and intestinal enterococci measured at three catchment outlets in the Gulf of Aigues-Mortes (southern France). Secondly, fecal bacterial loadings were simulated during summer season from 2006-2016, with a confidence interval arising from measurements uncertainties. On average, more than two rainstorms per summer season elevate bacterial loads at least by one order of magnitude, potentially leading to the degradation of bathing and fishing water quality observed in regulatory monitoring data. The results highlight the crucial importance of considering hydrological conditions in coastal water quality management.

A study of environmental characterization of conventional and advanced aluminum alloys for selection and design. Phase 2: The breaking load test method

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sprowls, D. O.; Bucci, R. J.; Ponchel, B. M.; Brazill, R. L.; Bretz, P. E.

1984-01-01

A technique is demonstrated for accelerated stress corrosion testing of high strength aluminum alloys. The method offers better precision and shorter exposure times than traditional pass fail procedures. The approach uses data from tension tests performed on replicate groups of smooth specimens after various lengths of exposure to static stress. The breaking strength measures degradation in the test specimen load carrying ability due to the environmental attack. Analysis of breaking load data by extreme value statistics enables the calculation of survival probabilities and a statistically defined threshold stress applicable to the specific test conditions. A fracture mechanics model is given which quantifies depth of attack in the stress corroded specimen by an effective flaw size calculated from the breaking stress and the material strength and fracture toughness properties. Comparisons are made with experimental results from three tempers of 7075 alloy plate tested by the breaking load method and by traditional tests of statistically loaded smooth tension bars and conventional precracked specimens.

Effect of linear and non-linear blade modelling techniques on simulated fatigue and extreme loads using Bladed

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Beardsell, Alec; Collier, William; Han, Tao

2016-09-01

There is a trend in the wind industry towards ever larger and more flexible turbine blades. Blade tip deflections in modern blades now commonly exceed 10% of blade length. Historically, the dynamic response of wind turbine blades has been analysed using linear models of blade deflection which include the assumption of small deflections. For modern flexible blades, this assumption is becoming less valid. In order to continue to simulate dynamic turbine performance accurately, routine use of non-linear models of blade deflection may be required. This can be achieved by representing the blade as a connected series of individual flexible linear bodies - referred to in this paper as the multi-part approach. In this paper, Bladed is used to compare load predictions using single-part and multi-part blade models for several turbines. The study examines the impact on fatigue and extreme loads and blade deflection through reduced sets of load calculations based on IEC 61400-1 ed. 3. Damage equivalent load changes of up to 16% and extreme load changes of up to 29% are observed at some turbine load locations. It is found that there is no general pattern in the loading differences observed between single-part and multi-part blade models. Rather, changes in fatigue and extreme loads with a multi-part blade model depend on the characteristics of the individual turbine and blade. Key underlying causes of damage equivalent load change are identified as differences in edgewise- torsional coupling between the multi-part and single-part models, and increased edgewise rotor mode damping in the multi-part model. Similarly, a causal link is identified between torsional blade dynamics and changes in ultimate load results.

An evaluation of methods for estimating decadal stream loads

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, Casey J.; Hirsch, Robert M.; Schwarz, Gregory E.; Holtschlag, David J.; Preston, Stephen D.; Crawford, Charles G.; Vecchia, Aldo V.

2016-11-01

Effective management of water resources requires accurate information on the mass, or load of water-quality constituents transported from upstream watersheds to downstream receiving waters. Despite this need, no single method has been shown to consistently provide accurate load estimates among different water-quality constituents, sampling sites, and sampling regimes. We evaluate the accuracy of several load estimation methods across a broad range of sampling and environmental conditions. This analysis uses random sub-samples drawn from temporally-dense data sets of total nitrogen, total phosphorus, nitrate, and suspended-sediment concentration, and includes measurements of specific conductance which was used as a surrogate for dissolved solids concentration. Methods considered include linear interpolation and ratio estimators, regression-based methods historically employed by the U.S. Geological Survey, and newer flexible techniques including Weighted Regressions on Time, Season, and Discharge (WRTDS) and a generalized non-linear additive model. No single method is identified to have the greatest accuracy across all constituents, sites, and sampling scenarios. Most methods provide accurate estimates of specific conductance (used as a surrogate for total dissolved solids or specific major ions) and total nitrogen - lower accuracy is observed for the estimation of nitrate, total phosphorus and suspended sediment loads. Methods that allow for flexibility in the relation between concentration and flow conditions, specifically Beale's ratio estimator and WRTDS, exhibit greater estimation accuracy and lower bias. Evaluation of methods across simulated sampling scenarios indicate that (1) high-flow sampling is necessary to produce accurate load estimates, (2) extrapolation of sample data through time or across more extreme flow conditions reduces load estimate accuracy, and (3) WRTDS and methods that use a Kalman filter or smoothing to correct for departures between individual modeled and observed values benefit most from more frequent water-quality sampling.

An evaluation of methods for estimating decadal stream loads

USGS Publications Warehouse

Lee, Casey; Hirsch, Robert M.; Schwarz, Gregory E.; Holtschlag, David J.; Preston, Stephen D.; Crawford, Charles G.; Vecchia, Aldo V.

2016-01-01

Effective management of water resources requires accurate information on the mass, or load of water-quality constituents transported from upstream watersheds to downstream receiving waters. Despite this need, no single method has been shown to consistently provide accurate load estimates among different water-quality constituents, sampling sites, and sampling regimes. We evaluate the accuracy of several load estimation methods across a broad range of sampling and environmental conditions. This analysis uses random sub-samples drawn from temporally-dense data sets of total nitrogen, total phosphorus, nitrate, and suspended-sediment concentration, and includes measurements of specific conductance which was used as a surrogate for dissolved solids concentration. Methods considered include linear interpolation and ratio estimators, regression-based methods historically employed by the U.S. Geological Survey, and newer flexible techniques including Weighted Regressions on Time, Season, and Discharge (WRTDS) and a generalized non-linear additive model. No single method is identified to have the greatest accuracy across all constituents, sites, and sampling scenarios. Most methods provide accurate estimates of specific conductance (used as a surrogate for total dissolved solids or specific major ions) and total nitrogen – lower accuracy is observed for the estimation of nitrate, total phosphorus and suspended sediment loads. Methods that allow for flexibility in the relation between concentration and flow conditions, specifically Beale’s ratio estimator and WRTDS, exhibit greater estimation accuracy and lower bias. Evaluation of methods across simulated sampling scenarios indicate that (1) high-flow sampling is necessary to produce accurate load estimates, (2) extrapolation of sample data through time or across more extreme flow conditions reduces load estimate accuracy, and (3) WRTDS and methods that use a Kalman filter or smoothing to correct for departures between individual modeled and observed values benefit most from more frequent water-quality sampling.

The Mohr-Coulomb criterion for intact rock strength and friction - a re-evaluation and consideration of failure under polyaxial stresses

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hackston, Abigail; Rutter, Ernest

2016-04-01

Darley Dale and Pennant sandstones were tested under conditions of both axisymmetric shortening and extension normal to bedding. These are the two extremes of loading under polyaxial stress conditions. Failure under generalized stress conditions can be predicted from the Mohr-Coulomb failure criterion under axisymmetric shortening conditions, provided the best form of polyaxial failure criterion is known. The sandstone data are best reconciled using the Mogi (1967) empirical criterion. Fault plane orientations produced vary greatly with respect to the maximum compressive stress direction in the two loading configurations. The normals to the Mohr-Coulomb failure envelopes do not predict the orientations of the fault planes eventually produced. Frictional sliding on variously inclined saw cuts and failure surfaces produced in intact rock samples was also investigated. Friction coefficient is not affected by fault plane orientation in a given loading configuration, but friction coefficients in extension were systematically lower than in compression for both rock types. Friction data for these and other porous sandstones accord well with the Byerlee (1978) generalization about rock friction being largely independent of rock type. For engineering and geodynamic modelling purposes, the stress-state-dependent friction coefficient should be used for sandstones, but it is not known to what extent this might apply to other rock types.

Evaluation of a new methodology to simulate damage and wear of polyethylene hip replacements subjected to edge loading in hip simulator testing.

PubMed

Partridge, Susan; Tipper, Joanne L; Al-Hajjar, Mazen; Isaac, Graham H; Fisher, John; Williams, Sophie

2018-05-01

Wear and fatigue of polyethylene acetabular cups have been reported to play a role in the failure of total hip replacements. Hip simulator testing under a wide range of clinically relevant loading conditions is important. Edge loading of hip replacements can occur following impingement under extreme activities and can also occur during normal gait, where there is an offset deficiency and/or joint laxity. This study evaluated a hip simulator method that assessed wear and damage in polyethylene acetabular liners that were subjected to edge loading. The liners tested to evaluate the method were a currently manufactured crosslinked polyethylene acetabular liner and an aged conventional polyethylene acetabular liner. The acetabular liners were tested for 5 million standard walking cycles and following this 5 million walking cycles with edge loading. Edge loading conditions represented a separation of the centers of rotation of the femoral head and the acetabular liner during the swing phase, leading to loading of the liner rim on heel strike. Rim damage and cracking was observed in the aged conventional polyethylene liner. Steady-state wear rates assessed gravimetrically were lower under edge loading compared to standard loading. This study supports previous clinical findings that edge loading may cause rim cracking in liners, where component positioning is suboptimal or where material degradation is present. The simulation method developed has the potential to be used in the future to test the effect of aging and different levels of severity of edge loading on a range of cross-linked polyethylene materials. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 106B: 1456-1462, 2018. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Classifying Lower Extremity Muscle Fatigue during Walking using Machine Learning and Inertial Sensors

PubMed Central

Zhang, Jian; Lockhart, Thurmon E.; Soangra, Rahul

2013-01-01

Fatigue in lower extremity musculature is associated with decline in postural stability, motor performance and alters normal walking patterns in human subjects. Automated recognition of lower extremity muscle fatigue condition may be advantageous in early detection of fall and injury risks. Supervised machine learning methods such as Support Vector Machines (SVM) have been previously used for classifying healthy and pathological gait patterns and also for separating old and young gait patterns. In this study we explore the classification potential of SVM in recognition of gait patterns utilizing an inertial measurement unit associated with lower extremity muscular fatigue. Both kinematic and kinetic gait patterns of 17 participants (29±11 years) were recorded and analyzed in normal and fatigued state of walking. Lower extremities were fatigued by performance of a squatting exercise until the participants reached 60% of their baseline maximal voluntary exertion level. Feature selection methods were used to classify fatigue and no-fatigue conditions based on temporal and frequency information of the signals. Additionally, influences of three different kernel schemes (i.e., linear, polynomial, and radial basis function) were investigated for SVM classification. The results indicated that lower extremity muscle fatigue condition influenced gait and loading responses. In terms of the SVM classification results, an accuracy of 96% was reached in distinguishing the two gait patterns (fatigue and no-fatigue) within the same subject using the kinematic, time and frequency domain features. It is also found that linear kernel and RBF kernel were equally good to identify intra-individual fatigue characteristics. These results suggest that intra-subject fatigue classification using gait patterns from an inertial sensor holds considerable potential in identifying “at-risk” gait due to muscle fatigue. PMID:24081829

Strain response of thermal barrier coatings captured under extreme engine environments through synchrotron X-ray diffraction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Knipe, Kevin; Manero, Albert; Siddiqui, Sanna F.; Meid, Carla; Wischek, Janine; Okasinski, John; Almer, Jonathan; Karlsson, Anette M.; Bartsch, Marion; Raghavan, Seetha

2014-07-01

The mechanical behaviour of thermal barrier coatings in operation holds the key to understanding durability of jet engine turbine blades. Here we report the results from experiments that monitor strains in the layers of a coating subjected to thermal gradients and mechanical loads representing extreme engine environments. Hollow cylindrical specimens, with electron beam physical vapour deposited coatings, were tested with internal cooling and external heating under various controlled conditions. High-energy synchrotron X-ray measurements captured the in situ strain response through the depth of each layer, revealing the link between these conditions and the evolution of local strains. Results of this study demonstrate that variations in these conditions create corresponding trends in depth-resolved strains with the largest effects displayed at or near the interface with the bond coat. With larger temperature drops across the coating, significant strain gradients are seen, which can contribute to failure modes occurring within the layer adjacent to the interface.

Extreme Wave-Induced Oscillation in Paradip Port Under the Resonance Conditions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kumar, Prashant; Gulshan

2017-12-01

A mathematical model is constructed to analyze the long wave-induced oscillation in Paradip Port, Odisha, India under the resonance conditions to avert any extreme wave hazards. Boundary element method (BEM) with corner contribution is utilized to solve the Helmholtz equation under the partial reflection boundary conditions. Furthermore, convergence analysis is also performed for the boundary element scheme with uniform and non-uniform discretization of the boundary. The numerical scheme is also validated with analytic approximation and existing studies based on harbor resonance. Then, the amplification factor is estimated at six key record stations in the Paradip Port with multidirectional incident waves and resonance modes are also estimated at the boundary of the port. Ocean surface wave field is predicted in the interior of Paradip Port for the different directional incident wave at various resonance modes. Moreover, the safe locations in the port have been identified for loading and unloading of moored ship with different resonance modes and directional incident waves.

Kinematic and kinetic synergies of the lower extremities during the pull in olympic weightlifting.

PubMed

Kipp, Kristof; Redden, Josh; Sabick, Michelle; Harris, Chad

2012-07-01

The purpose of this study was to identify multijoint lower extremity kinematic and kinetic synergies in weightlifting and compare these synergies between joints and across different external loads. Subjects completed sets of the clean exercise at loads equal to 65, 75, and 85% of their estimated 1-RM. Functional data analysis was used to extract principal component functions (PCF's) for hip, knee, and ankle joint angles and moments of force during the pull phase of the clean at all loads. The PCF scores were then compared between joints and across loads to determine how much of each PCF was present at each joint and how it differed across loads. The analyses extracted two kinematic and four kinetic PCF's. The statistical comparisons indicated that all kinematic and two of the four kinetic PCF's did not differ across load, but scaled according to joint function. The PCF's captured a set of joint- and load-specific synergies that quantified biomechanical function of the lower extremity during Olympic weightlifting and revealed important technical characteristics that should be considered in sports training and future research.

Developing a passive load reduction blade for the DTU 10 MW reference turbine

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

de Vaal, J. B.; Nygaard, T. A.; Stenbro, R.

2016-09-01

This paper presents the development of a passive load reduction blade for the DTU 10 MW reference wind turbine, using the aero-hydro-servo-elastic analysis tool 3DFloat. Passive load reduction is achieved by introducing sweep to the path of the blade elastic axis, so that out-of-plane bending deflections result in load alleviating torsional deformations of the blade. Swept blades are designed to yield similar annual energy production as a rotor with a reference straight blade. This is achieved by modifying the aerodynamic twist distribution for swept blades based on non-linear blade deflection under steady state loads. The passive load reduction capability of a blade design is evaluated by running a selection of fatigue- and extreme load cases with the analysis tool 3DFloat and determining equivalent fatigue loads, fatigue damage and extreme loads at the blade root and tower base. The influence of sweep on the flutter speed of a blade design is also investigated. A large number of blade designs are evaluated by varying the parameters defining the sweep path of a blade's elastic axis. Results show that a moderate amount of sweep can effectively reduce equivalent fatigue damage and extreme loads, without significantly reducing the flutter speed, or compromising annual energy production.

Kinetics of Materials at Extreme Conditions: Understanding the Time Dependent Approach to Equilibrium at MaRIE

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kraus, R. G.; Mcnabb, D.; Kumar, M.

The National Nuclear Security Agency has recently recognized that a long-term need exists to establish a stronger scientific basis for the assessment and qualification of materials and manufacturing processes for the nuclear stockpile and other national security applications. These materials may have undergone substantial changes with age, or may represent new materials that are being introduced because of difficulties associated with reusing or recreating materials used in original stockpile components. Also, with advancements in manufacturing methods, the NNSA anticipates opportunities for an enhanced range of control over fabricated components, an enhanced pace of materials development, and enhanced functionality. The developmentmore » of qualification standards for these new materials will require the ability to understand and control material characteristics that affect both mechanical and dynamic performance. A unique aspect for NNSA is that the performance requirements for materials are often set by system hydrodynamics, and these materials must perform in extreme environments and loading conditions. Thus, the scientific motivation is to understand “Matter-Radiation Interactions in Extremes (MaRIE).”« less

Using satellite fire detection to calibrate components of the fire weather index system in Malaysia and Indonesia.

PubMed

Dymond, Caren C; Field, Robert D; Roswintiarti, Orbita; Guswanto

2005-04-01

Vegetation fires have become an increasing problem in tropical environments as a consequence of socioeconomic pressures and subsequent land-use change. In response, fire management systems are being developed. This study set out to determine the relationships between two aspects of the fire problems in western Indonesia and Malaysia, and two components of the Canadian Forest Fire Weather Index System. The study resulted in a new method for calibrating components of fire danger rating systems based on satellite fire detection (hotspot) data. Once the climate was accounted for, a problematic number of fires were related to high levels of the Fine Fuel Moisture Code. The relationship between climate, Fine Fuel Moisture Code, and hotspot occurrence was used to calibrate Fire Occurrence Potential classes where low accounted for 3% of the fires from 1994 to 2000, moderate accounted for 25%, high 26%, and extreme 38%. Further problems arise when there are large clusters of fires burning that may consume valuable land or produce local smoke pollution. Once the climate was taken into account, the hotspot load (number and size of clusters of hotspots) was related to the Fire Weather Index. The relationship between climate, Fire Weather Index, and hotspot load was used to calibrate Fire Load Potential classes. Low Fire Load Potential conditions (75% of an average year) corresponded with 24% of the hotspot clusters, which had an average size of 30% of the largest cluster. In contrast, extreme Fire Load Potential conditions (1% of an average year) corresponded with 30% of the hotspot clusters, which had an average size of 58% of the maximum. Both Fire Occurrence Potential and Fire Load Potential calibrations were successfully validated with data from 2001. This study showed that when ground measurements are not available, fire statistics derived from satellite fire detection archives can be reliably used for calibration. More importantly, as a result of this work, Malaysia and Indonesia have two new sources of information to initiate fire prevention and suppression activities.

Study on thermal effects & sulfurized additives, in lubricating greases

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shah, Ami Atul

Lithium Base grease constitutes about 50% of market. The greases are developed to be able to work in multiple working conditions and have longer working life. Greases with extreme pressure additives and anti-wear additives have been developed as a solution to many of the applications. These developed greases are tested under ASTM D2266 testing conditions to meet the requirements. The actual working conditions, although, differ than the real testing conditions. The loading, speed and temperature conditions can be more harsh, or fluctuating in nature. The cyclic nature of the parameters cannot be directly related to the test performance. For this purpose studies on the performance under spectrum loading, variable speed and fluctuating temperature must be performed. This study includes tests to understand the effect of thermal variation on some of the most commonly used grease additives that perform well under ASTM D2266 testing conditions. The studied additives include most widely used industrial extreme pressure additive MoS2. Performance of ZDDP which is trying to replace MoS2 in its industrial applications has also been studied. The tests cover study of extreme pressure, anti-wear and friction modifier additives to get a general idea on the effects of thermal variation in three areas. Sulphur is the most common extreme pressure additive. Sulphur based MoS 2 is extensively used grease additive. Study to understand the tribological performance of this additive through wear testing and SEM/EDX studies has been done. This performance is also studied for other metallic sulfides like WS2 and sulphur based organic compound. The aim is to study the importance of the type of bond that sulphur shares in its additive's structure on its performance. The MoS2 film formation is found to be on the basis of the FeS formation on the substrate and protection through sacrificial monolayer deposition of the MoS2 sheared structure. The free Mo then tends to oxidise. An attempt to understand the effects of the addition of sulphur from a sulfurized olefin to MoS2 through mechanical processing has been conducted. This mechanically processed additive mixed is tested through regular ASTM D2266 test. The hypothesis was to make more shear able MoS 2 layers available by using the sulphur from the olefin to form the basic FeS layer that reduces the continuous wear rate. The results have been studied using SEM and EDX imaging.

Center of mass trajectory and orientation to ankle and knee in sagittal plane is maintained with forward lean when backpack load changes during treadmill walking.

PubMed

Caron, Robert R; Wagenaar, Robert C; Lewis, Cara L; Saltzman, Elliot; Holt, Kenneth G

2013-01-04

Maintaining the normal shape and amplitude of the vertical trajectory of the center of mass (COM) during stance has been shown to maximize the efficiency of unloaded gait. Kinematic adaptations to load carriage, such as forward lean have yet to be understood in relation to COM movement. The purpose of this study is to better understand how load impacts the vertical COM(TSYS) trajectory and to clarify the impact of forward lean as it relates to the dynamics of sagittal plane COM(TSYS) movement during stance with changing load. 17 subjects walked on treadmill at a constant preferred walking velocity while nine different loads ranging from 12.5% to 40% bodyweight were systematically added and removed from a backpack. Kinematic data were collected using an Optotrak, three-dimensional motion analysis system and used to estimate position of the COM as well as segment and COM-to-joint vector orientation angles. The shape and amplitude of the COM vertical trajectory was maintained across all loaded conditions. The orientations of COM-to-ankle and -knee vectors were maintained in all loaded conditions except the heaviest load (40% BW). Results suggest that forward lean changed linearly with changes in load to maintain the COM-to-ankle and -knee vector orientations. COM vertical trajectory was maintained by a combination of invariants including lower-limb segment angles and a constant direction of toe-off impulse vector. The kinematic invariants found suggest a simplified control mechanism by which the system limits degrees of freedom and potentially minimizes torque about lower-extremity joints with added load. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Towards evidence based strength training: a comparison of muscle forces during deadlifts, goodmornings and split squats.

PubMed

Schellenberg, Florian; Taylor, William R; Lorenzetti, Silvio

2017-01-01

To ensure an efficient and targeted adaptation with low injury risk during strength exercises, knowledge of the participant specific internal loading conditions is essential. The goal of this study was to calculate the lower limb muscles forces during the strength exercises deadlifts, goodmornings and splits squats by means of musculoskeletal simulation. 11 participants were assessed performing 10 different variations of split squats by varying the step length as well as the maximal frontal tibia angle, and 13 participants were measured performing deadlift and goodmorning exercises. Using individualised musculoskeletal models, forces of the Quadriceps ( four parts), Hamstrings (four parts) and m. gluteus maximus (three parts) were computed. Deadlifts resulted highest loading for the Quadriceps, especially for the vasti (18-34 N/kg), but not for the rectus femoris (8-10 N/kg), which exhibited its greatest loading during split squats (13-27 N/kg) in the rear limb. Hamstrings were loaded isometrically during goodmornings but dynamically during deadlifts. For the m. gluteus maximus , the highest loading was observed during split squats in the front limb (up to 25 N/kg), while deadlifts produced increasingly, large loading over large ranges of motion in hip and knee. Acting muscle forces vary between exercises, execution form and joint angle. For all examined muscles, deadlifts produced considerable loading over large ranges of motion, while split squats seem to be highly dependent upon exercise variation. This study provides key information to design strength-training programs with respect to loading conditions and ranges of motion of lower extremity muscles.

Fracture Mechanics Analyses of Reinforced Carbon-Carbon Wing-Leading-Edge Panels

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Raju, Ivatury S.; Phillips, Dawn R.; Knight, Norman F., Jr.; Song, Kyongchan

2010-01-01

Fracture mechanics analyses of subsurface defects within the joggle regions of the Space Shuttle wing-leading-edge RCC panels are performed. A 2D plane strain idealized joggle finite element model is developed to study the fracture behavior of the panels for three distinct loading conditions - lift-off and ascent, on-orbit, and entry. For lift-off and ascent, an estimated bounding aerodynamic pressure load is used for the analyses, while for on-orbit and entry, thermo-mechanical analyses are performed using the extreme cold and hot temperatures experienced by the panels. In addition, a best estimate for the material stress-free temperature is used in the thermo-mechanical analyses. In the finite element models, the substrate and coating are modeled separately as two distinct materials. Subsurface defects are introduced at the coating-substrate interface and within the substrate. The objective of the fracture mechanics analyses is to evaluate the defect driving forces, which are characterized by the strain energy release rates, and determine if defects can become unstable for each of the loading conditions.

Correlation of Electrical Resistance to CMC Stress-Strain and Fracture Behavior Under High Heat-Flux Thermal and Stress Gradients

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Appleby, Matthew; Morscher, Gregory; Zhu, Dongming

2015-01-01

Because SiCSiC ceramic matrix composites (CMCs) are under consideration for use as turbine engine hot-section components in extreme environments, it becomes necessary to investigate their performance and damage morphologies under complex loading and environmental conditions. Monitoring of electrical resistance (ER) has been shown as an effective tool for detecting damage accumulation of woven melt-infiltrated SiCSiC CMCs. However, ER change under complicated thermo-mechanical loading is not well understood. In this study a systematic approach is taken to determine the capabilities of ER as a relevant non-destructive evaluation technique for high heat-flux testing, including thermal gradients and localized stress concentrations. Room temperature and high temperature, laser-based tensile tests were conducted in which stress-dependent damage locations were determined using modal acoustic emission (AE) monitoring and compared to full-field strain mapping using digital image correlation (DIC). This information is then compared with the results of in-situ ER monitoring, post-test ER inspection and fractography in order to correlate ER response to convoluted loading conditions and damage evolution.

Quantifying impacts of heat waves on power grid operation

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ke, Xinda; Wu, Di; Rice, Jennie S.

Climate change is projected to cause an increase in the severity and frequency of extreme weather events such as heat waves and droughts. Such changes present planning and operating challenges and risks to many economic sectors. In the electricity sector, statistics of extreme events in the past have been used to help plan for future peak loads, determine associated infrastructure requirements, and evaluate operational risks, but industry-standard planning tools have yet to be coupled with or informed by temperature models to explore the impacts of the "new normal" on planning studies. For example, high ambient temperatures during heat waves reducemore » the output capacity and efficiency of gas fired combustion turbines just when they are needed most to meet peak demands. This paper describes the development and application of a production cost and unit commitment model coupled to high resolution, hourly temperature data and a temperature dependent load model. The coupled system has the ability to represent the impacts of hourly temperatures on load conditions and available capacity and efficiency of combustion turbines, and therefore capture the potential impacts on system reliability and production cost. Ongoing work expands this capability to address the impacts of water availability and temperature on power grid operation.« less

Analyzing wind turbine flow interaction through vibration data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Castellani, Francesco; D'Elia, Gianluca; Astolfi, Davide; Mucchi, Emiliano; Giorgio, Dalpiaz; Terzi, Ludovico

2016-09-01

Wind turbines commonly undergo non-stationary flow and, not rarely, even rather extreme phenomena. In particular, rough terrains represent a challenging testing ground, because of the combination of terrain-driven flow and wakes. It is therefore crucial to assess the impact of dynamic loads on the turbines. In this work, tower and drive-train vibrations are analyzed, from a subcluster of four turbines of a wind farm sited in a very complex terrain. The main outcome of the study is that it is possible to start from the analysis of wind conditions and interpret how wakes manifest in the vibrations of the turbines, both at structural level (tower vibrations) and at the drive-train level. This wind to gear approach therefore allows to build a connection between a flow phenomenon and a mechanical phenomenon (vibrations) and can be precious to assess loads in different working conditions.

Tornado and extreme wind design criteria for nuclear power plants

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

None

1973-12-01

Nuclear power plant design criteria for tornadoes and extreme winds are presented. Data, formulas, and procedures for determining maximum wind loading on structures and parts of structures are included. Extreme wind loading is applied to structures using methods and procedures consistent with ANSI Building Code A58.1- 1972. The design wind velocities specified generally exceed 100-year recurrent interval winds. Tornado wind loading is applied to structures using procedures paralleling those for extrene winds with additional criteria resulting from the atmospheric pressure change accompanying tornadoes and tornado missile inipact effects. Tornado loading for the 48 contiguous United States is specified for twomore » major zones separated by the Continental Divide. A cross reference listing items related to Atomic Energy Commission Safety Analysis Report format is provided. Development supporting tornado criteria is included. (auth)« less

Considerations in STS payload environmental verification

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Keegan, W. B.

1978-01-01

Considerations regarding the Space Transportation System (STS) payload environmental verification are reviewed. It is noted that emphasis is placed on testing at the subassembly level and that the basic objective of structural dynamic payload verification is to ensure reliability in a cost-effective manner. Structural analyses consist of: (1) stress analysis for critical loading conditions, (2) model analysis for launch and orbital configurations, (3) flight loads analysis, (4) test simulation analysis to verify models, (5) kinematic analysis of deployment/retraction sequences, and (6) structural-thermal-optical program analysis. In addition to these approaches, payload verification programs are being developed in the thermal-vacuum area. These include the exposure to extreme temperatures, temperature cycling, thermal-balance testing and thermal-vacuum testing.

Preventing Cartilage Degeneration in Warfighters by Elucidating Novel Mechanisms Regulating Osteocyte-Mediated Perilacunar Bone Remodeling

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-10-01

sclerosis as in human PTOA. We also find that PLR is deregulated in human PTOA. We have made great strides in understanding the mechanosensitive regulation...conditions. We conducted an extremely thorough analysis of multiple experimental variables (loading regimen, mouse age, time course analysis) to better...Aim 3. Determine the extent of causality between defective PLR and cartilage degeneration in PTOA. A role for PLR in bone sclerosis

Survival Model for Foot and Leg High Rate Axial Impact Injury Data.

PubMed

Bailey, Ann M; McMurry, Timothy L; Poplin, Gerald S; Salzar, Robert S; Crandall, Jeff R

2015-01-01

Understanding how lower extremity injuries from automotive intrusion and underbody blast (UBB) differ is of key importance when determining whether automotive injury criteria can be applied to blast rate scenarios. This article provides a review of existing injury risk analyses and outlines an approach to improve injury prediction for an expanded range of loading rates. This analysis will address issues with existing injury risk functions including inaccuracies due to inertial and potential viscous resistance at higher loading rates. This survival analysis attempts to minimize these errors by considering injury location statistics and a predictor variable selection process dependent upon failure mechanisms of bone. Distribution of foot/ankle/leg injuries induced by axial impact loading at rates characteristic of UBB as well as automotive intrusion was studied and calcaneus injuries were found to be the most common injury; thus, footplate force was chosen as the main predictor variable because of its proximity to injury location to prevent inaccuracies associated with inertial differences due to loading rate. A survival analysis was then performed with age, sex, dorsiflexion angle, and mass as covariates. This statistical analysis uses data from previous axial postmortem human surrogate (PMHS) component leg tests to provide perspectives on how proximal boundary conditions and loading rate affect injury probability in the foot/ankle/leg (n = 82). Tibia force-at-fracture proved to be up to 20% inaccurate in previous analyses because of viscous resistance and inertial effects within the data set used, suggesting that previous injury criteria are accurate only for specific rates of loading and boundary conditions. The statistical model presented in this article predicts 50% probability of injury for a plantar force of 10.2 kN for a 50th percentile male with a neutral ankle position. Force rate was found to be an insignificant covariate because of the limited range of loading rate differences within the data set; however, compensation for inertial effects caused by measuring the force-at-fracture in a location closer to expected injury location improved the model's predictive capabilities for the entire data set. This study provides better injury prediction capabilities for both automotive and blast rates because of reduced sensitivity to inertial effects and tibia-fibula load sharing. Further, a framework is provided for future injury criteria generation for high rate loading scenarios. This analysis also suggests key improvements to be made to existing anthropomorphic test device (ATD) lower extremities to provide accurate injury prediction for high rate applications such as UBB.

A Compendium of Wind Statistics and Models for the NASA Space Shuttle and Other Aerospace Vehicle Programs

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Smith, O. E.; Adelfang, S. I.

1998-01-01

The wind profile with all of its variations with respect to altitude has been, is now, and will continue to be important for aerospace vehicle design and operations. Wind profile databases and models are used for the vehicle ascent flight design for structural wind loading, flight control systems, performance analysis, and launch operations. This report presents the evolution of wind statistics and wind models from the empirical scalar wind profile model established for the Saturn Program through the development of the vector wind profile model used for the Space Shuttle design to the variations of this wind modeling concept for the X-33 program. Because wind is a vector quantity, the vector wind models use the rigorous mathematical probability properties of the multivariate normal probability distribution. When the vehicle ascent steering commands (ascent guidance) are wind biased to the wind profile measured on the day-of-launch, ascent structural wind loads are reduced and launch probability is increased. This wind load alleviation technique is recommended in the initial phase of vehicle development. The vehicle must fly through the largest load allowable versus altitude to achieve its mission. The Gumbel extreme value probability distribution is used to obtain the probability of exceeding (or not exceeding) the load allowable. The time conditional probability function is derived from the Gumbel bivariate extreme value distribution. This time conditional function is used for calculation of wind loads persistence increments using 3.5-hour Jimsphere wind pairs. These increments are used to protect the commit-to-launch decision. Other topics presented include the Shuttle Shuttle load-response to smoothed wind profiles, a new gust model, and advancements in wind profile measuring systems. From the lessons learned and knowledge gained from past vehicle programs, the development of future launch vehicles can be accelerated. However, new vehicle programs by their very nature will require specialized support for new databases and analyses for wind, atmospheric parameters (pressure, temperature, and density versus altitude), and weather. It is for this reason that project managers are encouraged to collaborate with natural environment specialists early in the conceptual design phase. Such action will give the lead time necessary to meet the natural environment design and operational requirements, and thus, reduce development costs.

A novel tool for continuous fracture aftercare - Clinical feasibility and first results of a new telemetric gait analysis insole.

PubMed

Braun, Benedikt J; Bushuven, Eva; Hell, Rebecca; Veith, Nils T; Buschbaum, Jan; Holstein, Joerg H; Pohlemann, Tim

2016-02-01

Weight bearing after lower extremity fractures still remains a highly controversial issue. Even in ankle fractures, the most common lower extremity injury no standard aftercare protocol has been established. Average non weight bearing times range from 0 to 7 weeks, with standardised, radiological healing controls at fixed time intervals. Recent literature calls for patient-adapted aftercare protocols based on individual fracture and load scenarios. We show the clinical feasibility and first results of a new, insole embedded gait analysis tool for continuous monitoring of gait, load and activity. Ten patients were monitored with a new, independent gait analysis insole for up to 3 months postoperatively. Strict 20 kg partial weight bearing was ordered for 6 weeks. Overall activity, load spectrum, ground reaction forces, clinical scoring and general health data were recorded and correlated. Statistical analysis with power analysis, t-test and Spearman correlation was performed. Only one patient completely adhered to the set weight bearing limit. Average time in minutes over the limit was 374 min. Based on the parameters load, activity, gait time over 20 kg weight bearing and maximum ground reaction force high and low performers were defined after 3 weeks. Significant difference in time to painless full weight bearing between high and low performers was shown. Correlation analysis revealed a significant correlation between weight bearing and clinical scoring as well as pain (American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) Score rs=0.74; Olerud-Molander Score rs=0.93; VAS pain rs=-0.95). Early, continuous gait analysis is able to define aftercare performers with significant differences in time to full painless weight bearing where clinical or radiographic controls could not. Patient compliance to standardised weight bearing limits and protocols is low. Highly individual rehabilitation patterns were seen in all patients. Aftercare protocols should be adjusted to real-time patient conditions, rather than fixed intervals and limits. With a real-time measuring device high performers could be identified and influenced towards optimal healing conditions early, while low performers are recognised and missing healing influences could be corrected according to patient condition. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

A preliminary study on effects of increment of loads to lower extremity joints during kettlebell swing activity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zin, Muhammad Athif Mat; Rambely, Azmin Sham; Ariff, Noratiqah Mohd

2018-04-01

The purpose of the study was to determine the effects of increment of loads to lower extremity joints during the two-hand kettlebell swing (KS) activity with loads of 4 kg, 6 kg and 8 kg. Three male adults participated in this study. Subjects were required to perform a two-hand KS with three different loads which were 4 kg, 6 kg and 8 kg. A Vicon Nexus system (v1.5.2) with three infrared cameras adjusted with 100 Hz speed were used to capture KS motion to produce kinematics data for lower extremity joints which were ankle, knee and hip joints. The results showed that mean maximum flexion angle (MFA) of ankle, knee and hip joints decreased as load increased. Mean MFA of knee joint was the highest while mean MFA of ankle joint was the smallest recorded. Mean MFA of ipsilateral leg was higher than that of contralateral leg for a right-dominant subject.

The Evaluation of a Test Device for Human Occupant Restraint (THOR) Under Vertical Loading Conditions: Part 1 - Experimental Setup and Results

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Littell, Justin D.; Annett, Martin S.

2013-01-01

A series of 16 vertical tests were conducted on a Test Device for Human Occupant Restraint (THOR) - NT 50th percentile Anthropomorphic Test Device (ATD) at NASA Langley Research Center (LaRC). The purpose of the tests conducted at NASA LaRC was threefold. The first was to add vertical response data to the growing test database for THOR-NT development and validation. Second, the THOR-NT analytical computational models currently in development must be validated for the vertical loading environment. The computational models have been calibrated for frontal crash environments with concentration on accurately replicating head/neck, thoracic, and lower extremity responses. Finally, familiarity with the THOR ATD is necessary because NASA is interested in evaluating advanced ATDs for use in future flight and research projects. The THOR was subjected to vertical loading conditions ranging between 5 and 16 g in magnitude and 40 to 120 milliseconds (msec) in duration. It was also tested under conditions identical to previous tests conducted on the Hybrid II and III ATDs to allow comparisons to be made. Variations in the test setup were also introduced, such as the addition of a footrest in an attempt to offload some of the impact load into the legs. A full data set of the THOR-NT ATD will be presented and discussed. Results from the tests show that the THOR was largely insensitive to differences in the loading conditions, perhaps due in part to their small magnitudes. THOR responses, when compared to the Hybrid II and III in the lumbar region, demonstrated that the THOR more closely resembled the straight spine Hybrid setup. In the neck region, the THOR behaved more like the Hybrid III. However in both cases, the responses were not identical, indicating that the THOR would show differences in response than the Hybrid II and III ATDs when subjected to identical impact conditions. The addition of a footrest did not significantly affect the THOR response due to the nature of how the loading conditions were applied.

Io's Plasma Environment During the Galileo Flyby: Global Three-Dimensional MHD Modeling with Adaptive Mesh Refinement

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Combi, M. R.; Kabin, K.; Gombosi, T. I.; DeZeeuw, D. L.; Powell, K. G.

1998-01-01

The first results for applying a three-dimensional multimedia ideal MHD model for the mass-loaded flow of Jupiter's corotating magnetospheric plasma past Io are presented. The model is able to consider simultaneously physically realistic conditions for ion mass loading, ion-neutral drag, and intrinsic magnetic field in a full global calculation without imposing artificial dissipation. Io is modeled with an extended neutral atmosphere which loads the corotating plasma torus flow with mass, momentum, and energy. The governing equations are solved using adaptive mesh refinement on an unstructured Cartesian grid using an upwind scheme for AHMED. For the work described in this paper we explored a range of models without an intrinsic magnetic field for Io. We compare our results with particle and field measurements made during the December 7, 1995, flyby of to, as published by the Galileo Orbiter experiment teams. For two extreme cases of lower boundary conditions at Io, our model can quantitatively explain the variation of density along the spacecraft trajectory and can reproduce the general appearance of the variations of magnetic field and ion pressure and temperature. The net fresh ion mass-loading rates are in the range of approximately 300-650 kg/s, and equivalent charge exchange mass-loading rates are in the range approximately 540-1150 kg/s in the vicinity of Io.

Analysis of Glenoid Fixation with Anatomic Total Shoulder Arthroplasty in an Extreme Cyclic Loading Scenario.

PubMed

Roche, Christopher P; Staunch, Cameron; Hahn, William; Grey, Sean G; Flurin, Pierre-Henri; Wright, Thomas W; Zuckerman, Joseph D

2015-12-01

ASTM F2028-14 was adopted to recom mend a cyclic eccentric glenoid edge loading test that simulates the rocking horse loading mechanism beleived to cause aTSA glenoid loosening. While this method accurately simulates that failure mechanism, the recommended 750 N load may not be sufficient to simulate worst-case loading magnitudes, and the recommended 100,000 cycles may not be sufficient to simulate device fatigue-related failure modes. Finally, if greater loading magnitude or a larger number of cycles is performed, the recommended substrate density may not be sufficiently strong to support the elevated loads and cycles. To this end, a new test method is proposed to supplement ASTM F2028-14. A series of cyclic tests were performed to evaluate the long-term fixation strength of two different hybrid glenoid designs in both low (15 pcf) and high (30 pcf) density polyurethane blocks at elevated loads relative to ASTM F2028-14. To simulate a worst case clinical condition in which the humeral head is superiorly migrated, a cyclic load was applied to the superior glenoid rim to induce a maximum torque on the fixation pegs for three different cyclic loading tests: 1. 1,250 N load for 0.75 M cycles in a 15 pcf block, 2. 1,250 N load for 1.5 M cycles in a 30 pcf block, and 3. 2,000 N load for 0.65 M cycles in a 30 pcf block. All devices completed cyclic loading without failure, fracture, or loss of fixation regardless of glenoid design, polyurethane density, loading magnitude, or cycle length. No significant difference in post-cyclic displacement was noted between designs in any of the three tests. Post-cyclic radiographs demonstrated that each device maintained fixa - tion with the metal pegs within the bone-substitute blocks with no fatigue related failures. These results demonstrate that both cemented hybrid glenoids maintained fixation when tested according to each cyclic loading scenario, with no difference in post-cyclic displacement observed between designs. The lack of fatigue-related failures in these elevated load and high cycle test scenarios are promising, as are the relatively low displacements given the extreme nature of each test. This cyclic loading method is intended to supplement the ASTM F2028-14 standard that adequately simulates the rocking horse loading mechanism but may not adequately simulate the fatigue-related failure modes.

Forearm fracture bending risk functin for the 50th percentile male.

PubMed

Santago, Anthony C; Cormier, Joseph M; Duma, Stefan M; Yoganandan, Narayan; Pintar, Frank A

2008-01-01

The increase in upper extremity injuries in automobile collisions, because of the widespread implantation of airbags, has lead to a better understanding of forearm injury criteria. Risk functions for upper extremity injury that can be used in instrumented upper extremities would be useful. This paper presents a risk function for forearm injury for the 50th percentile male based on bending fracture moment data gathered from previous studies. The data was scaled using two scaling factors, one for orientation and one for mass, and the Weibull survival analysis model was then used to develop the risk function. It was determined that a 25% risk of injury corresponds to an 82 Nm bending load, a 50% risk of injury corresponds to a 100 Nm bending load, and a 75% risk of injury corresponds to a 117 Nm bending load. It is believed the risk function can be used with an instrumented upper extremity during vehicle testing.

Humerus fracture bending risk function for the 50th percentile male.

PubMed

Santago, Anthony C; Cormier, Joseph M; Duma, Stefan M

2008-01-01

The increase in upper extremity injuries in automobile collisions, because of the widespread implantation of airbags, has lead to an increased focus in humerus injury criteria. Risk functions for upper extremity injury that can be used in instrumented upper extremities would be useful. This paper presents a risk function for humerus injury for the 50th percentile male based on bending fracture moment data gathered from previous studies. The data was scaled using two scaling factors, one for mass and one for rate, and the Weibull survival analysis model was then used to develop the risk function. It was determined that a 25% risk of injury corresponds to a 214 Nm bending load, a 50% risk of injury corresponds to a 257 Nm bending load, and a 75% risk of injury corresponds to a 296 Nm bending load. It is believed the risk function can be used with an instrumented upper extremity during vehicle testing.

The Mohr-Coulomb criterion for intact rock strength and friction - a re-evaluation and consideration of failure under polyaxial stresses

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hackston, A.; Rutter, E.

2015-12-01

Abstract Darley Dale and Pennant sandstones were tested under conditions of both axisymmetric shortening and extension normal to bedding. These are the two extremes of loading under polyaxial stress conditions. Failure under generalized stress conditions can be predicted from the Mohr-Coulomb failure criterion under axisymmetric compression conditions provided the best form of polyaxial failure criterion is known. The sandstone data are best reconciled using the Mogi (1967) empirical criterion. Fault plane orientations produced vary greatly with respect to the maximum compression direction in the two loading configurations. The normals to the Mohr-Coulomb failure envelopes do not predict the orientations of the fault planes eventually produced. Frictional sliding on variously inclined sawcuts and failure surfaces produced in intact rock samples was also investigated. Friction coefficient is not affected by fault plane orientation in a given loading configuration, but friction coefficients in extension were systematically lower than in compression for both rock types and could be reconciled by a variant on the Mogi (1967) failure criterion. Friction data for these and other porous sandstones accord well with the Byerlee (1977) generalization about rock friction being largely independent of rock type. For engineering and geodynamic modelling purposes, the stress-state dependent friction coefficient should be used for sandstones, but it is not known to what extent this might apply to other rock types.

Blast effect on the lower extremities and its mitigation: a computational study.

PubMed

Dong, Liqiang; Zhu, Feng; Jin, Xin; Suresh, Mahi; Jiang, Binhui; Sevagan, Gopinath; Cai, Yun; Li, Guangyao; Yang, King H

2013-12-01

A series of computational studies were performed to investigate the response of the lower extremities of mounted soldiers under landmine detonation. A numerical human body model newly developed at Wayne State University was used to simulate two types of experimental studies and the model predictions were validated against test data in terms of the tibia axial force as well as bone fracture pattern. Based on the validated model, the minimum axial force causing tibia facture was found. Then a series of parametric studies was conducted to determine the critical velocity (peak velocity of the floor plate) causing tibia fracture at different upper/lower leg angles. In addition, to limit the load transmission through the vehicular floor, two types of energy absorbing materials, namely IMPAXX(®) foam and aluminum alloy honeycomb, were selected for floor matting. Their performances in terms of blast effect mitigation were compared using the validated numerical model, and it has been found that honeycomb is a more efficient material for blast injury prevention under the loading conditions studied. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Design of a 3T preamplifier which stability is insensitive to coil loading

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cao, Xueming; Fischer, Elmar; Korvink, Jan G.; Gruschke, Oliver; Hennig, Jürgen; Zaitsev, Maxim

2016-04-01

In MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), preamplifiers are needed to amplify signals obtained from MRI receiver coils. Under various loading conditions of the corresponding receiver coils, preamplifiers see different source impedance at their input and may become unstable. Therefore preamplifiers which stability is not sensitive to coil loading are desirable. In this article, a coil-loading-insensitive preamplifier for MRI is presented, derived from an unstable preamplifier. Different approaches to improve stability were used during this derivation. Since a very low noise factor is essential for MRI preamplifiers, noise contributions from passive components in the MRI preamplifier have to be considered during the stabilization process. As a result, the initially unstable preamplifier became stable with regard to coil loading, while other MRI requirements, as the extremely low noise factor, were still fulfilled. The newly designed preamplifier was manufactured, characterized and tested in the MRI spectrometer. Compared to a commercially available preamplifier, the newly designed preamplifier has similar imaging performance but other advantages like smaller size and better stability. Furthermore, presented stabilization approaches can be generalized to stabilize other unstable low-noise amplifiers.

Global strength assessment in oblique waves of a large gas carrier ship, based on a non-linear iterative method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Domnisoru, L.; Modiga, A.; Gasparotti, C.

2016-08-01

At the ship's design, the first step of the hull structural assessment is based on the longitudinal strength analysis, with head wave equivalent loads by the ships' classification societies’ rules. This paper presents an enhancement of the longitudinal strength analysis, considering the general case of the oblique quasi-static equivalent waves, based on the own non-linear iterative procedure and in-house program. The numerical approach is developed for the mono-hull ships, without restrictions on 3D-hull offset lines non-linearities, and involves three interlinked iterative cycles on floating, pitch and roll trim equilibrium conditions. Besides the ship-wave equilibrium parameters, the ship's girder wave induced loads are obtained. As numerical study case we have considered a large LPG liquefied petroleum gas carrier. The numerical results of the large LPG are compared with the statistical design values from several ships' classification societies’ rules. This study makes possible to obtain the oblique wave conditions that are inducing the maximum loads into the large LPG ship's girder. The numerical results of this study are pointing out that the non-linear iterative approach is necessary for the computation of the extreme loads induced by the oblique waves, ensuring better accuracy of the large LPG ship's longitudinal strength assessment.

Comparison of upper extremity glenohumeral joint forces in children with cerebral palsy using anterior and posterior walkers - biomed 2009.

PubMed

Strifling, Kelly M B; Konop, Katherine A; Wang, Mei; Harris, Gerald F

2009-01-01

Walkers are prescribed with the notion that one type of walker will be better for a child than another. One underlying justification for this practice is the theory that one walker may produce less stress on the upper extremities as the patient uses the walker. Nevertheless, upper extremity joint loading is not typically analyzed during walker assisted gait in children with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy. It has been difficult to evaluate the theory of walker prescription based on upper extremity stresses because loading on the upper extremities however has not been quantified until recently. In this study, weight bearing on the glenohumeral joints was analyzed in five children with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy using both anterior and posterior walkers fitted with 6-axis handle transducers. Though walkers' effects on the upper extremities proved to be similar between walker types, the differences between the walkers may have some clinical significance in the long run. In general, posterior walker use created larger glenohumeral joint forces. Though these differences are not statistically significant, over time and with repetitive loading they may be clinically significant.

Optimization Research on Ampacity of Underground High Voltage Cable Based on Interior Point Method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huang, Feng; Li, Jing

2017-12-01

The conservative operation method which takes unified current-carrying capacity as maximum load current can’t make full use of the overall power transmission capacity of the cable. It’s not the optimal operation state for the cable cluster. In order to improve the transmission capacity of underground cables in cluster, this paper regards the maximum overall load current as the objective function and the temperature of any cables lower than maximum permissible temperature as constraint condition. The interior point method which is very effective for nonlinear problem is put forward to solve the extreme value of the problem and determine the optimal operating current of each loop. The results show that the optimal solutions obtained with the purposed method is able to increase the total load current about 5%. It greatly improves the economic performance of the cable cluster.

Effects of the air–steam mixture on the permeability of damaged concrete

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Medjigbodo, Sonagnon; Darquennes, Aveline; Aubernon, Corentin

Massive concrete structures such as the containments of nuclear power plant must maintain their tightness at any circumstances to prevent the escape of radioactive fission products into the environment. In the event of an accident like a Loss of Coolant Accident (LOCA), the concrete wall is submitted to both hydric and mechanical loadings. A new experimental device reproducing these extreme conditions (water vapor transfer, 140 °C and 5 bars) is developed in the GeM Laboratory to determine the effect of the saturation degree, the mechanical loading and the flowing fluid type on the concrete transfer properties. The experimental tests showmore » that the previous parameters significantly affect the concrete permeability and the gas leakage rate. Their evolution as a function of the mechanical loading is characterized by two phases that are directly related to concrete microstructure and crack development.« less

Oxidation of hydrogen sulfide in biogas using dissolved oxygen in the extreme acidic biofiltration operation.

PubMed

Charnnok, Boonya; Suksaroj, Thunwadee; Boonswang, Piyarat; Chaiprapat, Sumate

2013-03-01

This work aimed to investigate the interactive effects of empty bed retention time (EBRT), specific hydraulic loading rate (q) and initial pH (pHi) of the aerated recirculating liquid to remove H2S in extreme acidic biofiltration. Biogas containing H2S 6395±2309ppm and CH4 79.8±2.5% was fed to the biofilter as pH of the high dissolved oxygen recirculating liquid swung between pHi to 0.5. Response surface methodology was employed that gave the H2S removal relationship model with R(2) 0.882. The predicted highest H2S removal within the studied parameter ranges was 94.7% at EBRT 180.0s, q 4.0m(3)/m(2)/h and pHi 3.99. Results from separate runs at a random condition were not statistically different from the model prediction, signifying a validity of the model. Additionally, CH4 content in the exit biogas increased by 4.7±0.4%. Acidithiobacullus sp. predominance in the consortia of this extreme acidic condition was confirmed by DGGE. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Predicting marching capacity while carrying extremely heavy loads.

PubMed

Koerhuis, Claudy L; Veenstra, Bertil J; van Dijk, Jos J; Delleman, Nico J

2009-12-01

The objective of this study was to establish the best prediction for endurance time of combat soldiers marching with extremely heavy loads. It was hypothesized that loads relative to individual characteristics (% maximal load carry capacity [MLCC], % body mass, % lean body mass) would better predict endurance time than load itself. Twenty-three male combat soldiers participated. MLCC was determined by increasing the load by 7.5 kg every 4 minutes until exhaustion. The marching velocity and gradient were 3 km.h(-1) and 5%, respectively. Endurance time was determined carrying 70, 80, and 90% of MLCC. MLCC was on average 102.6 kg +/- 11.6. Load expressed as % MLCC was the best predictor for endurance time (R2 = 0.45). Load expressed as % body mass, as % lean body mass, and absolute load predicted endurance time less well (R2 = 0.30, R2 = 0.24, and R2 = 0.23, respectively). On the basis of these results, it is recommended to assess the MLCC of individual combat soldiers.

Air Pollution Episodes Associated with Prescribed Burns

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hart, M.; Di Virgilio, G.; Jiang, N.

2017-12-01

Air pollution events associated with wildfires have been associated with extreme health impacts. Prescribed burns are an important tool to reduce the severity of wildfires. However, if undertaken during unfavourable meteorological conditions, they too have the capacity to trigger extreme air pollution events. The Australian state of New South Wales has increased the annual average area treated by prescribed burn activities by 45%, in order to limit wildfire activity. Prescribed burns need to be undertaken during meteorological conditions that allow the fuel load to burn, while still allowing the burn to remain under control. These conditions are similar to those that inhibit atmospheric dispersion, resulting in a fine balance between managing fire risk and managing ambient air pollution. During prescribed burns, the Sydney air shed can experience elevated particulate matter concentrations, especially fine particulates (PM2.5) that occasionally exceed national air quality standards. Using pollutant and meteorological data from sixteen monitoring stations in Sydney we used generalized additive model and CART analyses to profile the meteorological conditions influencing air quality during planned burns. The insights gained from this study will help improve prescribed burn scheduling in order to reduce the pollution risk to the community, while allowing fire agencies to conduct this important work.

[Hypophysis-adrenal and thyroid secretion at law order staff depending on professional loading].

PubMed

Koubassov, R V; Barachevsky, Yu E; Ivanov, A M

2015-01-01

A current etiological and pathogenic opinion about human health disturbance thereupon extreme factor effects is shown that this cause is principal mechanism of regulatory system (neuroimmunoendocrine complex) distress. In endocrine link occurs hormonal disbalance in hypothalamus-hypophysis axis, physiological interrelation disturbances in central-peripheral gland system (hypophysis-adrenal, hypophysis-thyroid) and metabolism abnormalities subsequently. Our aim was to determine the particular content of adrenocorticotropic and thyrothrophin hormone, cortisol, thyroxin and triiodthyronine features at law order staff in dependence from professional loading. It's provided two investigation series among law order staff groups--combatants, ordinary policemen and military school students. The investigation period for all people corresponds to combat mission beginning and its finish. In blood serum an adrenocorticotropic (ACTH) and thyrothrophin (TSH) hormone, cortisol, thyroxin (T) and triiodthyronine (T) levels were determined. A higher ACTH and TSH levels detected at combatants in both investigation series. A cortisol, T4 and T3 at combatants before military mission were least in comparative with other groups, but after mission it indexes were largest. Prolonged changes of endocrine secretory function that lead to hormonal disbalance can result to adaptation derangement. In connection with it in medical providing system for person that undergo extreme negative professional factors it's necessary create a special endocrine link with the view of organism resistance and life viability to extreme emergency factors and for prevention of pathological conditions.

Effect of thermal stresses on the mechanism of tooth pain.

PubMed

Oskui, Iman Z; Ashtiani, Mohammed N; Hashemi, Ata; Jafarzadeh, Hamid

2014-11-01

Daily hot and cold thermal loadings on teeth may result in structural deformation, mechanical stress, and pain signaling. The aim of this study was to compare the adverse effects of hot and cold beverages on an intact tooth and, then, to provide physical evidence to support the hydrodynamic theory of tooth pain sensation mechanism. Three-dimensional finite element analysis was performed on a premolar model subjected to hot and cold thermal loadings. Elapsed times for heat diffusion and stress detection at the pulp-dentin junction were calculated as measures of the pain sensation. Extreme tensile stress within the enamel resulted in damage in cold loadings. Also, extreme values of stress at the pulpal wall occurred 21.6 seconds earlier than extreme temperatures in hot and cold loadings. The intact tooth was remarkably vulnerable to cold loading. Earlier changes in mechanical stress rather than temperature at the pulp-dentin junction indicate that the dental pain caused by hot or cold beverages may be based on the hydrodynamic theory. Copyright © 2014 American Association of Endodontists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Drug Loading of Mesoporous Silicon

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Moffitt, Anne; Coffer, Jeff; Wang, Mengjia

2011-03-01

The nanostructuring of crystalline solids with low aqueous solubilities by their incorporation into mesoporous host materials is one route to improve the bioavailability of such solids. Earlier studies suggest that mesoporous Si (PSi), with pore widths in the range of 5-50 nm, is a candidate for such an approach. In this presentation, we describe efforts to load curcumin into free-standing microparticles of PSi. Curcumin is a compound extracted from turmeric root, which is an ingredient of curry. Curucmin has shown activity against selected cancer cell lines, bacteria, and other medical conditions. However, curcumin has a very low bioavailability due to its extremely low water solubility (0.6 μ g/mL). Incorporation of curcumin was achieved by straightforward loading of the molten solid at 185circ; C. Loading experiments were performed using PSi particles of two different size ranges, 45-75 μ m and 150-250 μ m. Longer loading times and ratio of curcumin to PSi leads to a higher percentage of loaded curcumin in both PSi particle sizes (as determined by weight difference). The extent of curcumin crystallinity was assessed by x-ray diffraction (XRD). The solubility and release kinetics of loaded curcumin from the PSi was determined by extraction into water at 37circ; C, with analysis using UV-VIS spectrometry. NSF-REU and TCU.

High-temperature friction and wear studies of Fe-Cu-Sn alloy with graphite as solid lubricant under dry sliding conditions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mushtaq, Shuhaib; Wani, M. F.

2018-02-01

Solid lubricants are particularly used in the advanced mechanical motion systems with extreme conditions such as (high temperature, vacuum, radiation, extreme contact pressure, etc). The main focus of this paper is to study the dry sliding friction and wear behavior of Fe-Cu-Sn alloy with varying wt% of graphite at high temperature up to 423 K. The influence of temperature, sliding distance and load on friction and wear behavior of Fe-Cu-Sn alloy against EN8 steel was studied using ball (EN8) on disc (Fe-Cu-Sn alloy). Lower wear and lower friction of Fe-Cu-Sn alloy were observed at high temperature, as compared to room temperature. Surface morphological and surface analytical studies of fresh and worn surfaces were carried out using optical microscopy, 3D profilometer, scanning electron microscope, energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy, XRD, and Raman spectroscopy to understand the friction and wear behavior.

Full-Scale System for Quantifying Loads and Leak Rates of Seals for Space Applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dunlap, Patrick H., Jr.; Steinetz, Bruce M.; Daniels, Christopher C.; Wasowski, Janice L.; Robbie, Malcolm G.; Erker, Arthur H.; Drlik, Gary J.; Mayer, John J.

2010-01-01

NASA is developing advanced space-rated vacuum seals in support of future space exploration missions to low-Earth orbit and other destinations. These seals may be 50 to 60 in. (127 to 152 cm) in diameter and must exhibit extremely low leak rates to ensure that astronauts have sufficient breathable air for extended missions to the International Space Station or the Moon. Seal compression loads must be below prescribed limits so as not to overload the mechanisms that compress them during docking or mating, and seal adhesion forces must be low to allow two mated systems to separate when required. NASA Glenn Research Center has developed a new test apparatus to measure leak rates and compression and adhesion loads of candidate full-scale seals under simulated thermal, vacuum, and engagement conditions. Tests can be performed in seal-on-seal or seal-on-flange configurations at temperatures from -76 to 140 F (-60 to 60 C) under operational pressure gradients. Nominal and off-nominal mating conditions (e.g., incomplete seal compression) can also be simulated. This paper describes the main design features of the test apparatus as well as techniques used to overcome some of the design challenges.

Deformation twinning: Influence of strain rate

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Gray, G.T. III

Twins in most crystal structures, including advanced materials such as intermetallics, form more readily as the temperature of deformation is decreased or the rate of deformation is increased. Both parameters lead to the suppression of thermally-activated dislocation processes which can result in stresses high enough to nucleate and grow deformation twins. Under high-strain rate or shock-loading/impact conditions deformation twinning is observed to be promoted even in high stacking fault energy FCC metals and alloys, composites, and ordered intermetallics which normally do not readily deform via twinning. Under such conditions and in particular under the extreme loading rates typical of shockmore » wave deformation the competition between slip and deformation twinning can be examined in detail. In this paper, examples of deformation twinning in the intermetallics TiAl, Ti-48Al-lV and Ni{sub 3}A as well in the cermet Al-B{sub 4}C as a function of strain rate will be presented. Discussion includes: (1) the microstructural and experimental variables influencing twin formation in these systems and twinning topics related to high-strain-rate loading, (2) the high velocity of twin formation, and (3) the influence of deformation twinning on the constitutive response of advanced materials.« less

Pressure-induced metallization of condensed phase β-HMX under shock loadings via molecular dynamics simulations in conjunction with multi-scale shock technique.

PubMed

Ge, Ni-Na; Wei, Yong-Kai; Zhao, Feng; Chen, Xiang-Rong; Ji, Guang-Fu

2014-07-01

The electronic structure and initial decomposition in high explosive HMX under conditions of shock loading are examined. The simulation is performed using quantum molecular dynamics in conjunction with multi-scale shock technique (MSST). A self-consistent charge density-functional tight-binding (SCC-DFTB) method is adapted. The results show that the N-N-C angle has a drastic change under shock wave compression along lattice vector b at shock velocity 11 km/s, which is the main reason that leads to an insulator-to-metal transition for the HMX system. The metallization pressure (about 130 GPa) of condensed-phase HMX is predicted firstly. We also detect the formation of several key products of condensed-phase HMX decomposition, such as NO2, NO, N2, N2O, H2O, CO, and CO2, and all of them have been observed in previous experimental studies. Moreover, the initial decomposition products include H2 due to the C-H bond breaking as a primary reaction pathway at extreme condition, which presents a new insight into the initial decomposition mechanism of HMX under shock loading at the atomistic level.

Fiber-Reinforced Superalloys For Rocket Engines

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lewis, Jack R.; Yuen, Jim L.; Petrasek, Donald W.; Stephens, Joseph R.

1990-01-01

Report discusses experimental studies of fiber-reinforced superalloy (FRS) composite materials for use in turbine blades in rocket engines. Intended to withstand extreme conditions of high temperature, thermal shock, atmospheres containing hydrogen, high cycle fatigue loading, and thermal fatigue, which tax capabilities of even most-advanced current blade material - directionally-solidified, hafnium-modified MAR M-246 {MAR M-246 (Hf) (DS)}. FRS composites attractive combination of properties for use in turbopump blades of advanced rocket engines at temperatures from 870 to 1,100 degrees C.

Effect of wrinkles on the surface area of graphene: toward the design of nanoelectronics.

PubMed

Qin, Zhao; Taylor, Michael; Hwang, Mary; Bertoldi, Katia; Buehler, Markus J

2014-11-12

Graphene has attracted intense attention to the use in extreme applications. However, its small thickness facilitates wrinkle formation, and it is not clear how such structural change affects its area-specific capacitance. Herein, we combine molecular dynamics and continuum mechanics-based simulations to study the changes in surface area induced by wrinkles. We find that the high specific surface area of graphene can only be affected up to 2% regardless of loading conditions, geometry, and defects.

Foot Forces during Treadmill Exercise on the International Space Station

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cavanagh, Peter R.; Rice, Andrea J.; Maender, Christian C.; Gopalakrishnan, Raghavan; Genc, Kerim O.; Kuklis, Matthew

2006-01-01

Exercise has been the primary countermeasure to combat musculoskeletal changes during the approximately 6 month missions to the International Space Station (ISS). However, these countermeasures have not been successful in preventing loss of bone mineral density in the spine and hip of astronauts. We examined lower extremity loading during typical bouts of on-orbit exercise performed by 4 ISS crew members on the ISS treadmill (TVIS) and during locomotor activities on earth (1g). In-shoe forces were monitored at 128Hz using force-measuring insoles placed inside the shoes of the exercising crewmember, stored temporarily on Flash cards, and down-linked via satellite for analysis. Custom software extracted peak forces from up to 30 minutes of locomotor activity. All on-orbit loading conditions for walking and running resulted in peak forces and impact loading rates that were significantly less than those measured in 1g. Typical single leg loads on-orbit in walking and running were 0.860 plus or minus 0.04 body weights (BW) and 1.339 plus or minus 0.07 BW compared to 1.2 plus or minus 0.036 BW and 2.36 plus or minus 0.07 BW in 1g BW respectively. These results indicate that typical exercise on the ISS treadmill does not generate 1g-like loading conditions. This may be partly responsible for the loss of bone mineral density that has been observed in these and other crew members. Since on-orbit treadmill exercise requires a restraining load to return the crew member to the treadmill surface, more studies are required to enable comfortable full body weight loading to be applied.

Combined impacts of current and future dust deposition and regional warming on Colorado River Basin snow dynamics and hydrology

USGS Publications Warehouse

Deems, Jeffrey S.; Painter, Thomas H.; Barsugli, Joseph J.; Belnap, Jayne; Udall, Bradley

2013-01-01

The Colorado River provides water to 40 million people in seven western states and two countries and to 5.5 million irrigated acres. The river has long been overallocated. Climate models project runoff losses of 5–20% from the basin by mid-21st century due to human-induced climate change. Recent work has shown that decreased snow albedo from anthropogenic dust loading to the CO mountains shortens the duration of snow cover by several weeks relative to conditions prior to western expansion of the US in the mid-1800s, and advances peak runoff at Lees Ferry, Arizona, by an average of 3 weeks. Increases in evapotranspiration from earlier exposure of soils and germination of plants have been estimated to decrease annual runoff by more than 1.0 billion cubic meters, or ~5% of the annual average. This prior work was based on observed dust loadings during 2005–2008; however, 2009 and 2010 saw unprecedented levels of dust loading on snowpacks in the Upper Colorado River Basin (UCRB), being on the order of 5 times the 2005–2008 loading. Building on our prior work, we developed a new snow albedo decay parameterization based on observations in 2009/10 to mimic the radiative forcing of extreme dust deposition. We convolve low, moderate, and extreme dust/snow albedos with both historic climate forcing and two future climate scenarios via a delta method perturbation of historic records. Compared to moderate dust, extreme dust absorbs 2× to 4× the solar radiation, and shifts peak snowmelt an additional 3 weeks earlier to a total of 6 weeks earlier than pre-disturbance. The extreme dust scenario reduces annual flow volume an additional 1% (6% compared to pre-disturbance), a smaller difference than from low to moderate dust scenarios due to melt season shifting into a season of lower evaporative demand. The sensitivity of flow timing to dust radiative forcing of snow albedo is maintained under future climate scenarios, but the sensitivity of flow volume reductions decreases with increased climate forcing. These results have implications for water management and suggest that dust abatement efforts could be an important component of any climate adaptation strategies in the UCRB.

Aging and failure mode of electrochemical double layer capacitors during accelerated constant load tests

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kötz, R.; Ruch, P. W.; Cericola, D.

Electrochemical double layer capacitors of the BCAP0350 type (Maxwell Technologies) were tested under constant load conditions at different voltages and temperatures. The aging of the capacitors was monitored during the test in terms of capacitance, internal resistance and leakage current. Aging was significantly accelerated by elevated temperature or increased voltage. Only for extreme conditions at voltages of 3.5 V or temperatures above 70 °C the capacitors failed due to internal pressure build-up. No other failure events such as open circuit or short circuit were detected. Impedance measurements after the tests showed increased high frequency resistance, an increased distributed resistance and most likely an increase in contact resistance between electrode and current collector together with a loss of capacitance. Capacitors aged at elevated voltages (3.3 V) exhibited a tilting of the low frequency component, which implies an increase in the heterogeneity of the electrode surface. This feature was not observed upon aging at elevated temperatures (70 °C).

Analysis and prediction of operating vehicle load effects on Highway bridges under the weight charge policy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huang, Haiyun; Zhang, Junping; Li, Yonghe

2018-05-01

Under the weight charge policy, the weigh in motion data at a toll station on the Jing-Zhu Expressway were collected. The statistic analysis of vehicle load data was carried out. For calculating the operating vehicle load effects on bridges, by Monte Carlo method used to generate random traffic flow and influence line loading method, the maximum bending moment effect of simple supported beams were obtained. The extreme value I distribution and normal distribution were used to simulate the distribution of the maximum bending moment effect. By the extrapolation of Rice formula and the extreme value I distribution, the predicted values of the maximum load effects were obtained. By comparing with vehicle load effect according to current specification, some references were provided for the management of the operating vehicles and the revision of the bridge specifications.

Reliability and validity of a low load endurance strength test for upper and lower extremities in patients with fibromyalgia.

PubMed

Munguía-Izquierdo, Diego; Legaz-Arrese, Alejandro

2012-11-01

To evaluate the reliability, standard error of the mean (SEM), clinical significant change, and known group validity of 2 assessments of endurance strength to low loads in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome (FS). Cross-sectional reliability and comparative study. University Pablo de Olavide, Seville, Spain. Middle-aged women with FS (n=95) and healthy women (n=64) matched for age, weight, and body mass index (BMI) were recruited for the study. Not applicable. The endurance strength to low loads tests of the upper and lower extremities and anthropometric measures (BMI) were used for the evaluations. The differences between the readings (tests 1 and 2) and the SDs of the differences, intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) model (2,1), 95% confidence interval for the ICC, coefficient of repeatability, intrapatient SD, SEM, Wilcoxon signed-rank test, and Bland-Altman plots were used to examine reliability. A Mann-Whitney U test was used to analyze the differences in test values between the patient group and the control group. We hypothesized that patients with FS would have an endurance strength to low loads performance in lower and upper extremities at least twice as low as that of the healthy controls. Satisfactory test-retest reliability and SEMs were found for the lower extremity, dominant arm, and nondominant arm tests (ICC=.973-.979; P<.001; SEMs=1.44-1.66 repetitions). The differences in the mean between the test and retest were lower than the SEM for all performed tests, varying from -.10 to .29 repetitions. No significant differences were found between the test and retest (P>.05 for all). The Bland-Altman plots showed 95% limits of agreement for the lower extremity (4.7 to -4.5), dominant arm (3.8 to -4.4), and nondominant arm (3.9 to -4.1) tests. The endurance strength to low loads test scores for the patients with FS were 4-fold lower than for the controls in all performed tests (P<.001 for all). The endurance strength to low loads tests showed good reliability and known group validity and can be recommended for evaluating endurance strength to low loads in patients with FS. For individual evaluation, however, an improved score of at least 4 and 5 repetitions for the upper and lower extremities, respectively, was required for the differences to be considered as substantial clinical change. Patients with FS showed impaired endurance strength to low loads performance when compared with the general population. Copyright © 2012 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Effectiveness of submerged drains in reducing subsidence of peat soils in agricultural use, and their effects on water management and nutrient loading of surface water: modelling of a case study in the western peat soil area of The Netherlands

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hendriks, Rob F. A.; van den Akker, Jan J. A.

2017-04-01

Effectiveness of submerged drains in reducing subsidence of peat soils in agricultural use, and their effects on water management and nutrient loading of surface water: modelling of a case study in the western peat soil area of The Netherlands In the Netherlands, about 8% of the area is covered by peat soils. Most of these soils are in use for dairy farming and, consequently, are drained. Drainage causes decomposition of peat by oxidation and accordingly leads to surface subsidence and greenhouse gas emission. Submerged drains that enhance submerged infiltration of water from ditches during the dry and warm summer half year were, and are still, studied in The Netherlands as a promising tool for reducing peat decomposition by raising groundwater levels. For this purpose, several pilot field studies in the Western part of the Dutch peat area were conducted. Besides the effectiveness of submerged drains in reducing peat decomposition and subsidence by raising groundwater tables, some other relevant or expected effects of these drains were studied. Most important of these are water management and loading of surface water with nutrients nitrogen, phosphorus and sulphate. Because most of these parameters are not easy to assess and all of them are strongly depending on the meteorological conditions during the field studies some of these studies were modelled. The SWAP model was used for evaluating the hydrological results on groundwater table and water discharge and recharge. Effects of submerged drains were assessed by comparing the results of fields with and without drains. An empirical relation between deepest groundwater table and subsidence was used to convert effects on groundwater table to effects on subsidence. With the SWAP-ANIMO model nutrient loading of surface water was modelled on the basis of field results on nutrient concentrations . Calibrated models were used to assess effects in the present situation, as thirty-year averages, under extreme weather conditions and for two extreme climate scenarios of the Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute. In this study the model results of one of the pilot studies are presented. The case study 'de Krimpenerwaard' is situated in the peat area in the "Green Heart" between the major cities of Amsterdam, The Hague, Rotterdam and Utrecht. Model results show a halving of soil subsidence, a strong increase of water recharge but a lower increase of water discharge, and generally small to moderate effects on nutrient loading , all depending (strongly) on meteorological conditions.

A Silicon Carbide Wireless Temperature Sensing System for High Temperature Applications

PubMed Central

Yang, Jie

2013-01-01

In this article, an extreme environment-capable temperature sensing system based on state-of-art silicon carbide (SiC) wireless electronics is presented. In conjunction with a Pt-Pb thermocouple, the SiC wireless sensor suite is operable at 450 °C while under centrifugal load greater than 1,000 g. This SiC wireless temperature sensing system is designed to be non-intrusively embedded inside the gas turbine generators, acquiring the temperature information of critical components such as turbine blades, and wirelessly transmitting the information to the receiver located outside the turbine engine. A prototype system was developed and verified up to 450 °C through high temperature lab testing. The combination of the extreme temperature SiC wireless telemetry technology and integrated harsh environment sensors will allow for condition-based in-situ maintenance of power generators and aircraft turbines in field operation, and can be applied in many other industries requiring extreme environment monitoring and maintenance. PMID:23377189

Ongoing Capabilities and Developments of Re-Entry Plasma Ground Tests at EADS-ASTRIUM

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jullien, Pierre

2008-01-01

During re-entry, spacecrafts are subjected to extreme thermal loads. On mars, they may go through dust storms. These external heat loads are leading the design of re-entry vehicles or are affecting it for spacecraft facing solid propellant jet stream. Sizing the Thermal Protection System require a good knowledge of such solicitations and means to model and reproduce them on earth. Through its work on European projects, ASTRIUM has developed the full range of competences to deal with such issues. For instance, we have designed and tested the heat-shield of the Huygens probe which landed on Titan. In particular, our plasma generators aim to reproduce a wide variety of re-entry conditions. Heat loads are generated by the huge speed of the probes. Such conditions cannot be fully reproduced. Ground tests focus on reproducing local aerothermal loads by using slower but hotter flows. Our inductive plasma torch enables to test little samples at low TRL. Amongst the arc-jets, one was design to test architecture design of ISS crew return system and others fit more severe re-entry such as sample returns or Venus re-entry. The last developments aimed in testing samples in seeded flows. First step was to design and test the seeding device. Special diagnostics characterizing the resulting flow enabled us to fit it to the requirements.

Effects of whole-body vibration applied to lower extremity muscles during decline bench press exercise.

PubMed

García-Gutiérrez, M T; Hazell, T J; Marín, P J

2016-09-07

To evaluate the effects of whole-body vibration (WBV) on skeletal muscle activity and power performance of the upper body during decline bench press exercise at different loads. Forty-seven healthy young and active male students volunteered. Each performed dynamic decline bench press repetitions with and without WBV (50 Hz, 2.2 mm) applied through a hamstring bridge exercise at three different loads of their 1-repetition maximum (1RM): 30%, 50%, and 70% 1RM. Muscle activity of the triceps brachii (TB), biceps brachii (BB), pectoralis major (PM), and biceps femoris (BF) was measured with surface electromyography electrodes and kinetic parameters of the repetitions were measured with a rotary encoder. WBV increased peak power (PP) output during the 70% 1RM condition (p<0.01). Muscle activity was increased with WBV in the TB and BF muscles at all loads (p<0.05). There were no effects of WBV on BB or PM muscles. WBV applied through a hamstring bridge exercise increases TB muscle activity during a decline bench press and this augmentation contributes to an increased peak power at higher loads and increased peak acceleration at lower loads.

Experimental investigation of dynamic fragmentation of laser shock-loaded by soft recovery and X-ray radiography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xin, Jianting; He, Weihua; Chu, Genbai; Gu, Yuqiu

2017-06-01

Dynamic fragmentation of metal under shock pressure is an important issue for both fundamental science and practical applications. And in recent decades, laser provides a promising shock loading technique for investigating the process of dynamic fragmentation under extreme condition application of high strain rate. Our group has performed experimental investigation of dynamic fragmentation under laser shock loading by soft recovery and X-ray radiography at SGC / ó prototype laser facility. The fragments under different loading pressures were recovered by PMP foam and analyzed by X-ray micro-tomography and the improved watershed method. The experiment result showed that the bilinear exponential distribution is more appropriate for representing the fragment size distribution. We also developed X-ray radiography technique. Owing to its inherent advantage over shadowgraph technique, X-ray radiography can potentially determine quantitatively material densities by measuring the X-ray transmission. Our group investigated dynamic process of microjetting by X-ray radiography technique, the recorded radiographic images show clear microjetting from the triangular grooves in the free surface of tin sample.

Jumping in simulated and true microgravity: response to maximal efforts with three landing types

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

D'Andrea, Susan E.; Perusek, Gail P.; Rajulu, Sudhakar; Perry, Julie; Davis, Brian L.

2005-01-01

BACKGROUND: Exercise is a promising countermeasure to the physiological deconditioning experienced in microgravity, but has not proven effective in eliminating the ongoing loss of bone mineral, most likely due to the lack of high-impact forces and loading rates during in-flight activity. We wanted to determine lower-extremity response to high-impact jumping exercises in true and simulated microgravity and establish if 1-G force magnitudes can be achieved in a weightless environment. METHODS: Jumping experiments were performed in a ground-based zero-gravity simulator (ZGS) in 1 G, and during parabolic flight with a gravity-replacement system. There were 12 subjects who participated in the study, with 4 subjects common to both conditions. Force, loading rates, jump height, and kinematics were analyzed during jumps with three distinct landings: two-footed toe-heel, one-footed toe-heel, and flat-footed. Gravity replacement loads of 45%, 60%, 75%, and 100% bodyweight were used in the ZGS; because of time constraints, these loads were limited to 60% and 75% bodyweight in parabolic flight. RESULTS: Average peak ground-reaction forces during landing ranged between 1902+/-607 and 2631+/-663 N in the ZGS and between 1683+/-807 and 2683+/-1174 N in the KC-135. No significant differences were found between the simulated and true microgravity conditions, but neither condition achieved the magnitudes found in 1 G. CONCLUSION: Data support the hypothesis that jumping exercises can impart high-impact forces during weightlessness and that the custom-designed ZGS will replicate what is experienced in true microgravity.

An Adaptive Multiscale Finite Element Method for Large Scale Simulations

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-09-28

Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Abstract Hypersonic vehicles are subjected to extreme acoustic, thermal and mechanical loading with strong spatial and temporal...07/15/2012 Reporting Period End Date 07/14/2015 Abstract Hypersonic vehicles are subjected to extreme acoustic, thermal and mechanical loading with...gradients and for extended periods of time. Long duration, 3-D simulations of non-linear response of these vehicles , is prohibitively expensive using

Design loads and uncertainties for the transverse strength of ships

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Pittaluga, A.

1995-12-31

Rational design of ship structures is becoming a reality, and a reliability based approach for the longitudinal strength assessment of ship hulls is close to implementation. Transverse strength of ships is a step behind, mainly due to the complexity of the collapse modes associated with transverse strength. Nevertheless, some investigations are being made and the importance of an acceptable stochastic model for the environmental demand on the transverse structures is widely recognized. In the paper, the problem of the determination of the sea loads on a transverse section of a ship is discussed. The problem of extrapolating the calculated results,more » which are relevant to the submerged portion of the hull, to areas which are only occasionally wet in extreme conditions is also addressed.« less

Effects of foot orthoses with medial arch support and lateral wedge on knee adduction moment in patients with medial knee osteoarthritis.

PubMed

Dessery, Yoann; Belzile, Étienne; Turmel, Sylvie; Corbeil, Philippe

2017-08-01

There is contradictory evidence regarding whether the addition of medial arch supports to laterally wedged insoles reduces knee adduction moment, improves comfort, and reduces knee pain during the late stance phase of gait. To verify if such effects occur in participants with medial knee osteoarthritis. Randomized single-blinded study. Gait analysis was performed on 18 patients affected by medial knee osteoarthritis. Pain and comfort scores, frontal plane kinematics and kinetics of ankle, knee, and hip were compared in four conditions: without foot orthosis, with foot orthoses, with medial arch support, and with foot orthoses with medial arch support and lateral wedge insoles with 6° and 10° inclination. Lower-extremity gait kinetics were characterized by a significant decrease, greater than 6%, in second peak knee adduction moment in laterally wedged insole conditions compared to the other conditions ( p < 0.001; effect size = 0.6). No significant difference in knee adduction moment was observed between laterally wedged insole conditions. In contrast, a significant increase of 7% in knee adduction moment during the loading response was observed in the customized foot orthoses without lateral inclination condition ( p < 0.001; effect size = 0.3). No difference was found in comfort or pain ratings between conditions. Our study suggests that customized foot orthoses with a medial arch support may only be suitable for the management of medial knee osteoarthritis when a lateral wedge is included. Clinical relevance Our data suggest that customized foot orthoses with medial arch support and a lateral wedge reduce knee loading in patients with medial knee osteoarthritis (KOA). We also found evidence that medial arch support may increase knee loading, which could potentially be detrimental in KOA patients.

Fatal pneumonia epizootic in musk ox (Ovibos moschatus) in a period of extraordinary weather conditions.

PubMed

Ytrehus, Bjørnar; Bretten, Tord; Bergsjø, Bjarne; Isaksen, Ketil

2008-06-01

The musk ox is adapted to extreme cold and regarded as vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Population decline is proposed to occur due to changes in forage availability, insect harassment, parasite load, and habitat availability, while the possible role of infectious diseases has not been emphasized. The goal of the present article is to describe an outbreak of fatal pasteurellosis that occurred in the introduced musk ox population of Dovrefjell, Norway in 2006, causing the death of a large proportion of the animals. The epizootic coincided with extraordinary warm and humid weather, conditions that often are associated with outbreaks of pasteurellosis. The description is based on long series of data from the surveillance of the musk ox population, weather data from a closely located meteorological station, and pathoanatomical investigation of the diseased animals. It is concluded that the weather conditions likely were the decisive factors for the outbreak. It is suggested that such epizootics may occur increasingly among cold-adapted animals if global warming results in increased occurrence of heat waves and associated extreme weather events, thereby causing population declines and possibly extinctions.

Scaling of X pinches from 1 MA to 6 MA.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Bland, Simon Nicholas; McBride, Ryan D.; Wenger, David Franklin

This final report for Project 117863 summarizes progress made toward understanding how X-pinch load designs scale to high currents. The X-pinch load geometry was conceived in 1982 as a method to study the formation and properties of bright x-ray spots in z-pinch plasmas. X-pinch plasmas driven by 0.2 MA currents were found to have source sizes of 1 micron, temperatures >1 keV, lifetimes of 10-100 ps, and densities >0.1 times solid density. These conditions are believed to result from the direct magnetic compression of matter. Physical models that capture the behavior of 0.2 MA X pinches predict more extreme parametersmore » at currents >1 MA. This project developed load designs for up to 6 MA on the SATURN facility and attempted to measure the resulting plasma parameters. Source sizes of 5-8 microns were observed in some cases along with evidence for high temperatures (several keV) and short time durations (<500 ps).« less

Ultrabroadband Microwave Metamaterial Absorber Based on Electric SRR Loaded with Lumped Resistors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhao, Jingcheng; Cheng, Yongzhi

2016-10-01

An ultrabroadband microwave metamaterial absorber (MMA) based on an electric split-ring resonator (ESRR) loaded with lumped resistors is presented. Compared with an ESRR MMA, the composite MMA (CMMA) loaded with lumped resistors offers stronger absorption over an extremely extended bandwidth. The reflectance simulated under different substrate loss conditions indicates that incident electromagnetic (EM) wave energy is mainly consumed by the lumped resistors. The simulated surface current and power loss density distributions further illustrate the mechanism underlying the observed absorption. Further simulation results indicate that the performance of the CMMA can be tuned by adjusting structural parameters of the ESRR and lumped resistor parameters. We fabricated and measured MMA and CMMA samples. The CMMA yielded below -10 dB reflectance from 4.4 GHz to 18 GHz experimentally, with absorption bandwidth and relative bandwidth of 13.6 GHz and 121.4%, respectively. This ultrabroadband microwave absorber has potential applications in the electromagnetic energy harvesting and stealth fields.

Using observed load distributions with a simple model to analyse the epidemiology of sea lice (Lepeophtheirus salmonis) on sea trout (Salmo trutta).

PubMed

Murray, Alexander G

2002-06-01

Sea lice are ectoparasites of salmonids that have been associated with the recent decline in sea trout numbers in north-west Europe. Observed patterns of louse load distribution between sea trout in the seas surrounding the UK, Ireland and Norway and a simple model have been used to analyse the epidemiology of lice. Loads are aggregated and deviate strongly from the Poisson distribution, although less than is observed with many other parasites. The louse numbers on fish from offshore sites are slightly less variable than for fish from coastal sites with comparable mean loads. Analysis of louse development stages and sexes shows that selection between hosts by sea lice plays a limited role. If host selection is absent, then associated poor condition would be caused by, not the cause of, high louse burdens; however the absence of such selection is not proved. Scenarios with infection that is patchy in space and time best generate the aggregated load patterns observed; these patches accord with observed swarms of copepodids. Prevalence patterns may indicate the movement of trout between environments. Control of copepodids in infection 'hot spots', either directly or through control of louse egg production in their catchment, may reduce louse loads on wild sea trout and, in particular, extreme and damaging loads.

Extreme winds and tornadoes: design and evaluation of buildings and structures

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

McDonald, J.R.

1985-01-01

The general provisions of ANSI A58.1-1982 are explained in detail. As mentioned above, these procedures may be used to determine design wind loads on structures from extreme winds, hurricane and tornado winds. Treatment of atmospheric pressure change loads are discussed, including recommendations for venting a building, if necessary, and the effects of rate of pressure change on HVAC systems. Finally, techniques for evaluating existing facilities are described.

Allostasis and allostatic load: implications for neuropsychopharmacology.

PubMed

McEwen, B S

2000-02-01

The primary hormonal mediators of the stress response, glucocorticoids and catecholamines, have both protective and damaging effects on the body. In the short run, they are essential for adaptation, maintenance of homeostasis, and survival (allostasis). Yet, over longer time intervals, they exact a cost (allostatic load) that can accelerate disease processes. The concepts of allostasis and allostatic load center around the brain as interpreter and responder to environmental challenges and as a target of those challenges. In anxiety disorders, depressive illness, hostile and aggressive states, substance abuse, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), allostatic load takes the form of chemical imbalances as well as perturbations in the diurnal rhythm, and, in some cases, atrophy of brain structures. In addition, growing evidence indicates that depressive illness and hostility are both associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) and other systemic disorders. A major risk factor for these conditions is early childhood experiences of abuse and neglect that increase allostatic load later in life and lead individuals into social isolation, hostility, depression, and conditions like extreme obesity and CVD. Animal models support the notion of lifelong influences of early experience on stress hormone reactivity. Whereas, depression and childhood abuse and neglect tend to be more prevalent in individuals at the lower end of the socioeconomic ladder, cardiovascular and other diseases follow a gradient across the full range of socioeconomic status (SES). An SES gradient is also evident for measures of allostatic load. Wide-ranging SES gradients have also been described for substance abuse and affective and anxiety disorders as a function of education. These aspects are discussed as important, emerging public health issues where the brain plays a key role.

Literature review for Texas Department of Transportation Research Project 0-4695: Guidance for design in areas of extreme bed-load mobility, Edwards Plateau, Texas

USGS Publications Warehouse

Heitmuller, Franklin T.; Asquith, William H.; Fang, Xing; Thompson, David B.; Wang, Keh-Han

2005-01-01

A review of the literature addressing sediment transport in gravel-bed river systems and structures designed to control bed-load mobility is provided as part of Texas Department of Transportation research project 0–4695: Guidance for Design in Areas of Extreme Bed-Load Mobility. The study area comprises the western half of the Edwards Plateau in central Texas. Three primary foci of the literature review are journal articles, edited volumes, and government publications. Major themes within the body of literature include deterministic sediment transport theory and equations, development of methods to measure and analyze fluvial sediment, applications and development of theory in natural channels and flume experiments, and recommendations for river management and structural design. The literature review provides an outline and foundation for the research project to characterize extreme bed-load mobility in rivers and streams across the study area. The literature review also provides a basis upon which potential modifications to low-water stream-crossing design in the study area can be made.

Mechanisms and factors involved in hip injuries during frontal crashes.

PubMed

Yoganandan, N; Pintar, F A; Gennarelli, T A; Maltese, M R; Eppinger, R H

2001-11-01

This study was conducted to collect data and gain insights relative to the mechanisms and factors involved in hip injuries during frontal crashes and to study the tolerance of hip injuries from this type of loading. Unembalmed human cadavers were seated on a standard automotive seat (reinforced) and subjected to knee impact test to each lower extremity. Varying combinations of flexion and adduction/abduction were used for initial alignment conditions and pre-positioning. Accelerometers were fixed to the iliac wings and twelfth thoracic vertebral spinous process. A 23.4-kg padded pendulum impacted the knee at velocities ranging from 4.3 to 7.6 m/s. The impacting direction was along the anteroposterior axis, i.e., the global X-axis, in the body-fixed coordinate system. A load cell on the front of the pendulum recorded the impact force. Peak impact forces ranged from 2,450 to 10,950 N. The rate of loading ranged from 123 to 7,664 N/msec. The impulse values ranged from 12.4 to 31.9 Nsec. Injuries were not apparent in three tests. Eight tests resulted in trauma. Fractures involving the pelvis including the acetabulum and proximal femur occurred in five out of the eight tests, and distal femoral bone fracture occurred in one test. These results underscore the importance of leg pre-positioning and the orientation of the impacting axis to produce specific types of trauma to the pelvic region of the lower extremity.

Increasing Running Step Rate Reduces Patellofemoral Joint Forces

PubMed Central

Lenhart, Rachel L.; Thelen, Darryl G.; Wille, Christa M.; Chumanov, Elizabeth S.; Heiderscheit, Bryan C.

2013-01-01

Purpose Increasing step rate has been shown to elicit changes in joint kinematics and kinetics during running, and has been suggested as a possible rehabilitation strategy for runners with patellofemoral pain. The purpose of this study was to determine how altering step rate affects internal muscle forces and patellofemoral joint loads, and then to determine what kinematic and kinetic factors best predict changes in joint loading. Methods We recorded whole body kinematics of 30 healthy adults running on an instrumented treadmill at three step rate conditions (90%, 100%, and 110% of preferred step rate). We then used a 3D lower extremity musculoskeletal model to estimate muscle, patellar tendon, and patellofemoral joint forces throughout the running gait cycles. Additionally, linear regression analysis allowed us to ascertain the relative influence of limb posture and external loads on patellofemoral joint force. Results Increasing step rate to 110% of preferred reduced peak patellofemoral joint force by 14%. Peak muscle forces were also altered as a result of the increased step rate with hip, knee and ankle extensor forces, and hip abductor forces all reduced in mid-stance. Compared to the 90% step rate condition, there was a concomitant increase in peak rectus femoris and hamstring loads during early and late swing, respectively, at higher step rates. Peak stance phase knee flexion decreased with increasing step rate, and was found to be the most important predictor of the reduction in patellofemoral joint loading. Conclusion Increasing step rate is an effective strategy to reduce patellofemoral joint forces and could be effective in modulating biomechanical factors that can contribute to patellofemoral pain. PMID:23917470

Genetic evaluations for growth heat tolerance in Angus cattle.

PubMed

Bradford, H L; Fragomeni, B O; Bertrand, J K; Lourenco, D A L; Misztal, I

2016-10-01

The objectives were to assess the impact of heat stress and to develop a model for genetic evaluation of growth heat tolerance in Angus cattle. The American Angus Association provided weaning weight (WW) and yearling weight (YW) data, and records from the Upper South region were used because of the hot climatic conditions. Heat stress was characterized by a weaning (yearling) heat load function defined as the mean temperature-humidity index (THI) units greater than 75 (70) for 30 (150) d prior to the weigh date. Therefore, a weaning (yearling) heat load of 5 units corresponded to 80 (75) for the corresponding period prior to the weigh date. For all analyses, 82,669 WW and 69,040 YW were used with 3 ancestral generations in the pedigree. Univariate models were a proxy for the Angus growth evaluation, and reaction norms using 2 B-splines for heat load were fit separately for weaning and yearling heat loads. For both models, random effects included direct genetic, maternal genetic, maternal permanent environment (WW only), and residual. Fixed effects included a linear age covariate, age-of-dam class (WW only), and contemporary group for both models and fixed regressions on the B-splines in the reaction norm. Direct genetic correlations for WW were strong for modest heat load differences but decreased to less than 0.50 for large differences. Reranking of proven sires occurred for only WW direct effects for the reaction norms with extreme heat load differences. Conversely, YW results indicated little effect of heat stress on genetic merit. Therefore, weaning heat tolerance was a better candidate for developing selection tools. Maternal heritabilities were consistent across heat loads, and maternal genetic correlations were greater than 0.90 for nearly all heat load combinations. No evidence existed for a genotype × environment interaction for the maternal component of growth. Overall, some evidence exists for phenotypic plasticity for the direct genetic effects of WW, but traditional national cattle evaluations are likely adequately ranking sires for nonextreme environmental conditions.

Complex Fluids and Hydraulic Fracturing.

PubMed

Barbati, Alexander C; Desroches, Jean; Robisson, Agathe; McKinley, Gareth H

2016-06-07

Nearly 70 years old, hydraulic fracturing is a core technique for stimulating hydrocarbon production in a majority of oil and gas reservoirs. Complex fluids are implemented in nearly every step of the fracturing process, most significantly to generate and sustain fractures and transport and distribute proppant particles during and following fluid injection. An extremely wide range of complex fluids are used: naturally occurring polysaccharide and synthetic polymer solutions, aqueous physical and chemical gels, organic gels, micellar surfactant solutions, emulsions, and foams. These fluids are loaded over a wide range of concentrations with particles of varying sizes and aspect ratios and are subjected to extreme mechanical and environmental conditions. We describe the settings of hydraulic fracturing (framed by geology), fracturing mechanics and physics, and the critical role that non-Newtonian fluid dynamics and complex fluids play in the hydraulic fracturing process.

X-ray diffraction on radioactive materials

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Schiferl, D.; Roof, R.B.

1978-01-01

X-ray diffraction studies on radioactive materials are discussed with the aim of providing a guide to new researchers in the field. Considerable emphasis is placed on the safe handling and loading of not-too-exotic samples. Special considerations such as the problems of film blackening by the gamma rays and changes induced by the self-irradiation of the sample are covered. Some modifications of common diffraction techniques are presented. Finally, diffraction studies on radioactive samples under extreme conditions are discussed, with primary emphasis on high-pressure studies involving diamond-anvil cells.

Tensile behaviour of geopolymer-based materials under medium and high strain rates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Menna, Costantino; Asprone, Domenico; Forni, Daniele; Roviello, Giuseppina; Ricciotti, Laura; Ferone, Claudio; Bozza, Anna; Prota, Andrea; Cadoni, Ezio

2015-09-01

Geopolymers are a promising class of inorganic materials typically obtained from an alluminosilicate source and an alkaline solution, and characterized by an amorphous 3-D framework structure. These materials are particularly attractive for the construction industry due to mechanical and environmental advantages they exhibit compared to conventional systems. Indeed, geopolymer-based concretes represent a challenge for the large scale uses of such a binder material and many research studies currently focus on this topic. However, the behaviour of geopolymers under high dynamic loads is rarely investigated, even though it is of a fundamental concern for the integrity/vulnerability assessment under extreme dynamic events. The present study aims to investigate the effect of high dynamic loading conditions on the tensile behaviour of different geopolymer formulations. The dynamic tests were performed under different strain rates by using a Hydro-pneumatic machine and a modified Hopkinson bar at the DynaMat laboratory of the University of Applied Sciences of Southern Switzerland. The results are processed in terms of stress-strain relationships and strength dynamic increase factor at different strain-rate levels. The dynamic increase factor was also compared with CEB recommendations. The experimental outcomes can be used to assess the constitutive laws of geopolymers under dynamic load conditions and implemented into analytical models.

Effects of Mountain Pine Beetle on Fuels and Expected Fire Behavior in Lodgepole Pine Forests, Colorado, USA

PubMed Central

Schoennagel, Tania; Veblen, Thomas T.; Negron, José F.; Smith, Jeremy M.

2012-01-01

In Colorado and southern Wyoming, mountain pine beetle (MPB) has affected over 1.6 million ha of predominantly lodgepole pine forests, raising concerns about effects of MPB-caused mortality on subsequent wildfire risk and behavior. Using empirical data we modeled potential fire behavior across a gradient of wind speeds and moisture scenarios in Green stands compared three stages since MPB attack (Red [1–3 yrs], Grey [4–10 yrs], and Old-MPB [∼30 yrs]). MPB killed 50% of the trees and 70% of the basal area in Red and Grey stages. Across moisture scenarios, canopy fuel moisture was one-third lower in Red and Grey stages compared to the Green stage, making active crown fire possible at lower wind speeds and less extreme moisture conditions. More-open canopies and high loads of large surface fuels due to treefall in Grey and Old-MPB stages significantly increased surface fireline intensities, facilitating active crown fire at lower wind speeds (>30–55 km/hr) across all moisture scenarios. Not accounting for low foliar moistures in Red and Grey stages, and large surface fuels in Grey and Old-MPB stages, underestimates the occurrence of active crown fire. Under extreme burning conditions, minimum wind speeds for active crown fire were 25–35 km/hr lower for Red, Grey and Old-MPB stands compared to Green. However, if transition to crown fire occurs (outside the stand, or within the stand via ladder fuels or wind gusts >65 km/hr), active crown fire would be sustained at similar wind speeds, suggesting observed fire behavior may not be qualitatively different among MPB stages under extreme burning conditions. Overall, the risk (probability) of active crown fire appears elevated in MPB-affected stands, but the predominant fire hazard (crown fire) is similar across MPB stages and is characteristic of lodgepole pine forests where extremely dry, gusty weather conditions are key factors in determining fire behavior. PMID:22272268

Strain Response of the Anterior Cruciate Ligament to Uniplanar and Multiplanar Loads During Simulated Landings: Implications for Injury Mechanism.

PubMed

Kiapour, Ata M; Demetropoulos, Constantine K; Kiapour, Ali; Quatman, Carmen E; Wordeman, Samuel C; Goel, Vijay K; Hewett, Timothy E

2016-08-01

Despite basic characterization of the loading factors that strain the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), the interrelationship(s) and additive nature of these loads that occur during noncontact ACL injuries remain incompletely characterized. In the presence of an impulsive axial compression, simulating vertical ground-reaction force during landing (1) both knee abduction and internal tibial rotation moments would result in increased peak ACL strain, and (2) a combined multiplanar loading condition, including both knee abduction and internal tibial rotation moments, would increase the peak ACL strain to levels greater than those under uniplanar loading modes alone. Controlled laboratory study. A cadaveric model of landing was used to simulate dynamic landings during a jump in 17 cadaveric lower extremities (age, 45 ± 7 years; 9 female and 8 male). Peak ACL strain was measured in situ and characterized under impulsive axial compression and simulated muscle forces (baseline) followed by addition of anterior tibial shear, knee abduction, and internal tibial rotation loads in both uni- and multiplanar modes, simulating a broad range of landing conditions. The associations between knee rotational kinematics and peak ACL strain levels were further investigated to determine the potential noncontact injury mechanism. Externally applied loads, under both uni- and multiplanar conditions, resulted in consistent increases in peak ACL strain compared with the baseline during simulated landings (by up to 3.5-fold; P ≤ .032). Combined multiplanar loading resulted in the greatest increases in peak ACL strain (P < .001). Degrees of knee abduction rotation (R(2) = 0.45; β = 0.42) and internal tibial rotation (R(2) = 0.32; β = 0.23) were both significantly correlated with peak ACL strain (P < .001). However, changes in knee abduction rotation had a significantly greater effect size on peak ACL strain levels than did internal tibial rotation (by ~2-fold; P < .001). In the presence of impulsive axial compression, the combination of anterior tibial shear force, knee abduction, and internal tibial rotation moments significantly increases ACL strain, which could result in ACL failure. These findings support multiplanar knee valgus collapse as one the primary mechanisms of noncontact ACL injuries during landing. Intervention programs that address multiple planes of loading may decrease the risk of ACL injury and the devastating consequences of posttraumatic knee osteoarthritis. © 2016 The Author(s).

Wave simulation for the design of an innovative quay wall: the case of Vlorë Harbour

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Antonini, Alessandro; Archetti, Renata; Lamberti, Alberto

2017-01-01

Sea states and environmental conditions are basic data for the design of marine structures. Hindcasted wave data have been applied here with the aim of identifying the proper design conditions for an innovative quay wall concept. In this paper, the results of a computational fluid dynamics model are used to optimise the new absorbing quay wall of Vlorë Harbour (Republic of Albania) and define the design loads under extreme wave conditions. The design wave states at the harbour entrance have been estimated analysing 31 years of hindcasted wave data simulated through the application of WaveWatch III. Due to the particular geography and topography of the Bay of Vlorë, wave conditions generated from the north-west are transferred to the harbour entrance with the application of a 2-D spectral wave module, whereas southern wave states, which are also the most critical for the port structures, are defined by means of a wave generation model, according to the available wind measurements. Finally, the identified extreme events have been used, through the NewWave approach, as boundary conditions for the numerical analysis of the interaction between the quay wall and the extreme events. The results show that the proposed method, based on numerical modelling at different scales from macro to meso and to micro, allows for the identification of the best site-specific solutions, also for a location devoid of any wave measurement. In this light, the objectives of the paper are two-fold. First, they show the application of sea condition estimations through the use of wave hindcasted data in order to properly define the design wave conditions for a new harbour structure. Second, they present a new approach for investigating an innovative absorbing quay wall based on CFD modelling and the NewWave theory.

Considerations in development and implementation of elasto-viscoplastic constitutive model for high temperature applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Riff, Richard

1988-01-01

The prediction of inelastic behavior of metallic materials at elevated temperatures has increased in importance in recent years. The operating conditions within the hot section of a rocket motor or a modern gas turbine engine present an extremely harsh thermomechanical environment. Large thermal transients are induced each time the engine is started or shut down. Additional thermal transients from an elevated ambient occur whenever the engine power level is adjusted to meet flight requirements. The structural elements employed in such hot sections, as well as any engine components located therein, must be capable of withstanding such extreme conditions. Failure of a component would, due to the critical nature of the hot section, lead to an immediate and catastrophic loss in power. Consequently, assuring satisfactory long term performance for such components is a major concern. Nonisothermal loading of structures often causes excursion of stress well into the inelastic range. Moreover, the influence of geometry changes on the response is also significant in most cases. Therefore, both material and geometric nonlinear effects are considered.

Extension of drop experiments with the MIKROBA balloon drop facility

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sommer, K.; Kretzschmar, K.; Dorn, C.

1992-12-01

The German balloon drop facility MIKROBA extends the worldwide available drop experiment opportunities to the presently highest usable experimentation time span of 55 s at microgravity conditions better than 0.001 g. The microgravity period is started with the typical quasi-deal step function from 1 to 0 g. MIKROBA allows flexible experiment design, short access time, and easy hands-on payload integration. The transport to the operational height is realized by soft energies and technologies compatible with the earth's environment. Balloon campaigns are not restricted to a certain test range, i.e., several suitable sites are available all over the world. MIKROBA combines negligible mechanical loads at the mission start, typical of all drop facilities, with extremely low drop deceleration loads (less than g), due to the implemented three-stage parachute and airbag recovery subsystem.

Developments in advanced and energy saving thermal isolations for cryogenic applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shu, Q. S.; Demko, J. A.; Fesmire, J. E.

2015-12-01

The cooling power consumption in large scale superconducting systems is huge and cryogenic devices used in space applications often require an extremely long cryogen holding time. To economically maintain the device at its operating temperature and minimize the refrigeration losses, high performance of thermal isolation is essential. The radiation from warm surrounding surfaces and conducting heat leaks through supports and penetrations are the dominant heat loads to the cold mass under vacuum condition. The advanced developments in various cryogenic applications to successfully reduce the heat loads through radiation and conduction are briefly and systematically discussed and evaluated in this review paper. These include: (1) thermal Insulation for different applications (foams, perlites, glass bubbles, aerogel and MLI), (2) sophisticated low-heat-leak support (cryogenic tension straps, trolley bars and posts with dedicated thermal intercepts), and (3) novel cryogenic heat switches.

Minimal climate change impacts on natural organic matter forecasted for a potable water supply in Ireland.

PubMed

O'Driscoll, Connie; Ledesma, José L J; Coll, John; Murnane, John G; Nolan, Paul; Mockler, Eva M; Futter, Martyn N; Xiao, Liwen W

2018-07-15

Natural organic matter poses an increasing challenge to water managers because of its potential adverse impacts on water treatment and distribution, and subsequently human health. Projections were made of impacts of climate change on dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in the primarily agricultural Boyne catchment which is used as a potable water supply in Ireland. The results indicated that excluding a potential rise in extreme precipitation, future projected loads are not dissimilar to those observed under current conditions. This is because projected increases in DOC concentrations are offset by corresponding decreases in precipitation and hence river flow. However, the results presented assume no changes in land use and highlight the predicted increase in DOC loads from abstracted waters at water treatment plants. Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Effect of storm events on riverine nitrogen dynamics in a subtropical watershed, southeastern China.

PubMed

Chen, Nengwang; Wu, Jiezhong; Hong, Huasheng

2012-08-01

Rain storms are predicted to increase in the subtropical region due to climate change. However, the effects of storm events on riverine nitrogen (N) dynamics are poorly understood. In this study, the riverine N dynamics and storm effects in a large subtropical river (North Jiulong River, southeastern China) were investigated through continuous sampling of two storm events which occurred in June 2010 and June 2011. The results disclosed a strong linkage between N dynamics and hydrological controls and watershed characteristics. The extreme storm in June 2010 resulted in more fluctuations in N concentrations, loads, and composition, compared with the moderate storm in June 2011. There were contrasting patterns (e.g., the hysteresis effect) between nitrate and ammonium behavior in storm runoff, reflecting their different supply source and transport mechanism. Overall, nitrate supply originated from subsurface runoff and was dominated by within-channel mobilization, while ammonium was mainly from over-land sources and flushed by surface runoff. Extreme storm runoff (2010) caused a four-fold increase in dissolved inorganic N fluxes (DIN), with a greater fraction of ammonium (up to 30% of DIN) compared with the moderate storm and background flow condition (less than 15%). Storm-driven sharp increases of N loads and changes in nutrient stoichiometry (more ammonium) might have been connected with algal blooms in the adjacent estuary and Xiamen Bay. Combined with the background flow measurement of N gradients along the main river and a stream together with anthropogenic N load information, the interactive effect of hydrological and biogeochemical process on riverine N was preliminarily revealed. Current results suggested that storm runoff N was controlled by rainfall, hydrological condition, antecedent soil moisture, spatial variability of land-based N source, and damming. These findings could be used as a reference for future water quality monitoring programs and the development of a pollution mitigation strategy. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Kinematic and kinetic comparison of running in standard and minimalist shoes.

PubMed

Willy, Richard W; Davis, Irene S

2014-02-01

The purpose of this study was to determine whether running in a minimalist shoe results in a reduction in ground reaction forces and alters kinematics over standard shoe running. The secondary purpose of this study was to determine whether within-session accommodation to a novel minimalist shoe occurs. Subjects were 14 male, rearfoot striking runners who had never run in a minimalist shoe. Subjects were tested while running 3.35 m·s(-1) for 10 min on an instrumented treadmill in a minimalist and a standard shoe as three-dimensional lower extremity kinematics and kinetics were evaluated. Data were collected at minute 1 and then again after 10 min of running in both shoe conditions to evaluate accommodation to the shoe conditions. Shoe-time interactions were not found for any of the variables of interest. Minimalist shoe running resulted in no changes in step length (P = 0.967) or in step rate (P = 0.230). At footstrike, greater knee flexion (P = 0.001) and greater dorsiflexion angle (P = 0.025) were noted in the minimalist shoe. Vertical impact peak (P = 0.017) and average vertical loading rate (P < 0.000) were greater during minimalist shoe running. There were main effects of time as dorsiflexion angle decreased (P = 0.035), foot inclination at footstrike decreased (P = 0.048), and knee flexion at footstrike increased (P = 0.002), yet the vertical impact peak (P = 0.002) and average vertical loading rate (P < 0.000) increased. Running in a minimalist shoe appears to, at least in the short term, increase loading of the lower extremity over standard shoe running. The accommodation period resulted in less favorable landing mechanics in both shoes. These findings bring into question whether minimal shoes will provide enough feedback to induce an alteration that is similar to barefoot running.

Tornado risks and design windspeeds for the Oak Ridge Plant Site

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Not Available

1975-08-01

The effects of tornadoes and other extreme winds should be considered in establishing design criteria for structures to resist wind loads. Design standards that are incorporated in building codes do not normally include the effects of tornadoes in their wind load criteria. Some tornado risk models ignore the presence of nontornadic extreme winds. The purpose of this study is to determine the probability of tornadic and straight winds exceeding a threshold value in the geographical region surrounding the Oak Ridge, Tennessee plant site.

Experimental Comparison of Dynamic Responses of a Tension Moored Floating Wind Turbine Platform with and without Spring Dampers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wright, C.; O'Sullivan, K.; Murphy, J.; Pakrashi, V.

2015-07-01

The offshore wind industry is rapidly maturing and is now expanding to more extreme environments in deeper water and farther from shore. To date fixed foundation types (i.e. monopoles, jackets) have been primarily used but become uneconomical in water depths greater than 50m. Floating foundations have more complex dynamics but at the moment no design has reached commercialization, although a number of devices are being tested at prototype stage. The development of concepts is carried out through physical model testing of scaled devices such that to better understand the dynamics of the system and validate numerical models. This paper investigates the testing of a scale model of a tension moored wind turbine at two different scales and in the presence and absence of a spring damper controlling its dynamic response. The models were tested under combined wave and wind thrust loading conditions. The analysis compares the motions of the platform at different scales and structural conditions through RAO, testing a mooring spring damper for load reductions.

Plasma Chamber and First Wall of the Ignitor Experiment^*

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cucchiaro, A.; Coppi, B.; Bianchi, A.; Lucca, F.

2005-10-01

The new designs of the Plasma Chamber (PC) and of the First Wall (FW) system are based on updated scenarios for vertical plasma disruption (VDE) as well as estimates for the maximum thermal wall loadings at ignition. The PC wall thickness has been optimized to reduce the deformation during the worst disruption event without sacrificing the dimensions of the plasma column. A non linear dynamic analysis of the PC has been performed on a 360^o model of it, taking into account possible toroidal asymmetries of the halo current. Radial EM loads obtained by scaling JET measurements have been also considered. The low-cycle fatigue analysis confirms that the PC is able to meet a lifetime of few thousand cycles for the most extreme combinations of magnetic fields and plasma currents. The FW, made of Molybdenum (TZM) tiles covering the entire inner surface of the PC, has been designed to withstand thermal and EM loads, both under normal operating conditions and in case of disruption. Detailed elasto-plastic structural analyses of the most (EM) loaded tile-carriers show that these are compatible with the adopted fabrication requirements. ^*Sponsored in part by ENEA of Italy and by the U.S. DOE.

Extraction of human gait signatures: an inverse kinematic approach using Groebner basis theory applied to gait cycle analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Barki, Anum; Kendricks, Kimberly; Tuttle, Ronald F.; Bunker, David J.; Borel, Christoph C.

2013-05-01

This research highlights the results obtained from applying the method of inverse kinematics, using Groebner basis theory, to the human gait cycle to extract and identify lower extremity gait signatures. The increased threat from suicide bombers and the force protection issues of today have motivated a team at Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) to research pattern recognition in the human gait cycle. The purpose of this research is to identify gait signatures of human subjects and distinguish between subjects carrying a load to those subjects without a load. These signatures were investigated via a model of the lower extremities based on motion capture observations, in particular, foot placement and the joint angles for subjects affected by carrying extra load on the body. The human gait cycle was captured and analyzed using a developed toolkit consisting of an inverse kinematic motion model of the lower extremity and a graphical user interface. Hip, knee, and ankle angles were analyzed to identify gait angle variance and range of motion. Female subjects exhibited the most knee angle variance and produced a proportional correlation between knee flexion and load carriage.

Determination of three-dimensional joint loading within the lower extremities in snowboarding.

PubMed

Krüger, Andreas; McAlpine, Paul; Borrani, Fabio; Edelmann-Nusser, Jürgen

2012-02-01

In the biomechanical literature only a few studies are available focusing on the determination of joint loading within the lower extremities in snowboarding. These studies are limited to analysis in a restricted capture volume due to the use of optical video-based systems. To overcome this restriction the aim of the present study was to develop a method to determine net joint moments within the lower extremities in snowboarding for complete measurement runs. An experienced snowboarder performed several runs equipped with two custom-made force plates as well as a full-body inertial measurement system. A rigid, multi-segment model was developed to describe the motion and loads within the lower extremities. This model is based on an existing lower-body model and designed to be run by the OpenSim software package. Measured kinetic and kinematic data were imported into the OpenSim program and inverse dynamic calculations were performed. The results illustrate the potential of the developed method for the determination of joint loadings within the lower extremities for complete measurement runs in a real snowboarding environment. The calculated net joint moments of force are reasonable in comparison to the data presented in the literature. A good reliability of the method seems to be indicated by the low data variation between different turns. Due to the unknown accuracy of this method the application for inter-individual studies as well as studies of injury mechanisms may be limited. For intra-individual studies comparing different snowboarding techniques as well as different snowboard equipment the method seems to be beneficial. The validity of the method needs to be studied further.

Prognostic factors for specific lower extremity and spinal musculoskeletal injuries identified through medical screening and training load monitoring in professional football (soccer): a systematic review

PubMed Central

Sergeant, Jamie C; Parkes, Matthew J; Callaghan, Michael J

2017-01-01

Background Medical screening and load monitoring procedures are commonly used in professional football to assess factors perceived to be associated with injury. Objectives To identify prognostic factors (PFs) and models for lower extremity and spinal musculoskeletal injuries in professional/elite football players from medical screening and training load monitoring processes. Methods The MEDLINE, AMED, EMBASE, CINAHL Plus, SPORTDiscus and PubMed electronic bibliographic databases were searched (from inception to January 2017). Prospective and retrospective cohort studies of lower extremity and spinal musculoskeletal injury incidence in professional/elite football players aged between 16 and 40 years were included. The Quality in Prognostic Studies appraisal tool and the modified Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation synthesis approach was used to assess the quality of the evidence. Results Fourteen studies were included. 16 specific lower extremity injury outcomes were identified. No spinal injury outcomes were identified. Meta-analysis was not possible due to heterogeneity and study quality. All evidence related to PFs and specific lower extremity injury outcomes was of very low to low quality. On the few occasions where multiple studies could be used to compare PFs and outcomes, only two factors demonstrated consensus. A history of previous hamstring injuries (HSI) and increasing age may be prognostic for future HSI in male players. Conclusions The assumed ability of medical screening tests to predict specific musculoskeletal injuries is not supported by the current evidence. Screening procedures should currently be considered as benchmarks of function or performance only. The prognostic value of load monitoring modalities is unknown. PMID:29177074

Direct Burial Broadband Seismic Instrumentation that are Rugged and Tilt Tolerant for Polar Environments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Parker, Tim; Winberry, Paul; Huerta, Audrey; Bainbridge, Geoff; Devanney, Peter

2016-04-01

The integrated broadband Meridian Posthole and Compact seismic systems have been engineered and tested for extreme polar environments. Ten percent of the Earth's surface is covered in glacial ice and the dynamics of these environments is a strategic concern for all. The development for these systems was driven by researchers needing to densify observations in ice covered regions with difficult and limited logistics. Funding from an NSF MRI award, GEOICE and investment from the vendor enabled researchers to write the specifications for a hybrid family of instruments that can operate at -55C autonomously with very little power, 1 watt for the Meridian Compact system and 1.5 watts for the Meridian 120PH. Tilt tolerance in unstable ice conditions was a concern and these instruments have a range of up to +/-5 degrees. The form factor, extreme temperature tolerance and power load of the instruments has reduced the bulk of a complete station by 1/2 and simplified installation greatly allowing more instruments to be deployed with limited support and a lighter logistical load. These systems are being tested in the Antarctic at SouthPole Station and McMurdo for the second year and the investment has encouraged other instrument and power system vendors to offer polar rated equipment including telemetry for ancillary support.

A Study of the Impact of Peak Demand on Increasing Vulnerability of Cascading Failures to Extreme Contingency Events

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Vyakaranam, Bharat GNVSR; Vallem, Mallikarjuna R.; Nguyen, Tony B.

The vulnerability of large power systems to cascading failures and major blackouts has become evident since the Northeast blackout in 1965. Based on analyses of the series of cascading blackouts in the past decade, the research community realized the urgent need to develop better methods, tools, and practices for performing cascading-outage analysis and for evaluating mitigations that are easily accessible by utility planning engineers. PNNL has developed the Dynamic Contingency Analysis Tool (DCAT) as an open-platform and publicly available methodology to help develop applications that aim to improve the capabilities of power planning engineers to assess the impact and likelihoodmore » of extreme contingencies and potential cascading events across their systems and interconnections. DCAT analysis will help identify potential vulnerabilities and allow study of mitigation solutions to reduce the risk of cascading outages in technically sound and effective ways. Using the DCAT capability, we examined the impacts of various load conditions to identify situations in which the power grid may encounter cascading outages that could lead to potential blackouts. This paper describes the usefulness of the DCAT tool and how it helps to understand potential impacts of load demand on cascading failures on the power system.« less

Development of synchrotron X-ray micro-tomography under extreme conditions of pressure and temperature.

PubMed

Álvarez-Murga, M; Perrillat, J P; Le Godec, Y; Bergame, F; Philippe, J; King, A; Guignot, N; Mezouar, M; Hodeau, J L

2017-01-01

X-ray tomography is a non-destructive three-dimensional imaging/microanalysis technique selective to a wide range of properties such as density, chemical composition, chemical states and crystallographic structure with extremely high sensitivity and spatial resolution. Here the development of in situ high-pressure high-temperature micro-tomography using a rotating module for the Paris-Edinburgh cell combined with synchrotron radiation is described. By rotating the sample chamber by 360°, the limited angular aperture of ordinary high-pressure cells is surmounted. Such a non-destructive high-resolution probe provides three-dimensional insight on the morphological and structural evolution of crystalline as well as amorphous phases during high pressure and temperature treatment. To demonstrate the potentials of this new experimental technique the compression behavior of a basalt glass is investigated by X-ray absorption tomography, and diffraction/scattering tomography imaging of the structural changes during the polymerization of C 60 molecules under pressure is performed. Small size and weight of the loading frame and rotating module means that this apparatus is portable, and can be readily installed on most synchrotron facilities to take advantage of the diversity of three-dimensional imaging techniques available at beamlines. This experimental breakthrough should open new ways for in situ imaging of materials under extreme pressure-temperature-stress conditions, impacting diverse areas in physics, chemistry, geology or materials sciences.

A musculoskeletal model of the upper extremity for use in the development of neuroprosthetic systems

PubMed Central

Blana, Dimitra; Hincapie, Juan G.; Chadwick, Edward K.; Kirsch, Robert F.

2008-01-01

Upper extremity neuroprostheses use functional electrical stimulation (FES) to restore arm motor function to individuals with cervical level spinal cord injury. For the design and testing of these systems, a biomechanical model of the shoulder and elbow has been developed, to be used as a substitute for the human arm. It can be used to design and evaluate specific implementations of FES systems, as well as FES controllers. The model can be customized to simulate a variety of pathological conditions. For example, by adjusting the maximum force the muscles can produce, the model can be used to simulate an individual with tetraplegia and to explore the effects of FES of different muscle sets. The model comprises six bones, five joints, nine degrees of freedom, and 29 shoulder and arm muscles. It was developed using commercial, graphics-based modeling and simulation packages that are easily accessible to other researchers and can be readily interfaced to other analysis packages. It can be used for both forward-dynamic (inputs: muscle activation and external load; outputs:motions) and inverse-dynamic (inputs: motions and external load; outputs: muscle activation) simulations. Our model was verified by comparing the model-calculated muscle activations to electromyographic signals recorded from shoulder and arm muscles of five subjects. As an example of its application to neuroprosthesis design, the model was used to demonstrate the importance of rotator cuff muscle stimulation when aiming to restore humeral elevation. It is concluded that this model is a useful tool in the development and implementation of upper extremity neuroprosthetic systems. PMID:18420213

A musculoskeletal model of the upper extremity for use in the development of neuroprosthetic systems.

PubMed

Blana, Dimitra; Hincapie, Juan G; Chadwick, Edward K; Kirsch, Robert F

2008-01-01

Upper extremity neuroprostheses use functional electrical stimulation (FES) to restore arm motor function to individuals with cervical level spinal cord injury. For the design and testing of these systems, a biomechanical model of the shoulder and elbow has been developed, to be used as a substitute for the human arm. It can be used to design and evaluate specific implementations of FES systems, as well as FES controllers. The model can be customized to simulate a variety of pathological conditions. For example, by adjusting the maximum force the muscles can produce, the model can be used to simulate an individual with tetraplegia and to explore the effects of FES of different muscle sets. The model comprises six bones, five joints, nine degrees of freedom, and 29 shoulder and arm muscles. It was developed using commercial, graphics-based modeling and simulation packages that are easily accessible to other researchers and can be readily interfaced to other analysis packages. It can be used for both forward-dynamic (inputs: muscle activation and external load; outputs: motions) and inverse-dynamic (inputs: motions and external load; outputs: muscle activation) simulations. Our model was verified by comparing the model calculated muscle activations to electromyographic signals recorded from shoulder and arm muscles of five subjects. As an example of its application to neuroprosthesis design, the model was used to demonstrate the importance of rotator cuff muscle stimulation when aiming to restore humeral elevation. It is concluded that this model is a useful tool in the development and implementation of upper extremity neuroprosthetic systems.

Combined Bearing Capacity of Spudcans on a Double Layer Deposit of Strong-Over-Weak Clays

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yin, Qilin; Dong, Sheng

2018-05-01

An extreme sea storm process can lead to a jack-up rig under the combined loading condition of vertical load (V), horizontal load (H), and moment (M) to have stability problems. This paper presents the analysis of combined bearing capacities of a circular spudcan on layered clays with a strong layer overlying a comparatively weaker layer. Numerical models combined with displacement- based load tests, swipe tests, and constant ratio displacement probe tests are adopted to calculate the uniaxial bearing capacities, failure envelopes in combined V-H, V-M planes, and failure envelopes in a combined V-H-M load space, respectively. A parametric study on the effects of vertical load level V, the layer strength ratio s u,t/s u,b, and the hard layer thickness t 1 on the bearing capacities is then performed. Results show that the vertical load level is a key factor that influences the values of H and M and the size of the H-M failure envelope. The existence of the underlying weak clay decreases the bearing capacities in all directions, and the vertical capacity V ult is affected more than the horizontal (H ult) and moment (M ult) capacities based on a single uniform deposit. The influence of the underlying weak clay on H-M failure envelope is mainly shown where H and M are coupled in the same direction. In contrast, little difference is observed when H and M are coupled in opposite directions.

Oblique Loading in Post Mortem Human Surrogates from Vehicle Lateral Impact Tests using Chestbands.

PubMed

Yoganandan, Narayan; Humm, John R; Pintar, Frank A; Arun, Mike W J; Rhule, Heather; Rudd, Rodney; Craig, Matthew

2015-11-01

While numerous studies have been conducted to determine side impact responses of Post Mortem Human Surrogates (PMHS) using sled and other equipment, experiments using the biological surrogate in modern full-scale vehicles are not available. The present study investigated the presence of oblique loading in moving deformable barrier and pole tests. Threepoint belt restrained PMHS were positioned in the left front and left rear seats in the former and left front seat in the latter condition and tested according to consumer testing protocols. Three chestbands were used in each specimen (upper, middle and lower thorax). Accelerometers were secured to the skull, shoulder, upper, middle and lower thoracic vertebrae, sternum, and sacrum. Chestband signals were processed to determine magnitudes and angulations of peak deflections. The magnitude and timing of various signal peaks are given. Vehicle accelerations, door velocities, and seat belt loads are also given. Analysis of deformation contours, peak deflections, and angulations indicated that the left rear seated specimen were exposed to anterior oblique loading while left front specimens in both tests sustained essentially pure lateral loading to the torso. These data can be used to validate human body computational models. The occurrence of oblique loading in full-scale testing, hitherto unrecognized, may serve to stimulate the exploration of its role in injuries to the thorax and lower extremities in modern vehicles. It may be important to continue research in this area because injury metrics have a lower threshold for angled loading.

Reconstructive challenges in war wounds

PubMed Central

Bhandari, Prem Singh; Maurya, Sanjay; Mukherjee, Mrinal Kanti

2012-01-01

War wounds are devastating with extensive soft tissue and osseous destruction and heavy contamination. War casualties generally reach the reconstructive surgery centre after a delayed period due to additional injuries to the vital organs. This delay in their transfer to a tertiary care centre is responsible for progressive deterioration in wound conditions. In the prevailing circumstances, a majority of war wounds undergo delayed reconstruction, after a series of debridements. In the recent military conflicts, hydrosurgery jet debridement and negative pressure wound therapy have been successfully used in the preparation of war wounds. In war injuries, due to a heavy casualty load, a faster and reliable method of reconstruction is aimed at. Pedicle flaps in extremities provide rapid and reliable cover in extremity wounds. Large complex defects can be reconstructed using microvascular free flaps in a single stage. This article highlights the peculiarities and the challenges encountered in the reconstruction of these ghastly wounds. PMID:23162233

Membrane bioreactors for treating waste streams.

PubMed

Howell, J A; Arnot, T C; Liu, W

2003-03-01

Membrane bioreactors (MBRs) have a number of advantages for treating wastewater containing large quantities of BOD. This paper reviews the inherent advantages of an MBR, which include high potential biomass loadings, lower sludge yields, and retention of specialized organisms that may not settle well in clarifiers. A major problem in effluent treatment occurs when mixed inorganic and organic wastes occur with high concentrations of pollutants. Inorganics that might cause extremes of pH and/or salinity will inhibit microbial growth and only specialized organisms can survive under these conditions. Refractory organics are only biodegraded with difficulty by specialized organisms, which usually do not resist the extreme inorganic environments. The use of membrane bioreactors to help separate the micro-organisms from the inorganic compounds, yet permit the organics to permeate, has been developed in two different designs that are outlined in this paper. The use of membrane contactors in a multimembrane stripping system to treat acidic chlorinated wastes is proposed and discussed.

The effects of age and type of carrying task on lower extremity kinematics

PubMed Central

Gillette, Jason C.; Stevermer, Catherine A.; Miller, Ross H.; Meardon, Stacey A.; Schwab, Charles V.

2009-01-01

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of age, load amount, and load symmetry on lower extremity kinematics during carrying tasks. Forty-two participants in four age groups (8-10 years, 12-14 years, 15-17 years, and adults) carried loads of 0%, 10%, and 20% body weight (BW) in large or small buckets unilaterally and bilaterally. Reflective markers were tracked to determine total joint ROM and maximum joint angles during the stance phase of walking. Maximum hip extension, hip adduction, and hip internal rotation angles were significantly greater for each of the child/adolescent age groups as compared to adults. In addition, maximum hip internal rotation angles significantly increased when carrying a 20% BW load. The observation that the 8-10 year old age group carried the lightest absolute loads and still displayed the highest maximum hip internal rotation angles suggests a particular necessity in setting carrying guidelines for the youngest children. PMID:20191410

Interaction of arch type and footwear on running mechanics.

PubMed

Butler, Robert J; Davis, Irene S; Hamill, Joseph

2006-12-01

Running shoes are designed to accommodate various arch types to reduce the risk of lower extremity injuries sustained during running. Yet little is known about the biomechanical changes of running in the recommended footwear that may allow for a reduction in injuries. To evaluate the effects of motion control and cushion trainer shoes on running mechanics in low- and high-arched runners. Controlled laboratory study. Twenty high-arched and 20 low-arched recreational runners (>10 miles per week) were recruited for the study. Three-dimensional kinematic and kinetics were collected as subjects ran at 3.5 ms(-1) +/- 5% along a 25-m runway. The motion control shoe evaluated was the New Balance 1122, and the cushioning shoe evaluated was the New Balance 1022. Repeated-measures analyses of variance were used to determine if low- and high-arched runners responded differently to motion control and cushion trainer shoes. A significant interaction was observed in the instantaneous loading rate such that the low-arched runners had a lower instantaneous loading rate in the motion control condition, and the high-arched runners had a lower instantaneous loading rate in the cushion trainer condition. Significant main effects for shoe were observed for peak positive tibial acceleration, peak-to-peak tibial acceleration, mean loading rate, peak eversion, and eversion excursion. These results suggest that motion control shoes control rearfoot motion better than do cushion trainer shoes. In addition, cushion trainer shoes attenuate shock better than motion control shoes do. However, with the exception of instantaneous loading rate, these benefits do not differ between arch type. Running footwear recommendations should be based on an individual's running mechanics. If a mechanical analysis is not available, footwear recommendations can be based empirically on the individual's arch type.

A coupled aero-structural model of a HAWT blade for dynamic load and response prediction in time-domain for health monitoring applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sauder, Heather Scot

To reach the high standards set for renewable energy production in the US and around the globe, wind turbines with taller towers and longer blades are being designed for onshore and offshore wind developments to capture more energy from higher winds aloft and a larger rotor diameter. However, amongst all the wind turbine components wind turbine blades are still the most prone to damage. Given that wind turbine blades experience dynamic loads from multiple sources, there is a need to be able to predict the real-time load, stress distribution and response of the blade in a given wind environment for damage, flutter and fatigue life predictions. Current methods of wind-induced response analysis for wind turbine blades use approximations that are not suitable for wind turbine blade airfoils which are thick, and therefore lead to inaccurate life predictions. Additionally, a time-domain formulation can prove to be especially advantageous for predicting aerodynamic loads on wind turbine blades since they operate in a turbulent atmospheric boundary layer. This will help to analyze the blades on wind turbines that operate individually or in a farm setting where they experience high turbulence in the wake of another wind turbine. A time-domain formulation is also useful for examining the effects of gusty winds that are transient in nature like in gust fronts, thunderstorms or extreme events such as hurricanes, microbursts, and tornadoes. Time-domain methods present the opportunity for real-time health monitoring strategies that can easily be used with finite element methods for prediction of fatigue life or onset of flutter instability. The purpose of the proposed work is to develop a robust computational model to predict the loads, stresses and response of a wind turbine blade in operating and extreme wind conditions. The model can be used to inform health monitoring strategies for preventative maintenance and provide a realistic number of stress cycles that the blade will experience for fatigue life prediction procedures. To fill in the gaps in the existing knowledge and meet the overall goal of the proposed research, the following objectives were accomplished: (a) improve the existing aeroelastic (motion- and turbulence-induced) load models to predict the response of wind turbine blade airfoils to understand its behavior in turbulent wind, (b) understand, model and predict the response of wind turbine blades in transient or gusty wind, boundary-layer wind and incoherent wind over the span of the blade, (c) understand the effects of aero-structural coupling between the along-wind, cross-wind and torsional vibrations, and finally (d) develop a computational tool using the improved time-domain load model to predict the real-time load, stress distribution and response of a given wind turbine blade during operating and parked conditions subject to a specific wind environment both in a short and long term for damage, flutter and fatigue life predictions.

Investigating extreme event loading on coastal bridges using wireless sensor technology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gelineau, Douglas A.; Davis, Justin R.; Rice, Jennifer A.

2017-04-01

Coastal infrastructure, such as bridges, are susceptible to many forms of coastal hazards: particularly hurricane surge and wave loading. These two forms of loading can cause catastrophic damage to aging highway infrastructure. It is estimated that storm damage costs the United States about $50 Billion per year. In light of this, it is crucial that we understand the damaging forces placed on infrastructure during storm events so that we can develop safer and more resilient coastal structures. This paper presents the ongoing research to enable the efficient collection of extreme event loads acting on both the substructure and superstructure of low clearance, simple span, reinforced concrete bridges. Bridges of this type were commonly constructed during the 1950's and 60's and are particularly susceptible to deck unseating caused by hurricane surge and wave loading. The sensing technology used to capture this data must be ruggedized to survive in an extremely challenging environment, be designed to allow for redundancy in the event of sensors or other network components being lost in the storm, and be relatively low cost to allow for more bridges to be instrumented per storm event. The prototype system described in this paper includes wireless technology, rapid data transmission, and, for the sensors, self-contained power. While this specific application focuses on hurricane hazards, the framework can be extended to include other natural hazards.

Modelling the Centers of Galaxies

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Smith, B. F.; Miller, R. H.; Young, Richard E. (Technical Monitor)

1997-01-01

The key to studying central regions by means of nobody numerical experiments is to concentrate on the central few parsecs of a galaxy, replacing the remainder of the galaxy by a suitable boundary condition, rather after the manner in which stellar interiors can be studied without a detailed stellar atmosphere by replacing the atmosphere with a boundary condition. Replacements must be carefully designed because the long range gravitational force means that the core region is sensitive to mass outside that region and because particles can exchange between the outer galaxy and the core region. We use periodic boundary conditions, coupled with an iterative procedure to generate initial particle loads in isothermal equilibrium. Angular momentum conservation is ensured for problems including systematic rotation by a circular reflecting boundary and by integrating in a frame that rotates with the mean flow. Mass beyond the boundary contributes to the gravitational potential, but does not participate in the dynamics. A symplectic integration scheme has been developed for rotating coordinate systems. This combination works well, leading to robust configurations. Some preliminary results with this combination show that: (1) Rotating systems are extremely sensitive to non-axisymmetric external potentials, and (2) that a second core, orbiting near the main core (like the M31 second core system), shows extremely rapid orbital decay. The experimental setups will be discussed, along with preliminary results.

Nanomaterials in Extreme Environments: Fundamentals and Applications Rostislav A. Andrievski and Arsen V. Khatchoyan

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Devanathan, Ram

Nanomaterials in Extreme Environments Rostislav A. Andrievski and Arsen V. Khatchoyan Springer, 2016 106 pages, $99.00 (e-book $69.99) ISBN 978–3-319–25331–2 This slim volume is an extensive review of our current understanding of the response of nanostructured materials to extreme operating conditions, such as high temperature, flux of high energy neutrons, high pressure, mechanical stress, and oxidizing environments. The emphasis is on metallic materials, especially Cu alloys. Graphene-based materials, fullerenes, polymeric materials, nano-glasses and glass-ceramics are not covered by this review. The book has six chapters including an introduction and a brief conclusion. The introduction documents the growth of scientific interestmore » in nanostructured materials and stresses the need to study the behavior of nanomaterials under extreme conditions. This chapter also presents Herbert Gleiter’s classification of nanomaterials into twelve groups based on the shapes of the nanoscale features and chemical composition of the components of the nanostructure. The second chapter deals with the high temperature environment and the thermodynamics and kinetics of grain growth. The authors identify the lack of reliable thermodynamic data as a key limitation in this field. The discussion brings out the interplay of structural relaxation, redistribution of excess free volume, diffusion, and recrystallization in multicomponent nanostructures at elevated temperature. Chapter 3 focuses on the effects of ion and neutron irradiation on the structure and properties of nanomaterials. The authors do a good job of highlighting recent studies on the radiation tolerance of nanocrystalline oxides and rapid grain growth under irradiation. The material addresses both fission and fusion reactor applications. Chapter 4 reviews the effects of severe plastic deformation and cyclic loading on nanostructure formation and phase transformation. This chapter also explores the challenge of achieving high density while retaining nanostructural features during processing under extreme loads and high temperatures. Chapter 5 discusses the effects of corrosion on nanomaterials. The behavior of a variety of alloys and high melting point compounds in liquid media and high temperature oxidizing environments is reviewed. The concluding chapter identifies areas for further research. The book would have benefited from careful copy editing for use of the English language. Moreover, the excessive use of acronyms makes the text difficult to read. Each chapter ends with a section on the application of nanomaterials and a long list of references. The integration of theoretical approaches and simulation results with experimental data offers fresh insights into the behavior of nanomaterials. Overall, this book will serve as useful reference material for researchers interested in nanomaterials driven to extremes. Reviewer: Ram Devanathan is Technical Group Manager of Reactor Materials and Mechanical Design, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, USA.« less

Exercise Equipment: Neutral Buoyancy

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Shackelford, Linda; Valle, Paul

2016-01-01

Load Bearing Equipment for Neutral Buoyancy (LBE-NB) is an exercise frame that holds two exercising subjects in position as they apply counter forces to each other for lower extremity and spine loading resistance exercises. Resistance exercise prevents bone loss on ISS, but the ISS equipment is too massive for use in exploration craft. Integrating the human into the load directing, load generating, and motion control functions of the exercise equipment generates safe exercise loads with less equipment mass and volume.

Examining the causes of a devastating debris flow

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Balcerak, Ernie

2014-08-01

Storm-triggered landslides cause loss of life, property damage, and landscape alterations. For instance, the remnants of Hurricane Camille in 1969 caused 109 deaths in central Virginia, after 600 millimeters of rain fell in mountainous terrain in 6 hours. More recently, on 8 August 2010, a rainstorm-induced landslide devastated the Chinese county of Zhouqu, causing more than 1000 deaths. A new modeling study by Ren examines the multiple factors, natural and human caused, that came together to produce this event. Three things contribute to storm-triggered landslides: geological condition, surface loading and vegetation roots, and extreme precipitation.

Fusion power: a challenge for materials science.

PubMed

Duffy, D M

2010-07-28

The selection and design of materials that will withstand the extreme conditions of a fusion power plant has been described as one of the greatest materials science challenges in history. The high particle flux, high thermal load, thermal mechanical stress and the production of transmutation elements combine to produce a uniquely hostile environment. In this paper, the materials favoured for the diverse roles in a fusion power plant are discussed, along with the experimental and modelling techniques that are used to advance the understanding of radiation damage in materials. Areas where further research is necessary are highlighted.

Large-deflection theory for end compression of long rectangular plates rigidly clamped along two edges

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Levy, Samuel; Krupen, Philip

1943-01-01

The von Karman equations for flat plates are solved beyond the buckling load up to edge strains equal to eight time the buckling strain, for the extreme case of rigid clamping along the edges parallel to the load. Deflections, bending stresses, and membrane stresses are given as a function of end compressive load. The theoretical values of effective width are compared with the values derived for simple support along the edges parallel to the load. The increases in effective width due to rigid clamping drops from about 20 percent near the buckling strain to about 8 percent at an edge strain equal to eight times the buckling strain. Experimental values of effective width in the elastic range reported in NACA Technical Note No. 684 are between the theoretical curves for the extremes of simple support and rigid clamping.

Modelling poly(p-phenylene teraphthalamide) at Extreme Tensile Loading using Reactive Potentials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yilmaz, Dundar

2015-03-01

Aromatic polyamides classified as rigid-rod polymers due to orientation of their monomers. Because of their excellent mechanical and thermal properties, aramids are widely used in the industry. For example DuPont's brand Kevlar, for its commercial aromatic polyamide polymer, due to wide usage of this polymer in ballistic applications, habitually used as a nickname for bulletproof vests. In order to engineer these ballistic fabrics, material properties of aramid fibers should be studied. In this work we focused on the poly(p-phenylene teraphthalamide) PPTA fiber, known as brand name Kevlar. We employed Reactive potentials to simulate PPTA polymer under tensile loading. We first simulated both amorphous and crystalline phases of PPTA. We also introduced defects with varying densities. We further analysed the recorded atomic positions data to understand how tensile load distributed and failure mechanisms at extreme tensile loads. This work supported by TUBITAK under Grant No: 113F358.

The use of graphene based materials for fuel cell, photovoltaics, and supercapacitor electrode materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tsang, Alpha C. H.; Kwok, Holly Y. H.; Leung, Dennis Y. C.

2017-05-01

This manuscript presents the methodology of the production of 2D and 3D graphene based material, and their applications in fuel cell, supercapacitor, and photovoltic in recent years. Due to the uniqueness and attractive properties of graphene nanosheets, a large number of techniques have been developed for raw graphene preparation, from a chemical method to a physical deposition of carbon vapor under extreme conditions. A variety of graphene based materials were also prepared from raw graphene or graphene oxide, including the metal loaded, metal oxides loaded, to the foreign elements doped graphene. Both two-dimensional (2D) to three-dimensional (3D) structured graphene were covered. These materials included the bulk or template hybrid composite, containing graphene hydrogel, graphene aerogel, or graphene foam and its derived products. They were widely used in green energy device research, which exhibited strong activity, and developed some special usage in recent research.

Flash Joule heating for ductilization of metallic glasses

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Okulov, I. V.; Soldatov, I. V.; Sarmanova, M. F.; Kaban, I.; Gemming, T.; Edström, K.; Eckert, J.

2015-07-01

Metallic glasses (MGs) inherit their amorphous structure from the liquid state, which predetermines their ability to withstand high loads approaching the theoretical limit. However, the absence of slip systems makes them very sensitive to the type of loading and extremely brittle in tension. The latter can be improved by precipitation of ductile crystals, which suppress a catastrophic propagation of shear bands in a glassy matrix. Here we report a novel approach to obtain MG-matrix composites with tensile ductility by flash Joule heating applied to Cu47.5Zr47.5Al5 (at.%) metallic glass. This homogeneous, volumetric and controllable rapid heat treatment allows achieving uniformly distributed metastable B2 CuZr crystals in the glassy matrix. It results in a significant tensile strain of 6.8+/-0.5%. Moreover, optimized adjustment of the heat-treatment conditions enables tuning of microstructure to achieve desired mechanical properties.

A 735 kV shunt reactors automatic switching system for Hydro-Quebec network

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Bernard, S.; Trudel, G.; Scott, G.

1996-11-01

In recent years, Hydro-Quebec has undertaken a major program to upgrade the reliability of its transmission system. Much efforts have been directed toward increasing the system`s capacity to withstand extreme contingencies, usually caused by multiple incidents or the successive tripping of transmission lines. In order to counter such events, Hydro-Quebec has adopted a defensive scheme. Based entirely on automatic action, this scheme will mainly rely on: a 735 kV shunt reactor switching system (called MAIS); a generation rejection and/or remote load-shedding system (called RPTC); an underfrequency load-shedding system. The MAIS system, which is the subject of this paper, will bemore » implemented in 22 substations and is required to control voltage on the system after a severe event. Each MAIS system, acting locally, is entirely independent and will close or trip shunt reactors in response to local conditions.« less

Photovoltaic array: Power conditioner interface characteristics

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gonzalez, C. C.; Hill, G. M.; Ross, R. G., Jr.

1982-01-01

The electrical output (power, current, and voltage) of flat plate solar arrays changes constantly, due primarily to changes in cell temperature and irradiance level. As a result, array loads such as dc-to-ac power conditioners must be capable of accommodating widely varying input levels while maintaining operation at or near the maximum power point of the array. The array operating characteristics and extreme output limits necessary for the systematic design of array load interfaces under a wide variety of climatic conditions are studied. A number of interface parameters are examined, including optimum operating voltage, voltage energy, maximum power and current limits, and maximum open circuit voltage. The effect of array degradation and I-V curve fill factor or the array power conditioner interface is also discussed. Results are presented as normalized ratios of power conditioner parameters to array parameters, making the results universally applicable to a wide variety of system sizes, sites, and operating modes.

Effect of high loading on substrate utilization kinetics and microbial community structure in super fast submerged membrane bioreactor.

PubMed

Sözen, S; Çokgör, E U; Başaran, S Teksoy; Aysel, M; Akarsubaşı, A; Ergal, I; Kurt, H; Pala-Ozkok, I; Orhon, D

2014-05-01

The study investigated the effect of high substrate loading on substrate utilization kinetics, and changes inflicted on the composition of the microbial community in a superfast submerged membrane bioreactor. Submerged MBR was sequentially fed with a substrate mixture and acetate; its performance was monitored at steady-state, at extremely low sludge age values of 2.0, 1.0 and 0.5d, all adjusted to a single hydraulic retention time of 8.0 h. Each MBR run was repeated when substrate feeding was increased from 200 mg COD/L to 1000 mg COD/L. Substrate utilization kinetics was altered to significantly lower levels when the MBR was adjusted to higher substrate loadings. Molecular analysis of the biomass revealed that variable process kinetics could be correlated with parallel changes in the composition of the microbial community, mainly by a replacement mechanism, where newer species, better adapted to the new growth conditions, substituted others that are washed out from the system. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Analysis of Mechanical Stresses/Strains in Superconducting Wire

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Barry, Matthew; Chen, Jingping; Zhai, Yuhu

2016-10-01

The optimization of superconducting magnet performance and development of high-field superconducting magnets will greatly impact the next generation of fusion devices. A successful magnet development, however, relies deeply on the understanding of superconducting materials. Among the numerous factors that impact a superconductor's performance, mechanical stress is the most important because of the extreme operation temperature and large electromagnetic forces. In this study, mechanical theory is used to calculate the stresses/strains in typical superconducting strands, which consist of a stabilizer, a barrier, a matrix and superconducting filaments. Both thermal loads and mechanical loads are included in the analysis to simulate operation conditions. Because this model simulates the typical architecture of major superconducting materials, such as Nb3Sn, MgB2, Bi-2212 etc., it provides a good overall picture for us to understand the behavior of these superconductors in terms of thermal and mechanical loads. This work was supported in part by the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Science, Office of Workforce Development for Teachers and Scientists (WDTS) under the Science Undergraduate Laboratory Internship (SULI) program.

Quasi-Linear Circuit

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bradley, William; Bird, Ross; Eldred, Dennis; Zook, Jon; Knowles, Gareth

2013-01-01

This work involved developing spacequalifiable switch mode DC/DC power supplies that improve performance with fewer components, and result in elimination of digital components and reduction in magnetics. This design is for missions where systems may be operating under extreme conditions, especially at elevated temperature levels from 200 to 300 degC. Prior art for radiation-tolerant DC/DC converters has been accomplished utilizing classical magnetic-based switch mode converter topologies; however, this requires specific shielding and component de-rating to meet the high-reliability specifications. It requires complex measurement and feedback components, and will not enable automatic re-optimization for larger changes in voltage supply or electrical loading condition. The innovation is a switch mode DC/DC power supply that eliminates the need for processors and most magnetics. It can provide a well-regulated voltage supply with a gain of 1:100 step-up to 8:1 step down, tolerating an up to 30% fluctuation of the voltage supply parameters. The circuit incorporates a ceramic core transformer in a manner that enables it to provide a well-regulated voltage output without use of any processor components or magnetic transformers. The circuit adjusts its internal parameters to re-optimize its performance for changes in supply voltage, environmental conditions, or electrical loading at the output

A novel synthesis of polymeric CO via useful hard X-ray photochemistry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pravica, Michael; Sneed, Daniel; Smith, Quinlan; Billinghurst, Brant; May, Tim; White, Melanie; Dziubek, Kamil

2016-12-01

We report on the synchrotron hard X-ray-induced decomposition of strontium oxalate (SrC2O4) pressurized to 7 GPa inside a diamond anvil cell (DAC). After some 4 h of irradiation in a white X-ray synchrotron beam, a dark reddish/brown region formed in the area of irradiation which was surrounded by a yellowish brown remainder in the rest of the sample. Upon depressurization of the sample to ambient conditions, the reacted/decomposed sample was recoverable as a dark brown/red and yellow waxy solid. Synchrotron infrared spectroscopy confirmed the strong presence of CO2 even under ambient conditions with the sample exposed to air and other strongly absorbing regions, suggesting that the sample may likely be polymerized CO (in part) with dispersed CO2 and SrO trapped within the polymer. These results will have significant implications in the ability to readily produce and trap CO2 in situ via irradiation of a simple powder for useful hard X-ray photochemistry and in the ability to easily manufacture polymeric CO (via loading of powders in a DAC or high volume press) without the need for the dangerous and complex loading of toxic CO. A novel means of X-ray-induced polymerization under extreme conditions has also been demonstrated.

Influences of 12-Week Physical Activity Interventions on TMS Measures of Cortical Network Inhibition and Upper Extremity Motor Performance in Older Adults—A Feasibility Study

PubMed Central

McGregor, Keith M.; Crosson, Bruce; Mammino, Kevin; Omar, Javier; García, Paul S.; Nocera, Joe R.

2018-01-01

Objective: Data from previous cross-sectional studies have shown that an increased level of physical fitness is associated with improved motor dexterity across the lifespan. In addition, physical fitness is positively associated with increased laterality of cortical function during unimanual tasks; indicating that sedentary aging is associated with a loss of interhemispheric inhibition affecting motor performance. The present study employed exercise interventions in previously sedentary older adults to compare motor dexterity and measure of interhemispheric inhibition using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) after the interventions. Methods: Twenty-one community-dwelling, reportedly sedentary older adults were recruited, randomized and enrolled to a 12-week aerobic exercise group or a 12-week non-aerobic exercise balance condition. The aerobic condition was comprised of an interval-based cycling “spin” activity, while the non-aerobic “balance” exercise condition involved balance and stretching activities. Participants completed upper extremity dexterity batteries and estimates of VO2max in addition to undergoing single (ipsilateral silent period—iSP) and paired-pulse interhemispheric inhibition (ppIHI) in separate assessment sessions before and after study interventions. After each intervention during which heart rate was continuously recorded to measure exertion level (load), participants crossed over into the alternate arm of the study for an additional 12-week intervention period in an AB/BA design with no washout period. Results: After the interventions, regardless of intervention order, participants in the aerobic spin condition showed higher estimated VO2max levels after the 12-week intervention as compared to estimated VO2max in the non-aerobic balance intervention. After controlling for carryover effects due to the study design, participants in the spin condition showed longer iSP duration than the balance condition. Heart rate load was more strongly correlated with silent period duration after the Spin condition than estimated VO2. Conclusions: Aging-related changes in cortical inhibition may be influenced by 12-week physical activity interventions when assessed with the iSP. Although inhibitory signaling is mediates both ppIHI and iSP measures each TMS modality likely employs distinct inhibitory networks, potentially differentially affected by aging. Changes in inhibitory function after physical activity interventions may be associated with improved dexterity and motor control at least as evidence from this feasibility study show. PMID:29354049

29 CFR 1910.179 - Overhead and gantry cranes.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... percent of rated load speed. (b) The bumper shall be so mounted that there is no direct shear on bolts... overstressed. (v) While any employee is on the load or hook, there shall be no hoisting, lowering, or traveling... tried out under no load. Extreme care shall be exercised; the block shall be “inched” into the limit or...

29 CFR 1910.179 - Overhead and gantry cranes.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... percent of rated load speed. (b) The bumper shall be so mounted that there is no direct shear on bolts... overstressed. (v) While any employee is on the load or hook, there shall be no hoisting, lowering, or traveling... tried out under no load. Extreme care shall be exercised; the block shall be “inched” into the limit or...

29 CFR 1910.179 - Overhead and gantry cranes.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... percent of rated load speed. (b) The bumper shall be so mounted that there is no direct shear on bolts... overstressed. (v) While any employee is on the load or hook, there shall be no hoisting, lowering, or traveling... tried out under no load. Extreme care shall be exercised; the block shall be “inched” into the limit or...

29 CFR 1910.179 - Overhead and gantry cranes.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... percent of rated load speed. (b) The bumper shall be so mounted that there is no direct shear on bolts... overstressed. (v) While any employee is on the load or hook, there shall be no hoisting, lowering, or traveling... tried out under no load. Extreme care shall be exercised; the block shall be “inched” into the limit or...

The Characteristics of Extreme Erosion Events in a Small Mountainous Watershed

PubMed Central

Fang, Nu-Fang; Shi, Zhi-Hua; Yue, Ben-Jiang; Wang, Ling

2013-01-01

A large amount of soil loss is caused by a small number of extreme events that are mainly responsible for the time compression of geomorphic processes. The aim of this study was to analyze suspended sediment transport during extreme erosion events in a mountainous watershed. Field measurements were conducted in Wangjiaqiao, a small agricultural watershed (16.7 km2) in the Three Gorges Area (TGA) of China. Continuous records were used to analyze suspended sediment transport regimes and assess the sediment loads of 205 rainfall–runoff events during a period of 16 hydrological years (1989–2004). Extreme events were defined as the largest events, ranked in order of their absolute magnitude (representing the 95th percentile). Ten extreme erosion events from 205 erosion events, representing 83.8% of the total suspended sediment load, were selected for study. The results of canonical discriminant analysis indicated that extreme erosion events are characterized by high maximum flood-suspended sediment concentrations, high runoff coefficients, and high flood peak discharge, which could possibly be explained by the transport of deposited sediment within the stream bed during previous events or bank collapses. PMID:24146898

Monitoring Local Strain in a Thermal Barrier Coating System Under Thermal Mechanical Gas Turbine Operating Conditions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Manero, Albert; Sofronsky, Stephen; Knipe, Kevin; Meid, Carla; Wischek, Janine; Okasinski, John; Almer, Jonathan; Karlsson, Anette M.; Raghavan, Seetha; Bartsch, Marion

2015-07-01

Advances in aircraft and land-based turbine engines have been increasing the extreme loading conditions on traditional engine components and have incited the need for improved performance with the use of protective coatings. These protective coatings shield the load-bearing super alloy blades from the high-temperature combustion gases by creating a thermal gradient over their thickness. This addition extends the life and performance of blades. A more complete understanding of the behavior, failure mechanics, and life expectancy for turbine blades and their coatings is needed to enhance and validate simulation models. As new thermal-barrier-coated materials and deposition methods are developed, strides to effectively test, evaluate, and prepare the technology for industry deployment are of paramount interest. Coupling the experience and expertise of researchers at the University of Central Florida, The German Aerospace Center, and Cleveland State University with the world-class synchrotron x-ray beam at the Advanced Photon Source in Argonne National Laboratory, the synergistic collaboration has yielded previously unseen measurements to look inside the coating layer system for in situ strain measurements during representative service loading. These findings quantify the in situ strain response on multilayer thermal barrier coatings and shed light on the elastic and nonelastic properties of the layers and the role of mechanical load and internal cooling variations on the response. The article discusses the experimental configuration and development of equipment to perform in situ strain measurements on multilayer thin coatings and provides an overview of the achievements thus far.

Biomechanical Comparison of Robotically Applied Pure Moment, Ideal Follower Load, and Novel Trunk Weight Loading Protocols on L4-L5 Cadaveric Segments during Flexion-Extension.

PubMed

Bennett, Charles R; DiAngelo, Denis J; Kelly, Brian P

2015-01-01

Extremely few in-vitro biomechanical studies have incorporated shear loads leaving a gap for investigation, especially when applied in combination with compression and bending under dynamic conditions. The objective of this study was to biomechanically compare sagittal plane application of two standard protocols, pure moment (PM) and follower load (FL), with a novel trunk weight (TW) loading protocol designed to induce shear in combination with compression and dynamic bending in a neutrally potted human cadaveric L4-L5 motion segment unit (MSU) model. A secondary objective and novelty of the current study was the application of all three protocols within the same testing system serving to reduce artifacts due to testing system variability. Six L4-L5 segments were tested in a Cartesian load controlled system in flexion-extension to 8Nm under PM, simulated ideal 400N FL, and vertically oriented 400N TW loading protocols. Comparison metrics used were rotational range of motion (RROM), flexibility, neutral zone (NZ) range of motion, and L4 vertebral body displacements. Significant differences in vertebral body translations were observed with different initial force applications but not with subsequent bending moment application. Significant reductions were observed in combined flexion-extension RROM, in flexibility during extension, and in NZ region flexibility with the TW loading protocol as compared to PM loading. Neutral zone ranges of motion were not different between all protocols. The combined compression and shear forces applied across the spinal joint in the trunk weight protocol may have a small but significantly increased stabilizing effect on segment flexibility and kinematics during sagittal plane flexion and extension.

Biomechanical Comparison of Robotically Applied Pure Moment, Ideal Follower Load, and Novel Trunk Weight Loading Protocols on L4-L5 Cadaveric Segments during Flexion-Extension

PubMed Central

Bennett, Charles R.; DiAngelo, Denis J.

2015-01-01

Background Extremely few in-vitro biomechanical studies have incorporated shear loads leaving a gap for investigation, especially when applied in combination with compression and bending under dynamic conditions. The objective of this study was to biomechanically compare sagittal plane application of two standard protocols, pure moment (PM) and follower load (FL), with a novel trunk weight (TW) loading protocol designed to induce shear in combination with compression and dynamic bending in a neutrally potted human cadaveric L4-L5 motion segment unit (MSU) model. A secondary objective and novelty of the current study was the application of all three protocols within the same testing system serving to reduce artifacts due to testing system variability. Methods Six L4-L5 segments were tested in a Cartesian load controlled system in flexion-extension to 8Nm under PM, simulated ideal 400N FL, and vertically oriented 400N TW loading protocols. Comparison metrics used were rotational range of motion (RROM), flexibility, neutral zone (NZ) range of motion, and L4 vertebral body displacements. Results Significant differences in vertebral body translations were observed with different initial force applications but not with subsequent bending moment application. Significant reductions were observed in combined flexion-extension RROM, in flexibility during extension, and in NZ region flexibility with the TW loading protocol as compared to PM loading. Neutral zone ranges of motion were not different between all protocols. Conclusions The combined compression and shear forces applied across the spinal joint in the trunk weight protocol may have a small but significantly increased stabilizing effect on segment flexibility and kinematics during sagittal plane flexion and extension. PMID:26273551

Risk Factor, Job Stress and Quality of Life in Workers With Lower Extremity Pain Who Use Video Display Terminals

PubMed Central

2018-01-01

Objective To investigate the general characteristics of video display terminal (VDT) workers with lower extremity pain, to identify the risk factors of work-related lower extremity pain, and to examine the relationship between work stress and health-related quality of life. Methods A questionnaire about the general characteristics of the survey group and the musculoskeletal symptom was used. A questionnaire about job stress used the Korean Occupational Stress Scale and medical outcome study 36-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) to assess health-related quality of life. Results There were 1,711 subjects in the lower extremity group and 2,208 subjects in the control group. Age, sex, hobbies, and feeling of loading affected lower extremity pain as determined in a crossover analysis of all variables with and without lower extremity pain. There were no statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of job stress and SF-36 values of the pain and control groups. Conclusion Job stress in VDT workers was higher than average, and the quality of life decreased as the stress increased. Factors such as younger age, women, hobbies other than exercise, and feeling of loading influenced lower extremity pain of workers. Further long-term follow-up and supplementary studies are needed to identify risk factors for future lower extremity pain, taking into account ergonomic factors such as worker's posture. PMID:29560330

Risk Factor, Job Stress and Quality of Life in Workers With Lower Extremity Pain Who Use Video Display Terminals.

PubMed

Choi, Sehoon; Jang, Seong Ho; Lee, Kyu Hoon; Kim, Mi Jung; Park, Si-Bog; Han, Seung Hoon

2018-02-01

To investigate the general characteristics of video display terminal (VDT) workers with lower extremity pain, to identify the risk factors of work-related lower extremity pain, and to examine the relationship between work stress and health-related quality of life. A questionnaire about the general characteristics of the survey group and the musculoskeletal symptom was used. A questionnaire about job stress used the Korean Occupational Stress Scale and medical outcome study 36-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) to assess health-related quality of life. There were 1,711 subjects in the lower extremity group and 2,208 subjects in the control group. Age, sex, hobbies, and feeling of loading affected lower extremity pain as determined in a crossover analysis of all variables with and without lower extremity pain. There were no statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of job stress and SF-36 values of the pain and control groups. Job stress in VDT workers was higher than average, and the quality of life decreased as the stress increased. Factors such as younger age, women, hobbies other than exercise, and feeling of loading influenced lower extremity pain of workers. Further long-term follow-up and supplementary studies are needed to identify risk factors for future lower extremity pain, taking into account ergonomic factors such as worker's posture.

Successful Treatment of Pyoderma Gangrenosum with Cryoglobulinemia and Hepatitis C

PubMed Central

Pourmorteza, Mohsen; Tawadros, Fady; Bader, Gilbert; Al-Tarawneh, Mohammad; Cook, Emilie; Shams, Wael; Young, Mark

2016-01-01

Patient: Male, 68 Final Diagnosis: Pyoderma gangrenosum Symptoms: Worsening lower extremity wound Medication: — Clinical Procedure: — Specialty: Infectious Diseases Objective: Rare disease Background: Pyoderma gangrenosum is a rare, ulcerative cutaneous condition that was first described by Brocq in 1916. This diagnosis is quite challenging as the histopathological findings are nonspecific. Pyoderma gangrenosum is usually associated with inflammatory bowel disease, leukemia, and hepatitis C. We describe a rare clinical case of a patient with hepatitis C (HCV), mixed cryoglubinemia, and pyoderma gangrenosum, which was successfully treated with prednisone in combination with the new antiviral medication ledipasvir/sofosbuvir. Case Report: A 68-year-old male with a history of untreated HCV presented to the clinic with a left lower extremity ulcer that had progressively worsened over 4 days after the patient sustained a minor trauma to the left lower extremity. Examination revealed a 2×3 cm purulent ulcer with an erythematous rim on medial aspect of his left lower leg. HCV viral load and genotype analysis revealed genotype 1A with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) showing viral counts of 9,506,048 and cryoglobulinemia. With a worsening and enlarging erythematous ulcer and failure of IV antibiotic therapy, the patient underwent skin biopsy, which showed acanthotic epidermis with superficial and deep perivascular lymphoplasmacytic dermatitis admixed with mild neutrophilic infiltrate. The patient was subsequently started on ledipasvir/sofosbuvir and prednisone with a high suspicion of pyoderma gangrenosum. At one-month follow-up at the hepatology clinic, the patient demonstrated a near resolution of the lower extremity ulcer with undetectable viral load. Conclusions: Pyoderma gangrenosum is an inflammatory process of unknown etiology, and establishing the correct diagnosis can be a difficult task. For this reason it is prudent for clinicians to consider Pyoderma gangrenosum in their differential diagnosis, especially in the setting of a nonhealing surgical wound or skin infection. PMID:27345376

Methods for Combining Payload Parameter Variations with Input Environment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Merchant, D. H.; Straayer, J. W.

1975-01-01

Methods are presented for calculating design limit loads compatible with probabilistic structural design criteria. The approach is based on the concept that the desired limit load, defined as the largest load occuring in a mission, is a random variable having a specific probability distribution which may be determined from extreme-value theory. The design limit load, defined as a particular value of this random limit load, is the value conventionally used in structural design. Methods are presented for determining the limit load probability distributions from both time-domain and frequency-domain dynamic load simulations. Numerical demonstrations of the methods are also presented.

Loading rate increases during barefoot running in habitually shod runners: Individual responses to an unfamiliar condition.

PubMed

Tam, Nicholas; Astephen Wilson, Janie L; Coetzee, Devon R; van Pletsen, Leanri; Tucker, Ross

2016-05-01

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of barefoot running on initial loading rate (LR), lower extremity joint kinematics and kinetics, and neuromuscular control in habitually shod runners with an emphasis on the individual response to this unfamiliar condition. Kinematics and ground reaction force data were collected from 51 habitually shod runners during overground running in a barefoot and shod condition. Joint kinetics and stiffness were calculated with inverse dynamics. Inter-individual initial LR variability was explored by separating individuals by a barefoot/shod ratio to determine acute responders/non-responders. Mean initial LR was 54.1% greater in the barefoot when compared to the shod condition. Differences between acute responders/non-responders were found at peak and initial contact sagittal ankle angle and at initial ground contact. Correlations were found between barefoot sagittal ankle angle at initial ground contact and barefoot initial LR. A large variability in biomechanical responses to an acute exposure to barefoot running was found. A large intra-individual variability was found in initial LR but not ankle plantar-dorsiflexion between footwear conditions. A majority of habitually shod runners do not exhibit previously reported benefits in terms of reduced initial LRs when barefoot. Lastly, runners who increased LR when barefoot reduced LRs when wearing shoes to levels similar seen in habitually barefoot runners who do adopt a forefoot-landing pattern, despite increased dorsiflexion. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Cut-loading: a useful tool for examining the extent of gap junction tracer coupling between retinal neurons.

PubMed

Choi, Hee Joo; Ribelayga, Christophe P; Mangel, Stuart C

2012-01-12

In addition to chemical synaptic transmission, neurons that are connected by gap junctions can also communicate rapidly via electrical synaptic transmission. Increasing evidence indicates that gap junctions not only permit electrical current flow and synchronous activity between interconnected or coupled cells, but that the strength or effectiveness of electrical communication between coupled cells can be modulated to a great extent(1,2). In addition, the large internal diameter (~1.2 nm) of many gap junction channels permits not only electric current flow, but also the diffusion of intracellular signaling molecules and small metabolites between interconnected cells, so that gap junctions may also mediate metabolic and chemical communication. The strength of gap junctional communication between neurons and its modulation by neurotransmitters and other factors can be studied by simultaneously electrically recording from coupled cells and by determining the extent of diffusion of tracer molecules, which are gap junction permeable, but not membrane permeable, following iontophoretic injection into single cells. However, these procedures can be extremely difficult to perform on neurons with small somata in intact neural tissue. Numerous studies on electrical synapses and the modulation of electrical communication have been conducted in the vertebrate retina, since each of the five retinal neuron types is electrically connected by gap junctions(3,4). Increasing evidence has shown that the circadian (24-hour) clock in the retina and changes in light stimulation regulate gap junction coupling(3-8). For example, recent work has demonstrated that the retinal circadian clock decreases gap junction coupling between rod and cone photoreceptor cells during the day by increasing dopamine D2 receptor activation, and dramatically increases rod-cone coupling at night by reducing D2 receptor activation(7,8). However, not only are these studies extremely difficult to perform on neurons with small somata in intact neural retinal tissue, but it can be difficult to adequately control the illumination conditions during the electrophysiological study of single retinal neurons to avoid light-induced changes in gap junction conductance. Here, we present a straightforward method of determining the extent of gap junction tracer coupling between retinal neurons under different illumination conditions and at different times of the day and night. This cut-loading technique is a modification of scrape loading(9-12), which is based on dye loading and diffusion through open gap junction channels. Scrape loading works well in cultured cells, but not in thick slices such as intact retinas. The cut-loading technique has been used to study photoreceptor coupling in intact fish and mammalian retinas(7, 8,13), and can be used to study coupling between other retinal neurons, as described here.

Stiffness and ultimate load of osseointegrated prosthesis fixations in the upper and lower extremity.

PubMed

Welke, Bastian; Hurschler, Christof; Föller, Marie; Schwarze, Michael; Calliess, Tilman

2013-07-11

Techniques for the skeletal attachment of amputation-prostheses have been developed over recent decades. This type of attachment has only been performed on a small number of patients. It poses various potential advantages compared to conventional treatment with a socket, but is also associated with an increased risk of bone or implant-bone interface fracture in the case of a fall. We therefore investigated the bending stiffness and ultimate bending moment of such devices implanted in human and synthetic bones. Eight human specimens and 16 synthetic models of the proximal femora were implanted with lower extremity prostheses and eight human specimens and six synthetic humeri were implanted with upper extremity prostheses. They were dissected according to typical amputation levels and underwent loading in a material testing machine in a four-point bending setup. Bending stiffness, ultimate bending moment and fracture modes were determined in a load to failure experiment. Additionally, axial pull-out was performed on eight synthetic specimens of the lower extremity. Maximum bending moment of the synthetic femora was 160.6±27.5 Nm, the flexural rigidity of the synthetic femora was 189.0±22.6 Nm2. Maximum bending moment of the human femora was 100.4±38.5 Nm, and the flexural rigidity was 137.8±29.4 Nm2. The maximum bending moment of the six synthetic humeri was 104.9±19.0 Nm, and the flexural rigidity was 63.7±3.6 Nm2. For the human humeri the maximum bending moment was 36.7±11.0 Nm, and the flexural rigidity at was 43.7±10.5 Nm2. The maximum pull-out force for the eight synthetic femora was 3571±919 N. Significant differences were found between human and synthetic specimens of the lower and upper extremity regarding maximum bending moment, bending displacement and flexural rigidity. The results of this study are relevant with respect to previous finding regarding the load at the interfaces of osseointegrated prosthesis fixation devices and are crucial for the development of safety devices intended to protect the bone-implant interface from damaging loadings.

Stiffness and ultimate load of osseointegrated prosthesis fixations in the upper and lower extremity

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

Background Techniques for the skeletal attachment of amputation-prostheses have been developed over recent decades. This type of attachment has only been performed on a small number of patients. It poses various potential advantages compared to conventional treatment with a socket, but is also associated with an increased risk of bone or implant-bone interface fracture in the case of a fall. We therefore investigated the bending stiffness and ultimate bending moment of such devices implanted in human and synthetic bones. Methods Eight human specimens and 16 synthetic models of the proximal femora were implanted with lower extremity prostheses and eight human specimens and six synthetic humeri were implanted with upper extremity prostheses. They were dissected according to typical amputation levels and underwent loading in a material testing machine in a four-point bending setup. Bending stiffness, ultimate bending moment and fracture modes were determined in a load to failure experiment. Additionally, axial pull-out was performed on eight synthetic specimens of the lower extremity. Results Maximum bending moment of the synthetic femora was 160.6±27.5 Nm, the flexural rigidity of the synthetic femora was 189.0±22.6 Nm2. Maximum bending moment of the human femora was 100.4±38.5 Nm, and the flexural rigidity was 137.8±29.4 Nm2. The maximum bending moment of the six synthetic humeri was 104.9±19.0 Nm, and the flexural rigidity was 63.7±3.6 Nm2. For the human humeri the maximum bending moment was 36.7±11.0 Nm, and the flexural rigidity at was 43.7±10.5 Nm2. The maximum pull-out force for the eight synthetic femora was 3571±919 N. Conclusion Significant differences were found between human and synthetic specimens of the lower and upper extremity regarding maximum bending moment, bending displacement and flexural rigidity. The results of this study are relevant with respect to previous finding regarding the load at the interfaces of osseointegrated prosthesis fixation devices and are crucial for the development of safety devices intended to protect the bone-implant interface from damaging loadings. PMID:23844992

A biologically-inspired multi-joint soft exosuit that can reduce the energy cost of loaded walking.

PubMed

Panizzolo, Fausto A; Galiana, Ignacio; Asbeck, Alan T; Siviy, Christopher; Schmidt, Kai; Holt, Kenneth G; Walsh, Conor J

2016-05-12

Carrying load alters normal walking, imposes additional stress to the musculoskeletal system, and results in an increase in energy consumption and a consequent earlier onset of fatigue. This phenomenon is largely due to increased work requirements in lower extremity joints, in turn requiring higher muscle activation. The aim of this work was to assess the biomechanical and physiological effects of a multi-joint soft exosuit that applies assistive torques to the biological hip and ankle joints during loaded walking. The exosuit was evaluated under three conditions: powered (EXO_ON), unpowered (EXO_OFF) and unpowered removing the equivalent mass of the device (EXO_OFF_EMR). Seven participants walked on an instrumented split-belt treadmill and carried a load equivalent to 30 % their body mass. We assessed their metabolic cost of walking, kinetics, kinematics, and lower limb muscle activation using a portable gas analysis system, motion capture system, and surface electromyography. Our results showed that the exosuit could deliver controlled forces to a wearer. Net metabolic power in the EXO_ON condition (7.5 ± 0.6 W kg(-1)) was 7.3 ± 5.0 % and 14.2 ± 6.1 % lower than in the EXO_OFF_EMR condition (7.9 ± 0.8 W kg(-1); p = 0.027) and in the EXO_OFF condition (8.5 ± 0.9 W kg(-1); p = 0.005), respectively. The exosuit also reduced the total joint positive biological work (sum of hip, knee and ankle) when comparing the EXO_ON condition (1.06 ± 0.16 J kg(-1)) with respect to the EXO_OFF condition (1.28 ± 0.26 J kg(-1); p = 0.020) and to the EXO_OFF_EMR condition (1.22 ± 0.21 J kg(-1); p = 0.007). The results of the present work demonstrate for the first time that a soft wearable robot can improve walking economy. These findings pave the way for future assistive devices that may enhance or restore gait in other applications.

[Analysis of tension-distraction state in the shin bones fractures in conditions of external fixation with application of apparatuses with different spatially oriented supports].

PubMed

Hutsuliak, V I

2014-09-01

In Autodesk Inventor 11 program, using method of end-capping elements, a three- dimensional computeric modelling of biomechanical systems of two models was conducted: I - "tibia - Ilizarov's apparatus with concentric location of supports"; II - "tibia - Ilizarov's apparatus with excentric location of supports". The loading, which was applied towards distal fragment in 6 standard degrees of freedom, was modelled for studying of the fixation rigidity of tibial fragments in these systems. Determination of the loading value in various directions, in which the fragment have had shifted by 1 mm, have constituted the main task of the investigation. In a model II a rigidity of the fragments fixation, in comparison with such in a model I, is bigger by 631.43% - while applying a compression loading, by 8.35 - 31.75% - the transversal one and by 19.72% - the rotation loading. While choosing the method of transosteal osteosynthesis of the shin bones the advantage, have the apparatuses with excentric location of supports, what secures the enhanced rigidity of the fragments fixation in comparison with such in apparatuses with concentric location of supports. Although, even in excentric location of supports in the apparatus the fixation rigidity is insufficient for early full loading of the traumatized extremity while walking. It is necessary to elaborate such apparatus, the form of which may be adopted toanatomic configuration of segment.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

None

Designing a superinsulated home has many benefits including improved comfort, reduced exterior noise penetration, lower energy bills, and the ability to withstand power and fuel outages under much more comfortable conditions than a typical home. Extremely low heating and cooling loads equate to much smaller HVAC equipment than conventionally required. Sizing the mechanical system to these much lower loads reduces first costs and the size of the distribution system needed. While these homes aren't necessarily constructed with excessive mass in the form of concrete floors and walls, the amount of insulation and the increase in the thickness of the buildingmore » envelope can lead to a mass effect, resulting in the structures ability to store much more heat than a code built home. This results in a very low thermal inertia making the building much less sensitive to drastic temperature swings thereby decreasing the peak heating load demand. Alternative methods that take this inertia into account along with solar and internal gains result in smaller more appropriate design loads than those calculated using Manual J version 8. During the winter of 2013/2014, CARB monitored the energy use of three homes in climate zone 6 in an attempt to evaluate the accuracy of two different mechanical system sizing methods for low load homes. Based on the results, it is recommended that internal and solar gains be included and some credit for thermal inertia be used in sizing calculations for superinsulated homes.« less

Load identification approach based on basis pursuit denoising algorithm

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ginsberg, D.; Ruby, M.; Fritzen, C. P.

2015-07-01

The information of the external loads is of great interest in many fields of structural analysis, such as structural health monitoring (SHM) systems or assessment of damage after extreme events. However, in most cases it is not possible to measure the external forces directly, so they need to be reconstructed. Load reconstruction refers to the problem of estimating an input to a dynamic system when the system output and the impulse response functions are usually the knowns. Generally, this leads to a so called ill-posed inverse problem, which involves solving an underdetermined linear system of equations. For most practical applications it can be assumed that the applied loads are not arbitrarily distributed in time and space, at least some specific characteristics about the external excitation are known a priori. In this contribution this knowledge was used to develop a more suitable force reconstruction method, which allows identifying the time history and the force location simultaneously by employing significantly fewer sensors compared to other reconstruction approaches. The properties of the external force are used to transform the ill-posed problem into a sparse recovery task. The sparse solution is acquired by solving a minimization problem known as basis pursuit denoising (BPDN). The possibility of reconstructing loads based on noisy structural measurement signals will be demonstrated by considering two frequently occurring loading conditions: harmonic excitation and impact events, separately and combined. First a simulation study of a simple plate structure is carried out and thereafter an experimental investigation of a real beam is performed.

Gender differences in plantar loading during three soccer-specific tasks.

PubMed

Sims, E L; Hardaker, W M; Queen, R M

2008-04-01

Examine the effect of gender on plantar loading during three football-specific tasks. Thirty-four athletes (17 men, 17 women) ran an agility course five times while wearing the Nike Vitoria hard ground cleat. Plantar loading data were recorded during a side cut, a cross-over cut and a forward acceleration task using Pedar-X insoles. Controlled laboratory study. No history of lower extremity injury in the past 6 months, no previous foot or ankle surgery, not currently wearing foot orthotics and play a cleated sport at least two times per week. Contact area, maximum force and the force-time integral (FTI) in the medial and lateral midfoot, medial, middle and lateral forefoot as well as the hallux. A univariate ANCOVA (alpha = 0.05) was performed on each dependent variable (covariate was course speed). Significant gender differences existed in the force and force-time integral beneath the lateral midfoot and forefoot during the cross-over cut task as well as in the middle forefoot during the side cut task with the men demonstrating an increased force. No significant differences existed in the loading on the medial side of the foot during any tasks. The results of this study indicate that the increase in plantar loading on the lateral portion of the midfoot and forefoot in men could be one possible explanation for the increased incidence of fifth metatarsal stress fractures in men. Gender differences in loading patterns need to be considered when comparing different movements as well as different footwear conditions.

mRNA quality control is bypassed for immediate export of stress-responsive transcripts.

PubMed

Zander, Gesa; Hackmann, Alexandra; Bender, Lysann; Becker, Daniel; Lingner, Thomas; Salinas, Gabriela; Krebber, Heike

2016-12-12

Cells grow well only in a narrow range of physiological conditions. Surviving extreme conditions requires the instantaneous expression of chaperones that help to overcome stressful situations. To ensure the preferential synthesis of these heat-shock proteins, cells inhibit transcription, pre-mRNA processing and nuclear export of non-heat-shock transcripts, while stress-specific mRNAs are exclusively exported and translated. How cells manage the selective retention of regular transcripts and the simultaneous rapid export of heat-shock mRNAs is largely unknown. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the shuttling RNA adaptor proteins Npl3, Gbp2, Hrb1 and Nab2 are loaded co-transcriptionally onto growing pre-mRNAs. For nuclear export, they recruit the export-receptor heterodimer Mex67-Mtr2 (TAP-p15 in humans). Here we show that cellular stress induces the dissociation of Mex67 and its adaptor proteins from regular mRNAs to prevent general mRNA export. At the same time, heat-shock mRNAs are rapidly exported in association with Mex67, without the need for adapters. The immediate co-transcriptional loading of Mex67 onto heat-shock mRNAs involves Hsf1, a heat-shock transcription factor that binds to heat-shock-promoter elements in stress-responsive genes. An important difference between the export modes is that adaptor-protein-bound mRNAs undergo quality control, whereas stress-specific transcripts do not. In fact, regular mRNAs are converted into uncontrolled stress-responsive transcripts if expressed under the control of a heat-shock promoter, suggesting that whether an mRNA undergoes quality control is encrypted therein. Under normal conditions, Mex67 adaptor proteins are recruited for RNA surveillance, with only quality-controlled mRNAs allowed to associate with Mex67 and leave the nucleus. Thus, at the cost of error-free mRNA formation, heat-shock mRNAs are exported and translated without delay, allowing cells to survive extreme situations.

Hollow-core FRP-concrete-steel bridge columns under extreme loading.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2015-04-01

This report presents the behavior of hollow-core fiber reinforced polymer concrete - steel columns (HC-FCS) under : combined axial-flexural as well as vehicle collision loads. The HC-FCS column consists of a concrete wall sandwiched between an ou...

Studies in useful hard x-ray induced chemistry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pravica, Michael; Bai, Ligang; Sneed, Daniel; Park, Changyong

2013-06-01

The observed rapid decomposition of potassium chlorate (via 2KClO3 + h ν --> 2KCl +3O2) via synchrotron hard x-ray irradiation (>10 keV) has enabled experiments that are developing novel and useful hard x-ray chemistry. We have observed a number of radiation-induced in situ decomposition reactions in various substances which release O2, H2, N2, NH3, and H2O in a diamond anvil cell (DAC) at ambient and high pressures. These novel acatalytic and isothermal reactions represent a highly controllable, penetrating, and focused method to initiate chemistry (including x-ray induced combustion) in sealed and/or isolated chambers which maintain matter under extreme conditions. During our studies, we have typically observed a slowing of decomposition with pressure including phase dependent decomposition of KClO3. Energy dependent studies have observed an apparent resonance near 15 keV at which the decomposition rate is maximized. This may enable use of much lower flux and portable x-ray sources (e.g. x-ray tubes) in larger scale experiments. These developments support novel means to load DACs and control chemical reactions providing novel routes of synthesis of novel materials under extreme conditions.

Gaussian vs non-Gaussian turbulence: impact on wind turbine loads

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Berg, J.; Mann, J.; Natarajan, A.; Patton, E. G.

2014-12-01

In wind energy applications the turbulent velocity field of the Atmospheric Boundary Layer (ABL) is often characterised by Gaussian probability density functions. When estimating the dynamical loads on wind turbines this has been the rule more than anything else. From numerous studies in the laboratory, in Direct Numerical Simulations, and from in-situ measurements of the ABL we know, however, that turbulence is not purely Gaussian: the smallest and fastest scales often exhibit extreme behaviour characterised by strong non-Gaussian statistics. In this contribution we want to investigate whether these non-Gaussian effects are important when determining wind turbine loads, and hence of utmost importance to the design criteria and lifetime of a wind turbine. We devise a method based on Principal Orthogonal Decomposition where non-Gaussian velocity fields generated by high-resolution pseudo-spectral Large-Eddy Simulation (LES) of the ABL are transformed so that they maintain the exact same second-order statistics including variations of the statistics with height, but are otherwise Gaussian. In that way we can investigate in isolation the question whether it is important for wind turbine loads to include non-Gaussian properties of atmospheric turbulence. As an illustration the Figure show both a non-Gaussian velocity field (left) from our LES, and its transformed Gaussian Counterpart (right). Whereas the horizontal velocity components (top) look close to identical, the vertical components (bottom) are not: the non-Gaussian case is much more fluid-like (like in a sketch by Michelangelo). The question is then: Does the wind turbine see this? Using the load simulation software HAWC2 with both the non-Gaussian and newly constructed Gaussian fields, respectively, we show that the Fatigue loads and most of the Extreme loads are unaltered when using non-Gaussian velocity fields. The turbine thus acts like a low-pass filter which average out the non-Gaussian behaviour on time scales close to and faster than the revolution time of the turbine. For a few of the Extreme load estimations there is, on the other hand, a tendency that non-Gaussian effects increase the overall dynamical load, and hence can be of importance in wind energy load estimations.

Impacts of Climate Change on Regulated Streamflow, Hydrologic Extremes, Hydropower Production, and Sediment Discharge in the Skagit River Basin

USGS Publications Warehouse

Lee, Se-Yeun; Hamlet, Alan F.; Grossman, Eric E.

2016-01-01

Previous studies have shown that the impacts of climate change on the hydrologic response of the Skagit River are likely to be substantial under natural (i.e. unregulated) conditions. To assess the combined effects of changing natural flow and dam operations that determine impacts to regulated flow, a new integrated daily-time-step reservoir operations model was constructed for the Skagit River Basin. The model was used to simulate current reservoir operating policies for historical flow conditions and for projected flows for the 2040s (2030–2059) and 2080s (2070–2099). The results show that climate change is likely to cause substantial seasonal changes in both natural and regulated flow, with more flow in the winter and spring, and less in summer. Hydropower generation in the basin follows these trends, increasing (+ 19%) in the winter/ spring, and decreasing (- 29%) in the summer by the 2080s. The regulated 100-year flood is projected to increase by 23% by the 2040s and 49% by the 2080s. Peak winter sediment loading in December is projected to increase by 335% by the 2080s in response to increasing winter flows, and average annual sediment loading increases from 2.3 to 5.8 teragrams (+ 149%) per year by the 2080s. Regulated extreme low flows (7Q10) are projected to decrease by about 30% by the 2080s, but remain well above natural low flows. Both current and proposed alternative flood control operations are shown to be largely ineffective in mitigating increasing flood risks in the lower Skagit due to the distribution of flow in the basin during floods.

Ground reaction forces and kinematics in distance running in older-aged men.

PubMed

Bus, Sicco A

2003-07-01

The biomechanics of distance running has not been studied before in older-aged runners but may be different than in younger-aged runners because of musculoskeletal degeneration at older age. This study aimed at determining whether the stance phase kinematics and ground reaction forces in running are different between younger- and older-aged men. Lower-extremity kinematics using three-dimensional motion analysis and ground reaction forces (GRF) using a force plate were assessed in 16 older-aged (55-65 yr) and 13 younger-aged (20-35 yr) well-trained male distance runners running at a self-selected (SRS) and a controlled (CRS) speed of 3.3 m.s-1. The older subjects ran at significantly lower self-selected speeds than the younger subjects (mean 3.34 vs 3.77 m.s-1). In both speed conditions, the older runners exhibited significantly more knee flexion at heel strike and significantly less knee flexion and extension range of motion. No age group differences were present in subtalar joint motion. Impact peak force (1.91 vs 1.70 BW) and maximal initial loading rate (107.5 vs 85.5 BW.s-1) were significantly higher in the older runners at the CRS. Maximal peak vertical and anteroposterior forces and impulses were significantly lower in the older runners at the SRS. The biomechanics of running is different between older- and younger-aged runners on several relevant parameters. The larger impact peak force and initial loading rate indicate a loss of shock-absorbing capacity in the older runners. This may increase their susceptibility to lower-extremity overuse injuries. Moreover, it emphasizes the focus on optimizing cushioning properties in the design and prescription of running shoes and suggests that older-aged runners should be cautious with running under conditions of high impact.

78 FR 28258 - mPower\\TM\\ Design-Specific Review Standard

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-05-14

... Public Documents'' and then select ``Begin Web- based ADAMS Search.'' For problems with ADAMS, please... Classification ML12272A013 3.2.2 System Quality Group ML12272A015 Classification. 3.3.1 Severe Wind Loading... ML12324A156 3.3.2 Extreme Wind Loads ML12324A166 (Tornado and Hurricane Loads). 3.4.1 Internal Flood...

Statistical Evaluation and Improvement of Methods for Combining Random and Harmonic Loads

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Brown, A. M.; McGhee, D. S.

2003-01-01

Structures in many environments experience both random and harmonic excitation. A variety of closed-form techniques has been used in the aerospace industry to combine the loads resulting from the two sources. The resulting combined loads are then used to design for both yield/ultimate strength and high- cycle fatigue capability. This Technical Publication examines the cumulative distribution percentiles obtained using each method by integrating the joint probability density function of the sine and random components. A new Microsoft Excel spreadsheet macro that links with the software program Mathematica to calculate the combined value corresponding to any desired percentile is then presented along with a curve tit to this value. Another Excel macro that calculates the combination using Monte Carlo simulation is shown. Unlike the traditional techniques. these methods quantify the calculated load value with a consistent percentile. Using either of the presented methods can be extremely valuable in probabilistic design, which requires a statistical characterization of the loading. Additionally, since the CDF at high probability levels is very flat, the design value is extremely sensitive to the predetermined percentile; therefore, applying the new techniques can substantially lower the design loading without losing any of the identified structural reliability.

Statistical Comparison and Improvement of Methods for Combining Random and Harmonic Loads

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Brown, Andrew M.; McGhee, David S.

2004-01-01

Structures in many environments experience both random and harmonic excitation. A variety of closed-form techniques has been used in the aerospace industry to combine the loads resulting from the two sources. The resulting combined loads are then used to design for both yield ultimate strength and high cycle fatigue capability. This paper examines the cumulative distribution function (CDF) percentiles obtained using each method by integrating the joint probability density function of the sine and random components. A new Microsoft Excel spreadsheet macro that links with the software program Mathematics is then used to calculate the combined value corresponding to any desired percentile along with a curve fit to this value. Another Excel macro is used to calculate the combination using a Monte Carlo simulation. Unlike the traditional techniques, these methods quantify the calculated load value with a Consistent percentile. Using either of the presented methods can be extremely valuable in probabilistic design, which requires a statistical characterization of the loading. Also, since the CDF at high probability levels is very flat, the design value is extremely sensitive to the predetermined percentile; therefore, applying the new techniques can lower the design loading substantially without losing any of the identified structural reliability.

MESSENGER Observations of Extreme Loading and Unloading of Mercury's Magnetic Tail

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Slavin, James A.; Anderson, Brian J.; Baker, Daniel N.; Benna, Mehdi; Boardsen, Scott A.; Gloeckler, George; Gold, Robert E.; Ho, George C.; Korth, Haje; Krimigis, Stamatios M.;

MESSENGER Observations of Extreme Loading and Unloading of Mercury's Magnetic Tail

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Slavin, James A.; Anderson, Brian J.; Baker, Daniel N.; Benna, Mehdi; Boardsen, Scott A.; Gloeckler, George; Gold, Robert E.; Ho, George C.; Korth, Haje; Krimigis, Stamatios M.;

Spinning Reserve From Hotel Load Response: Initial Progress

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kueck, John D; Kirby, Brendan J

2008-11-01

This project was motivated by the fundamental match between hotel space conditioning load response capability and power system contingency response needs. As power system costs rise and capacity is strained demand response can provide a significant system reliability benefit at a potentially attractive cost. At ORNL s suggestion, Digital Solutions Inc. adapted its hotel air conditioning control technology to supply power system spinning reserve. This energy saving technology is primarily designed to provide the hotel operator with the ability to control individual room temperature set-points based upon occupancy (25% to 50% energy savings based on an earlier study [Kirby andmore » Ally, 2002]). DSI added instantaneous local load shedding capability in response to power system frequency and centrally dispatched load shedding capability in response to power system operator command. The 162 room Music Road Hotel in Pigeon Forge Tennessee agreed to host the spinning reserve test. The Tennessee Valley Authority supplied real-time metering equipment in the form of an internet connected Dranetz-BMI power quality meter and monitoring expertise to record total hotel load during both normal operations and test results. The Sevier County Electric System installed the metering. Preliminary testing showed that hotel load can be curtailed by 22% to 37% depending on the outdoor temperature and the time of day. These results are prior to implementing control over the common area air conditioning loads. Testing was also not at times of highest system or hotel loading. Full response occurred in 12 to 60 seconds from when the system operator s command to shed load was issued. The load drop was very rapid, essentially as fast as the 2 second metering could detect, with all units responding essentially simultaneously. Load restoration was ramped back in over several minutes. The restoration ramp can be adjusted to the power system needs. Frequency response testing was not completed. Initial testing showed that the units respond very quickly. Problems with local power quality generated false low frequency signals which required testing to be stopped. This should not be a problem in actual operation since the frequency trip points will be staggered to generate a droop curve which mimics generator governor response. The actual trip frequencies will also be low enough to avoid power quality problems. The actual trip frequencies are too low to generate test events with sufficient regularity to complete testing in a reasonable amount of time. Frequency response testing will resume once the local power quality problem is fully understood and reasonable test frequency settings can be determined. Overall the preliminary testing was extremely successful. The hotel response capability matches the power system reliability need, being faster than generation response and inherently available when the power system is under the most stress (times of high system and hotel load). Periodic testing is scheduled throughout the winter and spring to characterize hotel response capability under a full range of conditions. More extensive testing will resume when summer outdoor temperatures are again high enough to fully test hotel response.« less

Design and Analysis of Wind Turbine Blade Hub using Aluminium Alloy AA 6061-T6

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ravikumar, S.; Jaswanthvenkatram, V.; Sai kumar, Y. J. N. V.; Sohaib, S. Md.

2017-05-01

This work presents the design and analysis of horizontal axis wind turbine blade hub using different material. The hub is very crucial part of the wind turbine, which experience the loads from the blades and the loads were transmitted to the main shaft. At present wind turbine is more expensive and weights more than a million pounds, with the nacelle, rotor hub and blades accounting for most of the weight. In this work Spheroidal graphite cast iron GGG 40.3 is replaced by aluminium alloy 6061-T6 to enhance the casting properties and also to improve the strength-weight ratio. This transition of material leads to reduction in weight of the wind turbine. All the loads caused by wind and extreme loads on the blades are transferred to the hub. Considering the IEC 61400-1 standard for defining extreme loads on the hub the stress and deflection were calculated on the hub by using Finite element Analysis. Result obtained from ANSYS is compared and discussed with the existing design.

State-shifting at the edge of resilience: River suspended sediment responses to land use change and extreme storms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Abbott, Samantha; Julian, Jason P.; Kamarinas, Ioannis; Meitzen, Kimberly M.; Fuller, Ian C.; McColl, Samuel T.; Dymond, John R.

2018-03-01

The interaction of climate, geomorphology, and land use dictates catchment sediment production and associated river sediment loads. Accordingly, the resilience of catchments to disturbances can be assessed with suspended sediment regimes. This case study in the hill country of the lower North Island of New Zealand was a decade-long examination of the short- and long-term effects of an extreme storm event on sediment supply and exhaustion in the Oroua and Pohangina catchments, two catchments that have experienced intense land use changes and frequent broad-scale landslides. Indicators of Hydrologic Alteration, a program developed to characterize hydrologic regimes, was used to analyze daily suspended sediment records over a period of a decade in order to characterize sediment regimes of the Oroua and Pohangina. An aggregated data set of sediment-bearing events for the period of record was analyzed to examine the suspended sediment response of individual storms relative to runoff magnitudes. The findings of this study demonstrate that large storms that generate extreme landsliding and flooding have the ability to produce enough sediment to temporarily convert catchments from a supply-limited state to a transport-limited state. Landsliding and thus sediment supply was disproportionately high in locations where livestock grazing occurred on steep hillslopes. The timing and intensity of previous storms, or the antecedent catchment condition, was also shown to influence the response of the catchments. In both catchments, suspended sediment loads were elevated for a period of 4 years following the landslide-generating February 2004 storm. The methods and findings we present are useful for assessing the resilience of catchments exposed to frequent disturbances such as land use changes and landslides.

Successful Treatment of Pyoderma Gangrenosum with Cryoglobulinemia and Hepatitis C.

PubMed

Pourmorteza, Mohsen; Tawadros, Fady; Bader, Gilbert; Al-Tarawneh, Mohamed; Cook, Emilie; Shams, Wael; Young, Mark

2016-06-27

Pyoderma gangrenosum is a rare, ulcerative cutaneous condition that was first described by Brocq in 1916. This diagnosis is quite challenging as the histopathological findings are nonspecific. Pyoderma gangrenosum is usually associated with inflammatory bowel disease, leukemia, and hepatitis C. We describe a rare clinical case of a patient with hepatitis C (HCV), mixed cryoglubinemia, and pyoderma gangrenosum, which was successfully treated with prednisone in combination with the new antiviral medication ledipasvir/sofosbuvir. A 68-year-old male with a history of untreated HCV presented to the clinic with a left lower extremity ulcer that had progressively worsened over 4 days after the patient sustained a minor trauma to the left lower extremity. Examination revealed a 2×3 cm purulent ulcer with an erythematous rim on medial aspect of his left lower leg. HCV viral load and genotype analysis revealed genotype 1A with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) showing viral counts of 9,506,048 and cryoglobulinemia. With a worsening and enlarging erythematous ulcer and failure of IV antibiotic therapy, the patient underwent skin biopsy, which showed acanthotic epidermis with superficial and deep perivascular lymphoplasmacytic dermatitis admixed with mild neutrophilic infiltrate. The patient was subsequently started on ledipasvir/sofosbuvir and prednisone with a high suspicion of pyoderma gangrenosum. At one-month follow-up at the hepatology clinic, the patient demonstrated a near resolution of the lower extremity ulcer with undetectable viral load. Pyoderma gangrenosum is an inflammatory process of unknown etiology, and establishing the correct diagnosis can be a difficult task. For this reason it is prudent for clinicians to consider Pyoderma gangrenosum in their differential diagnosis, especially in the setting of a nonhealing surgical wound or skin infection.

Boulder-Faced Log Dams and other Alternatives for Gabion Check Dams in First-Order Ephemeral Streams with Coarse Bed Load in Ethiopia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nyssen, Jan; Gebreslassie, Seifu; Assefa, Romha; Deckers, Jozef; Guyassa, Etefa; Poesen, Jean; Frankl, Amaury

2017-04-01

Many thousands of gabion check dams have been installed to control gully erosion in Ethiopia, but several challenges still remain, such as the issue of gabion failure in ephemeral streams with coarse bed load, that abrades at the chute step. As an alternative for gabion check dams in torrents with coarse bed load, boulder-faced log dams were conceived, installed transversally across torrents and tested (n = 30). For this, logs (22-35 cm across) were embedded in the banks of torrents, 0.5-1 m above the bed and their upstream sides were faced with boulders (0.3-0.7 m across). Similar to gabion check dams, boulder-faced log dams lead to temporary ponding, spreading of peak flow over the entire channel width and sediment deposition. Results of testing under extreme flow conditions (including two storms with return periods of 5.6 and 7 years) show that 18 dams resisted strong floods. Beyond certain flood thresholds, represented by proxies such as Strahler's stream order, catchment area, D95 or channel width), 11 log dams were completely destroyed. Smallholder farmers see much potential in this type of structure to control first-order torrents with coarse bed load, since the technique is cost-effective and can be easily installed.

Isothermal Damage and Fatigue Behavior of SCS-6/Timetal 21S [0/90](Sub S) Composite at 650 Deg C

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Castelli, Michael G.

1994-01-01

The isothermal fatigue damage and life behaviors of SCS-6/Timetal 21S (0/90)s were investigated at 650 C. Strain ratcheting and degradation of the composite's static elastic modulus were carefully monitored as functions of cycles to indicate damage progression. Extensive fractographic and metallographic analyses were conducted to determine damage/failure mechanisms. Resulting fatigue lives show considerable reductions in comparison to (0) reinforced titanium matrix composites subjected to comparable conditions. Notable stiffness degradations were found to occur after the first cycle of loading, even at relatively low maximum stress levels, where cyclic lives are greater than 25,000 cycles. This was attributed to the extremely weak fiber/matrix bond which fails under relatively low transverse loads. Stiffness degradations incurred on first cycle loadings and degradations thereafter were found to increase with increasing maximum stress. Environmental effects associated with oxidation of the (90) fiber interfaces clearly played a role in the damage mechanisms as fracture surfaces revealed environment assisted matrix cracking along the (90) fibers. Metallographic analysis indicated that all observable matrix fatigue cracks initiated at the (90) fiber/matrix interfaces. Global de-bonding in the loading direction was found along the (90) fibers. No surface initiated cracks were evident and minimal if any (0) fiber cracking was visible.

The Effect of Anthropomorphic Test Device Lower Leg Surrogate Selection on Impact Mitigating System Evaluation in Low- and High-Rate Loading Conditions.

PubMed

Quenneville, Cheryl E; Fournier, Ed; Shewchenko, Nicholas

2017-09-01

The lower legs are at risk of substantial injury during events such as frontal automotive crashes and antivehicular mine blasts. Loading to occupants can be assessed using an instrumented anthropomorphic test device (ATD), whose measurements can be compared to established injury criteria. NATO's AEP-55 STANAG 4569 recognizes two surrogates for lower leg injury assessments from impacts with intruding floor pans resulting from underbelly blast loads; (1) the rigid Hybrid III instrumented lower leg, and; (2) the compliant MILitary Lower eXtremity (MIL-LX). The established injury criterion for the Hybrid III leg specifies a maximum lower tibia compressive load of 5.4 kN, whereas the MIL-LX limit is 2.6 kN measured at the upper tibia for similar injury severity levels. The difference in compliance between the two legs could affect the evaluation of protection levels, resulting in an over- or under-estimation of the force attenuation of energy attenuating (EA) floor mats. The responses of the two lower leg surrogates were evaluated at impact velocities up to 12 m/s, representing floor intrusions during antivehicle mine blasts. An air cannon was used to accelerate a rigid or padded floor plate into the sole of the surrogate lower legs, loading them axially, in order to assess the protective capability of commercial EA floor mats. The peak load from the lower and upper load cells in the Hybrid III and MIL-LX legs were compared to identify at what point their respective injury criteria would be exceeded in both the padded and unpadded conditions. Comparisons of the surrogate legs' responses resulted in different evaluations of risk, with the Hybrid III leg exceeding its limit at an impact speed of 6.0 m/s, and the MIL-LX exceeding its limit at 5.5 m/s (for tests including an EA product). Furthermore, the inclusion of an EA mat had a greater relative protective effect on the Hybrid III than the MIL-LX leg, with padding reducing the force to 17 to 34% of the unpadded condition for the Hybrid III, versus 67 to 89% of the unpadded condition for the MIL-LX. The load reduction was found to be velocity dependent for both surrogates. These results indicate that the two surrogates are not equivalent in their assessment of protective capability. Therefore, the selection of ATD leg for testing of EA mats (and other protective devices) will influence the evaluation of these systems, and more robust metrics are required to identify which is the most appropriate surrogate for evaluating injury to the lower limb. Reprint & Copyright © 2017 Association of Military Surgeons of the U.S.

The Influence of Lower Extremity Lean Mass on Landing Biomechanics During Prolonged Exercise.

PubMed

Montgomery, Melissa M; Tritsch, Amanda J; Cone, John R; Schmitz, Randy J; Henson, Robert A; Shultz, Sandra J

2017-08-01

  The extent to which lower extremity lean mass (LELM) relative to total body mass influences one's ability to maintain safe landing biomechanics during prolonged exercise when injury incidence increases is unknown.   To examine the influence of LELM on (1) pre-exercise lower extremity biomechanics and (2) changes in biomechanics during an intermittent exercise protocol (IEP) and (3) determine whether these relationships differ by sex. We hypothesized that less LELM would predict higher-risk baseline biomechanics and greater changes toward higher-risk biomechanics during the IEP.   Cohort study.   Controlled laboratory.   A total of 59 athletes (30 men: age = 20.3 ± 2.0 years, height = 1.79 ± 0.05 m, mass = 75.2 ± 7.2 kg; 29 women: age = 20.6 ± 2.3 years, height = 1.67 ± 0.08 m, mass = 61.8 ± 9.0 kg) participated.   Before completing an individualized 90-minute IEP designed to mimic a soccer match, participants underwent dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry testing for LELM.   Three-dimensional lower extremity biomechanics were measured during drop-jump landings before the IEP and every 15 minutes thereafter. A previously reported principal components analysis reduced 40 biomechanical variables to 11 factors. Hierarchical linear modeling analysis then determined the extent to which sex and LELM predicted the baseline score and the change in each factor over time.   Lower extremity lean mass did not influence baseline biomechanics or the changes over time. Sex influenced the biomechanical factor representing knee loading at baseline (P = .04) and the changes in the anterior cruciate ligament-loading factor over time (P = .03). The LELM had an additional influence only on women who possessed less LELM (P = .03 and .02, respectively).   Lower extremity lean mass influenced knee loading during landing in women but not in men. The effect appeared to be stronger in women with less LELM. Continually decreasing knee loading over time may reflect a strategy chosen to avoid injury. A minimal threshold of LELM may be needed to safely perform landing maneuvers, especially during prolonged exercise when the injury risk increases.

Estimates of crystalline LiF thermal conductivity at high temperature and pressure by a Green-Kubo method

DOE PAGES

Jones, R. E.; Ward, D. K.

2016-07-18

Here, given the unique optical properties of LiF, it is often used as an observation window in high-temperature and -pressure experiments; hence, estimates of its transmission properties are necessary to interpret observations. Since direct measurements of the thermal conductivity of LiF at the appropriate conditions are difficult, we resort to molecular simulation methods. Using an empirical potential validated against ab initio phonon density of states, we estimate the thermal conductivity of LiF at high temperatures (1000–4000 K) and pressures (100–400 GPa) with the Green-Kubo method. We also compare these estimates to those derived directly from ab initio data. To ascertainmore » the correct phase of LiF at these extreme conditions, we calculate the (relative) phase stability of the B1 and B2 structures using a quasiharmonic ab initio model of the free energy. We also estimate the thermal conductivity of LiF in an uniaxial loading state that emulates initial stages of compression in high-stress ramp loading experiments and show the degree of anisotropy induced in the conductivity due to deformation.« less

Parameter identification of partially covered piezoelectric cantilever power scavenger based on the coupled distributed parameter solution

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hosseini; Hamedi; Ebrahimi Mamaghani; Kim; Kim; Dayou

2017-07-01

Among the various techniques of power scavenging, piezoelectric energy harvesting usually has more power density. Although piezoceramics are usually more efficient than other piezoelectric materials, since they are very brittle and fragile, researchers are looking for alternative materials. Recently Cellulose Electro-active paper (EAPap) has been recognized as a smart material with piezoelectric behavior that can be used in energy scavenging systems. The majority of researches in energy harvesting area, use unimorph piezoelectric cantilever beams. This paper presents an analytical solution based on distributed parameter model for partially covered pieoelectric cantilever energy harvester. The purpose of the paper is to describe the changes in generated power with damping and the load resistance using analytical calculations. The analytical data are verified using experiment on a vibrating cantilever substrate that is partially covered by EAPap films. The results are very close to each other. Also asymptotic trends of the voltage, current and power outputs are investigated and expressions are obtained for the extreme conditions of the load resistance. These new findings provide guidelines for identification and manipulation of effective parameters in order to achieve the efficient performance in different ambient source conditions.

The Extreme Mechanics of Soft Structures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Reis, Pedro

2015-03-01

I will present a series of experimental investigations on the rich behavior of soft mechanical structures, which, similarly to soft materials, can undergo large deformations under a variety of loading conditions. Soft structures typically comprise slender elements that can readily undergo mechanical instabilities to achieve extreme flexibility and reversible reconfigurations. This field has came to be warmly known as `Extreme Mechanics', where one of the fundamental challenges lies in rationalizing the geometric nonlinearities that arise in the post-buckling regime. I shall focus on problems involving thin elastic rods and shells, through examples ranging from the deployment of submarine cables onto the seabed, locomotion of uniflagellar bacteria, crystallography of curved wrinkling and its usage for active aerodynamic drag reduction. The main common feature underlying this series of studies is the prominence of geometry, and its interplay with mechanics, in dictating complex mechanical behavior that is relevant and applicable over a wide range of length scales. Moreover, our findings suggest that we rethink our relationship with mechanical instabilities which, rather than modes of failure, can be embraced as opportunities for functionality that are scalable, reversible, and robust. The author knowledges financial support from the National Science Foundation, CMMI-1351449 (CAREER).

Climate variability and extremes, interacting with nitrogen storage, amplify eutrophication risk

USGS Publications Warehouse

Lee, Minjin; Shevliakova, Elena; Malyshev, Sergey; Milly, P.C.D.; Jaffe, Peter R.

2016-01-01

Despite 30 years of basin-wide nutrient-reduction efforts, severe hypoxia continues to be observed in the Chesapeake Bay. Here we demonstrate the critical influence of climate variability, interacting with accumulated nitrogen (N) over multidecades, on Susquehanna River dissolved nitrogen (DN) loads, known precursors of the hypoxia in the Bay. We used the process model LM3-TAN (Terrestrial and Aquatic Nitrogen), which is capable of capturing both seasonal and decadal-to-century changes in vegetation-soil-river N storage, and produced nine scenarios of DN-load distributions under different short-term scenarios of climate variability and extremes. We illustrate that after 1 to 3 yearlong dry spells, the likelihood of exceeding a threshold DN load (56 kt yr−1) increases by 40 to 65% due to flushing of N accumulated throughout the dry spells and altered microbial processes. Our analyses suggest that possible future increases in climate variability/extremes—specifically, high precipitation occurring after multiyear dry spells—could likely lead to high DN-load anomalies and hypoxia.

Methods for combining payload parameter variations with input environment. [calculating design limit loads compatible with probabilistic structural design criteria

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Merchant, D. H.

1976-01-01

Methods are presented for calculating design limit loads compatible with probabilistic structural design criteria. The approach is based on the concept that the desired limit load, defined as the largest load occurring in a mission, is a random variable having a specific probability distribution which may be determined from extreme-value theory. The design limit load, defined as a particular of this random limit load, is the value conventionally used in structural design. Methods are presented for determining the limit load probability distributions from both time-domain and frequency-domain dynamic load simulations. Numerical demonstrations of the method are also presented.

The space shuttle program from challenge to achievement: Space exploration rolling on tires

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Felder, G. L.

1985-01-01

The Space Shuttle Transportation System is the first space program to employ the pneumatic tire as a part of space exploration. For aircraft tires, this program establishes new expectations as to what constitutes acceptable performance within a set of tough environmental and operational conditions. Tire design, stresses the usual low weight, high load, high speed, and excellent air retention features but at extremes well outside industry standards. Tires will continue to be an integral part of the Shuttle's landing phase in the immediate future since they afford a unique combination of directional control, braking traction, flotation and shock absorption not available by other systems.

X-ray diffraction of molybdenum under shock compression to 450 GPa

DOE PAGES

Wang, Jue; Coppari, Federica; Smith, Raymond F.; ...

2015-11-20

Molybdenum (Mo) is a body-centered-cubic (bcc) transition metal that has widespread technological applications. Although the bcc transition elements are used as test cases for understanding the behavior of metals under extreme conditions, the melting curves and phase transitions of these elements have been the subject of stark disagreements in recent years. Here we use x-ray diffraction to examine the phase stability and melting behavior of Mo under shock loading to 450 GPa. The bcc phase of Mo remains stable along the Hugoniot until 380 GPa. Here, our results do not support previous claims of a shallow melting curve for molybdenum.

Performance model of a recirculating stack nickel hydrogen cell

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Zimmerman, Albert H.

1994-01-01

A theoretical model of the nickel hydrogen battery cell has been utilized to describe the chemical and physical changes during charge and overcharge in a recirculating stack nickel hydrogen cell. In particular, the movement of gas and electrolyte have been examined as a function of the amount of electrolyte put into the cell stack during cell activation, and as a function of flooding in regions of the gas screen in this cell design. Additionally, a two-dimensional variation on this model has been utilized to describe the effects of non-uniform loading in the nickel-electrode on the movement of gas and electrolyte within the recirculating stack nickel hydrogen cell. The type of nonuniform loading that has been examined here is that associated with higher than average loading near the surface of the sintered nickel electrode, a condition present to some degree in many nickel electrodes made by electrochemical impregnation methods. The effects of high surface loading were examined primarily under conditions of overcharge, since the movement of gas and electrolyte in the overcharging condition was typically where the greatest effects of non-uniform loading were found. The results indicate that significant changes in the capillary forces between cell components occur as the percentage of free volume in the stack filled by electrolyte becomes very high. These changes create large gradients in gas-filled space and oxygen concentrations near the boundary between the separator and the hydrogen electrode when the electrolyte fill is much greater than about 95 percent of the stack free volume. At lower electrolyte fill levels, these gaseous and electrolyte gradients become less extreme, and shift through the separator towards the nickel electrode. Similarly, flooding of areas in the gas screen cause higher concentrations of oxygen gas to approach the platinum/hydrogen electrode that is opposite the back side of the nickel electrode. These results illustrate the need for appropriate pore size distributions, and the maintenance of both convective electrolyte and gas flow paths through the stack, if the recirculating stack nickel hydrogen cell design is to work properly.

Biomechanical studies on the effect of iatrogenic dentin removal on vertical root fractures.

PubMed

Ossareh, A; Rosentritt, M; Kishen, A

2018-01-01

The aim of this study was to understand the mechanism by which iatrogenic root dentin removal influences radicular stress distribution and subsequently affects the resistance to vertical root fractures (VRF) in endodontically treated teeth. The experiments were conducted in two phases. Phase 1: freshly extracted premolar teeth maintained in phosphate-buffered saline were instrumented to simulate three different degrees of dentin removal, designated as low, medium, and extreme groups. Micro-Ct analyzes were performed to quantitatively determine: (a) the amount of dentin removed, (b) the remaining dentin volume, and (c) the moment of inertia of root dentin. The specimens were then subjected to thermomechanical cycling and continuous loading to determine (a) the mechanical load to fracture and (b) dentin microcracking (fractography) using scanning electron microscopy. Phase 2: Finite element analysis was used to evaluate the influence of dentin removal on the stress distribution pattern in root dentin. The data obtained were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey's post hoc test ( P < 0.05). Phase 1: A significantly greater volume of dentin was removed from teeth in extreme group when compared to low group ( P < 0.01). The mechanical analysis showed that the load to fracture was significantly lower in teeth from extreme group ( P < 0.05). A linear relationship was observed between the moment of inertia and load to fracture in all experimental groups ( R 2 = 0.52). Fractography showed that most microcracks were initiated from the root canal walls in extreme group. Phase 2: The numerical analysis showed that the radicular stress distribution increased apically and buccolingually with greater degree of root canal dentin removal. The combined experimental/numerical analyses highlighted the influence of remaining root dentin volume on the radicular bending resistance, stress distribution pattern, and subsequent propensity to VRF.

Wrist loading patterns during pommel horse exercises.

PubMed

Markolf, K L; Shapiro, M S; Mandelbaum, B R; Teurlings, L

1990-01-01

Gymnastics is a sport which involves substantial periods of upper extremity support as well as frequent impacts to the wrist. Not surprisingly, wrist pain is a common finding in gymnasts. Of all events, the pommel horse is the most painful. In order to study the forces of wrist impact, a standard pommel horse was instrumented with a specially designed load cell to record the resultant force of the hand on the pommel during a series of basic skills performed by a group of seventeen elite male gymnasts. The highest mean peak forces were recorded during the front scissors and flair exercises (1.5 BW) with peaks of up to 2.0 BW for some gymnasts. The mean peak force for hip circles at the center or end of the horse was 1.1 BW. The mean overall loading rate (initial contact to first loading peak) ranged from 5.2 BWs-1 (hip circles) to 10.6 BW s-1 (flairs). However, many recordings displayed localized initial loading spikes which occurred during 'hard' landings on the pommel. When front scissors were performed in an aggressive manner, the initial loading spikes averaged 1.0 BW in magnitude (maximum 1.8 BW) with an average rise time of 8.2 ms; calculated localized loading rates averaged 129 BW s-1 (maximum 219 BW s-1). These loading parameters are comparable to those encountered at heel strike during running. These impact forces and loading rates are remarkably high for an upper extremity joint not normally exposed to weight-bearing loads, and may contribute to the pathogenesis of wrist injuries in gymnastics.

Lateral ring metal elastic wheel absorbs shock loading

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Galan, L.

1966-01-01

Lateral ring metal elastic wheel absorbs practically all shock loading when operated over extremely rough terrain and delivers only a negligible shock residue to associated suspension components. The wheel consists of a rigid aluminum assembly to which lateral titanium ring flexible elements with treads are attached.

Assessment of extreme value distributions for maximum temperature in the Mediterranean area

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Beck, Alexander; Hertig, Elke; Jacobeit, Jucundus

2015-04-01

Extreme maximum temperatures highly affect the natural as well as the societal environment Heat stress has great effects on flora, fauna and humans and culminates in heat related morbidity and mortality. Agriculture and different industries are severely affected by extreme air temperatures. Even more under climate change conditions, it is necessary to detect potential hazards which arise from changes in the distributional parameters of extreme values, and this is especially relevant for the Mediterranean region which is characterized as a climate change hot spot. Therefore statistical approaches are developed to estimate these parameters with a focus on non-stationarities emerging in the relationship between regional climate variables and their large-scale predictors like sea level pressure, geopotential heights, atmospheric temperatures and relative humidity. Gridded maximum temperature data from the daily E-OBS dataset (Haylock et al., 2008) with a spatial resolution of 0.25° x 0.25° from January 1950 until December 2012 are the predictands for the present analyses. A s-mode principal component analysis (PCA) has been performed in order to reduce data dimension and to retain different regions of similar maximum temperature variability. The grid box with the highest PC-loading represents the corresponding principal component. A central part of the analyses is the model development for temperature extremes under the use of extreme value statistics. A combined model is derived consisting of a Generalized Pareto Distribution (GPD) model and a quantile regression (QR) model which determines the GPD location parameters. The QR model as well as the scale parameters of the GPD model are conditioned by various large-scale predictor variables. In order to account for potential non-stationarities in the predictors-temperature relationships, a special calibration and validation scheme is applied, respectively. Haylock, M. R., N. Hofstra, A. M. G. Klein Tank, E. J. Klok, P. D. Jones, and M. New (2008), A European daily high-resolution gridded data set of surface temperature and precipitation for 1950 - 2006, J. Geophys. Res., 113, D20119, doi:10.1029/2008JD010201.

Long-term records reveal decoupling of nitrogen and phosphorus cycles in a large, urban lake in response to an extreme rainfall event

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Corman, J. R.; Loken, L. C.; Oliver, S. K.; Collins, S.; Butitta, V.; Stanley, E. H.

2017-12-01

Extreme events can play powerful roles in shifting ecosystem processes. In lakes, heavy rainfall can transport large amounts of particulates and dissolved nutrients into the water column and, potentially, alter biogeochemical cycling. However, the impacts of extreme rainfall events are often difficult to study due to a lack of long-term records. In this paper, we combine daily discharge records with long-term lake water quality information collected by the North Temperate Lakes Long-Term Ecological Research (NTL LTER) site to investigate the impacts of extreme events on nutrient cycling in lakes. We focus on Lake Mendota, an urban lake within the Yahara River Watershed in Madison, Wisconsin, USA, where nutrient data are available at least seasonally from 1995 - present. In June 2008, precipitation amounts in the Yahara watershed were 400% above normal values, triggering the largest discharge event on record for the 40 years of monitoring at the streamgage station; hence, we are able to compare water quality records before and after this event as a case study of how extreme rain events couple or decouple lake nutrient cycling. Following the extreme event, the lake-wide mass of nitrogen and phosphorus increased in the summer of 2008 by 35% and 21%, respectively, shifting lake stoichiometry by increasing N:P ratios (Figure 1). Nitrogen concentrations remained elevated longer than phosphorus, suggesting (1) that nitrogen inputs into the lake were sustained longer than phosphorus (i.e., a "smear" versus "pulse" loading of nitrogen versus phosphorus, respectively, in response to the extreme event) and/or (2) that in-lake biogeochemical processing was more efficient at removing phosphorus compared to nitrogen. While groundwater loading data are currently unavailable to test the former hypothesis, preliminary data from surficial nitrogen and phosphorus loading to Lake Mendota (available for 2011 - 2013) suggest that nitrogen removal efficiency is less than phosphorus, supporting the latter hypothesis. As climate change is expected to increase the frequency of extreme events, continued monitoring of lakes is needed to understand biogeochemical responses and when and how water quality threats may occur.

Rolling element bearing defect diagnosis under variable speed operation through angle synchronous averaging of wavelet de-noised estimate

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mishra, C.; Samantaray, A. K.; Chakraborty, G.

2016-05-01

Rolling element bearings are widely used in rotating machines and their faults can lead to excessive vibration levels and/or complete seizure of the machine. Under special operating conditions such as non-uniform or low speed shaft rotation, the available fault diagnosis methods cannot be applied for bearing fault diagnosis with full confidence. Fault symptoms in such operating conditions cannot be easily extracted through usual measurement and signal processing techniques. A typical example is a bearing in heavy rolling mill with variable load and disturbance from other sources. In extremely slow speed operation, variation in speed due to speed controller transients or external disturbances (e.g., varying load) can be relatively high. To account for speed variation, instantaneous angular position instead of time is used as the base variable of signals for signal processing purposes. Even with time synchronous averaging (TSA) and well-established methods like envelope order analysis, rolling element faults in rolling element bearings cannot be easily identified during such operating conditions. In this article we propose to use order tracking on the envelope of the wavelet de-noised estimate of the short-duration angle synchronous averaged signal to diagnose faults in rolling element bearing operating under the stated special conditions. The proposed four-stage sequential signal processing method eliminates uncorrelated content, avoids signal smearing and exposes only the fault frequencies and its harmonics in the spectrum. We use experimental data1

Angiographic assessment of atherosclerotic load at the lower extremity in patients with diabetic foot and charcot neuro-arthropathy.

PubMed

Çildağ, Mehmet B; Ertuğrul, Bülent M; Köseoğlu, Ömer Fk; Çildağ, Songül; Armstrong, David G

2018-06-01

The aim of this study was to investigate atherosclerotic load at the lower extremity in patients with diabetic foot and charcot neuro-arthropathy and compare them with patients with diabetic foot without charcot neuro-arthropathy. This retrospective study consists of 78 patients with diabetic foot who had lower extremity angiography with antegrade approach. All patients were classified into two groups; neuro ischemic wounds with charcot neuro-arthropathy (30/78) and without charcot neuro-arthropathy (48/78).Atherosclerotic load at the side of diabetic foot was determined by using the Bollinger angiogram scoring method. Comparison of atherosclerotic load between the two groups was performed. The mean of total and infrapopliteal level angiogram scoring of all patients was 33.3 (standard deviation, sd:±17.2) and 29.3 (sd:±15.6), respectively. The mean of total and infrapopliteal level angiogram scoring of neuroischemic wounds with charcot neuro-arthropathy group was 18.1 (sd:±11.6) and 15.7 (sd:±10.4), respectively. The mean of total and infrapopliteal level angiogram scoring of neuroischemic wounds without charcot neuro-arthropathy group was 42.8 (sd:±12.7) and 37.7 (sd:±12.0), respectively. There was a statistically significant difference between the two groups of mean total and infrapopliteal angiogram scoring (p < 0.01). This angiographic study confirms that the atherosclerotic load in patients with diabetic foot and chronic charcot neuro-arthropathy is significantly less than in patients with neuroischemic diabetic foot wounds without chronic charcot neuro-arthropathy. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier Taiwan LLC.

Statistical analysis of stream water-quality data and sampling network design near Oklahoma City, central Oklahoma, 1977-1999

USGS Publications Warehouse

Brigham, Mark E.; Payne, Gregory A.; Andrews, William J.; Abbott, Marvin M.

2002-01-01

The sampling network was evaluated with respect to areal coverage, sampling frequency, and analytical schedules. Areal coverage could be expanded to include one additional watershed that is not part of the current network. A new sampling site on the North Canadian River might be useful because of expanding urbanization west of the city, but sampling at some other sites could be discontinued or reduced based on comparisons of data between the sites. Additional real-time or periodic monitoring for dissolved oxygen may be useful to prevent anoxic conditions in pools behind new low-water dams. The sampling schedules, both monthly and quarterly, are adequate to evaluate trends, but additional sampling during flow extremes may be needed to quantify loads and evaluate water-quality during flow extremes. Emerging water-quality issues may require sampling for volatile organic compounds, sulfide, total phosphorus, chlorophyll-a, Esherichia coli, and enterococci, as well as use of more sensitive laboratory analytical methods for determination of cadmium, mercury, lead, and silver.

Plantar loading during cutting while wearing a rigid carbon fiber insert.

PubMed

Queen, Robin M; Abbey, Alicia N; Verma, Ravi; Butler, Robert J; Nunley, James A

2014-01-01

Stress fractures are one of the most common injuries in sports, accounting for approximately 10% of all overuse injuries. Treatment of fifth metatarsal stress fractures involves both surgical and nonsurgical interventions. Fifth metatarsal stress fractures are difficult to treat because of the risks of delayed union, nonunion, and recurrent injuries. Most of these injuries occur during agility tasks, such as those performed in soccer, basketball, and lacrosse. To examine the effect of a rigid carbon graphite footplate on plantar loading during 2 agility tasks. Crossover study. Laboratory. A total of 19 recreational male athletes with no history of lower extremity injury in the past 6 months and no previous metatarsal stress fractures were tested. Seven 45° side-cut and crossover-cut tasks were completed in a shoe with or without a full-length rigid carbon plate. Testing order between the shoe conditions and the 2 cutting tasks was randomized. Plantar-loading data were recorded using instrumented insoles. Peak pressure, maximum force, force-time integral, and contact area beneath the total foot, the medial and lateral midfoot, and the medial, middle, and lateral forefoot were analyzed. A series of paired t tests was used to examine differences between the footwear conditions (carbon graphite footplate, shod) for both cutting tasks independently (α = .05). During the side-cut task, the footplate increased total foot and lateral midfoot peak pressures while decreasing contact area and lateral midfoot force-time integral. During the crossover-cut task, the footplate increased total foot and lateral midfoot peak pressure and lateral forefoot force-time integral while decreasing total and lateral forefoot contact area. Although a rigid carbon graphite footplate altered some aspects of the plantar-pressure profile during cutting in uninjured participants, it was ineffective in reducing plantar loading beneath the fifth metatarsal.

Morphing Downwind-Aligned Rotor Concept Based on a 13-MW Wind Turbine

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ichter, Brian; Steele, Adam; Loth, Eric

To alleviate the mass-scaling issues associated with conventional upwind rotors of extreme-scale wind turbines (>/=10 MW), a morphing downwind-aligned rotor (MoDaR) concept is proposed herein. The concept employs a downwind rotor with blades whose elements are stiff (no intentional flexibility) but with hub-joints that can be unlocked to allow for moment-free downwind alignment. Aligning the combination of gravitational, centrifugal and thrust forces along the blade path reduces downwind cantilever loads, resulting in primarily tensile loading. For control simplicity, the blade curvature can be fixed with a single morphing degree of freedom using a near-hub joint for coning angle: 22 degreesmore » at rated conditions. The conventional baseline was set as the 13.2-MW Sandia 100-m all glass blade in a three-bladed upwind configuration. To quantify potential mass savings, a downwind load-aligning, two-bladed rotor was designed. Because of the reduced number of blades, the MoDaR concept had a favorable 33% mass reduction. The blade reduction and coning led to a reduction in rated power, but morphing increased energy capture at lower speeds such that both the MoDaR and conventional rotors have the same average power: 5.4 MW. A finite element analysis showed that quasi-steady structural stresses could be reduced, over a range of operating wind speeds and azimuthal angles, despite the increases in loading per blade. However, the concept feasibility requires additional investigation of the mass, cost and complexity of the morphing hinge, the impact of unsteady aeroelastic influence because of turbulence and off-design conditions, along with system-level Levelized Cost of Energy analysis.« less

Nested-scale discharge and groundwater level monitoring to improve predictions of flow route discharges and nitrate loads

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

van der Velde, Y.; Rozemeijer, J. C.; de Rooij, G. H.; van Geer, F. C.; Torfs, P. J. J. F.; de Louw, P. G. B.

2010-10-01

Identifying effective measures to reduce nutrient loads of headwaters in lowland catchments requires a thorough understanding of flow routes of water and nutrients. In this paper we assess the value of nested-scale discharge and groundwater level measurements for predictions of catchment-scale discharge and nitrate loads. In order to relate field-site measurements to the catchment-scale an upscaling approach is introduced that assumes that scale differences in flow route fluxes originate from differences in the relationship between groundwater storage and the spatial structure of the groundwater table. This relationship is characterized by the Groundwater Depth Distribution (GDD) curve that relates spatial variation in groundwater depths to the average groundwater depth. The GDD-curve was measured for a single field site (0.009 km2) and simple process descriptions were applied to relate the groundwater levels to flow route discharges. This parsimonious model could accurately describe observed storage, tube drain discharge, overland flow and groundwater flow simultaneously with Nash-Sutcliff coefficients exceeding 0.8. A probabilistic Monte Carlo approach was applied to upscale field-site measurements to catchment scales by inferring scale-specific GDD-curves from hydrographs of two nested catchments (0.4 and 6.5 km2). The estimated contribution of tube drain effluent (a dominant source for nitrates) decreased with increasing scale from 76-79% at the field-site to 34-61% and 25-50% for both catchment scales. These results were validated by demonstrating that a model conditioned on nested-scale measurements simulates better nitrate loads and better predictions of extreme discharges during validation periods compared to a model that was conditioned on catchment discharge only.

Dry-Processed, Binder-Free Holey Graphene Electrodes for Supercapacitors with Ultrahigh Areal Loadings.

PubMed

Walsh, Evan D; Han, Xiaogang; Lacey, Steven D; Kim, Jae-Woo; Connell, John W; Hu, Liangbing; Lin, Yi

2016-11-02

For commercial applications, the need for smaller footprint energy storage devices requires more energy to be stored per unit area. Carbon nanomaterials, especially graphene, have been studied as supercapacitor electrodes and can achieve high gravimetric capacities affording high gravimetric energy densities. However, most nanocarbon-based electrodes exhibit a significant decrease in their areal capacitances when scaled to the high mass loadings typically used in commercially available cells (∼10 mg/cm 2 ). One of the reasons for this behavior is that the additional surface area in thick electrodes is not readily accessible by electrolyte ions due to the large tortuosity. Furthermore, the fabrication of such electrodes often involves complicated processes that limit the potential for mass production. Here, holey graphene electrodes for supercapacitors that are scalable in both production and areal capacitance are presented. The lateral surface porosity on the graphene sheets was created using a facile single-step air oxidation method, and the resultant holey graphene was compacted under ambient conditions into mechanically robust monolithic shapes that can be directly used as binder-free electrodes. In comparison, pristine graphene discs under similar binder-free compression molding conditions were extremely brittle and thus not deemed useful for electrode applications. The coin cell supercapacitors, based on these holey graphene electrodes exhibited small variations in gravimetric capacitance over a wide range of areal mass loadings (∼1-30 mg/cm 2 ) at current densities as high as 30 mA/cm 2 , resulting in the near-linear increase of the areal capacitance (F/cm 2 ) with the mass loading. The prospects of the presented method for facile binder-free ultrathick graphene electrode fabrication are discussed.

Influences of Patellofemoral Pain and Fatigue in Female Dancers during Ballet Jump-Landing.

PubMed

Peng, H-T; Chen, W C; Kernozek, T W; Kim, K; Song, C-Y

2015-08-01

This study investigated the influence of patellofemoral pain (PFP) and fatigue on lower-extremity joint biomechanics in female dancers during consecutive simple ground échappé. 3-dimensional joint mechanics were analyzed from the no-fatigue to fatigue conditions. 2-way mixed ANOVAs were used to compare the differences of the kinematic and kinetic variables between groups and conditions. Group main effects were seen in increased jump height (p=0.03), peak vertical ground reaction force (p=0.01), knee joint power absorption (p=0.04), and patellofemoral joint stress (PFJS, p=0.04) for PFP group. Fatigue main effects were found for decreased jump height (p<0.01), decreased ankle plantarflexion at initial foot-ground contact (p=0.01), and decreased ankle displacement (p<0.01). Hip external rotation impulse and hip joint stiffness increased (both p<0.01) while knee extension and external rotation moment, and ankle joint power absorption decreased (p<0.01, p=0.02, p<0.01, respectively) after fatigue. The peak PFJS also decreased after fatigue (p<0.01). Female ballet dancers with PFP sustained great ground impact and loads on the knee probably due to higher jump height compared to the controls. All dancers presented diminished knee joint loading for the protective mechanism and endurance of ankle joint musculature required for the dissipation of loads and displayed a distal-to-proximal dissipation strategy after fatigue. © Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.

Failure mechanism of coated biomaterials under high impact-sliding contact stresses

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Ying

This study uses a newly developed testing method--- inclined cyclic impact-sliding test to investigate the failure behaviors of different types of biomaterials, (SS316L, Ti6Al4V and CoCr) coated by different coatings (TiN, DLC and PEO), under extremely high dynamic contact stress conditions. This test method can simulate the combined impact and sliding/rolling loading conditions, which is very practical in many aspects of commercial usages. During the tests, fatigue cracking, chipping, peeling and material transferring were observed in damaged area. This research is mainly focused on the failure behaviors of load-bearing materials which cyclic impacting and sliding are always involved. This purpose was accomplished in the three stages: First, impact-sliding test was carried out on TiN coated unhardened M2. It was found that soft substrate can cause early failure of coating due to the considerable plastic deformation in the substrate. In this case, stronger substrate is required to support coating better when tested under high contact stresses. Second, PEO coated Ti-6Al-4V was tested under pure sliding and impact-sliding wear conditions. PEO coating was found not strong enough to afford the high contact pressure under cyclic impact-sliding wear test due to its porous surface structure. However, the wear performance of PEO coating was enhanced due to the sub-stoichiometric oxide. To sum up, for load-bearing biomedical implants involved in high impacting movement, PEO coating may not be a promising surface protection. Third, the dense, smooth PVD/CVD bio-inert coatings were reconsidered. DLC and TiN coatings, combined by different substrates together with different interface materials were tested under the cyclic impact-sliding test using a set of proper loading. The results show that to choose a proper combination of coating, interface and substrate based on their mechanical properties is of great importance under the test condition. Hard substrates provide support to coating better and a ductile and adhesive interface layer can delay the cracked coating from peeled-off.

High Strain Rate Deformation Modeling of a Polymer Matrix Composite. Part 2; Composite Micromechanical Model

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Goldberg, Robert K.; Stouffer, Donald C.

1998-01-01

Recently applications have exposed polymer matrix composite materials to very high strain rate loading conditions, requiring an ability to understand and predict the material behavior under these extreme conditions. In this second paper of a two part report, a three-dimensional composite micromechanical model is described which allows for the analysis of the rate dependent, nonlinear deformation response of a polymer matrix composite. Strain rate dependent inelastic constitutive equations utilized to model the deformation response of a polymer are implemented within the micromechanics method. The deformation response of two representative laminated carbon fiber reinforced composite materials with varying fiber orientation has been predicted using the described technique. The predicted results compare favorably to both experimental values and the response predicted by the Generalized Method of Cells, a well-established micromechanics analysis method.

High-pressure resistivity technique for quasi-hydrostatic compression experiments.

PubMed

Rotundu, C R; Ćuk, T; Greene, R L; Shen, Z-X; Hemley, Russell J; Struzhkin, V V

2013-06-01

Diamond anvil cell techniques are now well established and powerful methods for measuring materials properties to very high pressure. However, high pressure resistivity measurements are challenging because the electrical contacts attached to the sample have to survive to extreme stress conditions. Until recently, experiments in a diamond anvil cell were mostly limited to non-hydrostatic or quasi-hydrostatic pressure media other than inert gases. We present here a solution to the problem by using focused ion beam ultrathin lithography for a diamond anvil cell loaded with inert gas (Ne) and show typical resistivity data. These ultrathin leads are deposited on the culet of the diamond and are attaching the sample to the anvil mechanically, therefore allowing for measurements in hydrostatic or nearly hydrostatic conditions of pressure using noble gases like Ne or He as pressure transmitting media.

Upper limb joint motion of two different user groups during manual wheelchair propulsion

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hwang, Seonhong; Kim, Seunghyeon; Son, Jongsang; Lee, Jinbok; Kim, Youngho

2013-02-01

Manual wheelchair users have a high risk of injury to the upper extremities. Recent studies have focused on kinematic and kinetic analyses of manual wheelchair propulsion in order to understand the physical demands on wheelchair users. The purpose of this study was to investigate upper limb joint motion by using a motion capture system and a dynamometer with two different groups of wheelchair users propelling their wheelchairs at different speeds under different load conditions. The variations in the contact time, release time, and linear velocity of the experienced group were all larger than they were in the novice group. The propulsion angles of the experienced users were larger than those of the novices under all conditions. The variances in the propulsion force (both radial and tangential) of the experienced users were larger than those of the novices. The shoulder joint moment had the largest variance with the conditions, followed by the wrist joint moment and the elbow joint moment. The variance of the maximum shoulder joint moment was over four times the variance of the maximum wrist joint moment and eight times the maximum elbow joint moment. The maximum joint moments increased significantly as the speed and load increased in both groups. Quick and significant manipulation ability based on environmental changes is considered an important factor in efficient propulsion. This efficiency was confirmed from the propulsion power results. Sophisticated strategies for efficient manual wheelchair propulsion could be understood by observation of the physical responses of each upper limb joint to changes in load and speed. We expect that the findings of this study will be utilized for designing a rehabilitation program to reduce injuries.

A novel synthesis of polymeric CO via useful hard X-ray photochemistry

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Pravica, Michael; Sneed, Daniel; Smith, Quinlan

We report on the synchrotron hard X-ray-induced decomposition of strontium oxalate (SrC 2O 4) pressurized to 7 GPa inside a diamond anvil cell (DAC). After some 4 h of irradiation in a white X-ray synchrotron beam, a dark reddish/brown region formed in the area of irradiation which was surrounded by a yellowish brown remainder in the rest of the sample. Upon depressurization of the sample to ambient conditions, the reacted/decomposed sample was recoverable as a dark brown/red and yellow waxy solid. Synchrotron infrared spectroscopy confirmed the strong presence of CO 2 even under ambient conditions with the sample exposed tomore » air and other strongly absorbing regions, suggesting that the sample may likely be polymerized CO (in part) with dispersed CO 2 and SrO trapped within the polymer. These results will have significant implications in the ability to readily produce and trap CO 2 in situ via irradiation of a simple powder for useful hard X-ray photochemistry and in the ability to easily manufacture polymeric CO (via loading of powders in a DAC or high volume press) without the need for the dangerous and complex loading of toxic CO. As a result, a novel means of X-ray-induced polymerization under extreme conditions has also been demonstrated.« less

A novel synthesis of polymeric CO via useful hard X-ray photochemistry

DOE PAGES

Pravica, Michael; Sneed, Daniel; Smith, Quinlan; ...

2016-03-30

We report on the synchrotron hard X-ray-induced decomposition of strontium oxalate (SrC 2O 4) pressurized to 7 GPa inside a diamond anvil cell (DAC). After some 4 h of irradiation in a white X-ray synchrotron beam, a dark reddish/brown region formed in the area of irradiation which was surrounded by a yellowish brown remainder in the rest of the sample. Upon depressurization of the sample to ambient conditions, the reacted/decomposed sample was recoverable as a dark brown/red and yellow waxy solid. Synchrotron infrared spectroscopy confirmed the strong presence of CO 2 even under ambient conditions with the sample exposed tomore » air and other strongly absorbing regions, suggesting that the sample may likely be polymerized CO (in part) with dispersed CO 2 and SrO trapped within the polymer. These results will have significant implications in the ability to readily produce and trap CO 2 in situ via irradiation of a simple powder for useful hard X-ray photochemistry and in the ability to easily manufacture polymeric CO (via loading of powders in a DAC or high volume press) without the need for the dangerous and complex loading of toxic CO. As a result, a novel means of X-ray-induced polymerization under extreme conditions has also been demonstrated.« less

Research on fatigue cracking growth parameters in asphaltic mixtures using computed tomography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Braz, D.; Lopes, R. T.; Motta, L. M. G.

2004-01-01

Distress of asphalt concrete pavement due to repeated bending from traffic loads has been a well-recognized problem in Brazil. If it is assumed that fatigue cracking growth is governed by the conditions at the crack tip, and that the crack tip conditions can be characterized by the stress intensity factor, then fatigue cracking growth as a function of stress intensity range Δ K can be determined. Computed tomography technique is used to detect crack evolution in asphaltic mixtures which were submitted to fatigue tests. Fatigue tests under conditions of controlled stress were carried out using diametral compression equipment and repeat loading. The aim of this work is imaging several specimens at different stages of the fatigue tests. In preliminary studies it was noted that the trajectory of a crack was influenced by the existence of voids in the originally unloaded specimens. Cracks would first be observed in the central region of a specimen, propagating in the direction of the extremities. Analyzing the graphics, that represent the fatigue cracking growth (d c/d N) as a function of stress intensity factor (Δ K), it is noticed that the curve has practically shown the same behavior for all specimens at the same level of the static tension rupture stress. The experimental values obtained for the constants A and n (of the Paris-Erdogan Law) present good agreement with the results obtained by Liang and Zhou.

An Overview of Advanced Elastomeric Seal Development and Testing Capabilities at NASA Glenn Research Center

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dunlap, Patrick H., Jr.

2014-01-01

NASA is developing advanced space-rated elastomeric seals to support future space exploration missions to low Earth orbit, the Moon, near Earth asteroids, and other destinations. This includes seals for a new docking system and vehicle hatches. These seals must exhibit extremely low leak rates to ensure that astronauts have sufficient breathable air for extended missions. Seal compression loads must be below prescribed limits so as not to overload the mechanisms that compress them, and seal adhesion forces must be low to allow the sealed interface to be separated when required (e.g., during undocking or hatch opening). NASA Glenn Research Center has developed a number of unique test fixtures to measure the leak rates and compression and adhesion loads of candidate seal designs under simulated thermal, vacuum, and engagement conditions. Tests can be performed on fullscale seals with diameters on the order of 50 in., subscale seals that are about 12 in. in diameter, and smaller specimens such as O-rings. Test conditions include temperatures ranging from -238 to 662degF (-150 to 350degC), operational pressure gradients, and seal-on-seal or seal-on-flange mating configurations. Nominal and off-nominal conditions (e.g., incomplete seal compression) can also be simulated. This paper describes the main design features and capabilities of each type of test apparatus and provides an overview of advanced seal development activities at NASA Glenn.

An Overview of Advanced Elastomeric Seal Development and Testing Capabilities at NASA Glenn Research Center

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dunlap, Patrick H.

2014-01-01

NASA is developing advanced space-rated elastomeric seals to support future space exploration missions to low Earth orbit, the Moon, near Earth asteroids, and other destinations. This includes seals for a new docking system and vehicle hatches. These seals must exhibit extremely low leak rates to ensure that astronauts have sufficient breathable air for extended missions. Seal compression loads must be below prescribed limits so as not to overload the mechanisms that compress them, and seal adhesion forces must be low to allow the sealed interface to be separated when required (e.g., during undocking or hatch opening). NASA Glenn Research Center has developed a number of unique test fixtures to measure the leak rates and compression and adhesion loads of candidate seal designs under simulated thermal, vacuum, and engagement conditions. Tests can be performed on full-scale seals with diameters on the order of 50 in., subscale seals that are about 12 in. in diameter, and smaller specimens such as O-rings. Test conditions include temperatures ranging from -238 to 662 F (-150 to 350 C), operational pressure gradients, and seal-on-seal or seal-on-flange mating configurations. Nominal and off-nominal conditions (e.g., incomplete seal compression) can also be simulated. This paper describes the main design features and capabilities of each type of test apparatus and provides an overview of advanced seal development activities at NASA Glenn.

Effects of modified short-leg walkers on ground reaction force characteristics.

PubMed

Keefer, Maria; King, Jon; Powell, Douglas; Krusenklaus, John H; Zhang, Songning

2008-11-01

Although short-leg walkers are often used in the treatment of lower extremity injuries (ankle and foot fractures and severe ankle sprains), little is known about the effect the short-leg walker on gait characteristics. The purpose was to examine how heel height modifications in different short-leg walkers and shoe side may affect ground reaction forces in walking. Force platforms were used to collect ground reaction force data on 10 healthy participants. Five trials were performed in each of six conditions: lab shoes, gait walker, gait walker with heel insert on shoe side, gait walker modified with insert on walker side, equalizer walker, and equalizer walker with heel insert on shoe side. Conditions were randomized and walking speed was standardized between conditions. A 2x6 (sidexcondition) repeated analysis of variance was used on selected ground reaction force variables (P<0.05). The application of a walker created peak vertical and anteroposterior ground reaction forces prior to the normal peaks associated with the loading response. Wearing a walker introduced an elevated minimum vertical ground reaction force in all conditions except the equalizer walker when compared to shoe on the shoe side. Peak propulsive anteroposterior ground reaction forces were smaller in all walker conditions compared to shoe on walker side. The application of heel insert in gait walker with heel insert (on shoe side) and gait walker modified (on walker side) does not diminish the minimum vertical ground reaction force as hypothesized. Wearing a walker decreases the peak propulsive anteroposterior ground reaction force on the walker side and induces asymmetrical loading.

Recrystallization and grain growth induced by ELMs-like transient heat loads in deformed tungsten samples

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Suslova, A.; El-Atwani, O.; Sagapuram, D.; Harilal, S. S.; Hassanein, A.

2014-11-01

Tungsten has been chosen as the main candidate for plasma facing components (PFCs) due to its superior properties under extreme operating conditions in future nuclear fusion reactors such as ITER. One of the serious issues for PFCs is the high heat load during transient events such as ELMs and disruption in the reactor. Recrystallization and grain size growth in PFC materials caused by transients are undesirable changes in the material, since the isotropic microstructure developed after recrystallization exhibits a higher ductile-to-brittle transition temperature which increases with the grain size, a lower thermal shock fatigue resistance, a lower mechanical strength, and an increased surface roughening. The current work was focused on careful determination of the threshold parameters for surface recrystallization, grain growth rate, and thermal shock fatigue resistance under ELM-like transient heat events. Transient heat loads were simulated using long pulse laser beams for two different grades of ultrafine-grained tungsten. It was observed that cold rolled tungsten demonstrated better power handling capabilities and higher thermal stress fatigue resistance compared to severely deformed tungsten. Higher recrystallization threshold, slower grain growth, and lower degree of surface roughening were observed in the cold rolled tungsten.

Recrystallization and grain growth induced by ELMs-like transient heat loads in deformed tungsten samples

PubMed Central

Suslova, A.; El-Atwani, O.; Sagapuram, D.; Harilal, S. S.; Hassanein, A.

2014-01-01

Tungsten has been chosen as the main candidate for plasma facing components (PFCs) due to its superior properties under extreme operating conditions in future nuclear fusion reactors such as ITER. One of the serious issues for PFCs is the high heat load during transient events such as ELMs and disruption in the reactor. Recrystallization and grain size growth in PFC materials caused by transients are undesirable changes in the material, since the isotropic microstructure developed after recrystallization exhibits a higher ductile-to-brittle transition temperature which increases with the grain size, a lower thermal shock fatigue resistance, a lower mechanical strength, and an increased surface roughening. The current work was focused on careful determination of the threshold parameters for surface recrystallization, grain growth rate, and thermal shock fatigue resistance under ELM-like transient heat events. Transient heat loads were simulated using long pulse laser beams for two different grades of ultrafine-grained tungsten. It was observed that cold rolled tungsten demonstrated better power handling capabilities and higher thermal stress fatigue resistance compared to severely deformed tungsten. Higher recrystallization threshold, slower grain growth, and lower degree of surface roughening were observed in the cold rolled tungsten. PMID:25366885

Recrystallization and grain growth induced by ELMs-like transient heat loads in deformed tungsten samples.

PubMed

Suslova, A; El-Atwani, O; Sagapuram, D; Harilal, S S; Hassanein, A

2014-11-04

Tungsten has been chosen as the main candidate for plasma facing components (PFCs) due to its superior properties under extreme operating conditions in future nuclear fusion reactors such as ITER. One of the serious issues for PFCs is the high heat load during transient events such as ELMs and disruption in the reactor. Recrystallization and grain size growth in PFC materials caused by transients are undesirable changes in the material, since the isotropic microstructure developed after recrystallization exhibits a higher ductile-to-brittle transition temperature which increases with the grain size, a lower thermal shock fatigue resistance, a lower mechanical strength, and an increased surface roughening. The current work was focused on careful determination of the threshold parameters for surface recrystallization, grain growth rate, and thermal shock fatigue resistance under ELM-like transient heat events. Transient heat loads were simulated using long pulse laser beams for two different grades of ultrafine-grained tungsten. It was observed that cold rolled tungsten demonstrated better power handling capabilities and higher thermal stress fatigue resistance compared to severely deformed tungsten. Higher recrystallization threshold, slower grain growth, and lower degree of surface roughening were observed in the cold rolled tungsten.

Shock-induced mechanochemistry in heterogeneous reactive powder mixtures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gonzales, Manny; Gurumurthy, Ashok; Kennedy, Gregory; Neel, Christopher; Gokhale, Arun; Thadhani, Naresh

The bulk response of compacted powder mixtures subjected to high-strain-rate loading conditions in various configurations is manifested from behavior at the meso-scale. Simulations at the meso-scale can provide an additional confirmation of the possible origins of the observed response. This work investigates the bulk dynamic response of Ti +B +Al reactive powder mixtures under two extreme loading configurations - uniaxial stress and strain loading - leveraging highly-resolved in-situ measurements and meso-scale simulations. Modified rod-on-anvil impact tests on a reactive pellet demonstrate an optimized stoichiometry promoting reaction in Ti +B +Al. Encapsulated powders subjected to shock compression via flyer plate tests provide possible evidence of a shock-induced reaction at high pressures. Meso-scale simulations of the direct experimental configurations employing highly-resolved microstructural features of the Ti +B compacted mixture show complex inhomogeneous deformation responses and reveal the importance of meso-scale features such as particle size and morphology and their effects on the measured response. Funding is generously provided by DTRA through Grant No. HDTRA1-10-1-0038 (Dr. Su Peiris - Program Manager) and by the SMART (AFRL Wright Patterson AFB) and NDSEG fellowships (High Performance Computing and Modernization Office).

Loads Carried by Soldiers: Historical, Physiological, Biomechanical and Medical Aspects

DTIC Science & Technology

1989-06-01

EMG and cinematographic data in the study of load carriage. They showed that EMG activity of the trapezius, rectus femorls, gastrocnemus and erector... abdominal muscles. Backpack loads of 18 to 27 kg did not change the magnitude of this pressure while walking (45). MEDICAL ASPECTS RUCKSACK PARALYSIS...symptoms included minor pain , paresthesias, numbness and paralysis of the upper extremities. The shoulder girdle and elbow flexor muscle groups were usually

Extreme winds and tornadoes: an overview

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

McDonald, J.R.

1985-01-01

The objective of this course on extreme winds, hurricanes and tornadoes is to provide an overview of these natural phenomenon from the perspective of design of new buildings and structures or the evaluation of existing ones. Information is directly applicable to design and evaluation processes. The premise is that the facility under consideration, which may consist of various buildings, structures, processing equipment, stacks, ventilation ducts, etc., can be classified into certain categories, depending on the importance of the mission performed in the facility or the hazard that is presented by the particular operation. Having classified the facility into an appropriatemore » category will automatically define certain design goals for the facility. The design goals are then met by selecting a design wind speed that is appropriate for the specified exceedance probability and by following certain specified design procedures. The problem then is to determine appropriate wind loads and other applicable loads, including dead loads, live loads, seismic loads and other loads that may act on the structures. The design process can then proceed in the usual manner. In the case of existing facilities the strengths of the various structural elements, subsystems and systems are evaluated and these strengths are related to wind speeds that would result in failure to meet the design goals. 12 refs.« less

Novel Musculoskeletal Loading and Assessment System

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Downs, Meghan E.

2017-01-01

Ground based and ISS (International Space Station) exercise research have shown that axial loading via two-point loading at the shoulders and load quality (i.e. consistent load and at least 1:1 concentric to eccentric ratio) are extremely important to optimize musculoskeletal adaptations to resistance exercise. The Advanced Resistance Exercise Device (ARED) is on ISS now and is the "state of the art" for resistance exercise capabilities in microgravity; however, the ARED is far too large and power consuming for exploration vehicles. The single cable exercise device design selected for MPCV (Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle), does not readily allow for the two-point loading at the shoulders.

Nanostructured Lipid Carrier for Topical Application of N-Acetyl Glucosamine.

PubMed

Aliasgharlou, Lavin; Ghanbarzadeh, Saeed; Azimi, Hamideh; Zarrintan, Mohammad Hossein; Hamishehkar, Hamed

2016-12-01

Purpose: Hyperpigmentation occurs when melanin is overproduced in certain spots on the skin and is one of the most challenging skin conditions to treat. Although it is usually harmless, for cosmetic reasons, it is dreadfully bothersome to those who undergo it. It was reported that N-acetyl-glucosamine (NAGA) prevents melanin synthesis and alters the expression of numerous genes related to pigmentation. In spite of these advantages, NAGA cannot be employed in topical formulations due to its extremely polar characteristics. Nanoparticles, especially lipid-based ones, have been introduced as an efficient carrier for dermal drug delivery. Methods: The aim of the present study was to load adequate hydrophilic NAGA to the lipophilic nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) for potential dermal application. NAGA-loaded NLCs were formulated, using hot homogenization technique, and the characteristics of the optimized formulation were analyzed by laser light scattering, X-ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy methods. Loading capacity percentage and in vitro release study were carried out by applying a validated HPLC method. The optimum formulation was utilized for the in vivo skin lightening evaluations in healthy volunteers. Results: NAGA-loaded NLCs demonstrated promising results (the size of 190 nm, narrow size distribution, loading capacity of 9%, and appropriate NAGA release profile) suitable for dermal delivery. XRD results exhibited a dramatic reduction in the crystalline structure of encapsulated NAGA. Dermoscopy images indicated a considerable decline in melanin distribution pattern in the majority of the cases treated with NAGA-loaded NLCs. Conclusion: Thus, this study has opened new horizons for the potential use of lipid based nanoparticles in the managing of hyperpigmentation.

Biomechanical Modeling Analysis of Loads Configuration for Squat Exercise

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gallo, Christopher A.; Thompson, William K.; Lewandowski, Beth E.; Jagodnik, Kathleen; De Witt, John K.

2017-01-01

INTRODUCTION: Long duration space travel will expose astronauts to extended periods of reduced gravity. Since gravity is not present to assist loading, astronauts will use resistive and aerobic exercise regimes for the duration of the space flight to minimize loss of bone density, muscle mass and aerobic capacity that occurs during exposure to a reduced gravity environment. Unlike the International Space Station (ISS), the area available for an exercise device in the next generation of spacecraft for travel to the Moon or to Mars is limited and therefore compact resistance exercise device prototypes are being developed. The Advanced Resistive Exercise Device (ARED) currently on the ISS is being used as a benchmark for the functional performance of these new devices. Biomechanical data collection and computational modeling aid the device design process by quantifying the joint torques and the musculoskeletal forces that occur during exercises performed on the prototype devices. METHODS The computational models currently under development utilize the OpenSim [1] software platform, consisting of open source code for musculoskeletal modeling, using biomechanical input data from test subjects for estimation of muscle and joint loads. The OpenSim Full Body Model [2] is used for all analyses. The model incorporates simplified wrap surfaces, a new knee model and updated lower body muscle parameters derived from cadaver measurements and magnetic resonance imaging of young adults. The upper body uses torque actuators at the lumbar and extremity joints. The test subjects who volunteer for this study are instrumented with reflective markers for motion capture data collection while performing squat exercising on the Hybrid Ultimate Lifting Kit (HULK) prototype device (ZIN Technologies, Middleburg Heights, OH). Ground reaction force data is collected with force plates under the feet, and device loading is recorded through load cells internal to the HULK. Test variables include the applied device load and the dual cable long bar or single cable T-bar interface between the test subject and the device. Data is also obtained using free weights with the identical loading for a comparison to the resistively loaded exercise device trials. The data drives the OpenSim biomechanical model, which has been scaled to match the anthropometrics of the test subject, to calculate the body loads. RESULTS Lower body kinematics, joint moments, joint forces and muscle forces are obtained from the OpenSim biomechanical analysis of the squat exercises under different loading conditions. Preliminary results from the model for the loading conditions will be presented as will hypotheses developed for follow on work.

Potential Hydrodynamic Loads on Coastal Bridges in the Greater New York Area due to Extreme Storm Surge and Wave

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2018-04-18

This project makes a computer modeling study on vulnerability of coastal bridges in New York City (NYC) metropolitan region to storm surges and waves. Prediction is made for potential surges and waves in the region and consequent hydrodynamic load an...

Performance of steel pipe pile-to-concrete bent cap connections subject to seismic or high transverse loading : Phase II

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2005-02-01

The response of a concrete filled, steel pipe pile-to-concrete pile cap connection subjected to extreme lateral loads : was experimentally and analytically investigated in this project. This connection is part of a bridge support system : used by the...

Numerical Simulation of Floating Bodies in Extreme Free Surface Waves

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hu, Zheng Zheng; Causon, Derek; Mingham, Clive; Qiang, Ling

2010-05-01

A task of the EPSRC funded research project 'Extreme Wave loading on Offshore Wave Energy Devices: a Hierarchical Team Approach' is to investigate the survivability of two wave energy converter (WEC) devices Pelamis and the Manchester Bobber using different CFD approaches. Both devices float on the water surface, generating the electricity from the motion of the waves. In this paper, we describe developments of the AMAZON-SC 3D numerical wave tank (NWT) to study extreme wave loading of a fixed or floating (in Heave motion) structure. The extreme wave formulation as an inlet condition is due to Dalzell (1999) and Ning et. al. (2009) in which a first or second-order Stokes focused wave can be prescribed. The AMAZON-SC 3D code (see e.g. Hu et al. (2009)) uses a cell centred finite volume method of the Godunov-type for the space discretization of the Euler and Navier Stokes equations. The computational domain includes both air and water regions with the air/water boundary captured as a discontinuity in the density field thereby admitting the break up and recombination of the free surface. Temporal discretisation uses the artificial compressibility method and a dual time stepping strategy to maintain a divergence free velocity field. Cartesian cut cells are used to provide a fully boundary-fitted gridding capability on an regular background Cartesian grid. Solid objects are cut out of the background mesh leaving a set of irregularly shaped cells fitted to the boundary. The advantages of the cut cell approach have been outlined previously by Causon et al. (2000, 2001) including its flexibility for dealing with complex geometries whether stationary or in relative motion. The field grid does not need to be recomputed globally or even locally for moving body cases; all that is necessary is to update the local cut cell data at the body contour for as long as the motion continues. The handing of numerical wave paddles and device motion in a NWT is therefore straightforward and efficient. Firstly, extreme design wave conditions are generated in an empty NWT and compared with physical experiments as a precursor to calculations to investigate the survivability of the Bobber device operating in a challenging wave climate. Secondly, we consider a bench-mark test case involving in a first order regular wave maker acting on a fixed cylinder and Pelamis. Finally, a floating Bobber has been simulated under extreme wave conditions. These results will be reported at the meeting. Causon D.M., Ingram D.M., Mingham C.G., Yang G. Pearson R.V. (2000). Calculation of shallow water flows using a Cartesian cut cell approach. Advances in Water resources, 23: 545-562. Causon D.M., Ingram D.M., Mingham C.G. (2000). A Cartesian cut cell method for shallow water flows with moving boundaries. Advances in Water resources, 24: 899-911. Dalzell J.F. 1999 A note on finite depth second-order wave-wave interactions. Appl. Ocean Res. 21, 105-111. Ning D.Z., Zang J., Liu S.X. Eatock Taylor R. Teng B. & Taylor P.H. 2009 Free surface and wave kinematics for nonlinear focused wave groups. J. Ocean Engineering. Accepted. Hu Z.Z., Causon D.M., Mingham C.M. and Qian L.(2009). Numerical wave tank study of a wave energy converter in heave. Proceedlings 19th ISOPE conference, Osaka, Japan Qian L., Causon D.M. & Mingham C.G., Ingram D.M. 2006 A free-surface capturing method for two fluid flows with moving bodies. Proc. Roy. Soc. London, Vol. A 462 21-42.

The influence of schizotypal traits on attention under high perceptual load.

PubMed

Stotesbury, Hanne; Gaigg, Sebastian B; Kirhan, Saim; Haenschel, Corinna

2018-03-01

Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders (SSD) are known to be characterised by abnormalities in attentional processes, but there are inconsistencies in the literature that remain unresolved. This article considers whether perceptual resource limitations play a role in moderating attentional abnormalities in SSD. According to perceptual load theory, perceptual resource limitations can lead to attenuated or superior performance on dual-task paradigms depending on whether participants are required to process, or attempt to ignore, secondary stimuli. If SSD is associated with perceptual resource limitations, and if it represents the extreme end of an otherwise normally distributed neuropsychological phenotype, schizotypal traits in the general population should lead to disproportionate performance costs on dual-task paradigms as a function of the perceptual task demands. To test this prediction, schizotypal traits were quantified via the Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire (SPQ) in 74 healthy volunteers, who also completed a dual-task signal detection paradigm that required participants to detect central and peripheral stimuli across conditions that varied in the overall number of stimuli presented. The results confirmed decreasing performance as the perceptual load of the task increased. More importantly, significant correlations between SPQ scores and task performance confirmed that increased schizotypal traits, particularly in the cognitive-perceptual domain, are associated with greater performance decrements under increasing perceptual load. These results confirm that attentional difficulties associated with SSD extend sub-clinically into the general population and suggest that cognitive-perceptual schizotypal traits may represent a risk factor for difficulties in the regulation of attention under increasing perceptual load.

High Mass Loading MnO2 with Hierarchical Nanostructures for Supercapacitors.

PubMed

Huang, Zi-Hang; Song, Yu; Feng, Dong-Yang; Sun, Zhen; Sun, Xiaoqi; Liu, Xiao-Xia

2018-04-24

Metal oxides have attracted renewed interest as promising electrode materials for high energy density supercapacitors. However, the electrochemical performance of metal oxide materials deteriorates significantly with the increase of mass loading due to their moderate electronic and ionic conductivities. This limits their practical energy. Herein, we perform a morphology and phase-controlled electrodeposition of MnO 2 with ultrahigh mass loading of 10 mg cm -2 on a carbon cloth substrate to achieve high overall capacitance without sacrificing the electrochemical performance. Under optimum conditions, a hierarchical nanostructured architecture was constructed by interconnection of primary two-dimensional ε-MnO 2 nanosheets and secondary one-dimensional α-MnO 2 nanorod arrays. The specific hetero-nanostructures ensure facile ionic and electric transport in the entire electrode and maintain the structure stability during cycling. The hierarchically structured MnO 2 electrode with high mass loading yields an outstanding areal capacitance of 3.04 F cm -2 (or a specific capacitance of 304 F g -1 ) at 3 mA cm -2 and an excellent rate capability comparable to those of low mass loading MnO 2 electrodes. Finally, the aqueous and all-solid asymmetric supercapacitors (ASCs) assembled with our MnO 2 cathode exhibit extremely high volumetric energy densities (8.3 mWh cm -3 at the power density of 0.28 W cm -3 for aqueous ASC and 8.0 mWh cm -3 at 0.65 W cm -3 for all-solid ASC), superior to most state-of-the-art supercapacitors.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

None

Designing a superinsulated home has many benefits including improved comfort, reduced exterior noise penetration, lower energy bills, and the ability to withstand power and fuel outages under much more comfortable conditions than a typical home. Extremely low heating and cooling loads equate to much smaller HVAC equipment than conventionally required. Sizing the mechanical system to these much lower loads reduces first costs and the size of the distribution system needed. While these homes aren't necessarily constructed with excessive mass in the form of concrete floors and walls, the amount of insulation and the increase in the thickness of the buildingmore » envelope can lead to a mass effect, resulting in the structures ability to store much more heat than a code built home. This results in a very low thermal inertia making the building much less sensitive to drastic temperature swings thereby decreasing the peak heating load demand. Alternative methods that take this inertia into account along with solar and internal gains result in smaller more appropriate design loads than those calculated using Manual J version 8. During the winter of 2013/2014, the Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings team monitored the energy use of three homes in climate zone 6 in an attempt to evaluate the accuracy of two different mechanical system sizing methods for low load homes. Based on the results, it is recommended that internal and solar gains be included and some credit for thermal inertia be used in sizing calculations for superinsulated homes.« less

Muscle contributions to medial tibiofemoral compartment contact loading following ACL reconstruction using semitendinosus and gracilis tendon grafts.

PubMed

Konrath, Jason M; Saxby, David J; Killen, Bryce A; Pizzolato, Claudio; Vertullo, Christopher J; Barrett, Rod S; Lloyd, David G

2017-01-01

The muscle-tendon properties of the semitendinosus (ST) and gracilis (GR) are substantially altered following tendon harvest for the purpose of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). This study adopted a musculoskeletal modelling approach to determine how the changes to the ST and GR muscle-tendon properties alter their contribution to medial compartment contact loading within the tibiofemoral joint in post ACLR patients, and the extent to which other muscles compensate under the same external loading conditions during walking, running and sidestep cutting. Motion capture and electromyography (EMG) data from 16 lower extremity muscles were acquired during walking, running and cutting in 25 participants that had undergone an ACLR using a quadruple (ST+GR) hamstring auto-graft. An EMG-driven musculoskeletal model was used to estimate the medial compartment contact loads during the stance phase of each gait task. An adjusted model was then created by altering muscle-tendon properties for the ST and GR to reflect their reported changes following ACLR. Parameters for the other muscles in the model were calibrated to match the experimental joint moments. The medial compartment contact loads for the standard and adjusted models were similar. The combined contributions of ST and GR to medial compartment contact load in the adjusted model were reduced by 26%, 17% and 17% during walking, running and cutting, respectively. These deficits were balanced by increases in the contribution made by the semimembranosus muscle of 33% and 22% during running and cutting, respectively. Alterations to the ST and GR muscle-tendon properties in ACLR patients resulted in reduced contribution to medial compartment contact loads during gait tasks, for which the semimembranosus muscle can compensate.

14 CFR 25.485 - Side load conditions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... 14 Aeronautics and Space 1 2014-01-01 2014-01-01 false Side load conditions. 25.485 Section 25.485... STANDARDS: TRANSPORT CATEGORY AIRPLANES Structure Ground Loads § 25.485 Side load conditions. In addition to § 25.479(d)(2) the following conditions must be considered: (a) For the side load condition, the...

14 CFR 25.485 - Side load conditions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... 14 Aeronautics and Space 1 2013-01-01 2013-01-01 false Side load conditions. 25.485 Section 25.485... STANDARDS: TRANSPORT CATEGORY AIRPLANES Structure Ground Loads § 25.485 Side load conditions. In addition to § 25.479(d)(2) the following conditions must be considered: (a) For the side load condition, the...

14 CFR 25.485 - Side load conditions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... 14 Aeronautics and Space 1 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false Side load conditions. 25.485 Section 25.485... STANDARDS: TRANSPORT CATEGORY AIRPLANES Structure Ground Loads § 25.485 Side load conditions. In addition to § 25.479(d)(2) the following conditions must be considered: (a) For the side load condition, the...

Axial calibration methods of piezoelectric load sharing dynamometer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Jun; Chang, Qingbing; Ren, Zongjin; Shao, Jun; Wang, Xinlei; Tian, Yu

2018-06-01

The relationship between input and output of load sharing dynamometer is seriously non-linear in different loading points of a plane, so it's significant for accutately measuring force to precisely calibrate the non-linear relationship. In this paper, firstly, based on piezoelectric load sharing dynamometer, calibration experiments of different loading points are performed in a plane. And then load sharing testing system is respectively calibrated based on BP algorithm and ELM (Extreme Learning Machine) algorithm. Finally, the results show that the calibration result of ELM is better than BP for calibrating the non-linear relationship between input and output of loading sharing dynamometer in the different loading points of a plane, which verifies that ELM algorithm is feasible in solving force non-linear measurement problem.

Changes in plantar loading based on shoe type and sex during a jump-landing task.

PubMed

Debiasio, Justin C; Russell, Mary E; Butler, Robert J; Nunley, James A; Queen, Robin M

2013-01-01

Metatarsal stress fractures are common in cleated-sport athletes. Previous authors have shown that plantar loading varies with footwear, sex, and the athletic task. To examine the effects of shoe type and sex on plantar loading in the medial midfoot (MMF), lateral midfoot (LMF), medial forefoot (MFF), middle forefoot (MidFF), and lateral forefoot (LFF) during a jump-landing task. Crossover study. Laboratory. Twenty-seven recreational athletes (14 men, 13 women) with no history of lower extremity injury in the last 6 months and no history of foot or ankle surgery. The athletes completed 7 jumping trials while wearing bladed-cleat, turf-cleat, and running shoes. Maximum force, contact area, contact time, and the force-time integral were analyzed in each foot region. We calculated 2 × 3 analyses of variance (α = .05) to identify shoe-condition and sex differences. We found no shoe × sex interactions, but the MMF, LMF, MFF, and LFF force-time integrals were greater in men (P < .03). The MMF maximum force was less with the bladed-cleat shoes (P = .02). Total foot and MidFF maximum force was less with the running shoes (P < .01). The MFF and LFF maximum forces were different among all shoe conditions (P < .01). Total foot contact area was less in the bladed-cleat shoes (P = .01). The MMF contact area was greatest in the running shoes (P < .01). The LFF contact area was less in the running shoes (P = .03). The MFF and LFF force-time integrals were greater with the bladed-cleat shoes (P < .01). The MidFF force-time integral was less in the running shoes (P < .01). Independent of shoe, men and women loaded the foot differently during a jump landing. The bladed cleat increased forefoot loading, which may increase the risk for forefoot injury. The type of shoe should be considered when choosing footwear for athletes returning to activity after metatarsal stress fractures.

Finite Element Model of the Knee for Investigation of Injury Mechanisms: Development and Validation

PubMed Central

Kiapour, Ali; Kiapour, Ata M.; Kaul, Vikas; Quatman, Carmen E.; Wordeman, Samuel C.; Hewett, Timothy E.; Demetropoulos, Constantine K.; Goel, Vijay K.

2014-01-01

Multiple computational models have been developed to study knee biomechanics. However, the majority of these models are mainly validated against a limited range of loading conditions and/or do not include sufficient details of the critical anatomical structures within the joint. Due to the multifactorial dynamic nature of knee injuries, anatomic finite element (FE) models validated against multiple factors under a broad range of loading conditions are necessary. This study presents a validated FE model of the lower extremity with an anatomically accurate representation of the knee joint. The model was validated against tibiofemoral kinematics, ligaments strain/force, and articular cartilage pressure data measured directly from static, quasi-static, and dynamic cadaveric experiments. Strong correlations were observed between model predictions and experimental data (r > 0.8 and p < 0.0005 for all comparisons). FE predictions showed low deviations (root-mean-square (RMS) error) from average experimental data under all modes of static and quasi-static loading, falling within 2.5 deg of tibiofemoral rotation, 1% of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and medial collateral ligament (MCL) strains, 17 N of ACL load, and 1 mm of tibiofemoral center of pressure. Similarly, the FE model was able to accurately predict tibiofemoral kinematics and ACL and MCL strains during simulated bipedal landings (dynamic loading). In addition to minimal deviation from direct cadaveric measurements, all model predictions fell within 95% confidence intervals of the average experimental data. Agreement between model predictions and experimental data demonstrates the ability of the developed model to predict the kinematics of the human knee joint as well as the complex, nonuniform stress and strain fields that occur in biological soft tissue. Such a model will facilitate the in-depth understanding of a multitude of potential knee injury mechanisms with special emphasis on ACL injury. PMID:24763546

Lightweight ZERODUR: Validation of Mirror Performance and Mirror Modeling Predictions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hull, Tony; Stahl, H. Philip; Westerhoff, Thomas; Valente, Martin; Brooks, Thomas; Eng, Ron

2017-01-01

Upcoming spaceborne missions, both moderate and large in scale, require extreme dimensional stability while relying both upon established lightweight mirror materials, and also upon accurate modeling methods to predict performance under varying boundary conditions. We describe tests, recently performed at NASA's XRCF chambers and laboratories in Huntsville Alabama, during which a 1.2 m diameter, f/1.2988% lightweighted SCHOTT lightweighted ZERODUR(TradeMark) mirror was tested for thermal stability under static loads in steps down to 230K. Test results are compared to model predictions, based upon recently published data on ZERODUR(TradeMark). In addition to monitoring the mirror surface for thermal perturbations in XRCF Thermal Vacuum tests, static load gravity deformations have been measured and compared to model predictions. Also the Modal Response(dynamic disturbance) was measured and compared to model. We will discuss the fabrication approach and optomechanical design of the ZERODUR(TradeMark) mirror substrate by SCHOTT, its optical preparation for test by Arizona Optical Systems (AOS). Summarize the outcome of NASA's XRCF tests and model validations

Lightweight ZERODUR®: Validation of mirror performance and mirror modeling predictions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hull, Anthony B.; Stahl, H. Philip; Westerhoff, Thomas; Valente, Martin; Brooks, Thomas; Eng, Ron

2017-01-01

Upcoming spaceborne missions, both moderate and large in scale, require extreme dimensional stability while relying both upon established lightweight mirror materials, and also upon accurate modeling methods to predict performance under varying boundary conditions. We describe tests, recently performed at NASA’s XRCF chambers and laboratories in Huntsville Alabama, during which a 1.2m diameter, f/1.29 88% lightweighted SCHOTT lightweighted ZERODUR® mirror was tested for thermal stability under static loads in steps down to 230K. Test results are compared to model predictions, based upon recently published data on ZERODUR®. In addition to monitoring the mirror surface for thermal perturbations in XRCF Thermal Vacuum tests, static load gravity deformations have been measured and compared to model predictions. Also the Modal Response (dynamic disturbance) was measured and compared to model. We will discuss the fabrication approach and optomechanical design of the ZERODUR® mirror substrate by SCHOTT, its optical preparation for test by Arizona Optical Systems (AOS), and summarize the outcome of NASA’s XRCF tests and model validations.

Construction strength analysis of landing craft tank conversion to passenger ship using finite element method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nurul Misbah, Mohammad; Setyawan, Dony; Murti Dananjaya, Wisnu

2018-03-01

This research aims to determine the longitudinal strength of passenger ship which was converted from Landing Craft Tank with 54 m of length as stated by BKI (Biro Klasifikasi Indonesia / Indonesian Classification Bureau). Verification of strength value is done to 4 (four) loading conditions which are (1) empty load condition during sagging wave, (2) empty load condition during hogging wave, (3) full load condition during sagging wave and (4) full load condition during hogging wave. Analysis is done using Finite Element Analysis (FEA) software by modeling the entire part of passenger ship and its loading condition. The back and upfront part of ship centerline were used as the boundary condition. From that analysis it can be concluded that the maximum stress for load condition (1) is 72,393 MPa, 74,792 MPa for load condition (2), 129,92 MPa for load condition (3), and 132,4 MPa for load condition (4). Longitudinal strength of passenger ship fulfilled the criteria of empty load condition having smaller stress value than allowable stress which is 90 MPa, and during full load condition with smaller stress value than allowable stress which is 150 MPa. Analysis on longitudinal strength comparison with entire ship plate thickness variation of ± 2 mm from initial plate was also done during this research. From this research it can be concluded that plate thickness reduction causes the value of longitudinal strength to decrease, while plate thickness addition causes the value of longitudinal strength to increase.

In-shoe plantar pressure distribution and lower extremity muscle activity patterns of backward compared to forward running on a treadmill.

PubMed

Sterzing, Thorsten; Frommhold, Clivia; Rosenbaum, Dieter

2016-05-01

Backward locomotion in humans occurs during leisure, rehabilitation, and competitive sports. Little is known about its general biomechanical characteristics and how it affects lower extremity loading as well as muscle coordination. Thus, the purpose of this research was to analyze in-shoe plantar pressure patterns and lower extremity muscle activity patterns for backward compared to forward running. On a treadmill, nineteen runners performed forward running at their individually preferred speed, followed by backward running at 70% of their self-selected forward speed. In-shoe plantar pressures of nine foot regions and muscular activity of nine lower extremity muscles were recorded simultaneously over a one-minute interval. Backward and forward running variables were averaged over the accumulated steps and compared with Wilcoxon-signed rank tests (p<.05). For backward compared to forward running, in-shoe plantar pressure distribution showed a load increase under metatarsal heads I and II, as well as under the medial midfoot. This was indicated by higher maximum forces and peak pressures, and by longer contact times. Muscle activity showed significantly higher mean amplitudes during backward running in the semitendinosus, rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, and gluteus medius during stance, and in the rectus femoris during swing phase, while significantly lower mean amplitudes were observed in the tibialis anterior during swing phase. Observations indicate plantar foot loading and muscle activity characteristics that are specific for the running direction. Thus, backward running may be used on purpose for certain rehabilitation tasks, aiming to strengthen respective lower extremity muscles. Furthermore, the findings are relevant for sport specific backward locomotion training. Finally, results provide an initial baseline for innovative athletic footwear development aiming to increase comfort and performance during backward running. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Communities that thrive in extreme conditions captured from a freshwater lake.

PubMed

Low-Décarie, Etienne; Fussmann, Gregor F; Dumbrell, Alex J; Bell, Graham

2016-09-01

Organisms that can grow in extreme conditions would be expected to be confined to extreme environments. However, we were able to capture highly productive communities of algae and bacteria capable of growing in acidic (pH 2), basic (pH 12) and saline (40 ppt) conditions from an ordinary freshwater lake. Microbial communities may thus include taxa that are highly productive in conditions that are far outside the range of conditions experienced in their host ecosystem. The organisms we captured were not obligate extremophiles, but were capable of growing in both extreme and benign conditions. The ability to grow in extreme conditions may thus be a common functional attribute in microbial communities. © 2016 The Author(s).

Variation of Extreme and Fatigue Design Loads on the Main Bearing of a Front Mounted Direct Drive System

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Abrahamsen, Asger Bech; Natarajan, Anand

2016-09-01

The drivetrain of a 10 MW wind turbine has been designed as a direct drive transmission with a superconducting generator mounted in front of the hub and connected to the main frame through a King-pin stiff assembly by DNV-GL. The aeroelastic design loads of such an arrangement are evaluated based on the thrust and bending moments at the main bearing, both for ultimate design and in fatigue. It is found that the initial superconductor generator weight of 363 tons must be reduced by 25% in order not to result in higher extreme loads on main and yaw bearing than the reference10 MW geared reference drive train. A weight reduction of 50% is needed in order to maintain main bearing fatigue damage equivalent to the reference drive train. Thus a target mass of front mounted superconducting direct drive generators is found to be between 183-272 tons.

Tribological Properties of Water-lubricated Rubber Materials after Modification by MoS2 Nanoparticles

PubMed Central

Dong, Conglin; Yuan, Chengqing; Wang, Lei; Liu, Wei; Bai, Xiuqin; Yan, Xinping

2016-01-01

Frictional vibration and noise caused by water-lubricated rubber stern tube bearings, which are generated under extreme conditions, severely threaten underwater vehicles’ survivability and concealment performance. This study investigates the effect of flaky and spherical MoS2 nanoparticles on tribological properties and damping capacity of water-lubricated rubber materials, with the aim of decreasing frictional noise. A CBZ-1 tribo-tester was used to conduct the sliding tests between rubber ring-discs and ZCuSn10Zn2 ring-discs with water lubrication. These materials’ typical mechanical properties were analysed and compared. Coefficients of friction (COFs), wear rates, and surface morphologies were evaluated. Frictional noise and critical velocities of generating friction vibration were examined to corroborate above analysis. Results showed that spherical MoS2 nanoparticles enhanced rubber material’s mechanical and tribological properties and, in turn, reduced the friction noise and critical velocity. Flaky MoS2 nanoparticles reduced COF but did not enhance their mechanical properties, i.e., the damping capacity, wear resistance property; thus, these nanoparticles did not reduce the critical velocity obviously, even though increased the frictional noise at high load. The knowledge gained in the present work will be useful for optimizing friction pairs under extreme conditions to decrease frictional noise of water-lubricated rubber stern tube bearings. PMID:27713573

Modeling of the Human - Operator in a Complex System Functioning Under Extreme Conditions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Getzov, Peter; Hubenova, Zoia; Yordanov, Dimitar; Popov, Wiliam

2013-12-01

Problems, related to the explication of sophisticated control systems of objects, operating under extreme conditions, have been examined and the impact of the effectiveness of the operator's activity on the systems as a whole. The necessity of creation of complex simulation models, reflecting operator's activity, is discussed. Organizational and technical system of an unmanned aviation complex is described as a sophisticated ergatic system. Computer realization of main subsystems of algorithmic system of the man as a controlling system is implemented and specialized software for data processing and analysis is developed. An original computer model of a Man as a tracking system has been implemented. Model of unmanned complex for operators training and formation of a mental model in emergency situation, implemented in "matlab-simulink" environment, has been synthesized. As a unit of the control loop, the pilot (operator) is simplified viewed as an autocontrol system consisting of three main interconnected subsystems: sensitive organs (perception sensors); central nervous system; executive organs (muscles of the arms, legs, back). Theoretical-data model of prediction the level of operator's information load in ergatic systems is proposed. It allows the assessment and prediction of the effectiveness of a real working operator. Simulation model of operator's activity in takeoff based on the Petri nets has been synthesized.

Comparison of joint angles and electromyographic activity of the lower extremities during standing with wearing standard and revised high-heeled shoes: A pilot study.

PubMed

Bae, Young-Hyeon; Ko, Mansoo; Lee, Suk Min

2016-04-29

Revised high-heeled shoes (HHSs) were designed to improve the shortcomings of standard HHSs. This study was conducted to compare revised and standard HHSs with regard to joint angles and electromyographic (EMG) activity of the lower extremities during standing. The participants were five healthy young women. Data regarding joint angles and EMG activity of the lower extremities were obtained under three conditions: barefoot, when wearing revised HHSs, and when wearing standard HHSs. Lower extremity joint angles in the three dimensional plane were confirmed using a VICON motion capture system. EMG activity of the lower extremities was measured using active bipolar surface EMG. Kruskal-Wallis one-way analysis of variance by rank applied to analyze differences during three standing conditions. Compared with the barefoot condition, the standard HHSs condition was more different than the revised HHSs condition with regard to lower extremity joint angles during standing. EMG activity of the lower extremities was different for the revised HHSs condition, but the differences among the three conditions were not significant. Wearing revised HHSs may positively impact joint angles and EMG activity of the lower extremities by improving body alignment while standing.

In situ observation of high-pressure phase transition in silicon carbide under shock loading using ultrafast x-ray diffraction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tracy, Sally June

2017-06-01

SiC is an important high-strength ceramic material used for a range of technological applications, including lightweight impact shielding and abrasives. SiC is also relevant to geology and planetary science. It may be a host of reduced carbon in the Earth's interior and also occurs in meteorites and impact sites. SiC has also been put forward as a possible major constituent in the proposed class of extra-solar planets known as carbon planets. Previous studies have used wave profile measurements to identify a phase transition under shock loading near 1 Mbar, but lattice-level structural information was not obtained. Here we present the behavior of silicon carbide under shock loading as investigated through a series of time-resolved pump-probe x-ray diffraction measurements up to 200 GPa. Our experiments were conducted at the Materials in Extreme Conditions beamline of the Linac Coherent Light Source. In situ x-ray diffraction data on shock-compressed SiC was collected using a free electron laser source combined with a pulsed high-energy laser. These measurements allow for the determination of time-dependent atomic arrangements, demonstrating that the wurtzite phase of SiC transforms directly to the B1 structure. Our measurements also reveal details of the material texture evolution under shock loading and release.

Modulation of mechanical and muscular load by footwear during catering.

PubMed

Kersting, U G; Janshen, L; Böhm, H; Morey-Klapsing, G M; Brüggemann, G-P

2005-03-15

The BGN (Berufsgenossenschaft Nahrungsmithl und Gaststätten) reports 70% of job induced days off work to be connected with traumas of the ankle joint or overloading of the leg, knee and lower back, with an increased incidence in service areas outdoors (R. Grieshaber, personal communication). Workspace environments usually contain narrow passages, slopes or stairs and sudden changes between different surfaces. The aim of this study was to investigate the biomechanical load on the lower extremity and the low back during catering service when wearing different types of footwear. Thus, the potential for altering mechanical stress experienced during catering by variations in footwear was explored. Sixteen experienced waiters followed a course typical for a combined indoor-outdoor service area. Three different types of footwear were investigated using pressure distribution measurements, rearfoot goniometry and electromyography. A discriminant analysis revealed that the factors subject, shoe and surface affect rear foot movement or pressure distribution in different ways. A MANOVA demonstrated significant differences in loading parameters between footwear types. In general, these differences increased in magnitude in critical situations, such as climbing stairs or crossing slippery surfaces. The results of this study demonstrate that manipulations to footwear offer a great potential for modulating loads experienced during catering. Based on the results, the effects of constructional features are discussed. The method proposed can be applied to evaluate shoe modifications under realistic workplace conditions.

Research on parallel load sharing principle of piezoelectric six-dimensional heavy force/torque sensor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Wei; Li, Ying-jun; Jia, Zhen-yuan; Zhang, Jun; Qian, Min

2011-01-01

In working process of huge heavy-load manipulators, such as the free forging machine, hydraulic die-forging press, forging manipulator, heavy grasping manipulator, large displacement manipulator, measurement of six-dimensional heavy force/torque and real-time force feedback of the operation interface are basis to realize coordinate operation control and force compliance control. It is also an effective way to raise the control accuracy and achieve highly efficient manufacturing. Facing to solve dynamic measurement problem on six-dimensional time-varying heavy load in extremely manufacturing process, the novel principle of parallel load sharing on six-dimensional heavy force/torque is put forward. The measuring principle of six-dimensional force sensor is analyzed, and the spatial model is built and decoupled. The load sharing ratios are analyzed and calculated in vertical and horizontal directions. The mapping relationship between six-dimensional heavy force/torque value to be measured and output force value is built. The finite element model of parallel piezoelectric six-dimensional heavy force/torque sensor is set up, and its static characteristics are analyzed by ANSYS software. The main parameters, which affect load sharing ratio, are analyzed. The experiments for load sharing with different diameters of parallel axis are designed. The results show that the six-dimensional heavy force/torque sensor has good linearity. Non-linearity errors are less than 1%. The parallel axis makes good effect of load sharing. The larger the diameter is, the better the load sharing effect is. The results of experiments are in accordance with the FEM analysis. The sensor has advantages of large measuring range, good linearity, high inherent frequency, and high rigidity. It can be widely used in extreme environments for real-time accurate measurement of six-dimensional time-varying huge loads on manipulators.

Integrated Power Source Grant

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2001-01-01

Traditional spacecraft power systems incorporate a solar array energy source, an energy storage element (battery), and battery charge control and bus voltage regulation electronics to provide continuous electrical power for spacecraft systems and instruments. Dedicated power conditioning components provide limited fault isolation between systems and instruments, while a centralized power-switching unit provides spacecraft load control. Battery undervoltage conditions are detected by the spacecraft processor, which removes fault conditions and non-critical loads before permanent battery damage can occur. Cost effective operation of a micro-sat constellation requires a fault tolerant spacecraft architecture that minimizes on-orbit operational costs by permitting autonomous reconfiguration in response to unexpected fault conditions. A new micro-sat power system architecture that enhances spacecraft fault tolerance and improves power system survivability by continuously managing the battery charge and discharge processes on a cell-by-cell basis has been developed. This architecture is based on the Integrated Power Source (US patent 5644207), which integrates dual junction solar cells, Lithium Ion battery cells, and processor based charge control electronics into a structural panel that can be deployed or used to form a portion of the outer shell of a micro-spacecraft. The first generation Integrated Power Source is configured as a one inch thick panel in which prismatic Lithium Ion battery cells are arranged in a 3x7 matrix (26VDC) and a 3x1 matrix (3.7VDC) to provide the required output voltages and load currents. A multi-layer structure holds the battery cells, as well as the thermal insulators that are necessary to protect the Lithium Ion battery cells from the extreme temperatures of the solar cell layer. Independent thermal radiators, located on the back of the panel, are dedicated to the solar cell array, the electronics, and the battery cell array. In deployed panel applications, these radiators maintain the battery cells in an appropriate operational temperature range.

Lower limb dynamics vary in shod runners who acutely transition to barefoot running.

PubMed

Hashish, Rami; Samarawickrame, Sachithra D; Powers, Christopher M; Salem, George J

2016-01-25

Relative to traditional shod rear-foot strike (RFS) running, habituated barefoot running is associated with a forefoot-strike (FFS) and lower loading rates. Accordingly, barefoot running has been purported to reduce lower-extremity injury risk. Investigations, however, indicate that novice barefoot runners may not innately adopt a FFS. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine lower-extremity dynamics of habitually shod runners who acutely transition to barefoot running. 22 recreational RFS runners were included in this investigation. This laboratory controlled study consisted of two visits one-week apart, examining habitually shod, then novice barefoot running. Foot-strike patterns and loading rates were determined using motion analysis and force plates, and joint energy absorption was calculated using inverse dynamics. Of the 22 runners, 8 maintained a RFS, 9 adopted a MFS, and 5 adopted a FFS during novice barefoot running. All runners demonstrated a reduction in knee energy absorption when running barefoot; MFS and FFS runners also demonstrated a significant increase in ankle energy absorption. Runners who maintained a RFS presented with loading rates significantly higher than traditional shoe running, whereas FFS runners demonstrated a significant reduction in loading rate. Mid-foot strikers did not demonstrate a significant change in loading rate. These results indicate that habitually shod RFS runners demonstrate a variety of foot-strike and lower-extremity dynamic responses during the acute transition to barefoot running. Accordingly, explicit instruction regarding foot-strike patterns may be necessary if transitioning to barefoot. Long-term prospective studies are required in order to determine the influence of FFS barefoot running on injury rates. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Performance of steel pipe pile-to-concrete bent cap connections subject to seismic or high transverse loading - Phase I : Preliminary investigation

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1998-06-01

The response of a concrete filled, steel pipe pile-to-concrete pile cap connection subjected to extreme lateral loads was experimentally and analytically investigated in this project. This connection is part of a bridge support system used by the Mon...

Foot Loading Characteristics of Different Graduations of Partial Weight Bearing

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gusinde, Johannes; Pauser, Johannes; Swoboda, Bernd; Gelse, Kolja; Carl, Hans-Dieter

2011-01-01

Limited weight bearing of the lower extremity is a commonly applied procedure in orthopaedic rehabilitation after reconstructive forefoot surgery, trauma surgery and joint replacement. The most frequent limitations are given as percentage of body weight (BW) and represent 10 or 50% BW. The extent of foot loading under these graduations of partial…

Towards spatially constrained gust models

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bos, René; Bierbooms, Wim; van Bussel, Gerard

2014-06-01

With the trend of moving towards 10-20 MW turbines, rotor diameters are growing beyond the size of the largest turbulent structures in the atmospheric boundary layer. As a consequence, the fully uniform transients that are commonly used to predict extreme gust loads are losing their connection to reality and may lead to gross overdimensioning. More suiting would be to represent gusts by advecting air parcels and posing certain physical constraints on size and position. However, this would introduce several new degrees of freedom that significantly increase the computational burden of extreme load prediction. In an attempt to elaborate on the costs and benefits of such an approach, load calculations were done on the DTU 10 MW reference turbine where a single uniform gust shape was given various spatial dimensions with the transverse wavelength ranging up to twice the rotor diameter (357 m). The resulting loads displayed a very high spread, but remained well under the level of a uniform gust. Moving towards spatially constrained gust models would therefore yield far less conservative, though more realistic predictions at the cost of higher computation time.

Impact of Traumatic Lower Extremity Injuries Beyond Acute Care: Movement-Based Considerations for Resultant Longer Term Secondary Health Conditions

PubMed Central

Butowicz, Courtney M.; Dearth, Christopher L.; Hendershot, Brad D.

2017-01-01

Significance: Advances in field-based trauma care, surgical techniques, and protective equipment have collectively facilitated the survival of a historically large number of service members (SMs) following combat trauma, although many sustained significant composite tissue injuries to the extremities, including limb loss (LL) and limb salvage (LS). Beyond the acute surgical and rehabilitative efforts that focus primarily on wound care and restoring mobility, traumatic LL and LS are associated with several debilitating longer term secondary health conditions (e.g., low back pain [LBP], osteoarthritis [OA], and cardiovascular disease [CVD]) that can adversely impact physical function and quality of life. Recent Advances: Despite recent advancements in prosthetic and orthotic devices, altered movement and mechanical loading patterns have been identified among persons with LL and salvage, which are purported risk factors for the development of longer term secondary musculoskeletal conditions and may limit functional outcomes and/or concomitantly impact cardiovascular health. Critical Issues: The increased prevalence of and risk for LBP, OA, and CVD among the relatively young cohort of SMs with LL and LS significantly impact physiological and psychological well-being, particularly over the next several decades of their lives. Future Directions: Longitudinal studies are needed to characterize the onset, progression, and recurrence of health conditions secondary to LL and salvage. While not a focus of the current review, detailed characterization of physiological biomarkers throughout the rehabilitation process may provide additional insight into the current understanding of disease processes of the musculoskeletal and cardiovascular systems. PMID:28831330

Interactions among livestock grazing, vegetation type, and fire behavior in the Murphy Wildland Fire Complex in Idaho and Nevada, July 2007

USGS Publications Warehouse

Launchbaugh, Karen; Brammer, Bob; Brooks, Matthew L.; Bunting, Stephen C.; Clark, Patrick; Davison, Jay; Fleming, Mark; Kay, Ron; Pellant, Mike; Pyke, David A.

2008-01-01

A series of wildland fires were ignited by lightning in sagebrush and grassland communities near the Idaho-Nevada border southwest of Twin Falls, Idaho in July 2007. The fires burned for over two weeks and encompassed more than 650,000 acres. A team of scientists, habitat specialists, and land managers was called together by Tom Dyer, Idaho BLM State Director, to examine initial information from the Murphy Wildland Fire Complex in relation to plant communities and patterns of livestock grazing. Three approaches were used to examine this topic: (1) identify potential for livestock grazing to modify fuel loads and affect fire behavior using fire models applied to various vegetation types, fuel loads, and fire conditions; (2) compare levels of fuel consumed within and among major vegetation types; and (3) examine several observed lines of difference and discontinuity in fuel consumed to determine what factors created these contrasts. The team found that much of the Murphy Wildland Fire Complex burned under extreme fuel and weather conditions that likely overshadowed livestock grazing as a factor influencing fire extent and fuel consumption in many areas where these fires burned. Differences and abrupt contrast lines in the level of fuels consumed were affected mostly by the plant communities that existed on a site before fire. A few abrupt contrasts in burn severity coincided with apparent differences in grazing patterns of livestock, observed as fence-line contrasts. Fire modeling revealed that grazing in grassland vegetation can reduce surface rate of spread and fire-line intensity to a greater extent than in shrubland types. Under extreme fire conditions (low fuel moisture, high temperatures, and gusty winds), grazing applied at moderate utilization levels has limited or negligible effects on fire behavior. However, when weather and fuel-moisture conditions are less extreme, grazing may reduce the rate of spread and intensity of fires allowing for patchy burns with low levels of fuel consumption. The team suggested that targeted grazing to accomplish fuel objectives holds promise but requires detailed planning that includes clearly defined goals for fuel modification and appropriate monitoring to assess effectiveness. It was recommended that a pilot plan be devised to strategically place grazed blocks across a landscape to create fuel-reduction bands capable of influencing fire behavior. Also suggested was the development of a general technical report that highlights information and examples of how livestock grazing influences fire extent, severity, and intensity. Finally, the team encouraged continued research and monitoring of the effects of the Murphy Wildland Fire Complex. Much more can be learned from the effects of this extensive fire complex that may offer insight for future management decisions.

14 CFR 23.485 - Side load conditions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... 14 Aeronautics and Space 1 2013-01-01 2013-01-01 false Side load conditions. 23.485 Section 23.485... STANDARDS: NORMAL, UTILITY, ACROBATIC, AND COMMUTER CATEGORY AIRPLANES Structure Ground Loads § 23.485 Side load conditions. (a) For the side load condition, the airplane is assumed to be in a level attitude...

14 CFR 23.485 - Side load conditions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... 14 Aeronautics and Space 1 2014-01-01 2014-01-01 false Side load conditions. 23.485 Section 23.485... STANDARDS: NORMAL, UTILITY, ACROBATIC, AND COMMUTER CATEGORY AIRPLANES Structure Ground Loads § 23.485 Side load conditions. (a) For the side load condition, the airplane is assumed to be in a level attitude...

14 CFR 23.485 - Side load conditions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... 14 Aeronautics and Space 1 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false Side load conditions. 23.485 Section 23.485... STANDARDS: NORMAL, UTILITY, ACROBATIC, AND COMMUTER CATEGORY AIRPLANES Structure Ground Loads § 23.485 Side load conditions. (a) For the side load condition, the airplane is assumed to be in a level attitude...

Novel application of lower body positive-pressure in the rehabilitation of an individual with multiple lower extremity fractures.

PubMed

Takacs, Judit; Leiter, Jeff R S; Peeler, Jason D

2011-06-01

Lower extremity fractures, if not treated appropriately, can increase the risk of morbidity. Partial weight-bearing after surgical repair is recommended; however, current methods of partial weight-bearing may cause excessive loads through the lower extremity. A new rehabilitation tool that uses lower body positive-pressure is described, that may allow partial weight-bearing while preventing excessive loads, thereby improving functional outcomes. A patient with multiple lower extremity fractures underwent a 6-month rehabilitation programme using bodyweight support technology 3 times per week, post-surgery. The patient experienced a reduction in pain and an improvement in ankle range of motion (p=0.002), walking speed (p>0.05) and physical function (p=0.004), as assessed by the Foot and Ankle Module of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Lower Limb Outcomes Assessment Instrument. Training did not appear to affect fracture healing, as was evident on radiograph. The effect of lower body positive-pressure on effusion, which has not previously been reported in the literature, was also investigated. No significant difference in effusion of the foot and ankle when using lower body positive-pressure was found. Initial results suggest that this new technology may be a useful rehabilitation tool that allows partial weight-bearing during the treatment of lower extremity injuries.

Accelerated Fatigue Resistance of Thick CAD/CAM Composite Resin Overlays Bonded with Light- and Dual-polymerizing Luting Resins.

PubMed

Goldberg, Jack; Güth, Jan-Frederik; Magne, Pascal

To evaluate the accelerated fatigue resistance of thick CAD/CAM composite resin overlays luted with three different bonding methods. Forty-five sound human second mandibular molars were organized and distributed into three experimental groups. All teeth were restored with a 5-mm-thick CAD/CAM composite resin overlay. Group A: immediate dentin sealing (IDS) with Optibond FL and luted with light-polymerizing composite (Herculite XRV). Group B: IDS with Optibond FL and luted with dual-polymerizing composite (Nexus 3). Group C: direct luting with Optibond FL and dual-polymerizing composite (Nexus 3). Masticatory forces at a frequency of 5 Hz were simulated using closed-loop servo-hydraulics and forces starting with a load of 200 N for 5000 cycles, followed by steps of 400, 600, 800, 1000, 1200 and 1400 N for a maximum of 30,000 cycles. Each step was applied through a flat steel cylinder at a 45-degree angle under submerged conditions. The fatigue test generated one failure in group A, three failures in group B, and no failures in group C. The survival table analysis for the fatigue test did not demonstrate any significant difference between the groups (p = 0.154). The specimens that survived the fatigue test were set up for the load-to-failure test with a limit of 4600 N. The survival table analysis for the load-to-failure test demonstrates an average failure load of 3495.20 N with survival of four specimens in group A, an average failure load of 4103.60 N with survival of six specimens in group B, and an average failure load of 4075.33 N with survival of nine specimens in group C. Pairwise comparisons revealed no significant differences (p < 0.016 after Bonferroni correction). Within the limitations of this in vitro study, it can be concluded that although the dual-polymerizing luting material seems to provide better results under extreme conditions, light-polymerizing luting composites in combination with IDS are not contraindicated with thick restorations.

High temperature lubricant screening and systems studies

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jones, D. A.

1973-01-01

Four candidate lubricants for next generation aircraft gas turbine application were tested under open atmosphere conditions in a rig simulating an advanced engine 125 mm bore mainshaft thrust bearing position. Testing was conducted at speeds to 24,000 rpm (3,000,000 bearing DN), bearing ring temperature of 500 F, and with 1200 F air and 100 psi differential pressure across the seals installed in a dual tandem arrangement. Test bearing was a 125 mm bore split inner ring, outer race riding angular contact ball bearing under a 3280 lb. thrust load. One lubricant, a type 2 ester, performed extremely well. The mainshaft seal limited the performance. Numerous design improvements for this seal were indicated.

Estimation of local extreme suspended sediment concentrations in California Rivers.

PubMed

Tramblay, Yves; Saint-Hilaire, André; Ouarda, Taha B M J; Moatar, Florentina; Hecht, Barry

2010-09-01

The total amount of suspended sediment load carried by a stream during a year is usually transported during one or several extreme events related to high river flow and intense rainfall, leading to very high suspended sediment concentrations (SSCs). In this study quantiles of SSC derived from annual maximums and the 99th percentile of SSC series are considered to be estimated locally in a site-specific approach using regional information. Analyses of relationships between physiographic characteristics and the selected indicators were undertaken using the localities of 5-km radius draining of each sampling site. Multiple regression models were built to test the regional estimation for these indicators of suspended sediment transport. To assess the accuracy of the estimates, a Jack-Knife re-sampling procedure was used to compute the relative bias and root mean square error of the models. Results show that for the 19 stations considered in California, the extreme SSCs can be estimated with 40-60% uncertainty, depending on the presence of flow regulation in the basin. This modelling approach is likely to prove functional in other Mediterranean climate watersheds since they appear useful in California, where geologic, climatic, physiographic, and land-use conditions are highly variable. Copyright 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

A comparison of gait biomechanics of flip-flops, sandals, barefoot and shoes.

PubMed

Zhang, Xiuli; Paquette, Max R; Zhang, Songning

2013-11-06

Flip-flops and sandals are popular choices of footwear due to their convenience. However, the effects of these types of footwear on lower extremity biomechanics are still poorly understood. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate differences in ground reaction force (GRF), center of pressure (COP) and lower extremity joint kinematic and kinetic variables during level-walking in flip-flops, sandals and barefoot compared to running shoes. Ten healthy males performed five walking trials in the four footwear conditions at 1.3 m/s. Three-dimensional GRF and kinematic data were simultaneously collected. A smaller loading rate of the 1st peak vertical GRF and peak propulsive GRF and greater peak dorsiflexion moment in early stance were found in shoes compared to barefoot, flip-flops and sandals. Barefoot walking yielded greater mediolateral COP displacement, flatter foot contact angle, increased ankle plantarflexion contact angle, and smaller knee flexion contact angle and range of motion compared to all other footwear. The results from this study indicate that barefoot, flip-flops and sandals produced different peak GRF variables and ankle moment compared to shoes while all footwear yield different COP and ankle and knee kinematics compared to barefoot. The findings may be helpful to researchers and clinicians in understanding lower extremity mechanics of open-toe footwear.

Nitric Oxide Studies in Low Temperature Plasmas Generated with a Nanosecond Pulse Sphere Gap Electrical Discharge

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Burnette, David Dean

This dissertation presents studies of NO kinetics in a plasma afterglow using various nanosecond pulse discharges across a sphere gap. The discharge platform is developed to produce a diffuse plasma volume large enough to allow for laser diagnostics in a plasma that is rich in vibrationally-excited molecules. This plasma is characterized by current and voltage traces as well as ICCD and NO PLIF images that are used to monitor the plasma dimensions and uniformity. Temperature and vibrational loading measurements are performed via coherent anti-Stokes Raman spectroscopy (CARS). Absolute NO concentrations are obtained by laser-induce fluorescence (LIF) measurements, and N and O densities are found using two photon absorption laser-induced fluorescence (TALIF). For all dry air conditions studied, the NO behavior is characterized by a rapid rate of formation consistent with an enhanced Zeldovich process involving electronically-excited nitrogen species that are generated within the plasma. After several microseconds, the NO evolution is entirely controlled by the reverse Zeldovich process. These results show that under the chosen range of conditions and even in extreme instances of vibrational loading, there is no formation channel beyond ~2 musec. Both the NO formation and consumption mechanisms are strongly affected by the addition of fuel species, producing much greater NO concentrations in the afterglow.

In vitro wear assessment of the Charité Artificial Disc according to ASTM recommendations.

PubMed

Serhan, Hassan A; Dooris, Andrew P; Parsons, Matthew L; Ares, Paul J; Gabriel, Stefan M

2006-08-01

Biomechanical laboratory research. To evaluate the potential for Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) wear debris from the Charité Artificial Disc. Cases of osteolysis from artificial discs are extremely rare, but hip and knee studies demonstrate the osteolytic potential and clinical concern of UHMWPE wear debris. Standards for testing artificial discs continue to evolve, and there are few detailed reports of artificial disc wear characterizations. Implant assemblies were tested to 10 million cycles of +/- 7.5 degrees flexion-extension or +/- 7.5 degrees left/right lateral bending, both with +/- 2 degrees axial rotation and 900 N to 1,850 N cyclic compression. Cores were weighed, measured, and photographed. Soak and loaded soak controls were used. Wear debris was analyzed via scanning electron microscopy and particle counters. The average total wear of the implants was 0.11 and 0.13 mg per million cycles, before and after accounting for serum absorption, respectively. Total height loss was approximately 0.2 mm. Wear debris ranged from submicron to > 10 microm in size. Under these test conditions, the Charité Artificial Disc produced minimal wear debris. Debris size and morphology tended to be similar to other CoCr-UHMWPE joints. More testing is necessary to evaluate the implants under a spectrum of loading conditions.

Generator voltage stabilisation for series-hybrid electric vehicles.

PubMed

Stewart, P; Gladwin, D; Stewart, J; Cowley, R

2008-04-01

This paper presents a controller for use in speed control of an internal combustion engine for series-hybrid electric vehicle applications. Particular reference is made to the stability of the rectified DC link voltage under load disturbance. In the system under consideration, the primary power source is a four-cylinder normally aspirated gasoline internal combustion engine, which is mechanically coupled to a three-phase permanent magnet AC generator. The generated AC voltage is subsequently rectified to supply a lead-acid battery, and permanent magnet traction motors via three-phase full bridge power electronic inverters. Two complementary performance objectives exist. Firstly to maintain the internal combustion engine at its optimal operating point, and secondly to supply a stable 42 V supply to the traction drive inverters. Achievement of these goals minimises the transient energy storage requirements at the DC link, with a consequent reduction in both weight and cost. These objectives imply constant velocity operation of the internal combustion engine under external load disturbances and changes in both operating conditions and vehicle speed set-points. An electronically operated throttle allows closed loop engine velocity control. System time delays and nonlinearities render closed loop control design extremely problematic. A model-based controller is designed and shown to be effective in controlling the DC link voltage, resulting in the well-conditioned operation of the hybrid vehicle.

Three-Dimensional Finite Element Analysis of the Stress Distribution at the Internal Implant-Abutment Connection.

PubMed

Cho, Sung-Yong; Huh, Yoon-Hyuk; Park, Chan-Jin; Cho, Lee-Ra

2016-01-01

This study investigated stress distribution in four different implant-abutment interface conditions in the internal tapered connection implant system. Four different implant diameters (3.5 mm, 4.0 mm, 4.5 mm, and 5.0 mm) and two abutment types (hexagonal and conical) were simulated. Four unique implant-abutment interface conditions were assumed based on wall thickness, mating surface length, distance to the vertical stop, and abutment shape. Axial and oblique loading was applied during abutment screw preload, and the Von Mises stresses were measured at the implant-abutment and abutment-screw interfaces. The implant-abutment interface stress decreased as the wall thickness increased. As the mating surface increased, the stress distribution trended downward, and when the distance to the implant vertical stop was 0 μm, the Von Mises stress was extremely high at the vertical stop. Despite their different shapes, the abutments showed similar stress distributions. However, the maximum Von Mises stress was higher in the conical connection than in the hexagonal connection, particularly at the contralateral side to loading. To decrease the stress distribution at the implant-abutment interface, the implant wall thickness, mating surface contact length, distance to the vertical stop, and abutment shape should be carefully considered.

Innovative potential of plasma technology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Budaev, V. P.

2017-11-01

The review summarizes recent experimental observations of materials exposed to extreme hot plasma loads in fusion devices and plasma facilities with high-temperature plasma. Plasma load on the material in such devices lead to the stochastic clustering and fractal growth of the surface on scales from tens of nanometers to hundreds of micrometers forming statistical self-similarity of the surface roughness with extremely high specific area. Statistical characteristics of hierarchical granularity and scale invariance of such materials surface qualitatively differ from the properties of the roughness of the ordinary Brownian surface which provides a potential of innovative plasma technologies for synthesis of new nanostructured materials with programmed roughness properties, for hypersonic technologies, for biotechnology and biomedical applications.

Feasibility Study of Solar Dome Encapsulation of Photovoltaic Arrays

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1978-01-01

The technical and economic advantages of using air-supported plastic enclosures to protect flat plate photovoltaic arrays are described. Conceptual designs for a fixed, latitude-tilt array and a fully tracking array were defined. Detailed wind loads and strength analyses were performed for the fixed array. Detailed thermal and power output analyses provided array performance for typical seasonal and extreme temperature conditions. Costs of each design as used in a 200 MWe central power station were defined from manufacturing and material cost estimates. The capital cost and cost of energy for the enclosed fixed-tilt array were lower than for the enclosed tracking array. The enclosed fixed-tilt array capital investment was 38% less, and the levelized bus bar energy cost was 26% less than costs for a conventional, glass-encapsulated array design. The predicted energy cost for the enclosed fixed array was 79 mills/kW-h for direct current delivered to the power conditioning units.

Walking in simulated Martian gravity: influence of the portable life support system's design on dynamic stability.

PubMed

Scott-Pandorf, Melissa M; O'Connor, Daniel P; Layne, Charles S; Josić, Kresimir; Kurz, Max J

2009-09-01

With human exploration of the moon and Mars on the horizon, research considerations for space suit redesign have surfaced. The portable life support system (PLSS) used in conjunction with the space suit during the Apollo missions may have influenced the dynamic balance of the gait pattern. This investigation explored potential issues with the PLSS design that may arise during the Mars exploration. A better understanding of how the location of the PLSS load influences the dynamic stability of the gait pattern may provide insight, such that space missions may have more productive missions with a smaller risk of injury and damaging equipment while falling. We explored the influence the PLSS load position had on the dynamic stability of the walking pattern. While walking, participants wore a device built to simulate possible PLSS load configurations. Floquet and Lyapunov analysis techniques were used to quantify the dynamic stability of the gait pattern. The dynamic stability of the gait pattern was influenced by the position of load. PLSS loads that are placed high and forward on the torso resulted in less dynamically stable walking patterns than loads placed evenly and low on the torso. Furthermore, the kinematic results demonstrated that all joints of the lower extremity may be important for adjusting to different load placements and maintaining dynamic stability. Space scientists and engineers may want to consider PLSS designs that distribute loads evenly and low, and space suit designs that will not limit the sagittal plane range of motion at the lower extremity joints.

Efficient critical design load case identification for floating offshore wind turbines with a reduced nonlinear model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Matha, Denis; Sandner, Frank; Schlipf, David

2014-12-01

Design verification of wind turbines is performed by simulation of design load cases (DLC) defined in the IEC 61400-1 and -3 standards or equivalent guidelines. Due to the resulting large number of necessary load simulations, here a method is presented to reduce the computational effort for DLC simulations significantly by introducing a reduced nonlinear model and simplified hydro- and aerodynamics. The advantage of the formulation is that the nonlinear ODE system only contains basic mathematic operations and no iterations or internal loops which makes it very computationally efficient. Global turbine extreme and fatigue loads such as rotor thrust, tower base bending moment and mooring line tension, as well as platform motions are outputs of the model. They can be used to identify critical and less critical load situations to be then analysed with a higher fidelity tool and so speed up the design process. Results from these reduced model DLC simulations are presented and compared to higher fidelity models. Results in frequency and time domain as well as extreme and fatigue load predictions demonstrate that good agreement between the reduced and advanced model is achieved, allowing to efficiently exclude less critical DLC simulations, and to identify the most critical subset of cases for a given design. Additionally, the model is applicable for brute force optimization of floater control system parameters.

Association of activities of daily living with the load during step ascent motion in nursing home-residing elderly individuals.

PubMed

Masaki, Mitsuhiro; Ikezoe, Tome; Kamiya, Midori; Araki, Kojiro; Isono, Ryo; Kato, Takehiro; Kusano, Ken; Tanaka, Masayo; Sato, Syunsuke; Hirono, Tetsuya; Kita, Kiyoshi; Tsuboyama, Tadao; Ichihashi, Noriaki

2018-04-19

This study aimed to examine the association of independence in ADL with the loads during step ascent motion and other motor functions in 32 nursing home-residing elderly individuals. Independence in ADL was assessed by using the functional independence measure (FIM). The loads at the upper (i.e., pulling up) and lower (i.e., pushing up) levels during step ascent task was measured on a step ascent platform. Hip extensor, knee extensor, plantar flexor muscle, and quadriceps setting strengths; lower extremity agility using the stepping test; and hip and knee joint pain severities were measured. One-legged stance and functional reach distance for balance, and maximal walking speed, timed up-and-go (TUG) time, five-chair-stand time, and step ascent time were also measured to assess mobility. Stepwise regression analysis revealed that the load at pushing up during step ascent motion and TUG time were significant and independent determinants of FIM score. FIM score decreased with decreased the load at pushing up and increased TUG time. The study results suggest that depending on task specificity, both one step up task's push up peak load during step ascent motion and TUG, can partially explain ADL's FIM score in the nursing home-residing elderly individuals. Lower extremity muscle strength, agility, pain or balance measures did not add to the prediction.

Acid rock drainage and climate change

USGS Publications Warehouse

Nordstrom, D. Kirk

2009-01-01

Rainfall events cause both increases and decreases in acid and metals concentrations and their loadings from mine wastes, and unmined mineralized areas, into receiving streams based on data from 3 mines sites in the United States and other sites outside the US. Gradual increases in concentrations occur during long dry spells and sudden large increases are observed during the rising limb of the discharge following dry spells (first flush). By the time the discharge peak has occurred, concentrations are usually decreased, often to levels below those of pre-storm conditions and then they slowly rise again during the next dry spell. These dynamic changes in concentrations and loadings are related to the dissolution of soluble salts and the flushing out of waters that were concentrated by evaporation. The underlying processes, pyrite oxidation and host rock dissolution, do not end until the pyrite is fully weathered, which can take hundreds to thousands of years. These observations can be generalized to predict future conditions caused by droughts related to El Ni??o and climate change associated with global warming. Already, the time period for dry summers is lengthening in the western US and rainstorms are further apart and more intense when they happen. Consequently, flushing of inactive or active mine sites and mineralized but unmined sites will cause larger sudden increases in concentrations that will be an ever increasing danger to aquatic life with climate change. Higher average concentrations will be observed during longer low-flow periods. Remediation efforts will have to increase the capacity of engineered designs to deal with more extreme conditions, not average conditions of previous years.

Static and Fatigue Analysis of Wind Turbine Blades Subject to Cold Weather Conditions Using Finite Element Analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lillo Gallardo, Patricio Andres

Canada has aggressive targets for introducing wind energy across the country, but also faces challenges in achieving these goals due to the harsh Canadian climate. One issue which has received little attention in other countries not experiencing these extremes is the behaviour of composite blades in winter conditions. The scope of the work presented is to analyze the static stresses and fatigue response in cold climates using finite element models of the blade. The work opens with a quantification of the extremes of cold experienced in candidate Canadian wind turbine deployment locations. The thesis then narrows its focus to a consideration of the stresses in the root of the composite blades, specifically two common blade-hub connection methods: embedded root carrots and T-bolts. Finite element models of the root are proposed to properly simulate boundary conditions, applied loading and thermal stresses for a 1.5 MW wind turbine. It is shown that the blade root is strongly affected by the thermal stresses caused by the mismatch and orthotrophy of the coefficients of thermal expansion of the blade root constituents. Fatigue analysis of a blade is then presented using temperature dependent material properties including estimated fatigue coefficients.It was found that the natural frequencies of a 1.5 MW wind turbine blade are not significantly altered at cold temperatures. Additionally, cold temperatures slightly increase stresses in the composite blade skin when the blade is loaded, due to an increase in stiffness. Cold temperatures also lead to higher cyclic flapwise bending moments acting on the blade. However, this increase was found not to affect the lifetime fatigue damage. Finally, it was found that the cold climate as seen in Canada improves the fatigue strength of the saturated composite materials used in the blade. The predicted fatigue damage of the triaxial fabric and the spar cap layers in cold climates was therefore predicted to be half that of the fatigue damage at room temperature. This is caused solely by the temperature dependence of the fatigue coefficient b which requires further experimental verification to validate the numerical results of the current study.

Stress-Survival Gene Identification From an Acid Mine Drainage Algal Mat Community

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Urbina-Navarrete, J.; Fujishima, K.; Paulino-Lima, I. G.; Rothschild-Mancinelli, B.; Rothschild, L. J.

2014-12-01

Microbial communities from acid mine drainage environments are exposed to multiple stressors to include low pH, high dissolved metal loads, seasonal freezing, and desiccation. The microbial and algal communities that inhabit these niche environments have evolved strategies that allow for their ecological success. Metagenomic analyses are useful in identifying species diversity, however they do not elucidate the mechanisms that allow for the resilience of a community under these extreme conditions. Many known or predicted genes encode for protein products that are unknown, or similarly, many proteins cannot be traced to their gene of origin. This investigation seeks to identify genes that are active in an algal consortium during stress from living in an acid mine drainage environment. Our approach involves using the entire community transcriptome for a functional screen in an Escherichia coli host. This approach directly targets the genes involved in survival, without need for characterizing the members of the consortium.The consortium was harvested and stressed with conditions similar to the native environment it was collected from. Exposure to low pH (< 3.2), high metal load, desiccation, and deep freeze resulted in the expression of stress-induced genes that were transcribed into messenger RNA (mRNA). These mRNA transcripts were harvested to build complementary DNA (cDNA) libraries in E. coli. The transformed E. coli were exposed to the same stressors as the original algal consortium to select for surviving cells. Successful cells incorporated the transcripts that encode survival mechanisms, thus allowing for selection and identification of the gene(s) involved. Initial selection screens for freeze and desiccation tolerance have yielded E. coli that are 1 order of magnitude more resistant to freezing (0.01% survival of control with no transcript, 0.2% survival of E. coli with transcript) and 3 orders of magnitude more resistant to desiccation (0.005% survival of control cells with no transcripts, 5% survival of cells with transcript).This work is transformative because genetic functions can be selected without having prior knowledge of the genes or of the organisms involved. Work continues to identify the genes responsible for tolerance to extreme conditions and the bio-mechanisms involved.

The impact of working technique on physical loads - an exposure profile among newspaper editors.

PubMed

Lindegård, A; Wahlström, J; Hagberg, M; Hansson, G-A; Jonsson, P; Wigaeus Tornqvist, E

2003-05-15

The aim of this study was to investigate the possible associations between working technique, sex, symptoms and level of physical load in VDU-work. A study group of 32 employees in the editing department of a daily newspaper answered a questionnaire, about physical working conditions and symptoms from the neck and the upper extremities. Muscular load, wrist positions and computer mouse forces were measured. Working technique was assessed from an observation protocol for computer work. In addition ratings of perceived exertion and overall comfort were collected. The results showed that subjects classified as having a good working technique worked with less muscular load in the forearm (extensor carpi ulnaris p=0.03) and in the trapezius muscle on the mouse operating side (p=0.02) compared to subjects classified as having a poor working technique. Moreover there were no differences in gap frequency (number of episodes when muscle activity is below 2.5% of a reference contraction) or muscular rest (total duration of gaps) between the two working technique groups. Women in this study used more force (mean force p=0.006, peak force p=0.02) expressed as % MVC than the men when operating the computer mouse. No major differences were shown in muscular load, wrist postures, perceived exertion or perceived comfort between men and women or between cases and symptom free subjects. In conclusion a good working technique was associated with reduced muscular load in the forearm muscles and in the trapezius muscle on the mouse operating side. Moreover women used more force (mean force and peak force) than men when operating the click button (left button) of the computer mouse.

Normal axial alignment of the lower extremity and load-bearing distribution at the knee.

PubMed

Hsu, R W; Himeno, S; Coventry, M B; Chao, E Y

1990-06-01

Based on a series of 120 normal subjects of different gender and age, the geometry of the knee joint was analyzed using a full-length weight-bearing roentgenogram of the lower extremity. A special computer program based on the theory of a rigid body spring model was applied to calculate the important anatomic and biomechanical factors of the knee joint. The tibiofemoral mechanical angle was 1.2 degrees varus. Hence, it is difficult to rationalize the 3 degree varus placement of the tibial component in total knee arthroplasty suggested by some authors. The distal femoral anatomic valgus (measured from the lower one-half of the femur) was 4.2 degrees in reference to its mechanical axis. This angle became 4.9 degrees when the full-length femoral anatomic axis was used. When simulating a one-legged weight-bearing stance by shifting the upper-body gravity closer to the knee joint, 75% of the knee joint load passed through the medial tibial plateau. The knee joint-line obliquity was more varus in male subjects. The female subjects had a higher peak joint pressure and a greater patello-tibial Q angle. Age had little effect on the factors relating to axial alignment of the lower extremity and load transmission through the knee joint.

Differences in distal lower extremity tissue masses and mass ratios exist in athletes of sports involving repetitive impacts.

PubMed

Schinkel-Ivy, Alison; Burkhart, Timothy A; Andrews, David M

2014-01-01

This study aimed to examine the effects of sex and sport on the tissue composition of the distal lower extremity of varsity athletes, in sports that involve repetitive-impact loading patterns. Fat mass, lean mass, bone mineral content and wobbling mass were predicted for the leg and leg + foot segments of varsity basketball, cross-country, soccer and volleyball athletes. The absolute masses were normalised to body mass, and also expressed relative to each other as ratios. Females and males differed on most normalised tissue masses and ratios by 11-101%. Characteristic differences were found in the normalised tissue masses across sports, with the lowest and highest values displayed by cross-country and volleyball (female)/basketball (male) athletes, respectively. Conversely, cross-country athletes had the highest wobbling mass:bone mineral content and lean mass:bone mineral content ratios for females by 10% and 16%, respectively. The differences between sports may be explained in part by different impact loading patterns characteristic of each sport. Tissue mass ratio differences between sports may suggest that the ratios of soft to rigid tissues are optimised by the body in response to typical loading patterns, and may therefore be useful in investigations of distal lower extremity injury mechanisms in athletes.

Thermal and frictional performance evaluation of nano lubricant with multi wall carbon nano tubes (MWCNTs) as nano-additive

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lijesh K., P.; Kumar, Deepak; Muzakkir S., M.; Hirani, Harish

2018-05-01

A Fluid Film Bearings (FFBs) operating in hydrodynamic boundary regime can provide moderate load carrying capacity, negligible wear and friction. However in extreme operating conditions i.e. at high load and low speed, asperities of journal and bearing surfaces come in contact with each other resulting in high wear and friction. During the contact of the asperities, the temperature of the lubricant increases due to frictional heating, resulting in reduction of the viscosity of lubricant. Variation of lubricant viscosity results in low load carrying capacity of the FFB and therefore resulting in detoriation of FFB performance. In the present work it is hypothesized that, by adding multi-functional Multi Wall Carbon Nano-Tubes (MWCNT) (having high thermal conductivity and anti-friction properties) as nano-additive in the base mineral oil, the aforementioned problems can be overcome. To validate the proposed hypothesis, five different samples of lubricant is considered: Sample 1: Base oil, Sample 2: Base oil +0.05% MWCNT, Sample 3: Base oil +0.05% MWCNT +0.5%surfactant, Sample 4: Base oil +0.1% MWCNT +0.5% surfactant, and Sample 5: Base oil +0.15% MWCNT +0.5%surfactant. To evaluate the performance of the developed lubricants, experiments were performed on the reduced scale conformal block on disc test setup. The experimental condition and dimension of the block and disc were decide for the Sommerfeld number equal to 0.0025, which indicates mixed lubrication regime. The performance of lubricant is evaluated by measuring the frictional force and temperature rise of the lubricant during the experiment.

Thermomechanical Fatigue Damage/Failure Mechanisms in SCS-6/Timetal 21S [0/90](Sub S) Composite

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Castelli, Michael G.

1994-01-01

The thermomechanical fatigue (TMF) deformation, damage, and life behaviors of SCS6/Timetal 21S (0/90)s were investigated under zero-tension conditions. In-phase (IP) and out-of-phase (OP) loadings were investigated with a temperature cycle from 150 to 650 deg C. An advanced TMF test technique was used to quantify mechanically damage progression. The technique incorporated explicit measurements of the macroscopic (1) isothermal static moduli at the temperature extremes of the TMF cycle and (2) coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) as functions of the TMF cycles. The importance of thermal property degradation and its relevance to accurate post-test data analysis and interpretation is briefly addressed. Extensive fractography and metallography were conducted on specimens from failed and interrupted tests to characterize the extent of damage at the microstructure level. Fatigue life results indicated trends analogous to those established for similar unidirectional(0) reinforced titanium matrix composite systems. High stress IP and mid to low stress OP loading conditions were life-limiting in comparison to maximum temperature isothermal conditions. Dominant damage mechanisms changed with cycle type. Damage resulting from IP TMF conditions produced measurable decreases in static moduli but only minimal changes in the CTE. Metallography on interrupted and failed specimens revealed extensive (0) fiber cracking with sparse matrix damage. No surface initiated matrix cracks were present. Comparable OP TMF conditions initiated environment enhanced surface cracking and matrix cracking initiated at (90) fiber/matrix (F/M) interfaces. Notable static moduli and CTE degradations were measured. Fractography and metallography revealed that the transverse cracks originating from the surface and (90) F/M interfaces tended to converge and coalesce at the (0) fibers.

Biomechanical studies on the effect of iatrogenic dentin removal on vertical root fractures

PubMed Central

Ossareh, A.; Rosentritt, M.; Kishen, A.

2018-01-01

Introduction: The aim of this study was to understand the mechanism by which iatrogenic root dentin removal influences radicular stress distribution and subsequently affects the resistance to vertical root fractures (VRF) in endodontically treated teeth. Materials and Methods: The experiments were conducted in two phases. Phase 1: freshly extracted premolar teeth maintained in phosphate-buffered saline were instrumented to simulate three different degrees of dentin removal, designated as low, medium, and extreme groups. Micro-Ct analyzes were performed to quantitatively determine: (a) the amount of dentin removed, (b) the remaining dentin volume, and (c) the moment of inertia of root dentin. The specimens were then subjected to thermomechanical cycling and continuous loading to determine (a) the mechanical load to fracture and (b) dentin microcracking (fractography) using scanning electron microscopy. Phase 2: Finite element analysis was used to evaluate the influence of dentin removal on the stress distribution pattern in root dentin. The data obtained were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey's post hoc test (P < 0.05). Results: Phase 1: A significantly greater volume of dentin was removed from teeth in extreme group when compared to low group (P < 0.01). The mechanical analysis showed that the load to fracture was significantly lower in teeth from extreme group (P < 0.05). A linear relationship was observed between the moment of inertia and load to fracture in all experimental groups (R2 = 0.52). Fractography showed that most microcracks were initiated from the root canal walls in extreme group. Phase 2: The numerical analysis showed that the radicular stress distribution increased apically and buccolingually with greater degree of root canal dentin removal. Conclusions: The combined experimental/numerical analyses highlighted the influence of remaining root dentin volume on the radicular bending resistance, stress distribution pattern, and subsequent propensity to VRF. PMID:29899632

Adaptive Load-Balancing Algorithms Using Symmetric Broadcast Networks

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Das, Sajal K.; Biswas, Rupak; Chancellor, Marisa K. (Technical Monitor)

1997-01-01

In a distributed-computing environment, it is important to ensure that the processor workloads are adequately balanced. Among numerous load-balancing algorithms, a unique approach due to Dam and Prasad defines a symmetric broadcast network (SBN) that provides a robust communication pattern among the processors in a topology-independent manner. In this paper, we propose and analyze three novel SBN-based load-balancing algorithms, and implement them on an SP2. A thorough experimental study with Poisson-distributed synthetic loads demonstrates that these algorithms are very effective in balancing system load while minimizing processor idle time. They also compare favorably with several other existing load-balancing techniques. Additional experiments performed with real data demonstrate that the SBN approach is effective in adaptive computational science and engineering applications where dynamic load balancing is extremely crucial.

Effects of running with backpack loads during simulated gravitational transitions: Improvements in postural control

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brewer, Jeffrey David

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is planning for long-duration manned missions to the Moon and Mars. For feasible long-duration space travel, improvements in exercise countermeasures are necessary to maintain cardiovascular fitness, bone mass throughout the body and the ability to perform coordinated movements in a constant gravitational environment that is six orders of magnitude higher than the "near weightlessness" condition experienced during transit to and/or orbit of the Moon, Mars, and Earth. In such gravitational transitions feedback and feedforward postural control strategies must be recalibrated to ensure optimal locomotion performance. In order to investigate methods of improving postural control adaptation during these gravitational transitions, a treadmill based precision stepping task was developed to reveal changes in neuromuscular control of locomotion following both simulated partial gravity exposure and post-simulation exercise countermeasures designed to speed lower extremity impedance adjustment mechanisms. The exercise countermeasures included a short period of running with or without backpack loads immediately after partial gravity running. A novel suspension type partial gravity simulator incorporating spring balancers and a motor-driven treadmill was developed to facilitate body weight off loading and various gait patterns in both simulated partial and full gravitational environments. Studies have provided evidence that suggests: the environmental simulator constructed for this thesis effort does induce locomotor adaptations following partial gravity running; the precision stepping task may be a helpful test for illuminating these adaptations; and musculoskeletal loading in the form of running with or without backpack loads may improve the locomotor adaptation process.

High-Throughput Computation and the Applicability of Monte Carlo Integration in Fatigue Load Estimation of Floating Offshore Wind Turbines

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Graf, Peter A.; Stewart, Gordon; Lackner, Matthew

Long-term fatigue loads for floating offshore wind turbines are hard to estimate because they require the evaluation of the integral of a highly nonlinear function over a wide variety of wind and wave conditions. Current design standards involve scanning over a uniform rectangular grid of metocean inputs (e.g., wind speed and direction and wave height and period), which becomes intractable in high dimensions as the number of required evaluations grows exponentially with dimension. Monte Carlo integration offers a potentially efficient alternative because it has theoretical convergence proportional to the inverse of the square root of the number of samples, whichmore » is independent of dimension. In this paper, we first report on the integration of the aeroelastic code FAST into NREL's systems engineering tool, WISDEM, and the development of a high-throughput pipeline capable of sampling from arbitrary distributions, running FAST on a large scale, and postprocessing the results into estimates of fatigue loads. Second, we use this tool to run a variety of studies aimed at comparing grid-based and Monte Carlo-based approaches with calculating long-term fatigue loads. We observe that for more than a few dimensions, the Monte Carlo approach can represent a large improvement in computational efficiency, but that as nonlinearity increases, the effectiveness of Monte Carlo is correspondingly reduced. The present work sets the stage for future research focusing on using advanced statistical methods for analysis of wind turbine fatigue as well as extreme loads.« less

NASA experiments onboard the controlled impact demonstration

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hayduk, R. J.; Alfaro-Bou, E.; Fasanella, E. L.

1985-01-01

The structural crashworthiness tests conducted by NASA on the December 1, 1984 controlled impact demonstration are discussed. The components and locations of the data acquisition and photographic systems developed by NASA to evaluate impact loads throughout the aircraft structure and the transmission of loads into the dummies are described. The effectiveness of the NASA designed absorbing seats and the vertical, longitudinal, and transverse impact loads are measured. Data that is extremely applicable to crash dynamics structural research was obtained by the data acquisition system and very low load levels were measured for the NASA energy absorbing seats.

Thermal stress analysis of ceramic structures with NASTRAN isoparametric solid elements

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lamberson, S. E.; Paul, D. B.

1978-01-01

The performance of the NASTRAN level 16.0, twenty node, isoparametric bricks (CIHEX2) at thermal loading was studied. A free ceramic plate was modelled using twenty node bricks of varying thicknesses. The thermal loading for this problem was uniform over the surface with an extremely large gradient through the thickness. No mechanical loading was considered. Temperature-dependent mechanical properties were considered in this analysis. The NASTRAN results were compared to one dimensional stress distributions calculated by direct numerical integration.

About climate variabilitiy leading the hydric condition of the soil in the rainfed region of Argentina

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pántano, V. C.; Penalba, O. C.

2013-05-01

Extreme events of temperature and rainfall have a socio-economic impact in the rainfed agriculture production region in Argentina. The magnitude of the impact can be analyzed through the water balance which integrates the characteristics of the soil and climate conditions. Changes observed in climate variables during the last decades affected the components of the water balance. As a result, a displacement of the agriculture border towards the west was produced, improving the agricultural production of the region. The objective of this work is to analyze how the variability of rainfall and temperature leads the hydric condition of the soil, with special focus on extreme events. The hydric conditions of the soil (HC= Excess- Deficit) were estimated from the monthly water balance (Thornthwaite and Mather method, 1957), using monthly potential evapotranspiration (PET) and monthly accumulated rainfall (R) for 33 stations (period 1970-2006). Information of temperature and rainfall was provided by National Weather Service and the effective capacity of soil water was considered from Forte Lay and Spescha (2001). An agricultural extreme condition occurs when soil moisture and rainfall are inadequate or excessive for the development of the crops. In this study, we define an extreme event when the variable is less (greater) than its 20% and 10% (80% and 90%) percentile. In order to evaluate how sensitive is the HC to water and heat stress in the region, different conditional probabilities were evaluated. There is a weaker response of HC to extreme low PET while extreme low R leads high values of HC. However, this behavior is not always observed, especially in the western region where extreme high and low PET show a stronger influence over the HC. Finally, to analyze the temporal variability of extreme PET and R, leading hydric condition of the soil, the number of stations presenting extreme conditions was computed for each month. As an example, interesting results were observed for April. During this month, the water recharge of the soil is crucial to let the winter crops manage with the scarce rainfalls occurring in the following months. In 1970, 1974, 1977, 1978 and 1997 more than 50% of the stations were under extreme high PET; while 1970, 1974, 1978 and 1988 presented more than 40% under extreme low R. Thus, the 70s was the more threatened decade of the period. Since the 80s (except for 1997), extreme dry events due to one variable or the other are mostly presented separately, over smaller areas. The response of the spatial distribution of HC is stronger when both variables present extreme conditions. In particular, during 1997 the region presents extreme low values of HC as a consequence of extreme low R and high PET. Communities dependent on agriculture are highly sensitive to climate variability and its extremes. In the studied region, it was shown that scarce water and heat stress contribute to the resulting hydric condition, producing strong impact over different productive activities. Extreme temperature seems to have a stronger influence over extreme unfavorable hydric conditions.

GROMACS 4:  Algorithms for Highly Efficient, Load-Balanced, and Scalable Molecular Simulation.

PubMed

Hess, Berk; Kutzner, Carsten; van der Spoel, David; Lindahl, Erik

2008-03-01

Molecular simulation is an extremely useful, but computationally very expensive tool for studies of chemical and biomolecular systems. Here, we present a new implementation of our molecular simulation toolkit GROMACS which now both achieves extremely high performance on single processors from algorithmic optimizations and hand-coded routines and simultaneously scales very well on parallel machines. The code encompasses a minimal-communication domain decomposition algorithm, full dynamic load balancing, a state-of-the-art parallel constraint solver, and efficient virtual site algorithms that allow removal of hydrogen atom degrees of freedom to enable integration time steps up to 5 fs for atomistic simulations also in parallel. To improve the scaling properties of the common particle mesh Ewald electrostatics algorithms, we have in addition used a Multiple-Program, Multiple-Data approach, with separate node domains responsible for direct and reciprocal space interactions. Not only does this combination of algorithms enable extremely long simulations of large systems but also it provides that simulation performance on quite modest numbers of standard cluster nodes.

Differential behaviour of a Lesser Himalayan watershed in extreme rainfall regimes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chauhan, Pankaj; Singh, Nilendu; Chauniyal, Devi Datt; Ahluwalia, Rajeev S.; Singhal, Mohit

2017-03-01

Climatic extremes including precipitation are bound to intensify in the global warming environment. The present study intends to understand the response of the Tons sub-watershed in Lesser Himalaya, in 3 years with entirely different hydrological conditions (July 2008-June 2011) in terms of discharge, sediment flux and denudation rates. Within an uncertainty limit of ±20%, the mean interannual discharge (5.74 ± 1.44 m 3 s -1) (±SE), was found highly variable (CV: 151%; 0.8-38 m 3 s -1). In a normal rainfall year (2008-2009; ˜1550 mm), the discharge was 5.12 ± 1.75 m 3 s -1, whereas in a drought year (2009-2010), it reduced by 30% with the reduction in ˜23% rainfall (CV: 85%). In an excessive rainfall year (once-in-a-century event) (2010-2011; ˜3050 mm), discharge as well as total solid load was ˜200% higher. Monsoon months (July-September) accounted for more than 90% of the annual solid load transport. The ratio of dissolved to suspended solid (C/P ratio) was consistently low (<1) during monsoon months and higher (1-7) during the rest of the dry period. C/P ratio was inversely ( R 2=0.49), but significantly ( P <0.001) related to the rainfall. The average mechanical erosion rate in the three different rainfall years was 0.24, 0.19 and 1.03 mmyr -1, whereas the chemical erosion was estimated at 0.12, 0.11 and 0.46 mmyr -1, respectively. Thus, the average denudation rate of the Tons sub-watershed has been estimated at 0.33 mmyr -1 (excluding extreme rainfall year: 1.5 mmyr -1). Our results have implications to understand the hydrological behaviour of the Lesser Himalayan watersheds and will be valuable for the proposed and several upcoming small hydropower plants in the region in the context of regional ecology and natural resource management.

The effects of 2 landing techniques on knee kinematics, kinetics, and performance during stop-jump and side-cutting tasks.

PubMed

Dai, Boyi; Garrett, William E; Gross, Michael T; Padua, Darin A; Queen, Robin M; Yu, Bing

2015-02-01

Anterior cruciate ligament injuries (ACL) commonly occur during jump landing and cutting tasks. Attempts to land softly and land with greater knee flexion are associated with decreased ACL loading. However, their effects on performance are unclear. Attempts to land softly will decrease peak posterior ground-reaction force (PPGRF) and knee extension moment at PPGRF compared with a natural landing during stop-jump and side-cutting tasks. Attempts to land with greater knee flexion at initial ground contact will increase knee flexion at PPGRF compared with a natural landing during both tasks. In addition, both landing techniques will increase stance time and lower extremity mechanical work as well as decrease jump height and movement speed compared with a natural landing during both tasks. Controlled laboratory study. A total of 18 male and 18 female recreational athletes participated in the study. Three-dimensional kinematic and kinetic data were collected during stop-jump and side-cutting tasks under 3 conditions: natural landing, soft landing, and landing with greater knee flexion at initial ground contact. Attempts to land softly decreased PPGRF and knee extension moment at PPGRF compared with a natural landing during stop-jump tasks. Attempts to land softly decreased PPGRF compared with a natural landing during side-cutting tasks. Attempts to land with greater knee flexion at initial ground contact increased knee flexion angle at PPGRF compared with a natural landing during both stop-jump and side-cutting tasks. Attempts to land softly and land with greater knee flexion at initial ground contact increased stance time and lower extremity mechanical work, as well as decreased jump height and movement speed during both stop-jump and side-cutting tasks. Although landing softly and landing with greater knee flexion at initial ground contact may reduce ACL loading during stop-jump and side-cutting tasks, the performance of these tasks decreased, as indicated by increased stance time and mechanical work as well as decreased jump height and movement speed. Training effects tested in laboratory environments with the focus on reducing ACL loading may be reduced in actual competition environments when the focus is on athlete performance. The effects of training programs for ACL injury prevention on lower extremity biomechanics in athletic tasks may need to be evaluated in laboratories as well as in actual competitions. © 2014 The Author(s).

Towards Subject-Specific Strength Training Design through Predictive Use of Musculoskeletal Models.

PubMed

Plüss, Michael; Schellenberg, Florian; Taylor, William R; Lorenzetti, Silvio

2018-01-01

Lower extremity dysfunction is often associated with hip muscle strength deficiencies. Detailed knowledge of the muscle forces generated in the hip under specific external loading conditions enables specific structures to be trained. The aim of this study was to find the most effective movement type and loading direction to enable the training of specific parts of the hip muscles using a standing posture and a pulley system. In a novel approach to release the predictive power of musculoskeletal modelling techniques based on inverse dynamics, flexion/extension and ab-/adduction movements were virtually created. To demonstrate the effectiveness of this approach, three hip orientations and an external loading force that was systematically rotated around the body were simulated using a state-of-the art OpenSim model in order to establish ideal designs for training of the anterior and posterior parts of the M. gluteus medius (GM). The external force direction as well as the hip orientation greatly influenced the muscle forces in the different parts of the GM. No setting was found for simultaneous training of the anterior and posterior parts with a muscle force higher than 50% of the maximum. Importantly, this study has demonstrated the use of musculoskeletal models as an approach to predict muscle force variations for different strength and rehabilitation exercise variations.

Towards Subject-Specific Strength Training Design through Predictive Use of Musculoskeletal Models

PubMed Central

Plüss, Michael; Schellenberg, Florian

2018-01-01

Lower extremity dysfunction is often associated with hip muscle strength deficiencies. Detailed knowledge of the muscle forces generated in the hip under specific external loading conditions enables specific structures to be trained. The aim of this study was to find the most effective movement type and loading direction to enable the training of specific parts of the hip muscles using a standing posture and a pulley system. In a novel approach to release the predictive power of musculoskeletal modelling techniques based on inverse dynamics, flexion/extension and ab-/adduction movements were virtually created. To demonstrate the effectiveness of this approach, three hip orientations and an external loading force that was systematically rotated around the body were simulated using a state-of-the art OpenSim model in order to establish ideal designs for training of the anterior and posterior parts of the M. gluteus medius (GM). The external force direction as well as the hip orientation greatly influenced the muscle forces in the different parts of the GM. No setting was found for simultaneous training of the anterior and posterior parts with a muscle force higher than 50% of the maximum. Importantly, this study has demonstrated the use of musculoskeletal models as an approach to predict muscle force variations for different strength and rehabilitation exercise variations. PMID:29796082

The Movement- and Load-Dependent Differences in the EMG Patterns of the Human Arm Muscles during Two-Joint Movements (A Preliminary Study)

PubMed Central

Tomiak, Tomasz; Abramovych, Tetiana I.; Gorkovenko, Andriy V.; Vereshchaka, Inna V.; Mishchenko, Viktor S.; Dornowski, Marcin; Kostyukov, Alexander I.

2016-01-01

Slow circular movements of the hand with a fixed wrist joint that were produced in a horizontal plane under visual guidance during conditions of action of the elastic load directed tangentially to the movement trajectory were studied. The positional dependencies of the averaged surface EMGs in the muscles of the elbow and shoulder joints were compared for four possible combinations in the directions of load and movements. The EMG intensities were largely correlated with the waves of the force moment computed for a corresponding joint in the framework of a simple geometrical model of the system: arm - experimental setup. At the same time, in some cases the averaged EMGs exit from the segments of the trajectory restricted by the force moment singular points (FMSPs), in which the moments exhibited altered signs. The EMG activities display clear differences for the eccentric and concentric zones of contraction that are separated by the joint angle singular points (JASPs), which present extreme at the joint angle traces. We assumed that the modeled patterns of FMSPs and JASPs may be applied for an analysis of the synergic interaction between the motor commands arriving at different muscles in arbitrary two-joint movements. PMID:27375496

Comparison of prosthetic feet prescribed to active individuals using ISO standards.

PubMed

Mason, Zachary D; Pearlman, Jon; Cooper, Rory A; Laferrier, Justin Z

2011-12-01

Little research has been done on the robustness of prosthetic feet prescribed to military personnel, and manufacturers are not required to test their products prior to sale. This is problematic because the prosthetic feet used by active individuals are subjected to loading conditions not seen in normal gait. To evaluate whether commercially available heavy-duty prosthetic feet intended for use by military personnel meet ISO 10328 standards. Bench testing of heavy-duty prosthetic feet using ISO 10328 standards. Prosthetic feet from three different manufacturers were tested according to ISO 10328 standards, using a testing frame fitted with axial load and displacement transducers. Pass/fail information was recorded as well as the stiffness and creep of each foot before and after cyclic testing. All feet passed the ISO 10328 standards at the highest loading level, and some significant differences were found within a given model of prosthesis when comparing stiffness and creep before and after cyclic testing. This study demonstrated that manufacturers of heavy-duty prosthetic feet adhere to the voluntary ISO 10328 standards. However, these standards may be insufficient because the tests simulate only idealized gait. Further development of the standards may be necessary to reproduce the circumstances that occur during extreme usage to ensure that prosthetic feet do not fail.

Reponse dynamique des structures sous charges de vent

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gani, Ferawati

The main purpose of this research is to assemble numerical tools that allows realistic dynamic study of structures under wind loading. The availability of such numerical tools is becoming more important for the industry, following previous experiences in structural damages after extreme wind events. The methodology of the present study involves two main steps: (i) preparing the wind loading according to its spatial and temporal correlations by using digitally generated wind or real measured wind; (ii) preparing the numerical model that captures the characteristics of the real structures and respects all the necessary numerical requirements to pursue transient dynamic analyses. The thesis is presented as an ensemble of four articles written for refereed journals and conferences that showcase the contributions of the present study to the advancement of transient dynamic study of structures under wind loading, on the wind model itself (the first article) and on the application of the wind study on complex structures (the next three articles). The articles presented are as follows: (a) the evaluation of three-dimensional correlations of wind, an important issue for more precise prediction of wind loading for flexible and line-like structures, the results presented in this first article helps design engineers to choose a more suitable models to define three-dimensional wind loading; (b) the refinement of design for solar photovoltaic concentrator-tracker structure developed for utility scale, this study addressed concerns related strict operational criteria and fatigue under wind load for a large parabolic truss structure; (c) the study of guyed towers for TLs, the applicability of the static-equivalent method from the current industry documents for the design of this type of flexible TL support was questioned, a simplified method to improve the wind design was proposed; (d) the fundamental issue of nonlinear behaviour under extreme wind loading for single-degree-of-freedom systems is evaluated here, the use of real measured hurricane and winter storm have highlighted the possible interest of taking into account the ductility in the extreme wind loading design. The present research project has shown the versatility of the use of the developed wind study methodology to solve concerns related to different type of complex structures. In addition, this study proposes simplified methods that are useful for practical engineers when there is the need to solve similar problems. Key words: nonlinear, dynamic, wind, guyed tower, parabolic structure, ductility.

Operation of a New COTS Crystal Oscillator - CXOMHT over a Wide Temperature Range

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Patterson, Richard; Hammoud, Ahmad

2011-01-01

Crystal oscillators are extensively used in electronic circuits to provide timing or clocking signals in data acquisition, communications links, and control systems, to name a few. They are affordable, small in size, and reliable. Because of the inherent characteristics of the crystal, the oscillator usually exhibits extreme accuracy in its output frequency within the intrinsic crystal stability. Stability of the frequency could be affected under varying load levels or other operational conditions. Temperature is one of those important factors that influence the frequency stability of an oscillator; as it does to the functionality of other electronic components. Electronics designed for use in NASA deep space and planetary exploration missions are expected to be exposed to extreme temperatures and thermal cycling over a wide range. Thus, it is important to design and develop circuits that are able to operate efficiently and reliably under in these harsh temperature environments. Most of the commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) devices are very limited in terms of their specified operational temperature while very few custom-made commercial and military-grade parts have the ability to operate in a slightly wider range of temperature than those of the COTS parts. These parts are usually designed for operation under one temperature extreme, i.e. hot or cold, and do not address the wide swing in the operational temperature, which is typical of the space environment. For safe and successful space missions, electronic systems must therefore be designed not only to withstand the extreme temperature exposure but also to operate efficiently and reliably. This report presents the results obtained on the evaluation of a new COTS crystal oscillator under extreme temperatures.

Working memory load modulates microsaccadic rate.

PubMed

Dalmaso, Mario; Castelli, Luigi; Scatturin, Pietro; Galfano, Giovanni

2017-03-01

Microsaccades are tiny eye movements that individuals perform unconsciously during fixation. Despite that the nature and the functions of microsaccades are still lively debated, recent evidence has shown an association between these micro eye movements and higher order cognitive processes. Here, in two experiments, we specifically focused on working memory and addressed whether differential memory load could be reflected in a modulation of microsaccade dynamics. In Experiment 1, participants memorized a numerical sequence composed of either two (low-load condition) or five digits (high-load condition), appearing at fixation. The results showed a reduction in the microsaccadic rate in the high-load compared to the low-load condition. In Experiment 2, five red or green digits were always presented at fixation. Participants either memorized the color (low-load condition) or the five digits (high-load condition). Hence, visual stimuli were exactly the same in both conditions. Consistent with Experiment 1, microsaccadic rate was lower in the high-load than in the low-load condition. Overall, these findings reveal that an engagement of working memory can have an impact on microsaccadic rate, consistent with the view that microsaccade generation is pervious to top-down processes.

New Design Concept for an Excavator Arms by Using Composite Material

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Solazzi, L.; Assi, A.; Ceresoli, F.

2018-06-01

The purpose of the present paper is to lightweight design an excavator arms, by using a different materials and in particular composite material. Specifically, the research is based on the study of a commercial excavator, by determining its geometry and analyzing the load conditions to which it is exposed. These are determined in relation to either the load diagram of the machine or the possible utilities of the excavator, such as the rotation of the machine. The materials used and implemented in the different analytical and numerical elaborations are classic construction steel S 355 (UNI EN 10025-3), high-resistance steel S 890 (UNI EN 10025-6), aluminum Al 6063 T6 (UNI EN 573-3) and the composite material made by carbon fiber and epoxy resin. The adopted constraints for the design of new arms with different materials, non-conventional for these applications, are numerous. The new solutions must present a safety factor either with respect to the yield tensile strength or to the critical load of buckling greater than or equal to the one determined for the excavator in its original geometrical conformation. Another criterion, which has heavily conditioned the geometry of the arms, was given by the fact that the developed solutions must present a very similar value of the maximum displacement in the different load conditions analyzed. A new geometry for arms made by composite material was developed. It was an elliptical conic section, instead of the classic rectangular section, in order to use the filament winding technological process. As for the adoption of the composite material, we focused on the study and the design of this material as long as the interaction with the extremities (made of aluminum) which are interfaced either with the link between the arms or with the elements of the hydraulic plant which serves for the arms movement. From the results developed, it emerges that the solution developed by adopting composite materials is the one that permits the maximum weight reduction for all arms, about 68.1%, which can be seen as an increment of the maximum mass transportable about 45.5% i.e. passing from 5000 kg to 7277 kg.

Towards a well-founded and reproducible snow load map for Austria

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Winkler, Michael; Schellander, Harald

2017-04-01

"EN 1991-1-3 Eurocode 1: Part 1-3: Snow Loads" provides standard for the determination of the snow load to be used for the structural design of buildings etc. Since 2006 national specifications for Austria define a snow load map with four "load zones", allowing the calculation of the characteristic ground snow load sk for locations below 1500 m asl. A quadratic regression between altitude and sk is used, as suggested by EN 1991-1-3. The actual snow load map is based on best meteorological practice, but still it is somewhat subjective and non-reproducible. Underlying snow data series often end in the 1980s; in the best case data until about 2005 is used. Moreover, extreme value statistics only rely on the Gumbel distribution and the way in which snow depths are converted to snow loads is generally unknown. This might be enough reasons to rethink the snow load standard for Austria, all the more since today's situation is different to what it was some 15 years ago: Firstly, Austria is rich of multi-decadal, high quality snow depth measurements. These data are not well represented in the actual standard. Secondly, semi-empirical snow models allow sufficiently precise calculations of snow water equivalents and snow loads from snow depth measurements without the need of other parameters like temperature etc. which often are not available at the snow measurement sites. With the help of these tools, modelling of daily snow load series from daily snow depth measurements is possible. Finally, extreme value statistics nowadays offers convincing methods to calculate snow depths and loads with a return period of 50 years, which is the base of sk, and allows reproducible spatial extrapolation. The project introduced here will investigate these issues in order to update the Austrian snow load standard by providing a well-founded and reproducible snow load map for Austria. Not least, we seek for contact with standards bodies of neighboring countries to find intersections as well as to avoid inconsistencies and duplications of effort.

Chemical and mineralogical changes of waste and tailings from the Murgul Cu deposit (Artvin, NE Turkey): implications for occurrence of acid mine drainage.

PubMed

Sağlam, Emine Selva; Akçay, Miğraç

2016-04-01

Being one of the largest copper-producing resources in Turkey, the Murgul deposit has been a source of environmental pollution for very long time. Operated through four open pits with an annual production of about 3 million tons of ore at an average grade of about 0.5% Cu, the deposit to date has produced an enormous pile of waste (exceeding 100 million tons) with tailings composed of 36 % SiO2, 39% Fe2O3 and 32% S, mainly in the form of pyrite and quartz. Waters in the vicinity of the deposit vary from high acid-acid (2.71-3.85) and high-extremely metal rich (34.48-348.12 mg/l in total) in the open pits to near neutral (6.51-7.83) and low metal (14.39-973.52 μg/l in total) in downstream environments. Despite low metal contents and near neutral pH levels of the latter, their suspended particle loads are extremely high and composed mainly of quartz and clay minerals with highly elevated levels of Fe (3.5 to 24.5% Fe2O3; 11% on average) and S (0.5 to 20.6% S; 7% on average), showing that Fe is mainly in the form of pyrite and lesser hematite. They also contain high concentrations of As, Au, Ba, Cu, Pb, and Zn. Waters collected along the course of polluted drainages are supersaturated with respect to Fe phases such as goethite, hematite, maghemite, magnetite, schwertmannite and ferrihydrite. Secondary phases such as Fe-sulphates are only found near the pits, but not along the streams due to neutral pH conditions, where pebbles are covered and cemented by Fe-oxides and hydroxides indicating that oxidation of pyrite has taken place especially at times of low water load. It follows, then, that the pyrite-rich sediment load of streams fed by the waste of the Murgul deposit is currently a big threat to the aquatic life and environment and will continue to be so even after the closure of the deposit. In fact, the oxidation will be enhanced and acidity increased due to natural conditions, which necessitates strong remedial actions to be taken.

Calcium spiking activity and baseline calcium levels in ROS 17/2.8 cells exposed to extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF EMF).

PubMed

Shahidain, R; Mullins, R D; Sisken, J E

2001-02-01

To determine whether extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields can alter average free cytosolic calcium ion concentrations [Ca2+]i and transient increases in [Ca2+]i in populations of ROS 17/2.8 cells. Cells loaded with the calcium-selective luminescent photoprotein, aequorin, were placed in the bottom of a sample chamber, which was inserted into the gap of a previously described air gap reactor system where they were exposed either to sinusoidal magnetic fields at a variety of frequencies and flux densities or to sham conditions. Real-time recordings of photon counts due to aequorin luminescence were obtained and data were analysed with the use of probit plots. Probit plots of data obtained from cells exposed to the various magnetic fields were virtually superimposable over the data obtained for the same cultures during pre- and post-exposure sham or no-field periods. These experiments provided no evidence for any effects of ELF EMF, either positive or negative, on either average [Ca2+]i or on transient increases in [Ca2+]i.

Asphyxiation death caused by oxygen-depleting cargo on a ship.

PubMed

Sundal, Marjana Kjetland; Lilleng, Peer Kaare; Barane, Hans; Morild, Inge; Vevelstad, Merete

2017-10-01

The extreme danger associated with entering enclosed spaces loaded with oxygen-depleting organic cargo in ships and tanks is obviously underestimated, both among crew and management. We present a case report to highlight this occupational hazard and to increase the knowledge about the imperative precautions, in order to prevent future accidents. An experienced customs officer was found lifeless at the bottom of the unattended cargo hold on a ship loaded with woodchips. The oxygen content in the cargo atmosphere was below 2%, which is incompatible with life. Forensic autopsy revealed injuries related to the fall, and there were no positive toxicological findings in blood, lung or urine. Management and workers must be taught about the extreme rapidity of developing unconsciousness and asphyxiant death when entering enclosed spaces loaded with oxygen-depleting cargo. Even a single inhalation can result in unconsciousness and death. Dozens of annual deaths and severe injuries can easily be prevented if simple precautions are followed. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Compilation of load spectrum of loader drive axle

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wei, Yongxiang; Zhu, Haoyue; Tang, Heng; Yuan, Qunwei

2018-03-01

In order to study the preparation method of gear fatigue load spectrum for loaders, the load signal of four typical working conditions of loader is collected. The signal that reflects the law of load change is obtained by preprocessing the original signal. The torque of the drive axle is calculated by using the rain flow counting method. According to the operating time ratio of each working condition, the two dimensional load spectrum based on the real working conditions of the drive axle of loader is established by the cycle extrapolation and synthesis method. The two-dimensional load spectrum is converted into one-dimensional load spectrum by means of the mean of torque equal damage method. Torque amplification includes the maximum load torque of the main reduction gear. Based on the theory of equal damage, the accelerated cycles are calculated. In this way, the load spectrum of the loading condition of the drive axle is prepared to reflect loading condition of the loader. The load spectrum can provide reference for fatigue life test and life prediction of loader drive axle.

Control of Precision Grip Force in Lifting and Holding of Low-Mass Objects

PubMed Central

Kimura, Daisuke; Kadota, Koji; Ito, Taro

2015-01-01

Few studies have investigated the control of grip force when manipulating an object with an extremely small mass using a precision grip, although some related information has been provided by studies conducted in an unusual microgravity environment. Grip-load force coordination was examined while healthy adults (N = 17) held a moveable instrumented apparatus with its mass changed between 6 g and 200 g in 14 steps, with its grip surface set as either sandpaper or rayon. Additional measurements of grip-force-dependent finger-surface contact area and finger skin indentation, as well as a test of weight discrimination, were also performed. For each surface condition, the static grip force was modulated in parallel with load force while holding the object of a mass above 30 g. For objects with mass smaller than 30 g, on the other hand, the parallel relationship was changed, resulting in a progressive increase in grip-to-load force (GF/LF) ratio. The rayon had a higher GF/LF force ratio across all mass levels. The proportion of safety margin in the static grip force and normalized moment-to-moment variability of the static grip force were also elevated towards the lower end of the object mass for both surfaces. These findings indicate that the strategy of grip force control for holding objects with an extremely small mass differs from that with a mass above 30 g. The data for the contact area, skin indentation, and weight discrimination suggest that a decreased level of cutaneous feedback signals from the finger pads could have played some role in a cost function in efficient grip force control with low-mass objects. The elevated grip force variability associated with signal-dependent and internal noises, and anticipated inertial force on the held object due to acceleration of the arm and hand, could also have contributed to the cost function. PMID:26376484

Ionic Liquid Fuels for Chemical Propulsion

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-11-20

researchers seeking hypergolic fuels have limited themselves to the extremely toxic and corrosive nitric acid solutions. While important questions remain...storable oxidizer (N204 , nitric acid ) have been synthesized and demonstrated. The bipropellant fuels are based upon salts containing dicyanamide or...20-30% nanoparticle loading but decreases between 10-20%, perhaps indicating an optimal loading concentration for these nanoparticles between 10-20

Fuel loadings in southwestern ecosystems of the United States

Treesearch

Stephen S. Sackett; Sally M Haase

1996-01-01

Natural forest fuel loadings cause extreme fire behavior during dry, windy weather experienced during most fire seasons in the Southwest. Fire severity is also exacerbated from burning heavy fuels, including heavy humus layers on the forest floor. Ponderosa pine and mixed conifer stands possess more than 21.7 and 44.1 tons per acre of total forest floor fuel,...

Effect of Arctic Amplification on Design Snow Loads in Alaska

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-09-01

snow water equivalent UFC Unified Facilities Criteria UTC Coordinated Universal Time Keywords: Alaska, Arctic amplification, climate change...extreme value analysis, snow loads, snow water equivalent , SWE Acknowledgements: This work was conducted with support from the Strategic... equivalent (SWE) of the snowpack. We acquired SWE data from a number of sources that provide automatic or manual observations, reanalysis data, or

Femur loading in feet-first fall experiments using an anthropomorphic test device.

PubMed

Thompson, Angela; Bertocci, Gina; Smalley, Craig

2018-03-31

Femur fractures are a common orthopedic injury in young children. Falls account for a large portion of accidental femur fractures in young children, but there is also a high prevalence of femur fractures in child abuse, with falls often provided as false histories. Objective information regarding fracture potential in short distance fall scenarios may aid in assessing whether a child's injuries are the result of abuse or an accidental fall. Knowledge of femur loading is the first step towards understanding likelihood of fracture in a fall. Characterize femur loading during feet-first free falls using a surrogate representing a 12-month-old child. The femur and hip joint of a surrogate representing a 12-month-old were modified to improve biofidelity and measure femur loading; 6-axis load cells were integrated into the proximal and distal femur. Femur modification was based upon CT imaging of cadaveric femurs in children 10-14 months of age. Using the modified 12-month-old surrogate, feet-first free falls from 69 cm and 119 cm heights onto padded carpet and linoleum were conducted to assess fall dynamics and determine femur loading. Femur compression, bending moment, shear and torsional moment were measured for each fall. Fall dynamics differed across fall heights, but did not substantially differ by impact surface type. Significant differences were found in all loading conditions across fall heights, while only compression and bending loads differed between carpet and linoleum surfaces. Maximum compression, bending, torsion and shear occurred in 119 cm falls and were 572 N, 23 N-m, 11 N-m and 281 N, respectively. Fall dynamics play an important role in the biomechanical assessment of falls. Fall height was found to influence both fall dynamics and femur loading, while impact surface affected only compression and bending in feet-first falls; fall dynamics did not differ across carpet and linoleum. Improved pediatric thresholds are necessary to predict likelihood of fracture, but morphologically accurate representation of the lower extremity, along with accurate characterization of loading in falls are a crucial first step. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd and Faculty of Forensic and Legal Medicine. All rights reserved.

Enhanced active liposomal loading of a poorly soluble ionizable drug using supersaturated drug solutions.

PubMed

Modi, Sweta; Xiang, Tian-Xiang; Anderson, Bradley D

2012-09-10

Nanoparticulate drug carriers such as liposomal drug delivery systems are of considerable interest in cancer therapy because of their ability to passively accumulate in solid tumors. For liposomes to have practical utility for antitumor therapy in patients, however, optimization of drug loading, retention, and release kinetics are necessary. Active loading is the preferred method for optimizing loading of ionizable drugs in liposomes as measured by drug-to-lipid ratios, but the extremely low aqueous solubilities of many anticancer drug candidates may limit the external driving force, thus slowing liposomal uptake during active loading. This report demonstrates the advantages of maintaining drug supersaturation during active loading. A novel method was developed for creating and maintaining supersaturation of a poorly soluble camptothecin analogue, AR-67 (7-t-butyldimethylsilyl-10-hydroxycamptothecin), using a low concentration of a cyclodextrin (sulfobutylether-β-cyclodextrin) to inhibit crystallization over a 48 h period. Active loading into liposomes containing high concentrations of entrapped sodium or calcium acetate was monitored using drug solutions at varying degrees of supersaturation. Liposomal uptake rates increased linearly with the degree of supersaturation of drug in the external loading solution. A mathematical model was developed to predict the rate and extent of drug loading versus time, taking into account the chemical equilibria inside and outside of the vesicles and the transport kinetics of various permeable species across the lipid bilayer and the dialysis membrane. Intraliposomal sink conditions were maintained by the high internal pH caused by the efflux of acetic acid and exchange with AR-67, which undergoes lactone ring-opening, ionization, and membrane binding in the interior of the vesicles. The highest drug to lipid ratio achieved was 0.17 from a supersaturated solution at a total drug concentration of 0.6 mg/ml. The rate and extent of loading was similar when a different intraliposomal metal cation (sodium) was used instead of calcium. The proposed method may have general application in overcoming the formulation challenges associated with the liposomal delivery of poorly soluble, ionizable anticancer agents. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Development of the Rules Governing the Strength of Airplanes. Part I : German Loading Conditions up to 1926

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kussner, H G; Thalau, Karl

1933-01-01

Load factors and loading conditions are presented for German aircraft. Loading conditions under various stress factors are presented along with a breakdown of individual aircraft components such as landing gear, wings, etc.

A sustainable development of a city electrical grid via a non-contractual Demand-Side Management

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Samoylenko, Vladislav O.; Pazderin, Andrew V.

2017-06-01

An increasing energy consumption of large cities as well as an extreme high density of city electrical loads leads to the necessity to search for an alternative approaches to city grid development. The ongoing implementation of the energy accounting tariffs with differentiated rates depending upon the market conditions and changing in a short-term perspective, provide the possibility to use it as a financial incentive base of a Demand-Side Management (DSM). Modern hi-technology energy metering and accounting systems with a large number of functions and consumer feedback are supposed to be the good means of DSM. Existing systems of Smart Metering (SM) billing usually provide general information about consumption curve, bills and compared data, but not the advanced statistics about the correspondence of financial and electric parameters. Also, consumer feedback is usually not fully used. So, the efforts to combine the market principle, Smart Metering and a consumer feedback for an active non-contractual load control are essential. The paper presents the rating-based multi-purpose system of mathematical statistics and algorithms of DSM efficiency estimation useful for both the consumers and the energy companies. The estimation is performed by SM Data processing systems. The system is aimed for load peak shaving and load curve smoothing. It is focused primarily on a retail market support. The system contributes to the energy efficiency and a distribution process improvement by the manual management or by the automated Smart Appliances interaction.

Lower extremity joint loads in habitual rearfoot and mid/forefoot strike runners with normal and shortened stride lengths.

PubMed

Boyer, Elizabeth R; Derrick, Timothy R

2018-03-01

Our purpose was to compare joint loads between habitual rearfoot (hRF) and habitual mid/forefoot strikers (hFF), rearfoot (RFS) and mid/forefoot strike (FFS) patterns, and shorter stride lengths (SLs). Thirty-eight hRF and hFF ran at their normal SL, 5% and 10% shorter, as well as with the opposite foot strike. Three-dimensional ankle, knee, patellofemoral (PF) and hip contact forces were calculated. Nearly all contact forces decreased with a shorter SL (1.2-14.9% relative to preferred SL). In general, hRF had higher PF (hRF-RFS: 10.8 ± 1.4, hFF-FFS: 9.9 ± 2.0 BWs) and hip loads (axial hRF-RFS: -9.9 ± 0.9, hFF-FFS: -9.6 ± 1.0 BWs) than hFF. Many loads were similar between foot strike styles for the two groups, including axial and lateral hip, PF, posterior knee and shear ankle contact forces. Lateral knee and posterior hip contact forces were greater for RFS, and axial ankle and knee contact forces were greater for FFS. The tibia may be under greater loading with a FFS because of these greater axial forces. Summarising, a particular foot strike style does not universally decrease joint contact forces. However, shortening one's SL 10% decreased nearly all lower extremity contact forces, so it may hold potential to decrease overuse injuries associated with excessive joint loads.

A novel ex vivo model of compressive immature rib fractures at pathophysiological rates of loading.

PubMed

Beadle, Nicola; Burnett, Timothy L; Hoyland, Judith A; Sherratt, Michael J; Freemont, Anthony J

2015-11-01

Compressive rib fractures are considered to be indicative of non-accidental injury (NAI) in infants, which is a significant and growing issue worldwide. The diagnosis of NAI is often disputed in a legal setting, and as a consequence there is a need to model such injuries ex vivo in order to characterise the forces required to produce non-accidental rib fractures. However, current models are limited by type of sample, loading method and rate of loading. Here, we aimed to: i) develop a loading system for inducing compressive fractures in whole immature ribs that is more representative of the physiological conditions and mechanism of injury employed in NAI and ii) assess the influence of loading rate and rib geometry on the mechanical performance of the tissue. Porcine ribs (5-6 weeks of age) from 12 animals (n=8 ribs/animal) were subjected to axial compressive load directed through the anterior-posterior rib axis at loading rates of 1, 30, 60 or 90 mm/s. Key mechanical parameters (including peak load, load and percentage deformation to failure and effective stiffness) were quantified from the load-displacement curves. Measurements of the rib length, thickness at midpoint, distance between anterior and posterior extremities, rib curvature and fracture location were determined from radiographs. This loading method typically produced incomplete fractures around the midpoint of the ribs, with 87% failing in this manner; higher loads and less deformation were required for ribs to completely fracture through both cortices. Loading rate, within the range of 1-90 mm/s, did not significantly affect any key mechanical parameters of the ribs. Load-displacement curves displaying characteristic and quantifiable features were produced for 90% of the ribs tested, and multiple regression analyses indicate that, in addition to the geometrical variables, there are other factors such as the micro- and nano-structure that influence the measured mechanical data. A reproducible method of inducing fractures in a consistent location in immature porcine ribs has been successfully developed. Fracture appearance may be indicative of the amount of load and deformation that produced the fracture, which is an important finding for NAI, where knowledge of the aetiology of fractures is vital. Characteristic rib behaviour independent of loading rate and, to an extent, rib geometry has been demonstrated, allowing further investigation into how the complex micro- and nano-structure of immature ribs influences the mechanical performance under compressive load. This research will ultimately enable improved characterisation of the loading pattern involved in non-accidental rib fractures. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Biomechanical Factors in Tibial Stress Fracture

DTIC Science & Technology

2001-08-01

Relationship between Loading Rates and Tibial Accelerometry in Forefoot Strike Runners. Presented at the Annual American Society of Biomechanics Mtg...of the APTA, Seattle, WA, 2/99. McClay, IS, Williams, DS, and Manal, KT. Lower Extremity Mechanics of Runners with a Converted Forefoot Strike ...Management, Inc, 1998-1999 The Effect of Different Orthotic Devices on Lower Extremity Mechanics of Rearfoot and Forefoot Strikers, $3,500. Foot Management

Ni-Ti Next Generation Bearings for Space Applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

DellaCorte, Christopher

2018-01-01

NASA applications challenge traditional bearing materials. The rigors of launch often include heavy shock loads and exposure to corrosive environments (e.g., salt spray). Unfortunately, ball and roller bearings made from hardened steels are vulnerable to Brinell denting and rust which can limit performance and life. Ceramic materials can eliminate corrosion concerns but their high stiffness and extreme hardness actually makes denting problems worse. In this presentation, an emerging superelastic alloy, NiTi, is introduced for rolling element bearing applications. Through a decade of RD, NiTi alloy bearings have been put through a comprehensive series of life and performance tests. Hardness, corrosion, strength, stiffness, and rolling contact fatigue tests have been conducted and reported. Ball bearings ranging in size from 12 to 50mm bore have been successfully engineered and operated over a wide range of speeds and test conditions including being submerged in water. The combination of high hardness, moderate elastic modulus, low density, and intrinsic corrosion immunity provide new possibilities for mechanisms that operate under extreme conditions. Recent preliminary tests indicate that bearings can be made from NiTi alloys that are easily lubricated by conventional oils and greases and exhibit acceptable rolling contact fatigue resistance. This presentation introduces the NiTi materials systems and shows how NASA is using it to alleviate several specific problems encountered in advanced space applications.

Jet formation in cerium metal to examine material strength

DOE PAGES

Jensen, B. J.; Cherne, F. J.; Prime, M. B.; ...

2015-11-18

Examining the evolution of material properties at extreme conditions advances our understanding of numerous high-pressure phenomena from natural events like meteorite impacts to general solid mechanics and fluid flow behavior. Some recent advances in synchrotron diagnostics coupled with dynamic compression platforms have introduced new possibilities for examining in-situ, spatially resolved material response with nanosecond time resolution. In this work, we examined jet formation from a Richtmyer-Meshkov instability in cerium initially shocked into a transient, high-pressure phase, and then released to a low-pressure, higher-temperature state. Cerium's rich phase diagram allows us to study the yield stress following a shock induced solid-solidmore » phase transition. X-ray imaging was used to obtain images of jet formation and evolution with 2–3 μm spatial resolution. And from these images, an analytic method was used to estimate the post-shock yield stress, and these results were compared to continuum calculations that incorporated an experimentally validated equation-of-state (EOS) for cerium coupled with a deviatoric strength model. Reasonable agreement was observed between the calculations and the data illustrating the sensitivity of jet formation on the yield stress values. Finally, the data and analysis shown here provide insight into material strength during dynamic loading which is expected to aid in the development of strength aware multi-phase EOS required to predict the response of matter at extreme conditions.« less

Can Concentration - Discharge Relationships Diagnose Material Source During Extreme Events?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Karwan, D. L.; Godsey, S.; Rose, L.

2017-12-01

Floods can carry >90% of the basin material exported in a given year as well as alter flow pathways and material sources. In turn, sediment and solute fluxes can increase flood damages and negatively impact water quality and integrate physical and chemical weathering of landscapes and channels. Concentration-discharge (C-Q) relationships are used to both describe export patterns as well as compute them. Metrics for describing C-Q patterns and inferring their controls are vulnerable to infrequent sampling that affects how C-Q relationships are interpolated and interpreted. C-Q relationships are typically evaluated from multiple samples, but because hydrological extremes are rare, data are often unavailable for extreme events. Because solute and sediment C-Q relationships likely respond to changes in hydrologic extremes in different ways, there is a pressing need to define their behavior under extreme conditions, including how to properly sample to capture these patterns. In the absence of such knowledge, improving load estimates in extreme floods will likely remain difficult. Here we explore the use of C-Q relationships to determine when an event alters a watershed system such that it enters a new material source/transport regime. We focus on watersheds with sediment and discharge time series include low-frequency and/or extreme events. For example, we compare solute and sediment patterns in White Clay Creek in southeastern Pennsylvania across a range of flows inclusive of multiple hurricanes for which we have ample ancillary hydrochemical data. TSS is consistently mobilized during high flow events, even during extreme floods associated with hurricanes, and sediment fingerprinting indicates different sediment sources, including in-channel remobilization and landscape erosion, are active at different times. In other words, TSS mobilization in C-Q space is not sensitive to the source of material being mobilized. Unlike sediments, weathering solutes in this watershed tend to exhibit a relatively chemostatic C-Q pattern, except during the runoff-dominated Hurricane Irene, when they exhibit a diluting C-Q pattern. Finally, we summarize the vulnerability of these observations to shifts in sampling effort to highlight the utility and limitations of C-Q-derived export patterns.

Immobilization of Technetium in a Metallic Waste Form

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

S.M. Frank; D. D. Keiser, Jr.; K. C. Marsden

Fission-product technetium accumulated during treatment of spent nuclear fuel will ultimately be disposed of in a geological repository. The exact form of Tc for disposal has yet to be determined; however, a reasonable solution is to incorporate elemental Tc into a metallic waste form similar to the waste form produced during the pyrochemical treatment of spent, sodium-bonded fuel. This metal waste form, produced at the Idaho National Laboratory, has undergone extensive qualification examination and testing for acceptance to the Yucca Mountain geological repository. It is from this extensive qualification effort that the behavior of Tc and other fission products inmore » the waste form has been elucidated, and that the metal waste form is extremely robust in the retention of fission products, such as Tc, in repository like conditions. This manuscript will describe the metal waste form, the behavior of Tc in the waste form; and current research aimed at determining the maximum possible loading of Tc into the metal waste and subsequent determination of the performance of high Tc loaded metal waste forms.« less

Evaluation of surface, microstructure and phase modifications on various tungsten grades induced by pulsed plasma loading

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vilémová, M.; Pala, Z.; Jäger, A.; Matějíček, J.; Chernyshova, M.; Kowalska-Strzęciwilk, E.; Tonarová, D.; Gribkov, V. A.

2016-03-01

Progress in the field of nuclear fusion requires the development of a new generation of tungsten materials that are expected to meet specific property, lifetime and safety requirements. Pursuing this goal, the new materials must be properly tested in a wide range of conditions including cases where material is brought to the molten stage, such as with large fusion plasma instabilities. In this study, two prospective candidates from the family of dispersion strengthened (DS) tungsten materials, i.e., W-1%Y2O3 and W-2.5%TiC, were subjected to extreme heat loading exerted by the deuterium plasma generator PF6. The study focuses on the interaction of the tungsten matrix with the dispersed particles during material melting. The materials underwent significant changes in microstructure and phase content. Among the most serious was the loss of TiC particles and void formation in W-2.5%TiC and phase change of polymorphic Y2O3 particles in W-1% Y2O3.

Ceramic-ceramic shell tile thermal protection system and method thereof

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Riccitiello, Salvatore R. (Inventor); Smith, Marnell (Inventor); Goldstein, Howard E. (Inventor); Zimmerman, Norman B. (Inventor)

1986-01-01

A ceramic reusable, externally applied composite thermal protection system (TPS) is proposed. The system functions by utilizing a ceramic/ceramic upper shell structure which effectively separates its primary functions as a thermal insulator and as a load carrier to transmit loads to the cold structure. The composite tile system also prevents impact damage to the atmospheric entry vehicle thermal protection system. The composite tile comprises a structurally strong upper ceramic/ceramic shell manufactured from ceramic fibers and ceramic matrix meeting the thermal and structural requirements of a tile used on a re-entry aerospace vehicle. In addition, a lightweight high temperature ceramic lower temperature base tile is used. The upper shell and lower tile are attached by means effective to withstand the extreme temperatures (3000 to 3200F) and stress conditions. The composite tile may include one or more layers of variable density rigid or flexible thermal insulation. The assembly of the overall tile is facilitated by two or more locking mechanisms on opposing sides of the overall tile assembly. The assembly may occur subsequent to the installation of the lower shell tile on the spacecraft structural skin.

A review of fracture mechanics life technology

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Besuner, P. M.; Harris, D. O.; Thomas, J. M.

1986-01-01

Lifetime prediction technology for structural components subjected to cyclic loads is examined. The central objectives of the project are: (1) to report the current state of the art, and (2) recommend future development of fracture mechanics-based analytical tools for modeling subcritical fatigue crack growth in structures. Of special interest is the ability to apply these tools to practical engineering problems and the developmental steps necessary to bring vital technologies to this stage. The authors conducted a survey of published literature and numerous discussions with experts in the field of fracture mechanics life technology. One of the key points made is that fracture mechanics analyses of crack growth often involve consideration of fatigue and fracture under extreme conditions. Therefore, inaccuracies in predicting component lifetime will be dominated by inaccuracies in environment and fatigue crack growth relations, stress intensity factor solutions, and methods used to model given loads and stresses. Suggestions made for reducing these inaccuracies include development of improved models of subcritical crack growth, research efforts aimed at better characterizing residual and assembly stresses that can be introduced during fabrication, and more widespread and uniform use of the best existing methods.

Low-cost solution to the grid reliability problem with 100% penetration of intermittent wind, water, and solar for all purposes.

PubMed

Jacobson, Mark Z; Delucchi, Mark A; Cameron, Mary A; Frew, Bethany A

2015-12-08

This study addresses the greatest concern facing the large-scale integration of wind, water, and solar (WWS) into a power grid: the high cost of avoiding load loss caused by WWS variability and uncertainty. It uses a new grid integration model and finds low-cost, no-load-loss, nonunique solutions to this problem on electrification of all US energy sectors (electricity, transportation, heating/cooling, and industry) while accounting for wind and solar time series data from a 3D global weather model that simulates extreme events and competition among wind turbines for available kinetic energy. Solutions are obtained by prioritizing storage for heat (in soil and water); cold (in ice and water); and electricity (in phase-change materials, pumped hydro, hydropower, and hydrogen), and using demand response. No natural gas, biofuels, nuclear power, or stationary batteries are needed. The resulting 2050-2055 US electricity social cost for a full system is much less than for fossil fuels. These results hold for many conditions, suggesting that low-cost, reliable 100% WWS systems should work many places worldwide.

Low-cost solution to the grid reliability problem with 100% penetration of intermittent wind, water, and solar for all purposes

PubMed Central

Jacobson, Mark Z.; Delucchi, Mark A.; Cameron, Mary A.; Frew, Bethany A.

2015-01-01

This study addresses the greatest concern facing the large-scale integration of wind, water, and solar (WWS) into a power grid: the high cost of avoiding load loss caused by WWS variability and uncertainty. It uses a new grid integration model and finds low-cost, no-load-loss, nonunique solutions to this problem on electrification of all US energy sectors (electricity, transportation, heating/cooling, and industry) while accounting for wind and solar time series data from a 3D global weather model that simulates extreme events and competition among wind turbines for available kinetic energy. Solutions are obtained by prioritizing storage for heat (in soil and water); cold (in ice and water); and electricity (in phase-change materials, pumped hydro, hydropower, and hydrogen), and using demand response. No natural gas, biofuels, nuclear power, or stationary batteries are needed. The resulting 2050–2055 US electricity social cost for a full system is much less than for fossil fuels. These results hold for many conditions, suggesting that low-cost, reliable 100% WWS systems should work many places worldwide. PMID:26598655

Construction of a stochastic model of track geometry irregularities and validation through experimental measurements of dynamic loading

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Panunzio, Alfonso M.; Puel, G.; Cottereau, R.; Simon, S.; Quost, X.

2017-03-01

This paper describes the construction of a stochastic model of urban railway track geometry irregularities, based on experimental data. The considered irregularities are track gauge, superelevation, horizontal and vertical curvatures. They are modelled as random fields whose statistical properties are extracted from a large set of on-track measurements of the geometry of an urban railway network. About 300-1000 terms are used in the Karhunen-Loève/Polynomial Chaos expansions to represent the random fields with appropriate accuracy. The construction of the random fields is then validated by comparing on-track measurements of the contact forces and numerical dynamics simulations for different operational conditions (train velocity and car load) and horizontal layouts (alignment, curve). The dynamics simulations are performed both with and without randomly generated geometrical irregularities for the track. The power spectrum densities obtained from the dynamics simulations with the model of geometrical irregularities compare extremely well with those obtained from the experimental contact forces. Without irregularities, the spectrum is 10-50 dB too low.

A review of fracture mechanics life technology

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Thomas, J. M.; Besuner, P. M.; Harris, D. O.

1985-01-01

Current lifetime prediction technology for structural components subjected to cyclic loads was reviewed. The central objectives of the project were to report the current state of and recommend future development of fracture mechanics-based analytical tools for modeling and forecasting subcritical fatigue crack growth in structures. Of special interest to NASA was the ability to apply these tools to practical engineering problems and the developmental steps necessary to bring vital technologies to this stage. A survey of published literature and numerous discussions with experts in the field of fracture mechanics life technology were conducted. One of the key points made is that fracture mechanics analyses of crack growth often involve consideration of fatigue and fracture under extreme conditions. Therefore, inaccuracies in predicting component lifetime will be dominated by inaccuracies in environment and fatigue crack growth relations, stress intensity factor solutions, and methods used to model given loads and stresses. Suggestions made for reducing these inaccuracies include: development of improved models of subcritical crack growth, research efforts aimed at better characterizing residual and assembly stresses that can be introduced during fabrication, and more widespread and uniform use of the best existing methods.

Three-dimensional characterisation and simulation of deformation and damage during Taylor impact in PTFE

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Resnyansky, A.; McDonald, S.; Withers, P.; Bourne, N.; Millett, J.; Brown, E.; Rae, P.

2013-06-01

Aerospace, defence and automotive applications of polymers and polymer matrix composites have placed these materials under increasingly more extreme conditions. It is therefore important to understand the mechanical response of these multi-phase materials under high pressures and strain rates. Crucial to this is knowledge of the physical damage response in association with the phase transformations during the loading and the ability to predict this via multi-phase simulation taking the thermodynamical non-equilibrium and strain rate sensitivity into account. The current work presents Taylor impact experiments interrogating the effect of dynamic, high-pressure loading on polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). In particular, X-ray microtomography has been used to characterise the damage imparted to cylindrical samples due to impact at different velocities. Distinct regions of deformation are present and controlled by fracture within the polymer, with the extent of the deformed region and increasing propagation of the fractures from the impact face showing a clear trend with increase in impact velocity. The experimental observations are discussed with respect to parallel multi-phase model predictions by CTH hydrocode of the shock response from Taylor impact simulations.

A Multiscale Virtual Fabrication and Lattice Modeling Approach for the Fatigue Performance Prediction of Asphalt Concrete

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dehghan Banadaki, Arash

Predicting the ultimate performance of asphalt concrete under realistic loading conditions is the main key to developing better-performing materials, designing long-lasting pavements, and performing reliable lifecycle analysis for pavements. The fatigue performance of asphalt concrete depends on the mechanical properties of the constituent materials, namely asphalt binder and aggregate. This dependent link between performance and mechanical properties is extremely complex, and experimental techniques often are used to try to characterize the performance of hot mix asphalt. However, given the seemingly uncountable number of mixture designs and loading conditions, it is simply not economical to try to understand and characterize the material behavior solely by experimentation. It is well known that analytical and computational modeling methods can be combined with experimental techniques to reduce the costs associated with understanding and characterizing the mechanical behavior of the constituent materials. This study aims to develop a multiscale micromechanical lattice-based model to predict cracking in asphalt concrete using component material properties. The proposed algorithm, while capturing different phenomena for different scales, also minimizes the need for laboratory experiments. The developed methodology builds on a previously developed lattice model and the viscoelastic continuum damage model to link the component material properties to the mixture fatigue performance. The resulting lattice model is applied to predict the dynamic modulus mastercurves for different scales. A framework for capturing the so-called structuralization effects is introduced that significantly improves the accuracy of the modulus prediction. Furthermore, air voids are added to the model to help capture this important micromechanical feature that affects the fatigue performance of asphalt concrete as well as the modulus value. The effects of rate dependency are captured by implementing the viscoelastic fracture criterion. In the end, an efficient cyclic loading framework is developed to evaluate the damage accumulation in the material that is caused by long-sustained cyclic loads.

Plantar Loading During Cutting While Wearing a Rigid Carbon Fiber Insert.

PubMed

Queen, Robin M; Abbey, Alicia N; Verma, Ravi; Butler, Robert J; Nunley, James A

2014-02-12

Context : Stress fractures are one of the most common injuries in sports, accounting for approximately 10% of all overuse injuries. Treatment of fifth metatarsal stress fractures involves both surgical and nonsurgical interventions. Fifth metatarsal stress fractures are difficult to treat because of the risks of delayed union, nonunion, and recurrent injuries. Most of these injuries occur during agility tasks, such as those performed in soccer, basketball, and lacrosse. Objective : To examine the effect of a rigid carbon graphite footplate on plantar loading during 2 agility tasks. Design :  Crossover study. Setting : Laboratory. Patients or Other Participants : A total of 19 recreational male athletes with no history of lower extremity injury in the past 6 months and no previous metatarsal stress fractures were tested. Main Outcome Measure(s) :  Seven 45° side-cut and crossover-cut tasks were completed in a shoe with or without a full-length rigid carbon plate. Testing order between the shoe conditions and the 2 cutting tasks was randomized. Plantar-loading data were recorded using instrumented insoles. Peak pressure, maximum force, force-time integral, and contact area beneath the total foot, the medial and lateral midfoot, and the medial, middle, and lateral forefoot were analyzed. A series of paired t tests was used to examine differences between the footwear conditions (carbon graphite footplate, shod) for both cutting tasks independently (α = .05). Results : During the side-cut task, the footplate increased total foot and lateral midfoot peak pressures while decreasing contact area and lateral midfoot force-time integral. During the crossover-cut task, the footplate increased total foot and lateral midfoot peak pressure and lateral forefoot force-time integral while decreasing total and lateral forefoot contact area. Conclusions : Although a rigid carbon graphite footplate altered some aspects of the plantar- pressure profile during cutting in uninjured participants, it was ineffective in reducing plantar loading beneath the fifth metatarsal.

Plantar Loading During Cutting While Wearing a Rigid Carbon Fiber Insert

PubMed Central

Queen, Robin M.; Abbey, Alicia N.; Verma, Ravi; Butler, Robert J.; Nunley, James A.

2014-01-01

Context Stress fractures are one of the most common injuries in sports, accounting for approximately 10% of all overuse injuries. Treatment of fifth metatarsal stress fractures involves both surgical and nonsurgical interventions. Fifth metatarsal stress fractures are difficult to treat because of the risks of delayed union, nonunion, and recurrent injuries. Most of these injuries occur during agility tasks, such as those performed in soccer, basketball, and lacrosse. Objective: To examine the effect of a rigid carbon graphite footplate on plantar loading during 2 agility tasks. Design:  Crossover study. Setting: Laboratory. Patients or Other Participants: A total of 19 recreational male athletes with no history of lower extremity injury in the past 6 months and no previous metatarsal stress fractures were tested. Main Outcome Measure(s):  Seven 45° side-cut and crossover-cut tasks were completed in a shoe with or without a full-length rigid carbon plate. Testing order between the shoe conditions and the 2 cutting tasks was randomized. Plantar-loading data were recorded using instrumented insoles. Peak pressure, maximum force, force-time integral, and contact area beneath the total foot, the medial and lateral midfoot, and the medial, middle, and lateral forefoot were analyzed. A series of paired t tests was used to examine differences between the footwear conditions (carbon graphite footplate, shod) for both cutting tasks independently (α = .05). Results: During the side-cut task, the footplate increased total foot and lateral midfoot peak pressures while decreasing contact area and lateral midfoot force-time integral. During the crossover-cut task, the footplate increased total foot and lateral midfoot peak pressure and lateral forefoot force-time integral while decreasing total and lateral forefoot contact area. Conclusions: Although a rigid carbon graphite footplate altered some aspects of the plantar-pressure profile during cutting in uninjured participants, it was ineffective in reducing plantar loading beneath the fifth metatarsal. PMID:24955620

Aerostructural optimization of a morphing wing for airborne wind energy applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fasel, U.; Keidel, D.; Molinari, G.; Ermanni, P.

2017-09-01

Airborne wind energy (AWE) vehicles maximize energy production by constantly operating at extreme wing loading, permitted by high flight speeds. Additionally, the wide range of wind speeds and the presence of flow inhomogeneities and gusts create a complex and demanding flight environment for AWE systems. Adaptation to different flow conditions is normally achieved by conventional wing control surfaces and, in case of ground generator-based systems, by varying the reel-out speed. These control degrees of freedom enable to remain within the operational envelope, but cause significant penalties in terms of energy output. A significantly greater adaptability is offered by shape-morphing wings, which have the potential to achieve optimal performance at different flight conditions by tailoring their airfoil shape and lift distribution at different levels along the wingspan. Hence, the application of compliant structures for AWE wings is very promising. Furthermore, active gust load alleviation can be achieved through morphing, which leads to a lower weight and an expanded flight envelope, thus increasing the power production of the AWE system. This work presents a procedure to concurrently optimize the aerodynamic shape, compliant structure, and composite layup of a morphing wing for AWE applications. The morphing concept is based on distributed compliance ribs, actuated by electromechanical linear actuators, guiding the deformation of the flexible—yet load-carrying—composite skin. The goal of the aerostructural optimization is formulated as a high-level requirement, namely to maximize the average annual power production per wing area of an AWE system by tailoring the shape of the wing, and to extend the flight envelope of the wing by actively alleviating gust loads. The results of the concurrent multidisciplinary optimization show a 50.7% increase of extracted power with respect to a sequentially optimized design, highlighting the benefits of morphing and the potential of the proposed approach.

TREM2 is associated with increased risk for Alzheimer's disease in African Americans.

PubMed

Jin, Sheng Chih; Carrasquillo, Minerva M; Benitez, Bruno A; Skorupa, Tara; Carrell, David; Patel, Dwani; Lincoln, Sarah; Krishnan, Siddharth; Kachadoorian, Michaela; Reitz, Christiane; Mayeux, Richard; Wingo, Thomas S; Lah, James J; Levey, Allan I; Murrell, Jill; Hendrie, Hugh; Foroud, Tatiana; Graff-Radford, Neill R; Goate, Alison M; Cruchaga, Carlos; Ertekin-Taner, Nilüfer

2015-04-10

TREM2 encodes for triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 and has rare, coding variants that associate with risk for late-onset Alzheimer's disease (LOAD) in Caucasians of European and North-American origin. This study evaluated the role of TREM2 in LOAD risk in African-American (AA) subjects. We performed exonic sequencing and validation in two independent cohorts of >800 subjects. We selected six coding variants (p.R47H, p.R62H, p.D87N, p.E151K, p.W191X, and p.L211P) for case-control analyses in a total of 906 LOAD cases vs. 2,487 controls. We identified significant LOAD risk association with p.L211P (p=0.01, OR=1.27, 95%CI=1.05-1.54) and suggestive association with p.W191X (p=0.08, OR=1.35, 95%CI=0.97-1.87). Conditional analysis suggests that p.L211P, which is in linkage disequilibrium with p.W191X, may be the stronger variant of the two, but does not rule out independent contribution of the latter. TREM2 p.L211P resides within the cytoplasmic domain and p.W191X is a stop-gain mutation within the shorter TREM-2V transcript. The coding variants within the extracellular domain of TREM2 previously shown to confer LOAD risk in Caucasians were extremely rare in our AA cohort and did not associate with LOAD risk. Our findings suggest that TREM2 coding variants also confer LOAD risk in AA, but implicate variants within different regions of the gene than those identified for Caucasian subjects. These results underscore the importance of investigating different ethnic populations for disease risk variant discovery, which may uncover allelic heterogeneity with potentially diverse mechanisms of action.

Physical measurements of breaking wave impact on a floating wave energy converter

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hann, Martyn R.; Greaves, Deborah M.; Raby, Alison

2013-04-01

Marine energy converter must both efficiently extract energy in small to moderate seas and also successfully survive storms and potential collisions. Extreme loads on devices are therefore an important consideration in their design process. X-MED is a SuperGen UKCMER project and is a collaboration between the Universities of Manchester, Edinburgh and Plymouth and the Scottish Association for Marine Sciences. Its objective is to extend the knowledge of extreme loads due to waves, currents, flotsam and mammal impacts. Plymouth Universities contribution to the X-MED project involves measuring the loading and response of a taut moored floating body due to steep and breaking wave impacts, in both long crested and directional sea states. These measurements are then to be reproduced in STAR-CCM+, a commercial volume of fluid CFD solver, so as to develop techniques to predict the wave loading on wave energy converters. The measurements presented here were conducted in Plymouth Universities newly opened COAST laboratories 35m long, 15.5m wide and 3m deep ocean basin. A 0.5m diameter taut moored hemispherical buoy was used to represent a floating wave energy device or support structure. The changes in the buoys 6 degree of freedom motion and mooring loads are presented due to focused breaking wave impacts, with the breaking point of the wave changed relative to the buoy.

Extreme prices in electricity balancing markets from an approach of statistical physics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mureddu, Mario; Meyer-Ortmanns, Hildegard

2018-01-01

An increase in energy production from renewable energy sources is viewed as a crucial achievement in most industrialized countries. The higher variability of power production via renewables leads to a rise in ancillary service costs over the power system, in particular costs within the electricity balancing markets, mainly due to an increased number of extreme price spikes. This study analyzes the impact of an increased share of renewable energy sources on the behavior of price and volumes of the Italian balancing market. Starting from configurations of load and power production, which guarantee a stable performance, we implement fluctuations in the load and in renewables; in particular we artificially increase the contribution of renewables as compared to conventional power sources to cover the total load. We then determine the amount of requested energy in the balancing market and its fluctuations, which are induced by production and consumption. Within an approach of agent-based modeling we estimate the resulting energy prices and costs. While their average values turn out to be only slightly affected by an increased contribution from renewables, the probability for extreme price events is shown to increase along with undesired peaks in the costs. Our methodology provides a tool for estimating outliers in prices obtained in the energy balancing market, once data of consumption, production and their typical fluctuations are provided.

Development of the rules governing the strength of airplanes. Part II : loading conditions in Germany (continued), England and the United States

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kussner, H G; Thalau, Karl

1933-01-01

Load factors and loading conditions are presented for Germany, England, and the United States. Results of tests are presented and loading conditions are presented under various stress categories like freight, commercial, aerobatics, and training.

"On-off-on" switchable sensor: a fluorescent spiropyran responds to extreme pH conditions and its bioimaging applications.

PubMed

Wan, Shulin; Zheng, Yang; Shen, Jie; Yang, Wantai; Yin, Meizhen

2014-11-26

A novel spiropyran that responds to both extreme acid and extreme alkali and has an "on-off-on" switch is reported. Benzoic acid at the indole N-position and carboxyl group at the indole 6-position contribute to the extreme acid response. The ionizations of carboxyl and phenolic hydroxyl groups cause the extreme alkali response. Moreover, the fluorescent imaging in bacterial cells under extreme pH conditions supports the mechanism of pH response.

Development of advanced high heat flux and plasma-facing materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Linsmeier, Ch.; Rieth, M.; Aktaa, J.; Chikada, T.; Hoffmann, A.; Hoffmann, J.; Houben, A.; Kurishita, H.; Jin, X.; Li, M.; Litnovsky, A.; Matsuo, S.; von Müller, A.; Nikolic, V.; Palacios, T.; Pippan, R.; Qu, D.; Reiser, J.; Riesch, J.; Shikama, T.; Stieglitz, R.; Weber, T.; Wurster, S.; You, J.-H.; Zhou, Z.

2017-09-01

Plasma-facing materials and components in a fusion reactor are the interface between the plasma and the material part. The operational conditions in this environment are probably the most challenging parameters for any material: high power loads and large particle and neutron fluxes are simultaneously impinging at their surfaces. To realize fusion in a tokamak or stellarator reactor, given the proven geometries and technological solutions, requires an improvement of the thermo-mechanical capabilities of currently available materials. In its first part this article describes the requirements and needs for new, advanced materials for the plasma-facing components. Starting points are capabilities and limitations of tungsten-based alloys and structurally stabilized materials. Furthermore, material requirements from the fusion-specific loading scenarios of a divertor in a water-cooled configuration are described, defining directions for the material development. Finally, safety requirements for a fusion reactor with its specific accident scenarios and their potential environmental impact lead to the definition of inherently passive materials, avoiding release of radioactive material through intrinsic material properties. The second part of this article demonstrates current material development lines answering the fusion-specific requirements for high heat flux materials. New composite materials, in particular fiber-reinforced and laminated structures, as well as mechanically alloyed tungsten materials, allow the extension of the thermo-mechanical operation space towards regions of extreme steady-state and transient loads. Self-passivating tungsten alloys, demonstrating favorable tungsten-like plasma-wall interaction behavior under normal operation conditions, are an intrinsic solution to otherwise catastrophic consequences of loss-of-coolant and air ingress events in a fusion reactor. Permeation barrier layers avoid the escape of tritium into structural and cooling materials, thereby minimizing the release of tritium under normal operation conditions. Finally, solutions for the unique bonding requirements of dissimilar material used in a fusion reactor are demonstrated by describing the current status and prospects of functionally graded materials.

Experimental evidence of inter-blade cavitation vortex development in Francis turbines at deep part load condition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yamamoto, K.; Müller, A.; Favrel, A.; Avellan, F.

2017-10-01

Francis turbines are subject to various types of cavitation flow depending on the operating condition. To enable a smooth integration of the renewable energy sources, hydraulic machines are now increasingly required to extend their operating range, especially down to extremely low discharge conditions called deep part load operation. The inter-blade cavitation vortex is a typical cavitation phenomenon observed at deep part load operation. However, its dynamic characteristics are insufficiently understood today. In an objective of revealing its characteristics, the present study introduces a novel visualization technique with instrumented guide vanes embedding the visualization devices, providing unprecedented views on the inter-blade cavitation vortex. The binary image processing technique enables the successful evaluation of the inter-blade cavitation vortex in the images. As a result, it is shown that the probability of the inter-blade cavitation development is significantly high close to the runner hub. Furthermore, the mean vortex line is calculated and the vortex region is estimated in the three-dimensional domain for the comparison with numerical simulation results. In addition, the on-board pressure measurements on a runner blade is conducted, and the influence of the inter-blade vortex on the pressure field is investigated. The analysis suggests that the presence of the inter-blade vortex can magnify the amplitude of pressure fluctuations especially on the blade suction side. Furthermore, the wall pressure difference between pressure and suction sides of the blade features partially low or negative values near the hub at the discharge region where the inter-blade vortex develops. This negative pressure difference on the blade wall suggests the development of a backflow region caused by the flow separation near the hub, which is closely related to the development of the inter-blade vortex. The development of the backflow region is confirmed by the numerical simulation, and the physical mechanisms of the inter-blade vortex development is, furthermore, discussed.

The effects of acute stress and perceptual load on distractor interference.

PubMed

Sato, Hirotsune; Takenaka, Ippei; Kawahara, Jun I

2012-01-01

Selective attention can be improved under conditions in which a high perceptual load is assumed to exhaust cognitive resources, leaving scarce resources for distractor processing. The present study examined whether perceptual load and acute stress share common attentional resources by manipulating perceptual and stress loads. Participants identified a target within an array of nontargets that were flanked by compatible or incompatible distractors. Attentional selectivity was measured by longer reaction times in response to the incompatible than to the compatible distractors. Participants in the stress group participated in a speech test that increased anxiety and threatened self-esteem. The effect of perceptual load interacted with the stress manipulation in that participants in the control group demonstrated an interference effect under the low perceptual load condition, whereas such interference disappeared under the high perceptual load condition. Importantly, the stress group showed virtually no interference under the low perceptual load condition, whereas substantial interference occurred under the high perceptual load condition. These results suggest that perceptual and stress related demands consume the same attentional resources.

Inadequate Loading Stimulus on ISS Results in Bone and Muscle Loss

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rice, A. J.; Genc, K. O.; Maender, C. C.; Gopalakrishnan, R.; Kuklis, M. M.; Cavanagh, P. R.

2011-01-01

INTRODUCTION Exercise has been the primary countermeasure to combat musculoskeletal changes during International Space Station (ISS) missions. However, these countermeasures have not been successful in preventing loss of bone mineral density (BMD) or muscle volume in crew members. METHODS We examined lower extremity loading during typical days on-orbit and on Earth for four ISS crew members. In-shoe forces were monitored using force-measuring insoles placed inside the shoes. BMD (by DXA), muscle volumes (by MRI), and strength were measured before and after long-duration spaceflight (181 +/- 15 days). RESULTS The peak forces measured during ISS activity were significantly less than those measured in 1g for the same activities. Typical single-leg loads on-orbit during walking and running were 0.89 +/- 0.17 body weights (BW) and 1.28 +/- 0.18 BW compared to 1.18 +/- 0.11 BW and 2.36 +/- .22 BW in 1g, respectively [2]. Crew members were only loaded for an average of 43.17 +/- 14.96 min a day while performing exercise on-orbit even though 146.8 min were assigned for exercise each day. Areal BMD decreased in the femoral neck and total hip by 0.71 +/- 0.34% and 0.81 +/- 0.21% per month, respectively. Changes in muscle volume were observed in the lower extremity (-10 to -16% calf; -4 to -7% thigh) but there were no changes in the upper extremity (+0.4 to -0.8%). Decrements in isometric and isokinetic strength at the knee (range: -10.4 to -24.1%), ankle (range: -4 to -22.3%), and elbow (range: -7.5 to - 16.7%) were also observed. Knee extension endurance tests showed an overall decline in total work (-14%) but an increased resistance to fatigue post-flight. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS Our findings support the conclusion that the measured exercise durations and/or loading stimuli were insufficient to protect bone and muscle health.

Changes in Plantar Loading Based on Shoe Type and Sex During a Jump-Landing Task

PubMed Central

DeBiasio, Justin C.; Russell, Mary E.; Butler, Robert J.; Nunley, James A.; Queen, Robin M.

2013-01-01

Context: Metatarsal stress fractures are common in cleated-sport athletes. Previous authors have shown that plantar loading varies with footwear, sex, and the athletic task. Objective: To examine the effects of shoe type and sex on plantar loading in the medial midfoot (MMF), lateral midfoot (LMF), medial forefoot (MFF), middle forefoot (MidFF), and lateral forefoot (LFF) during a jump-landing task. Design: Crossover study. Setting: Laboratory. Patients or Other Participants: Twenty-seven recreational athletes (14 men, 13 women) with no history of lower extremity injury in the last 6 months and no history of foot or ankle surgery. Main Outcome Measure(s): The athletes completed 7 jumping trials while wearing bladed-cleat, turf-cleat, and running shoes. Maximum force, contact area, contact time, and the force-time integral were analyzed in each foot region. We calculated 2 × 3 analyses of variance (α = .05) to identify shoe-condition and sex differences. Results: We found no shoe × sex interactions, but the MMF, LMF, MFF, and LFF force-time integrals were greater in men (P < .03). The MMF maximum force was less with the bladed-cleat shoes (P = .02). Total foot and MidFF maximum force was less with the running shoes (P < .01). The MFF and LFF maximum forces were different among all shoe conditions (P < .01). Total foot contact area was less in the bladed-cleat shoes (P = .01). The MMF contact area was greatest in the running shoes (P < .01). The LFF contact area was less in the running shoes (P = .03). The MFF and LFF force-time integrals were greater with the bladed-cleat shoes (P < .01). The MidFF force-time integral was less in the running shoes (P < .01). Conclusions: Independent of shoe, men and women loaded the foot differently during a jump landing. The bladed cleat increased forefoot loading, which may increase the risk for forefoot injury. The type of shoe should be considered when choosing footwear for athletes returning to activity after metatarsal stress fractures. PMID:24067149

Magma traps and driving pressure: consequences for pluton shape and emplacement in an extensional regime

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hogan, John P.; Price, Jonathan D.; Gilbert, M. Charles

1998-09-01

The level of emplacement and final form of felsic and mafic igneous rocks of the Wichita Mountains Igneous Province, southwestern Oklahoma, U.S.A. are discussed in light of magma driving pressure, lithostatic load, and crustal magma traps. Deposition of voluminous A-type rhyolites upon an eroded gabbroic substrate formed a subhorizontal strength anisotropy that acted as a crustal magma trap for subsequent rising felsic and mafic magma. Intruded along this crustal magma trap are the A-type sheet granites (length/thickness 100:1) of the Wichita Granite Group, of which the Mount Scott Granite sheet is typical, and smaller plutons of biotite bearing Roosevelt Gabbro. In marked contrast to the subhorizontal granite sheets, the gabbro plutons form more equant stocks with flat roofs and steep side walls. Late Diabase dikes cross-cut all other units, but accompanying basaltic flows are extremely rare in the volcanic pile. Based on magmastatic calculations, we draw the following conclusions concerning the level of emplacement and the shape of these intrusions. (1) Magma can rise to a depth at which the magma driving pressure becomes negligible. Magma that maintains a positive driving pressure at the surface has the potential to erupt. (2) Magma ascent may be arrested at a deeper level in the crust by a subhorizontal strength anisotropy (i.e. crustal magma trap) if the magma driving pressure is greater than or equal to the lithostatic load at the depth of the subhorizontal strength anisotropy. (3) Subhorizontal sheet-intrusions form along crustal magma traps when the magma driving pressure greatly exceeds the lithostatic load. Under such conditions, the magma driving pressure is sufficent to lift the overburden to create the necessary space for the intrusion. (4) Thicker steep-sided stocks or batholiths, with flat roofs, form at crustal magma traps when the magma driving pressure approximates that of the lithostatic load. Under these conditions, the necessary space for the intrusion must be created by other mechanisms (e.g. stoping). (5) Subvertical sheets (i.e. dikes) form when the magma driving pressure is less than the lithostatic load at the level of emplacement.

Core stability training: applications to sports conditioning programs.

PubMed

Willardson, Jeffrey M

2007-08-01

In recent years, fitness practitioners have increasingly recommended core stability exercises in sports conditioning programs. Greater core stability may benefit sports performance by providing a foundation for greater force production in the upper and lower extremities. Traditional resistance exercises have been modified to emphasize core stability. Such modifications have included performing exercises on unstable rather than stable surfaces, performing exercises while standing rather than seated, performing exercises with free weights rather than machines, and performing exercises unilaterally rather than bilaterally. Despite the popularity of core stability training, relatively little scientific research has been conducted to demonstrate the benefits for healthy athletes. Therefore, the purpose of this review was to critically examine core stability training and other issues related to this topic to determine useful applications for sports conditioning programs. Based on the current literature, prescription of core stability exercises should vary based on the phase of training and the health status of the athlete. During preseason and in-season mesocycles, free weight exercises performed while standing on a stable surface are recommended for increases in core strength and power. Free weight exercises performed in this manner are specific to the core stability requirements of sports-related skills due to moderate levels of instability and high levels of force production. Conversely, during postseason and off-season mesocycles, Swiss ball exercises involving isometric muscle actions, small loads, and long tension times are recommended for increases in core endurance. Furthermore, balance board and stability disc exercises, performed in conjunction with plyometric exercises, are recommended to improve proprioceptive and reactive capabilities, which may reduce the likelihood of lower extremity injuries.

Challenges in Modelling of Lightning-Induced Delamination; Effect of Temperature-Dependent Interfacial Properties

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Naghipour, P.; Pineda, E. J.; Arnold, S.

2014-01-01

Lightning is a major cause of damage in laminated composite aerospace structures during flight. Due to the dielectric nature of Carbon fiber reinforced polymers (CFRPs), the high energy induced by lightning strike transforms into extreme, localized surface temperature accompanied with a high-pressure shockwave resulting in extensive damage. It is crucial to develop a numerical tool capable of predicting the damage induced from a lightning strike to supplement extremely expensive lightning experiments. Delamination is one of the most significant failure modes resulting from a lightning strike. It can be extended well beyond the visible damage zone, and requires sophisticated techniques and equipment to detect. A popular technique used to model delamination is the cohesive zone approach. Since the loading induced from a lightning strike event is assumed to consist of extreme localized heating, the cohesive zone formulation should additionally account for temperature effects. However, the sensitivity to this dependency remains unknown. Therefore, the major focus point of this work is to investigate the importance of this dependency via defining various temperature dependency profiles for the cohesive zone properties, and analyzing the corresponding delamination area. Thus, a detailed numerical model consisting of multidirectional composite plies with temperature-dependent cohesive elements in between is subjected to lightning (excessive amount of heat and pressure) and delamination/damage expansion is studied under specified conditions.

A comparison of gait biomechanics of flip-flops, sandals, barefoot and shoes

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

Background Flip-flops and sandals are popular choices of footwear due to their convenience. However, the effects of these types of footwear on lower extremity biomechanics are still poorly understood. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate differences in ground reaction force (GRF), center of pressure (COP) and lower extremity joint kinematic and kinetic variables during level-walking in flip-flops, sandals and barefoot compared to running shoes. Methods Ten healthy males performed five walking trials in the four footwear conditions at 1.3 m/s. Three-dimensional GRF and kinematic data were simultaneously collected. Results A smaller loading rate of the 1st peak vertical GRF and peak propulsive GRF and greater peak dorsiflexion moment in early stance were found in shoes compared to barefoot, flip-flops and sandals. Barefoot walking yielded greater mediolateral COP displacement, flatter foot contact angle, increased ankle plantarflexion contact angle, and smaller knee flexion contact angle and range of motion compared to all other footwear. Conclusions The results from this study indicate that barefoot, flip-flops and sandals produced different peak GRF variables and ankle moment compared to shoes while all footwear yield different COP and ankle and knee kinematics compared to barefoot. The findings may be helpful to researchers and clinicians in understanding lower extremity mechanics of open-toe footwear. PMID:24196492

Failure Mechanisms of Thermomechanically Loaded SnAgCu/Plastic Core Solder Ball Composite Joints in Low-Temperature Co-Fired Ceramic/Printed Wiring Board Assemblies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nousiainen, O.; Putaala, J.; Kangasvieri, T.; Rautioaho, R.; Vähäkangas, J.

2007-03-01

The thermal fatigue endurance of completely lead-free 95.5Sn4Ag0.7Cu/plastic core solder ball (PCSB) composite joint structures in low-temperature Co-fired ceramic/printed wiring board (LTCC/PWB) assemblies was investigated using thermal cycling tests over the temperature ranges of -40°C 125°C and 0°C 100°C. Two separate creep/fatigue failures initiated and propagated in the joints during the tests: (1) a crack along the intermetallic compound (IMC)/solder interface on the LTCC side of the joint, which formed at the high-temperature extremes; and (2) a crack in the solder near the LTCC solder land, which formed at the low-temperature extremes. Moreover, localized recrystallization was detected at the outer edge of the joints that were tested in the harsh (-40°C 125°C) test conditions. The failure mechanism was creep/fatigue-induced mixed intergranular and transgranular cracking in the recrystallized zone, but it was dominated by transgranular thermal fatigue failure beyond the recrystallized zone. The change in the failure mechanism increased the rate of crack growth. When the lower temperature extreme was raised from -40°C to 0°C, no recrystallized zone was detected and the failure was due to intergranular cracks.

14 CFR 23.521 - Water load conditions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 14 Aeronautics and Space 1 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Water load conditions. 23.521 Section 23... AIRWORTHINESS STANDARDS: NORMAL, UTILITY, ACROBATIC, AND COMMUTER CATEGORY AIRPLANES Structure Water Loads § 23.521 Water load conditions. (a) The structure of seaplanes and amphibians must be designed for water...

14 CFR 23.521 - Water load conditions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... 14 Aeronautics and Space 1 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false Water load conditions. 23.521 Section 23... AIRWORTHINESS STANDARDS: NORMAL, UTILITY, ACROBATIC, AND COMMUTER CATEGORY AIRPLANES Structure Water Loads § 23.521 Water load conditions. (a) The structure of seaplanes and amphibians must be designed for water...

14 CFR 23.521 - Water load conditions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... 14 Aeronautics and Space 1 2013-01-01 2013-01-01 false Water load conditions. 23.521 Section 23... AIRWORTHINESS STANDARDS: NORMAL, UTILITY, ACROBATIC, AND COMMUTER CATEGORY AIRPLANES Structure Water Loads § 23.521 Water load conditions. (a) The structure of seaplanes and amphibians must be designed for water...

14 CFR 23.521 - Water load conditions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... 14 Aeronautics and Space 1 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false Water load conditions. 23.521 Section 23... AIRWORTHINESS STANDARDS: NORMAL, UTILITY, ACROBATIC, AND COMMUTER CATEGORY AIRPLANES Structure Water Loads § 23.521 Water load conditions. (a) The structure of seaplanes and amphibians must be designed for water...

Application of Electro Chemical Machining for materials used in extreme conditions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pandilov, Z.

2018-03-01

Electro-Chemical Machining (ECM) is the generic term for a variety of electrochemical processes. ECM is used to machine work pieces from metal and metal alloys irrespective of their hardness, strength or thermal properties, through the anodic dissolution, in aerospace, automotive, construction, medical equipment, micro-systems and power supply industries. The Electro Chemical Machining is extremely suitable for machining of materials used in extreme conditions. General overview of the Electro-Chemical Machining and its application for different materials used in extreme conditions is presented.

Microcracking in composite laminates under thermal and mechanical loading. Thesis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Maddocks, Jason R.

1995-01-01

Composites used in space structures are exposed to both extremes in temperature and applied mechanical loads. Cracks in the matrix form, changing the laminate thermoelastic properties. The goal of the present investigation is to develop a predictive methodology to quantify microcracking in general composite laminates under both thermal and mechanical loading. This objective is successfully met through a combination of analytical modeling and experimental investigation. In the analysis, the stress and displacement distributions in the vicinity of a crack are determined using a shear lag model. These are incorporated into an energy based cracking criterion to determine the favorability of crack formation. A progressive damage algorithm allows the inclusion of material softening effects and temperature-dependent material properties. The analysis is implemented by a computer code which gives predicted crack density and degraded laminate properties as functions of any thermomechanical load history. Extensive experimentation provides verification of the analysis. AS4/3501-6 graphite/epoxy laminates are manufactured with three different layups to investigate ply thickness and orientation effects. Thermal specimens are cooled to progressively lower temperatures down to -184 C. After conditioning the specimens to each temperature, cracks are counted on their edges using optical microscopy and in their interiors by sanding to incremental depths. Tensile coupons are loaded monotonically to progressively higher loads until failure. Cracks are counted on the coupon edges after each loading. A data fit to all available results provides input parameters for the analysis and shows them to be material properties, independent of geometry and loading. Correlation between experiment and analysis is generally very good under both thermal and mechanical loading, showing the methodology to be a powerful, unified tool. Delayed crack initiation observed in a few cases is attributed to a lack of preexisting flaws assumed by the analysis. Some interactions between adjacent ply groups are attributed to local stress concentrations. These two effects are not captured by the analysis due to its global nature. The analysis is conservative in these cases and agrees well with data after the observed onset of cracking.

Changes in Impact Signals and Muscle Activity in Response to Different Shoe and Landing Conditions.

PubMed

Wang, Xi; Zhang, Shen; Fu, Weijie

2017-02-01

Few rigorous scientific studies have investigated how the corresponding neuromuscular activity in the lower extremity occurs during different landing control movements in response to different impact signals. This study aimed to determine the potential shoe effects on impact signals, neuromuscular responses and their possible interactions in different human landing movements. Twelve male basketball players were required to wear high-cushioned basketball shoes (BS) and minimally cushioned control shoes (CC) to perform active drop jump landings (DJL) and passive landings (PL). Ground reaction forces and EMG amplitude (root mean square, EMGRMS) of the leg muscles within 50 ms before and after the landing movements were collected simultaneously. No shoe effect was found on the characteristics of impact signals and neuromuscular activity during the contact phase of DJL. By contrast, for PL, the values of maximal ground reaction force and the peak loading rate were evidently lower in the BS condition than in the CC condition (p < 0.05). Meanwhile, the EMGRMS of all muscles demonstrated a significant decrease in the BS condition compared with the CC condition within 50 ms after contact (p < 0.05). These findings suggest that under the condition in which related muscles are activated improperly, a neuromuscular adaptation occurs in response to different impact signals.

Ultrasonic technique for monitoring of liquid density variations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kazys, R.; Rekuviene, R.; Sliteris, R.; Mazeika, L.; Zukauskas, E.

2015-01-01

A novel ultrasonic measurement technique for density measurements of different liquids in extreme conditions has been developed. The proposed density measurement method is based on transformation of the acoustic impedance of the measured liquid. The higher accuracy of measurements is achieved by means of the λ/4 acoustic matching layer between the load and the ultrasonic waveguide transducer. Introduction of the matching layer enhances sensitivity of the measurement system. Sometimes, the density measurements must be performed in very complex conditions: high temperature (up to 200 °C), pressure (up to 10 MPa), and high chemical activity of the medium under measurement. In this case, the special geometry metal waveguides are proposed to use in order to protect the piezoelectric transducer surface from influence of a high temperature. The experimental set-up of technique was calibrated using the reference liquids with different densities: ethyl ether, ethyl alcohol, distilled water, and different concentration (20%, 40%, and 60%) sugar-water solutions. The uncertainty of measurements is less than 1%. The proposed measurement method was verified in real conditions by monitoring the density of a melted polypropylene during manufacturing process.

Vibration analysis of beams traversed by uniform partially distributed moving masses

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Esmailzadeh, E.; Ghorashi, M.

1995-07-01

An investigation into the dynamic behavior of beams with simply supported boundary conditions, carrying either uniform partially distributed moving masses or forces, has been carried out. The present analysis in its general form may well be applied to beams with various boundary conditions. However, the results from the computer simulation model given in this paper are for beams with simply supported end conditions. Results from the numerical solutions of the differential equations of motion are shown graphically and their close agreement, in some extreme cases, with those published previously by the authors is demonstrated. It is shown that the inertial effect of the moving mass is of importance in the dynamic behavior of such structures. Moreover, when considering the maximum deflection for the mid-span of the beam, the critical speeds of the moving load have been evaluated. It is also verified that the length of the distributed moving mass affects the dynamic response considerably. These effects are shown to be of significant practical importance when designing beam-type structures such as long suspension and railway bridges.

Experimental study on the signs of particulate structures formation in annular geometry of rapid granular shear flows

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ritvanen, J.; Jalali, P.

2009-06-01

Rapid granular shear flow is a classical example in granular materials which exhibits both fluid-like and solid-like behaviors. Another interesting feature of rapid granular shear flows is the formation of ordered structures upon shearing. Certain amount of granular material, with uniform size distribution, is required to be loaded in the container in order to shear it under stable conditions. This work concerns the experimental study of rapid granular shear flows in annular Couette geometry. The flow is induced by continuous rotation of the plate over the top of the granular bed in an annulus. The compressive pressure, driving torque, instantaneous bed height from three symmetric locations and rotational speed of the shearing plate are measured. The annulus has a capacity of up to 15 kg of spherical steel balls of 3 mm in diameter. Rapid shear flow experiments are performed in one compressive force and rotation rate. The sensitivity of fluctuations is then investigated by different means through monodisperse packing. In this work, we present the results of the experiments showing how the flow properties depend on the amount of loaded granular material which is varied by small amounts between different experiments. The flow can exist in stable (fixed behavior) and unstable (time-dependent behavior) regimes as a function of the loaded material. We present the characteristics of flow to detect the formation of any additional structured layer in the annulus. As a result, an evolution graph for the bed height has been obtained as material is gradually added. This graph shows how the bed height grows when material increases. Using these results, the structure inside the medium can be estimated at extreme stable and unstable conditions.

Killing mechanism of stable N-halamine cross-linked polymethacrylamide nanoparticles that selectively target bacteria.

PubMed

Natan, Michal; Gutman, Ori; Lavi, Ronit; Margel, Shlomo; Banin, Ehud

2015-02-24

Increased resistance of bacteria to disinfection and antimicrobial treatment poses a serious public health threat worldwide. This has prompted the search for agents that can inhibit both bacterial growth and withstand harsh conditions (e.g., high organic loads). In the current study, N-halamine-derivatized cross-linked polymethacrylamide nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized by copolymerization of the monomer methacrylamide (MAA) and the cross-linker monomer N,N-methylenebis(acrylamide) (MBAA) and were subsequently loaded with oxidative chlorine using sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl). The chlorinated NPs demonstrated remarkable stability and durability to organic reagents and to repetitive bacterial loading cycles as compared with the common disinfectant NaOCl (bleach), which was extremely labile under these conditions. The antibacterial mechanism of the cross-linked P(MAA-MBAA)-Cl NPs was found to involve generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) only upon exposure to organic media. Importantly, ROS were not generated upon suspension in water, revealing that the mode of action is target-specific. Further, a unique and specific interaction of the chlorinated NPs with Staphylococcus aureus was discovered, whereby these microorganisms were all specifically targeted and marked for destruction. This bacterial encircling was achieved without using a targeting module (e.g., an antibody or a ligand) and represents a highly beneficial, natural property of the P(MAA-MBAA)-Cl nanostructures. Our findings provide insights into the mechanism of action of P(MAA-MBAA)-Cl NPs and demonstrate the superior efficacy of the NPs over bleach (i.e., stability, specificity, and targeting). This work underscores the potential of developing sustainable P(MAA-MBAA)-Cl NP-based devices for inhibiting bacterial colonization and growth.

Force Outputs during Squats Performed Using a Rotational Inertia Device under Stable versus Unstable Conditions with Different Loads.

PubMed

Vázquez-Guerrero, Jairo; Moras, Gerard; Baeza, Jennifer; Rodríguez-Jiménez, Sergio

2016-01-01

The purpose of the study was to compare the force outputs achieved during a squat exercise using a rotational inertia device in stable versus unstable conditions with different loads and in concentric and eccentric phases. Thirteen male athletes (mean ± SD: age 23.7 ± 3.0 years, height 1.80 ± 0.08 m, body mass 77.4 ± 7.9 kg) were assessed while squatting, performing one set of three repetitions with four different loads under stable and unstable conditions at maximum concentric effort. Overall, there were no significant differences between the stable and unstable conditions at each of the loads for any of the dependent variables. Mean force showed significant differences between some of the loads in stable and unstable conditions (P < 0.010) and peak force output differed between all loads for each condition (P < 0.045). Mean force outputs were greater in the concentric than in the eccentric phase under both conditions and with all loads (P < 0.001). There were no significant differences in peak force between concentric and eccentric phases at any load in either stable or unstable conditions. In conclusion, squatting with a rotational inertia device allowed the generation of similar force outputs under stable and unstable conditions at each of the four loads. The study also provides empirical evidence of the different force outputs achieved by adjusting load conditions on the rotational inertia device when performing squats, especially in the case of peak force. Concentric force outputs were significantly higher than eccentric outputs, except for peak force under both conditions. These findings support the use of the rotational inertia device to train the squatting exercise under unstable conditions for strength and conditioning trainers. The device could also be included in injury prevention programs for muscle lesions and ankle and knee joint injuries.

Force Outputs during Squats Performed Using a Rotational Inertia Device under Stable versus Unstable Conditions with Different Loads

PubMed Central

Vázquez-Guerrero, Jairo; Moras, Gerard

2016-01-01

The purpose of the study was to compare the force outputs achieved during a squat exercise using a rotational inertia device in stable versus unstable conditions with different loads and in concentric and eccentric phases. Thirteen male athletes (mean ± SD: age 23.7 ± 3.0 years, height 1.80 ± 0.08 m, body mass 77.4 ± 7.9 kg) were assessed while squatting, performing one set of three repetitions with four different loads under stable and unstable conditions at maximum concentric effort. Overall, there were no significant differences between the stable and unstable conditions at each of the loads for any of the dependent variables. Mean force showed significant differences between some of the loads in stable and unstable conditions (P < 0.010) and peak force output differed between all loads for each condition (P < 0.045). Mean force outputs were greater in the concentric than in the eccentric phase under both conditions and with all loads (P < 0.001). There were no significant differences in peak force between concentric and eccentric phases at any load in either stable or unstable conditions. In conclusion, squatting with a rotational inertia device allowed the generation of similar force outputs under stable and unstable conditions at each of the four loads. The study also provides empirical evidence of the different force outputs achieved by adjusting load conditions on the rotational inertia device when performing squats, especially in the case of peak force. Concentric force outputs were significantly higher than eccentric outputs, except for peak force under both conditions. These findings support the use of the rotational inertia device to train the squatting exercise under unstable conditions for strength and conditioning trainers. The device could also be included in injury prevention programs for muscle lesions and ankle and knee joint injuries. PMID:27111766

Effect of vibration on muscle strength imbalance in lower extremity using multi-control whole body vibration platform.

PubMed

Yu, Chang Ho; Seo, Shin Bae; Kang, Seung Rok; Kim, Kyung; Kwon, Tae Kyu

2015-01-01

This study shows the improvement of muscle activity and muscle strength imbalance in the lower extremities through independent exercise loads in vibration platform. Twenty females of age 20 participated in this study. The subjects were divided into WBV group, with more than 10% of muscle strength imbalance between left and right the lower extremities, and control group, with less than 10% of muscle strength imbalance between left and right the lower extremities. As the prior experiment showed, different exercise postures provide different muscular activities. As a result, the highest muscular activity was found to be in the low squat posture. Therefore, the LS posture was selected for the exercise in this experiment. Vibration intensities were applied to dominant muscle and non-dominant muscle, and the vibration frequency was fixed at 25Hz for the WBV group. The control group was asked to perform the same exercise as the WBV group, without stimulated vibration. This exercise was conducted for a total of 4 weeks. As a result, the WBV group which showed an average deviation of 16% before the experiment, tended to decrease approximately to 5%. In this study, vibration exercise using load deviation is shown to be effective in improving the muscle strength imbalance.

Balancing Power Absorption and Structural Loading for an Asymmetric Heave Wave-Energy Converter in Regular Waves

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Tom, Nathan M.; Madhi, Farshad; Yeung, Ronald W.

2016-06-24

The aim of this paper is to maximize the power-to-load ratio of the Berkeley Wedge: a one-degree-of-freedom, asymmetrical, energy-capturing, floating breakwater of high performance that is relatively free of viscosity effects. Linear hydrodynamic theory was used to calculate bounds on the expected time-averaged power (TAP) and corresponding surge restraining force, pitch restraining torque, and power take-off (PTO) control force when assuming that the heave motion of the wave energy converter remains sinusoidal. This particular device was documented to be an almost-perfect absorber if one-degree-of-freedom motion is maintained. The success of such or similar future wave energy converter technologies would requiremore » the development of control strategies that can adapt device performance to maximize energy generation in operational conditions while mitigating hydrodynamic loads in extreme waves to reduce the structural mass and overall cost. This paper formulates the optimal control problem to incorporate metrics that provide a measure of the surge restraining force, pitch restraining torque, and PTO control force. The optimizer must now handle an objective function with competing terms in an attempt to maximize power capture while minimizing structural and actuator loads. A penalty weight is placed on the surge restraining force, pitch restraining torque, and PTO actuation force, thereby allowing the control focus to be placed either on power absorption or load mitigation. Thus, in achieving these goals, a per-unit gain in TAP would not lead to a greater per-unit demand in structural strength, hence yielding a favorable benefit-to-cost ratio. Demonstrative results in the form of TAP, reactive TAP, and the amplitudes of the surge restraining force, pitch restraining torque, and PTO control force are shown for the Berkeley Wedge example.« less

Effect of variable body mass on plantar foot pressure and off-loading device efficacy.

PubMed

Pirozzi, Kelly; McGuire, James; Meyr, Andrew J

2014-01-01

An increasing body of evidence has implicated obesity as having a negative effect on the development, treatment, and outcome of lower extremity pathologic entities, including diabetic foot disease. The objective of the present study was to increase the body of knowledge with respect to the effects of obesity on foot function. Specifically, we attempted to (1) describe the relationship between an increasing body mass index (BMI) on plantar foot pressures during gait, and (2) evaluate the efficacy of commonly prescribed off-loading devices with an increasing BMI. A repeated measures design was used to compare the peak plantar foot pressures under multiple test conditions, with the volunteers acting as their own controls. The primary outcome measure was the mean peak plantar pressure in the heel, midfoot, forefoot, and first metatarsal, and the 2 variables were modification of patient weight (from "normal" BMI to "overweight," "obese," and "morbidly obese") and footwear (from an athletic sneaker to a surgical shoe, controlled ankle motion walker, and total contact cast). Statistically significant increases in the peak plantar pressures were observed with increasing volunteer BMI weight class, regardless of the off-loading device used. The present investigation has provided unique and specific data with respect to the changes that occur in the peak plantar pressures with variable BMIs across different anatomic levels and with commonly used off-loading devices. From our results, we have concluded that although the plantar pressures increase with increasing weight, it appears that at least some reduction in pressure can be achieved with an off-loading device, most effectively with the total contact cast, regardless of the patient's BMI. Copyright © 2014 American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Functionalization of a membrane sublayer using reverse filtration of enzymes and dopamine coating.

PubMed

Luo, Jianquan; Meyer, Anne S; Mateiu, R V; Kalyani, Dayanand; Pinelo, Manuel

2014-12-24

High permeability, high enzyme loading, and strong antifouling ability are the desired features for a biocatalytic membrane to be used in an enzymatic membrane reactor (EMR). To achieve these goals, the membrane sublayer was enriched with laccase by reverse filtration in this case, and the resulting enzyme-loaded sublayer was covered with a dopamine coating. After membrane reversal, the virgin membrane skin layer was facing the feed and the enzymes were entrapped by a polydopamine network in the membrane sublayer. Thus, the membrane sublayer was functionalized as a catalytically active layer. The effects of the original membrane properties (i.e., materials, pore size, and structure), enzyme type (i.e., laccase and alcohol dehydrogenase), and coating conditions (i.e., time and pH) on the resulting biocatalytic membrane permeability, enzyme loading, and activity were investigated. Using a RC10 kDa membrane with sponge-like sublayer to immobilize laccase with dopamine coating, the trade-off between permeability and enzyme loading was broken, and enzyme loading reached 44.5% without any permeability loss. After 85 days of storage and reuse 14 times, more than 80% of the immobilized laccase activity was retained for the membrane with a dopamine coating, while the relative activity was less than 40% without the coating. The resistance to high temperature and acidic/alkaline pH was also improved by the dopamine coating for the immobilized laccase. Moreover, this biocatalytic membrane could resist mild hydrodynamic cleaning (e.g., back-flushing), but the catalytic ability was reduced by chemical cleaning at extreme pH (e.g., 1.5 and 11.5). Since the immobilized enzyme is not directly facing the bulk of EMRs and the substrate can be specifically selected by the separation skin layer, this biocatalytic membrane is promising for cascade catalytic reactions.

Predicting the safe load on backpacker's arm using Lagrange multipliers method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Abdalla, Faisal Saleh; Rambely, Azmin Sham

2014-09-01

In this study, a technique has been suggested to reduce a backpack load by transmitting determined loads to the children arm. The purpose of this paper is to estimate school children arm muscles while load carriage as well as to determine the safe load can be carried at wrist while walking with backpack. A mathematical model, as three DOFs model, was investigated in the sagittal plane and Lagrange multipliers method (LMM) was utilized to minimize a quadratic objective function of muscle forces. The muscle forces were minimized with three different load conditions which are termed as 0-L=0 N, 1-L=21.95 N, and 2-L=43.9 N. The investigated muscles were estimated and compared to their maximum forces throughout the load conditions. Flexor and extensor muscles were estimated and the results showed that flexor muscles were active while extensor muscles showed inactivity. The estimated muscle forces were didn't exceed their maximum forces with 0-L and 1-L conditions whereas biceps and FCR muscles exceeded their maximum forces with 2-L condition. Consequently, 1-L condition is quiet safe to be carried by hand whereas 2-L condition is not. Thus to reduce the load in the backpack the transmitted load shouldn't exceed 1-L condition.

Force-Strain Characteristics and Rupture-Load Capability of Viking-Type Suspension-Line Material Under Dynamic Loading Conditions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Poole, Lamont R.; Councill, Earl L., Jr.

1972-01-01

A series of tests has been conducted to investigate the elastic behavior of Viking-type suspension-line material under dynamic loading conditions. Results indicate that there is a decrease in both rupture-load capability and elongation at rupture as the test strain rate is increased. Preliminary examination of force-strain characteristics indicates that, on the average, the material exhibits some type of viscous effect which results in a greater force being produced, for a particular value of strain, under dynamic loading conditions than that produced under quasi-static loading conditions. A great deal of uncertainty exists in defining a priori the tensile properties of viscoelastic materials, such as nylon or dacron, under dynamic loading conditions. Additional uncertainty enters the picture when woven configurations such as suspension,line material are considered. To eliminate these uncertainties, with respect to the Viking parachute configuration, a test program has been conducted to obtain data on the tensile properties of Viking-type suspension-line material over a wide range of strain rates. Based on preliminary examination of these data, the following conclusions can be drawn: 1. Material rupture-load capability decreases as strain-rate is increased. At strain rates above 75 percent/sec, no rupture loads were observed which would meet the minimum tensile strength specification of 880 pounds. 2. The material, on the average, exhibits some type of viscous effect which, for a particular value of strain, produces a greater load under dynamic loading conditions than that produced under quasi-static loading conditions.

Microbial diversity of extreme habitats in human homes.

PubMed

Savage, Amy M; Hills, Justin; Driscoll, Katherine; Fergus, Daniel J; Grunden, Amy M; Dunn, Robert R

2016-01-01

High-throughput sequencing techniques have opened up the world of microbial diversity to scientists, and a flurry of studies in the most remote and extreme habitats on earth have begun to elucidate the key roles of microbes in ecosystems with extreme conditions. These same environmental extremes can also be found closer to humans, even in our homes. Here, we used high-throughput sequencing techniques to assess bacterial and archaeal diversity in the extreme environments inside human homes (e.g., dishwashers, hot water heaters, washing machine bleach reservoirs, etc.). We focused on habitats in the home with extreme temperature, pH, and chemical environmental conditions. We found a lower diversity of microbes in these extreme home environments compared to less extreme habitats in the home. However, we were nonetheless able to detect sequences from a relatively diverse array of bacteria and archaea. Habitats with extreme temperatures alone appeared to be able to support a greater diversity of microbes than habitats with extreme pH or extreme chemical environments alone. Microbial diversity was lowest when habitats had both extreme temperature and one of these other extremes. In habitats with both extreme temperatures and extreme pH, taxa with known associations with extreme conditions dominated. Our findings highlight the importance of examining interactive effects of multiple environmental extremes on microbial communities. Inasmuch as taxa from extreme environments can be both beneficial and harmful to humans, our findings also suggest future work to understand both the threats and opportunities posed by the life in these habitats.

Stress-intensity factors of r-cracks in fiber-reinforced composites under thermal and mechanical loading

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mueller, W. H.; Schmauder, S.

1993-02-01

This paper is concerned with the problem of the calculation of stress-intensity factors at the tips of radial matrix cracks (r-cracks) in fiber-reinforced composites under thermal and/or transverse uniaxial or biaxial mechanical loading. The crack is either located in the immediate vicinity of a single fiber or it terminates at the interface between the fiber and the matrix. The problem is stated and solved numerically within the framework of linear elasticity using Erdogan's integral equation technique. It is shown that the solutions for purely thermal and purely mechanical loading can simply be superimposed in order to obtain the results of the combined loading case. Stress-intensity factors (SIFs) are calculated for various lengths and distances of the crack from the interface for each of these loading conditions. The behavior of the SIFs for cracks growing towards or away from the interface is examined. The role of the elastic mismatch between the fibers and the matrix is emphasized and studied extensively using the so-called Dundurs' parameters. It is shown that an r-crack, which is remotely located from the fiber, can either be stabilized or destabilized depending on both the elastic as well as the thermal mismatch of the fibrous composite. Furthermore, Dundurs' parameters are used to predict the exponent of the singularity of the crack tip elastic field and the behavior of the corresponding SIFs for cracks which terminate at the interface. An analytical solution for the SIFs is derived for all three loading conditions under the assumption that the elastic constants of the matrix and the fiber are equal. It is shown that the analytical solution is in good agreement with the corresponding numerical results. Moreover, another analytical solution from the literature, which is based upon Paris' equation for the calculation of stress-intensity factors, is compared with the numerical results and it is shown to be valid only for extremely short r-cracks touching the interface. The numerical results presented are valid for practical fiber composites with r-cracks close to or terminating at the interface provided the matrix material is brittle and the crack does not interact with other neighboring fibers. They may be applied to predict the transverse mechanical behavior of high strength fiber composites.

The Factors of Soldier’s Load

DTIC Science & Technology

1994-06-03

transport , the effects of technology, terrain and weather, and physical conditioning. Load, Soidier’s Load, Rucksack, Physical Conditioning, Combat Load...Fighting Load, Sustainment Load, Approach March Load, Fear, Fatigue, Risk, Training, Transport , Techn-logy UNCLASSIFIED UNCLASSIFIED UNCLASSIFIED I .1 THE...standards, myths of peacetime training, the nature of the soldier, lack of transport , the effects of technology, terrain and weather, and physical

8 CFR 216.5 - Waiver of requirement to file joint petition to remove conditions by alien spouse.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... conditional resident but during the marriage the alien spouse or child was battered by or subjected to extreme... alien's claim of having been battered or subjected to extreme mental cruelty. A conditional resident who entered into the qualifying marriage in good faith, and who was battered or was the subject of extreme...

8 CFR 216.5 - Waiver of requirement to file joint petition to remove conditions by alien spouse.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... conditional resident but during the marriage the alien spouse or child was battered by or subjected to extreme... alien's claim of having been battered or subjected to extreme mental cruelty. A conditional resident who entered into the qualifying marriage in good faith, and who was battered or was the subject of extreme...

Focus issue on the Study of Matter at Extreme Conditions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Saini, Naurang L.; Saxena, Surendra K.; Bansil, Arun

2015-09-01

Study of matter at extreme conditions encompasses many different approaches for understanding the physics, chemistry and materials science underlying processes, products and technologies important for society. Although extreme conditions have been associated traditionally with research in areas of geology, mineral and earth sciences, the field has expanded in the recent years to include work on energy related materials and quantum functional materials from hard to soft matter. With the motivation to engage a large number of scientists with various disciplinary interests, ranging from physics, chemistry, geophysics to materials science, the study of matter at extreme conditions has been the theme of a series of conferences hosted by the High Pressure Science Society of America (HiPSSA) and the Center for the Study of Matter at Extreme Conditions (CeSMEC) of Florida International University (FIU), Miami. These SMEC (Study of Matter at Extreme Conditions) conferences are aimed at providing a unique platform for leading researchers to meet and share cutting-edge developments, and to bridge established fields under this interdisciplinary umbrella for research on materials. The seventh meeting in the SMEC series was held during March 23-30, 2013, while sailing from Miami to the Caribbean Islands, and concluded with great enthusiasm.

The Effect of Oxygen Supply on the Dual Growth Kinetics of Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans under Acidic Conditions for Biogas Desulfurization

PubMed Central

Namgung, Hyeong-Kyu; Song, JiHyeon

2015-01-01

In this study, to simulate a biogas desulfurization process, a modified Monod-Gompertz kinetic model incorporating a dissolved oxygen (DO) effect was proposed for a sulfur-oxidizing bacterial (SOB) strain, Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans, under extremely acidic conditions of pH 2. The kinetic model was calibrated and validated using experimental data obtained from a bubble-column bioreactor. The SOB strain was effective for H2S degradation, but the H2S removal efficiency dropped rapidly at DO concentrations less than 2.0 mg/L. A low H2S loading was effectively treated with oxygen supplied in a range of 2%–6%, but a H2S guideline of 10 ppm could not be met, even with an oxygen supply greater than 6%, when the H2S loading was high at a short gas retention time of 1 min and a H2S inlet concentration of 5000 ppm. The oxygen supply should be increased in the aerobic desulfurization to meet the H2S guideline; however, the excess oxygen above the optimum was not effective because of the decline in oxygen efficiency. The model estimation indicated that the maximum H2S removal rate was approximately 400 ppm/%-O2 at the influent oxygen concentration of 4.9% under the given condition. The kinetic model with a low DO threshold for the interacting substrates was a useful tool to simulate the effect of the oxygen supply on the H2S removal and to determine the optimal oxygen concentration. PMID:25633028

A fuzzy Petri-net-based mode identification algorithm for fault diagnosis of complex systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Propes, Nicholas C.; Vachtsevanos, George

2003-08-01

Complex dynamical systems such as aircraft, manufacturing systems, chillers, motor vehicles, submarines, etc. exhibit continuous and event-driven dynamics. These systems undergo several discrete operating modes from startup to shutdown. For example, a certain shipboard system may be operating at half load or full load or may be at start-up or shutdown. Of particular interest are extreme or "shock" operating conditions, which tend to severely impact fault diagnosis or the progression of a fault leading to a failure. Fault conditions are strongly dependent on the operating mode. Therefore, it is essential that in any diagnostic/prognostic architecture, the operating mode be identified as accurately as possible so that such functions as feature extraction, diagnostics, prognostics, etc. can be correlated with the predominant operating conditions. This paper introduces a mode identification methodology that incorporates both time- and event-driven information about the process. A fuzzy Petri net is used to represent the possible successive mode transitions and to detect events from processed sensor signals signifying a mode change. The operating mode is initialized and verified by analysis of the time-driven dynamics through a fuzzy logic classifier. An evidence combiner module is used to combine the results from both the fuzzy Petri net and the fuzzy logic classifier to determine the mode. Unlike most event-driven mode identifiers, this architecture will provide automatic mode initialization through the fuzzy logic classifier and robustness through the combining of evidence of the two algorithms. The mode identification methodology is applied to an AC Plant typically found as a component of a shipboard system.

Weight Bearing through Lower Limbs in a Standing Frame with and without Arm Support and Low-Magnitude Whole Body Vibration in Men and Women with Complete Motor Paraplegia

PubMed Central

Bernhardt, Kathie A.; Beck, Lisa A.; Lamb, Jeffry L.; Kaufman, Kenton R.; Amin, Shreyasee; Wuermser, Lisa-Ann

2014-01-01

Objective To determine the proportion of body weight (BW) borne through the lower limbs in persons with complete, motor paraplegia using a standing frame, with and without support of their arms. We also examined the effect of low-magnitude whole body vibration on loads borne by the lower extremities. Design Vertical ground reaction forces (GRF) were measured in 11 participants (6 men and 5 women) with paraplegia of traumatic origin (injury level T3 to T12) standing on a low-magnitude vibrating plate using a standing frame. GRF were measured in four conditions: 1) no vibration with arms on standing frame tray; 2) no vibration with arms at side; 3) vibration with arms on tray; 4) vibration with arms at side. Results GRF with arms on tray, without vibration, was 0.76 ± 0.07 BW. With arms at the side, GRF increased to 0.85 ± 0.12 BW. With vibration, mean GRF did not significantly differ from no-vibration conditions for either arm positions. Oscillation of GRF with vibration was significantly different from no-vibration conditions (p<0.001) but similar in both arm positions. Conclusion Men and women with paraplegia using a standing frame bear the majority of their weight through their lower limbs. Supporting their arms on the tray reduces the GRF by ~10% BW. Low-magnitude vibration provided additional oscillation of the load-bearing forces and was proportionally similar regardless of arm position. PMID:22407161

Impairment of speech production predicted by lesion load of the left arcuate fasciculus.

PubMed

Marchina, Sarah; Zhu, Lin L; Norton, Andrea; Zipse, Lauryn; Wan, Catherine Y; Schlaug, Gottfried

2011-08-01

Previous studies have suggested that patients' potential for poststroke language recovery is related to lesion size; however, lesion location may also be of importance, particularly when fiber tracts that are critical to the sensorimotor mapping of sounds for articulation (eg, the arcuate fasciculus) have been damaged. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that lesion loads of the arcuate fasciculus (ie, volume of arcuate fasciculus that is affected by a patient's lesion) and of 2 other tracts involved in language processing (the extreme capsule and the uncinate fasciculus) are inversely related to the severity of speech production impairments in patients with stroke with aphasia. Thirty patients with chronic stroke with residual impairments in speech production underwent high-resolution anatomic MRI and a battery of cognitive and language tests. Impairment was assessed using 3 functional measures of spontaneous speech (eg, rate, informativeness, and overall efficiency) as well as naming ability. To quantitatively analyze the relationship between impairment scores and lesion load along the 3 fiber tracts, we calculated tract-lesion overlap volumes for each patient using probabilistic maps of the tracts derived from diffusion tensor images of 10 age-matched healthy subjects. Regression analyses showed that arcuate fasciculus lesion load, but not extreme capsule or uncinate fasciculus lesion load or overall lesion size, significantly predicted rate, informativeness, and overall efficiency of speech as well as naming ability. A new variable, arcuate fasciculus lesion load, complements established voxel-based lesion mapping techniques and, in the future, may potentially be used to estimate impairment and recovery potential after stroke and refine inclusion criteria for experimental rehabilitation programs.

How does cognitive load influence speech perception? An encoding hypothesis.

PubMed

Mitterer, Holger; Mattys, Sven L

2017-01-01

Two experiments investigated the conditions under which cognitive load exerts an effect on the acuity of speech perception. These experiments extend earlier research by using a different speech perception task (four-interval oddity task) and by implementing cognitive load through a task often thought to be modular, namely, face processing. In the cognitive-load conditions, participants were required to remember two faces presented before the speech stimuli. In Experiment 1, performance in the speech-perception task under cognitive load was not impaired in comparison to a no-load baseline condition. In Experiment 2, we modified the load condition minimally such that it required encoding of the two faces simultaneously with the speech stimuli. As a reference condition, we also used a visual search task that in earlier experiments had led to poorer speech perception. Both concurrent tasks led to decrements in the speech task. The results suggest that speech perception is affected even by loads thought to be processed modularly, and that, critically, encoding in working memory might be the locus of interference.

The Effects of Load Carriage and Physical Fatigue on Cognitive Performance

PubMed Central

Eddy, Marianna D.; Hasselquist, Leif; Giles, Grace; Hayes, Jacqueline F.; Howe, Jessica; Rourke, Jennifer; Coyne, Megan; O’Donovan, Meghan; Batty, Jessica; Brunyé, Tad T.; Mahoney, Caroline R.

2015-01-01

In the current study, ten participants walked for two hours while carrying no load or a 40 kg load. During the second hour, treadmill grade was manipulated between a constant downhill or changing between flat, uphill, and downhill grades. Throughout the prolonged walk, participants performed two cognitive tasks, an auditory go no/go task and a visual target detection task. The main findings were that the number of false alarms increased over time in the loaded condition relative to the unloaded condition on the go no/go auditory task. There were also shifts in response criterion towards responding yes and decreased sensitivity in responding in the loaded condition compared to the unloaded condition. In the visual target detection there were no reliable effects of load carriage in the overall analysis however, there were slower reaction times in the loaded compared to unloaded condition during the second hour. PMID:26154515

Effects of cognitive load on neural and behavioral responses to smoking cue distractors

PubMed Central

MacLean, R. Ross; Nichols, Travis T.; LeBreton, James M.; Wilson, Stephen J.

2017-01-01

Smoking cessation failures are frequently thought to reflect poor top-down regulatory control over behavior. Previous studies suggest that smoking cues occupy limited working memory resources, an effect that may contribute to difficulty achieving abstinence. Few studies have evaluated the effects of cognitive load on the ability to actively maintain information in the face of distracting smoking cues. The current study adapted an fMRI probed recall task under low and high cognitive load with three distractor conditions: control, neutral images, or smoking-related images. Consistent with a limited-resource model of cue reactivity, we predicted that performance of daily smokers (n=17) would be most impaired when high load was paired with smoking distractors. Results demonstrated a main effect of load, with decreased accuracy under high, compared to low, cognitive load. Surprisingly, an interaction revealed the effect of load was weakest in the smoking cue distractor condition. Along with this behavioral effect, we observed significantly greater activation of the right inferior frontal gyrus (rIFG) in the low load condition relative to the high load condition for trials containing smoking cue distractors. Furthermore, load-related changes in rIFG activation partially mediated the effects of load on task accuracy in the smoking cue distractor condition. These findings are discussed in the context of prevailing cognitive and cue reactivity theories. Results suggest that high cognitive load does not necessarily make smokers more susceptible to interference from smoking-related stimuli, and that elevated load may even have a buffering effect in the presence of smoking cues under certain conditions. PMID:27012714

Extremely fast increase in the organic loading rate during the co-digestion of rapeseed oil and sewage sludge in a CSTR--characterization of granules formed due to CaO addition to maintain process stability.

PubMed

Kasina, M; Kleyböcker, A; Michalik, M; Würdemann, H

2015-01-01

In a co-digestion system running with rapeseed oil and sewage sludge, an extremely fast increase in the organic loading rate was studied to develop a procedure to allow for flexible and demand-driven energy production. The over-acidification of the digestate was successfully prevented by calcium oxide dosage, which resulted in granule formation. Mineralogical analyses revealed that the granules were composed of insoluble salts of long chain fatty acids and calcium and had a porous structure. Long chain fatty acids and calcium formed the outer cover of granules and offered interfaces on the inside thereby enhancing the growth of biofilms. With granule size and age, the pore size increased and indicated degradation of granular interfaces. A stable biogas production up to the organic loading rate of 10.4 kg volatile solids m(-3) d(-1) was achieved although the hydrogen concentration was not favorable for propionic acid degradation. However, at higher organic loading rates, unbalanced granule formation and degradation were observed. Obviously, the adaption time for biofilm growth was too short to maintain the balance, thereby resulting in a low methane yield.

The relationship between independent transfer skills and upper limb kinetics in wheelchair users.

PubMed

Tsai, Chung-Ying; Hogaboom, Nathan S; Boninger, Michael L; Koontz, Alicia M

2014-01-01

Transfers are one of the most physically demanding wheelchair activities. The purpose of this study was to determine if using proper transfer skills as measured by the Transfer Assessment Instrument (TAI) is associated with reduced loading on the upper extremities. Twenty-three wheelchair users performed transfers to a level-height bench while a series of forces plates, load cells, and a motion capture system recorded the biomechanics of their natural transferring techniques. Their transfer skills were simultaneously evaluated by two study clinicians using the TAI. Logistic regression and multiple linear regression models were used to determine the relationships between TAI scores and the kinetic variables on both arms across all joints. The results showed that the TAI measured transfer skills were closely associated with the magnitude and timing of joint moments (P < .02, model R(2) values ranged from 0.27 to 0.79). Proper completion of the skills which targeted the trailing arm was associated with lower average resultant moments and rates of rise of resultant moments at the trailing shoulder and/or elbow. Some skills involving the leading side had the effect of increasing the magnitude or rate loading on the leading side. Knowledge of the kinetic outcomes associated with each skill may help users to achieve the best load-relieving effects for their upper extremities.

Three-Dimensional Lower Extremity Joint Loading in a Carved Ski and Snowboard Turn: A Pilot Study

PubMed Central

Müller, Erich

2014-01-01

A large number of injuries to the lower extremity occur in skiing and snowboarding. Due to the difficulty of collecting 3D kinematic and kinetic data with high accuracy, a possible relationship between injury statistic and joint loading has not been studied. Therefore, the purpose of the current study was to compare ankle and knee joint loading at the steering leg between carved ski and snowboard turns. Kinetic data were collected using mobile force plates mounted under the toe and heel part of the binding on skies or snowboard (KISTLER). Kinematic data were collected with five synchronized, panning, tilting, and zooming cameras. An extended version of the Yeadon model was applied to calculate inertial properties of the segments. Ankle and knee joint forces and moments were calculated using inverse dynamic analysis. Results showed higher forces along the longitudinal axis in skiing and similar forces for skiing and snowboarding in anterior-posterior and mediolateral direction. Joint moments were consistently greater during a snowboard turn, but more fluctuations were observed in skiing. Hence, when comparing joint loading between carved ski and snowboard turns, one should differentiate between forces and moments, including the direction of forces and moments and the turn phase. PMID:25317202

Instantaneous angular speed monitoring of gearboxes under non-cyclic stationary load conditions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stander, C. J.; Heyns, P. S.

2005-07-01

Recent developments in the condition monitoring and asset management market have led to the commercialisation of online vibration-monitoring systems. These systems are primarily utilised to monitor large mineral mining equipment such as draglines, continuous miners and hydraulic shovels. Online monitoring systems make diagnostic information continuously available for asset management, production outsourcing and maintenance alliances with equipment manufacturers. However, most online vibration-monitoring systems are based on conventional vibration-monitoring technologies, which are prone to giving false equipment deterioration warnings on gears that operate under fluctuating load conditions. A simplified mathematical model of a gear system was developed to illustrate the feasibility of monitoring the instantaneous angular speed (IAS) as a means of monitoring the condition of gears that are subjected to fluctuating load conditions. A distinction is made between cyclic stationary load modulation and non-cyclic stationary load modulation. It is shown that rotation domain averaging will suppress the modulation caused by non-cyclic stationary load conditions but will not suppress the modulation caused by cyclic stationary load conditions. An experimental investigation on a test rig indicated that the IAS of a gear shaft could be monitored with a conventional shaft encoder to indicate a deteriorating gear fault condition.

Load Diffusion in Composite Structures

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Horgan, Cornelius O.; Simmonds, J. G.

2000-01-01

This research has been concerned with load diffusion in composite structures. Fundamental solid mechanics studies were carried out to provide a basis for assessing the complicated modeling necessary for large scale structures used by NASA. An understanding of the fundamental mechanisms of load diffusion in composite subcomponents is essential in developing primary composite structures. Analytical models of load diffusion behavior are extremely valuable in building an intuitive base for developing refined modeling strategies and assessing results from finite element analyses. The decay behavior of stresses and other field quantities provides a significant aid towards this process. The results are also amendable to parameter study with a large parameter space and should be useful in structural tailoring studies.

Friction Stir Weld Failure Mechanisms in Aluminum-Armor Structures Under Ballistic Impact Loading Conditions

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-01-01

REPORT Friction Stir Weld Failure Mechanisms in Aluminum -Armor Structures Under Ballistic Impact Loading Conditions 14. ABSTRACT 16. SECURITY...Stir Weld Failure Mechanisms in Aluminum -Armor Structures Under Ballistic Impact Loading Conditions M. Grujicic, B. Pandurangan, A. Arakere, C-F. Yen...K.O. Pedersen, Fracture Mechanisms of Aluminum Alloy AA7075-T651 Under Various Loading Conditions , Int. J. Impact Eng., 2010, 37, p 537–551 24. T

14 CFR 23.473 - Ground load conditions and assumptions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... vertical inertia load factor at the center of gravity of the airplane for the ground load conditions... through the center of gravity. The ground reaction load factor may be equal to the inertia load factor..., these tests must be made under § 23.723(a). (g) No inertia load factor used for design purposes may be...

14 CFR 23.473 - Ground load conditions and assumptions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... vertical inertia load factor at the center of gravity of the airplane for the ground load conditions... through the center of gravity. The ground reaction load factor may be equal to the inertia load factor..., these tests must be made under § 23.723(a). (g) No inertia load factor used for design purposes may be...

14 CFR 23.473 - Ground load conditions and assumptions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... vertical inertia load factor at the center of gravity of the airplane for the ground load conditions... through the center of gravity. The ground reaction load factor may be equal to the inertia load factor..., these tests must be made under § 23.723(a). (g) No inertia load factor used for design purposes may be...

14 CFR 23.473 - Ground load conditions and assumptions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... vertical inertia load factor at the center of gravity of the airplane for the ground load conditions... through the center of gravity. The ground reaction load factor may be equal to the inertia load factor..., these tests must be made under § 23.723(a). (g) No inertia load factor used for design purposes may be...

14 CFR 23.473 - Ground load conditions and assumptions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... vertical inertia load factor at the center of gravity of the airplane for the ground load conditions... through the center of gravity. The ground reaction load factor may be equal to the inertia load factor..., these tests must be made under § 23.723(a). (g) No inertia load factor used for design purposes may be...

Anaerobic digestion of the microalga Spirulina at extreme alkaline conditions: biogas production, metagenome, and metatranscriptome

PubMed Central

Nolla-Ardèvol, Vímac; Strous, Marc; Tegetmeyer, Halina E.

2015-01-01

A haloalkaline anaerobic microbial community obtained from soda lake sediments was used to inoculate anaerobic reactors for the production of methane rich biogas. The microalga Spirulina was successfully digested by the haloalkaline microbial consortium at alkaline conditions (pH 10, 2.0 M Na+). Continuous biogas production was observed and the obtained biogas was rich in methane, up to 96%. Alkaline medium acted as a CO2 scrubber which resulted in low amounts of CO2 and no traces of H2S in the produced biogas. A hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 15 days and 0.25 g Spirulina L−1 day−1 organic loading rate (OLR) were identified as the optimal operational parameters. Metagenomic and metatranscriptomic analysis showed that the hydrolysis of the supplied substrate was mainly carried out by Bacteroidetes of the “ML635J-40 aquatic group” while the hydrogenotrophic pathway was the main producer of methane in a methanogenic community dominated by Methanocalculus. PMID:26157422

Effect of molding conditions on fracture mechanisms and stiffness of a composite of grid structure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nikolaev, V. P.; Pichugin, V. S.; Korobeinikov, A. G.

1999-01-01

Methods of determining a complex of stiffness and deformability characteristics of a composite with rhomb-type grid structure were elaborated. Rhomb-type specimens were used for testing the ribs of the structure in tension, compression, and bending and the nodal points in shear in the plane of the ribs. The effect of additional tensioning of the ribs preceding the curing of the binder was investigated (ten tensioning levels ranging from 8 to 70 N/bundle with a linear density of 390 tex were applied). In testing epoxy-carbon specimens (UKN-5000+EHD-MK) in compression and tension, the failure mode changed depending on the tensioning level, i.e., the presence or absence of delamination and the appearance of "dry" fibers were detected. Dependences of the mechanical properties on tensioning were of a markedly pronounced extreme nature. The methods elaborated allow us to investigate the effect of other molding parameters, as well as the conditions and nature of loading, on the mechanical characteristics of composites.

Wear resistance of WC/Co HVOF-coatings and galvanic Cr coatings modified by diamond nanoparticles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kandeva, M.; Grozdanova, T.; Karastoyanov, D.; Assenova, E.

2017-02-01

The efforts in the recent 20 years are related to search of ecological solutions in the tribotechnologies for the replacement of galvanic Cr coatings in the contact systems operating under extreme conditions: abrasion, erosion, cavitation, corrosion, shock and vibration loads. One of the solutions is in the composite coatings deposited by high velocity gas-flame process (HVOF). The present paper presents comparative study results for mechanical and tribological characteristics of galvanic Cr coatings without nanoparticles, galvanic Cr coatings modified by diamond nanoparticles NDDS of various concentration 0.6; 10; 15 и 20% obtained under three technological regimes, and composite WC-12Co coating. Comparative results about hardness, wear, wear resistance and friction coefficient are obtained for galvanic Cr-NDDS and WC-12Co coatings operating at equal friction conditions of dry friction on abrasive surface. The WC-12Co coating shows 5.4 to 7 times higher wear resistance compared to the galvanic Cr-NDDS coatings.

Conversion of corn stalk into furfural using a novel heterogeneous strong acid catalyst in γ-valerolactone.

PubMed

Xu, Zhiping; Li, Wenzhi; Du, Zhijie; Wu, Hao; Jameel, Hasan; Chang, Hou-Min; Ma, Longlong

2015-12-01

A novel solid acid catalyst was prepared by the copolymerization of p-toluenesulfonic acid and paraformaldehyde and then characterized by FT-IR, TG/DTG, HRTEM and N2-BET. Furfural was successfully produced by the dehydration of xylose and xylan using the novel catalyst in γ-valerolactone. This investigation focused on effects of various reaction conditions including solvent, acid catalyst, reaction temperature, residence time, water concentration, xylose loading and catalyst dosage on the dehydration of xylose to furfural. It was found that the solid catalyst displayed extremely high activity for furfural production. 80.4% furfural yield with 98.8% xylose conversion was achieved at 170°C for 10 min. The catalyst could be recycled at least five times without significant loss of activity. Furthermore, 83.5% furfural yield and 19.5% HMF yield were obtained from raw corn stalk under more severe conditions (190°C for 100 min). Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Method for reworkable packaging of high speed, low electrical parasitic power electronics modules through gate drive integration

DOEpatents

Passmore, Brandon; Cole, Zach; Whitaker, Bret; Barkley, Adam; McNutt, Ty; Lostetter, Alexander

2016-08-02

A multichip power module directly connecting the busboard to a printed-circuit board that is attached to the power substrate enabling extremely low loop inductance for extreme environments such as high temperature operation. Wire bond interconnections are taught from the power die directly to the busboard further enabling enable low parasitic interconnections. Integration of on-board high frequency bus capacitors provide extremely low loop inductance. An extreme environment gate driver board allows close physical proximity of gate driver and power stage to reduce overall volume and reduce impedance in the control circuit. Parallel spring-loaded pin gate driver PCB connections allows a reliable and reworkable power module to gate driver interconnections.

Attentional selection within and across hemispheres: implications for the perceptual load theory.

PubMed

Wei, Ping; Kang, Guanlan; Zhou, Xiaolin

2013-03-01

The perceptual load of a given task affects attentional selection, with the selection occurring earlier when the load is high and later when the load is low. Recent evidence suggests that local competitive interaction may underlie the perceptual load effect and determine to what extent a task-irrelevant distractor is processed. Here, we asked participants to search for a target bar among homogeneously oriented bars (the low load conditions) or heterogeneously oriented bars (the high load conditions) in the central display, while ignoring a congruent or incongruent flanker bar presented to the left or right side of the central display, or a bar presented at one of the six positions outer to the central display. Importantly, we differentiated conditions in which the target in the central display and the peripheral flanker was presented within the same hemifield or across different hemifields. Results showed a significant flanker effect for the low load condition, but not for the high load condition, when the target and the flanker were across hemifields. However, when the target and the flanker were presented within the same hemifield, there was no flanker effect for either low or high load conditions. These findings demonstrate that the ability to ignore the task-irrelevant distractor is affected by local competition within hemisphere and that the perceptual load theory needs to be supplemented with detailed analysis of cognitive processes and mechanisms underlying the consumption of attentional resources.

Photochemically deposited nano-Ag/sol-gel TiO2-In2O3 mixed oxide mesoporous-assembled nanocrystals for photocatalytic dye degradation.

PubMed

Sreethawong, Thammanoon; Ngamsinlapasathian, Supachai; Yoshikawa, Susumu

2014-05-01

This work focused on the improvement of the photocatalytic activity for Congo Red (CR) azo dye degradation of mesoporous-assembled 0.95 TiO2-0.05 In2O3 mixed oxide photocatalyst (with a TiO2-to-In2O3 molar ratio of 0.95:0.05) by loading with Ag nanoparticles. The mesoporous-assembled 0.95TiO2-0.05In2O3 mixed oxide photocatalyst was synthesized by a hydrolytic sol-gel method with the aid of a structure-directing surfactant, prior to loading with various Ag contents (0.5-2 wt.%) by a photochemical deposition method. The optimum Ag loading content was found to be 1.5 wt.%, exhibiting a great increase in photocatalytic CR dye degradation activity. The 1.5 wt.% Ag-loaded 0.95TiO2-0.05In2O3 mixed oxide photocatalyst was further applied for the CR dye degradation in the presence of water hardness. Different types (Ca2+ and Ca2+ -Mg2+ mixture) and concentrations (200 and 500 mg/l) of water hardness were investigated. The results showed that the water hardness reduced the photocatalytic CR dye degradation activity, particularly for the extremely hard water with 500 mg/l of Ca2+ -Mg2+ mixture. The adjustment of initial solution pH of the CR dye-containing hard water to an appropriate value was found to improve the photocatalytic CR dye degradation activity under the identical reaction conditions. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From agricultural intensification to conservation: Sediment transport in the Raccoon River, Iowa, 1916-2009

USGS Publications Warehouse

Jones, C.S.; Schilling, K.E.

2011-01-01

Fluvial sediment is a ubiquitous pollutant that negatively aff ects surface water quality and municipal water supply treatment. As part of its routine water supply monitoring, the Des Moines Water Works (DMWW) has been measuring turbidity daily in the Raccoon River since 1916. For this study, we calibrated daily turbidity readings to modern total suspended solid (TSS) concentrations to develop an estimation of daily sediment concentrations in the river from 1916 to 2009. Our objectives were to evaluate longterm TSS patterns and trends, and relate these to changes in climate, land use, and agricultural practices that occurred during the 93-yr monitoring period. Results showed that while TSS concentrations and estimated sediment loads varied greatly from year to year, TSS concentrations were much greater in the early 20th century despite drier conditions and less discharge, and declined throughout the century. Against a backdrop of increasing discharge in the Raccoon River and widespread agricultural adaptations by farmers, sediment loads increased and peaked in the early 1970s, and then have slowly declined or remained steady throughout the 1980s to present. With annual sediment load concentrated during extreme events in the spring and early summer, continued sediment reductions in the Raccoon River watershed should be focused on conservation practices to reduce rainfall impacts and sediment mobilization. Overall, results from this study suggest that eff orts to reduce sediment load from the watershed appear to be working. ?? 2011 by the American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, and Soil Science Society of America.

Impact of reduced anthropogenic emissions and century flood on the phosphorus stock, concentrations and loads in the Upper Danube

PubMed Central

Zoboli, Ottavia; Viglione, Alberto; Rechberger, Helmut; Zessner, Matthias

2015-01-01

Patterns of changes in the concentration of total and soluble reactive phosphorus (TP, SRP) and suspended sediments at different flow levels from 1991 to 2013 in the Austrian Danube are statistically analyzed and related to point and diffuse emissions, as well as to extreme hydrological events. Annual loads are calculated with three methods and their development in time is examined taking into consideration total emissions and hydrological conditions. The reduction of point discharges achieved during the 1990s was well translated into decreasing TP and SRP baseflow concentrations during the same period, but it did not induce any change in the concentrations at higher flow levels nor in the annual transport of TP loads. A sharp and long-lasting decline in TP concentration, affecting all flow levels, took place after a major flood in 2002. It was still visible during another major flood in 2013, which recorded lower TP concentrations than its predecessor. Such decline could not be linked to changes in point or diffuse emissions. This suggests that, as a result of the flood, the river system experienced a significant depletion of its in-stream phosphorus stock and a reduced mobilization of TP rich sediments afterwards. This hypothesis is corroborated by the decoupling of peak phosphorus loads from peak maximum discharges after 2002. These results are highly relevant for the design of monitoring schemes and for the correct interpretation of water quality data in terms of assessing the performance of environmental management measures. PMID:25747371

The Effect of an Extreme and Prolonged Population Bottleneck on Patterns of Deleterious Variation: Insights from the Greenlandic Inuit.

PubMed

Pedersen, Casper-Emil T; Lohmueller, Kirk E; Grarup, Niels; Bjerregaard, Peter; Hansen, Torben; Siegismund, Hans R; Moltke, Ida; Albrechtsen, Anders

2017-02-01

The genetic consequences of population bottlenecks on patterns of deleterious genetic variation in human populations are of tremendous interest. Based on exome sequencing of 18 Greenlandic Inuit we show that the Inuit have undergone a severe ∼20,000-year-long bottleneck. This has led to a markedly more extreme distribution of allele frequencies than seen for any other human population tested to date, making the Inuit the perfect population for investigating the effect of a bottleneck on patterns of deleterious variation. When comparing proxies for genetic load that assume an additive effect of deleterious alleles, the Inuit show, at most, a slight increase in load compared to European, East Asian, and African populations. Specifically, we observe <4% increase in the number of derived deleterious alleles in the Inuit. In contrast, proxies for genetic load under a recessive model suggest that the Inuit have a significantly higher load (20% increase or more) compared to other less bottlenecked human populations. Forward simulations under realistic models of demography support our empirical findings, showing up to a 6% increase in the genetic load for the Inuit population across all models of dominance. Further, the Inuit population carries fewer deleterious variants than other human populations, but those that are present tend to be at higher frequency than in other populations. Overall, our results show how recent demographic history has affected patterns of deleterious variants in human populations. Copyright © 2017 by the Genetics Society of America.

Brittle materials at high-loading rates: an open area of research

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Forquin, Pascal

2017-01-01

Brittle materials are extensively used in many civil and military applications involving high-strain-rate loadings such as: blasting or percussive drilling of rocks, ballistic impact against ceramic armour or transparent windshields, plastic explosives used to damage or destroy concrete structures, soft or hard impacts against concrete structures and so on. With all of these applications, brittle materials are subjected to intense loadings characterized by medium to extremely high strain rates (few tens to several tens of thousands per second) leading to extreme and/or specific damage modes such as multiple fragmentation, dynamic cracking, pore collapse, shearing, mode II fracturing and/or microplasticity mechanisms in the material. Additionally, brittle materials exhibit complex features such as a strong strain-rate sensitivity and confining pressure sensitivity that justify expending greater research efforts to understand these complex features. Currently, the most popular dynamic testing techniques used for this are based on the use of split Hopkinson pressure bar methodologies and/or plate-impact testing methods. However, these methods do have some critical limitations and drawbacks when used to investigate the behaviour of brittle materials at high loading rates. The present theme issue of Philosophical Transactions A provides an overview of the latest experimental methods and numerical tools that are currently being developed to investigate the behaviour of brittle materials at high loading rates. This article is part of the themed issue 'Experimental testing and modelling of brittle materials at high strain rates'.

Brittle materials at high-loading rates: an open area of research

PubMed Central

2017-01-01

Brittle materials are extensively used in many civil and military applications involving high-strain-rate loadings such as: blasting or percussive drilling of rocks, ballistic impact against ceramic armour or transparent windshields, plastic explosives used to damage or destroy concrete structures, soft or hard impacts against concrete structures and so on. With all of these applications, brittle materials are subjected to intense loadings characterized by medium to extremely high strain rates (few tens to several tens of thousands per second) leading to extreme and/or specific damage modes such as multiple fragmentation, dynamic cracking, pore collapse, shearing, mode II fracturing and/or microplasticity mechanisms in the material. Additionally, brittle materials exhibit complex features such as a strong strain-rate sensitivity and confining pressure sensitivity that justify expending greater research efforts to understand these complex features. Currently, the most popular dynamic testing techniques used for this are based on the use of split Hopkinson pressure bar methodologies and/or plate-impact testing methods. However, these methods do have some critical limitations and drawbacks when used to investigate the behaviour of brittle materials at high loading rates. The present theme issue of Philosophical Transactions A provides an overview of the latest experimental methods and numerical tools that are currently being developed to investigate the behaviour of brittle materials at high loading rates. This article is part of the themed issue ‘Experimental testing and modelling of brittle materials at high strain rates’. PMID:27956517

Brittle materials at high-loading rates: an open area of research.

PubMed

Forquin, Pascal

2017-01-28

Brittle materials are extensively used in many civil and military applications involving high-strain-rate loadings such as: blasting or percussive drilling of rocks, ballistic impact against ceramic armour or transparent windshields, plastic explosives used to damage or destroy concrete structures, soft or hard impacts against concrete structures and so on. With all of these applications, brittle materials are subjected to intense loadings characterized by medium to extremely high strain rates (few tens to several tens of thousands per second) leading to extreme and/or specific damage modes such as multiple fragmentation, dynamic cracking, pore collapse, shearing, mode II fracturing and/or microplasticity mechanisms in the material. Additionally, brittle materials exhibit complex features such as a strong strain-rate sensitivity and confining pressure sensitivity that justify expending greater research efforts to understand these complex features. Currently, the most popular dynamic testing techniques used for this are based on the use of split Hopkinson pressure bar methodologies and/or plate-impact testing methods. However, these methods do have some critical limitations and drawbacks when used to investigate the behaviour of brittle materials at high loading rates. The present theme issue of Philosophical Transactions A provides an overview of the latest experimental methods and numerical tools that are currently being developed to investigate the behaviour of brittle materials at high loading rates.This article is part of the themed issue 'Experimental testing and modelling of brittle materials at high strain rates'. © 2016 The Author(s).

The Pharmacology of Actoprotectors: Practical Application for Improvement of Mental and Physical Performance

PubMed Central

Oliynyk, Sergiy; Oh, Seikwan

2012-01-01

Actoprotectors are preparations that enhance body stability against physical loads without increasing oxygen consumption or heat production. Or, in short, actoprotectors are synthetic adaptogens with a significant capacity to improve physical performance. This paper explores the history of actoprotectors’development, their pharmacological properties, mechanism of action, and practical application to the improvement of mental and physical performance. A brief summary of the clinico-pharmacological characteristics of the main representatives of this class (bemitil and bromantane) is provided. Some other synthesized compounds, and even natural ones such as ginseng, also are regarded as potential actoprotectors, and these are treated herein as well. Actoprotectors, owing to their wide-ranging pharmacological activities, high efficiency and safety, can be applied under either normal or extreme conditions. PMID:24009833

Design Evaluation of Wind Turbine Spline Couplings Using an Analytical Model: Preprint

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Guo, Y.; Keller, J.; Wallen, R.

2015-02-01

Articulated splines are commonly used in the planetary stage of wind turbine gearboxes for transmitting the driving torque and improving load sharing. Direct measurement of spline loads and performance is extremely challenging because of limited accessibility. This paper presents an analytical model for the analysis of articulated spline coupling designs. For a given torque and shaft misalignment, this analytical model quickly yields insights into relationships between the spline design parameters and resulting loads; bending, contact, and shear stresses; and safety factors considering various heat treatment methods. Comparisons of this analytical model against previously published computational approaches are also presented.

Rugged switch responds to minute pressure differentials

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Friend, L. C.; Shaub, K. D.

1967-01-01

Pressure responsive switching device exhibits high sensitivity but is extremely rugged and resistant to large amplitude shock and velocity loading. This snap-action, single pole-double throw switch operates over a wide temperature range.