High pressure metrology for industrial applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sabuga, Wladimir; Rabault, Thierry; Wüthrich, Christian; Pražák, Dominik; Chytil, Miroslav; Brouwer, Ludwig; Ahmed, Ahmed D. S.

2017-12-01

To meet the needs of industries using high pressure technologies, in traceable, reliable and accurate pressure measurements, a joint research project of the five national metrology institutes and the university was carried out within the European Metrology Research Programme. In particular, finite element methods were established for stress-strain analysis of elastic and nonlinear elastic-plastic deformation, as well as of contact processes in pressure-measuring piston-cylinder assemblies, and high-pressure components at pressures above 1 GPa. New pressure measuring multipliers were developed and characterised, which allow realisation of the pressure scale up to 1.6 GPa. This characterisation is based on research including measurements of material elastic constants by the resonant ultrasound spectroscopy, hardness of materials of high pressure components, density and viscosity of pressure transmitting liquids at pressures up to 1.4 GPa and dimensional measurements on piston-cylinders. A 1.6 GPa pressure system was created for operation of the 1.6 GPa multipliers and calibration of high pressure transducers. A transfer standard for 1.5 GPa pressure range, based on pressure transducers, was built and tested. Herewith, the project developed the capability of measuring pressures up to 1.6 GPa, from which industrial users can calibrate their pressure measurement devices for accurate measurements up to 1.5 GPa.

Implementation of a Nurse Driven Pathway to Reduce Incidence of Hospital Acquired Pressure Injuries in the Pediatric Intensive Care Setting.

PubMed

Rowe, Angela D; McCarty, Karen; Huett, Amy

2018-03-13

A large, freestanding pediatric hospital in the southern United States saw a 117% increase in reported hospital acquired pressure injuries (HAPI) between 2013 and 2015, with the intensive care units being the units of highest occurrence. Design and Methods A quality improvement project was designed and implemented to assist with pressure injury prevention. Literature review confirmed that pediatric HAPIs are a challenge and that usage of bundles and user-friendly guidelines/pathways can help eliminate barriers to prevention. The aim of this quality improvement project had two aims. First, to reduce HAPI incidence in the PICU by 10%. Second, to increase consistent usage of pressure injury prevention strategies as evidenced by a 10% increase in pressure injury bundle compliance. The third aim was to identify if there are differences in percentage of interventions implemented between two different groups of patients. Donabedian's model of Structure, Process, and Outcomes guided the development and implementation of this quality improvement project. Interventions focused on risk assessment subscale scores have the opportunity to mitigate specific risk factors and improve pressure injury prevention. Through implementation of the nurse driven pathway there was as 57% decrease in reported HAPIs in the PICU as well as a 66% increase in pressure ulcer prevention bundle compliance. Implementation of the nurse driven pressure injury prevention pathway was successful. There was a significant increase in bundle compliance for pressure ulcer prevention and a decrease in reported HAPIs. The pathway developed and implemented for this quality improvement project could be adapted to other populations and care settings to provide guidance across the continuum. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Water-level measurements in Dauphin Island, Alabama, from the 2013 Hurricane Season

USGS Publications Warehouse

Dickhudt, Patrick J.; Sherwood, Christopher R.; DeWitt, Nancy T.

2015-01-01

This report describes the instrumentation, field measurements, and processing methods used by the U.S. Geological Survey to measure atmospheric pressure, water levels, and waves on Dauphin Island, Alabama, in 2013 at part of the Barrier Island Evolution Research project. Simple, inexpensive pressure sensors mounted in shallow wells were buried in the beach and left throughout the hurricane season. Additionally, an atmospheric pressure sensor was mounted on the porch of a private residence to provide a local atmospheric pressure measurement for correcting the submerged pressure records.

26 CFR 1.43-2 - Qualified enhanced oil recovery project.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... not obtained, to obtain a chemical or physical reaction (other than pressure) between the oil and the... following requirements— (1) The project involves the application (in accordance with sound engineering... engineering principles and whether the change in method will result in more than an insignificant increase in...

Reducing hospital-acquired heel ulcer rates in an acute care facility: an evaluation of a nurse-driven performance improvement project.

PubMed

McElhinny, Mary Louise; Hooper, Christine

2008-01-01

A nurse-driven performance improvement project designed to reduce the incidence of hospital-acquired ulcers of the heel in an acute care setting was evaluated. This was a descriptive evaluative study using secondary data analysis. Data were collected in 2004, prior to implementation of the prevention project and compared to results obtained in 2006, after the project was implemented. Data were collected in a 172-bed, not-for-profit inpatient acute care facility in North Central California. All medical-surgical inpatients aged 18 years and older were included in the samples. Data were collected on 113 inpatients prior to implementation of the project in 2004. Data were also collected on a sample of 124 inpatients in 2006. The prevalence and incidence of heel pressure ulcers were obtained through skin surveys prior to implementation of the prevention program and following its implementation. Results from 2004 were compared to data collected in 2006 after introduction of the Braden Scale for Predicting Pressure Sore Risk. Heel pressure ulcers were staged using the National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel (NPUAP) staging system and recommendations provided by the Agency for Health Care Quality Research (AHRQ) clinical practice guidelines. The incidence of hospital-acquired heel pressure ulcers in 2004 was 13.5% (4 of 37 patients). After implementation of the program in 2006, the incidence of hospital-acquired heel pressure ulcers was 13.8% (5 of 36 patients). The intervention did not appear to receive adequate staff nurse support needed to make the project successful. Factors that influenced the lack of support may have included: (1) educational method used, (2) lack of organization approved, evidenced-based standardized protocols for prevention and treatment of heel ulcers, and (3) failure of facility management to convey the importance as well as their support for the project.

Innovative Method for Developing a Helium Pressurant Tank Suitable for the Upper Stage Flight Experiment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

DeLay, Tom K.; Munafo, Paul (Technical Monitor)

2001-01-01

The AFRL USFE project is an experimental test bed for new propulsion technologies. It will utilize ambient temperature fuel and oxidizers (Kerosene and Hydrogen peroxide). The system is pressure fed, not pump fed, and will utilize a helium pressurant tank to drive the system. Mr. DeLay has developed a method for cost effectively producing a unique, large pressurant tank that is not commercially available. The pressure vessel is a layered composite structure with an electroformed metallic permeation barrier. The design/process is scalable and easily adaptable to different configurations with minimal cost in tooling development 1/3 scale tanks have already been fabricated and are scheduled for testing. The full-scale pressure vessel (50" diameter) design will be refined based on the performance of the sub-scale tank. The pressure vessels have been designed to operate at 6,000 psi. a PV/W of 1.92 million is anticipated.

A Project to Promote Adherence to Blood Pressure Medication Among People Who Use Community Pharmacies in Rural Montana, 2014–2016

PubMed Central

Fogle, Crystelle C.; Bennett, James A.

2017-01-01

Introduction Pharmacists can assist patients in managing their blood pressure levels. We assessed whether adherence to blood pressure medication improved among people who used community pharmacies in rural Montana after pharmacists initiated consultations and distributed educational materials developed for the Million Hearts Initiative’s “Team Up. Pressure Down.” (TUPD) program. Methods From 2014 to 2016, the Cardiovascular Health Program at the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services conducted a statewide project to evaluate an intervention for adherence to blood pressure medication administered through community pharmacies. After the year 1 pilot, we redesigned the program for year 2 and year 3 and measured the percentage of participating patients who adhered to blood pressure medication. We also conducted a statewide survey to assess pharmacy characteristics, computer-system capabilities, and types of consulting services provided by pharmacists. Results Twenty-five community pharmacies completed Montana’s TUPD program: 8 pharmacies in the pilot year, 11 pharmacies in year 2, and 6 pharmacies in year 3. For year 2 and year 3 combined, the percentage of participating patients who achieved blood pressure medication adherence improved preintervention to postintervention from 73% to 89%, and adherence improved in 15 of the 17 pharmacies. The pilot pharmacies identified 3 major barriers to project success: patient buy-in, staff burden in implementing the project, and funding. In the statewide assessment, TUPD-funded pharmacies were significantly more likely than non-TUPD–funded pharmacies to provide prescription synchronization and medication management with feedback to the patient’s physician. Conclusion Community pharmacies in rural areas can effectively use brief consultations and standard educational materials to improve adherence to blood pressure medication. PMID:28662759

A projection hybrid high order finite volume/finite element method for incompressible turbulent flows

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Busto, S.; Ferrín, J. L.; Toro, E. F.; Vázquez-Cendón, M. E.

2018-01-01

In this paper the projection hybrid FV/FE method presented in [1] is extended to account for species transport equations. Furthermore, turbulent regimes are also considered thanks to the k-ε model. Regarding the transport diffusion stage new schemes of high order of accuracy are developed. The CVC Kolgan-type scheme and ADER methodology are extended to 3D. The latter is modified in order to profit from the dual mesh employed by the projection algorithm and the derivatives involved in the diffusion term are discretized using a Galerkin approach. The accuracy and stability analysis of the new method are carried out for the advection-diffusion-reaction equation. Within the projection stage the pressure correction is computed by a piecewise linear finite element method. Numerical results are presented, aimed at verifying the formal order of accuracy of the scheme and to assess the performance of the method on several realistic test problems.

The Plunger Hypothesis: an overview of a new theory of stratosphere-troposphere dynamic coupling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Clark, S.; Baldwin, M. P.; Stephenson, D.

2015-12-01

I will demonstrate the advantages of a new method of quantifying polar stratosphere-troposphere coupling by considering large-scale movements of mass into and out of the polar stratosphere. This project aims to use these mass movements to explain pressure and temperature anomalies throughout the polar troposphere and lower stratosphere in the aftermath of extreme stratospheric events. We hypothesise that these mass movements are induced by deposition of momentum by breaking waves in the stratosphere, slowing the wintertime polar vortex, and so are associated with sudden stratospheric warmings (SSWs). Such a mass movement in the upper stratosphere acts to compress the polar atmosphere below it in the manner of a plunger. In this way the pressure anomaly in the upper polar stratosphere 'controls' the pressure and temperature anomalies below by adiabatic compression of the polar atmospheric column. Better understanding this method of control will allow us to use stratospheric data to improve medium-range forecasting ability in the troposphere. One of the key innovations featured in this project is considering pressure and temperature fields at fixed geopotential surfaces, allowing for the easy observation of mass movement into and out of a polar cap region (which we have defined as north of 65N) as a function of altitude. Reanalysis data considered in this manner demonstrates a relationship between tropospheric pressure anomalies and stratospheric anomalies in the polar cap, and so a way to predict tropospheric variability given stratospheric information. This work forms part of a three and a half year PhD project.

Ball tonometry: a rapid, nondestructive method for measuring cell turgor pressure in thin-walled plant cells

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lintilhac, P. M.; Wei, C.; Tanguay, J. J.; Outwater, J. O.

2000-01-01

In this article we describe a new method for the determination of turgor pressures in living plant cells. Based on the treatment of growing plant cells as thin-walled pressure vessels, we find that pressures can be accurately determined by observing and measuring the area of the contact patch formed when a spherical glass probe is lowered onto the cell surface with a known force. Within the limits we have described, we can show that the load (determined by precalibration of the device) divided by the projected area of the contact patch (determined by video microscopy) provides a direct, rapid, and accurate measure of the internal turgor pressure of the cell. We demonstrate, by parallel measurements with the pressure probe, that our method yields pressure data that are consistent with those from the pressure probe. Also, by incubating target tissues in stepped concentrations of mannitol to incrementally reduce the turgor pressure, we show that the pressures measured by tonometry accurately reflect the predicted changes from the osmotic potential of the bathing medium. The advantages of this new method over the pressure probe are considerable, however, in that we can move rapidly from cell to cell, taking measurements every 20 s. In addition, the nondestructive nature of the method means that we can return to the same cell repeatedly for periodic pressure measurements. The limitations of the method lie in the fact that it is suitable only for superficial cells that are directly accessible to the probe and to cells that are relatively thin walled and not heavily decorated with surface features. It is also not suitable for measuring pressures in flaccid cells.

EDUCORE project: a clinical trial, randomised by clusters, to assess the effect of a visual learning method on blood pressure control in the primary healthcare setting

PubMed Central

2010-01-01

Background High blood pressure (HBP) is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). European hypertension and cardiology societies as well as expert committees on CVD prevention recommend stratifying cardiovascular risk using the SCORE method, the modification of lifestyles to prevent CVD, and achieving good control over risk factors. The EDUCORE (Education and Coronary Risk Evaluation) project aims to determine whether the use of a cardiovascular risk visual learning method - the EDUCORE method - is more effective than normal clinical practice in improving the control of blood pressure within one year in patients with poorly controlled hypertension but no background of CVD; Methods/Design This work describes a protocol for a clinical trial, randomised by clusters and involving 22 primary healthcare clinics, to test the effectiveness of the EDUCORE method. The number of patients required was 736, all between 40 and 65 years of age (n = 368 in the EDUCORE and control groups), all of whom had been diagnosed with HBP at least one year ago, and all of whom had poorly controlled hypertension (systolic blood pressure ≥ 140 mmHg and/or diastolic ≥ 90 mmHg). All personnel taking part were explained the trial and trained in its methodology. The EDUCORE method contemplates the visualisation of low risk SCORE scores using images embodying different stages of a high risk action, plus the receipt of a pamphlet explaining how to better maintain cardiac health. The main outcome variable was the control of blood pressure; secondary outcome variables included the SCORE score, therapeutic compliance, quality of life, and total cholesterol level. All outcome variables were measured at the beginning of the experimental period and again at 6 and 12 months. Information on sex, age, educational level, physical activity, body mass index, consumption of medications, change of treatment and blood analysis results was also recorded; Discussion The EDUCORE method could provide a simple, inexpensive means of improving blood pressure control, and perhaps other health problems, in the primary healthcare setting; Trial registration The trial was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01155973 [http://ClinicalTrials.gov]. PMID:20673325

Developing Arizona Turnaround Leaders to Build High-Capacity Schools in the Midst of Accountability Pressures and Changing Demographics

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ylimaki, Rose M.; Brunderman, Lynnette; Bennett, Jeffrey V.; Dugan, Thad

2014-01-01

Today's accountability policies and changing demographics have created conditions in which leaders must rapidly build school capacity and improve outcomes in culturally diverse schools. This article presents findings from a mixed-methods evaluation of an Arizona Turnaround Leadership Development Project. The project drew on studies of turnaround…

Future cardiovascular disease in China: Markov model and risk factor scenario projections from the Coronary Heart Disease Policy Model-China

PubMed Central

Moran, Andrew; Gu, Dongfeng; Zhao, Dong; Coxson, Pamela; Wang, Y. Claire; Chen, Chung-Shiuan; Liu, Jing; Cheng, Jun; Bibbins-Domingo, Kirsten; Shen, Yu-Ming; He, Jiang; Goldman, Lee

2010-01-01

Background The relative effects of individual and combined risk factor trends on future cardiovascular disease in China have not been quantified in detail. Methods and Results Future risk factor trends in China were projected based on prior trends. Cardiovascular disease (coronary heart disease and stroke) in adults ages 35 to 84 years was projected from 2010 to 2030 using the Coronary Heart Disease Policy Model–China, a Markov computer simulation model. With risk factor levels held constant, projected annual cardiovascular events increased by >50% between 2010 and 2030 based on population aging and growth alone. Projected trends in blood pressure, total cholesterol, diabetes (increases), and active smoking (decline) would increase annual cardiovascular disease events by an additional 23%, an increase of approximately 21.3 million cardiovascular events and 7.7 million cardiovascular deaths over 2010 to 2030. Aggressively reducing active smoking in Chinese men to 20% prevalence in 2020 and 10% prevalence in 2030 or reducing mean systolic blood pressure by 3.8 mm Hg in men and women would counteract adverse trends in other risk factors by preventing cardiovascular events and 2.9 to 5.7 million total deaths over 2 decades. Conclusions Aging and population growth will increase cardiovascular disease by more than a half over the coming 20 years, and projected unfavorable trends in blood pressure, total cholesterol, diabetes, and body mass index may accelerate the epidemic. National policy aimed at controlling blood pressure, smoking, and other risk factors would counteract the expected future cardiovascular disease epidemic in China. PMID:20442213

Estimating average shock pressures recorded by impactite samples based on universal stage investigations of planar deformation features in quartz - Sources of error and recommendations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Holm-Alwmark, S.; Ferrière, L.; Alwmark, C.; Poelchau, M. H.

2018-01-01

Planar deformation features (PDFs) in quartz are the most widely used indicator of shock metamorphism in terrestrial rocks. They can also be used for estimating average shock pressures that quartz-bearing rocks have been subjected to. Here we report on a number of observations and problems that we have encountered when performing universal stage measurements and crystallographically indexing of PDF orientations in quartz. These include a comparison between manual and automated methods of indexing PDFs, an evaluation of the new stereographic projection template, and observations regarding the PDF statistics related to the c-axis position and rhombohedral plane symmetry. We further discuss the implications that our findings have for shock barometry studies. Our study shows that the currently used stereographic projection template for indexing PDFs in quartz might induce an overestimation of rhombohedral planes with low Miller-Bravais indices. We suggest, based on a comparison of different shock barometry methods, that a unified method of assigning shock pressures to samples based on PDFs in quartz is necessary to allow comparison of data sets. This method needs to take into account not only the average number of PDF sets/grain but also the number of high Miller-Bravais index planes, both of which are important factors according to our study. Finally, we present a suggestion for such a method (which is valid for nonporous quartz-bearing rock types), which consists of assigning quartz grains into types (A-E) based on the PDF orientation pattern, and then calculation of a mean shock pressure for each sample.

Estimating maximum instantaneous distortion from inlet total pressure rms and PSD measurements. [Root Mean Square and Power Spectral Density methods

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Melick, H. C., Jr.; Ybarra, A. H.; Bencze, D. P.

1975-01-01

An inexpensive method is developed to determine the extreme values of instantaneous inlet distortion. This method also provides insight into the basic mechanics of unsteady inlet flow and the associated engine reaction. The analysis is based on fundamental fluid dynamics and statistical methods to provide an understanding of the turbulent inlet flow and quantitatively relate the rms level and power spectral density (PSD) function of the measured time variant total pressure fluctuations to the strength and size of the low pressure regions. The most probable extreme value of the instantaneous distortion is then synthesized from this information in conjunction with the steady state distortion. Results of the analysis show the extreme values to be dependent upon the steady state distortion, the measured turbulence rms level and PSD function, the time on point, and the engine response characteristics. Analytical projections of instantaneous distortion are presented and compared with data obtained by a conventional, highly time correlated, 40 probe instantaneous pressure measurement system.

Experimental and Computational Sonic Boom Assessment of Lockheed-Martin N+2 Low Boom Models

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cliff, Susan E.; Durston, Donald A.; Elmiligui, Alaa A.; Walker, Eric L.; Carter, Melissa B.

2015-01-01

Flight at speeds greater than the speed of sound is not permitted over land, primarily because of the noise and structural damage caused by sonic boom pressure waves of supersonic aircraft. Mitigation of sonic boom is a key focus area of the High Speed Project under NASA's Fundamental Aeronautics Program. The project is focusing on technologies to enable future civilian aircraft to fly efficiently with reduced sonic boom, engine and aircraft noise, and emissions. A major objective of the project is to improve both computational and experimental capabilities for design of low-boom, high-efficiency aircraft. NASA and industry partners are developing improved wind tunnel testing techniques and new pressure instrumentation to measure the weak sonic boom pressure signatures of modern vehicle concepts. In parallel, computational methods are being developed to provide rapid design and analysis of supersonic aircraft with improved meshing techniques that provide efficient, robust, and accurate on- and off-body pressures at several body lengths from vehicles with very low sonic boom overpressures. The maturity of these critical parallel efforts is necessary before low-boom flight can be demonstrated and commercial supersonic flight can be realized.

A method to measure paddle and detector pressures and footprints in mammography

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

Hogg, Peter; Szczepura, Katy; Darlington, Alison

2013-04-15

Purpose: Compression is necessary in mammography to improve image quality and reduce radiation burden. Maximizing the amount of breast in contact with the image receptor (IR) is important. To achieve this, for the craniocaudal projection, there is no consensus within the literature regarding how the IR should be positioned relative to the inframammary fold (IMF). No information exists within the literature to describe how pressure balancing between IR and paddle, and IR breast footprint, might be optimized. This paper describes a novel method for measuring the respective pressures applied to the breast from the IR and the paddle and amore » method to simultaneously measure the breast footprints on the IR and the paddle. Methods: Using a deformable breast phantom and electronic pressure-sensitive mat, area and pressure readings were gathered from two mammography machines and four paddles at 60, 80, and 100 N with the IR positioned at -2, -1, 0, +1, and +2 cm relative to the IMF (60 combinations in total). Results: Paddle and IR footprints were calculated along with a uniformity index (UI). For all four paddle/machine/pressure combinations the greatest IR footprint was achieved at IMF +2 cm. The UI indicates that the best pressure/footprint balance is achieved at IMF +1 cm. Conclusions: The authors' method appears to be suited to measuring breast footprints and pressures on IR and paddle and a human female study is planned.« less

High pressure and temperature optical flow cell for near-infra-red spectroscopic analysis of gas mixtures.

PubMed

Norton, C G; Suedmeyer, J; Oderkerk, B; Fieback, T M

2014-05-01

A new optical flow cell with a new optical arrangement adapted for high pressures and temperatures using glass fibres to connect light source, cell, and spectrometer has been developed, as part of a larger project comprising new methods for in situ analysis of bio and hydrogen gas mixtures in high pressure and temperature applications. The analysis is based on measurements of optical, thermo-physical, and electromagnetic properties in gas mixtures with newly developed high pressure property sensors, which are mounted in a new apparatus which can generate gas mixtures with up to six components with an uncertainty of composition of as little as 0.1 mol. %. Measurements of several pure components of natural gases and biogases to a pressure of 20 MPa were performed on two isotherms, and with binary mixtures of the same pure gases at pressures to 17.5 MPa. Thereby a new method of analyzing the obtained spectra based on the partial density of methane was investigated.

Novel high speed fiber-optic pressure sensor systems.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2014-03-01

The goal of this project is to develop a complete test of this technology for high-speed, high-accuracy applications, specifically cost-effective data acquisition techniques and practical mounting methods tailored for the subject environment. The sec...

Big questions, big science: meeting the challenges of global ecology.

PubMed

Schimel, David; Keller, Michael

2015-04-01

Ecologists are increasingly tackling questions that require significant infrastucture, large experiments, networks of observations, and complex data and computation. Key hypotheses in ecology increasingly require more investment, and larger data sets to be tested than can be collected by a single investigator's or s group of investigator's labs, sustained for longer than a typical grant. Large-scale projects are expensive, so their scientific return on the investment has to justify the opportunity cost-the science foregone because resources were expended on a large project rather than supporting a number of individual projects. In addition, their management must be accountable and efficient in the use of significant resources, requiring the use of formal systems engineering and project management to mitigate risk of failure. Mapping the scientific method into formal project management requires both scientists able to work in the context, and a project implementation team sensitive to the unique requirements of ecology. Sponsoring agencies, under pressure from external and internal forces, experience many pressures that push them towards counterproductive project management but a scientific community aware and experienced in large project science can mitigate these tendencies. For big ecology to result in great science, ecologists must become informed, aware and engaged in the advocacy and governance of large ecological projects.

On the stability of projection methods for the incompressible Navier-Stokes equations based on high-order discontinuous Galerkin discretizations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fehn, Niklas; Wall, Wolfgang A.; Kronbichler, Martin

2017-12-01

The present paper deals with the numerical solution of the incompressible Navier-Stokes equations using high-order discontinuous Galerkin (DG) methods for discretization in space. For DG methods applied to the dual splitting projection method, instabilities have recently been reported that occur for small time step sizes. Since the critical time step size depends on the viscosity and the spatial resolution, these instabilities limit the robustness of the Navier-Stokes solver in case of complex engineering applications characterized by coarse spatial resolutions and small viscosities. By means of numerical investigation we give evidence that these instabilities are related to the discontinuous Galerkin formulation of the velocity divergence term and the pressure gradient term that couple velocity and pressure. Integration by parts of these terms with a suitable definition of boundary conditions is required in order to obtain a stable and robust method. Since the intermediate velocity field does not fulfill the boundary conditions prescribed for the velocity, a consistent boundary condition is derived from the convective step of the dual splitting scheme to ensure high-order accuracy with respect to the temporal discretization. This new formulation is stable in the limit of small time steps for both equal-order and mixed-order polynomial approximations. Although the dual splitting scheme itself includes inf-sup stabilizing contributions, we demonstrate that spurious pressure oscillations appear for equal-order polynomials and small time steps highlighting the necessity to consider inf-sup stability explicitly.

Research Methods in Environmental Studies: A County Planning Application in Colorado.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gruntfest, Eve C.

To obtain practical experience, a research methods class at the University of Colorado (Colorado Springs) undertook a special project to help a nearby county (Park County), assess its planning needs. The county was chosen for its characteristics as a rapidly growing rural area faced with the problems created by mounting population pressure on…

Full Characterization of CO2-Oil Properties On-Chip: Solubility, Diffusivity, Extraction Pressure, Miscibility, and Contact Angle.

PubMed

Sharbatian, Atena; Abedini, Ali; Qi, ZhenBang; Sinton, David

2018-02-20

Carbon capture, storage, and utilization technologies target a reduction in net CO 2 emissions to mitigate greenhouse gas effects. The largest such projects worldwide involve storing CO 2 through enhanced oil recovery-a technologically and economically feasible approach that combines both storage and oil recovery. Successful implementation relies on detailed measurements of CO 2 -oil properties at relevant reservoir conditions (P = 2.0-13.0 MPa and T = 23 and 50 °C). In this paper, we demonstrate a microfluidic method to quantify the comprehensive suite of mutual properties of a CO 2 and crude oil mixture including solubility, diffusivity, extraction pressure, minimum miscibility pressure (MMP), and contact angle. The time-lapse oil swelling/extraction in response to CO 2 exposure under stepwise increasing pressure was quantified via fluorescence microscopy, using the inherent fluorescence property of the oil. The CO 2 solubilities and diffusion coefficients were determined from the swelling process with measurements in strong agreement with previous results. The CO 2 -oil MMP was determined from the subsequent oil extraction process with measurements within 5% of previous values. In addition, the oil-CO 2 -silicon contact angle was measured throughout the process, with contact angle increasing with pressure. In contrast with conventional methods, which require days and ∼500 mL of fluid sample, the approach here provides a comprehensive suite of measurements, 100-fold faster with less than 1 μL of sample, and an opportunity to better inform large-scale CO 2 projects.

Interface projection techniques for fluid-structure interaction modeling with moving-mesh methods

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tezduyar, Tayfun E.; Sathe, Sunil; Pausewang, Jason; Schwaab, Matthew; Christopher, Jason; Crabtree, Jason

2008-12-01

The stabilized space-time fluid-structure interaction (SSTFSI) technique developed by the Team for Advanced Flow Simulation and Modeling (T★AFSM) was applied to a number of 3D examples, including arterial fluid mechanics and parachute aerodynamics. Here we focus on the interface projection techniques that were developed as supplementary methods targeting the computational challenges associated with the geometric complexities of the fluid-structure interface. Although these supplementary techniques were developed in conjunction with the SSTFSI method and in the context of air-fabric interactions, they can also be used in conjunction with other moving-mesh methods, such as the Arbitrary Lagrangian-Eulerian (ALE) method, and in the context of other classes of FSI applications. The supplementary techniques currently consist of using split nodal values for pressure at the edges of the fabric and incompatible meshes at the air-fabric interfaces, the FSI Geometric Smoothing Technique (FSI-GST), and the Homogenized Modeling of Geometric Porosity (HMGP). Using split nodal values for pressure at the edges and incompatible meshes at the interfaces stabilizes the structural response at the edges of the membrane used in modeling the fabric. With the FSI-GST, the fluid mechanics mesh is sheltered from the consequences of the geometric complexity of the structure. With the HMGP, we bypass the intractable complexities of the geometric porosity by approximating it with an “equivalent”, locally-varying fabric porosity. As test cases demonstrating how the interface projection techniques work, we compute the air-fabric interactions of windsocks, sails and ringsail parachutes.

Biology Notes.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

School Science Review, 1984

1984-01-01

Describes mushroom growing as a school project, a method for illustrating need for carbon dioxide in photosynthesis, construction of a simple phytoplankton sampler, cell division activity using playing cards, blood separation activity, measurement of adaptation and selection pressures, computations in field ecology, and an activity demonstrating…

Monitoring culvert load with shallow filling under Geofoam areas.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2008-08-01

Geofoam and the "Imperfect Ditch" method can be used effectively on embankment projects to reduce pressures on underground structures when sufficient fill height is available to create an arching effect. When the fill height is too shallow the archin...

Simulating Pressure Profiles for the Free-Electron Laser Photoemission Gun Using Molflow+

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Song, Diego; Hernandez-Garcia, Carlos

2012-10-01

The Jefferson Lab Free Electron Laser (FEL) generates tunable laser light by passing a relativistic electron beam generated in a high-voltage DC electron gun with a semiconducting photocathode through a magnetic undulator. The electron gun is in stringent vacuum conditions in order to guarantee photocathode longevity. Considering an upgrade of the electron gun, this project consists of simulating pressure profiles to determine if the novel design meets the electron gun vacuum requirements. The method of simulation employs the software Molflow+, developed by R. Kersevan at the Organisation Europ'eene pour la Recherche Nucl'eaire (CERN), which uses the test-particle Monte Carlo method to simulate molecular flows in 3D structures. Pressure is obtained along specified chamber axes. Results are then compared to measured pressure values from the existing gun for validation. Outgassing rates, surface area, and pressure were found to be proportionally related. The simulations indicate that the upgrade gun vacuum chamber requires more pumping compared to its predecessor, while it holds similar vacuum conditions. The ability to simulate pressure profiles through tools like Molflow+, allows researchers to optimize vacuum systems during the engineering process.

The DV-Xα Calculations of Optical Spectra and Their Pressure-Induced Shifts for Ruby

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ma, Dongping; Ellis, D. E.; Liu, Yanyun; Chen, Jurong

1997-10-01

The R line and U band at normal pressure and their pressure-induced shifts of ruby have been calculated by making use of the SCF embedded-cluster discrete variational (DV-Xα) method. The calculated results of the spectral pressure-induced shifts of ruby by making use of the crystal-field theory have also been given. The results of the first-principle calculations are in very good agreement with the experimental data and the calculated results by using crystal-field theory. The results of local lattice relaxations around the Cr3+ ion are obtained by the DV-Xα calculations. The project supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China

Large Aircraft Robotic Paint Stripping (LARPS) system and the high pressure water process

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

See, David W.; Hofacker, Scott A.; Stone, M. Anthony; Harbaugh, Darcy

1993-03-01

The aircraft maintenance industry is beset by new Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guidelines on air emissions, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards, dwindling labor markets, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) safety guidelines, and increased operating costs. In light of these factors, the USAF's Wright Laboratory Manufacturing Technology Directorate and the Aircraft Division of the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center initiated a MANTECH/REPTECH effort to automate an alternate paint removal method and eliminate the current manual methylene chloride chemical stripping methods. This paper presents some of the background and history of the LARPS program, describes the LARPS system, documents the projected operational flow, quantifies some of the projected system benefits and describes the High Pressure Water Stripping Process. Certification of an alternative paint removal method to replace the current chemical process is being performed in two phases: Process Optimization and Process Validation. This paper also presents the results of the Process Optimization for metal substrates. Data on the coating removal rate, residual stresses, surface roughness, preliminary process envelopes, and technical plans for process Validation Testing will be discussed.

A multi-level system quality improvement intervention to reduce racial disparities in hypertension care and control: study protocol

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

Background Racial disparities in blood pressure control have been well documented in the United States. Research suggests that many factors contribute to this disparity, including barriers to care at patient, clinician, healthcare system, and community levels. To date, few interventions aimed at reducing hypertension disparities have addressed factors at all of these levels. This paper describes the design of Project ReD CHiP (Reducing Disparities and Controlling Hypertension in Primary Care), a multi-level system quality improvement project. By intervening on multiple levels, this project aims to reduce disparities in blood pressure control and improve guideline concordant hypertension care. Methods Using a pragmatic trial design, we are implementing three complementary multi-level interventions designed to improve blood pressure measurement, provide patient care management services and offer expanded provider education resources in six primary care clinics in Baltimore, Maryland. We are staggering the introduction of the interventions and will use Statistical Process Control (SPC) charting to determine if there are changes in outcomes at each clinic after implementation of each intervention. The main hypothesis is that each intervention will have an additive effect on improvements in guideline concordant care and reductions in hypertension disparities, but the combination of all three interventions will result in the greatest impact, followed by blood pressure measurement with care management support, blood pressure measurement with provider education, and blood pressure measurement only. This study also examines how organizational functioning and cultural competence affect the success of the interventions. Discussion As a quality improvement project, Project ReD CHiP employs a novel study design that specifically targets multi-level factors known to contribute to hypertension disparities. To facilitate its implementation and improve its sustainability, we have incorporated stakeholder input and tailored components of the interventions to meet the specific needs of the involved clinics and communities. Results from this study will provide knowledge about how integrated multi-level interventions can improve hypertension care and reduce disparities. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01566864 PMID:23734703

USDA,ARS areawide project-Anaoerobic soil disinfestation

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Anaerobic soil disinfestation (ASD) is an effective method for control of soilborne pathogens, nematodes, and many weed species. In the absence of pest pressure, ASD provides increased yields of multiple crop species. Utilization of ASD requires the application of organic amendments, such as compos...

Incompressible SPH method for simulating Newtonian and non-Newtonian flows with a free surface

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shao, Songdong; Lo, Edmond Y. M.

An incompressible smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) method is presented to simulate Newtonian and non-Newtonian flows with free surfaces. The basic equations solved are the incompressible mass conservation and Navier-Stokes equations. The method uses prediction-correction fractional steps with the temporal velocity field integrated forward in time without enforcing incompressibility in the prediction step. The resulting deviation of particle density is then implicitly projected onto a divergence-free space to satisfy incompressibility through a pressure Poisson equation derived from an approximate pressure projection. Various SPH formulations are employed in the discretization of the relevant gradient, divergence and Laplacian terms. Free surfaces are identified by the particles whose density is below a set point. Wall boundaries are represented by particles whose positions are fixed. The SPH formulation is also extended to non-Newtonian flows and demonstrated using the Cross rheological model. The incompressible SPH method is tested by typical 2-D dam-break problems in which both water and fluid mud are considered. The computations are in good agreement with available experimental data. The different flow features between Newtonian and non-Newtonian flows after the dam-break are discussed.

Qualitative research and the profound grasp of the obvious.

PubMed Central

Hurley, R E

1999-01-01

OBJECTIVE: To discuss the value of promoting coexistent and complementary relationships between qualitative and quantitative research methods as illustrated by presentations made by four respected health services researchers who described their experiences in multi-method projects. DATA SOURCES: Presentations and publications related to the four research projects, which described key substantive and methodological areas that had been addressed with qualitative techniques. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Sponsor interest in timely, insightful, and reality-anchored evidence has provided a strong base of support for the incorporation of qualitative methods into major contemporary policy research studies. In addition, many issues may be suitable for study only with qualitative methods because of their complexity, their emergent nature, or because of the need to revisit and reexamine previously untested assumptions. CONCLUSION: Experiences from the four projects, as well as from other recent health services studies with major qualitative components, support the assertion that the interests of sponsors in the policy realm and pressure from them suppress some of the traditional tensions and antagonisms between qualitative and quantitative methods. PMID:10591276

Fully decoupled monolithic projection method for natural convection problems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pan, Xiaomin; Kim, Kyoungyoun; Lee, Changhoon; Choi, Jung-Il

2017-04-01

To solve time-dependent natural convection problems, we propose a fully decoupled monolithic projection method. The proposed method applies the Crank-Nicolson scheme in time and the second-order central finite difference in space. To obtain a non-iterative monolithic method from the fully discretized nonlinear system, we first adopt linearizations of the nonlinear convection terms and the general buoyancy term with incurring second-order errors in time. Approximate block lower-upper decompositions, along with an approximate factorization technique, are additionally employed to a global linearly coupled system, which leads to several decoupled subsystems, i.e., a fully decoupled monolithic procedure. We establish global error estimates to verify the second-order temporal accuracy of the proposed method for velocity, pressure, and temperature in terms of a discrete l2-norm. Moreover, according to the energy evolution, the proposed method is proved to be stable if the time step is less than or equal to a constant. In addition, we provide numerical simulations of two-dimensional Rayleigh-Bénard convection and periodic forced flow. The results demonstrate that the proposed method significantly mitigates the time step limitation, reduces the computational cost because only one Poisson equation is required to be solved, and preserves the second-order temporal accuracy for velocity, pressure, and temperature. Finally, the proposed method reasonably predicts a three-dimensional Rayleigh-Bénard convection for different Rayleigh numbers.

Spectral irradiance measurement and actinic radiometer calibration for UV water disinfection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sperfeld, Peter; Barton, Bettina; Pape, Sven; Towara, Anna-Lena; Eggers, Jutta; Hopfenmüller, Gabriel

2014-12-01

In a joint project, sglux and PTB investigated and developed methods and equipment to measure the spectral and weighted irradiance of high-efficiency UV-C emitters used in water disinfection plants. A calibration facility was set up to calibrate the microbicidal irradiance responsivity of actinic radiometers with respect to the weighted spectral irradiance of specially selected low-pressure mercury and medium-pressure mercury UV lamps. To verify the calibration method and to perform on-site tests, spectral measurements were carried out directly at water disinfection plants in operation. The weighted microbicidal irradiance of the plants was calculated and compared to the measurements of various actinic radiometers.

Systematic life-cycle analysis and performance of enhanced trackbed support.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2015-09-21

The first objective of this project is to develop a method to measure the pressure distribution and magnitude as well as contact area at the ballast-tie interface under heavy haul, Class I type loading. Ballast degradation at this interface has been ...

Experimental Study on Vacuum Dynamic Consolidation Treatment of Soft Soil Foundation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fu-lai, Ni; Xin, Wen; Xiao-bin, Zhang; Wei, Li

2017-11-01

In view of the deficiency of the saturated silt clay foundation reinforced by the dynamic consolidation method, combination the project of soft foundation treatment test area in Tangshan, the reaserch analysed indexes, included groundwater level, pore water pressure, settlement about soil layer and so on, by use of field tests and indoor geotechnical tests, The results showed that the whole reinforcement effect with vacuum dynamic compaction method to blow fill foundation is obvious, due to the result of vacuum precipitation, generally, the excess pore water pressure can be dissipated by 90% above in 2 days around and the effective compaction coefficient can reached more than 0.9,the research work in soft foundation treatment engineering provide a new method and thought to similar engineering.

Push Force Analysis of Anchor Block of the Oil and Gas Pipeline in a Single-Slope Tunnel Based on the Energy Balance Method

PubMed Central

Yan, Yifei; Zhang, Lisong; Yan, Xiangzhen

2016-01-01

In this paper, a single-slope tunnel pipeline was analysed considering the effects of vertical earth pressure, horizontal soil pressure, inner pressure, thermal expansion force and pipeline—soil friction. The concept of stagnation point for the pipeline was proposed. Considering the deformation compatibility condition of the pipeline elbow, the push force of anchor blocks of a single-slope tunnel pipeline was derived based on an energy method. Then, the theoretical formula for this force is thus generated. Using the analytical equation, the push force of the anchor block of an X80 large-diameter pipeline from the West—East Gas Transmission Project was determined. Meanwhile, to verify the results of the analytical method, and the finite element method, four categories of finite element codes were introduced to calculate the push force, including CAESARII, ANSYS, AutoPIPE and ALGOR. The results show that the analytical results agree well with the numerical results, and the maximum relative error is only 4.1%. Therefore, the results obtained with the analytical method can satisfy engineering requirements. PMID:26963097

Dynamic pressure sensitivity determination with Mach number method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sarraf, Christophe; Damion, Jean-Pierre

2018-05-01

Measurements of pressure in fast transient conditions are often performed even if the dynamic characteristic of the transducer are not traceable to international standards. Moreover, the question of a primary standard in dynamic pressure is still open, especially for gaseous applications. The question is to improve dynamic standards in order to respond to expressed industrial needs. In this paper, the method proposed in the EMRP IND09 ‘Dynamic’ project, which can be called the ‘ideal shock tube method’, is compared with the ‘collective standard method’ currently used in the Laboratoire de Métrologie Dynamique (LNE/ENSAM). The input is a step of pressure generated by a shock tube. The transducer is a piezoelectric pressure sensor. With the ‘ideal shock tube method’ the sensitivity of a pressure sensor is first determined dynamically. This method requires a shock tube implemented with piezoelectric shock wave detectors. The measurement of the Mach number in the tube allows an evaluation of the incident pressure amplitude of a step using a theoretical 1D model of the shock tube. Heat transfer, other actual effects and effects of the shock tube imperfections are not taken into account. The amplitude of the pressure step is then used to determine the sensitivity in dynamic conditions. The second method uses a frequency bandwidth comparison to determine pressure at frequencies from quasi-static conditions, traceable to static pressure standards, to higher frequencies (up to 10 kHz). The measurand is also a step of pressure generated by a supposed ideal shock tube or a fast-opening device. The results are provided as a transfer function with an uncertainty budget assigned to a frequency range, also deliverable frequency by frequency. The largest uncertainty in the bandwidth of comparison is used to trace the final pressure step level measured in dynamic conditions, owing that this pressure is not measurable in a steady state on a shock tube. A reference sensor thereby calibrated can be used in a comparison measurement process. At high frequencies the most important component of the uncertainty in this method is due to actual shock tube complex effects not already functionalized nowadays or thought not to be functionalized in this kind of direct method. After a brief review of both methods and a brief review of the determination of the transfer function of pressure transducers, and the budget of associated uncertainty for the dynamic calibration of a pressure transducer in gas, this paper presents a comparison of the results obtained with the ‘ideal shock tube’ and the ‘collective standard’ methods.

Study on the Automatic Detection Method and System of Multifunctional Hydrocephalus Shunt

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sun, Xuan; Wang, Guangzhen; Dong, Quancheng; Li, Yuzhong

2017-07-01

Aiming to the difficulty of micro pressure detection and the difficulty of micro flow control in the testing process of hydrocephalus shunt, the principle of the shunt performance detection was analyzed.In this study, the author analyzed the principle of several items of shunt performance detection,and used advanced micro pressure sensor and micro flow peristaltic pump to overcome the micro pressure detection and micro flow control technology.At the same time,This study also puted many common experimental projects integrated, and successfully developed the automatic detection system for a shunt performance detection function, to achieve a test with high precision, high efficiency and automation.

Improving wound and pressure area care in a nursing home.

PubMed

Sprakes, Kate; Tyrer, Julie

Wound and pressure ulcer prevention are key quality indicators of nursing care. This article describes a collaborative project between a community skin care service and a nursing home. The aim of the project was to establish whether the implementation of a wound and pressure ulcer management competency framework within a nursing home would improve patient outcomes and reduce the severity and number of wounds and pressure ulcers. Following the project's implementation, there was a reduction in the number of wounds and pressure ulcers, hospital admissions and district nursing visits. Nursing home staff also reported an increase in their knowledge and skills.

Don`t sweat it, dehumidify

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

Harriman, L.; Simkins, D.

Beads of perspiration dripping from pipes and valves are a nuisance to mop up, but they are a telltale sign of the problems that excess humidity can cause. Fluctuations in the delicate balance of temperature and moisture in process environments are often the culprit for the corrosion, condensation, and clogging and sticking that bottlenecks plant operations and slows down production. Dehumidification is used to prevent moisture regain, condensation and corrosion, and to promote the drying of heat-sensitive products. There are three methods for removing moisture from air: Squeeze out water by increasing the pressure; though commonly used for compressed airmore » and other applications at elevated pressures, it is virtually never used to remove moisture in atmospheric pressure applications. Compressor equipment and operating costs are prohibitive, compared with those for conventional methods for dehumidifying air at ambient pressures; Condense water by chilling the surrounding air; and Pull out water by passing air across the surface of a desiccant. The paper discusses desiccation versus cooling, system design, and project management.« less

76 FR 142 - Notice of a Regional Project Waiver of Section 1605 (Buy American) of the American Recovery and...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-01-03

... (``Town''), for the purchase of GreensandPlus pressure filter media, manufactured in Brazil, for six pressure filters. This is a project specific waiver and only applies to the use of the specified product... different types of pressure filter media selecting GreensandPlus filter media. The ARRA funded project is...

Integration of optical measurement methods with flight parameter measurement systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kopecki, Grzegorz; Rzucidlo, Pawel

2016-05-01

During the AIM (advanced in-flight measurement techniques) and AIM2 projects, innovative modern techniques were developed. The purpose of the AIM project was to develop optical measurement techniques dedicated for flight tests. Such methods give information about aircraft elements deformation, thermal loads or pressure distribution, etc. In AIM2 the development of optical methods for flight testing was continued. In particular, this project aimed at the development of methods that could be easily applied in flight tests in an industrial setting. Another equally important task was to guarantee the synchronization of the classical measuring system with cameras. The PW-6U glider used in flight tests was provided by the Rzeszów University of Technology. The glider had all the equipment necessary for testing the IPCT (image pattern correlation technique) and IRT (infrared thermometry) methods. Additionally, equipment adequate for the measurement of typical flight parameters, registration and analysis has been developed. This article describes the designed system, as well as presenting the system’s application during flight tests. Additionally, the results obtained in flight tests show certain limitations of the IRT method as applied.

Using statistical process control for monitoring the prevalence of hospital-acquired pressure ulcers.

PubMed

Kottner, Jan; Halfens, Ruud

2010-05-01

Institutionally acquired pressure ulcers are used as outcome indicators to assess the quality of pressure ulcer prevention programs. Determining whether quality improvement projects that aim to decrease the proportions of institutionally acquired pressure ulcers lead to real changes in clinical practice depends on the measurement method and statistical analysis used. To examine whether nosocomial pressure ulcer prevalence rates in hospitals in the Netherlands changed, a secondary data analysis using different statistical approaches was conducted of annual (1998-2008) nationwide nursing-sensitive health problem prevalence studies in the Netherlands. Institutions that participated regularly in all survey years were identified. Risk-adjusted nosocomial pressure ulcers prevalence rates, grade 2 to 4 (European Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel system) were calculated per year and hospital. Descriptive statistics, chi-square trend tests, and P charts based on statistical process control (SPC) were applied and compared. Six of the 905 healthcare institutions participated in every survey year and 11,444 patients in these six hospitals were identified as being at risk for pressure ulcers. Prevalence rates per year ranged from 0.05 to 0.22. Chi-square trend tests revealed statistically significant downward trends in four hospitals but based on SPC methods, prevalence rates of five hospitals varied by chance only. Results of chi-square trend tests and SPC methods were not comparable, making it impossible to decide which approach is more appropriate. P charts provide more valuable information than single P values and are more helpful for monitoring institutional performance. Empirical evidence about the decrease of nosocomial pressure ulcer prevalence rates in the Netherlands is contradictory and limited.

Advancing a smart air cushion system for preventing pressure ulcers using projection Moiré for large deformation measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cheng, Sheng-Lin; Tsai, Tsung-Heng; Lee, Carina Jean-Tien; Hsu, Yu-Hsiang; Lee, Chih-Kung

2016-03-01

A pressure ulcer is one of the most important concerns for wheelchair bound patients with spinal cord injuries. A pressure ulcer is a localized injury near the buttocks that bear ischial tuberosity oppression over a long period of time. Due to elevated compression to blood vessels, the surrounding tissues suffer from a lack of oxygen and nutrition. The ulcers eventually lead to skin damage followed by tissue necrosis. The current medical strategy is to minimize the occurrence of pressure ulcers by regularly helping patients change their posture. However, these methods do not always work effectively or well. As a solution to fundamentally prevent pressure ulcers, a smart air cushion system was developed to detect and control pressure actively. The air cushion works by automatically adjusting a patient's sitting posture to effectively relieve the buttock pressure. To analyze the correlation between the dynamic pressure profiles of an air cell with a patient's weight, a projection Moiré system was adopted to measure the deformation of an air cell and its associated stress distribution. Combining a full-field deformation imaging with air pressure measured within an air cell, the patient's weight and the stress distribution can be simultaneously obtained. By integrating a full-field optical metrology with a time varying pressure sensor output coupled with different active air control algorithms for various designs, we can tailor the ratio of the air cells. Our preliminary data suggests that this newly developed smart air cushion has the potential to selectively reduce localized compression on the tissues at the buttocks. Furthermore, it can take a patient's weight which is an additional benefit so that medical personnel can reference it to prescribe the correct drug dosages.

Characterization of airborne transducers by optical tomography

PubMed

Bou Matar O; Pizarro; Certon; Remenieras; Patat

2000-03-01

This paper describes the application of an acousto-optic method to the measurement of airborne ultrasound. The method consists of a heterodyne interferometric probing of the pressure emitted by the transducer combined with a tomographic algorithm. The heterodyne interferometer measures the optical phase shift of the probe laser beam, proportional to the acoustic pressure integrated along the light path. A number of projections of the sound field, e.g. a set of ray integrals obtained along parallel paths, are made in moving the transducer to be tested. The main advantage of the method is its very high sensitivity in air (2 x 10(-4) Pa Hz-1/2), combined with a large bandwidth. Using the same principle as X-ray tomography the ultrasonic pressure in a plane perpendicular to the transducer axis can be reconstructed. Several ultrasonic fields emitted by wide-band home made electrostatic transducers, with operating frequencies between 200 and 700 kHz, have been measured. The sensitivities compared favorably with those of commercial airborne transducers.

A critical care network pressure ulcer prevention quality improvement project.

PubMed

McBride, Joanna; Richardson, Annette

2015-03-30

Pressure ulcer prevention is an important safety issue, often underrated and an extremely painful event harming patients. Critically ill patients are one of the highest risk groups in hospital. The impact of pressure ulcers are wide ranging, and they can result in increased critical care and the hospital length of stay, significant interference with functional recovery and rehabilitation and increase cost. This quality improvement project had four aims: (1) to establish a critical care network pressure ulcer prevention group; (2) to establish baseline pressure ulcer prevention practices; (3) to measure, compare and monitor pressure ulcers prevalence; (4) to develop network pressure ulcer prevention standards. The approach used to improve quality included strong critical care nursing leadership to develop a cross-organisational pressure ulcer prevention group and a benchmarking exercise of current practices across a well-established critical care Network in the North of England. The National Safety Thermometer tool was used to measure pressure ulcer prevalence in 23 critical care units, and best available evidence, local consensus and another Critical Care Networks' bundle of interventions were used to develop a local pressure ulcer prevention standards document. The aims of the quality improvement project were achieved. This project was driven by successful leadership and had an agreed common goal. The National Safety Thermometer tool was an innovative approach to measure and compare pressure ulcer prevalence rates at a regional level. A limitation was the exclusion of moisture lesions. The project showed excellent engagement and collaborate working in the quest to prevent pressure ulcers from many critical care nurses with the North of England Critical Care Network. A concise set of Network standards was developed for use in conjunction with local guidelines to enhance pressure ulcer prevention. © 2015 British Association of Critical Care Nurses.

EVALUATION OF A PROCESS TO CONVERT BIOMASS TO METHANOL FUEL - PROJECT SUMMARY

EPA Science Inventory

The report gives results of a review of the design of a reactor capable of gasifying approximately 50 lb/hr of biomass for a pilot-scale facility to develop, demonstrate, and evaluate the Hynol Process, a high-temperature, high-pressure method for converting biomass into methanol...

Foot roll-over evaluation based on 3D dynamic foot scan.

PubMed

Samson, William; Van Hamme, Angèle; Sanchez, Stéphane; Chèze, Laurence; Van Sint Jan, Serge; Feipel, Véronique

2014-01-01

Foot roll-over is commonly analyzed to evaluate gait pathologies. The current study utilized a dynamic foot scanner (DFS) to analyze foot roll-over. The right feet of ten healthy subjects were assessed during gait trials with a DFS system integrated into a walkway. A foot sole picture was computed by vertically projecting points from the 3D foot shape which were lower than a threshold height of 15 mm. A 'height' value of these projected points was determined; corresponding to the initial vertical coordinates prior to projection. Similar to pedobarographic analysis, the foot sole picture was segmented into anatomical regions of interest (ROIs) to process mean height (average of height data by ROI) and projected surface (area of the projected foot sole by ROI). Results showed that these variables evolved differently to plantar pressure data previously reported in the literature, mainly due to the specificity of each physical quantity (millimeters vs Pascals). Compared to plantar pressure data arising from surface contact by the foot, the current method takes into account the whole plantar aspect of the foot, including the parts that do not make contact with the support surface. The current approach using height data could contribute to a better understanding of specific aspects of foot motion during walking, such as plantar arch height and the windlass mechanism. Results of this study show the underlying method is reliable. Further investigation is required to validate the DFS measurements within a clinical context, prior to implementation into clinical practice. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Acoustic radiation from the submerged circular cylindrical shell treated with active constrained layer damping

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yuan, Li-Yun; Xiang, Yu; Lu, Jing; Jiang, Hong-Hua

2015-12-01

Based on the transfer matrix method of exploring the circular cylindrical shell treated with active constrained layer damping (i.e., ACLD), combined with the analytical solution of the Helmholtz equation for a point source, a multi-point multipole virtual source simulation method is for the first time proposed for solving the acoustic radiation problem of a submerged ACLD shell. This approach, wherein some virtual point sources are assumed to be evenly distributed on the axial line of the cylindrical shell, and the sound pressure could be written in the form of the sum of the wave functions series with the undetermined coefficients, is demonstrated to be accurate to achieve the radiation acoustic pressure of the pulsating and oscillating spheres respectively. Meanwhile, this approach is proved to be accurate to obtain the radiation acoustic pressure for a stiffened cylindrical shell. Then, the chosen number of the virtual distributed point sources and truncated number of the wave functions series are discussed to achieve the approximate radiation acoustic pressure of an ACLD cylindrical shell. Applying this method, different radiation acoustic pressures of a submerged ACLD cylindrical shell with different boundary conditions, different thickness values of viscoelastic and piezoelectric layer, different feedback gains for the piezoelectric layer and coverage of ACLD are discussed in detail. Results show that a thicker thickness and larger velocity gain for the piezoelectric layer and larger coverage of the ACLD layer can obtain a better damping effect for the whole structure in general. Whereas, laying a thicker viscoelastic layer is not always a better treatment to achieve a better acoustic characteristic. Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 11162001, 11502056, and 51105083), the Natural Science Foundation of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China (Grant No. 2012GXNSFAA053207), the Doctor Foundation of Guangxi University of Science and Technology, China (Grant No. 12Z09), and the Development Project of the Key Laboratory of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China (Grant No. 1404544).

Energy Saving Melting and Revert Reduction Technology (Energy-SMARRT): Clean Steel Casting Production

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

Kuyucak, Selcuk; Li, Delin

2013-12-31

Inclusions in steel castings can cause rework, scrap, poor machining, and reduced casting performance, which can obviously result in excess energy consumption. Significant progress in understanding inclusion source, formation and control has been made. Inclusions can be defined as non-metallic materials such as refractory, sand, slag, or coatings, embedded in a metallic matrix. This research project has focused on the mold filling aspects to examine the effects of pouring methods and gating designs on the steel casting cleanliness through water modeling, computer modeling, and melting/casting experiments. Early in the research project, comprehensive studies of bottom-pouring water modeling and low-alloy steelmore » casting experiments were completed. The extent of air entrainment in bottom-poured large castings was demonstrated by water modeling. Current gating systems are designed to prevent air aspiration. However, air entrainment is equally harmful and no prevention measures are in current practice. In this study, new basin designs included a basin dam, submerged nozzle, and nozzle extension. The entrained air and inclusions from the gating system were significantly reduced using the new basin method. Near the end of the project, there has been close collaboration with Wescast Industries Inc., a company manufacturing automotive exhaust components. Both computer modeling using Magma software and melting/casting experiments on thin wall turbo-housing stainless steel castings were completed in this short period of time. Six gating designs were created, including the current gating on the pattern, non-pressurized, partially pressurized, naturally pressurized, naturally pressurized without filter, and radial choke gating without filter, for Magma modeling. The melt filling velocity and temperature were determined from the modeling. Based on the simulation results, three gating designs were chosen for further melting and casting experiments on the same casting pattern using the lip pouring method. It was observed again that gating designs greatly influenced the melt filling velocity and the number of inclusion defects. The radial choked gating showed improvements in casting cleanliness and yield over the other gatings, even though no mold filters were used in the gating system.« less

The construction of airfoil pressure models by the plate method: Achievements, current research, technology development and potential applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lawing, P. L.

1985-01-01

A method of constructing airfoils by inscribing pressure channels on the face of opposing plates, bonding them together to form one plate with integral channels, and contour machining this plate to form an airfoil model is described. The research and development program to develop the bonding technology is described as well as the construction and testing of an airfoil model. Sample aerodynamic data sets are presented and discussed. Also, work currently under way to produce thin airfoils with camber is presented. Samples of the aft section of a 6 percent airfoil with complete pressure instrumentation including the trailing edge are pictured and described. This technique is particularly useful in fabricating models for transonic cryogenic testing, but it should find application in a wide ange of model construction projects, as well as the fabrication of fuel injectors, space hardware, and other applications requiring advanced bonding technology and intricate fluid passages.

Hydrostatic Pressure Project: Linked-Class Problem-Based Learning in Engineering

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Davis, Freddie J.; Lockwood-Cooke, Pamela; Hunt, Emily M.

2011-01-01

Over the last few years, WTAMU Mathematics, Engineering and Science faculty has used interdisciplinary projects as the basis for implementation of a linked-class approach to Problem-Based Learning (PBL). A project that has significant relevance to engineering statics, fluid mechanics, and calculus is the Hydrostatic Pressure Project. This project…

Validation of Numerical Predictions of the Impact Forces and Hydrodynamics of a Deep-V Planing Hull

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-12-01

technique. NFA uses an implicit subgrid- scale model that is built into the treatment of the convective terms in the momentum equations [14]. A...delivered to SAIC under the Navy DASS (Dynamic Assessment of Surface Ship) 8 NSWCCD-50-TR-2012/040 project in 1998. SLAM2D has two solution methods: (1...is in knots-ft-1/2]. Model Scale Pressure [psi] -0.04 0.0 004 0.08 0.12 0.16 Figure 25. Pressures on hull for CA=0.608, L/b=4 and

PSP Measurement of Stator Vane Surface Pressures in a High Speed Fan

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lepicovsky, Jan

1998-01-01

This paper presents measurements of static pressures on the stator vane suction side of a high-speed single stage fan using the technique of pressure sensitive paint (PSP). The paper illustrates development in application of the relatively new experimental technique to the complex environment of internal flows in turbomachines. First, there is a short explanation of the physics of the PSP technique and a discussion of calibration methods for pressure sensitive paint in the turbomachinery environment. A description of the image conversion process follows. The recorded image of the stator vane pressure field is skewed due to the limited optical access and must be converted to the meridional plane projection for comparison with analytical predictions. The experimental results for seven operating conditions along an off-design rotational speed line are shown in a concise form, including performance map points, mindspan static tap pressure distributions, and vane suction side pressure fields. Then, a comparison between static tap and pressure sensitive paint data is discussed. Finally, the paper lists shortcomings of the pressure sensitive paint technology and lessons learned in this high-speed fan application.

Seagrass Control Project: Containment Boom Evaluation. A Method to Protect Seawater Intakes from Seagrass Accumulation.

DTIC Science & Technology

1983-10-01

12 FEB 83 2942* NR 4 SM PUMP DRAWS EXCESSIVE CURRENT 26 FEB 83 2973 NR 3 SWPUMIPINOP 08 MAR 83 3021* NR 1 SM PUMP PRESSURE SWITCH FAILED 29 MIAR 83...VLV FAILED 16 JUN 83 PHM 2 0392 NR 2 S PUMP LOW PRESSURE SWITCH INOP M1 MAR 83 2/18/83 0452 ALL SW PUMPS HAVE INACCESSIBLE ZINCS 27 MAR 83 0462 NR 2 SW...PUMP LOW PRESSURE SWITCH INOP 29 MAR 83 0512 NR 3 SW PUMP CHECK ,1V FAILED 28 APR 83 06 NR 2 SW PUMP SEAL FAILED 30 JUN 83 P-- 93 675* NR S1 S PUMP

Exploiting Synoptic-Scale Climate Processes to Develop Nonstationary, Probabilistic Flood Hazard Projections

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Spence, C. M.; Brown, C.; Doss-Gollin, J.

2016-12-01

Climate model projections are commonly used for water resources management and planning under nonstationarity, but they do not reliably reproduce intense short-term precipitation and are instead more skilled at broader spatial scales. To provide a credible estimate of flood trend that reflects climate uncertainty, we present a framework that exploits the connections between synoptic-scale oceanic and atmospheric patterns and local-scale flood-producing meteorological events to develop long-term flood hazard projections. We demonstrate the method for the Iowa River, where high flow episodes have been found to correlate with tropical moisture exports that are associated with a pressure dipole across the eastern continental United States We characterize the relationship between flooding on the Iowa River and this pressure dipole through a nonstationary Pareto-Poisson peaks-over-threshold probability distribution estimated based on the historic record. We then combine the results of a trend analysis of dipole index in the historic record with the results of a trend analysis of the dipole index as simulated by General Circulation Models (GCMs) under climate change conditions through a Bayesian framework. The resulting nonstationary posterior distribution of dipole index, combined with the dipole-conditioned peaks-over-threshold flood frequency model, connects local flood hazard to changes in large-scale atmospheric pressure and circulation patterns that are related to flooding in a process-driven framework. The Iowa River example demonstrates that the resulting nonstationary, probabilistic flood hazard projection may be used to inform risk-based flood adaptation decisions.

Tight-binding calculation of the magnetic moment of CrAs under pressure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Autieri, Carmine; Cuono, Giuseppe; Forte, Filomena; Noce, Canio

2018-03-01

We analyze the evolution of the local magnetic moment of the newly discovered pressure-induced superconductor CrAs, as a function of the applied pressure. Our theoretical method is based on a combination of the tight-binding approximation and the Löwdin down-folding procedure, which enables us to derive a low-energy effective Hamiltonian projected onto the Cr-subsector. We set up our calculations by considering several sets of ab initio derived hopping parameters, corresponding to different volumes of the unit cell, and use them to obtain the simulated pressure-dependence of the Cr magnetic moment, which is evaluated within a mean-field treatment of the Coulomb repulsion between the electrons at the Cr sites. Our calculations show good agreement with available experimental data, both for the normal phase measured 1.7 µB for Cr magnetic moment, and concerning the observed reduction of its amplitude for values that exceed the characteristic critical pressure.

Preventing Heel Pressure Ulcers: Sustained Quality Improvement Initiative in a Canadian Acute Care Facility.

PubMed

Hanna-Bull, Debbie

2016-01-01

The setting for this quality improvement initiative designed to reduce the prevalence of facility-acquired heel pressure ulcers was a regional, acute-care, 490-bed facility in Ontario, Canada, responsible for dialysis, vascular, and orthopedic surgery. An interdisciplinary skin and wound care team designed an evidence-based quality improvement initiative based on a systematic literature review and standardization of heel offloading methods. The prevalence of heel pressure ulcers was measured at baseline (immediately prior to implementation of initiative) and at 1 and 4 years following implementation. The prevalence of facility-acquired heel pressure ulcers was 5.8% when measured before project implementation. It was 4.2% at 1 year following implementation and 1.6% when measured at the end of the 4-year initiative. Outcomes demonstrate that the initiative resulted in a continuous and sustained reduction in facility-acquired heel pressure ulcer incidence over a 4-year period.

Dark matter directionality revisited with a high pressure xenon gas detector

DOE PAGES

Mohlabeng, Gopolang; Kong, Kyoungchul; Li, Jin; ...

2015-07-20

An observation of the anisotropy of dark matter interactions in a direction-sensitive detector would provide decisive evidence for the discovery of galactic dark matter. Directional information would also provide a crucial input to understanding its distribution in the local Universe. Most of the existing directional dark matter detectors utilize particle tracking methods in a low-pressure gas time projection chamber. These low pressure detectors require excessively large volumes in order to be competitive in the search for physics beyond the current limit. In order to avoid these volume limitations, we consider a novel proposal, which exploits a columnar recombination effect inmore » a high-pressure gas time projection chamber. The ratio of scintillation to ionization signals observed in the detector carries the angular information of the particle interactions. In this paper, we investigate the sensitivity of a future directional detector focused on the proposed high-pressure Xenon gas time projection chamber. We study the prospect of detecting an anisotropy in the dark matter velocity distribution. We find that tens of events are needed to exclude an isotropic distribution of dark matter interactions at 95% confidence level in the most optimistic case with head-to-tail information. However, one needs at least 10-20 times more events without head-to-tail information for light dark matter below ~50 GeV. For an intermediate mass range, we find it challenging to observe an anisotropy of the dark matter distribution. Our results also show that the directional information significantly improves precision measurements of dark matter mass and the elastic scattering cross section for a heavy dark matter.« less

Questions of testing rate and flexibility of rocket test benches, discussed on the basis of the test benches of Nitrochemie GMBH in Aschau

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

LEGRAND

1987-01-01

The rocket test benches are used to study burnup behavior by various methods. In the first ten months of 1966, 1578 shots were performed to test propellants, and 920 to test 14 thrust and pressure measurement projects.

Mott Transition of MnO under Pressure: A Comparison of Correlated Band Theories

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

Kasinathan, Deepa; Kunes, Jan; Koepernik, K

The electronic structure, magnetic moment, and volume collapse of MnO under pressure are obtained from four different correlated band theory methods; local density approximation+Hubbard U (LDA+U), pseudopotential self-interaction correction (pseudo-SIC), the hybrid functional (combined local exchange plus Hartree-Fock exchange), and the local spin density SIC (SIC-LSD) method. Each method treats correlation among the five Mn 3d orbitals (per spin), including their hybridization with three O 2p orbitals in the valence bands and their changes with pressure. The focus is on comparison of the methods for rock salt MnO (neglecting the observed transition to the NiAs structure in the 90-100 GPamore » range). Each method predicts a first-order volume collapse, but with variation in the predicted volume and critical pressure. Accompanying the volume collapse is a moment collapse, which for all methods is from high-spin to low-spin ((5/2){yields}(1/2)), not to nonmagnetic as the simplest scenario would have. The specific manner in which the transition occurs varies considerably among the methods: pseudo-SIC and SIC-LSD give insulator-to-metal, while LDA+U gives insulator-to-insulator and the hybrid method gives an insulator-to-semimetal transition. Projected densities of states above and below the transition are presented for each of the methods and used to analyze the character of each transition. In some cases the rhombohedral symmetry of the antiferromagnetically ordered phase clearly influences the character of the transition.« less

Compressible, multiphase semi-implicit method with moment of fluid interface representation

DOE PAGES

Jemison, Matthew; Sussman, Mark; Arienti, Marco

2014-09-16

A unified method for simulating multiphase flows using an exactly mass, momentum, and energy conserving Cell-Integrated Semi-Lagrangian advection algorithm is presented. The deforming material boundaries are represented using the moment-of-fluid method. Our new algorithm uses a semi-implicit pressure update scheme that asymptotically preserves the standard incompressible pressure projection method in the limit of infinite sound speed. The asymptotically preserving attribute makes the new method applicable to compressible and incompressible flows including stiff materials; enabling large time steps characteristic of incompressible flow algorithms rather than the small time steps required by explicit methods. Moreover, shocks are captured and material discontinuities aremore » tracked, without the aid of any approximate or exact Riemann solvers. As a result, wimulations of underwater explosions and fluid jetting in one, two, and three dimensions are presented which illustrate the effectiveness of the new algorithm at efficiently computing multiphase flows containing shock waves and material discontinuities with large “impedance mismatch.”« less

Combined Influence of Free-Stream Turbulence and Favorable Pressure Gradients on Boundary Layer Transition and Heat Transfer

DTIC Science & Technology

1981-04-01

78-C-0064, Project Task No. 2307/A4 61102 F. The performance period covered by this report was from 1 Jnne 1980 to 31 March 1981. The project...Report R80-914 388-12, Sept. 1980 . 2. Blair, M. F., D. A. Bailey and R. H. Schlinker: Development of a Large Scale Wind Tunnel for the Simulation of...Two-Dimensional Potential Cascade Flow Using Finite Area Methods. AIAA Journal, Vol. 18, No. 1, Jan. 1980 . 5. Blackwell, B. F. and R. J. Moffat

Thermographic inspection and quality assurance of energy conservation procedures for electric buses

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fennell, Henri C.

1998-03-01

Electric buses are one of the solutions for improving air quality in our cities. Many states are adopting 'no new diesel bus' policies, thus increasing the pressure to develop alternative vehicles. The fledgling electric vehicle technology suffers from acceptance problems by major transit authorities due primarily to limited travel range from each battery charge. Utilizing electric buses in the Northeast has the added problem of maintaining an adequate cabin temperature without the availability of heat from a diesel motor. Heating the passenger cabin with an electric heater which draws from the batteries' stored energy significantly reduces the already modest range of these vehicles; therefore, energy conservation measures play an important role in allowing electric vehicles to provide practical transit services. IR thermography, in conjunction with air leakage pressurization diagnostics, has proven to be an excellent tool for developing energy-efficient bus designs as well as a valuable in-service performance testing method. This paper is based on tests performed on several Advanced Vehicle Systems, Inc. electric buses during research performed under Northeast Alternative Vehicle Consortium and Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency grants. The work demonstrates the thermographic methods used and the real- world increased performance of retrofitted and newly designed buses resulting from this initial Portland Transit retrofit project and in a follow-up project to develop a cold weather specification for a new generation of electric buses. Early diagnostic and new-technology follow-up thermographic performance testing was paralleled by energy modeling of early baseline and re-designed vehicles. Modeling and performance data are included. As a result of this research, thermography, air-leakage/pressurization testing, and fog analysis techniques are now being used regularly in research and development and quality assurance procedures by electric bus manufacturers.

Charging conditions research to increase the initial projected velocity at different initial charge temperatures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ishchenko, Aleksandr; Burkin, Viktor; Kasimov, Vladimir; Samorokova, Nina; Zykova, Angelica; Diachkovskii, Alexei

2017-11-01

The problems of the defense industry occupy the most important place in the constantly developing modern world. The daily development of defense technology does not stop, nor do studies on internal ballistics. The scientists of the whole world are faced with the task of managing the main characteristics of a ballistic experiment. The main characteristics of the ballistic experiment are the maximum pressure in the combustion chamber Pmax and the projected velocity at the time of barrel leaving UM. During the work the combustion law of the new high-energy fuel was determined in a ballistic experiment for different initial temperatures. This combustion law was used for a parametric study of depending Pmax and UM from a powder charge mass and a traveling charge was carried out. The optimal conditions for loading were obtained for improving the initial velocity at pressures up to 600 MPa for different initial temperatures. In this paper, one of the most promising schemes of throwing is considered, as well as a method for increasing the muzzle velocity of a projected element to 3317 m/s.

Calibration and characterization of UV sensors for water disinfection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Larason, T.; Ohno, Y.

2006-04-01

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), USA is participating in a project with the American Water Works Association Research Foundation (AwwaRF) to develop new guidelines for ultraviolet (UV) sensor characteristics to monitor the performance of UV water disinfection plants. The current UV water disinfection standards, ÖNORM M5873-1 and M5873-2 (Austria) and DVGW W294 3 (Germany), on the requirements for UV sensors for low-pressure mercury (LPM) and medium-pressure mercury (MPM) lamp systems have been studied. Additionally, the characteristics of various types of UV sensors from several different commercial vendors have been measured and analysed. This information will aid in the development of new guidelines to address issues such as sensor requirements, calibration methods, uncertainty and traceability. Practical problems were found in the calibration methods and evaluation of spectral responsivity requirements for sensors designed for MPM lamp systems. To solve the problems, NIST is proposing an alternative sensor calibration method for MPM lamp systems. A future calibration service is described for UV sensors intended for low- and medium-pressure mercury lamp systems used in water disinfection applications.

A conservative, thermodynamically consistent numerical approach for low Mach number combustion. Part I: Single-level integration

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nonaka, Andrew; Day, Marcus S.; Bell, John B.

2018-01-01

We present a numerical approach for low Mach number combustion that conserves both mass and energy while remaining on the equation of state to a desired tolerance. We present both unconfined and confined cases, where in the latter the ambient pressure changes over time. Our overall scheme is a projection method for the velocity coupled to a multi-implicit spectral deferred corrections (SDC) approach to integrate the mass and energy equations. The iterative nature of SDC methods allows us to incorporate a series of pressure discrepancy corrections naturally that lead to additional mass and energy influx/outflux in each finite volume cell in order to satisfy the equation of state. The method is second order, and satisfies the equation of state to a desired tolerance with increasing iterations. Motivated by experimental results, we test our algorithm on hydrogen flames with detailed kinetics. We examine the morphology of thermodiffusively unstable cylindrical premixed flames in high-pressure environments for confined and unconfined cases. We also demonstrate that our algorithm maintains the equation of state for premixed methane flames and non-premixed dimethyl ether jet flames.

The hyacinth project

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Francis, T.

2003-04-01

HYACINTH is the acronym for "Development of HYACE tools in new tests on Hydrates". The project is being carried out by a consortium of six companies and academic institutions from Germany, The Netherlands and the United Kingdom. It is a European Framework Five project whose objective is to bring the pressure corers developed in the earlier HYACE project, together with new core handling technology developed in the HYACINTH project, to the operational stage. Our philosophy is that if all one does with a pressure core is to bleed off the gas it contains, a major scientific opportunity has been missed. The current system enables pressure cores to be acquired, then transferred, without loss of pressure, into laboratory chambers so that they can be geophysically logged. The suite of equipment - HYACE Rotary Corer (HRC), Fugro Pressure Corer (FPC), Shear Transfer Chamber (STC), Logging Chamber (LC), Storage Chamber (SC) and Vertical Multi-Sensor Core Logger (V-MSCL) - will be briefly described. Other developments currently in progress to extend the capabilities of the system will be summarised: - to allow electrical resistivity logging of the pressure cores - to enable pressurised sub-samples to be taken from the cores - to facilitate microbiological experiments on pressurised sub-samples The first scientific results obtained with the HYACE/HYACINTH technology were achieved on ODP Leg 204 and are the subject of another talk at this meeting.

NRC assessment of the Department of Energy annealing demonstration project

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

Jackson, D.A.; Malik, S.N.

1997-02-01

Thermal annealing is the only known method for mitigating the effects of neutron irradiation embrittlement in reactor pressure vessel (RPV) steels. In May 1996, the US Department of Energy (DOE) in conjunction with the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Westinghouse, Cooperheat, Electric Power Research Institute (with participating utilities), Westinghouse Owner`s Group, Consumers Power, Electricite` de France, Duquesne Light and the Central Research Institute of the Electric Power Industry (Japan) sponsored an annealing demonstration project (ADP) at Marble Hill. The Marble Hill Plant, located in Madison, Indiana, is a Westinghouse 4 loop design. The plant was nearly 70% completed when themore » project was canceled. Hence, the RPV was never irradiated. The paper will present highlights from the NRCs independent evaluation of the Marble Hill Annealing Demonstration Project.« less

Mars Entry Atmospheric Data System Modeling, Calibration, and Error Analysis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Karlgaard, Christopher D.; VanNorman, John; Siemers, Paul M.; Schoenenberger, Mark; Munk, Michelle M.

2014-01-01

The Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) Entry, Descent, and Landing Instrumentation (MEDLI)/Mars Entry Atmospheric Data System (MEADS) project installed seven pressure ports through the MSL Phenolic Impregnated Carbon Ablator (PICA) heatshield to measure heatshield surface pressures during entry. These measured surface pressures are used to generate estimates of atmospheric quantities based on modeled surface pressure distributions. In particular, the quantities to be estimated from the MEADS pressure measurements include the dynamic pressure, angle of attack, and angle of sideslip. This report describes the calibration of the pressure transducers utilized to reconstruct the atmospheric data and associated uncertainty models, pressure modeling and uncertainty analysis, and system performance results. The results indicate that the MEADS pressure measurement system hardware meets the project requirements.

Parameterisation of multi-scale continuum perfusion models from discrete vascular networks.

PubMed

Hyde, Eoin R; Michler, Christian; Lee, Jack; Cookson, Andrew N; Chabiniok, Radek; Nordsletten, David A; Smith, Nicolas P

2013-05-01

Experimental data and advanced imaging techniques are increasingly enabling the extraction of detailed vascular anatomy from biological tissues. Incorporation of anatomical data within perfusion models is non-trivial, due to heterogeneous vessel density and disparate radii scales. Furthermore, previous idealised networks have assumed a spatially repeating motif or periodic canonical cell, thereby allowing for a flow solution via homogenisation. However, such periodicity is not observed throughout anatomical networks. In this study, we apply various spatial averaging methods to discrete vascular geometries in order to parameterise a continuum model of perfusion. Specifically, a multi-compartment Darcy model was used to provide vascular scale separation for the fluid flow. Permeability tensor fields were derived from both synthetic and anatomically realistic networks using (1) porosity-scaled isotropic, (2) Huyghe and Van Campen, and (3) projected-PCA methods. The Darcy pressure fields were compared via a root-mean-square error metric to an averaged Poiseuille pressure solution over the same domain. The method of Huyghe and Van Campen performed better than the other two methods in all simulations, even for relatively coarse networks. Furthermore, inter-compartment volumetric flux fields, determined using the spatially averaged discrete flux per unit pressure difference, were shown to be accurate across a range of pressure boundary conditions. This work justifies the application of continuum flow models to characterise perfusion resulting from flow in an underlying vascular network.

Field Testing of Compartmentalization Methods for Multifamily Construction

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

Ueno, K.; Lstiburek, J.

The 2012 IECC has an airtightness requirement of 3 air changes per hour at 50 Pascals test pressure for both single-family and multifamily construction in Climate Zones 3-8. Other programs (LEED, ASHRAE 189, ASHRAE 62.2) have similar or tighter compartmentalization requirements, driving the need for easier and more effective methods of compartmentalization in multifamily buildings. Builders and practitioners have found that fire-resistance rated wall assemblies are a major source of difficulty in air sealing/compartmentalization, particularly in townhouse construction. This problem is exacerbated when garages are “tucked in” to the units and living space is located over the garages. In thismore » project, Building Science Corporation examined the taping of exterior sheathing details to improve air sealing results in townhouse and multifamily construction, when coupled with a better understanding of air leakage pathways. Current approaches are cumbersome, expensive, time consuming, and ineffective; these details were proposed as a more effective and efficient method. The effectiveness of these air sealing methods was tested with blower door testing, including “nulled” or “guarded” testing (adjacent units run at equal test pressure to null out inter-unit air leakage, or “pressure neutralization”). Pressure diagnostics were used to evaluate unit-to-unit connections and series leakage pathways (i.e., air leakage from exterior, into the fire-resistance rated wall assembly, and to the interior).« less

High-Pressure Turbulent Flame Speeds and Chemical Kinetics of Syngas Blends with and without Impurities

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

Petersen, Eric; Mathieu, Olivier; Morones, Anibal

This Final Report documents the entire four years of the project, from October 1, 2013 through September 30, 2017. This project was concerned with the chemical kinetics of fuel blends with high-hydrogen content in the presence of impurities. Emphasis was also on the design and construction of a new, high-pressure turbulent flame speed facility and the use of ignition delay times and flame speeds to elucidate the diluent and impurity effects on the fuel chemistry at gas turbine engine conditions and to also validate the chemical kinetics models. The project was divided into five primary tasks: 1) Project Management andmore » Program Planning; 2) Turbulent Flame Speed Measurements at Atmospheric Pressure; 3) Experiments and Kinetics of Syngas Blends with Impurities; 4) Design and Construction of a High-Pressure Turbulent Flame Speed Facility; and 5) High-Pressure Turbulent Flame Speed Measurements. Details on the execution and results of each of these tasks are provided in the main report.« less

EURAMET.M.P-S9: comparison in the negative gauge pressure range -950 to 0 hPa

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Saxholm, S.; Otal, P.; AltintaS, A.; Bermanec, L. G.; Durgut, Y.; Hanrahan, R.; Kocas, I.; Lefkopoulos, A.; Pražák, D.; Sandu, I.; Åetina, J.; Spohr, I.; Steindl, D.; Tammik, K.; Testa, N.

2016-01-01

A comparison in the negative gauge pressure range was arranged in the period 2011 - 2012. A total of 14 laboratories participated in this comparison: BEV (Austria), CMI (Czech Republic), DANIAmet-FORCE (Denmark), EIM (Greece), HMI/FSB-LPM (Croatia), INM (Romania), IPQ (Portugal), LNE (France), MCCAA (Malta), METROSERT (Estonia), MIKES (Finland), MIRS/IMT/LMT (Slovenia), NSAI (Ireland) and UME (Turkey). The project was divided into two loops: Loop1, piloted by MIKES, and Loop2, piloted by LNE. The results of the two loops are reported separately: Loop1 results are presented in this paper. The transfer standard was Beamex MC5 no. 25516865 with internal pressure module INT1C, resolution 0.01 hPa. The nominal pressure range of the INT1C is -1000 hPa to +1000 hPa. The nominal pressure points for the comparison were 0 hPa, -200 hPa, -400 hPa, -600 hPa, -800 hPa and -950 hPa. The reference values and their uncertainties as well as the difference uncertainty between the laboratory results and the reference values were determined from the measurement data by Monte Carlo simulations. Stability uncertainty of the transfer standard was included in the final difference uncertainty. Degrees of equivalences and mutual equivalences between the laboratories were calculated. Each laboratory reported results for all twelve measurement points, which means that there were 168 reported values in total. Some 163 of the 168 values (97 %) agree with the reference values within the expanded uncertainties, with a coverage factor k = 2. Among the laboratories, four different methods were used to determine negative gauge pressure. It is concluded that special attention must be paid to the measurements and methods when measuring negative gauge pressures. There might be a need for a technical guide or a workshop that provides information about details and practices related to the measurements of negative gauge pressure, as well as differences between the different methods. The comparison is registered as EURAMET project no. 1170 and as a supplementary comparison EURAMET.M.P-S9 in the BIPM key comparison database. Main text To reach the main text of this paper, click on Final Report. Note that this text is that which appears in Appendix B of the BIPM key comparison database kcdb.bipm.org/. The final report has been peer-reviewed and approved for publication by the CCM, according to the provisions of the CIPM Mutual Recognition Arrangement (CIPM MRA).

Project delay analysis of HRSG

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Silvianita; Novega, A. S.; Rosyid, D. M.; Suntoyo

2017-08-01

Completion of HRSG (Heat Recovery Steam Generator) fabrication project sometimes is not sufficient with the targeted time written on the contract. The delay on fabrication process can cause some disadvantages for fabricator, including forfeit payment, delay on HRSG construction process up until HRSG trials delay. In this paper, the author is using semi quantitative on HRSG pressure part fabrication delay with configuration plant 1 GT (Gas Turbine) + 1 HRSG + 1 STG (Steam Turbine Generator) using bow-tie analysis method. Bow-tie analysis method is a combination from FTA (Fault tree analysis) and ETA (Event tree analysis) to develop the risk matrix of HRSG. The result from FTA analysis is use as a threat for preventive measure. The result from ETA analysis is use as impact from fabrication delay.

CO2 Capture Using Electric Fields: Low-Cost Electrochromic Film on Plastic for Net-Zero Energy Building

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

None

2010-01-01

Broad Funding Opportunity Announcement Project: Two faculty members at Lehigh University created a new technique called supercapacitive swing adsorption (SSA) that uses electrical charges to encourage materials to capture and release CO2. Current CO2 capture methods include expensive processes that involve changes in temperature or pressure. Lehigh University’s approach uses electric fields to improve the ability of inexpensive carbon sorbents to trap CO2. Because this process uses electric fields and not electric current, the overall energy consumption is projected to be much lower than conventional methods. Lehigh University is now optimizing the materials to maximize CO2 capture and minimize themore » energy needed for the process.« less

A multivariate variational objective analysis-assimilation method. Part 1: Development of the basic model

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Achtemeier, Gary L.; Ochs, Harry T., III

1988-01-01

The variational method of undetermined multipliers is used to derive a multivariate model for objective analysis. The model is intended for the assimilation of 3-D fields of rawinsonde height, temperature and wind, and mean level temperature observed by satellite into a dynamically consistent data set. Relative measurement errors are taken into account. The dynamic equations are the two nonlinear horizontal momentum equations, the hydrostatic equation, and an integrated continuity equation. The model Euler-Lagrange equations are eleven linear and/or nonlinear partial differential and/or algebraic equations. A cyclical solution sequence is described. Other model features include a nonlinear terrain-following vertical coordinate that eliminates truncation error in the pressure gradient terms of the horizontal momentum equations and easily accommodates satellite observed mean layer temperatures in the middle and upper troposphere. A projection of the pressure gradient onto equivalent pressure surfaces removes most of the adverse impacts of the lower coordinate surface on the variational adjustment.

Virtue or Pretense? Looking behind Self-Declared Innocence in Doping

PubMed Central

Petróczi, Andrea; Aidman, Eugene V.; Hussain, Iltaf; Deshmukh, Nawed; Nepusz, Tamás; Uvacsek, Martina; Tóth, Miklós; Barker, James; Naughton, Declan P.

2010-01-01

Background Social science studies of doping practices in sport rely predominantly on self-reports. Studies of psychoactive drug use indicate that self-reporting is characterised by under-reporting. Likewise doping practice is likely to be equally under-reported, if not more so. This calls for more sophisticated methods for such reporting and for independent, objective validation of its results. The aims of this study were: i) to contrast self-reported doping use with objective results from chemical hair analysis and ii) to investigate the influence of the discrepancy on doping attitudes, social projection, descriptive norms and perceived pressure to use doping. Methodology/Principal Findings A doping attitudes questionnaire was developed and combined with a response latency-based implicit association test and hair sample analysis for key doping substances in 14 athletes selected from a larger sample (N = 82) to form contrast comparison groups. Results indicate that patterns of group differences in social projection, explicit attitude about and perceived pressure to use doping, vary depending on whether the user and non-user groups are defined by self-report or objectively verified through hair analysis. Thus, self-confessed users scored higher on social projection, explicit attitude to doping and perceived pressure. However, when a doping substance was detected in the hair of an athlete who denied doping use, their self-report evidenced extreme social desirability (negative attitude, low projection and low perceived pressure) and contrasted sharply with a more positive estimate of their implicit doping attitude. Conclusions/Significance Hair analysis for performance enhancing substances has shown considerable potential in validating athletes' doping attitude estimations and admissions of use. Results not only confirm the need for improved self-report methodology for future research in socially-sensitive domains but also indicate where the improvements are likely to come from: as chemical validation remains expensive, a more realistic promise for large scale studies and online data collection efforts is held by measures of implicit social cognition. PMID:20463978

Beyond HRV: attractor reconstruction using the entire cardiovascular waveform data for novel feature extraction.

PubMed

Aston, Philip J; Christie, Mark I; Huang, Ying H; Nandi, Manasi

2018-03-01

Advances in monitoring technology allow blood pressure waveforms to be collected at sampling frequencies of 250-1000 Hz for long time periods. However, much of the raw data are under-analysed. Heart rate variability (HRV) methods, in which beat-to-beat interval lengths are extracted and analysed, have been extensively studied. However, this approach discards the majority of the raw data. Our aim is to detect changes in the shape of the waveform in long streams of blood pressure data. Our approach involves extracting key features from large complex data sets by generating a reconstructed attractor in a three-dimensional phase space using delay coordinates from a window of the entire raw waveform data. The naturally occurring baseline variation is removed by projecting the attractor onto a plane from which new quantitative measures are obtained. The time window is moved through the data to give a collection of signals which relate to various aspects of the waveform shape. This approach enables visualisation and quantification of changes in the waveform shape and has been applied to blood pressure data collected from conscious unrestrained mice and to human blood pressure data. The interpretation of the attractor measures is aided by the analysis of simple artificial waveforms. We have developed and analysed a new method for analysing blood pressure data that uses all of the waveform data and hence can detect changes in the waveform shape that HRV methods cannot, which is confirmed with an example, and hence our method goes 'beyond HRV'.

Beyond HRV: attractor reconstruction using the entire cardiovascular waveform data for novel feature extraction

PubMed Central

Aston, Philip J; Christie, Mark I; Huang, Ying H; Nandi, Manasi

2018-01-01

Abstract Advances in monitoring technology allow blood pressure waveforms to be collected at sampling frequencies of 250–1000 Hz for long time periods. However, much of the raw data are under-analysed. Heart rate variability (HRV) methods, in which beat-to-beat interval lengths are extracted and analysed, have been extensively studied. However, this approach discards the majority of the raw data. Objective: Our aim is to detect changes in the shape of the waveform in long streams of blood pressure data. Approach: Our approach involves extracting key features from large complex data sets by generating a reconstructed attractor in a three-dimensional phase space using delay coordinates from a window of the entire raw waveform data. The naturally occurring baseline variation is removed by projecting the attractor onto a plane from which new quantitative measures are obtained. The time window is moved through the data to give a collection of signals which relate to various aspects of the waveform shape. Main results: This approach enables visualisation and quantification of changes in the waveform shape and has been applied to blood pressure data collected from conscious unrestrained mice and to human blood pressure data. The interpretation of the attractor measures is aided by the analysis of simple artificial waveforms. Significance: We have developed and analysed a new method for analysing blood pressure data that uses all of the waveform data and hence can detect changes in the waveform shape that HRV methods cannot, which is confirmed with an example, and hence our method goes ‘beyond HRV’. PMID:29350622

Elastic anisotropy of core samples from the Taiwan Chelungpu Fault Drilling Project (TCDP): direct 3-D measurements and weak anisotropy approximations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Louis, Laurent; David, Christian; Špaček, Petr; Wong, Teng-Fong; Fortin, Jérôme; Song, Sheng Rong

2012-01-01

The study of seismic anisotropy has become a powerful tool to decipher rock physics attributes in reservoirs or in complex tectonic settings. We compare direct 3-D measurements of P-wave velocity in 132 different directions on spherical rock samples to the prediction of the approximate model proposed by Louis et al. based on a tensorial approach. The data set includes measurements on dry spheres under confining pressure ranging from 5 to 200 MPa for three sandstones retrieved at a depth of 850, 1365 and 1394 metres in TCDP hole A (Taiwan Chelungpu Fault Drilling Project). As long as the P-wave velocity anisotropy is weak, we show that the predictions of the approximate model are in good agreement with the measurements. As the tensorial method is designed to work with cylindrical samples cored in three orthogonal directions, a significant gain both in the number of measurements involved and in sample preparation is achieved compared to measurements on spheres. We analysed the pressure dependence of the velocity field and show that as the confining pressure is raised the velocity increases, the anisotropy decreases but remains significant even at high pressure, and the shape of the ellipsoid representing the velocity (or elastic) fabric evolves from elongated to planar. These observations can be accounted for by considering the existence of both isotropic and anisotropic crack distributions and their evolution with applied pressure.

Development of a Remote External Repair Tool for Damaged or Defective Polyethylene Pipe

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

Kenneth H. Green; Willie E. Rochefort; Nick Wannenmacher

2006-06-30

Current procedures for repairing polyethylene (PE) gas pipe require excavation, isolation, and removal of the damaged section of pipe followed by fusing a new section of pipe into place. These techniques are costly and very disruptive. An alternative repair method was developed at Timberline Tool with support from Oregon State University (OSU) and funding by the U. S. Department of Energy National Energy Technology Laboratory (DOE/NETL). This project was undertaken to design, develop and test a tool and method for repairing damaged PE pipe remotely and externally in situ without squeezing off the flow of gas, eliminating the need formore » large-scale excavations. Through an iterative design and development approach, a final engineered prototype was developed that utilizes a unique thermo-chemical and mechanical process to apply a permanent external patch to repair small nicks, gouges and punctures under line pressure. The project identified several technical challenges during the design and development process. The repair tool must be capable of being installed under live conditions and operate in an 18-inch keyhole. This would eliminate the need for extensive excavations thus reducing the cost of the repair. Initially, the tool must be able to control the leak by encapsulating the pipe and apply slight pressure at the site of damage. Finally, the repair method must be permanent at typical operating pressures. The overall results of the project have established a permanent external repair method for use on damaged PE gas pipe in a safe and cost-effective manner. The engineered prototype was subjected to comprehensive testing and evaluation to validate the performance. Using the new repair tool, samples of 4-inch PE pipe with simulated damage were successfully repaired under line pressure to the satisfaction of DOE/NETL and the following natural gas companies: Northwest Natural; Sempra Energy, Southwest Gas Corporation, Questar, and Nicor. However, initial results of accelerated age testing on repaired pipe samples showed that the high density polyethylene (HDPE) pipe patch material developed a small crack at the high stress areas surrounding the patched hole within the first 48 hours of hot water testing, indicating that the patch material has a 25-year lifespan. Based on these results, further research is continuing to develop a stronger repair patch for a satisfactory 50-year patch system. Additional tests were also conducted to evaluate whether any of the critical performance properties of the PE pipe were reduced or compromised by the repair technique. This testing validated a satisfactory 50-year patch system for the pipe.« less

Instrumentation used for hydraulic testing of potential water-bearing formations at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant site in southeastern New Mexico

USGS Publications Warehouse

Basler, J.A.

1983-01-01

Requirements for testing hydrologic test wells at the proposed Waste Isolation Pilot Plant near Carlsbad, New Mexico, necessitated the use of inflatable formation packers and pressure transducers. Observations during drilling and initial development indicated small formation yields which would require considerable test times by conventional open-casing methods. A pressure-monitoring system was assembled for performance evaluation utilizing commercially available components. Formation pressures were monitored with a down-hole strain-gage transducer. An inflatable packer equipped with a 1/4-inch-diameter steel tube extending through the inflation element permitted sensing formation pressures in isolated test zones. Surface components of the monitoring system provided AC transducer excitation, signal conditioning for recording directly in engineering units, and both analog and digital recording. Continuous surface monitoring of formation pressures provided a means of determining test status and projecting completion times during any phase of testing. Maximum portability was afforded by battery operation with all surface components mounted in a small self-contained trailer. (USGS)

Simulating the electrohydrodynamics of a viscous droplet

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Theillard, Maxime; Saintillan, David

2016-11-01

We present a novel numerical approach for the simulation of viscous drop placed in an electric field in two and three spatial dimensions. Our method is constructed as a stable projection method on Quad/Octree grids. Using a modified pressure correction we were able to alleviate the standard time step restriction incurred by capillary forces. In weak electric fields, our results match remarkably well with the predictions from the Taylor-Melcher leaky dielectric model. In strong electric fields the so-called Quincke rotation is correctly reproduced.

Development of Scatterometer-Derived Surface Pressures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hilburn, K. A.; Bourassa, M. A.; O'Brien, J. J.

2001-12-01

SeaWinds scatterometer-derived wind fields can be used to estimate surface pressure fields. The method to be used has been developed and tested with Seasat-A and NSCAT wind measurements. The method involves blending two dynamically consistent values of vorticity. Geostrophic relative vorticity is calculated from an initial guess surface pressure field (AVN analysis in this case). Relative vorticity is calculated from SeaWinds winds, adjusted to a geostrophic value, and then blended with the initial guess. An objective method applied minimizes the differences between the initial guess field and scatterometer field, subject to regularization. The long-term goal of this project is to derive research-quality pressure fields from the SeaWinds winds for the Southern Ocean from the Antarctic ice sheet to 30 deg S. The intermediate goal of this report involves generation of pressure fields over the northern hemisphere for testing purposes. Specifically, two issues need to be addressed. First, the most appropriate initial guess field will be determined: the pure AVN analysis or the previously assimilated pressure field. The independent comparison data to be used in answering this question will involve data near land, ship data, and ice data that were not included in the AVN analysis. Second, the smallest number of pressure observations required to anchor the assimilated field will be determined. This study will use Neumann (derivative) boundary conditions on the region of interest. Such boundary conditions only determine the solution to within a constant that must be determined by a number of anchoring points. The smallness of the number of anchoring points will demonstrate the viability of the general use of the scatterometer as a barometer over the oceans.

Wave impact on a deck or baffle

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Md Noar, Nor Aida Zuraimi; Greenhow, Martin

2015-02-01

Some coastal or ocean structures have deck-like baffles or horizontal platforms that can be exposed to wave action in heavy seas. A similar situation may occur in partially-filled tanks with horizontal baffles that become engulfed by sloshing waves. This can result in dangerous wave impact loads (slamming) causing a rapid rise of pressures which may lead to local damaging by crack initiation and/or propagation. We consider the wave impact against the whole of underside of horizontal deck (or baffle) projecting from a seawall (or vertical tank wall), previously studied by Wood and Peregrine (1996) using a different method based on conformal mappings. The approach used is to simplify the highly time-dependent and very nonlinear problem by considering the time integral of the pressure over the duration of the impact pressure-impulse, P (x, y). Our method expresses this in terms of eigenfunctions that satisfy the boundary conditions apart from that on the impact region and the matching of the two regions (under the platform and under the free surface); this results in a matrix equation to be solved numerically. As in Wood and Peregrine, we found that the pressure impulse on the deck increases when the length of deck increases, there is a strong pressure gradient beneath the deck near the seaward edge and the maximum pressure impulse occurs at the landward end of the impact zone.

Noise exposure and children's blood pressure and heart rate: the RANCH project

PubMed Central

van Kempen, E; Van Kamp, I; Fischer, P; Davies, H; Houthuijs, D; Stellato, R; Clark, C; Stansfeld, S

2006-01-01

Background Conclusions that can be drawn from earlier studies on noise and children's blood pressure are limited due to inconsistent results, methodological problems, and the focus on school noise exposure. Objectives To investigate the effects of aircraft and road traffic noise exposure on children's blood pressure and heart rate. Methods Participants were 1283 children (age 9–11 years) attending 62 primary schools around two European airports. Data were pooled and analysed using multilevel modelling. Adjustments were made for a range of socioeconomic and lifestyle factors. Results After pooling the data, aircraft noise exposure at school was related to a statistically non‐significant increase in blood pressure and heart rate. Aircraft noise exposure at home was related to a statistically significant increase in blood pressure. Aircraft noise exposure during the night at home was positively and significantly associated with blood pressure. The findings differed between the Dutch and British samples. Negative associations were found between road traffic noise exposure and blood pressure, which cannot be explained. Conclusion On the basis of this study and previous scientific literature, no unequivocal conclusions can be drawn about the relationship between community noise and children's blood pressure. PMID:16728500

Real-Time Optical Monitoring of Flow Kinetics and Gas Phase Reactions Under High-Pressure OMCVD Conditions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dietz, N.; McCall, S.; Bachmann, K. J.

2001-01-01

This contribution addresses the real-time optical characterization of gas flow and gas phase reactions as they play a crucial role for chemical vapor phase depositions utilizing elevated and high pressure chemical vapor deposition (HPCVD) conditions. The objectives of these experiments are to validate on the basis of results on real-time optical diagnostics process models simulation codes, and provide input parameter sets needed for analysis and control of chemical vapor deposition at elevated pressures. Access to microgravity is required to retain high pressure conditions of laminar flow, which is essential for successful acquisition and interpretation of the optical data. In this contribution, we describe the design and construction of the HPCVD system, which include access ports for various optical methods of real-time process monitoring and to analyze the initial stages of heteroepitaxy and steady-state growth in the different pressure ranges. To analyze the onset of turbulence, provisions are made for implementation of experimental methods for in-situ characterization of the nature of flow. This knowledge will be the basis for the design definition of experiments under microgravity, where gas flow conditions, gas phase and surface chemistry, might be analyzed by remote controlled real-time diagnostics tools, developed in this research project.

Validation of a Cephalad Fluid Shift Countermeasure

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Macias, B.; Cole, C.; Kesari, S.; Hargens, A.; Stenger, M.; Ebert, D.; Lee, S. M. C.; Sargsyan, A.; Liu, J.

2016-01-01

INTRODUCTION: This project will provide critical data required to objectively determine how an optimized thigh cuff could be incorporated into the NASA integrated physiological countermeasure suite. This project will determine if thigh cuffs used during simulated spaceflight impact intracranial pressure (ICP), ocular structure and function, and intraocular pressure (IOP) using state of-the-art techniques. Additionally, some of the same methods, hardware, and protocols will be employed in the present investigation to enable direct comparisons to the International Space Station (ISS) "Fluid Shifts" experiment with Chibis-Lower Body Negative Pressure (LBNP). This study will determine the temporal physiological responses of thigh cuff application and removal on ocular and cerebral variables (including invasive ICP) in a microgravity analog. Furthermore, this proposed study will determine tissue pressure distribution applied by thigh cuffs in order to improve comfort, mobility, and efficacy of the countermeasure. Our specific aim is to determine the efficacy of a novel thigh cuff device to mitigate cephalad fluid shifts. We hypothesize that a thigh cuff countermeasure employed in a microgravity analog will temporarily reverse or attenuate ocular and cerebral-volume-pressure variables, approaching normal Earth-based seated posture, the most frequent posture assumed in daily life. In addition, we hypothesize that the magnitude of fluid and pressure redistribution using a thigh cuff countermeasure may require a longer exposure time than that of Chibis-LBNP (using ground-based data from our "Fluid Shifts" project). This project directly addresses Critical Path Roadmap Risks and Questions regarding "Risk of Spaceflight-Induced Intracranial Hypertension/Vision Alterations," and IRP Gap VIIP13: We need to identify preventative and treatment countermeasures to mitigate changes in ocular structure and function and intracranial pressure during spaceflight. METHODS: Noninvasive measures and tissue pressure distributions beneath thigh cuffs The objectives of this study are to: 1) determine the distribution of skin surface pressures beneath the advanced thigh cuff in ten subjects, 2) calibrate the built-in pressure measurement system of the advanced thigh cuff using an industry standard device, and 3) collect subjective feedback and data on the new cuff design to allow for further adjustments prior to invasive studies. A Tekscan Industrial Sensing (I-Scan) system will measure the pressure distribution of the advanced thigh cuff against the skin. In addition, we will measure blood pooling in the thigh and record the circumference of the thigh using Hokanson strain gauge plethysmography. The advanced thigh cuff will be adjusted to obtain a skin contact pressure of 30-50 mmHg as visualized on the Tekscan system. The built-in advanced thigh cuff pressure monitor will be recorded simultaneously to allow direct comparison to the Tekscan measurements. The volunteer will then remove the thigh cuff and remain at rest for five minutes with no legging applied. The thigh cuff will be donned again and pressure measurements will be taken in the same manner for up to 10 repetitions to show reproducibility of pressure after donning. At the conclusion of the study, subjects will be asked to flex their knee, stand, walk, and sit with the thigh cuff activated. During each of these maneuvers the subject will rate their pain/comfort using a modified Borg scale. Effect of thigh cuffs on ICP during simulated microgravity Ommaya reservoir patients will be recruited from the John Wayne Cancer Institute. Ommaya reservoirs provide safe and direct access for the measurement of ICP. Subjects will be instrumented for continuous blood pressure, ECG, and invasive ICP measures. The subjects will be positioned in the upright sitting posture for a 10-minute stabilization period. After the 10-minute stabilization period, imaging measures [ICP, Optical Coherence Tomography, IOP, ocular and vascular ultrasound] will be performed. Following baseline seated measures, the subject will be positioned randomly in the supine, 15deg head-down-tilt, and 15deg head-down-tilt with thigh cuffs and measures repeated. DISCUSSION: Tests to down-select thigh cuff designs will occur in early 2016. Invasive ICP and noninvasive eye imaging tests will begin in spring 2016. Supported by NSBRI through NCC 9-58.

Axisymmetric inlet minimum weight design method

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nadell, Shari-Beth

1995-01-01

An analytical method for determining the minimum weight design of an axisymmetric supersonic inlet has been developed. The goal of this method development project was to improve the ability to predict the weight of high-speed inlets in conceptual and preliminary design. The initial model was developed using information that was available from inlet conceptual design tools (e.g., the inlet internal and external geometries and pressure distributions). Stiffened shell construction was assumed. Mass properties were computed by analyzing a parametric cubic curve representation of the inlet geometry. Design loads and stresses were developed at analysis stations along the length of the inlet. The equivalent minimum structural thicknesses for both shell and frame structures required to support the maximum loads produced by various load conditions were then determined. Preliminary results indicated that inlet hammershock pressures produced the critical design load condition for a significant portion of the inlet. By improving the accuracy of inlet weight predictions, the method will improve the fidelity of propulsion and vehicle design studies and increase the accuracy of weight versus cost studies.

Independent Assessment of the Backshell Pressure Field for Mars Entry, Descent, and Landing Instrumentation 2 (MEDLI2)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Prince, Jill L.; Shoenenberger, Mark

2017-01-01

The Mars Entry, Descent, and Landing Instrumentation 2 (MEDLI2) project requested that the NASA Engineering and Safety Center (NESC) support a ballistic range test to measure backshell pressures on scale models of the Mars 2020 entry capsule. The MEDLI2 project needed the test to provide important dynamic pressure data to help select a backshell pressure port, quantify drag coefficient reconstruction uncertainties, and design the data acquisition hardware. This document contains the outcome of the NESC assessment.

Prevention of decompression sickness during extravehicular activity in space: a review.

PubMed

Tokumaru, O

1997-12-01

Extended and more frequent extravehicular activity (EVA) is planned in NASA's future space programs. The more EVAs are conducted, the higher the incidence of decompression sickness (DCS) that is anticipated. Since Japan is also promoting the Space Station Freedom project with NASA, DCS during EVA will be an inevitable complication. The author reviewed the pathophysiology of DCS and detailed four possible ways of preventing decompression sickness during EVA in space: (1) higher pressure suit technology; (2) preoxygenation/prebreathing; (3) staged decompression; and (4) habitat or vehicle pressurization. Among these measures, development of zero-prebreathe higher pressure suit technology seems most ideal, but because of economic and technical reasons and in cases of emergency, other methods must also be improved. Unsolved problems like repeated decompression or oxygen toxicity were also listed.

Gait functional assessment: Spatio-temporal analysis and classification of barefoot plantar pressure in a group of 11-12-year-old children.

PubMed

Latour, Ewa; Latour, Marek; Arlet, Jarosław; Adach, Zdzisław; Bohatyrewicz, Andrzej

2011-07-01

Analysis of pedobarographical data requires geometric identification of specific anatomical areas extracted from recorded plantar pressures. This approach has led to ambiguity in measurements that may underlie the inconsistency of conclusions reported in pedobarographical studies. The goal of this study was to design a new analysis method less susceptible to the projection accuracy of anthropometric points and distance estimation, based on rarely used spatio-temporal indices. Six pedobarographic records per person (three per foot) from a group of 60 children aged 11-12 years were obtained and analyzed. The basis of the analysis was a mutual relationship between two spatio-temporal indices created by excursion of the peak pressure point and the center-of-pressure point on the dynamic pedobarogram. Classification of weight-shift patterns was elaborated and performed, and their frequencies of occurrence were assessed. This new method allows an assessment of body weight shift through the plantar pressure surface based on distribution analysis of spatio-temporal indices not affected by the shape of this surface. Analysis of the distribution of the created index confirmed the existence of typical ways of weight shifting through the plantar surface of the foot during gait, as well as large variability of the intrasubject occurrence. This method may serve as the basis for interpretation of foot functional features and may extend the clinical usefulness of pedobarography. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Development of a Liquefied Noble Gas Time Projection Chamber

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lesser, Ezra; White, Aaron; Aidala, Christine

2015-10-01

Liquefied noble gas detectors have been used for various applications in recent years for detecting neutrinos, neutrons, photons, and potentially dark matter. The University of Michigan is developing a detector with liquid argon to produce scintillation light and ionization electrons. Our data collection method will allow high-resolution energy measurement and spatial reconstruction of detected particles by using multi-pixel silicon photomultipliers (SiPM) and a cylindrical time projection chamber (TPC) with a multi-wire endplate. We have already designed a liquid argon condenser and purification unit surrounded by an insulating vacuum, constructed circuitry for temperature and pressure sensors, and created software to obtain high-accuracy sensor readouts. The status of detector development will be presented. Funded through the Michigan Memorial Phoenix Project.

Safety Evaluation Report: Development of Improved Composite Pressure Vessels for Hydrogen Storage, Lincoln Composites, Lincoln, NE, May 25, 2010

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

Fort, III, William C.; Kallman, Richard A.; Maes, Miguel

2010-12-22

Lincoln Composites operates a facility for designing, testing, and manufacturing composite pressure vessels. Lincoln Composites also has a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)-funded project to develop composite tanks for high-pressure hydrogen storage. The initial stage of this project involves testing the permeation of high-pressure hydrogen through polymer liners. The company recently moved and is constructing a dedicated research/testing laboratory at their new location. In the meantime, permeation tests are being performed in a corner of a large manufacturing facility. The safety review team visited the Lincoln Composites site on May 25, 2010. The project team presented an overview of themore » company and project and took the safety review team on a tour of the facility. The safety review team saw the entire process of winding a carbon fiber/resin tank on a liner, installing the boss and valves, and curing and painting the tank. The review team also saw the new laboratory that is being built for the DOE project and the temporary arrangement for the hydrogen permeation tests.« less

Effects of solar radiation pressure torque on the rotational motion of an artificial satellite

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Zanardi, Maria Cecilia F. P. S.; Vilhenademoraes, Rodolpho

1992-01-01

The motion of an artificial satellite about its center of mass is studied considering torques due to the gravity gradient and direct solar radiation pressure. A model for direct solar radiation torque is derived for a circular cylindrical satellite. An analytical solution is obtained by the method of variation of the parameters. This solution shows that the angular variables have secular variation but that the modulus of the rotational angular momentum, the projection of rotational angular momentum on the z axis of the moment of inertia and inertial axis z, suffer only periodic variations. Considering a hypothetical artificial satellite, a numerical application is demonstrated.

Research pressure instrumentation for NASA Space Shuttle main engine, modification no. 5

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Anderson, P. J.; Nussbaum, P.; Gustafson, G.

1984-01-01

The objective of the research project described is to define and demonstrate methods to advance the state of the art of pressure sensors for the space shuttle main engine (SSME). Silicon piezoresistive technology was utilized in completing tasks: generation and testing of three transducer design concepts for solid state applications; silicon resistor characterization at cryogenic temperatures; experimental chip mounting characterization; frequency response optimization and prototype design and fabrication. Excellent silicon sensor performance was demonstrated at liquid nitrogen temperature. A silicon resistor ion implant dose was customized for SSME temperature requirements. A basic acoustic modeling software program was developed as a design tool to evaluate frequency response characteristics.

Nurse's Desk: food bank-based outreach and screening to decrease unmet referral needs.

PubMed

Larsson, Laura S; Kuster, Emilie

2013-01-01

The Nurse's Desk health screening project used the Intervention Wheel model to conduct outreach, screening, education, and referral for food bank clients (n = 506). Blood glucose, blood pressure, health care utilization, and unmet referral needs were assessed. Screening results identified 318 clients (62.8%) with 1 or more unmet referral needs, including 6 clients (3.16%) with capillary blood glucose more than 199 mg/dL and 132 (31.9%) with hypertension. Clients had higher-than-average systolic and diastolic blood pressures and undiagnosed diabetes than in the general population. A client-approved method for tracking completed referrals is needed for this potentially high-risk population.

Flow Analysis of a Gas Turbine Low- Pressure Subsystem

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Veres, Joseph P.

1997-01-01

The NASA Lewis Research Center is coordinating a project to numerically simulate aerodynamic flow in the complete low-pressure subsystem (LPS) of a gas turbine engine. The numerical model solves the three-dimensional Navier-Stokes flow equations through all components within the low-pressure subsystem as well as the external flow around the engine nacelle. The Advanced Ducted Propfan Analysis Code (ADPAC), which is being developed jointly by Allison Engine Company and NASA, is the Navier-Stokes flow code being used for LPS simulation. The majority of the LPS project is being done under a NASA Lewis contract with Allison. Other contributors to the project are NYMA and the University of Toledo. For this project, the Energy Efficient Engine designed by GE Aircraft Engines is being modeled. This engine includes a low-pressure system and a high-pressure system. An inlet, a fan, a booster stage, a bypass duct, a lobed mixer, a low-pressure turbine, and a jet nozzle comprise the low-pressure subsystem within this engine. The tightly coupled flow analysis evaluates aerodynamic interactions between all components of the LPS. The high-pressure core engine of this engine is simulated with a one-dimensional thermodynamic cycle code in order to provide boundary conditions to the detailed LPS model. This core engine consists of a high-pressure compressor, a combustor, and a high-pressure turbine. The three-dimensional LPS flow model is coupled to the one-dimensional core engine model to provide a "hybrid" flow model of the complete gas turbine Energy Efficient Engine. The resulting hybrid engine model evaluates the detailed interaction between the LPS components at design and off-design engine operating conditions while considering the lumped-parameter performance of the core engine.

[Assessment of cardiovascular risk in population groups. Comparison of Score system and Framingham in hypertensive patients].

PubMed

Cosín Aguilar, J; Hernándiz Martínez, A; Rodríguez Padial, L; Zamorano Gómez, J L; Arístegui Urrestarazu, R; Armada Peláez, B; Aguilar Llopis, A; Masramon Morell, X

2006-04-01

Calculation of cardiovascular risk in populations allows for developing and assessing of intervention programs and adapting health resources. While the Framingham System has been used in the past, a group of European researchers have proposed a different method called the Score project. The purpose of this paper is to compare the value of both methods for assessing cardiovascular risk. In 6,775 evaluable hypertensive patients distributed over the 17 Spanish autonomous communities (ACs), the 10-year risk of experiencing a coronary event (CR) was calculated using the Framingham equation, while risk of coronary death (RCD) and vascular death (RVD) was calculated using the Score project system, both at baseline and after one year of blood pressure control with amlodipine at the required dose. A comparison was made of the capacity to detect risk differences by both methods between populations with known different risks, and in the same population as a result of blood pressure control. Both the Score and the Framingham systems detected the significant decrease in both CR and RCD or RVD at one year of application of the CORONARIA study protocol. Risk decrease measured by any of the two methods was significant (p < 0.05) overall, by genders, and by ACs. However, the Score System, unlike the Framingham system, could not detect the reported differences in the mortality risk for coronary and vascular disease between the ACs of the North and the South-East parts of Spain.

A Comparative Study of Welded ODS Cladding materials for AFCI/GNEP Applications

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

Indrajit Charit; Megan Frary; Darryl Butt

2011-03-31

This research project involved working on the pressure resistance welding of oxide dispersion strengthened (ODS) alloys which will have a large role to play in advanced nuclear reactors. The project also demonstrated the research collaboration between four universities and one nation laboratory (Idaho National Laboratory) with participation from an industry for developing for ODS alloys. These alloys contain a high number density of very fine oxide particles that can impart high temperature strength and radiation damage resistance suitable for in-core applications in advanced reactors. The conventional fusion welding techniques tend to produce porosity-laden microstructure in the weld region and leadmore » to the agglomeration and non-uniform distribution of the neededoxide particles. That is why two solid state welding methods - pressure resistance welding (PRW) and friction stir welding (FSW) - were chosen to be evaluated in this project. The proposal is expected to support the development of Advanced Burner Reactors (ABR) under the GNEP program (now incorporated in Fuel Cycle R&D program). The outcomes of the concluded research include training of graduate and undergraduate students and get them interested in nuclear related research.« less

Project "Hypertension Alert."

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sailors, Emma Lou

1983-01-01

"Hypertension Alert," a 1979-80 blood pressure screening-awareness project of the Yonkers, New York Public Schools, is described. Data is analyzed in tables for ethnic composition, and range of blood pressure readings for the high school, junior high school, and elementary school students tested. (Author/JMK)

Ab initio study of properties of BaBiO3 at high pressure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Martoňák, Roman; Ceresoli, Davide; Kagayama, Tomoko; Tosatti, Erio

BaBiO3 is a mixed-valence perovskite which escapes metallic state by creating a Bi-O bond disproportionation or CDW pattern, resulting in a Peierls semiconductor with gap of nearly 1 eV at zero pressure. Evolution of structural and electronic properties at high pressure is, however, largely unknown. Pressure, it might be natural to expect, could reduce the bond-disproportionation and bring the system closer to metalicity or even superconductivity. We address this question by ab initio DFT methods based on GGA and hybrid functionals in combination with crystal structure prediction techniques based on genetic algorithms. We analyze the pressure evolution of bond disproportionation as well as other order parameters related to octahedra rotation for various phases in connection with corresponding evolution of the electronic structure. Results indicate that BaBiO3 continues to resist metalization also under pressure, through structural phase transitions which sustain and in fact increase the diversity of length of Bi-O bonds for neighboring Bi ions, in agreement with preliminary high pressure resistivity data. R.M. Slovak Research and Development Agency Contract APVV-15-0496, VEGA project No. 1-0904-15; E.T. ERC MODPHYSFRICT Advanced Grant No. 320796.

The Healthy Skin Project: changing nursing practice to prevent and treat hospital-acquired pressure ulcers.

PubMed

Armour-Burton, Teri; Fields, Willa; Outlaw, Lanie; Deleon, Elvira

2013-06-01

Hospital-acquired pressure ulcers are serious clinical complications that can lead to increased length of stay, pain, infection, and, potentially, death. The surgical progressive care unit at Sharp Grossmont Hospital, San Diego, California, developed the multidisciplinary Healthy Skin Project to decrease the prevalence of hospital-acquired pressure ulcers. The previous treatment plan was reviewed and modified according to current evidence-based practice. The project consisted of 3 components: creation of a position for a unit-based wound liaison nurse, staff education, and involvement of the nursing assistants. The wound liaison nurse developed and conducted bimonthly skin audits, which revealed inconsistencies in clinical practice and documentation. Education for the staff was accomplished via a self-learning module, case presentations, and 1-on-1 training. In addition, a pressure ulcer algorithm tool was developed to demonstrate step-by-step wound management and documentation. From Spring 2003 through Summer 2006, the prevalence of hospital-acquired pressure ulcers ranged from 0.0% to 18.92%, with a mean of 4.85%. After implementation of the project, the prevalence decreased to 0.0% for 17 of 20 quarters, through 2011. Prevention and a multidisciplinary approach are effective in reducing the occurrence of hospital-acquired pressure ulcers.

Concentrating Solar Power Projects - Lebrija 1 | Concentrating Solar Power

Science.gov Websites

Turbine Capacity: Net: 50.0 MW Gross: 50.0 MW Status: Operational Start Year: 2011 Do you have more : Solel Heat-Transfer Fluid Type: Therminol VP1 Solar-Field Outlet Temp: 395°C Power Block Turbine Capacity (Gross): 50.0 MW Turbine Capacity (Net): 50.0 MW Power Cycle Pressure: 100.0 bar Cooling Method

Sputter coating of microspherical substrates by levitation

DOEpatents

Lowe, A.T.; Hosford, C.D.

Microspheres are substantially uniformly coated with metals or nonmetals by simltaneously levitating them and sputter coating them at total chamber pressures less than 1 torr. A collimated hole structure comprising a parallel array of upwardly projecting individual gas outlets is machined out to form a dimple. Glass microballoons,, which are particularly useful in laser fusion applications, can be substantially uniformly coated using the coating method and apparatus.

Investigation of Biotransport in a Tumor With Uncertain Material Properties Using a Nonintrusive Spectral Uncertainty Quantification Method.

PubMed

Alexanderian, Alen; Zhu, Liang; Salloum, Maher; Ma, Ronghui; Yu, Meilin

2017-09-01

In this study, statistical models are developed for modeling uncertain heterogeneous permeability and porosity in tumors, and the resulting uncertainties in pressure and velocity fields during an intratumoral injection are quantified using a nonintrusive spectral uncertainty quantification (UQ) method. Specifically, the uncertain permeability is modeled as a log-Gaussian random field, represented using a truncated Karhunen-Lòeve (KL) expansion, and the uncertain porosity is modeled as a log-normal random variable. The efficacy of the developed statistical models is validated by simulating the concentration fields with permeability and porosity of different uncertainty levels. The irregularity in the concentration field bears reasonable visual agreement with that in MicroCT images from experiments. The pressure and velocity fields are represented using polynomial chaos (PC) expansions to enable efficient computation of their statistical properties. The coefficients in the PC expansion are computed using a nonintrusive spectral projection method with the Smolyak sparse quadrature. The developed UQ approach is then used to quantify the uncertainties in the random pressure and velocity fields. A global sensitivity analysis is also performed to assess the contribution of individual KL modes of the log-permeability field to the total variance of the pressure field. It is demonstrated that the developed UQ approach can effectively quantify the flow uncertainties induced by uncertain material properties of the tumor.

Nonplanar Method for Predicting Incompressible Aerodynamic Coefficients of Rectangular Wings with Circular-Arc Camber. Ph.D. Thesis - Virginia Polytechnic Institute

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lamar, J. E.

1971-01-01

The development of a nonplanar lifting surface method having a continuous distribution of singularities and satisfying the tangent flow boundary condition on the mean camber surface is given. The method predicts some incompressible longitudinal aerodynamic coefficients of rectangular wings which have circular-arc camber. The solution method is of the integral-equation type and the resulting surface integrals are evaluated by either using numerical or analytical techniques, as are appropriate. Applications are made and the results compared with those from an exact two-dimensional circular-arc camber solution, a three-dimensional flat-wing solution which represents the camber by a projected slope onto the flat surface, and a flat-wing experiment. From these comparisons, the present method is found to predict well the flat-wing experiment and limiting values, in addition to the center of pressure variation at an angle of attack of zero for any camber. For wings having camber ratios larger than about 1.25% and moderate to high aspect ratios, the results deterioriate due to the inadequacy of lifting pressure modes employed.

ACCELERATED SOLVENT EXTRACTION COMBINED WITH ...

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

A research project was initiated to address a recurring problem of elevated detection limits above required risk-based concentrations for the determination of semivolatile organic compounds in high moisture content solid samples. This project was initiated, in cooperation with the EPA Region 1 Laboratory, under the Regional Methods Program administered through the ORD Office of Science Policy. The aim of the project was to develop an approach for the rapid removal of water in high moisture content solids (e.g., wetland sediments) in preparation for analysis via Method 8270. Alternative methods for water removal have been investigated to enhance compound solid concentrations and improve extraction efficiency, with the use of pressure filtration providing a high-throughput alternative for removal of the majority of free water in sediments and sludges. In order to eliminate problems with phase separation during extraction of solids using Accelerated Solvent Extraction, a variation of a water-isopropanol extraction method developed at the USGS National Water Quality Laboratory in Denver, CO is being employed. The concentrations of target compounds in water-isopropanol extraction fluids are subsequently analyzed using an automated Solid Phase Extraction (SPE)-GC/MS method developed in our laboratory. The coupled approaches for dewatering, extraction, and target compound identification-quantitation provide a useful alternative to enhance sample throughput for Me

Maintenance of Certification Part IV Quality-Improvement Project for Hypertension Control: A Preliminary Retrospective Analysis

PubMed Central

Kolasinski, Vallerie A; Price, David W

2015-01-01

Context: A Maintenance of Certification Part IV project was created on the basis of an existing, multifaceted hypertension improvement program. Objective: To evaluate the impact of the Maintenance of Certification project, the effects of the improvement options on blood pressure control in hypertensive patients, and the participants’ perception of the workload related to participation in the project. Design: Nonexperimental retrospective analysis. Setting: Kaiser Permanente hospitals and medical office buildings in Northern California. Intervention: Participants used one or more options from a defined menu of strategies to attempt to increase the percentage of hypertensive patients on their patient panels who had controlled blood pressure. Main Outcome Measure: Proportion of hypertensive patients with blood pressure ≤ 139/89 mm Hg. Results: Fifty-two American Board of Family Medicine and 19 American Board of Internal Medicine certified physicians completed projects. Mean panel blood pressure control improved from 79.49% (standard deviation [SD] = 11.32) to 84.64% (SD = 7.80). The choice of improvement option was not associated with the level of improvement or with the participants’ perception of the workload related to completing the project. Conclusion: Project participants improved the care of their patients without an increased perceived burden to their practice. We found no association between the choice of improvement option and either the level of improvement or the perception of workload. PMID:25785642

Automatic Monitoring of Tunnel Deformation Based on High Density Point Clouds Data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Du, L.; Zhong, R.; Sun, H.; Wu, Q.

2017-09-01

An automated method for tunnel deformation monitoring using high density point clouds data is presented. Firstly, the 3D point clouds data are converted to two-dimensional surface by projection on the XOY plane, the projection point set of central axis on XOY plane named Uxoy is calculated by combining the Alpha Shape algorithm with RANSAC (Random Sampling Consistency) algorithm, and then the projection point set of central axis on YOZ plane named Uyoz is obtained by highest and lowest points which are extracted by intersecting straight lines that through each point of Uxoy and perpendicular to the two -dimensional surface with the tunnel point clouds, Uxoy and Uyoz together form the 3D center axis finally. Secondly, the buffer of each cross section is calculated by K-Nearest neighbor algorithm, and the initial cross-sectional point set is quickly constructed by projection method. Finally, the cross sections are denoised and the section lines are fitted using the method of iterative ellipse fitting. In order to improve the accuracy of the cross section, a fine adjustment method is proposed to rotate the initial sectional plane around the intercept point in the horizontal and vertical direction within the buffer. The proposed method is used in Shanghai subway tunnel, and the deformation of each section in the direction of 0 to 360 degrees is calculated. The result shows that the cross sections becomes flat circles from regular circles due to the great pressure at the top of the tunnel

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

Fazalare, R.W.; Hayes, S.J.

One decision hydro project designers and developers make when building a new facility is what method to use to embed the turbine spiral case in the powerhouse concrete. The type of technique chosen often is based on the long-standing practice or individual preference of the plant owner. However, according to a recent industry survey, any method can be used successfully if proper design and installation procedures are followed. Although pressurized embedment has been the prominent method in the past, especially in the US, the bare deflated casing method is gaining popularity throughout the world because it can reduce cost andmore » construction time. This method has been the primary technique used with apparent success in Japan and Scandinavia.« less

Operation and Performance of a Biphase Turbine Power Plant at the Cerro Prieto Geothermal Field (Final Report)

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

Hays, Lance G.

2000-09-01

A full scale, wellhead Biphase turbine was manufactured and installed with the balance of plant at Well 103 of the Cerro Prieto geothermal resource in Baja, California. The Biphase turbine was first synchronized with the electrical grid of Comision Federal de Electricidad on August 20, 1997. The Biphase power plant was operated from that time until May 23, 2000, a period of 2 years and 9 months. A total of 77,549 kWh were delivered to the grid. The power plant was subsequently placed in a standby condition pending replacement of the rotor with a newly designed, higher power rotor andmore » replacement of the bearings and seals. The maximum measured power output of the Biphase turbine, 808 kWe at 640 psig wellhead pressure, agreed closely with the predicted output, 840 kWe. When combined with the backpressure steam turbine the total output power from that flow would be increased by 40% above the power derived only from the flow by the present flash steam plant. The design relations used to predict performance and design the turbine were verified by these tests. The performance and durability of the Biphase turbine support the conclusion of the Economics and Application Report previously published, (Appendix A). The newly designed rotor (the Dual Pressure Rotor) was analyzed for the above power condition. The Dual Pressure Rotor would increase the power output to 2064 kWe by incorporating two pressure letdown stages in the Biphase rotor, eliminating the requirement for a backpressure steam turbine. The power plant availability was low due to deposition of solids from the well on the Biphase rotor and balance of plant problems. A great deal of plant down time resulted from the requirement to develop methods to handle the solids and from testing the apparatus in the Biphase turbine. Finally an online, washing method using the high pressure two-phase flow was developed which completely eliminated the solids problem. The availability of the Biphase turbine itself was 100% after implementations of this method in March 2000. However, failures of instrumentation and control system components led to additional plant down time and damage to the bearings and seals. The enthalpy and pressure of well 103 declined substantially from the inception of the project. When the project was started the wellhead pressure and enthalpy were 760 psig and 882 Btu/lb respectively. At the time the plant was placed in standby the corresponding values were only 525 psig and 658 Btu/lb. This reduced the available plant power to only 400 kWe making the project economically unfeasible. However, replacement of the existing rotor with the Dual Pressure Rotor and replacement of the bearings and seals will enable the existing Biphase turbine to produce 1190 kWe at the present well conditions without the backpressure steam turbine. Operation with the present staff can then be sustained by selling power under the existing Agreement with CFE. Implementation of this option is recommended with operation of the facility to continue as a demonstration plant. Biphase turbine theory, design and performance are reported herein. The construction of the Biphase turbine and power plant and operational experience are detailed. Improvements in the Biphase turbine are indicated and analyzed. The impact of Biphase techonology on geothermal power production is discussed and recommendations made.« less

Advanced Oil Recovery Technologies for Improved Recovery From Slope Basin Clastic Reservoirs, Nash Draw Brushy Canyon Pool, Eddy County, New Mexico

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

Mark B. Murphy

The overall goal of this project is to demonstrate that an advanced development drilling and pressure maintenance program based on advanced reservoir management methods can significantly improve oil recovery. The plan included developing a control area using standard reservoir management techniques and comparing its performance to an area developed using advanced methods. A key goal is to transfer advanced methodologies to oil and gas producers in the Permian Basin and elsewhere, and throughout the US oil and gas industry.

Scaling of plane-wave functions in statistically optimized near-field acoustic holography.

PubMed

Hald, Jørgen

2014-11-01

Statistically Optimized Near-field Acoustic Holography (SONAH) is a Patch Holography method, meaning that it can be applied in cases where the measurement area covers only part of the source surface. The method performs projections directly in the spatial domain, avoiding the use of spatial discrete Fourier transforms and the associated errors. First, an inverse problem is solved using regularization. For each calculation point a multiplication must then be performed with two transfer vectors--one to get the sound pressure and the other to get the particle velocity. Considering SONAH based on sound pressure measurements, existing derivations consider only pressure reconstruction when setting up the inverse problem, so the evanescent wave amplification associated with the calculation of particle velocity is not taken into account in the regularized solution of the inverse problem. The present paper introduces a scaling of the applied plane wave functions that takes the amplification into account, and it is shown that the previously published virtual source-plane retraction has almost the same effect. The effectiveness of the different solutions is verified through a set of simulated measurements.

Flow Separation Ahead of a Blunt Axially Symmetric Body at Mach Numbers 1.76 to 2.10

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Moeckel, W E

1951-01-01

The pressure distribution and drag were determined for a spherical-nosed axially symmetric body with thin projecting rods at Mach numbers of 1.76, 1.93, and 2.10. The upstream projection distance of the rods was varied over a wide range to study changes in the character of the flow separation and to determine the variation of drag and pressure distribution with tip projection. Drag coefficients between 0.18 and 0.30 were obtained for most tip projections at each Mach number.

[Program for lowering the incidence of pressure sores in neurosurgical patients].

PubMed

Chang, Chau-Hui; Chen, Hui-Ling; Chen, Hsiang-Chi

2007-12-01

Pressure sores are one of the well known problems that occur in hospitals. As the literature on the subject indicates, a lot of money is expended in managing this problem every year, and 12-66% of pressure sores are caused during surgery. Patients who undergo neurosurgical procedures are susceptible to pressure sores because of lengthy operations. We collected data on patients with pressure sores who underwent surgery between May 2004 and August 2004, and found that the incidence of pressure sore in neurosurgical patients was 9.5%, which was the highest among all surgical patients. This project was developed to solve the problem of pressure sores by setting up standard preventive procedures, a nursing follow up system and continuing education courses, and utilizing cotton rolls to pad sites of pressure sores. The incidence of pressure sore in neurosurgical patients was reduced from 9.5% to 7% after the improvement project was carried out. The more concerned nurses are about pressure sores, the better the quality of operative nursing care.

Autonomous Correction of Sensor Data Applied to Building Technologies Using Filtering Methods

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

Castello, Charles C; New, Joshua Ryan; Smith, Matt K

2013-01-01

Sensor data validity is extremely important in a number of applications, particularly building technologies where collected data are used to determine performance. An example of this is Oak Ridge National Laboratory s ZEBRAlliance research project, which consists of four single-family homes located in Oak Ridge, TN. The homes are outfitted with a total of 1,218 sensors to determine the performance of a variety of different technologies integrated within each home. Issues arise with such a large amount of sensors, such as missing or corrupt data. This paper aims to eliminate these problems using: (1) Kalman filtering and (2) linear predictionmore » filtering techniques. Five types of data are the focus of this paper: (1) temperature; (2) humidity; (3) energy consumption; (4) pressure; and (5) airflow. Simulations show the Kalman filtering method performed best in predicting temperature, humidity, pressure, and airflow data, while the linear prediction filtering method performed best with energy consumption data.« less

Project Canada West. Pressure Groups and the Urban Community.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Western Curriculum Project on Canada Studies, Edmonton (Alberta).

This project's study of pressure groups in Canadian urban government proposes the development of an interdisciplinary social science cirriculum for the secondary school student in grades 9 through 12 which would give meaningful perspective toward the various decision-making structures and processes. Other major objectives are: 1) to enable the…

Report From BPTCS Project Team On Evaluation Of Additive Manufacturing For Pressure Retaining Equipment

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

Rawls, G.

ASME is evaluating the use of additive manufacturing (AM) for the construction of pressure equipment. The information in this report assesses available AM technologies for direct metal fabrication of pressure equipment. Background information is included in the report to provide context for those not experienced in AM technology. Only commercially available technologies for direct metal fabrication are addressed in the report because these AM methods are the only viable approaches for the construction of pressure equipment. Metal AM technologies can produce near-net shape parts by using multiple layers of material from a three dimensional (3D) design model of the geometry.more » Additive manufacturing of metal components was developed from polymer based rapid prototyping or 3D printing. At the current maturity level, AM application for pressure equipment has the potential to reduce delivery times and costs for complex shapes. AM will also lead to a reduction in the use of high cost materials, since parts can be created with corrosion resistant layers of high alloy material and structural layers of lower cost materials.« less

A novel measuring method of clamping force for electrostatic chuck in semiconductor devices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kesheng, Wang; Jia, Cheng; Yin, Zhong; Linhong, Ji

2016-04-01

Electrostatic chucks are one of the core components of semiconductor devices. As a key index of electrostatic chucks, the clamping force must be controlled within a reasonable range. Therefore, it is essential to accurately measure the clamping force. To reduce the negative factors influencing measurement precision and repeatability, this article presents a novel method to measure the clamping force and we elaborate both the principle and the key procedure. A micro-force probe component is introduced to monitor, adjust, and eliminate the gap between the wafer and the electrostatic chuck. The contact force between the ruby probe and the wafer is selected as an important parameter to characterize de-chucking, and we have found that the moment of de-chucking can be exactly judged. Moreover, this article derives the formula calibrating equivalent action area of backside gas pressure under real working conditions, which can effectively connect the backside gas pressure at the moment of de-chucking and the clamping force. The experiments were then performed on a self-designed measuring platform. The de-chucking mechanism is discussed in light of our analysis of the experimental data. Determination criteria for de-chucking point are summed up. It is found that the relationship between de-chucking pressure and applied voltage conforms well to quadratic equation. Meanwhile, the result reveals that actual de-chucking behavior is much more complicated than the description given in the classical empirical formula. Project supported by No. 02 National Science and Technology Major Project of China (No. 2011ZX02403-004).

Prevention of Medical Device-Related Pressure Injuries Associated With Respiratory Equipment Use in a Critical Care Unit: A Quality Improvement Project.

PubMed

Padula, Cynthia A; Paradis, Heidi; Goodwin, Robert; Lynch, Judith; Hegerich-Bartula, Deborah

Medical devices have been identified as an extrinsic risk factor for development of pressure injuries, with as many as 30% to 70% of medical device-related pressure injuries resulting from respiratory equipment. This article describes a quality improvement project undertaken to reduce the occurrence of respiratory device-related pressure injuries in a critically care unit. Multiple actions were implemented to achieve this goal. Respiratory therapists were trained to document occurrences on a daily basis, and apparent cause analyses were conducted on each occurrence. An interdisciplinary team conducted biweekly rounds on patients with respiratory devices and consulted other professionals as indicated. Nurses and respiratory therapists attended an evidence-based, collaborative, educational offering and completed a measure of team functioning before the program and at the end of the study period. The occurrence rates of respiratory device-related pressure injuries were reduced over the project period, and these changes were sustained over the subsequent 12 months.

Numerical and Experimental Validation of the Optimization Methodologies for a Wing-Tip Structure Equipped with Conventional and Morphing Ailerons =

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Koreanschi, Andreea

In order to answer the problem of 'how to reduce the aerospace industry's environment footprint?' new morphing technologies were developed. These technologies were aimed at reducing the aircraft's fuel consumption through reduction of the wing drag. The morphing concept used in the present research consists of replacing the conventional aluminium upper surface of the wing with a flexible composite skin for morphing abilities. For the ATR-42 'Morphing wing' project, the wing models were manufactured entirely from composite materials and the morphing region was optimized for flexibility. In this project two rigid wing models and an active morphing wing model were designed, manufactured and wind tunnel tested. For the CRIAQ MDO 505 project, a full scale wing-tip equipped with two types of ailerons, conventional and morphing, was designed, optimized, manufactured, bench and wind tunnel tested. The morphing concept was applied on a real wing internal structure and incorporated aerodynamic, structural and control constraints specific to a multidisciplinary approach. Numerical optimization, aerodynamic analysis and experimental validation were performed for both the CRIAQ MDO 505 full scale wing-tip demonstrator and the ATR-42 reduced scale wing models. In order to improve the aerodynamic performances of the ATR-42 and CRIAQ MDO 505 wing airfoils, three global optimization algorithms were developed, tested and compared. The three algorithms were: the genetic algorithm, the artificial bee colony and the gradient descent. The algorithms were coupled with the two-dimensional aerodynamic solver XFoil. XFoil is known for its rapid convergence, robustness and use of the semi-empirical e n method for determining the position of the flow transition from laminar to turbulent. Based on the performance comparison between the algorithms, the genetic algorithm was chosen for the optimization of the ATR-42 and CRIAQ MDO 505 wing airfoils. The optimization algorithm was improved during the CRIAQ MDO 505 project for convergence speed by introducing a two-step cross-over function. Structural constraints were introduced in the algorithm at each aero-structural optimization interaction, allowing a better manipulation of the algorithm and giving it more capabilities of morphing combinations. The CRIAQ MDO 505 project envisioned a morphing aileron concept for the morphing upper surface wing. For this morphing aileron concept, two optimization methods were developed. The methods used the already developed genetic algorithm and each method had a different design concept. The first method was based on the morphing upper surface concept, using actuation points to achieve the desired shape. The second method was based on the hinge rotation concept of the conventional aileron but applied at multiple nodes along the aileron camber to achieve the desired shape. Both methods were constrained by manufacturing and aerodynamic requirements. The purpose of the morphing aileron methods was to obtain an aileron shape with a smoother pressure distribution gradient during deflection than the conventional aileron. The aerodynamic optimization results were used for the structural optimization and design of the wing, particularly the flexible composite skin. Due to the structural changes performed on the initial wing-tip structure, an aeroelastic behaviour analysis, more specific on flutter phenomenon, was performed. The analyses were done to ensure the structural integrity of the wing-tip demonstrator during wind tunnel tests. Three wind tunnel tests were performed for the CRIAQ MDO 505 wing-tip demonstrator at the IAR-NRC subsonic wind tunnel facility in Ottawa. The first two tests were performed for the wing-tip equipped with conventional aileron. The purpose of these tests was to validate the control system designed for the morphing upper surface, the numerical optimization and aerodynamic analysis and to evaluate the optimization efficiency on the boundary layer behaviour and the wing drag. The third set of wind tunnel tests was performed on the wing-tip equipped with a morphing aileron. The purpose of this test was to evaluate the performances of the morphing aileron, in conjunction with the active morphing upper surface, and their effect on the lift, drag and boundary layer behaviour. Transition data, obtained from Infrared Thermography, and pressure data, extracted from Kulite and pressure taps recordings, were used to validate the numerical optimization and aerodynamic performances of the wing-tip demonstrator. A set of wind tunnel tests was performed on the ATR-42 rigid wing models at the Price-Paidoussis subsonic wind tunnel at Ecole de technologie Superieure. The results from the pressure taps recordings were used to validate the numerical optimization. A second derivative of the pressure distribution method was applied to evaluate the transition region on the upper surface of the wing models for comparison with the numerical transition values. (Abstract shortened by ProQuest.).

Hydrogen Infrastructure Testing and Research Facility Animation | Hydrogen

Science.gov Websites

at full pressure. This system provides hydrogen to fill fuel cell forklifts and feeds the high pressure compressor. View Photos High Pressure Storage The high pressure hydrogen storage system consists full pressure. This system provides hydrogen to high pressure research projects and for fuel cell

Sputter coating of microspherical substrates by levitation

DOEpatents

Lowe, Arthur T.; Hosford, Charles D.

1981-01-01

Microspheres are substantially uniformly coated with metals or nonmetals by simultaneously levitating them and sputter coating them at total chamber pressures less than 1 torr. A collimated hole structure 12 comprising a parallel array of upwardly projecting individual gas outlets 16 is machined out to form a dimple 11. Glass microballoons, which are particularly useful in laser fusion applications, can be substantially uniformly coated using the coating method and apparatus.

A GPS-Based Pitot-Static Calibration Method Using Global Output-Error Optimization

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Foster, John V.; Cunningham, Kevin

2010-01-01

Pressure-based airspeed and altitude measurements for aircraft typically require calibration of the installed system to account for pressure sensing errors such as those due to local flow field effects. In some cases, calibration is used to meet requirements such as those specified in Federal Aviation Regulation Part 25. Several methods are used for in-flight pitot-static calibration including tower fly-by, pacer aircraft, and trailing cone methods. In the 1990 s, the introduction of satellite-based positioning systems to the civilian market enabled new inflight calibration methods based on accurate ground speed measurements provided by Global Positioning Systems (GPS). Use of GPS for airspeed calibration has many advantages such as accuracy, ease of portability (e.g. hand-held) and the flexibility of operating in airspace without the limitations of test range boundaries or ground telemetry support. The current research was motivated by the need for a rapid and statistically accurate method for in-flight calibration of pitot-static systems for remotely piloted, dynamically-scaled research aircraft. Current calibration methods were deemed not practical for this application because of confined test range size and limited flight time available for each sortie. A method was developed that uses high data rate measurements of static and total pressure, and GPSbased ground speed measurements to compute the pressure errors over a range of airspeed. The novel application of this approach is the use of system identification methods that rapidly compute optimal pressure error models with defined confidence intervals in nearreal time. This method has been demonstrated in flight tests and has shown 2- bounds of approximately 0.2 kts with an order of magnitude reduction in test time over other methods. As part of this experiment, a unique database of wind measurements was acquired concurrently with the flight experiments, for the purpose of experimental validation of the optimization method. This paper describes the GPS-based pitot-static calibration method developed for the AirSTAR research test-bed operated as part of the Integrated Resilient Aircraft Controls (IRAC) project in the NASA Aviation Safety Program (AvSP). A description of the method will be provided and results from recent flight tests will be shown to illustrate the performance and advantages of this approach. Discussion of maneuver requirements and data reduction will be included as well as potential applications.

Increasing the Size of a Piece of Popcorn

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Quinn, Paul; Hong, Daniel C.; Both, Joseph

2003-03-01

Popcorn is an extremely popular snack food in the world today. Thermodynamics can be used to analyze how popcorn is produced. By treating the popping mechanism of the corn as a thermodynamic expansion, a method of increasing the volume or size of a kernel of popcorn can be studied. By lowering the pressure surrounding the unpopped kernel, one can use a thermodynamic argument to show that the expanded volume of the kernel when it pops must increase. In this project, a variety of experiments are run to test the validity of this theory. The results show that there is a significant increase in the average kernel size when the pressure of the surroundings is reduced.

Increasing the size of a piece of popcorn

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Quinn, Paul V.; Hong, Daniel C.; Both, J. A.

2005-08-01

Popcorn is an extremely popular snack food in the world today. Thermodynamics can be used to analyze how popcorn is produced. By treating the popping mechanism of the corn as a thermodynamic expansion, a method of increasing the volume or size of a kernel of popcorn can be studied. By lowering the pressure surrounding the unpopped kernel, one can use a thermodynamic argument to show that the expanded volume of the kernel when it pops must increase. In this project, a variety of experiments are run to test the qualitative validity of this theory. The results show that there is a significant increase in the average kernel size when the pressure of the surroundings is reduced.

Transportation-cyber-physical-systems-oriented engine cylinder pressure estimation using high gain observer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Yong-Fu; Xiao-Pei, Kou; Zheng, Tai-Xiong; Li, Yin-Guo

2015-05-01

In transportation cyber-physical-systems (T-CPS), vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communications play an important role in the coordination between individual vehicles as well as between vehicles and the roadside infrastructures, and engine cylinder pressure is significant for engine diagnosis on-line and torque control within the information exchange process under V2V communications. However, the parametric uncertainties caused from measurement noise in T-CPS lead to the dynamic performance deterioration of the engine cylinder pressure estimation. Considering the high accuracy requirement under V2V communications, a high gain observer based on the engine dynamic model is designed to improve the accuracy of pressure estimation. Then, the analyses about convergence, converge speed and stability of the corresponding error model are conducted using the Laplace and Lyapunov method. Finally, results from combination of Simulink with GT-Power based numerical experiments and comparisons demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach with respect to robustness and accuracy. Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 61304197), the Scientific and Technological Talents of Chongqing, China (Grant No. cstc2014kjrc-qnrc30002), the Key Project of Application and Development of Chongqing, China (Grant No. cstc2014yykfB40001), the Natural Science Funds of Chongqing, China (Grant No. cstc2014jcyjA60003), and the Doctoral Start-up Funds of Chongqing University of Posts and Telecommunications, China (Grant No. A2012-26).

Trends in winter circulation over the British Isles and central Europe in twenty-first century projections by 25 CMIP5 GCMs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stryhal, Jan; Huth, Radan

2018-03-01

Winter midlatitude atmospheric circulation has been extensively studied for its tight link to surface weather, and automated circulation classifications have often been used to this end. Here, eight such classifications are applied to daily sea level pressure patterns simulated by an ensemble of CMIP5 GCMs twenty-first century projections for the British Isles and central Europe in order to robustly estimate future changes in frequency, persistence, and strength of synoptic-scale circulation there. All methods are able to identify present-day biases of models reported before, such as an overestimated occurrence of zonal flow and underestimation of anticyclonic conditions and easterly advection, although the strength of these biases varies among the methods. In future, models show that the zonal flow will become more frequent while the strength of the mean flow is not projected to change. Over the British Isles, the models that better simulate the latitude of zonal flow over the historical period indicate a slight equatorward shift of westerlies in their projections, while the poleward expansion of circulation—expected in future at global scale—is apparent in those models that have large errors. Over central Europe, some classifications indicate an increase in persistence and especially in frequency of anticyclonic types, which is, however, shown to be rather an artifact of some methods than a real feature. On the other hand, the easterly flow is robustly projected to become markedly weaker in central Europe, which we hypothesize might be an important factor contributing to the projected decrease of cold extremes there.

Indirect downscaling of global circulation model data based on atmospheric circulation and temperature for projections of future precipitation in hourly resolution

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Beck, F.; Bárdossy, A.

2013-07-01

Many hydraulic applications like the design of urban sewage systems require projections of future precipitation in high temporal resolution. We developed a method to predict the regional distribution of hourly precipitation sums based on daily mean sea level pressure and temperature data from a Global Circulation Model. It is an indirect downscaling method avoiding uncertain precipitation data from the model. It is based on a fuzzy-logic classification of atmospheric circulation patterns (CPs) that is further subdivided by means of the average daily temperature. The observed empirical distributions at 30 rain gauges to each CP-temperature class are assumed as constant and used for projections of the hourly precipitation sums in the future. The method was applied to the CP-temperature sequence derived from the 20th century run and the scenario A1B run of ECHAM5. According to ECHAM5, the summers in southwest Germany will become progressively drier. Nevertheless, the frequency of the highest hourly precipitation sums will increase. According to the predictions, estival water stress and the risk of extreme hourly precipitation will both increase simultaneously during the next decades.

A Project to Promote Adherence to Blood Pressure Medication Among People Who Use Community Pharmacies in Rural Montana, 2014-2016.

PubMed

Oser, Carrie S; Fogle, Crystelle C; Bennett, James A

2017-06-29

Pharmacists can assist patients in managing their blood pressure levels. We assessed whether adherence to blood pressure medication improved among people who used community pharmacies in rural Montana after pharmacists initiated consultations and distributed educational materials developed for the Million Hearts Initiative's "Team Up. Pressure Down." (TUPD) program. From 2014 to 2016, the Cardiovascular Health Program at the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services conducted a statewide project to evaluate an intervention for adherence to blood pressure medication administered through community pharmacies. After the year 1 pilot, we redesigned the program for year 2 and year 3 and measured the percentage of participating patients who adhered to blood pressure medication. We also conducted a statewide survey to assess pharmacy characteristics, computer-system capabilities, and types of consulting services provided by pharmacists. Twenty-five community pharmacies completed Montana's TUPD program: 8 pharmacies in the pilot year, 11 pharmacies in year 2, and 6 pharmacies in year 3. For year 2 and year 3 combined, the percentage of participating patients who achieved blood pressure medication adherence improved preintervention to postintervention from 73% to 89%, and adherence improved in 15 of the 17 pharmacies. The pilot pharmacies identified 3 major barriers to project success: patient buy-in, staff burden in implementing the project, and funding. In the statewide assessment, TUPD-funded pharmacies were significantly more likely than non-TUPD-funded pharmacies to provide prescription synchronization and medication management with feedback to the patient's physician. Community pharmacies in rural areas can effectively use brief consultations and standard educational materials to improve adherence to blood pressure medication.

A national project to evaluate and reduce high sound pressure levels from music.

PubMed

Ryberg, Johanna Bengtsson

2009-01-01

The highest recommended sound pressure levels for leisure sounds (music) in Sweden are 100 dB LAeq and 115 dB LAFmax for adults, and 97 dB LAeq and 110 dB LAFmax where children under the age of 13 have access. For arrangements intended for children, levels should be consistently less than 90 dB LAeq. In 2005, a national project was carried out with the aim of improving environments with high sound pressure levels from music, such as concert halls, restaurants, and cinemas. The project covered both live and recorded music. Of Sweden's 290 municipalities, 134 took part in the project, and 93 of these carried out sound measurements. Four hundred and seventy one establishments were investigated, 24% of which exceeded the highest recommended sound pressure levels for leisure sounds in Sweden. Of festival and concert events, 42% exceeded the recommended levels. Those who visit music events/establishments thus run a relatively high risk of exposure to harmful sound levels. Continued supervision in this field is therefore crucial.

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

McCown, F.E.

UCC Research Corporation, along with most of the companies involved in coal development, initially was thinking in terms of high pressure systems, flash pyrolysis, and hydrogenation. Most goverment funding has also been provided for projects using these techniques. However, information from several sources, only recently available to UCC Research Corporation, has effected a change in our recommended direction on the subject project. First, information being obtained in-house at UCC Research on another project using low temperature/pressure pyrolysis looked very favorable. Secondly, the initial review of the design, cost and capabilities of the pyrolysis equipment originally proposed indicated that substantial advantagesmore » could be gained at only a modest increase in cost, by changing to a low pressure unit. Finally, it was discovered that a company in England, using almost identical pyrolysis conditions as those being used at UCC Research, was producing coal liquids commercially, and had been in business many years. In consideration of the above information, UCC Research is recommending that the pyrolysis system for the subject project be changed to a low pressure/temperature design, utilizing the information obtained via our in-house research and from the company in England.« less

Express Payload Project - A new method for rapid access to Space Station Freedom

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Uhran, Mark L.; Timm, Marc G.

1993-01-01

The deployment and permanent operation of Space Station Freedom will enable researchers to enter a new era in the 21st century, in which continuous on-orbit experimentation and observation become routine. In support of this objective, the Space Station Freedom Program Office has initiated the Express Payload Project. The fundamental project goal is to reduce the marginal cost associated with small payload development, integration, and operation. This is to be accomplished by developing small payload accommodations hardware and a new streamlined small payload integration process. Standardization of small payload interfaces, certification of small payload containers, and increased payload developer responsibility for mission success are key aspects of the Express Payload Project. As the project progresses, the principles will be applied to both pressurized payloads flown inside the station laboratories and unpressurized payloads attached to the station external structures. The increased access to space afforded by Space Station Freedom and the Express Payload Project has the potential to significantly expand the scope, magnitude, and success of future research in the microgravity environment.

Hydrogen Infrastructure Testing and Research Facility Animation (Text

Science.gov Websites

. Medium pressure hydrogen is stored in tanks and then fed to the high pressure compressor. High pressure hydrogen is stored in tanks and then fed to either high pressure research projects in ESIF or to the the high pressure compressor. The medium pressure storage photo gallery includes two photos of medium

Systematic impact of institutional pressures on safety climate in the construction industry.

PubMed

He, Qinghua; Dong, Shuang; Rose, Timothy; Li, Heng; Yin, Qin; Cao, Dongping

2016-08-01

This paper explores how three types of institutional pressure (i.e., coercive, mimetic and normative pressures) systematically impact on the safety climate of construction projects. These impacts are empirically tested by survey data collected from 186 questionnaires of construction companies operating in Shanghai, China. The results, obtained by partial least squares analysis, show that organizational management commitment to safety and employee involvement is positively related to all three institutional pressures, while the perception of responsibility for safety and health is significantly influenced by coercive and mimetic pressure. However, coercive and normative pressures have no significant effect on the applicability of safety rules and work practices, revealing the importance of external organizational pressures in improving project safety climate from a systematic view. The findings also provide insights into the use of institutional forces to facilitate the improvement of safety climate in the construction industry. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

A wall interference assessment/correction system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lo, Ching F.; Ulbrich, N.; Sickles, W. L.; Qian, Cathy X.

1992-01-01

A Wall Signature method, the Hackett method, has been selected to be adapted for the 12-ft Wind Tunnel wall interference assessment/correction (WIAC) system in the present phase. This method uses limited measurements of the static pressure at the wall, in conjunction with the solid wall boundary condition, to determine the strength and distribution of singularities representing the test article. The singularities are used in turn for estimating wall interferences at the model location. The Wall Signature method will be formulated for application to the unique geometry of the 12-ft Tunnel. The development and implementation of a working prototype will be completed, delivered and documented with a software manual. The WIAC code will be validated by conducting numerically simulated experiments rather than actual wind tunnel experiments. The simulations will be used to generate both free-air and confined wind-tunnel flow fields for each of the test articles over a range of test configurations. Specifically, the pressure signature at the test section wall will be computed for the tunnel case to provide the simulated 'measured' data. These data will serve as the input for the WIAC method-Wall Signature method. The performance of the WIAC method then may be evaluated by comparing the corrected parameters with those for the free-air simulation. Each set of wind tunnel/test article numerical simulations provides data to validate the WIAC method. A numerical wind tunnel test simulation is initiated to validate the WIAC methods developed in the project. In the present reported period, the blockage correction has been developed and implemented for a rectangular tunnel as well as the 12-ft Pressure Tunnel. An improved wall interference assessment and correction method for three-dimensional wind tunnel testing is presented in the appendix.

I am not "umqwayito'': a qualitative study of peer pressure and sexual risk behaviour among young adolescents in Cape Town, South Africa.

PubMed

Selikow, Terry-Ann; Ahmed, Nazeema; Flisher, Alan J; Mathews, Catherine; Mukoma, Wanjiru

2009-06-01

Young people in South Africa are susceptible to HIV infection. They are vulnerable to peer pressure to have sex, but little is known about how peer pressure operates. The aim of the study was to understand how negative peer pressure increases high risk sexual behaviour among young adolescents in Cape Town, South Africa. Qualitative research methods were used. Eight focus groups were conducted with young people between the ages of 13 and 14 years. Peer pressure among both boys and girls undermines healthy social norms and HIV prevention messages to abstain, be faithful, use a condom and delay sexual debut. HIV prevention projects need to engage with peer pressure with the aim of changing harmful social norms into healthy norms. Increased communication with adults about sex is one way to decrease the impact of negative peer pressure. Peer education is a further mechanism by which trained peers can role model healthy social norms and challenge a peer culture that promotes high risk sexual behaviour. Successful HIV prevention interventions need to engage with the disconnect between educational messages and social messages and to exploit the gaps between awareness, decision making, norms, intentions and actions as spaces for positive interventions.

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

Dougan, P.M.

During the year, design, construction and installation of all project equipment was completed, and continuous steam injection began on September 18, 1979 and continued until February 29, 1980. In the five-month period of steam injection, 235,060 barrels of water as steam at an average wellhead pressure of 1199 psig and an average wellhead temperature of 456/sup 0/F were injected into the eight project injection wells. Operation of the project at design temperature and pressure (1000/sup 0/F and 1500 psig) was not possible due to continuing problems with surface equipment. Environmental monitoring at the project site continued during startup and operation.

Superconductivity in metastable phases of phosphorus-hydride compounds under high pressure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Flores Livas, Jose; Amsler, Maximilian; Sanna, Antonio; Heil, Christoph; Boeri, Lilia; Profeta, Gianni; Wolverton, Crhis; Goedecker, Stefan; Gross, E. K. U.

Recently, compressed phosphine was reported to metallize at pressures above 45 GPa, reaching a superconducting transition temperature (Tc) of 100 K at 200 GPa. However, neither the exact composition nor the crystal structure of the superconducting phase have been conclusively determined. In this work the phase diagram of PHn (n = 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6) was extensively explored by means of ab initio crystal structure prediction methods. The results do not support the existence of thermodynamically stable PHn compounds, which exhibit a tendency for elemental decomposition at high pressure even when vibrational contributions to the free energies are taken into account. Although the lowest energy phases of PH1 , 2 , 3 display Tc's comparable to experiments, it remains questionable if the measured values of Tc can be fully attributed to a phase-pure compound of PHn. This work was done within the NCCR MARVEL project.

Recent progress in high pressure metrology in Europe

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sabuga, Wladimir; Pražák, Dominik; Rabault, Thierry

2014-08-01

Five European national metrology institutes in collaboration with a university, a research institute and five industrial companies are working on a joint research project within a framework of the European Metrology Research Programme aimed at development of 1.6 GPa primary and 1.5 GPa transfer pressure standards. Two primary pressure standards were realised as pressure-measuring multipliers, each consisting of a low pressure and a high pressure (HP) piston-cylinder assembly (PCA). A special design of the HP PCAs was developed in which a tungsten carbide cylinder is supported by two thermally shrunk steel sleeves and, additionally, by jacket pressure applied to the outside of the outer sleeve. Stress-strain finite element analysis (FEA) was performed to predict behaviour of the multipliers and a pressure generation system. With FEA, the pressure distortion coefficient was determined, taking into account irregularities of the piston-cylinder gap. Transfer pressure standards up to 1.5 GPa are developed on the basis of modern 1.5 GPa pressure transducers. This project shall solve a discrepancy between the growing needs of the industry demanding precise traceable calibrations of the high pressure transducers and the absence of adequate primary standards for pressures higher than 1 GPa in the European Union today.

View of Pressure Tunnel Intake at Stehr Lake. Looking southeast ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

View of Pressure Tunnel Intake at Stehr Lake. Looking southeast - Childs-Irving Hydroelectric Project, Childs System, Pressure Tunnel Intake, Forest Service Road 708/502, Camp Verde, Yavapai County, AZ

Adaptive management for subsurface pressure and plume control in application to geological CO2 storage

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gonzalez-Nicolas, A.; Cihan, A.; Birkholzer, J. T.; Petrusak, R.; Zhou, Q.; Riestenberg, D. E.; Trautz, R. C.; Godec, M.

2016-12-01

Industrial-scale injection of CO2 into the subsurface can cause reservoir pressure increases that must be properly controlled to prevent any potential environmental impact. Excessive pressure buildup in reservoir may result in ground water contamination stemming from leakage through conductive pathways, such as improperly plugged abandoned wells or distant faults, and the potential for fault reactivation and possibly seal breaching. Brine extraction is a viable approach for managing formation pressure, effective stress, and plume movement during industrial-scale CO2 injection projects. The main objectives of this study are to investigate suitable different pressure management strategies involving active brine extraction and passive pressure relief wells. Adaptive optimized management of CO2 storage projects utilizes the advanced automated optimization algorithms and suitable process models. The adaptive management integrates monitoring, forward modeling, inversion modeling and optimization through an iterative process. In this study, we employ an adaptive framework to understand primarily the effects of initial site characterization and frequency of the model update (calibration) and optimization calculations for controlling extraction rates based on the monitoring data on the accuracy and the success of the management without violating pressure buildup constraints in the subsurface reservoir system. We will present results of applying the adaptive framework to test appropriateness of different management strategies for a realistic field injection project.

Improving Engine Efficiency Through Core Developments

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Heidmann, James D.

2011-01-01

The NASA Environmentally Responsible Aviation (ERA) Project and Fundamental Aeronautics Projects are supporting compressor and turbine research with the goal of reducing aircraft engine fuel burn and greenhouse gas emissions. The primary goals of this work are to increase aircraft propulsion system fuel efficiency for a given mission by increasing the overall pressure ratio (OPR) of the engine while maintaining or improving aerodynamic efficiency of these components. An additional area of work involves reducing the amount of cooling air required to cool the turbine blades while increasing the turbine inlet temperature. This is complicated by the fact that the cooling air is becoming hotter due to the increases in OPR. Various methods are being investigated to achieve these goals, ranging from improved compressor three-dimensional blade designs to improved turbine cooling hole shapes and methods. Finally, a complementary effort in improving the accuracy, range, and speed of computational fluid mechanics (CFD) methods is proceeding to better capture the physical mechanisms underlying all these problems, for the purpose of improving understanding and future designs.

Novel Infiltration Diagnostics based on Laser-line Scanning and Infrared Temperature Field Imaging

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

Wang, Xinwei

This project targets the building energy efficiency problems induced by building infiltration/leaks. The current infiltration inspection techniques often require extensive visual inspection and/or whole building pressure test. These current techniques cannot meet more than three of the below five criteria of ideal infiltration diagnostics: 1. location and extent diagnostics, 2. building-level application, 3. least surface preparation, 4. weather-proof, and 5. non-disruption to building occupants. These techniques are either too expensive or time consuming, and often lack accuracy and repeatability. They are hardly applicable to facades/facades section. The goal of the project was to develop a novel infiltration diagnostics technology basedmore » on laser line-scanning and simultaneous infrared temperature imaging. A laboratory scale experimental setup was designed to mimic a model house of well-defined pressure difference below or above the outside pressure. Algorithms and Matlab-based programs had been developed for recognition of the hole location in infrared images. Our experiment based on laser wavelengths of 450 and 1550 nm and laser beam diameters of 4-25 mm showed that the location of the holes could be identified using laser heating; the diagnostic approach however could not readily distinguish between infiltration and non-infiltration points. To significantly improve the scanning throughput and recognition accuracy, a second approach was explored, developed, and extensively tested. It incorporates a liquid spray on the surface to induce extra phase change cooling effect. In this spray method, we termed it as PECIT (Phase-change Enhanced Cooling Infrared Thermography), phase-change enhanced cooling was used, which significantly amplifies the effect of air flow (infiltration and exfiltration). This heat transfer method worked extremely well to identify infiltration and exfiltration locations with high accuracy and increased throughput. The PECIT technique was systematically developed and tested for through holes with diameters 1 mm to 2 mm, and diagonal lines of 0.5 mm width at different camera-wall distances of 46 cm to 200 cm, under different pressure differences from 5 Pa to 20 Pa, and under different wind conditions. The PECIT technique had either met or exceeded the goals proposed in the project. For exfiltration, we achieved 100% accuracy under a much lower pressure difference of 10 Pa (proposed one: 50 Pa with stretch goal of 15 Pa). For infiltration, we achieved >90% accuracy under a much lower pressure difference of 10 Pa (proposed one: 50 Pa with stretch goal of 15Pa). For exfiltration, we achieved 100% accuracy under a much lower pressure difference of 10 Pa. For infiltration, we achieved 100% accuracy under a much lower pressure difference of 10 Pa. The PECIT technique can reach a throughput of 120 m2/h, which is 4 times the proposed goal for the laser line-scanning and simultaneous infrared temperature imaging approach. For commercialization and market penetration, we had meetings with two companies for feedback collection and further improvement for practical use. Also, we have interacted with Office of Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer of Iowa State University for idea disclosure and patent application.« less

Mars Entry Atmospheric Data System Modelling and Algorithm Development

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Karlgaard, Christopher D.; Beck, Roger E.; OKeefe, Stephen A.; Siemers, Paul; White, Brady; Engelund, Walter C.; Munk, Michelle M.

2009-01-01

The Mars Entry Atmospheric Data System (MEADS) is being developed as part of the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL), Entry, Descent, and Landing Instrumentation (MEDLI) project. The MEADS project involves installing an array of seven pressure transducers linked to ports on the MSL forebody to record the surface pressure distribution during atmospheric entry. These measured surface pressures are used to generate estimates of atmospheric quantities based on modeled surface pressure distributions. In particular, the quantities to be estimated from the MEADS pressure measurements include the total pressure, dynamic pressure, Mach number, angle of attack, and angle of sideslip. Secondary objectives are to estimate atmospheric winds by coupling the pressure measurements with the on-board Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) data. This paper provides details of the algorithm development, MEADS system performance based on calibration, and uncertainty analysis for the aerodynamic and atmospheric quantities of interest. The work presented here is part of the MEDLI performance pre-flight validation and will culminate with processing flight data after Mars entry in 2012.

The decline of soil due to the pile of highway project Medan-Kualanamu (STA 35 + 901) with the finite element method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hastuty, I. P.; Roesyanto; Sihite, A. B.

2018-02-01

Consolidation is the process of discharge of water from the ground through the pore cavity. Consolidation occurs in soft soil or unstable soil that allows an improvement in order to make the soil more stable. The method of using Prefabricated Vertical Drain (PVD) is one way to improve unstable soils. PVD works like a sand column that can drain water vertically. This study aims to determine the decrease, pore water pressure and soil consolidation rate with Prefabricated Vertical Drain (PVD) and without PVD analytically and using finite element method that affect the duration of soil decline to reach 90% consolidation or in other words soil does not decline anymore. Based on the analytical calculation, the decrease obtained is equal to 0.47 m meanwhile the result of calculation using finite element method is 0.45 m. The consolidation rate obtained from analytical calculation is 19 days with PVD and 115 days without PVD. The consolidation rate obtained from finite element method is 63 days with PVD and 110 days without PVD. And the pore water pressure is 0.92 KN/m2.

A wall interference assessment/correction system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lo, Ching F.; Overby, Glenn; Qian, Cathy X.; Sickles, W. L.; Ulbrich, N.

1992-01-01

A Wall Signature method originally developed by Hackett has been selected to be adapted for the Ames 12-ft Wind Tunnel WIAC system in the project. This method uses limited measurements of the static pressure at the wall, in conjunction with the solid wall boundary condition, to determine the strength and distribution of singularities representing the test article. The singularities are used in turn for estimating blockage wall interference. The lifting interference will be treated separately by representing in a horseshoe vortex system for the model's lifting effects. The development and implementation of a working prototype will be completed, delivered and documented with a software manual. The WIAC code will be validated by conducting numerically simulated experiments rather than actual wind tunnel experiments. The simulations will be used to generate both free-air and confined wind-tunnel flow fields for each of the test articles over a range of test configurations. Specifically, the pressure signature at the test section wall will be computed for the tunnel case to provide the simulated 'measured' data. These data will serve as the input for the WIAC method--Wall Signature method. The performance of the WIAC method then may be evaluated by comparing the corrected data with those of the free-air simulation.

Advanced technology applications for second and third general coal gasification systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bradford, R.; Hyde, J. D.; Mead, C. W.

1980-01-01

The historical background of coal conversion is reviewed and the programmatic status (operational, construction, design, proposed) of coal gasification processes is tabulated for both commercial and demonstration projects as well as for large and small pilot plants. Both second and third generation processes typically operate at higher temperatures and pressures than first generation methods. Much of the equipment that has been tested has failed. The most difficult problems are in process control. The mechanics of three-phase flow are not fully understood. Companies participating in coal conversion projects are ordering duplicates of failure prone units. No real solutions to any of the significant problems in technology development have been developed in recent years.

Pressure damage prevention: basing practice on evidence.

PubMed

Parker, K; Morgan, L; Clayton, J; Gerrish, K; Nolan, M

As part of an initiative to develop evidence-based practice at the Northern General Hospital, Sheffield, a three-part project was undertaken. The aims were to identify barriers to using research in nursing, establish a baseline of nurses' knowledge and its influence on their practice in one essential area of nursing care--pressure damage prevention--and develop a strategy for change which took account of the findings from the first two parts of the project. In this article, the authors describe the second part of the project which examined nursing knowledge and practice with reference to the management of pressure damage prevention. The findings are discussed and the authors recommend that nurses integrate into their practice evidence from sources such as systematic reviews.

Aspects of food processing and its effect on allergen structure.

PubMed

Paschke, Angelika

2009-08-01

The article summarizes current physical and chemical methods in food processing as storage, preparation, separation, isolation or purification and thermal application on the one hand as well as enzymatic treatment on the other and their impact on the properties of food proteins. Novel methods of food processing like high pressure, electric field application or irradiation and their impact on food allergens are presented. The EU project REDALL (Reduced Allergenicity of Processed Foods, Containing Animal Allergens: QLK1-CT-2002-02687) showed that by a combination of enzyme and heat treatment the allergic potential of hen's egg decreased about 100 fold. Clinical reactions do not appear anymore. An AiF-FV 12024 N project worked with fruits like mango, lychee and apple. Processed mango and lychee had no change in allergenic potential during heating while e. g. canning. Apple almost lost its allergenic potential after pasteurization in juice production.

Delusions of success. How optimism undermines executives' decisions.

PubMed

Lovallo, Dan; Kahneman, Daniel

2003-07-01

The evidence is disturbingly clear: Most major business initiatives--mergers and acquisitions, capital investments, market entries--fail to ever pay off. Economists would argue that the low success rate reflects a rational assessment of risk, with the returns from a few successes outweighing the losses of many failures. But two distinguished scholars of decision making, Dan Lovallo of the University of New South Wales and Nobel laureate Daniel Kahneman of Princeton University, provide a very different explanation. They show that a combination of cognitive biases (including anchoring and competitor neglect) and organizational pressures lead managers to make overly optimistic forecasts in analyzing proposals for major investments. By exaggerating the likely benefits of a project and ignoring the potential pitfalls, they lead their organizations into initiatives that are doomed to fall well short of expectations. The biases and pressures cannot be escaped, the authors argue, but they can be tempered by applying a very different method of forecasting--one that takes a much more objective "outside view" of an initiative's likely outcome. This outside view, also known as reference-class forecasting, completely ignores the details of the project at hand; instead, it encourages managers to examine the experiences of a class of similar projects, to lay out a rough distribution of outcomes for this reference class, and then to position the current project in that distribution. The outside view is more likely than the inside view to produce accurate forecasts--and much less likely to deliver highly unrealistic ones, the authors say.

[A Project to Reduce the Occlusion Rate in Hemodialysis Arteriovenous Access].

PubMed

Huang, Jia-Ling; Jang, Jeng-Fong; Lee, Kun-Feng; Shie, Yu-Ting; Jin, Mei-Hua

2015-06-01

Vascular occlusions in patients frequently necessitate that duty nurses work overtime to manage related vascular problems. For patients, vascular occlusions require invasive treatments that are painful, take time to heal, and increase anxiety. Furthermore, vascular occlusions seriously influence the effectiveness of hemodialysis. This project worked to reduce the rates of occlusion from 18.6% to < 15% for hemodialysis arteriovenous grafts (AVGs) and from 5.2% to < 2.6% for arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs). This project was conducted between September 1st, 2012 and July 31th, 2013. Our approach used a retrospective study, literature review, meeting discussions, and data compilation. The four main problems identified as associated with occlusion were: (1) low blood pressure during hemodialysis; (2) successive fistula puncture sites were located too close to one another; (3) abnormal blood flow; and (4) poor moisture control. Our solutions included: 1) adjusting and creating forms; 2) adjusting related nursing procedures; and 3) organizing a related lecture for our department. The occlusion rates of AVG and AVF decreased from 18.6% to 7.4% and 5.2% to 0.9%, respectively. We significantly reduced AVG and AVF occlusion rates by using simple methods such as using a tourniquet ruler, designing big-print, illustrated patient instruction sheets on preventing low blood pressure, creating a simplified fistula puncture site series chart, creating a moisture control card, and scheduling follow-up visits for patients with abnormal blood flow at the OPD. This project provides a reference for other hemodialysis departments.

Geological Model of Supercritical Geothermal Reservoir on the Top of the Magma Chamber

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tsuchiya, N.

2017-12-01

We are conducting supercritical geothermal project, and deep drilling project named as "JBBP: Japan Beyond Brittle Project" The temperatures of geothermal fields operating in Japan range from 200 to 300 °C (average 250 °C), and the depths range from 1000 to 2000 m (average 1500 m). In conventional geothermal reservoirs, the mechanical behavior of the rocks is presumed to be brittle, and convection of the hydrothermal fluid through existing network is the main method of circulation in the reservoir. In order to minimize induced seismicity, a rock mass that is "beyond brittle" is one possible candidate, because the rock mechanics of "beyond brittle" material is one of plastic deformation rather than brittle failure. To understand the geological model of a supercritical geothermal reservoir, granite-porphyry system, which had been formed in subduction zone, was investigated as a natural analog of the supercritical geothermal energy system. Quartz veins, hydrothermal breccia veins, and glassy veins are observed in a granitic body. The glassy veins formed at 500-550 °C under lithostatic pressures, and then pressures dropped drastically. The solubility of silica also dropped, resulting in formation of quartz veins under a hydrostatic pressure regime. Connections between the lithostatic and hydrostatic pressure regimes were key to the formation of the hydrothermal breccia veins, and the granite-porphyry system provides useful information for creation of fracture clouds in supercritical geothermal reservoirs. A granite-porphyry system, associated with hydrothermal activity and mineralization, provides a suitable natural analog for studying a deep-seated geothermal reservoir where stockwork fracture systems are created in the presence of supercritical geothermal fluids. I describe fracture networks and their formation mechanisms using petrology and fluid inclusion studies in order to understand this "beyond brittle" supercritical geothermal reservoir, and a geological model for "Beyond Brittle" and "Supercritical" geothermal reservoir, which is located at the top of magma chamber of granite-porphyry system, will be revealed.

Opportunities for increasing CO 2 storage in deep, saline formations by active reservoir management and treatment of extracted formation water: Case study at the GreenGen IGCC facility, Tianjin, PR China

DOE PAGES

Ziemkiewicz, Paul; Stauffer, Philip H.; Sullivan-Graham, Jeri; ...

2016-08-04

Carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) seeks beneficial applications for CO 2 recovered from fossil fuel combustion. This study evaluated the potential for removing formation water to create additional storage capacity for CO 2, while simultaneously treating the produced water for beneficial use. Furthermore, the process would control pressures within the target formation, lessen the risk of caprock failure, and better control the movement of CO 2 within that formation. The project plans to highlight the method of using individual wells to produce formation water prior to injecting CO 2 as an efficient means of managing reservoir pressure. Because themore » pressure drawdown resulting from pre-injection formation water production will inversely correlate with pressure buildup resulting from CO 2 injection, it can be proactively used to estimate CO 2 storage capacity and to plan well-field operations. The project studied the GreenGen site in Tianjin, China where Huaneng Corporation is capturing CO 2 at a coal fired IGCC power plant. Known as the Tianjin Enhanced Water Recovery (EWR) project, local rock units were evaluated for CO 2 storage potential and produced water treatment options were then developed. Average treatment cost for produced water with a cooling water treatment goal ranged from 2.27 to 2.96 US$/m 3 (recovery 95.25%), and for a boiler water treatment goal ranged from 2.37 to 3.18 US$/m 3 (recovery 92.78%). Importance analysis indicated that water quality parameters and transportation are significant cost factors as the injection-extraction system is managed over time. Our study found that in a broad sense, active reservoir management in the context of CCUS/EWR is technically feasible. In addition, criteria for evaluating suitable vs. unsuitable reservoir properties, reservoir storage (caprock) integrity, a recommended injection/withdrawal strategy and cost estimates for water treatment and reservoir management are proposed.« less

Opportunities for increasing CO 2 storage in deep, saline formations by active reservoir management and treatment of extracted formation water: Case study at the GreenGen IGCC facility, Tianjin, PR China

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

Ziemkiewicz, Paul; Stauffer, Philip H.; Sullivan-Graham, Jeri

Carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) seeks beneficial applications for CO 2 recovered from fossil fuel combustion. This study evaluated the potential for removing formation water to create additional storage capacity for CO 2, while simultaneously treating the produced water for beneficial use. Furthermore, the process would control pressures within the target formation, lessen the risk of caprock failure, and better control the movement of CO 2 within that formation. The project plans to highlight the method of using individual wells to produce formation water prior to injecting CO 2 as an efficient means of managing reservoir pressure. Because themore » pressure drawdown resulting from pre-injection formation water production will inversely correlate with pressure buildup resulting from CO 2 injection, it can be proactively used to estimate CO 2 storage capacity and to plan well-field operations. The project studied the GreenGen site in Tianjin, China where Huaneng Corporation is capturing CO 2 at a coal fired IGCC power plant. Known as the Tianjin Enhanced Water Recovery (EWR) project, local rock units were evaluated for CO 2 storage potential and produced water treatment options were then developed. Average treatment cost for produced water with a cooling water treatment goal ranged from 2.27 to 2.96 US$/m 3 (recovery 95.25%), and for a boiler water treatment goal ranged from 2.37 to 3.18 US$/m 3 (recovery 92.78%). Importance analysis indicated that water quality parameters and transportation are significant cost factors as the injection-extraction system is managed over time. Our study found that in a broad sense, active reservoir management in the context of CCUS/EWR is technically feasible. In addition, criteria for evaluating suitable vs. unsuitable reservoir properties, reservoir storage (caprock) integrity, a recommended injection/withdrawal strategy and cost estimates for water treatment and reservoir management are proposed.« less

Planar time-resolved PIV for velocity and pressure retrieval in atmospheric boundary layer over surface waves.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Troitskaya, Yuliya; Kandaurov, Alexander; Sergeev, Daniil; Bopp, Maximilian; Caulliez, Guillemette

2017-04-01

Air-sea coupling in general is important for weather, climate, fluxes. Wind wave source is crucially important for surface waves' modeling. But the wind-wave growth rate is strongly uncertain. Using direct measurements of pressure by wave-following Elliott probe [1] showed, weak and indefinite dependence of wind-wave growth rate on the wave steepness, while Grare et.al. [2] discuss the limitations of direct measurements of pressure associated with the inability to measure the pressure close to the surface by contact methods. Recently non-invasive methods for determining the pressure on the basis of technology of time-resolved PIV are actively developed [3]. Retrieving air flow velocities by 2D PIV techniques was started from Reul et al [4]. The first attempt for retrieving wind pressure field of waves in the laboratory tank from the time-resolved PIV measurements was done in [5]. The experiments were performed at the Large Air-Sea Interaction Facility (LASIF) - MIO/Luminy (length 40 m, cross section of air channel 3.2 x 1.6 m). For 18 regimes with wind speed up to 14 m/s including presence of puddle waves, a combination of time resolved PIV technique and optical measurements of water surface form was applied to detailed investigation of the characteristics of the wind flow over the water surface. Ammonium chloride smoke was used for flow visualization illuminated by two 6 Wt blue diode lasers combined into a vertical laser plane. Particle movement was captured with high-speed camera using Scheimpflug technique (up to 20 kHz frame rate with 4-frame bursts, spatial resolution about 190 μm, field of view 314x12 mm). Velocity air flow field was retrieved by PIV images processing with adaptive cross-correlation method on the curvilinear grid following surface wave form. The resulting time resolved instantaneous velocity fields on regular grid allowed us to obtain momentum fluxes directly from measured air velocity fluctuations. The average wind velocity patterns were retrieved using conditional averaging with phase like in [5]. Basing on these data we then retrieve the pressure field and find the air-sea interaction parameters. Peculiarity of these experiments was the presence of noticeable modulation of the waves, so we describe peculiarities of the pressure distribution over a wave-train. This work was supported by the Russian Foundation of Basic Research (project codes 16-05-00839, 16-55-52025, 15-35-20953), President Grant for young scientists MK-2041.2017.5, Russian Science Foundation (Agreements 14-17-00667, 15-17-20009) and FP7 Collaborative Project No. 612610. References 1. Saveliev I., et. al. (2011) J. Phys. Oceanogr. 41. 1328-1344. 2. Grare, L., et. al. (2013) J. Fluid Mech., 722, 5-50. 3. van Oudheusden B.W. (2013) Meas. Sci. Technol. 24. 032001 (32pp) 4. Reul N., et.al. (1999) Phys. Fluids. 11. 1959-1961. 5. Troitskaya Yu., et. al.(2011). J. Phys. Oceanogr., 41, 1421-1454

EVA Glove Research Team

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Strauss, Alvin M.; Peterson, Steven W.; Main, John A.; Dickenson, Rueben D.; Shields, Bobby L.; Lorenz, Christine H.

1992-01-01

The goal of the basic research portion of the extravehicular activity (EVA) glove research program is to gain a greater understanding of the kinematics of the hand, the characteristics of the pressurized EVA glove, and the interaction of the two. Examination of the literature showed that there existed no acceptable, non-invasive method of obtaining accurate biomechanical data on the hand. For this reason a project was initiated to develop magnetic resonance imaging as a tool for biomechanical data acquisition and visualization. Literature reviews also revealed a lack of practical modeling methods for fabric structures, so a basic science research program was also initiated in this area.

Philosophy of ATHEANA

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

Bley, D.C.; Cooper, S.E.; Forester, J.A.

ATHEANA, a second-generation Human Reliability Analysis (HRA) method integrates advances in psychology with engineering, human factors, and Probabilistic Risk Analysis (PRA) disciplines to provide an HRA quantification process and PRA modeling interface that can accommodate and represent human performance in real nuclear power plant events. The method uses the characteristics of serious accidents identified through retrospective analysis of serious operational events to set priorities in a search process for significant human failure events, unsafe acts, and error-forcing context (unfavorable plant conditions combined with negative performance-shaping factors). ATHEANA has been tested in a demonstration project at an operating pressurized water reactor.

Stabilization of numerical interchange in spectral-element magnetohydrodynamics

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

Sovinec, C. R.

In this study, auxiliary numerical projections of the divergence of flow velocity and vorticity parallel to magnetic field are developed and tested for the purpose of suppressing unphysical interchange instability in magnetohydrodynamic simulations. The numerical instability arises with equal-order C 0 finite- and spectral-element expansions of the flow velocity, magnetic field, and pressure and is sensitive to behavior at the limit of resolution. The auxiliary projections are motivated by physical field-line bending, and coercive responses to the projections are added to the flow-velocity equation. Their incomplete expansions are limited to the highest-order orthogonal polynomial in at least one coordinate ofmore » the spectral elements. Cylindrical eigenmode computations show that the projections induce convergence from the stable side with first-order ideal-MHD equations during h-refinement and p-refinement. Hyperbolic and parabolic projections and responses are compared, together with different methods for avoiding magnetic divergence error. Lastly, the projections are also shown to be effective in linear and nonlinear time-dependent computations with the NIMROD code [C. R. Sovinec, et al., J. Comput. Phys. 195 (2004) 355-386], provided that the projections introduce numerical dissipation.« less

Stabilization of numerical interchange in spectral-element magnetohydrodynamics

DOE PAGES

Sovinec, C. R.

2016-05-10

In this study, auxiliary numerical projections of the divergence of flow velocity and vorticity parallel to magnetic field are developed and tested for the purpose of suppressing unphysical interchange instability in magnetohydrodynamic simulations. The numerical instability arises with equal-order C 0 finite- and spectral-element expansions of the flow velocity, magnetic field, and pressure and is sensitive to behavior at the limit of resolution. The auxiliary projections are motivated by physical field-line bending, and coercive responses to the projections are added to the flow-velocity equation. Their incomplete expansions are limited to the highest-order orthogonal polynomial in at least one coordinate ofmore » the spectral elements. Cylindrical eigenmode computations show that the projections induce convergence from the stable side with first-order ideal-MHD equations during h-refinement and p-refinement. Hyperbolic and parabolic projections and responses are compared, together with different methods for avoiding magnetic divergence error. Lastly, the projections are also shown to be effective in linear and nonlinear time-dependent computations with the NIMROD code [C. R. Sovinec, et al., J. Comput. Phys. 195 (2004) 355-386], provided that the projections introduce numerical dissipation.« less

A software tool for ecosystem services assessments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Riegels, Niels; Klinting, Anders; Butts, Michael; Middelboe, Anne Lise; Mark, Ole

2017-04-01

The EU FP7 DESSIN project is developing methods and tools for assessment of ecosystem services (ESS) and associated economic values, with a focus on freshwater ESS in urban settings. Although the ESS approach has gained considerable visibility over the past ten years, operationalizing the approach remains a challenge. Therefore, DESSSIN is also supporting development of a free software tool to support users implementing the DESSIN ESS evaluation framework. The DESSIN ESS evaluation framework is a structured approach to measuring changes in ecosystem services. The main purpose of the framework is to facilitate the application of the ESS approach in the appraisal of projects that have impacts on freshwater ecosystems and their services. The DESSIN framework helps users evaluate changes in ESS by linking biophysical, economic, and sustainability assessments sequentially. It was developed using the Common International Classification of Ecosystem Services (CICES) and the DPSIR (Drivers, Pressures, States, Impacts, Responses) adaptive management cycle. The former is a standardized system for the classification of ESS developed by the European Union to enhance the consistency and comparability of ESS assessments. The latter is a well-known concept to disentangle the biophysical and social aspects of a system under study. As part of its analytical component, the DESSIN framework also integrates elements of the Final Ecosystem Goods and Services-Classification System (FEGS-CS) of the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). As implemented in the software tool, the DESSIN framework consists of five parts: • In part I of the evaluation, the ecosystem is defined and described and the local stakeholders are identified. In addition, administrative details and objectives of the assessment are defined. • In part II, drivers and pressures are identified. Once these first two elements of the DPSIR scheme have been characterized, the claimed/expected capabilities of a proposed project can be estimated to determine whether the project affects drivers, pressures, states or a combination of these. • In part III, information about impacts on drivers, pressures, and states is used to identify ESS impacted by a proposed project. Potential beneficiaries of impacted ESS are also identified. • In part IV, changes in ESS are estimated. These estimates include changes in the provision of ESS, the use of ESS, and the value of ESS. • A sustainability assessment in Part V estimates the broader impact of a proposed project according to social, environmental, governance and other criteria. The ESS evaluation software tool is designed to assist an evaluation or study leader carrying out an ESS assessment. The tool helps users move through the logic of the ESS evaluation and make sense of relationships between elements of the DPSIR framework, the CICES classification scheme, and the FEGS approach. The tool also provides links to useful indicators and assessment methods in order to help users quantify changes in ESS and ESS values. The software tool is developed in collaboration with the DESSIN user group, who will use the software to estimate changes in ESS resulting from the implementation of green technologies addressing water quality and water scarcity issues. Although the software is targeted to this user group, it will be made available for free to the public after the conclusion of the project.

Benefits and Costs of Brine Extraction for Increasing Injection Efficiency In geologic CO2 Sequestration

DOE PAGES

Davidson, Casie L.; Watson, David J.; Dooley, James J.; ...

2014-12-31

Pressure increases attendant with CO2 injection into the subsurface drive many of the risk factors associated with commercial-scale CCS projects, impacting project costs and liabilities in a number of ways. The area of elevated pressure defines the area that must be characterized and monitored; pressure drives fluid flow out of the storage reservoir along higher-permeability pathways that might exist through the caprock into overlying aquifers or hydrocarbon reservoirs; and pressure drives geomechanical changes that could potentially impact subsurface infrastructure or the integrity of the storage system itself. Pressure also limits injectivity, which can increase capital costs associated with installing additionalmore » wells to meet a given target injection rate. The ability to mitigate pressure increases in storage reservoirs could have significant value to a CCS project, but these benefits are offset by the costs of the pressure mitigation technique itself. Of particular interest for CO2 storage operators is the lifetime cost of implementing brine extraction at a CCS project site, and the relative value of benefits derived from the extraction process. This is expected to vary from site to site and from one implementation scenario to the next. Indeed, quantifying benefits against costs could allow operators to optimize their return on project investment by calculating the most effective scenario for pressure mitigation. This work builds on research recently submitted for publication by the authors examining the costs and benefits of brine extraction across operational scenarios to evaluate the effects of fluid extraction on injection rate to assess the cost effectiveness of several options for reducing the number of injection wells required. Modeling suggests that extracting at 90% of the volumetric equivalent of injection rate resulted in a 1.8% improvement in rate over a non-extraction base case; a four-fold increase in extraction rate results in a 7.6% increase in injection rate over the no-extraction base case. However, the practical impacts on capital costs suggest that this strategy is fiscally ineffective when evaluated solely on this metric, with extraction reducing injection well needs by only one per 56 (1x case) or one per 13 (4x case).« less

Benefits and Costs of Brine Extraction for Increasing Injection Efficiency In geologic CO2 Sequestration

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

Davidson, Casie L.; Watson, David J.; Dooley, James J.

Pressure increases attendant with CO2 injection into the subsurface drive many of the risk factors associated with commercial-scale CCS projects, impacting project costs and liabilities in a number of ways. The area of elevated pressure defines the area that must be characterized and monitored; pressure drives fluid flow out of the storage reservoir along higher-permeability pathways that might exist through the caprock into overlying aquifers or hydrocarbon reservoirs; and pressure drives geomechanical changes that could potentially impact subsurface infrastructure or the integrity of the storage system itself. Pressure also limits injectivity, which can increase capital costs associated with installing additionalmore » wells to meet a given target injection rate. The ability to mitigate pressure increases in storage reservoirs could have significant value to a CCS project, but these benefits are offset by the costs of the pressure mitigation technique itself. Of particular interest for CO2 storage operators is the lifetime cost of implementing brine extraction at a CCS project site, and the relative value of benefits derived from the extraction process. This is expected to vary from site to site and from one implementation scenario to the next. Indeed, quantifying benefits against costs could allow operators to optimize their return on project investment by calculating the most effective scenario for pressure mitigation. This work builds on research recently submitted for publication by the authors examining the costs and benefits of brine extraction across operational scenarios to evaluate the effects of fluid extraction on injection rate to assess the cost effectiveness of several options for reducing the number of injection wells required. Modeling suggests that extracting at 90% of the volumetric equivalent of injection rate resulted in a 1.8% improvement in rate over a non-extraction base case; a four-fold increase in extraction rate results in a 7.6% increase in injection rate over the no-extraction base case. However, the practical impacts on capital costs suggest that this strategy is fiscally ineffective when evaluated solely on this metric, with extraction reducing injection well needs by only one per 56 (1x case) or one per 13 (4x case).« less

Method for selectively orienting induced fractures in subterranean earth formations

DOEpatents

Shuck, Lowell Z.

1977-02-01

The orientation of hydraulically-induced fractures in relatively deep subterranean earth formations is normally confined to vertical projections along a plane parallel to the maximum naturally occurring (tectonic) compressive stress field. It was found that this plane of maximum compressive stress may be negated and, in effect, re-oriented in a plane projecting generally orthogonal to the original tectonic stress plane by injecting liquid at a sufficiently high pressure into a wellbore fracture oriented in a plane parallel to the plane of tectonic stress for the purpose of stressing the surrounding earth formation in a plane generally orthogonal to the plane of tectonic stress. With the plane of maximum compressive stress re-oriented due to the presence of the induced compressive stress, liquid under pressure is injected into a second wellbore disposed within the zone influenced by the induced compressive stress but at a location in the earth formation laterally spaced from the fracture in the first wellbore for effecting a fracture in the second wellbore along a plane generally orthogonal to the fracture in the first wellbore.

An Overview of Air-Breathing Propulsion Efforts for 2015 SBIR Phase I

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nguyen, Hung D.; Steele, Gynelle C.

2016-01-01

NASA's Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program focuses on technological innovation by investing in development of innovative concepts and technologies to help NASA mission directorates address critical research needs for Agency programs. This report highlights 24 of the innovative SBIR 2015 Phase I projects that emphasize one of NASA Glenn Research Center's six core competencies-Air-Breathing Propulsion. The technologies cover a wide spectrum of applications such as hybrid nanocomposites for efficient aerospace structures; plasma flow control for drag reduction; physics-based aeroanalysis methods for open rotor conceptual designs; vertical lift by series hybrid power; fast pressure-sensitive paint systems for production wind tunnel testing; rugged, compact, and inexpensive airborne fiber sensor interrogators based on monolithic tunable lasers; and high sensitivity semiconductor sensor skins for multi-axis surface pressure characterization. Each featured technology describes an innovation and technical objective and highlights NASA commercial and industrial applications. This report provides an opportunity for NASA engineers, researchers, and program managers to learn how NASA SBIR technologies could help their programs and projects, and lead to collaborations and partnerships between the small SBIR companies and NASA that would benefit both.

M113 Electric Land Drive Demonstration Project. Volume 1: Vehicle Systems Design and Integration

DTIC Science & Technology

1992-08-01

pickup for L-final drive output speed MP-5 Magnetic pickup for engine speed Pressure Switches PS-I Pressure switch for gearbox pressure (5 lb/in2 ) PS...2 Pressure switch for ac generator pressure (5 lb/in 2 ) PS-3 Pressure switch for dc generator pressure (5 lb/in2 ) PS-4 Pressure switch for ac...generator-i scavenge pressure (5 lb/in 2 ) PS-5 Pressure switch for ac generator-2 scavenge pressure (5 lb/in2 ) PS-6 Pressure switch for engine

Integrated Main Propulsion System Performance Reconstruction Process/Models

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lopez, Eduardo; Elliott, Katie; Snell, Steven; Evans, Michael

2013-01-01

The Integrated Main Propulsion System (MPS) Performance Reconstruction process provides the MPS post-flight data files needed for postflight reporting to the project integration management and key customers to verify flight performance. This process/model was used as the baseline for the currently ongoing Space Launch System (SLS) work. The process utilizes several methodologies, including multiple software programs, to model integrated propulsion system performance through space shuttle ascent. It is used to evaluate integrated propulsion systems, including propellant tanks, feed systems, rocket engine, and pressurization systems performance throughout ascent based on flight pressure and temperature data. The latest revision incorporates new methods based on main engine power balance model updates to model higher mixture ratio operation at lower engine power levels.

Projecting and attributing future changes of evaporative demand over China in CMIP5 climate models

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Wenbin; Sun, Fubao

2017-04-01

Atmospheric evaporative demand plays a pivotal role in global water and energy budgets and its change is very important for drought monitoring, irrigation scheduling and water resource management under a changing environment. Here, we first projected and attributed future changes of pan evaporation (E_pan), a measurable indictor for atmospheric evaporative demand, over China through a physical- based approach, namely PenPan model, forced with outputs form twelve state-of-the-art Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5 (CMIP5) climate models. An equidistant quantile mapping method was also used to correct the biases in GCMs outputs to reduce uncertainty in〖 E〗_pan projection. The results indicated that the E_panwould increase during the periods 2021-2050 and 2071-2100 relative to the baseline period 1971-2000 under the Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) 4.5 and 8.5 scenarios, which can mainly be attributed to the projected increase in air temperature and vapour pressure deficit over China. The percentage increase of E_pan is relatively larger in eastern China than that in western China, which is due to the spatially inconsistent increases in air temperature, net radiation, wind speed and vapour pressure deficit over China. The widely reported "pan evaporation paradox" was not well reproduced for the period 1961-2000 in the climate models, before or after bias correction, suggesting discrepancy between observed and modeled trends. With that caveat, we found that the pan evaporation has been projected to increase at a rate of 117 167 mm/yr per K (72 80 mm/yr per K) over China using the multiple GCMs under the RCP4.5 (RCP8.5) scenario with increased greenhouse gases and the associated warming of the climate system. References: Liu W, and Sun F, 2017. Projecting and attributing future changes of evaporative demand over China in CMIP5 climate models, Journal of Hydrometeorology, doi: 10.1175/JHM-D-16-0204.1

Project NEO Specific Impulse Testing Solutions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Baffa, Bill

2018-01-01

The Neo test stand is currently configured to fire a horizontally mounted rocket motor with up to 6500 lbf thrust. Currently, the Neo test stand can measure flow of liquid propellant and oxidizer, pressures residing in the closed system up to the combustion chamber. The current configuration does not have the ability to provide all data needed to compute specific impulse. This presents three methods to outfit the NEO test fixture with instrumentation allowing for calculation of specific impulse.

Operation Sun Beam, Shot Small Boy. Project Officers report. Project 1. 4. Shock photography

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

Hanlon, P.; Dieter, C.F.

1985-09-01

The objective of this project was to measure the shock position as a function of time from which shock velocities and pressures in limited regions could be calculated, and any asymmetric growth both along along and above the surface could be detected. An outgrowth of the fireball along the surface was observed, and it was attributed to surface heating. The rate of growth along the surface was asymmetric. The growth along the 113 deg azimuth was markedly greater than in any of the other directions measured. Contrary to previous experience with surface shots, the peak pressures obtained above ground zeromore » were less than those obtained along the surface at the same distances. there is some evidence to suggest that the focusing noted on previous shots did not occur or was very much reduced. Scaled Small Boy peak pressure-distance data are in agreement with the composite surface-burst pressure-distance curve.« less

The Use of Convolutional Neural Network in Relating Precipitation to Circulation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pan, B.; Hsu, K. L.; AghaKouchak, A.; Sorooshian, S.

2017-12-01

Precipitation prediction in dynamical weather and climate models depends on 1) the predictability of pressure or geopotential height for the forecasting period and 2) the successive work of interpreting the pressure field in terms of precipitation events. The later task is represented as parameterization schemes in numerical models, where detailed computing inevitably blurs the hidden cause-and-effect relationship in precipitation generation. The "big data" provided by numerical simulation, reanalysis and observation networks requires better causation analysis for people to digest and realize their use. While classic synoptical analysis methods are very-often insufficient for spatially distributed high dimensional data, a Convolutional Neural Network(CNN) is developed here to directly relate precipitation with circulation. Case study carried over west coast United States during boreal winter showed that CNN can locate and capture key pressure zones of different structures to project precipitation spatial distribution with high accuracy across hourly to monthly scales. This direct connection between atmospheric circulation and precipitation offers a probe for attributing precipitation to the coverage, location, intensity and spatial structure of characteristic pressure zones, which can be used for model diagnosis and improvement.

Atmospheric emissivity with clear sky computed by E-Trans/HITRAN

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mendoza, Víctor M.; Villanueva, Elba E.; Garduño, René; Sánchez-Meneses, Oscar

2017-04-01

The vertical profiles of temperature and pressure from the International Standard Atmosphere, together with the mixing ratio profiles of the main greenhouse effect gases (GG), namely water vapour, CO2 , CH4 , N2 O and stratospheric O3 , are used to determine the downward emissivity of long wave radiation by cloudless atmosphere, by means of the spectral calculator E-Trans with the HITRAN (high-resolution transmission) database. We make a review of emissivity parameterizations, reported by several authors, in terms of the surface vapour pressure and surface air temperature. We compute vertically weighted averages of temperature and pressure, also parameterize the CH4 , N2 O and O3 mixing ratio profiles, in order to adapt these variables as required by the E-Trans/HITRAN. Our results of emissivity for the corresponding vapour pressures agree well with those obtained by the reviewed authors. With this method, the emissivity can be computed at a regional scale and towards the future global warming, according to the IPCC temperature projections that will also increase the atmospheric humidity, from the emission scenarios of GG.

Eddy current testing of composite pressure vessels

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Casperson, R.; Pohl, R.; Munzke, D.; Becker, B.; Pelkner, M.

2018-04-01

The use of composite pressure vessels instead of conventional vessels made of steel or aluminum grew strongly over the last decade. The reason for this trend is the tremendous weight saving in the case of composite vessels. However, the long-time behavior is not fully understood for filling and discharging cycles and creep strength and their influence on the CFRP coating (carbon fiber reinforced plastics) and the internal liner (steel, aluminum, or plastics). The CFRP ensures the pressure resistance while the inner liner is used as a container for liquid or gas. To overcome the missing knowledge of aging, BAM started an internal project to investigate degradation of these material systems. Therefore, applicable testing methods like eddy current testing are needed. Normally, high-frequency eddy current testing (HF-ET, f > 10 MHz) is deployed for CFRP due to its low conductivity of the fiber, which is in the order of 0.01 MS/s, and the capacitive coupling between the fibers. Nevertheless, in some cases conventional ET can be applied. We show a concise summary of studies on the application of conventional ET of composite pressure vessels.

Chemical and mineralogical data and processing methods management system prototype with application to study of the North Caucasus Blybsky Metamorphic Complexes metamorphism PT-condition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ivanov, Stanislav; Kamzolkin, Vladimir; Konilov, Aleksandr; Aleshin, Igor

2014-05-01

There are many various methods of assessing the conditions of rocks formation based on determining the composition of the constituent minerals. Our objective was to create a universal tool for processing mineral's chemical analysis results and solving geothermobarometry problems by creating a database of existing sensors and providing a user-friendly standard interface. Similar computer assisted tools are based upon large collection of sensors (geothermometers and geobarometers) are known, for example, the project TPF (Konilov A.N., 1999) - text-based sensor collection tool written in PASCAL. The application contained more than 350 different sensors and has been used widely in petrochemical studies (see A.N. Konilov , A.A. Grafchikov, V.I. Fonarev 2010 for review). Our prototype uses the TPF project concept and is designed with modern application development techniques, which allows better flexibility. Main components of the designed system are 3 connected datasets: sensors collection (geothermometers, geobarometers, oxygen geobarometers, etc.), petrochemical data and modeling results. All data is maintained by special management and visualization tools and resides in sql database. System utilities allow user to import and export data in various file formats, edit records and plot graphs. Sensors database contains up to date collections of known methods. New sensors may be added by user. Measured database should be filled in by researcher. User friendly interface allows access to all available data and sensors, automates routine work, reduces the risk of common user mistakes and simplifies information exchange between research groups. We use prototype to evaluate peak pressure during the formation of garnet-amphibolite apoeclogites, gneisses and schists Blybsky metamorphic complex of the Front Range of the Northern Caucasus. In particular, our estimation of formation pressure range (18 ± 4 kbar) agrees on independent research results. The reported study was partially supported by RFBR, research project No. 14-05-00615.

Design and Test of a Liquid Oxygen / Liquid Methane Thruster with Cold Helium Pressurization Heat Exchanger

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Melcher, John C.; Morehead, Robert L.; Atwell, Matthew J.; Hurlbert, Eric A.

2015-01-01

A liquid oxygen / liquid methane 2,000 lbf thruster was designed and tested in conjuction with a nozzle heat exchanger for cold helium pressurization. Cold helium pressurization systems offer significant spacecraft vehicle dry mass savings since the pressurant tank size can be reduced as the pressurant density is increased. A heat exchanger can be incorporated into the main engine design to provide expansion of the pressurant supply to the propellant tanks. In order to study the systems integration of a cold-helium pressurization system, a 2,000 lbf thruster with a nozzle heat exchanger was designed for integration into the Project Morpheus vehicle at NASA Johnson Space Center. The testing goals were to demonstrate helium loading and initial conditioning to low temperatures, high-pressure/low temperature storage, expansion through the main engine heat exchanger, and propellant tank injection/pressurization. The helium pressurant tank was an existing 19 inch diameter composite-overwrap tank, and the targert conditions were 4500 psi and -250 F, providing a 2:1 density advantage compared to room tempatrue storage. The thruster design uses like-on-like doublets in the injector pattern largely based on Project Morpheus main engine hertiage data, and the combustion chamber was designed for an ablative chamber. The heat exchanger was installed at the ablative nozzle exit plane. Stand-alone engine testing was conducted at NASA Stennis Space Center, including copper heat-sink chambers and highly-instrumented spoolpieces in order to study engine performance, stability, and wall heat flux. A one-dimensional thermal model of the integrated system was completed. System integration into the Project Morpheus vehicle is complete, and systems demonstrations will follow.

Development of low-stress Iridium coatings for astronomical x-ray mirrors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Döhring, Thorsten; Probst, Anne-Catherine; Stollenwerk, Manfred; Wen, Mingwu; Proserpio, Laura

2016-07-01

Previously used mirror technologies are not suitable for the challenging needs of future X-ray telescopes. This is why the required high precision mirror manufacturing triggers new technical developments around the world. Some aspects of X-ray mirrors production are studied within the interdisciplinary project INTRAAST, a German acronym for "industry transfer of astronomical mirror technologies". The project is embedded in a cooperation of Aschaffenburg University of Applied Sciences and the Max-Planck-Institute for extraterrestrial Physics. One important task is the development of low-stress Iridium coatings for X-ray mirrors based on slumped thin glass substrates. The surface figure of the glass substrates is measured before and after the coating process by optical methods. Correlating the surface shape deformation to the parameters of coating deposition, here especially to the Argon sputtering pressure, allows for an optimization of the process. The sputtering parameters also have an influence on the coating layer density and on the micro-roughness of the coatings, influencing their X-ray reflection properties. Unfortunately the optimum coating process parameters seem to be contrarious: low Argon pressure resulted in better micro-roughness and higher density, whereas higher pressure leads to lower coating stress. Therefore additional measures like intermediate coating layers and temperature treatment will be considered for further optimization. The technical approach for the low-stress Iridium coating development, the experimental equipment, and the obtained first experimental results are presented within this paper.

Calibration of Seismic Attributes for Reservoir Characterization

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

Pennington, Wayne D.; Acevedo, Horacio; Green, Aaron

2002-01-29

This project has completed the initially scheduled third year of the contract, and is beginning a fourth year, designed to expand upon the tech transfer aspects of the project. From the Stratton data set, demonstrated that an apparent correlation between attributes derived along `phantom' horizons are artifacts of isopach changes; only if the interpreter understands that the interpretation is based on this correlation with bed thickening or thinning, can reliable interpretations of channel horizons and facies be made. From the Boonsville data set , developed techniques to use conventional seismic attributes, including seismic facies generated under various neural network procedures,more » to subdivide regional facies determined from logs into productive and non-productive subfacies, and developed a method involving cross-correlation of seismic waveforms to provide a reliable map of the various facies present in the area. The Teal South data set provided a surprising set of data, leading us to develop a pressure-dependent velocity relationship and to conclude that nearby reservoirs are undergoing a pressure drop in response to the production of the main reservoir, implying that oil is being lost through their spill points, never to be produced. The Wamsutter data set led to the use of unconventional attributes including lateral incoherence and horizon-dependent impedance variations to indicate regions of former sand bars and current high pressure, respectively, and to evaluation of various upscaling routines.« less

Measuring lip force by oral screens. Part 1: Importance of screen size and individual variability.

PubMed

Wertsén, Madeleine; Stenberg, Manne

2017-06-01

To reduce drooling and facilitate food transport in rehabilitation of patients with oral motor dysfunction, lip force can be trained using an oral screen. Longitudinal studies evaluating the effect of training require objective methods. The aim of this study was to evaluate a method for measuring lip strength, to investigate normal values and fluctuation of lip force in healthy adults on 1 occasion and over time, to study how the size of the screen affects the force, to evaluate the most appropriate measure of reliability, and to identify force performed in relation to gender. Three different sizes of oral screens were used to measure the lip force for 24 healthy adults on 3 different occasions, during a period of 6 months, using an apparatus based on strain gauge. The maximum lip force as evaluated with this method depends on the area of the screen size. By calculating the projected area of the screen, the lip force could be normalized to an oral screen pressure quantity expressed in kPa, which can be used for comparing measurements from screens with different sizes. Both the mean value and standard deviation were shown to vary between individuals. The study showed no differences regarding gender and only small variation with age. Normal variation over time (months) may be up to 3 times greater than the standard error of measurement at a certain occasion. The lip force increases in relation to the projected area of the screen. No general standard deviation can be assigned to the method and all measurements should be analyzed individually based on oral screen pressure to compensate for different screen sizes.

Projected Impact of a Sodium Consumption Reduction Initiative in Argentina: An Analysis from the CVD Policy Model – Argentina

PubMed Central

Konfino, Jonatan; Mekonnen, Tekeshe A.; Coxson, Pamela G.; Ferrante, Daniel; Bibbins-Domingo, Kirsten

2013-01-01

Background Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in adults in Argentina. Sodium reduction policies targeting processed foods were implemented in 2011 in Argentina, but the impact has not been evaluated. The aims of this study are to use Argentina-specific data on sodium excretion and project the impact of Argentina’s sodium reduction policies under two scenarios - the 2-year intervention currently being undertaken or a more persistent 10 year sodium reduction strategy. Methods We used Argentina-specific data on sodium excretion by sex and projected the impact of the current strategy on sodium consumption and blood pressure decrease. We assessed the projected impact of sodium reduction policies on CVD using the Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) Policy Model, adapted to Argentina, modeling two alternative policy scenarios over the next decade. Results Our study finds that the initiative to reduce sodium consumption currently in place in Argentina will have substantial impact on CVD over the next 10 years. Under the current proposed policy of 2-year sodium reduction, the mean sodium consumption is projected to decrease by 319–387 mg/day. This decrease is expected to translate into an absolute reduction of systolic blood pressure from 0.93 mmHg to 1.81 mmHg. This would avert about 19,000 all-cause mortality, 13,000 total myocardial infarctions, and 10,000 total strokes over the next decade. A more persistent sodium reduction strategy would yield even greater CVD benefits. Conclusion The impact of the Argentinean initiative would be effective in substantially reducing mortality and morbidity from CVD. This paper provides evidence-based support to continue implementing strategies to reduce sodium consumption at a population level. PMID:24040085

Explaining Michigan: Developing an Ex Post Theory of a Quality Improvement Program

PubMed Central

Dixon-Woods, Mary; Bosk, Charles L; Aveling, Emma Louise; Goeschel, Christine A; Pronovost, Peter J

2011-01-01

Context: Understanding how and why programs work—not simply whether they work—is crucial. Good theory is indispensable to advancing the science of improvement. We argue for the usefulness of ex post theorization of programs. Methods: We propose an approach, located within the broad family of theory-oriented methods, for developing ex post theories of interventional programs. We use this approach to develop an ex post theory of the Michigan Intensive Care Unit (ICU) project, which attracted international attention by successfully reducing rates of central venous catheter bloodstream infections (CVC-BSIs). The procedure used to develop the ex post theory was (1) identify program leaders’ initial theory of change and learning from running the program; (2) enhance this with new information in the form of theoretical contributions from social scientists; (3) synthesize prior and new information to produce an updated theory. Findings: The Michigan project achieved its effects by (1) generating isomorphic pressures for ICUs to join the program and conform to its requirements; (2) creating a densely networked community with strong horizontal links that exerted normative pressures on members; (3) reframing CVC-BSIs as a social problem and addressing it through a professional movement combining “grassroots” features with a vertically integrating program structure; (4) using several interventions that functioned in different ways to shape a culture of commitment to doing better in practice; (5) harnessing data on infection rates as a disciplinary force; and (6) using “hard edges.” Conclusions: Updating program theory in the light of experience from program implementation is essential to improving programs’ generalizability and transferability, although it is not a substitute for concurrent evaluative fieldwork. Future iterations of programs based on the Michigan project, and improvement science more generally, may benefit from the updated theory present here. PMID:21676020

A survey of compatibility of materials with high pressure oxygen service

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hust, J. G.; Clark, A. F.

1972-01-01

The available information on the compatibility of materials with oxygen as applied to the production, transport, and applications experience of high pressure liquid and gaseous oxygen is compiled. High pressure is defined as about 2000 to 3000 psia. Since high pressure projections sometimes can be made from lower pressure data, some low pressure data are also included. Low pressure data are included if they are considered helpful to a better understanding of the behavior at high pressures.

The Novel Application of Non-Lethal Citizen Science Tissue Sampling in Recreational Fisheries.

PubMed

Williams, Samuel M; Holmes, Bonnie J; Pepperell, Julian G

2015-01-01

Increasing fishing pressure and uncertainty surrounding recreational fishing catch and effort data promoted the development of alternative methods for conducting fisheries research. A pilot investigation was undertaken to engage the Australian game fishing community and promote the non-lethal collection of tissue samples from the black marlin Istiompax indica, a valuable recreational-only species in Australian waters, for the purpose of future genetic research. Recruitment of recreational anglers was achieved by publicizing the project in magazines, local newspapers, social media, blogs, websites and direct communication workshops at game fishing tournaments. The Game Fishing Association of Australia and the Queensland Game Fishing Association were also engaged to advertise the project and recruit participants with a focus on those anglers already involved in the tag-and-release of marlin. Participants of the program took small tissue samples using non-lethal methods which were stored for future genetic analysis. The program resulted in 165 samples from 49 participants across the known distribution of I. indica within Australian waters which was a sufficient number to facilitate a downstream population genetic analysis. The project demonstrated the potential for the development of citizen science sampling programs to collect tissue samples using non-lethal methods in order to achieve targeted research objects in recreationally caught species.

Development of advanced manufacturing technologies for low cost hydrogen storage vessels

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

Leavitt, Mark; Lam, Patrick

2014-12-29

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) defined a need for low-cost gaseous hydrogen storage vessels at 700 bar to support cost goals aimed at 500,000 units per year. Existing filament winding processes produce a pressure vessel that is structurally inefficient, requiring more carbon fiber for manufacturing reasons, than would otherwise be necessary. Carbon fiber is the greatest cost driver in building a hydrogen pressure vessel. The objective of this project is to develop new methods for manufacturing Type IV pressure vessels for hydrogen storage with the purpose of lowering the overall product cost through an innovative hybrid process of optimizingmore » composite usage by combining traditional filament winding (FW) and advanced fiber placement (AFP) techniques. A numbers of vessels were manufactured in this project. The latest vessel design passed all the critical tests on the hybrid design per European Commission (EC) 79-2009 standard except the extreme temperature cycle test. The tests passed include burst test, cycle test, accelerated stress rupture test and drop test. It was discovered the location where AFP and FW overlap for load transfer could be weakened during hydraulic cycling at 85°C. To design a vessel that passed these tests, the in-house modeling software was updated to add capability to start and stop fiber layers to simulate the AFP process. The original in-house software was developed for filament winding only. Alternative fiber was also investigated in this project, but the added mass impacted the vessel cost negatively due to the lower performance from the alternative fiber. Overall the project was a success to show the hybrid design is a viable solution to reduce fiber usage, thus driving down the cost of fuel storage vessels. Based on DOE’s baseline vessel size of 147.3L and 91kg, the 129L vessel (scaled to DOE baseline) in this project shows a 32% composite savings and 20% cost savings when comparing Vessel 15 hybrid design and the Quantum baseline all filament wound vessel. Due to project timing, there was no additional time available to fine tune the design to improve the load transfer between AFP and FW. Further design modifications will likely help pass the extreme temperature cycle test, the remaining test that is critical to the hybrid design.« less

Identification of source velocities on 3D structures in non-anechoic environments: Theoretical background and experimental validation of the inverse patch transfer functions method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aucejo, M.; Totaro, N.; Guyader, J.-L.

2010-08-01

In noise control, identification of the source velocity field remains a major problem open to investigation. Consequently, methods such as nearfield acoustical holography (NAH), principal source projection, the inverse frequency response function and hybrid NAH have been developed. However, these methods require free field conditions that are often difficult to achieve in practice. This article presents an alternative method known as inverse patch transfer functions, designed to identify source velocities and developed in the framework of the European SILENCE project. This method is based on the definition of a virtual cavity, the double measurement of the pressure and particle velocity fields on the aperture surfaces of this volume, divided into elementary areas called patches and the inversion of impedances matrices, numerically computed from a modal basis obtained by FEM. Theoretically, the method is applicable to sources with complex 3D geometries and measurements can be carried out in a non-anechoic environment even in the presence of other stationary sources outside the virtual cavity. In the present paper, the theoretical background of the iPTF method is described and the results (numerical and experimental) for a source with simple geometry (two baffled pistons driven in antiphase) are presented and discussed.

75 FR 8351 - Notice of a Regional Project Waiver of Section 1605 (Buy American) of the American Recovery and...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-02-24

... Old Town, Maine for the purchase of GreensandPlus pressure filter media, manufactured in Brazil, for two of the 12 foot diameter filters. This is a project specific waiver and only applies to the use of... evaluated three different types of pressure filter media during a pilot test in April of 2008 and, well...

Impact of agile methodologies on team capacity in automotive radio-navigation projects

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Prostean, G.; Hutanu, A.; Volker, S.

2017-01-01

The development processes used in automotive radio-navigation projects are constantly under adaption pressure. While the software development models are based on automotive production processes, the integration of peripheral components into an automotive system will trigger a high number of requirement modifications. The use of traditional development models in automotive industry will bring team’s development capacity to its boundaries. The root cause lays in the inflexibility of actual processes and their adaption limits. This paper addresses a new project management approach for the development of radio-navigation projects. The understanding of weaknesses of current used models helped us in development and integration of agile methodologies in traditional development model structure. In the first part we focus on the change management methods to reduce request for change inflow. Established change management risk analysis processes enables the project management to judge the impact of a requirement change and also gives time to the project to implement some changes. However, in big automotive radio-navigation projects the saved time is not enough to implement the large amount of changes, which are submitted to the project. In the second phase of this paper we focus on increasing team capacity by integrating at critical project phases agile methodologies into the used traditional model. The overall objective of this paper is to prove the need of process adaption in order to solve project team capacity bottlenecks.

Silicate garnet studies at high pressures: A view into the Earth's mantle

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Conrad, Pamela Gales

Silicate garnets are an abundant component in the Earth's upper mantle and transition zone. Therefore, an understanding of garnet behavior under the pressure and temperature conditions of the mantle is critical to the development of models for mantle mineralogy and dynamics. Work from three projects is presented in this report. Each investigation explores an aspect of silicate garnet behavior under high pressures. Moreover, each investigation was made possible by state-of-the-art methods that have previously been unavailable. Brillouin scattering was used to determine the elastic constants and aggregate elastic moduli of three end-member garnets at high pressures in a diamond anvil cell. These are the first high-pressure measurements of the elastic constants of end-member silicate garnets by direct measurement of acoustic velocities. The results indicate that the pressure dependence of silicate garnet elastic constants varies with composition. Therefore, extrapolation from measurements on mixed composition garnets is not possible. A new method of laser heating minerals in a diamond anvil cell has made possible the determination of the high-pressure and high-temperature stability of almandine garnet. This garnet does not transform to a silicate perovskite phase as does pyrope garnet, but it decomposes to its constituent oxides: FeO, Alsb2Osb3, and SiOsb2. These results disprove an earlier prediction that ferrous iron may expand the stability field of garnet to the lower mantle. The present results demonstrate that this is not the case. The third topic is a presentation of the results of a new technique for studying inclusions in mantle xenoliths with synchrotron X-ray microdiffraction. The results demonstrate the importance of obtaining structural as well as chemical information on inclusions within diamonds and other high-pressure minerals. An unusual phase with garnet composition is investigated and several other phases are identified from a suite of natural diamonds that are thought to have a lower mantle origin.

The 12-foot pressure wind tunnel restoration project model support systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sasaki, Glen E.

1992-01-01

The 12 Foot Pressure Wind Tunnel is a variable density, low turbulence wind tunnel that operates at subsonic speeds, and up to six atmospheres total pressure. The restoration of this facility is of critical importance to the future of the U.S. aerospace industry. As part of this project, several state of the art model support systems are furnished to provide an optimal balance between aerodynamic and operational efficiency parameters. Two model support systems, the Rear Strut Model Support, and the High Angle of Attack Model Support are discussed. This paper covers design parameters, constraints, development, description, and component selection.

Quantitative analysis of impact of awareness-raising activities on organic solid waste separation behaviour in Balikpapan City, Indonesia.

PubMed

Murase, Noriaki; Murayama, Takehiko; Nishikizawa, Shigeo; Sato, Yuriko

2017-10-01

Many cities in Indonesia are under pressure to reduce solid waste and dispose of it properly. In response to this pressure, the Japan International Cooperation Agency and the Indonesian Government have implemented a solid waste separation and collection project to reduce solid waste in the target area (810 households) of Balikpapan City. We used a cluster randomised controlled trial method to measure the impact of awareness-raising activities that were introduced by the project on residents' organic solid waste separation behaviour. The level of properly separated organic solid waste increased by 6.0% in areas that conducted awareness-raising activities. Meanwhile, the level decreased by 3.6% in areas that did not conduct similar activities. Therefore, in relative comparison, awareness-raising increased the level by 9.6%. A comparison among small communities in the target area confirmed that awareness-raising activities had a significant impact on organic solid waste separation. High frequencies of monitoring at waste stations and door-to-door visits by community members had a positive impact on organic solid waste separation. A correlation between the proximity of environmental volunteers' houses to waste stations and a high level of separation was also confirmed. The awareness-raising activities introduced by the project led to a significant increase in the separation of organic solid waste.

Tank Pressure Control Experiment (TPCE)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bentz, Mike

1992-01-01

The Tank Pressure Control Experiment (TPCE) is a small self-contained STS payload designed to test a jet mixer for cryogenic fluid pressure control. Viewgraphs are presented that describe project organization, experiment objectives and approach, risk management, payload concept and mission plan, and initial test data.

Development of an earth pressure model for design of earth retaining structures in piedmont soil.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2008-10-01

Anecdotal evidence suggests that earth pressure in Piedmont residual soils is typically over estimated. Such estimates of earth pressure impact the design of earth retaining structures used on highway projects. Thus, the development of an appropriate...

Optical air data systems and methods

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Caldwell, Loren M. (Inventor); Tang, Shoou-yu (Inventor); O'Brien, Martin (Inventor)

2010-01-01

Systems and methods for sensing air outside a moving aircraft are presented. In one embodiment, a system includes a laser for generating laser energy. The system also includes one or more transceivers for projecting the laser energy as laser radiation to the air. Subsequently, each transceiver receives laser energy as it is backscattered from the air. A computer processes signals from the transceivers to distinguish molecular scattered laser radiation from aerosol scattered laser radiation and determines one or more air parameters based on the scattered laser radiation. Such air parameters may include air speed, air pressure, air temperature and aircraft orientation angle, such as yaw, angle of attack and sideslip.

Optical air data systems and methods

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Caldwell, Loren M. (Inventor); O'Brien, Martin J. (Inventor); Weimer, Carl S. (Inventor); Nelson, Loren D. (Inventor)

2008-01-01

Systems and methods for sensing air outside a moving aircraft are presented. In one embodiment, a system includes a laser for generating laser energy. The system also includes one or more transceivers for projecting the laser energy as laser radiation to the air. Subsequently, each transceiver receives laser energy as it is backscattered from the air. A computer processes signals from the transceivers to distinguish molecular scattered laser radiation from aerosol scattered laser radiation and determines one or more air parameters based on the scattered laser radiation. Such air parameters may include air speed, air pressure, air temperature and aircraft orientation angle, such as yaw, angle of attack and sideslip.

Optical air data systems and methods

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Caldwell, Loren M. (Inventor); O'Brien, Martin J. (Inventor); Weimer, Carl S. (Inventor); Nelson, Loren D. (Inventor)

2005-01-01

Systems and methods for sensing air outside a moving aircraft are presented. In one embodiment, a system includes a laser for generating laser energy. The system also includes one or more transceivers for projecting the laser energy as laser radiation to the air. Subsequently, each transceiver receives laser energy as it is backscattered from the air. A computer processes signals from the transceivers to distinguish molecular scattered laser radiation from aerosol scattered laser radiation and determines one or more air parameters based on the scattered laser radiation. Such air parameters may include air speed, air pressure, air temperature and aircraft orientation angle, such as yaw, angle of attack and sideslip.

A preliminary theoretical line-blanketed model solar photosphere

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kurucz, R. L.

1974-01-01

In the theoretical approach to model-atmosphere construction, all opacities are computed theoretically and the temperature-pressure structure is determined by conservation of energy. Until recently, this has not been a very useful method for later type stars, because the line opacity was both poorly known and difficult to calculate. However, methods have now been developed that are capable of representing the line opacity well enough for construction of realistic models. A preliminary theoretical solar model is presented that produces closer agreement with observation than has been heretofore possible. The qualitative advantages and shortcomings of this model are discussued and projected improvements are outlined.

Observations of Seafloor Ambient Noise with an Ocean Bottom Seismometer Array

DTIC Science & Technology

1989-12-01

April and May of 1987. The array was situated near Deep Sea Drilling Project (DSDP) Hole 469 at a depth of 3.8 km (Figure 2.1). The area is a 400 m...any array processing method can be gauged by its resolution, bias 34 and stability. These quantities are sensitive to errors such as uncertain...Spectral Ocean Wave Model, Bull. Amer. Meteor. Soc, 67,498-512,1986. Cox, C. S., T. Deaton, and S. C. Webb, A deep-sea differential pressure gauge

Studies of oscillatory combustion and fuel vaporization

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Borman, G. L.; Myers, P. S.; Uyehara, O. A.

1972-01-01

Research projects involving oscillatory combustion and fuel vaporization are reported. Comparisons of experimental and theoretical droplet vaporization histories under ambient conditions such that the droplet may approach its thermodynamic critical point are presented. Experimental data on instantaneous heat transfer from a gas to a solid surface under conditions of oscillatory pressure with comparisons to an unsteady one-dimensional model are analyzed. Droplet size and velocity distribution in a spray as obtained by use of a double flash fluorescent method were investigated.

Photoacoustic tomography using a fiber based Fabry-Perot interferometer as an integrating line detector and image reconstruction by model-based time reversal method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Grün, H.; Paltauf, G.; Haltmeier, M.; Burgholzer, P.

2007-07-01

Photoacoustic imaging is based on the generation of acoustic waves in a semitransparent sample (e.g. soft tissue) after illumination with short pulses of light or radio waves. The goal is to recover the spatial distribution of absorbed energy density inside the sample from acoustic pressure signals measured outside the sample (photoacoustic inverse problem). If the acoustic pressure outside the illuminated sample is measured with a large-aperture detector, the signal at a certain time is given by an integral of the generated acoustic pressure distribution over an area that is determined by the shape of the detector. For example a planar detector measures the projections of the initial pressure distribution over planes parallel to the detector plane, which is the Radon transform of the initial pressure distribution. Stable and exact three-dimensional imaging with planar integrating detector requires measurements in all directions of space and so the receiver plane has to be rotated to cover the entire detection surface. We have recently presented a simpler set-up for exact imaging which requires only a single rotation axis and therefor the fragmentation of the area detector into line detectors perpendicular to the rotation axis. Using a two-dimensional reconstruction method and applying the inverse two-dimensional Radon transform afterwards gives an exact reconstruction of the three-dimensional sample with this set-up. In order to achieve high resolution, a fiber based Fabry-Perot interferometer is used. It is a single mode fiber with two fiber bragg gratings on both ends of the line detector. Thermal shifts and vibrations are compensated by frequency locking of the laser. The high resolution and the good performance of this integrating line detector has been demonstrated by photoacoustic measurements with line grid samples and phantoms using a model-based time reversal method for image reconstruction. The time reversed pressure field can be calculated directly by retransmitting the measured pressure on the detector positions in a reversed temporal order.

Low Cost Solar Array Project: Composition Measurements by Analytical Photo Catalysis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sutton, D. G.; Galvan, L.; Melzer, J.; Heidner, R. F., III

1979-01-01

The applicability of the photon catalysis technique for effecting composition analysis of silicon samples is discussed. A detector for the impurities Al, Cr, Fe, Mn, Ti, V, Mo and Zr is evaluated. During the first reporting period Al, Cr, Fe, and Mn were detected with the photon catalysis method. The best fluorescence lines to monitor and determine initial sensitivities to each of these elements by atomic absorption calibration were established. In the course of these tests vapor pressure curves for these four pure substances were also mapped. Ti and Si were detected. The best lines to monitor were catalogued and vapor pressure curves were determined. Attempts to detect vanadium were unsuccessful due to the refractory nature of this element and the limited temperature range of the evaporator.

Metallized compliant 3D microstructures for dry contact thermal conductance enhancement

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cui, Jin; Wang, Jicheng; Zhong, Yang; Pan, Liang; Weibel, Justin A.

2018-05-01

Microstructured three-dimensional (3D) materials can be engineered to enable new capabilities for various engineering applications; however, microfabrication of large 3D structures is typically expensive due to the conventional top-down fabrication scheme. Herein we demonstrated the use of projection micro-stereolithography and electrodeposition as cost-effective and high-throughput methods to fabricate compliant 3D microstructures as a thermal interface material (TIM). This novel TIM structure consists of an array of metallized micro-springs designed to enhance the dry contact thermal conductance between nonflat surfaces under low interface pressures (10s-100s kPa). Mechanical compliance and thermal resistance measurements confirm that this dry contact TIM can achieve conformal contact between mating surfaces with a nonflatness of approximately 5 µm under low interface pressures.

Welding Experiments of Aluminum Alloy by Space GHTA Welding at ISS Orbital Pressure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Suita, Yoshikazu; Takai, Daisuke; Sugiyama, Satoshi; Terajima, Noboru; Tsukuda, Yoshiyuki; Fujisawa, Shoichiro; Imagawa, Kichiro

As a feasible welding method in space, the authors previously proposed the space GHTA (Gas Hollow Tungsten Arc) welding process. However, space GHTA welding with a high-frequency device for arc start may cause electromagnetic noise problems for the computer equipment placed on the ISS (International Space Station). Therefore, in this report, welding experiments of space GHTA welding using aluminum alloy with a high-voltage DC device for arc start were carried out at the ISS orbital pressure, 10-5 Pa. It is clear from the experiments using a high-voltage DC device in a high-vacuum condition, that there is a shifting phenomenon in which the spark discharge shifts to either a glow discharge or an arc discharge when starting the arc. Welding projects in space need an arc discharge, so we investigated the effects of welding parameters on the arc formation ratio. As a result, space GHTA welding with a high-voltage DC device can be used for arc start when welding at the ISS orbital pressure.

A Clinical Nurse Specialist-Led Interprofessional Quality Improvement Project to Reduce Hospital-Acquired Pressure Ulcers.

PubMed

Fabbruzzo-Cota, Christina; Frecea, Monica; Kozell, Kathryn; Pere, Katalin; Thompson, Tamara; Tjan Thomas, Julie; Wong, Angela

2016-01-01

The purpose of this clinical nurse specialist-led interprofessional quality improvement project was to reduce hospital-acquired pressure ulcers (HAPUs) using evidence-based practice. Hospital-acquired pressure ulcers (PUs) have been linked to morbidity, poor quality of life, and increasing costs. Pressure ulcer prevention and management remain a challenge for interprofessional teams in acute care settings. Hospital-acquired PU rate is a critical nursing quality indicator for healthcare organizations and ties directly with Mount Sinai Hospital's (MSH's) mission and vision, which mandates providing the highest quality care to patients and families. This quality improvement project, guided by the Donabedian model, was based on the Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario Best Practice Guideline Risk Assessment & Prevention of Pressure Ulcers. A working group was established to promote evidence-based practice for PU prevention. Initiatives such as documentation standardization, development of staff education and patient and family educational resources, initiation of a hospital-wide inventory for support surfaces, and procurement of equipment were implemented to improve PU prevention and management across the organization. An 80% decrease in HAPUs has been achieved since the implementation of best practices by the Best Practice Guideline Pressure Ulcer working group. The implementation of PU prevention strategies led to a reduction in HAPU rates. The working group will continue to work on building interprofessional awareness and collaboration in order to prevent HAPUs and promote an organizational culture that supports staff development, teamwork and communication. This quality improvement project is a successful example of an interprofessional clinical nurse specialist-led initiative that impacts patient/family and organization outcomes through the identification and implementation of evidence-based nursing practice.

The impact of Global Warming on global crop yields due to changes in pest pressure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Battisti, D. S.; Tewksbury, J. J.; Deutsch, C. A.

2011-12-01

A billion people currently lack reliable access to sufficient food and almost half of the calories feeding these people come from just three crops: rice, maize, wheat. Insect pests are among the largest factors affecting the yield of these three crops, but models assessing the effects of global warming on crops rarely consider changes in insect pest pressure on crop yields. We use well-established relationships between temperature and insect physiology to project climate-driven changes in pest pressure, defined as integrated population metabolism, for the three major crops. By the middle of this century, under most scenarios, insect pest pressure is projected to increase by more than 50% in temperate areas, while increases in tropical regions will be more modest. Yield relationships indicate that the largest increases in insect pest pressure are likely to occur in areas where yield is greatest, suggesting increased strain on global food markets.

Online, In-Situ Monitoring Combustion Turbines Using Wireless Passive Ceramic Sensors

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

Gong, Xun; An, Linan; Xu, Chengying

2013-06-30

The overall objective of this project is to develop high-temperature wireless passive ceramic sensors for online, real-time monitoring combustion turbines. During this project period, we have successfully demonstrated temperature sensors up to 1300°C and pressure sensors up to 800°C. The temperature sensor is based on a high-Q-factor dielectric resonator and the pressure sensor utilizes the evanescent-mode cavity to realize a pressure-sensitive high-Q-factor resonator. Both sensors are efficiently integrated with a compact antenna. These sensors are wirelessly interrogated. The resonant frequency change corresponding to either temperature or pressure can be identified using a time-domain gating technique. The sensors realized in thismore » project can survive harsh environments characterized by high temperatures (>1000°C) and corrosive gases, owing to the excellent material properties of polymer-derived ceramics (PDCs) developed at University of Central Florida. It is anticipated that this work will significantly advance the capability of high-temperature sensor technologies and be of a great benefit to turbine industry and their customers.« less

Measuring lip force by oral screens Part 2: The importance of screen design, instruction and suction.

PubMed

Wertsén, Madeleine; Stenberg, Manne

2017-10-01

The aim of this study was to find a reliable method for measuring lip force and to find the most important factors that influence the measurements in terms of magnitude and variability. The hypothesis tested was that suction is involved and thus the instruction and the design of the oral screen are of importance when measuring lip force. This is a methodological study in a healthy population. This study was conducted in a general community. The designs of the screens were soft and hard prefabricated screens and 2 semi-individually made with a tube allowing air to pass. The screens and the instructions squeeze or suck were tested on 29 healthy adults, one at a time and on 4 occasions. The test order of the screens was randomized. Data were collected during 4 consecutive days, and the procedure was repeated after 1 month. The participants were 29 healthy adult volunteers. The instruction was an important mean to distinguish between squeezing and sucking. The design of the screen affected the lip force so that it increases in relation to the projected area of the screen. A screen design with a tube allowing air to pass made it possible to avoid suction when squeezing. By measuring with and without allowing air to pass, it was possible to distinguish between suction related and not suction related lip force. The additional screen pressure when sucking was related to the ability to produce a negative intraoral pressure. In conclusion lip force increases in relation to the projected area of the screen, sucking generally increases the measured lip force and the additional screen pressure when sucking is related to the ability to produce a negative intraoral pressure.

[An assessment scale for the prevention of pressure sores in children].

PubMed

Chauvet, Corinne; Poirier, Marie-Renée; Sourisseau, Petronela Rachieru; Béduneau, Denis; Soulard, Anthony; Delacroix, Delphine

2015-04-01

Pressure sores in children are rare. However, when they do occur they can have significant consequences. Professionals in paediatric units realised the importance of assessing the risk of pressure sores and developed a pressure sore assessment scale specific to children. This project, carried out through a hospital-training school partnership, emphasises the importance of clinical reasoning in nursing practices.

The Euratom-Rosatom ERCOSAM-SAMARA projects on containment thermal-hydraulics of current and future LWRs for severe accident management

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

Paladino, D.; Guentay, S.; Andreani, M.

2012-07-01

During a postulated severe accident with core degradation, hydrogen would form in the reactor pressure vessel mainly due to high temperatures zirconium-steam reaction and flow together with steam into the containment where it will mix with the containment atmosphere (steam-air). The hydrogen transport into the containment is a safety concern because it can lead to explosive mixtures through the associated phenomena of condensation, mixing and stratification. The ERCOSAM and SAMARA projects, co-financed by the European Union and the Russia, include various experiments addressing accident scenarios scaled down from existing plant calculations to different thermal-hydraulics facilities (TOSQAN, MISTRA, PANDA, SPOT). Themore » tests sequences aim to investigate hydrogen concentration build-up and stratification during a postulated accident and the effect of the activation of Severe Accident Management systems (SAMs), e.g. sprays, coolers and Passive Auto-catalytic Recombiners (PARs). Analytical activities, performed by the project participants, are an essential component of the projects, as they aim to improve and validate various computational methods. They accompany the projects in the various phases; plant calculations, scaling to generic containment and to the different facilities, planning pre-test and post-test simulations are performed. Code benchmark activities on the basis of conceptual near full scale HYMIX facility will finally provide a further opportunity to evaluate the applicability of the various methods to the study of scaling issues. (authors)« less

A 3D model for rubber tyres contact, based on Kalker's methods through the STRIPES model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chollet, Hugues

2012-01-01

A project on the pavement-rutting evolution under the effect of a tram on tyre, led the author to make a link between road and railway approaches to the problem of rolling contact. A simplified model is proposed with a fine description of the contact patch between a tyre and the road, and a more realistic pressure and shear stresses distribution than that available from basic models previously available. Experimental measurements are used to identify some characteristics of the force description, while the geometric shape of the tyre-road section are used, like in the traditional rail-wheel contact models, to build the 3D model. The last part validates a plausible contact pressure shape from self-aligning torque measurements and from Kalker's contact stresses gradient applied to the real tyre used in the project. The final result is a brush model extended from the wheel-rail STRIPES one, applicable to dynamics or contact studies of real tyres, with a physical coupling between longitudinal, lateral and spin effects, and a relatively fine description of the contact stresses along each strip of each tyre of the vehicle on an uneven road.

Sample Handling in Extreme Environments

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Avellar, Louisa; Badescu, Mircea; Sherrit, Stewart; Bar-Cohen, Yoseph

2013-01-01

Harsh environments, such as that on Venus, preclude the use of existing equipment for functions that involve interaction with the environment. The operating limitations of current high temperature electronics are well below the actual temperature and pressure found on Venus (460 deg C and 92 atm), so proposed lander configurations typically include a pressure vessel where the science instruments are kept at Earth-like temperature and pressure (25 deg C and 1 atm). The purpose of this project was to develop and demonstrate a method for sample transfer from an external drill to internal science instruments for a lander on Venus. The initial concepts were string and pneumatically driven systems; and the latter system was selected for its ability to deliver samples at very high speed. The pneumatic system was conceived to be driven by the pressure difference between the Venusian atmosphere and the inside of the lander. The pneumatic transfer of a small capsule was demonstrated, and velocity data was collected from the lab experiment. The sample transfer system was modeled using CAD software and prototyped using 3D printing. General structural and thermal analyses were performed to approximate the proposed system's mass and effects on the temperature and pressure inside of the lander. Additionally, a sampler breadboard for use on Titan was tested and functionality problems were resolved.

Does Physical Fitness Buffer the Relationship between Psychosocial Stress, Retinal Vessel Diameters, and Blood Pressure among Primary Schoolchildren?

PubMed Central

Endes, Katharina; Herrmann, Christian; Colledge, Flora; Brand, Serge; Donath, Lars; Faude, Oliver; Pühse, Uwe; Hanssen, Henner; Zahner, Lukas

2016-01-01

Background. Strong evidence exists showing that psychosocial stress plays an important part in the development of cardiovascular diseases. Because physical inactivity is associated with less favourable retinal vessel diameter and blood pressure profiles, this study explores whether physical fitness is able to buffer the negative effects of psychosocial stress on retinal vessel diameters and blood pressure in young children. Methods. 325 primary schoolchildren (51% girls, Mage = 7.28 years) took part in this cross-sectional research project. Retinal arteriolar diameters, retinal venular diameters, arteriolar to venular ratio, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure were assessed in all children. Interactions terms between physical fitness (performance in the 20 m shuttle run test) and four indicators of psychosocial stress (parental reports of critical life events, family, peer and school stress) were tested in a series of hierarchical regression analyses. Results. Critical life events and family, peer, and school-related stress were only weakly associated with retinal vessel diameters and blood pressure. No support was found for a stress-buffering effect of physical fitness. Conclusion. More research is needed with different age groups to find out if and from what age physical fitness can protect against arteriolar vessel narrowing and the occurrence of other cardiovascular disease risk factors. PMID:27795958

Enhancing Documentation of Pressure Ulcer Prevention Interventions: A Quality Improvement Strategy to Reduce Pressure Ulcers.

PubMed

Jacobson, Therese M; Thompson, Susan L; Halvorson, Anna M; Zeitler, Kristine

2016-01-01

Prevention of hospital-acquired pressure ulcers requires the implementation of evidence-based interventions. A quality improvement project was conducted to provide nurses with data on the frequency with which pressure ulcer prevention interventions were performed as measured by documentation. Documentation reports provided feedback to stakeholders, triggering reminders and reeducation. Intervention reports and modifications to the documentation system were effective both in increasing the documentation of pressure ulcer prevention interventions and in decreasing the number of avoidable hospital-acquired pressure ulcers.

Support of the eight-foot high-temperature tunnel modifications project

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hodges, Donald Y.; Shebalin, John V.

1987-01-01

An ultrasonic level sensor was developed to measure the liquid level in a storage vessel under high pressures, namely up to 6000 psi. The sensor is described. A prototype sensor was installed in the cooling-water storage vessel of the Eight-Foot High-Temperature Tunnel. Plans are being made to install the readout instrument in the control room, so that tunnel operators can monitor the water level during the course of a tunnel run. It was discovered that the sensor will operate at cryogenic temperatures. Consequently, a sensor will be installed in the modified Eight-Foot High-Temperature Tunnel to measure the sound speed of liquid oxygen (LOX) as it is transferred from a storage vessel to the tunnel combustor at pressure of about 3000 psi. The sound speed is known to be a reliable indicator of contamination of LOX by pressurized gaseous nitrogen, which will be used to effect the transfer. Subjecting the sensor to a temperature cycle from room temperature to liquid nitrogen temperature and back again several times revealed no deterioration in sensor performance. The method using this sensor is superior to the original method, which was to bleed samples of LOX from the storage vessel to an independent chamber for measurement of the sound speed.

D0 Solenoid Upgrade Project: Pressure Ratings for Some Chimney and Control Dewar Componenets

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

Rucinski, R.; /Fermilab

1993-05-25

Pressure rating calculations were done for some of the chimney and control dewar components. This engineering note documents these calculations. The table below summarizes the components looked at, and what pressure rating are. The raw engineering calculations for each of the components is given.

Ames Engineering Directorate

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Phillips, Veronica J.

2017-01-01

The Ames Engineering Directorate is the principal engineering organization supporting aerospace systems and spaceflight projects at NASA's Ames Research Center in California's Silicon Valley. The Directorate supports all phases of engineering and project management for flight and mission projects-from R&D to Close-out-by leveraging the capabilities of multiple divisions and facilities.The Mission Design Center (MDC) has full end-to-end mission design capability with sophisticated analysis and simulation tools in a collaborative concurrent design environment. Services include concept maturity level (CML) maturation, spacecraft design and trades, scientific instruments selection, feasibility assessments, and proposal support and partnerships. The Engineering Systems Division provides robust project management support as well as systems engineering, mechanical and electrical analysis and design, technical authority and project integration support to a variety of programs and projects across NASA centers. The Applied Manufacturing Division turns abstract ideas into tangible hardware for aeronautics, spaceflight and science applications, specializing in fabrication methods and management of complex fabrication projects. The Engineering Evaluation Lab (EEL) provides full satellite or payload environmental testing services including vibration, temperature, humidity, immersion, pressure/altitude, vacuum, high G centrifuge, shock impact testing and the Flight Processing Center (FPC), which includes cleanrooms, bonded stores and flight preparation resources. The Multi-Mission Operations Center (MMOC) is composed of the facilities, networks, IT equipment, software and support services needed by flight projects to effectively and efficiently perform all mission functions, including planning, scheduling, command, telemetry processing and science analysis.

Heating equipment installation system

DOEpatents

Meuschke, Robert E.; Pomaibo, Paul P.

1991-01-01

A method for installing a heater unit assembly (52, 54) in a reactor pressure vessel (2) for performance of an annealing treatment on the vessel (2), the vessel (2) having a vertical axis, being open at the top, being provided at the top with a flange (6) having a horizontal surface, and being provided internally, at a location below the flange (6), with orientation elements (8) which are asymmetrical with respect to the vertical axis, by the steps of: providing an orientation fixture (10) having an upwardly extending guide member (18) and orientation elements (14, 16) and installing the orientation fixture (10) in the vessel (2) so that the orientation elements (14,16) of the orientation fixture (10) mate with the orientation elements (8) of the pressure vessel (2) in order to establish a defined position of the orientation fixture (10) in the pressure vessel (2), and so that the guide member (18) projects above the pressure vessel (2) flange (6); placing a seal ring (30) in a defined position on the pressure vessel (2) flange (6) with the aid of the guide member (18); mounting at least one vertical, upwardly extending guide stud (40) upon the seal ring (30); withdrawing the orientation fixture (10) from the pressure vessel (2); and moving the heater unit assembly (52,54) vertically downwardly into the pressure vessel (2) while guiding the heater unit assembly (52,54) along a path with the aid of the guide stud (40).

Analysis, design and testing of high pressure waterjet nozzles

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mazzoleni, Andre P.

1996-01-01

The Hydroblast Research Cell at MSFC is both a research and a processing facility. The cell is used to investigate fundamental phenomena associated with waterjets as well as to clean hardware for various NASA and contractor projects. In the area of research, investigations are made regarding the use of high pressure waterjets to strip paint, grease, adhesive and thermal spray coatings from various substrates. Current industrial methods of cleaning often use ozone depleting chemicals (ODC) such as chlorinated solvents, and high pressure waterjet cleaning has proven to be a viable alternative. Standard methods of waterjet cleaning use hand held or robotically controlled nozzles. The nozzles used can be single-stream or multijet nozzles, and the multijet nozzles may be mounted in a rotating head or arranged in a fan-type shape. We consider in this paper the use of a rotating, multijet, high pressure water nozzle which is robotically controlled. This method enables rapid cleaning of a large area, but problems such as incomplete coverage (e.g. the formation of 'islands' of material not cleaned) and damage to the substrate from the waterjet have been observed. In addition, current stripping operations require the nozzle to be placed at a standoff distance of approximately 2 inches in order to achieve adequate performance. This close proximity of the nozzle to the target to be cleaned poses risks to the nozzle and the target in the event of robot error or the striking of unanticipated extrusions on the target surface as the nozzle sweeps past. Two key motivations of this research are to eliminate the formation of 'coating islands' and to increase the allowable standoff distance of the nozzle.

PRELIMINARY STUDY OF THE PRESSURE TRANSDUCER PROJECT

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

Eldridge, A.J.

1956-08-01

A feasibility study is presented of the application of several commercially available pressure transducers for incorporation in a dynamic baro- switch tester or for use in a baro-switch application. (auth)

Characterization of sorption properties of selected soils from Lublin region by using water vapour adsorption method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Skic, Kamil; Boguta, Patrycja; Sokołowska, Zofia

2016-04-01

*The studies were carried out within the framework of a research project. The project was financed from funds of National Science Center on the base of decision number DEC-2013/11/D/NZ9/02545 Among many methods proposed to study sorption properties of soils an analysis of adsorption/ desorption isotherm is probably the easiest and most convenient one. It characterizes both quantity and quality of mineral and organic components and also their physical and physicochemical properties. The main aim of this study is comparison of sorption properties of selected Polish soils by using water vapour adsorption method. Samples were taken from the depth of 0-20 cm, from the Lublin region, eastern Poland. Soils were selected on the basis of their different physicochemical properties and were classified as: Haplic Fluvisol, Haplic Chernozem, Mollic Gleysol, Rendzic Phaeozem, Stagnic Luvisol, Haplic Cambisol (WG WRB 2006). Data taken from experimental adsorption isotherms were used to determine parameters of monolayer capacity, specific surface area and the total amount of vapour adsorbed at relative pressure of 0.974. Obtained adsorption and desorption isotherms reviled that adsorbate molecules interacted with the soil particles in different extent. Similar monolayer capacity was observed for Haplic Fluvisol, Haplic Chernozem and Stagnic Luvisol, while for Mollic Gleysol was more than 4 times higher. Mollic Gleysol was also characterized by highest values of specific surface area as well as quantity of adsorbed vapour at relative pressure of 0.974. Higher sorption was caused by presence of soil colloids which contains functional groups of a polar nature (mainly hydroxyls, phenolic and carboxyls). These groups similarly to silicates, oxides, hydratable cations as well as electric charge form adsorption centres for water vapour molecules.

Investigation of Shock Diffusers at Mach Number 1.85. 2 - Projecting Double-Shock Cones

DTIC Science & Technology

1947-06-17

pitot - static rake located as shown in figure 1(a). Total-pressure recoveries were measured for a series of tip projections varied in minimum steps...is shown. The position of the pitot -static rake with which these distributions were .measured is shown in figure 1(a). The data points correspond...Schroeder SUMMARY An Investigation has "been undertaken in the Cleveland 18- by 18-Inch, supersonic tunnel to determine the total-pressure

Acoustic imaging in application to reconstruction of rough rigid surface with airborne ultrasound waves

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Krynkin, A.; Dolcetti, G.; Hunting, S.

2017-02-01

Accurate reconstruction of the surface roughness is of high importance to various areas of science and engineering. One important application of this technology is for remote monitoring of open channel flows through observing its dynamic surface roughness. In this paper a novel airborne acoustic method of roughness reconstruction is proposed and tested with a static rigid rough surface. This method is based on the acoustic holography principle and Kirchhoff approximation which make use of acoustic pressure data collected at multiple receiver points spread along an arch. The Tikhonov regularisation and generalised cross validation technique are used to solve the underdetermined system of equations for the acoustic pressures. The experimental data are collected above a roughness created with a 3D printer. For the given surface, it is shown that the proposed method works well with the various number of receiver positions. In this paper, the tested ratios between the number of surface points at which the surface elevation can be reconstructed and number of receiver positions are 2.5, 5, and 7.5. It is shown that, in a region comparable with the projected size of the main directivity lobe, the method is able to reconstruct the spatial spectrum density of the actual surface elevation with the accuracy of 20%.

Acoustic imaging in application to reconstruction of rough rigid surface with airborne ultrasound waves.

PubMed

Krynkin, A; Dolcetti, G; Hunting, S

2017-02-01

Accurate reconstruction of the surface roughness is of high importance to various areas of science and engineering. One important application of this technology is for remote monitoring of open channel flows through observing its dynamic surface roughness. In this paper a novel airborne acoustic method of roughness reconstruction is proposed and tested with a static rigid rough surface. This method is based on the acoustic holography principle and Kirchhoff approximation which make use of acoustic pressure data collected at multiple receiver points spread along an arch. The Tikhonov regularisation and generalised cross validation technique are used to solve the underdetermined system of equations for the acoustic pressures. The experimental data are collected above a roughness created with a 3D printer. For the given surface, it is shown that the proposed method works well with the various number of receiver positions. In this paper, the tested ratios between the number of surface points at which the surface elevation can be reconstructed and number of receiver positions are 2.5, 5, and 7.5. It is shown that, in a region comparable with the projected size of the main directivity lobe, the method is able to reconstruct the spatial spectrum density of the actual surface elevation with the accuracy of 20%.

Nitro stretch probing of a single molecular layer to monitor shock compression with picosecond time resolution

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Berg, Christopher; Lagutchev, Alexei; Fu, Yuanxi; Dlott, Dana

2012-03-01

Ultrafast shock compression vibrational spectroscopy experiments with molecular monolayers provide atomic-scale time and space resolution, which enables critical testing of reactive molecular simulations. Since the origination of this project, we have greatly improved the ability to detect shocked monolayers by nonlinear coherent vibrational spectroscopy with nonresonant suppression. In this study, we show new results on a nitroaromatic monolayer, where the nitro symmetric stretch is probed. A small frequency blue-shift under shock conditions compared to measurements with static high pressure shows the shock is ~1 GPa. The ability to flash-preheat the monolayer by several hundred K is demonstrated. In order to observe shock monolayer chemistry in real time, along with pre-heating, the shock pressure needs to be increased and methods to do so are described.

Test Structures for Rapid Prototyping of Gas and Pressure Sensors

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Buehler, M.; Cheng, L. J.; Martin, D.

1996-01-01

A multi-project ceramic substrate was used in developing a gas sensor and pressure sensor. The ceramic substrate cantained 36 chips with six variants including sensors, process control monitors, and an interconnect ship. Tha gas sensor is being developed as an air quality monitor and the pressure gauge as a barometer.

The rotary subwoofer: a controllable infrasound source.

PubMed

Park, Joseph; Garcés, Milton; Thigpen, Bruce

2009-04-01

The rotary subwoofer is a novel acoustic transducer capable of projecting infrasonic signals at high sound pressure levels. The projector produces higher acoustic particle velocities than conventional transducers which translate into higher radiated sound pressure levels. This paper characterizes measured performance of a rotary subwoofer and presents a model to predict sound pressure levels.

Particle control near reticle and optics using showerhead

DOEpatents

Delgado, Gildardo R.; Chilese, Frank; Garcia, Rudy; Torczynski, John R.; Geller, Anthony S.; Rader, Daniel J.; Klebanoff, Leonard E.; Gallis, Michail A.

2016-01-26

A method and an apparatus to protect a reticle against particles and chemicals in an actinic EUV reticle inspection tool are presented. The method and apparatus utilizes a pair of porous metal diffusers in the form of showerheads to provide a continual flow of clean gas. The main showerhead bathes the reticle surface to be inspected in smoothly flowing, low pressure gas, isolating it from particles coming from surrounding volumes. The secondary showerhead faces away from the reticle and toward the EUV illumination and projection optics, supplying them with purge gas while at the same time creating a buffer zone that is kept free of any particle contamination originating from those optics.

Navigating Earthquake Physics with High-Resolution Array Back-Projection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Meng, Lingsen

Understanding earthquake source dynamics is a fundamental goal of geophysics. Progress toward this goal has been slow due to the gap between state-of-art earthquake simulations and the limited source imaging techniques based on conventional low-frequency finite fault inversions. Seismic array processing is an alternative source imaging technique that employs the higher frequency content of the earthquakes and provides finer detail of the source process with few prior assumptions. While the back-projection provides key observations of previous large earthquakes, the standard beamforming back-projection suffers from low resolution and severe artifacts. This thesis introduces the MUSIC technique, a high-resolution array processing method that aims to narrow the gap between the seismic observations and earthquake simulations. The MUSIC is a high-resolution method taking advantage of the higher order signal statistics. The method has not been widely used in seismology yet because of the nonstationary and incoherent nature of the seismic signal. We adapt MUSIC to transient seismic signal by incorporating the Multitaper cross-spectrum estimates. We also adopt a "reference window" strategy that mitigates the "swimming artifact," a systematic drift effect in back projection. The improved MUSIC back projections allow the imaging of recent large earthquakes in finer details which give rise to new perspectives on dynamic simulations. In the 2011 Tohoku-Oki earthquake, we observe frequency-dependent rupture behaviors which relate to the material variation along the dip of the subduction interface. In the 2012 off-Sumatra earthquake, we image the complicated ruptures involving orthogonal fault system and an usual branching direction. This result along with our complementary dynamic simulations probes the pressure-insensitive strength of the deep oceanic lithosphere. In another example, back projection is applied to the 2010 M7 Haiti earthquake recorded at regional distance. The high-frequency subevents are located at the edges of geodetic slip regions, which are correlated to the stopping phases associated with rupture speed reduction when the earthquake arrests.

Summary of Activities for Health Monitoring of Composite Overwrapped Pressure Vessels

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Russell, Rick

2012-01-01

This new start project (FY12-14) will design and demonstrate the ability of nondestructive evaluation sensors for the measurement of stresses on the inner diameter of a Composite Overwrapped Pressure Vessel overwrap. Results will be correlated with other nondestructive evaluation technologies such as Acoustic Emission. The project will build upon a proof of concept study performed at KSC which demonstrated the ability of Magnetic Stress Gages to measure stresses at internal overwraps and upon current acoustic emission research being performed at WSTF; The gages will be produced utilizing Maundering Winding Magnetometer and/or Maundering Winding Magnetometer-array eddy current technology. The proof-of-concept study demonstrated a correlation between the sensor response and pressure or strain. The study also demonstrated the ability of Maundering Winding Magnetometer technology to monitor the stresses in a Composite Overwrapped Pressure Vessel at different orientations and depths. The ultimate goal is to utilize this technology for the health monitoring of Composite Overwrapped Pressure Vessels for all future flight programs.

Planning and Execution of a Marine Methane Hydrate Pressure Coring Program for the Walker Ridge and Green Canyon Areas of the Gulf of Mexico

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

Humphrey, Gary

The objective of this project (and report) is to produce a guide to developing scientific, operational, and logistical plans for a future methane hydrate-focused offshore pressure coring program. This report focuses primarily on a potential coring program in the Walker Ridge 313 and Green Canyon 955 blocks where previous investigations were undertaken as part of the 2009 Department of Energy JIP Leg II expedition, however, the approach to designing a pressure coring program that was utilized for this project may also serve as a useful model for planning pressure coring programs for hydrates in other areas. The initial portion ofmore » the report provides a brief overview of prior investigations related to gas hydrates in general and at the Walker Ridge 313 and Green Canyon 955 blocks in particular. The main content of the report provides guidance for various criteria that will come into play when designing a pressure coring program.« less

Staged, High-Pressure Oxy-Combustion Technology: Development and Scale-Up

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

Axelbaum, Richard; Kumfer, Benjamin; Gopan, Akshay

The immediate need for a high efficiency, low cost carbon capture process has prompted the recent development of pressurized oxy-combustion. With a greater combustion pressure the dew point of the flue gas is increased, allowing for effective integration of the latent heat of flue gas moisture into the Rankine cycle. This increases the net plant efficiency and reduces costs. A novel, transformational process, named Staged, Pressurized Oxy-Combustion (SPOC), achieves additional step changes in efficiency and cost reduction by significantly reducing the recycle of flue gas. The research and development activities conducted under Phases I and II of this project (FE0009702)more » include: SPOC power plant cost and performance modeling, CFD-assisted design of pressurized SPOC boilers, theoretical analysis of radiant heat transfer and ash deposition, boiler materials corrosion testing, construction of a 100 kWth POC test facility, and experimental testing. The results of this project have advanced the technology readiness level (TRL) of the SPOC technology from 1 to 5.« less

Research on the water hammer protection of the long distance water supply project with the combined action of the air vessel and over-pressure relief valve

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, D. D.; Jiang, J.; Zhao, Z.; Yi, W. S.; Lan, G.

2013-12-01

We take a concrete pumping station as an example in this paper. Through the calculation of water hammer protection with a specific pumping station water supply project, and the analysis of the principle, mathematical models and boundary conditions of air vessel and over-pressure relief valve we show that the air vessel can protect the water conveyance system and reduce the transient pressure damage due to various causes. Over-pressure relief valve can effectively reduce the water hammer because the water column re-bridge suddenly stops the pump and prevents pipeline burst. The paper indicates that the combination set of air vessel and over-pressure relief valve can greatly reduce the quantity of the air valve and can eliminate the water hammer phenomenon in the pipeline system due to the vaporization and water column separation and re-bridge. The conclusion could provide a reference for the water hammer protection of long-distance water supply system.

2007 NASA Seal/Secondary Air System Workshop. Volume 1

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Steinetz, Bruce M.; Hendricks, Robert C.; Delgado, Irebert

2008-01-01

The 2007 NASA Seal/Secondary Air System workshop covered the following topics: (i) Overview of NASA's new Orion project aimed at developing a new spacecraft that will fare astronauts to the International Space Station, the Moon, Mars, and beyond; (ii) Overview of NASA's fundamental aeronautics technology project; (iii) Overview of NASA Glenn s seal project aimed at developing advanced seals for NASA's turbomachinery, space, and reentry vehicle needs; (iv) Reviews of NASA prime contractor, vendor, and university advanced sealing concepts, test results, experimental facilities, and numerical predictions; and (v) Reviews of material development programs relevant to advanced seals development. Turbine engine studies have shown that reducing seal leakage as well as high-pressure turbine (HPT) blade tip clearances will reduce fuel burn, lower emissions, retain exhaust gas temperature margin, and increase range. Turbine seal development topics covered include a method for fast-acting HPT blade tip clearance control, noncontacting low-leakage seals, intershaft seals, and a review of engine seal performance requirements for current and future Army engine platforms.

2008 NASA Seal/Secondary Air System Workshop

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Steinetz, Bruce M. (Editor); Hendricks, Robert C. (Editor); Delgado, Irebert R. (Editor)

2009-01-01

The 2008 NASA Seal/Secondary Air System Workshop covered the following topics: (i) Overview of NASA s new Orion project aimed at developing a new spacecraft that will fare astronauts to the International Space Station, the Moon, Mars, and beyond; (ii) Overview of NASA s fundamental aeronautics technology project; (iii) Overview of NASA Glenn s seal project aimed at developing advanced seals for NASA s turbomachinery, space, and reentry vehicle needs; (iv) Reviews of NASA prime contractor, vendor, and university advanced sealing concepts, test results, experimental facilities, and numerical predictions; and (v) Reviews of material development programs relevant to advanced seals development. Turbine engine studies have shown that reducing seal leakage as well as high-pressure turbine (HPT) blade tip clearances will reduce fuel burn, lower emissions, retain exhaust gas temperature margin, and increase range. Turbine seal development topics covered include a method for fast-acting HPT blade tip clearance control, noncontacting low-leakage seals, intershaft seals, and a review of engine seal performance requirements for current and future Army engine platforms.

Simulation of the Solar Wind Dynamic Pressure Increase in 2014 and Its Effect on Energetic Neutral Atom Fluxes from the Heliosphere

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zirnstein, E. J.; Heerikhuisen, J.; McComas, D. J.; Pogorelov, N. V.; Reisenfeld, D. B.; Szalay, J. R.

2018-06-01

In late 2014, the solar wind dynamic pressure increased by ∼50% over a relatively short time (∼6 months). In early 2017, the Interstellar Boundary Explorer (IBEX) observed an increase in heliospheric energetic neutral atom (ENA) fluxes from directions near the front of the heliosphere. These enhanced ENA emissions resulted from the increase in SW pressure propagating through the inner heliosheath (IHS), affecting the IHS plasma pressure and emission of ∼keV ENA fluxes. We expand on the analysis by McComas et al. on the effects of this pressure change on ENA fluxes observed at 1 au using a three-dimensional, time-dependent simulation of the heliosphere. The pressure front has likely already crossed the termination shock (TS) in all directions, but ENA fluxes observed at 1 au will change over the coming years, as the TS, heliopause, and IHS plasma pressure continue to change in response to the SW pressure increase. Taken in isolation, the pressure front creates a “ring” of increasing ENA fluxes projected in the sky that expands in angular radius over time, as a function of the distances to the heliosphere boundaries and the ENA propagation speed. By tracking the position of this ring over time in our simulation, we demonstrate a method for estimating the distances to the TS, heliopause, and ENA source region that can be applied to IBEX data. This will require IBEX observations at 4.3 keV up through ∼2020, and longer times at lower ENA energies, in order to observe significant changes from the heliotail.

Three Dimensional Flow and Pressure Patterns in a Hydrostatic Journal Bearing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Braun, M. Jack; Dzodzo, Milorad B.

1996-01-01

The flow in a hydrostatic journal bearing (HJB) is described by a mathematical model that uses the three dimensional non-orthogonal form of the Navier-Stokes equations. Using the u, v, w, and p, as primary variables, a conservative formulation, finite volume multi-block method is applied through a collocated, body fitted grid. The HJB has four shallow pockets with a depth/length ratio of 0.067. This paper represents a natural extension to the two and three dimensional studies undertaken prior to this project.

Evaluating the cost effectiveness of environmental projects: Case studies in aerospace and defense

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Shunk, James F.

1995-01-01

Using the replacement technology of high pressure waterjet decoating systems as an example, a simple methodology is presented for developing a cost effectiveness model. The model uses a four-step process to formulate an economic justification designed for presentation to decision makers as an assessment of the value of the replacement technology over conventional methods. Three case studies from major U.S. and international airlines are used to illustrate the methodology and resulting model. Tax and depreciation impacts are also presented as potential additions to the model.

Joint Services Electronics Program: Annual Progress Report Number 103, 1 October 1988 - 31 July 1989 (Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts)

DTIC Science & Technology

1989-07-31

facility awaits integration in the soon-to-be funded DOE 36 project, Robert Martinez has been using it to develop a method to evaluate surface stresses...explained as resulting from a pressure- dependent effective mass, m*, and we suggested that this was evidence for r - x 0 mixing. However, simple models of...between near Q i 2.6A’-. The overall shape of this type of data, measured over 10 orders of magnitude, places severe constraints on any possible model for

Improving Future Ecosystem Benefits through Earth Observations: the H2020 Project ECOPOTENTIAL

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Provenzale, Antonello; Beierkuhnlein, Carl; Ziv, Guy

2016-04-01

Terrestrial and marine ecosystems provide essential goods and services to human societies. In the last decades, however, anthropogenic pressures caused serious threats to ecosystem integrity, functions and processes, potentially leading to the loss of essential ecosystem services. ECOPOTENTIAL is a large European-funded H2020 project which focuses its activities on a targeted set of internationally recognised protected areas in Europe, European Territories and beyond, blending Earth Observations from remote sensing and field measurements, data analysis and modelling of current and future ecosystem conditions and services. The definition of future scenarios is based on climate and land-use change projections, addressing the issue of uncertainties and uncertainty propagation across the modelling chain. The ECOPOTENTIAL project addresses cross-scale geosphere-biosphere interactions and landscape-ecosystem dynamics at regional to continental scales, using geostatistical methods and the emerging approaches in Macrosystem Ecology and Earth Critical Zone studies, addressing long-term and large-scale environmental and ecological challenges. The project started its activities in 2015, by defining a set of storylines which allow to tackle some of the most crucial issues in the assessment of present conditions and the estimate of the future state of selected ecosystem services. In this contribution, we focus on some of the main storylines of the project and discuss the general approach, focusing on the interplay of data and models and on the estimate of projection uncertainties.

Topological Aspects of the FAITH Experiment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tobak, Murray; Long, Kurtis

2010-01-01

This slide presentation reviews the following issues (1) What is relationship between surface pressure extrema and singular points? (2) Does every singular point in a pattern of skin friction lines occur at a surface pressure extremum? (and/or vice versa?) (3) Can this relationship be generalized to all geometries? (4) FAITH Project (5) Ongoing effort at NASA Ames Experimental AeroPhysics Branch (6) Multi-parameter wind tunnel investigation of flow around obstacle (7) Acquire data for CFD validation, optimization and (8) Relationship between FAITH and topology projects

Engineering studies of vectorcardiographs in blood pressure measuring systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mark, R. G.

1975-01-01

The following projects involving cardiovascular instrumentation were conducted: (1) the development and fabrication of a three-dimensional display measurement system for vectorcardiograms, (2) the development and fabrication of a cardiovascular monitoring system to noninvasively monitor beat-by-beat the blood pressure and heart rate using aortic pulse wave velocity, (3) the development of software for an interactive system to analyze systolic time interval data, and (4) the development of microprocessor-based physiologic instrumentation, focussing initially on EKG rhythm analysis. Brief descriptions of these projects were given.

Resonances, radiation pressure and optical scattering phenomena of drops and bubbles

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Marston, P. L.; Goosby, S. G.; Langley, D. S.; Loporto-Arione, S. E.

1982-01-01

Acoustic levitation and the response of fluid spheres to spherical harmonic projections of the radiation pressure are described. Simplified discussions of the projections are given. A relationship between the tangential radiation stress and the Konstantinov effect is introduced and fundamental streaming patterns for drops are predicted. Experiments on the forced shape oscillation of drops are described and photographs of drop fission are displayed. Photographs of critical angle and glory scattering by bubbles and rainbow scattering by drops are displayed.

Local projection stabilization for linearized Brinkman-Forchheimer-Darcy equation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Skrzypacz, Piotr

2017-09-01

The Local Projection Stabilization (LPS) is presented for the linearized Brinkman-Forchheimer-Darcy equation with high Reynolds numbers. The considered equation can be used to model porous medium flows in chemical reactors of packed bed type. The detailed finite element analysis is presented for the case of nonconstant porosity. The enriched variant of LPS is based on the equal order interpolation for the velocity and pressure. The optimal error bounds for the velocity and pressure errors are justified numerically.

Model-Based Extracted Water Desalination System for Carbon Sequestration

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

Dees, Elizabeth M.; Moore, David Roger; Li, Li

Over the last 1.5 years, GE Global Research and Pennsylvania State University defined a model-based, scalable, and multi-stage extracted water desalination system that yields clean water, concentrated brine, and, optionally, salt. The team explored saline brines that ranged across the expected range for extracted water for carbon sequestration reservoirs (40,000 up to 220,000 ppm total dissolved solids, TDS). In addition, the validated the system performance at pilot scale with field-sourced water using GE’s pre-pilot and lab facilities. This project encompassed four principal tasks, in addition to Project Management and Planning: 1) identify a deep saline formation carbon sequestration site andmore » a partner that are suitable for supplying extracted water; 2) conduct a techno-economic assessment and down-selection of pre-treatment and desalination technologies to identify a cost-effective system for extracted water recovery; 3) validate the downselected processes at the lab/pre-pilot scale; and 4) define the scope of the pilot desalination project. Highlights from each task are described below: Deep saline formation characterization The deep saline formations associated with the five DOE NETL 1260 Phase 1 projects were characterized with respect to their mineralogy and formation water composition. Sources of high TDS feed water other than extracted water were explored for high TDS desalination applications, including unconventional oil and gas and seawater reverse osmosis concentrate. Technoeconomic analysis of desalination technologies Techno-economic evaluations of alternate brine concentration technologies, including humidification-dehumidification (HDH), membrane distillation (MD), forward osmosis (FO), turboexpander-freeze, solvent extraction and high pressure reverse osmosis (HPRO), were conducted. These technologies were evaluated against conventional falling film-mechanical vapor recompression (FF-MVR) as a baseline desalination process. Furthermore, a quality function deployment (QFD) method was used to compare alternate high TDS desalination technologies to FF-MVR. High pressure reverse osmosis was found to a be a promising alternative desalination technology. A deep-dive technoeconomic analysis of HPRO was performed, including Capex and Opex estimates, for seawater RO (SWRO). Additionally, two additional cases were explored: 1) a comparison of a SWRO plus HPRO system to the option of doubling the size of a standard seawater RO system to achieve the same total pure water recovery rate; and 2) a flue gas desulfurization wastewater treatment zero-liquid discharge (ZLD) application, where preconcentration with RO (SWRO or SWRO + HPRO) before evaporation and crystallization was compared to FF-MVR and crystallization technologies without RO preconcentration. Pre-pilot process validation Pre-pilot-scale tests were conducted using field production water to validate key process steps for extracted water pretreatment. Approximately 5,000 gallons of field produced water was processed through, microfiltration, ultrafiltration, and steam regenerable sorbent operations. Smaller quantities were processed through microclarification. In addition, analytical methods (purge-and-trap gas chromatography and Hach TOC analytical methods) were validated. Lab-scale HPRO elements were constructed and tested at high pressures, to identify and mitigate technical risks of the technology. Lastly, improvements in RO membrane materials were identified as the necessary next step to achieve further improvement in element performance at high pressure. Scope of Field Pilot A field pilot for extracted water pretreatment was designed.« less

Choosing to Serve? An Exploration of Student Self-Selection of Service Learning Projects

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Weber, Paula S.; Schneider, Kenneth R.; Weber, James E.

2008-01-01

This study explores student selection of service learning projects in lieu of traditional library research projects. One hundred fifty-four strategic management students completed surveys exploring their tolerance of ambiguity, time pressure, attitudes toward civic participation, self-efficacy toward service, political conservatism, and the role…

Methods and Techniques for Risk Prediction of Space Shuttle Upgrades

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hoffman, Chad R.; Pugh, Rich; Safie, Fayssal

1998-01-01

Since the Space Shuttle Accident in 1986, NASA has been trying to incorporate probabilistic risk assessment (PRA) in decisions concerning the Space Shuttle and other NASA projects. One major study NASA is currently conducting is in the PRA area in establishing an overall risk model for the Space Shuttle System. The model is intended to provide a tool to predict the Shuttle risk and to perform sensitivity analyses and trade studies including evaluation of upgrades. Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) and its prime contractors including Pratt and Whitney (P&W) are part of the NASA team conducting the PRA study. MSFC responsibility involves modeling the External Tank (ET), the Solid Rocket Booster (SRB), the Reusable Solid Rocket Motor (RSRM), and the Space Shuttle Main Engine (SSME). A major challenge that faced the PRA team is modeling the shuttle upgrades. This mainly includes the P&W High Pressure Fuel Turbopump (HPFTP) and the High Pressure Oxidizer Turbopump (HPOTP). The purpose of this paper is to discuss the various methods and techniques used for predicting the risk of the P&W redesigned HPFTP and HPOTP.

Project DEEP STEAM

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aeschliman, D. P.; Clay, R. G.; Donaldson, A. B.; Eisenhawer, S. W.; Fox, R. L.; Johnson, D. R.; Mulac, A. J.

1982-01-01

The objective of Project DEEP STEAM is to develop the technology to economically produce heavy oils from deep reservoirs. The tasks included in this project are the development of thermally efficient delivery systems and downhole steam generation systems. During the period January 1-March 31, 1981, effort has continued on a low pressure combustion downhole generator (Rocketdyne), and on two high pressure designs (Foster-Miller Associates, Sandia National Laboratories). The Sandia design was prepared for deployment in the Wilmington Field at Long Beach, California. Progress continued on the Min-Stress II packer concept at L'Garde, Inc., and on the extruded metal packer at Foster-Miller. Initial bare string field data are reported on the insulated tubular test at Lloydminster, Saskatchewan, Canada.

European Community Respiratory Health Survey calibration project of dosimeter driving pressures.

PubMed

Ward, R J; Ward, C; Johns, D P; Skoric, B; Abramson, M; Walters, E H

2002-02-01

Two potential sources of systematic variation in output from Mefar dosimeters, the system used in the European Community Respiratory Health Survey (ECRHS) study have been evaluated: individual nebulizer characteristics and dosimeter driving pressure. Output variation from 366 new nebulizers produced in two batches for the second ECRHS were evaluated, using a solute tracer method, at a fixed driving pressure. The relationship between dosimeter driving pressure was then characterized and between-centre variation in dosimeter driving pressure was evaluated in an Internet-based survey. A systematic difference between nebulizers manufactured in the two batches was identified. Batch one had a mean+/-SD output of 7.0+/-0.8 mg x s(-1) and batch two, 6.3+/-0.7 mg x s(-1) (p<0.005). There was a wide range of driving pressures generated by Mefar dosimeters as set, ranging between 70-245 kPa, with most outside the quoted manufacturer's specification of 180+/-5%. Nebulizer output was confirmed as linearly related to dosimeter driving pressure (coefficient of determination (R2)=0.99, output=0.0377 x driving pressure-0.4151). The range in driving pressures observed was estimated as consistent with a variation of about one doubling in the provocative dose causing a 20% fall in forced expiratory volume in one second. Systematic variation has been identified that constitutes potentially significant confounders for between-centre comparisons of airway responsiveness in the European Community Respiratory Health Survey, with the dosimeter driving pressure representing the most serious issue. This work confirms the need for appropriate quality control of both nebulizer output and dosimeter driving pressure, in laboratories undertaking field measurements of airway responsiveness. In particular, appropriate data on driving pressures need to be collected and factored into between-centre comparisons. Comprehensive collection of such data to optimize quality control is practicable and has been instigated by the organizing committee for the European Community Respiratory Health Survey II.

Aile adaptable : Design du systeme d'actionnement de l'aileron rigide, caracterisation des capteurs de pression et instrumentation pour des tests statiques =

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vincent, Jean-Baptiste

This Master's thesis is part of a multidisciplinary optimisation project initiated by the Consortium for Research and Innovation in Aerospace in Quebec (CRIAQ) ; this project is about designing and manufacturing a morphing wing demonstrator. The morphing design adopted in this project is based on airfoil thickness variation applied to the upper skin. This morphing generates a change in the laminar to turbulent boundary layer transition position on top of the wing. The position of this transition area leads to significant changes in the aerodynamic performance of the wing. The study presented here focuses on the design of the conventional aileron actuation system and on the characterization of the high sensitivity differential pressure sensors installed on the upper skin in order to determine the laminar to turbulent transition position. Furthermore, the study focuses on the data acquisition system for the morphing wing structural test validation. The aileron actuation system is based on a linear actuator actuated by a brushless motor. The component choice is presented as well as the command method. A static validation as well as wind tunnel validation is presented. The pressure sensor characterization is performed by installing three of those high sensitivity differential pressure sensors in a bi-dimensional known airfoil. This study goes through the process of determining the sensor position in order to observe the transition area by using a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) statistic approach. The validation of the laminar to turbulent transition position is carried out with a series of wind tunnel tests. A structural test has been executed in order to validate the wing structure. This Master's thesis shows the data acquisition system for the microstrain measurement installed inside the morphing wing. A hardware and software architecture description is developed and presented as well as the practical results.

AGSM Intelligent Devices/Smart Sensors Project

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Harp, Janicce Leshay

2014-01-01

This project provides development and qualification of Smart Sensors capable of self-diagnosis and assessment of their capability/readiness to support operations. These sensors will provide pressure and temperature measurements to use in ground systems.

Development of a Smartphone-Enabled Hypertension and Diabetes Mellitus Management Package to Facilitate Evidence-Based Care Delivery in Primary Healthcare Facilities in India: The mPower Heart Project.

PubMed

Ajay, Vamadevan S; Jindal, Devraj; Roy, Ambuj; Venugopal, Vidya; Sharma, Rakshit; Pawar, Abha; Kinra, Sanjay; Tandon, Nikhil; Prabhakaran, Dorairaj

2016-12-21

The high burden of undetected and undertreated hypertension and diabetes mellitus is a major health challenge worldwide. The mPower Heart Project aimed to develop and test a feasible and scalable intervention for hypertension and diabetes mellitus by task-sharing with the use of a mobile phone-based clinical decision support system at Community Health Centers in Himachal Pradesh, India. The development of the intervention and mobile phone-based clinical decision support system was carried out using mixed methods in five Community Health Centers. The intervention was subsequently evaluated using pre-post evaluation design. During intervention, a nurse care coordinator screened, examined, and entered patient parameters into mobile phone-based clinical decision support system to generate a prescription, which was vetted by a physician. The change in systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and fasting plasma glucose (FPG) over 18 months of intervention was quantified using generalized estimating equations models. During intervention, 6797 participants were enrolled. Six thousand sixteen participants had hypertension (mean systolic blood pressure: 146.1 mm Hg, 95% CI: 145.7, 146.5; diastolic blood pressure: 89.52 mm Hg, 95% CI: 89.33, 89.72), of which 3152 (52%) subjects were newly detected. Similarly, 1516 participants had diabetes mellitus (mean FPG: 177.9 mg/dL, 95% CI: 175.8, 180.0), of which 450 (30%) subjects were newly detected. The changes in systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and FPG observed at 18 months of follow-up were -14.6 mm Hg (95% CI: -15.3, -13.8), -7.6 mm Hg (CI: -8.0, -7.2), and -50.0 mg/dL (95% CI: -54.6, -45.5), respectively, and were statistically significant even after adjusting for age, sex, and Community Health Center. A nurse-facilitated, mobile phone-based clinical decision support system-enabled intervention in primary care was associated with improvements in blood pressure and blood glucose control and has the potential to scale-up in resource poor settings. URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifiers: NCT01794052. Clinical Trial Registry-India: CTRI/2013/02/003412. © 2016 The Authors. Published on behalf of the American Heart Association, Inc., by Wiley Blackwell.

Review of a Metdology for Tracking the Neutron Exposure of Pwr Pressure Vessels during the License Renewal Period

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Anderson, Stan L.; Fero, Arnold H.; Roberts, George K.

2003-06-01

The neutron fluence associated with each material in the pressure vessel beltline region is determined on a plant specific basis at each surveillance capsule withdrawal. Based on an assumed mode of operation, fluence projections to account for future operation are then made for use in vessel integrity evaluations. The applicability of these assumed projections is normally verified and updated, if necessary, at each subsequent surveillance capsule withdrawal. However, following the last scheduled withdrawal of a surveillance capsule, there is generally no formal mechanism in place to assure that fluence projections for the remainder of plant operating lifetime remain valid. This paper provides a review of a methodology that can be efficiently used in conjunction with future fuel loading patterns or on-line core power distribution monitoring systems to track the actual fluence accrued by each of the pressure vessel beltline materials in the operating period following the last capsule withdrawal.

Increased projection of MHC and tumor antigens in murine B16-BL6 melanoma induced by hydrostatic pressure and chemical crosslinking.

PubMed

Ramakrishna, V; Eisenthal, A; Skornick, Y; Shinitzky, M

1993-05-01

The B16-BL6 melanoma, like most spontaneously arising tumors, is poorly immunogenic and expresses low levels of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) antigens. Treatment of cells of this tumor in vitro by hydrostatic pressure in the presence of adenosine 2',3'-dialdehyde (oxAdo), a membrane-impermeant crosslinker, caused elevated projection of MHC and a specific tumor antigen as demonstrated by flow-cytometric analysis. Maximum projection of both the MHC and the tumor antigens could be reached by application of 1200 atm for 15 min in the presence of 20 mM oxAdo. It is not yet clear whether this passive increase in availability of antigens on the cell surface originated from a dormant pool of antigens in the plasma membrane or from pressure-induced fusion of antigen-rich intracellular organelles (e.g. the endoplasmic reticulum). The immunogenic properties of the antigen-enriched B16-BL6 cells are described in the following paper.

On-going collaborative priority-setting for research activity: a method of capacity building to reduce the research-practice translational gap.

PubMed

Cooke, Jo; Ariss, Steven; Smith, Christine; Read, Jennifer

2015-05-07

International policy suggests that collaborative priority setting (CPS) between researchers and end users of research should shape the research agenda, and can increase capacity to address the research-practice translational gap. There is limited research evidence to guide how this should be done to meet the needs of dynamic healthcare systems. One-off priority setting events and time-lag between decision and action prove problematic. This study illustrates the use of CPS in a UK research collaboration called Collaboration and Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care (CLAHRC). Data were collected from a north of England CLAHRC through semi-structured interviews with 28 interviewees and a workshop of key stakeholders (n = 21) including academics, NHS clinicians, and managers. Documentary analysis of internal reports and CLAHRC annual reports for the first two and half years was also undertaken. These data were thematically coded. Methods of CPS linked to the developmental phase of the CLAHRC. Early methods included pre-existing historical partnerships with on-going dialogue. Later, new platforms for on-going discussions were formed. Consensus techniques with staged project development were also used. All methods demonstrated actual or potential change in practice and services. Impact was enabled through the flexibility of research and implementation work streams; 'matched' funding arrangements to support alignment of priorities in partner organisations; the size of the collaboration offering a resource to meet project needs; and the length of the programme providing stability and long term relationships. Difficulties included tensions between being responsive to priorities and the possibility of 'drift' within project work, between academics and practice, and between service providers and commissioners in the health services. Providing protected 'matched' time proved difficult for some NHS managers, which put increasing work pressure on them. CPS is more time consuming than traditional approaches to project development. CPS can produce needs-led projects that are bedded in services using a variety of methods. Contributing factors for effective CPS include flexibility in use and type of available resources, flexible work plans, and responsive leadership. The CLAHRC model provides a translational infrastructure that enables CPS that can impact on healthcare systems.

bpshape wk4: a computer program that implements a physiological model for analyzing the shape of blood pressure waveforms

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ocasio, W. C.; Rigney, D. R.; Clark, K. P.; Mark, R. G.; Goldberger, A. L. (Principal Investigator)

1993-01-01

We describe the theory and computer implementation of a newly-derived mathematical model for analyzing the shape of blood pressure waveforms. Input to the program consists of an ECG signal, plus a single continuous channel of peripheral blood pressure, which is often obtained invasively from an indwelling catheter during intensive-care monitoring or non-invasively from a tonometer. Output from the program includes a set of parameter estimates, made for every heart beat. Parameters of the model can be interpreted in terms of the capacitance of large arteries, the capacitance of peripheral arteries, the inertance of blood flow, the peripheral resistance, and arterial pressure due to basal vascular tone. Aortic flow due to contraction of the left ventricle is represented by a forcing function in the form of a descending ramp, the area under which represents the stroke volume. Differential equations describing the model are solved by the method of Laplace transforms, permitting rapid parameter estimation by the Levenberg-Marquardt algorithm. Parameter estimates and their confidence intervals are given in six examples, which are chosen to represent a variety of pressure waveforms that are observed during intensive-care monitoring. The examples demonstrate that some of the parameters may fluctuate markedly from beat to beat. Our program will find application in projects that are intended to correlate the details of the blood pressure waveform with other physiological variables, pathological conditions, and the effects of interventions.

The Healthy Connections project: a community-based participatory research project involving women at risk for diabetes and hypertension.

PubMed

Harvey, Idethia; Schulz, Amy; Israel, Barbara; Sand, Sharon; Myrie, Deanna; Lockett, Murlisa; Weir, Sheryl; Hill, Yolanda

2009-01-01

The Healthy Connections (HC) project was a community health worker (CHW) intervention that built upon existing social networks to encourage African American and Latina women to obtain screening for type 2 diabetes and hypertension. This community-based participatory research (CBPR) project involved identifying and training CHWs, known as HC Advocates (HCAs). The HCAs provided screening through House Parties and shared health information and practical support with members of their social networks and broader networks of individuals. Data collection methods included project documentation, participant observation, group interviews, closed-ended surveys, and written examinations to ensure HCAs had the required knowledge and skills to perform their roles. Data collection and analysis incorporated both qualitative and quantitative methods, and used a formative approach that integrated results from key aspects of the project into ongoing decision-making and project activities. Eight community residents completed training and the required exams to become HCAs. Together, they conducted 124 House Parties, screened 1,428 individuals for high blood pressure and glucose levels, and shared health information with those individuals as well as 218 additional members of HCAs informal social networks. Of those who attended the House Parties, 93% were African American, 4% Latina, 2% non-Hispanics whites, and 1% other racial and ethnic groups. The HC project demonstrated the potential for using a CBPR approach to develop, implement, and evaluate a CHW intervention designed to reach African American and Latina women at high risk for hypertension and type 2 diabetes. Participation from relevant communities in the design of the intervention and evaluation, with particular attention to recruitment and retention of representatives from communities who face challenges accessing health care, can help to increase involvement of community residents in screening and educational programs aimed at addressing disparities in type 2 diabetes and hypertension.

A Semi-Analytical Method for Rapid Estimation of Near-Well Saturation, Temperature, Pressure and Stress in Non-Isothermal CO2 Injection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

LaForce, T.; Ennis-King, J.; Paterson, L.

2015-12-01

Reservoir cooling near the wellbore is expected when fluids are injected into a reservoir or aquifer in CO2 storage, enhanced oil or gas recovery, enhanced geothermal systems, and water injection for disposal. Ignoring thermal effects near the well can lead to under-prediction of changes in reservoir pressure and stress due to competition between increased pressure and contraction of the rock in the cooled near-well region. In this work a previously developed semi-analytical model for immiscible, nonisothermal fluid injection is generalised to include partitioning of components between two phases. Advection-dominated radial flow is assumed so that the coupled two-phase flow and thermal conservation laws can be solved analytically. The temperature and saturation profiles are used to find the increase in reservoir pressure, tangential, and radial stress near the wellbore in a semi-analytical, forward-coupled model. Saturation, temperature, pressure, and stress profiles are found for parameters representative of several CO2 storage demonstration projects around the world. General results on maximum injection rates vs depth for common reservoir parameters are also presented. Prior to drilling an injection well there is often little information about the properties that will determine the injection rate that can be achieved without exceeding fracture pressure, yet injection rate and pressure are key parameters in well design and placement decisions. Analytical solutions to simplified models such as these can quickly provide order of magnitude estimates for flow and stress near the well based on a range of likely parameters.

Current Lead Design for the Accelerator Project for Upgrade of LHC

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

Brandt, Jeffrey S.; Cheban, Sergey; Feher, Sandor

2010-01-01

The Accelerator Project for Upgrade of LHC (APUL) is a U.S. project participating in and contributing to CERN's Large Hadron Collider (LHC) upgrade program. In collaboration with Brookhaven National Laboratory, Fermilab is developing sub-systems for an upgrade of the LHC final focus magnet systems. A concept of main and auxiliary helium flow was developed that allows the superconductor to remain cold while the lead body warms up to prevent upper section frosting. The auxiliary flow will subsequently cool the thermal shields of the feed box and the transmission line cryostats. A thermal analysis of the current lead central heat exchangemore » section was performed using analytic and FEA techniques. A method of remote soldering was developed that allows the current leads to be field replaceable. The remote solder joint was designed to be made without flux or additional solder, and able to be remade up to ten full cycles. A method of upper section attachment was developed that allows high pressure sealing of the helium volume. Test fixtures for both remote soldering and upper section attachment for the 13 kA lead were produced. The cooling concept, thermal analyses, and test results from both remote soldering and upper section attachment fixtures are presented.« less

Protocol for the China PEACE (Patient-centered Evaluative Assessment of Cardiac Events) Million Persons Project pilot

PubMed Central

Lu, Jiapeng; Xuan, Si; Downing, Nicholas S; Wu, Chaoqun; Li, Li; Krumholz, Harlan M; Jiang, Lixin

2016-01-01

Introduction Collection of high-quality data from large populations is considered essential to generate knowledge that is critical to an era of precision medicine. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading cause of mortality in China and is a suitable focus of an initiative to discover factors that would improve our ability to assess and modify individual risk. Methods and analysis The pilot phase of China PEACE (Patient-centered Evaluative Assessment of Cardiac Events) Million Persons Project is being conducted during 2014–2015 in four provinces across China to demonstrate the feasibility of a population-based assessment. It is designed to screen 0.4 million community-dwelling residents aged 40–75 years with measurements of blood pressure, height and weight, a lipid blood test, and a questionnaire on cardiovascular-related health status. Participants identified at high risk of CVD receive further health assessments, including ECG, ultrasound scan, blood and urine analysis, and a questionnaire on lifestyle and medical history. Collection of blood and urine samples is used to establish a biobank. High-risk subjects are also counselled with suggestions regarding potential lifestyle changes. In addition, high-risk subjects are followed-up either in a return clinic visit or by telephone interview, with measurement of blood pressure, weight, ECG, and a questionnaire on survival status, hospitalisations and lifestyle. The first 0.1 million participants screened were used to conduct a preliminary analysis, with information on baseline characteristics, health-related behaviours, anthropometric variables, medical history, and prevalence of high-risk subjects. Ethics and dissemination The central ethics committee at the China National Center for Cardiovascular Disease (NCCD) approved the pilot. Written informed consent is obtained from all participants on entry into the project. Findings will be disseminated in future peer-reviewed papers and will inform strategies aimed at developing precise methods of assessing and modifying risk. Trial registration number NCT02536456. PMID:26729395

Assessment of fragment projection hazard: probability distributions for the initial direction of fragments.

PubMed

Tugnoli, Alessandro; Gubinelli, Gianfilippo; Landucci, Gabriele; Cozzani, Valerio

2014-08-30

The evaluation of the initial direction and velocity of the fragments generated in the fragmentation of a vessel due to internal pressure is an important information in the assessment of damage caused by fragments, in particular within the quantitative risk assessment (QRA) of chemical and process plants. In the present study an approach is proposed to the identification and validation of probability density functions (pdfs) for the initial direction of the fragments. A detailed review of a large number of past accidents provided the background information for the validation procedure. A specific method was developed for the validation of the proposed pdfs. Validated pdfs were obtained for both the vertical and horizontal angles of projection and for the initial velocity of the fragments. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Teaching Children to Be Health Educators.

PubMed

Commendador, Kathleen; Flood, Jeanie

2016-10-01

: A nursing school, an elementary school, and several local organizations initiated a pilot project to address hypertension in rural Hawaii. Their goal was to help increase awareness of hypertension in the community by partnering with sixth-grade students as health educators. As part of their pediatric clinical rotation, nursing students developed a curriculum and taught the elementary school students to take and record blood pressures. The sixth graders learned to use blood pressure monitors and took and recorded over 1,500 of their friends' and family members' blood pressures. The students were also able to correctly identify elevated findings. This pilot project is an example of how children can be taught to participate in a community collaboration to promote health care in their community.

Performance evaluation of high-strength steel pipelines for high-pressure gaseous hydrogen transportation.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2009-01-01

Pipeline steels suffer significant degradation of their mechanical properties in high-pressure : gaseous hydrogen, including their fatigue cracking resistances to cyclic loading. The current : project work was conducted to produce fatigue crack growt...

Fiber-Optic Pressure Sensor With Dynamic Demodulation Developed

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lekki, John D.

2002-01-01

Researchers at the NASA Glenn Research Center developed in-house a method to detect pressure fluctuations using a fiber-optic sensor and dynamic signal processing. This work was in support of the Intelligent Systems Controls and Operations project under NASA's Information Technology Base Research Program. We constructed an optical pressure sensor by attaching a fiber-optic Bragg grating to a flexible membrane and then adhering the membrane to one end of a small cylinder. The other end of the cylinder was left open and exposed to pressure variations from a pulsed air jet. These pressure variations flexed the membrane, inducing a strain in the fiber-optic grating. This strain was read out optically with a dynamic spectrometer to record changes in the wavelength of light reflected from the grating. The dynamic spectrometer was built in-house to detect very small wavelength shifts induced by the pressure fluctuations. The spectrometer is an unbalanced interferometer specifically designed for maximum sensitivity to wavelength shifts. An optimum pathlength difference, which was determined empirically, resulted in a 14-percent sensitivity improvement over theoretically predicted path-length differences. This difference is suspected to be from uncertainty about the spectral power difference of the signal reflected from the Bragg grating. The figure shows the output of the dynamic spectrometer as the sensor was exposed to a nominally 2-kPa peak-to-peak square-wave pressure fluctuation. Good tracking, sensitivity, and signal-to-noise ratios are evident even though the sensor was constructed as a proof-of-concept and was not optimized in any way. Therefore the fiber-optic Bragg grating, which is normally considered a good candidate as a strain or temperature sensor, also has been shown to be a good candidate for a dynamic pressure sensor.

Making an IMPAKT; Improving care of Chronic Kidney Disease patients in the community through collaborative working and utilizing Information Technology.

PubMed

Xu, Gang; Major, Rupert; Shepherd, David; Brunskill, Nigel

2017-01-01

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a serious long-term condition, which if left untreated causes significant cardiovascular sequele. It is well recognized management of modifiable risk factors, such as blood pressure (BP), can lead to improved long-term outcomes. A novel information technology (IT) solution presents a possible solution to help clinicians in the community identify and manage at risk patients more efficiently. The IMproving Patient care and Awareness of Kidney disease progression Together (IMPAKT) IT tool was used to identify patients with CKD and uncontrolled hypertension in the community. A CKD nurse utilized the tool at primary care practices to identify patients who warranted potential intervention and disseminated this information to clinical staff. Blood pressure management targets and incidence of coded CKD were used to evaluate the project. Altogether 48 practices participated in an 18 month project from April 2014, and data from 20 practices, with a total adult population of 121,362, was available for analysis. Two full consecutive QI (Quality Improvement) audit cycles were completed. There was an increase in the mean recorded prevalence of coded CKD patients over the course of the project. Similarly, there was an increase in the percentage of patients with BP been recorded and importantly there was an accompanying significant increase in CKD patients achieving BP targets. At the end of the project an additional 345 individuals with CKD achieved better blood pressure control. This could potentially prevent 9 cardiovascular events in the CKD group, translating to a cost saving of £320,000 for the 20 practices involved. The most significant change in clinical markers occurred during cycle 1 of the audit, the improvement was maintained throughout cycle 2 of the audit. Our results show the real-life clinical impact of a relatively simple and easy to implement QI project, to help improve outcomes in patients with CKD. This was achieved through more efficient working by targeting of high-risk groups, and improved communication between primary/secondary care. The project could be adapted for other chronic disease conditions. Despite the recorded improvements in blood pressure management, a large proportion of high-risk patients remained above ideal blood pressure, additional interventions in this area need to be explored. Through collaborative and multi-professional working and utilizing IT resources, we have shown it is possible to deliver measurable and sustainable improvements in blood pressure control for patients with CKD in a real life clinical setting.

Edwards nXDS15iC Vacuum Scroll Pump Pressure Testing

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

Sessions, H.; Morgan, G. A.

2013-07-17

The SRNL High Pressure Laboratory performed testing on an Edwards Model nXDS15iC Vacuum Scroll Pump on July 10th and 11th of 2013 at 723-A. This testing was done in an attempt to obtain initial compression ratio information for the nXDS15iC pump, with compression ratio defined as discharge pressure of the pump divided by suction pressure. Pressure burst testing was also done on the pump to determine its design pressure for pressure safety reasons. The Edwards nXDS15iC pump is being evaluated by SRNL for use part of the SHINE project being executed by SRNL.

Spatial Harmonic Decomposition as a tool for unsteady flow phenomena analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Duparchy, A.; Guillozet, J.; De Colombel, T.; Bornard, L.

2014-03-01

Hydropower is already the largest single renewable electricity source today but its further development will face new deployment constraints such as large-scale projects in emerging economies and the growth of intermittent renewable energy technologies. The potential role of hydropower as a grid stabilizer leads to operating hydro power plants in "off-design" zones. As a result, new methods of analyzing associated unsteady phenomena are needed to improve the design of hydraulic turbines. The key idea of the development is to compute a spatial description of a phenomenon by using a combination from several sensor signals. The spatial harmonic decomposition (SHD) extends the concept of so-called synchronous and asynchronous pulsations by projecting sensor signals on a linearly independent set of a modal scheme. This mathematical approach is very generic as it can be applied on any linear distribution of a scalar quantity defined on a closed curve. After a mathematical description of SHD, this paper will discuss the impact of instrumentation and provide tools to understand SHD signals. Then, as an example of a practical application, SHD is applied on a model test measurement in order to capture and describe dynamic pressure fields. Particularly, the spatial description of the phenomena provides new tools to separate the part of pressure fluctuations that contribute to output power instability or mechanical stresses. The study of the machine stability in partial load operating range in turbine mode or the comparison between the gap pressure field and radial thrust behavior during turbine brake operation are both relevant illustrations of SHD contribution.

Direct probing of chromatography columns by laser-induced fluorescence

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

McGuffin, V. L.

1992-12-01

This report summarizes the progress and accomplishments of this research project from 1 Sep. 1989 to 28 Feb. 1993. During this period, we have accomplished all of the primary scientific objectives of the research proposal: (1) constructed and evaluated a laser-induced fluorescence detection system that allows direct examination of the chromatographic column, (2) examined nonequilibrium processes that occur upon solute injection and elution, (3) examined solute retention in liquid chromatography as a function of temperature and pressure, (4) examined solute zone dispersion in liquid chromatography as a function of temperature and pressure, and (5) developed appropriate theoretical models to describe these phenomena. In each of these studies, substantial knowledge has been gained of the fundamental processes that are responsible for chromatographic separations. In addition to these primary research objectives, we have made significant progress in three related areas: (1) examined pyrene as a fluorescent polarity probe in supercritical fluids and liquids as a function of temperature and pressure, (2) developed methods for the class-selective identification of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons in coal-derived fluids by microcolumn liquid chromatography with fluorescence quenching detection, and (3) developed methods for the determination of saturated and unsaturated (including omega-3) fatty acids in fish oil extracts by microcolumn liquid chromatography with laser-induced fluorescence detection. In these studies, the advanced separation and detection techniques developed in our laboratory are applied to practical problems of environmental and biomedical significance.

Comprehensive Cost Planning Yields Successful Tech Projects

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Breeding, Marshall

2006-01-01

In this article, the author calls for librarians to find ways to implement technology projects with very limited budgets and to consider all the cost components of a technology project amidst the economic pressures. The author offers some perspective on what is involved in trying to accomplish important work with limited resources while…

Columbia University's Informatics for Diabetes Education and Telemedicine (IDEATel) Project

PubMed Central

Shea, Steven; Starren, Justin; Weinstock, Ruth S.; Knudson, Paul E.; Teresi, Jeanne; Holmes, Douglas; Palmas, Walter; Field, Lesley; Goland, Robin; Tuck, Catherine; Hripcsak, George; Capps, Linnea; Liss, David

2002-01-01

The Columbia University Informatics for Diabetes Education and Telemedicine (IDEATel) Project is a four-year demonstration project funded by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services with the overall goals of evaluating the feasibility, acceptability, effectiveness, and cost-effectiveness of telemedicine in the management of older patients with diabetes. The study is designed as a randomized controlled trial and is being conducted by a state-wide consortium in New York. Eligibility requires that participants have diabetes, are Medicare beneficiaries, and reside in federally designated medically underserved areas. A total of 1,500 participants will be randomized, half in New York City and half in other areas of the state. Intervention participants receive a home telemedicine unit that provides synchronous videoconferencing with a project-based nurse, electronic transmission of home fingerstick glucose and blood pressure data, and Web access to a project Web site. End points include glycosylated hemoglobin, blood pressure, and lipid levels; patient satisfaction; health care service utilization; and costs. The project is intended to provide data to help inform regulatory and reimbursement policies for electronically delivered health care services. PMID:11751803

Nuclear code case development of printed-circuit heat exchangers with thermal and mechanical performance testing

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

Aakre, Shaun R.; Jentz, Ian W.; Anderson, Mark H.

The U.S. Department of Energy has agreed to fund a three-year integrated research project to close technical gaps involved with compact heat exchangers to be used in nuclear applications. This paper introduces the goals of the project, the research institutions, and industrial partners working in collaboration to develop a draft Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Case for this technology. Heat exchanger testing, as well as non-destructive and destructive evaluation, will be performed by researchers across the country to understand the performance of compact heat exchangers. Testing will be performed using coolants and conditions proposed for Gen IV Reactor designs. Preliminarymore » observations of the mechanical failure mechanisms of the heat exchangers using destructive and non-destructive methods is presented. Unit-cell finite element models assembled to help predict the mechanical behavior of these high-temperature components are discussed as well. Performance testing methodology is laid out in this paper along with preliminary modeling results, an introduction to x-ray and neutron inspection techniques, and results from a recent pressurization test of a printed-circuit heat exchanger. The operational and quality assurance knowledge gained from these models and validation tests will be useful to developers of supercritical CO 2 systems, which commonly employ printed-circuit heat exchangers.« less

Flame-spreading phenomena in the fin-slot region of a solid rocket motor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kuo, K. K.; Kokal, R. A.; Paulauskas, M.; Alaksin, P.; Lee, L. S.

1993-06-01

Flame-spreading processes in the fin-slot regions of solid-propellant motor grains have the potential to influence the behavior of the overall ignition transient. The work being done on this project is aimed at obtaining a better understanding of the flame-spreading processes in rocket motors with aft-end fin slots. Non-intrusive optical diagnostic methods were employed to acquire flame-spreading measurements in the fin-slot region of a subscale rocket motor. Highly non-uniform flame-spreading processes were observed in both the deep and shallow fin regions of the test rig. The average flame-spreading rates in the fin-slot region were found to be two orders of magnitude less than those in the circular port region of a typical rocket motor. The flame-spreading interval was found to correlate well with the local pressurization rates. A higher pressurization rate produces a shorter flame-spreading time interval.

Rapid Technology Assessment via Unified Deployment of Global Optical and Virtual Diagnostics

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jordan, Jeffrey D.; Watkins, A. Neal; Fleming, Gary A.; Leighty, Bradley D.; Schwartz, Richard J.; Ingram, JoAnne L.; Grinstead, Keith D., Jr.; Oglesby, Donald M.; Tyler, Charles

2003-01-01

This paper discusses recent developments in rapid technology assessment resulting from an active collaboration between researchers at the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) at Wright Patterson Air Force Base (WPAFB) and the NASA Langley Research Center (LaRC). This program targets the unified development and deployment of global measurement technologies coupled with a virtual diagnostic interface to enable the comparative evaluation of experimental and computational results. Continuing efforts focus on the development of seamless data translation methods to enable integration of data sets of disparate file format in a common platform. Results from a successful low-speed wind tunnel test at WPAFB in which global surface pressure distributions were acquired simultaneously with model deformation and geometry measurements are discussed and comparatively evaluated with numerical simulations. Intensity- and lifetime-based pressure-sensitive paint (PSP) and projection moire interferometry (PMI) results are presented within the context of rapid technology assessment to enable simulation-based R&D.

Pressure Contact Sounding Data for NASA's Atmospheric Variability Experiment (AVE 3)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fuelberg, H. E.; Hill, C. K.; Turner, R. E.; Long, K. E.

1975-01-01

The basic rawinsonde data are described at each pressure contact from the surface to sounding termination for the 41 stations participating in the AVE III measurement program that began at 0000 GMT on February 6 and ended at 1200 GMT on February 7, 1975. Soundings were taken at 3-hour intervals during a large period of the experiment from most stations within the United States east of about 105 degrees west longitude. Methods of data processing, change in reduction scheme since the AVE II pilot experiment, and data accuracy are briefly discussed. An example of contact data is presented, and microfiche cards of all the contact data are included in the appendix. The AVE III project was conducted to better understand and establish the extent of applications for meteorological satellite sensor data through correlative ground truth experiments and to provide basic experimental data for use in studies of atmospheric scales of-motion interrelationships.

Crystal Plasticity Model of Reactor Pressure Vessel Embrittlement in GRIZZLY

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

Chakraborty, Pritam; Biner, Suleyman Bulent; Zhang, Yongfeng

2015-07-01

The integrity of reactor pressure vessels (RPVs) is of utmost importance to ensure safe operation of nuclear reactors under extended lifetime. Microstructure-scale models at various length and time scales, coupled concurrently or through homogenization methods, can play a crucial role in understanding and quantifying irradiation-induced defect production, growth and their influence on mechanical behavior of RPV steels. A multi-scale approach, involving atomistic, meso- and engineering-scale models, is currently being pursued within the GRIZZLY project to understand and quantify irradiation-induced embrittlement of RPV steels. Within this framework, a dislocation-density based crystal plasticity model has been developed in GRIZZLY that captures themore » effect of irradiation-induced defects on the flow stress behavior and is presented in this report. The present formulation accounts for the interaction between self-interstitial loops and matrix dislocations. The model predictions have been validated with experiments and dislocation dynamics simulation.« less

Navy ManTech 2010 Project Book

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-01-01

31 S2253 Ultrasonic Testing as an Alternative to Radiography for the Inspection of Naval Piping, Pressure Vessel and Machinery Welds...for Inspection S2253 — Ultrasonic Testing as an Alternative to Radiography for the Inspection of Naval Piping, Pressure Vessel and Machinery Welds...Ultrasonic Testing as an Alternative to Radiography for the Inspection of Naval Piping, Pressure Vessel and Machinery Welds

Wireless contactless pressure measurement of an LC passive pressure sensor with a novel antenna for high-temperature applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Chen; Tan, Qiu-Lin; Xue, Chen-Yang; Zhang, Wen-Dong; Li, Yun-Zhi; Xiong, Ji-Jun

2015-04-01

In this paper, a novel antenna is proposed for high-temperature testing, which can make the high-temperature pressure characteristics of a wireless passive ceramic pressure sensor demonstrated at up to a temperature of 600 °C. The design parameters of the antenna are similar to those of the sensor, which will increase the coupling strength between the sensor and testing antenna. The antenna is fabricated in thick film integrated technology, and the properties of the alumina ceramic and silver ensure the feasibility of the antenna in high-temperature environments. The sensor, coupled with the ceramic antenna, is investigated using a high-temperature pressure testing platform. The experimental measurement results show that the pressure signal in a harsh environment can be detected by the frequency diversity of the sensor. Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation for Distinguished Young Scholars, China (Grant No. 51425505), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 61471324), the Program for the Outstanding Innovative Teams of Higher Learning Institutions of Shanxi Province, China (Grant No. 2013-077), and the Graduate Students Outstanding Innovation Project of Shanxi Province, China (Grant No. 20143020).

ADVANCED CUTTINGS TRANSPORT STUDY

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

Stefan Miska; Troy Reed; Ergun Kuru

2004-09-30

The Advanced Cuttings Transport Study (ACTS) was a 5-year JIP project undertaken at the University of Tulsa (TU). The project was sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and JIP member companies. The objectives of the project were: (1) to develop and construct a new research facility that would allow three-phase (gas, liquid and cuttings) flow experiments under ambient and EPET (elevated pressure and temperature) conditions, and at different angle of inclinations and drill pipe rotation speeds; (2) to conduct experiments and develop a data base for the industry and academia; and (3) to develop mechanistic models for optimizationmore » of drilling hydraulics and cuttings transport. This project consisted of research studies, flow loop construction and instrumentation development. Following a one-year period for basic flow loop construction, a proposal was submitted by TU to the DOE for a five-year project that was organized in such a manner as to provide a logical progression of research experiments as well as additions to the basic flow loop. The flow loop additions and improvements included: (1) elevated temperature capability; (2) two-phase (gas and liquid, foam etc.) capability; (3) cuttings injection and removal system; (4) drill pipe rotation system; and (5) drilling section elevation system. In parallel with the flow loop construction, hydraulics and cuttings transport studies were preformed using drilling foams and aerated muds. In addition, hydraulics and rheology of synthetic drilling fluids were investigated. The studies were performed under ambient and EPET conditions. The effects of temperature and pressure on the hydraulics and cuttings transport were investigated. Mechanistic models were developed to predict frictional pressure loss and cuttings transport in horizontal and near-horizontal configurations. Model predictions were compared with the measured data. Predominantly, model predictions show satisfactory agreements with the measured data. As a part of this project, instrumentation was developed to monitor cuttings beds and characterize foams in the flow loop. An ultrasonic-based monitoring system was developed to measure cuttings bed thickness in the flow loop. Data acquisition software controls the system and processes the data. Two foam generating devices were designed and developed to produce foams with specified quality and texture. The devices are equipped with a bubble recognition system and an in-line viscometer to measure bubble size distribution and foam rheology, respectively. The 5-year project is completed. Future research activities will be under the umbrella of Tulsa University Drilling Research Projects. Currently the flow loop is being used for testing cuttings transport capacity of aqueous and polymer-based foams under elevated pressure and temperature conditions. Subsequently, the effect of viscous sweeps on cuttings transport under elevated pressure and temperature conditions will be investigated using the flow loop. Other projects will follow now that the ''steady state'' phase of the project has been achieved.« less

Summary of Activities for Health Monitoring of Composite Overwrapped Pressure Vessels Updated January 2014

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Skow, Miles G.

2014-01-01

This three year project (FY12-14) will design and demonstrate the ability of new Magnetic Stress Gages for the measurement of stresses on the inner diameter of a Composite Overwrapped Pressure Vessel overwrap.

Instrumentation for measurements of lateral Earth pressure in drilled shafts.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1968-09-01

This project involves the design, construction, and testing in the : laboratory and field of instrumentation capable of measuring the lateral : earth pressure along a drilled shaft. : A good deal of work" has been done concerning the development of p...

1301259

NASA Image and Video Library

2013-12-10

MARK HILBURGER, PROJECT ENGINEER FROM LANGLEY RESEARCH CENTER (LARC) WITH THE ALUMINUM-LITHIUM CYLINDER USED IN THE SHELL BUCKLE KNOCKDOWN FACTOR TESTING. DURING THE TESTING FORCE AND PRESSURE WERE INCREASINGLY APPLIED TO THE TOP OF AN EMPTY BUT PRESSURIZED ROCKET FUEL TANK TO EVALUATE ITS STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY.

Advanced Ground Systems Maintenance Intelligent Devices/Smart Sensors Project

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Perotti, Jose M. (Compiler)

2015-01-01

This project provides development and qualification of Smart Sensors capable of self-diagnosis and assessment of their capability/readiness to support operations. These sensors will provide pressure and temperature measurements for use in ground systems.

Milliwatt Generator Project

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Latimer, T. W.; Rinehart, G. H.

1992-05-01

This report covers progress on the Milliwatt Generator Project from April 1986 through March 1988. Activities included fuel processing and characterization, production of heat sources, fabrication of pressure-burst test units, compatibility studies, impact testing, and examination of surveillance units. The major task of the Los Alamos Milliwatt Generator Project is to fabricate MC2893A heat sources (4.0 W) for MC2730A radioisotope thermoelectric generators (RTG's) and MC3599 heat sources (4.5 W) for MC3500 RTG's. The MWG Project interfaces with the following contractors: Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque (designer); E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Co. (Inc.), Savannah River Plant (fuel); Monsanto Research Corporation, Mound Facility (metal hardware); and General Electric Company, Neutron Devices Department (RTG's). In addition to MWG fabrication activities, Los Alamos is involved in (1) fabrication of pressure-burst test units, (2) compatibility testing and evaluation, (3) examination of surveillance units, and (4) impact testing and subsequent examination of compatibility and surveillance units.

Innovative Adaptive Control Method Demonstrated for Active Suppression of Instabilities in Engine Combustors

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kopasakis, George

2005-01-01

This year, an improved adaptive-feedback control method was demonstrated that suppresses thermoacoustic instabilities in a liquid-fueled combustor of a type used in aircraft engines. Extensive research has been done to develop lean-burning (low fuel-to-air ratio) combustors that can reduce emissions throughout the mission cycle to reduce the environmental impact of aerospace propulsion systems. However, these lean-burning combustors are susceptible to thermoacoustic instabilities (high-frequency pressure waves), which can fatigue combustor components and even downstream turbine blades. This can significantly decrease the safe operating life of the combustor and turbine. Thus, suppressing the thermoacoustic combustor instabilities is an enabling technology for meeting the low-emission goals of the NASA Ultra-Efficient Engine Technology (UEET) Project.

Analysis of Cricoid Pressure Force and Technique Among Anesthesiologists, Nurse Anesthetists, and Registered Nurses.

PubMed

Lefave, Melissa; Harrell, Brad; Wright, Molly

2016-06-01

The purpose of this project was to assess the ability of anesthesiologists, nurse anesthetists, and registered nurses to correctly identify anatomic landmarks of cricoid pressure and apply the correct amount of force. The project included an educational intervention with one group pretest-post-test design. Participants demonstrated cricoid pressure on a laryngotracheal model. After an educational intervention video, participants were asked to repeat cricoid pressure on the model. Participants with a nurse anesthesia background applied more appropriate force pretest than other participants; however, post-test results, while improved, showed no significant difference among providers. Participant identification of the correct anatomy of the cricoid cartilage and application of correct force were significantly improved after education. This study revealed that participants lacked prior knowledge of correct cricoid anatomy and pressure as well as the ability to apply correct force to the laryngotracheal model before an educational intervention. The intervention used in this study proved successful in educating health care providers. Copyright © 2016 American Society of PeriAnesthesia Nurses. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Break the electron- hole balance and pressure induced superconductivity in Tungsten Ditelluride

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Song, Fengqi; Pan, Xing-Chen

Tungsten ditelluride has garnered immense interest due to the recent discovery of titanic unsaturated magnetoresistance up to 60 Tesla and its possible topological metal nature. The titanic unsaturated magnetoresistance is attributed to the perfect compensation between the opposite carriers in this material. Motivated by the small and sensitive Fermi surface of 5d electronic orbitals, we break the electron-hole balance by the application of high pressure. Superconductivity sharply appears at the pressure of 2.5 GPa, quickly reaching a maximum critical temperature of 7 K at around 16.8 GPa, and followed by a monotonic decrease in Tc with increasing pressure exhibiting the typical dome-shaped superconducting phase. What's more, linear magnetoresistance dominates the transport behavior under high pressure instead of semi-classical parabolic magnetoresistance, like in other topological metals. Refence: Nature Commun. 6, 7805 (2015), arXiv 1505, 07968. The authors would like to thank the National Key Projects for Basic Research in China, the National Natural Science Foundation of China , the NSF of Jiangsu Province, the PAPD project, and the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities.

Cryogenic Technology Development for Exploration Missions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chato, David J.

2007-01-01

This paper reports the status and findings of different cryogenic technology research projects in support of the President s Vision for Space Exploration. The exploration systems architecture study is reviewed for cryogenic fluid management needs. It is shown that the exploration architecture is reliant on the cryogenic propellants of liquid hydrogen, liquid oxygen and liquid methane. Needs identified include: the key technologies of liquid acquisition devices, passive thermal and pressure control, low gravity mass gauging, prototype pressure vessel demonstration, active thermal control; as well as feed system testing, and Cryogenic Fluid Management integrated system demonstration. Then five NASA technology projects are reviewed to show how these needs are being addressed by technology research. Projects reviewed include: In-Space Cryogenic Propellant Depot; Experimentation for the Maturation of Deep Space Cryogenic Refueling Technology; Cryogenic Propellant Operations Demonstrator; Zero Boil-Off Technology Experiment; and Propulsion and Cryogenic Advanced Development. Advances are found in the areas of liquid acquisition of liquid oxygen, mass gauging of liquid oxygen via radio frequency techniques, computational modeling of thermal and pressure control, broad area cooling thermal control strategies, flight experiments for resolving low gravity issues of cryogenic fluid management. Promising results are also seen for Joule-Thomson pressure control devices in liquid oxygen and liquid methane and liquid acquisition of methane, although these findings are still preliminary.

Evaluation of Oil-Industry Stimulation Practices for Engineered Geothermal Systems

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

Peter Van Dyke; Leen Weijers; Ann Robertson-Tait

Geothermal energy extraction is typically achieved by use of long open-hole intervals in an attempt to connect the well with the greatest possible rock mass. This presents a problem for the development of Enhanced (Engineered) Geothermal Systems (EGS), owing to the challenge of obtaining uniform stimulation throughout the open-hole interval. Fluids are often injected in only a fraction of that interval, reducing heat transfer efficiency and increasing energy cost. Pinnacle Technologies, Inc. and GeothermEx, Inc. evaluated a variety of techniques and methods that are commonly used for hydraulic fracturing of oil and gas wells to increase and evaluate stimulation effectivenessmore » in EGS wells. Headed by Leen Weijers, formerly Manager of Technical Development at Pinnacle Technologies, Inc., the project ran from August 1, 2004 to July 31, 2006 in two one-year periods to address the following tasks and milestones: 1) Analyze stimulation results from the closest oil-field equivalents for EGS applications in the United States (e.g., the Barnett Shale in North Texas) (section 3 on page 8). Pinnacle Technologies, Inc. has collected fracture growth data from thousands of stimulations (section 3.1 on page 12). This data was further evaluated in the context of: a) Identifying techniques best suited to developing a stimulated EGS fracture network (section 3.2 on page 29), and b) quantifying the growth of the network under various conditions to develop a calibrated model for fracture network growth (section 3.3 on page 30). The developed model can be used to design optimized EGS fracture networks that maximize contact with the heat source and minimize short-circuiting (section 3.4 on page 38). 2) Evaluate methods used in oil field applications to improve fluid diversion and penetration and determine their applicability to EGS (section 4 on page 50). These methods include, but are not limited to: a) Stimulation strategies (propped fracturing versus water fracturing versus injecting fluid below fracturing gradients) (section 4.1 on page 50); b) zonal isolation methods (by use of perforated casing or packers) (section 4.2 on page 57); c) fracture re-orientation and fracture network growth techniques (e.g., by use of alternating high- and low-rate injections) (section 4.4 on page 74); and d) fluid diversion methods (by use of the SurgiFrac technique, the StimGun perforation technique, or stress shadowing). This project task is to be completed in the first project year, enabling the most promising techniques to be field tested and evaluated in the second project year. 3) Study the applicability of the methods listed above by utilizing several techniques (section 5 on page 75) including, but not limited to: a) Hydraulic Impedance Testing (HIT) to determine the location of open hydraulic fractures along a open-hole interval; b) pressure transient testing to determine reservoir permeability, pore pressure, and closure stress; and c) treatment well tilt mapping or microseismic mapping to evaluate fracture coverage. These techniques were reviewed for their potential application for EGS in the first project year (section 5.1 on page 75). This study also includes further analysis of any field testing that will be conducted in the Desert Peak area in Nevada for ORMAT Nevada, Inc. (section 5.2 on page 86), with the aim to close the loop to provide reliable calibrated fracture model results. Developed through its hydraulic fracture consulting business, techniques of Pinnacle Technologies, Inc. for stimulating and analyzing fracture growth have helped the oil and gas industry to improve hydraulic fracturing from both a technical and economic perspective. In addition to more than 30 years of experience in the development of geothermal energy for commercial power generation throughout the world, GeothermEx, Inc. brings to the project: 1) Detailed information about specific developed and potential EGS reservoirs, 2) experience with geothermal well design, completion, and testing practices, and 3) a direct connection to the Desert Peak EGS project.« less

VAPOR PRESSURES AND HEATS OF VAPORIZATION OF PRIMARY COAL TARS

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

Eric M. Suuberg; Vahur Oja

1997-07-01

This project had as its main focus the determination of vapor pressures of coal pyrolysis tars. It involved performing measurements of these vapor pressures and from them, developing vapor pressure correlations suitable for use in advanced pyrolysis models (those models which explicitly account for mass transport limitations). This report is divided into five main chapters. Each chapter is a relatively stand-alone section. Chapter A reviews the general nature of coal tars and gives a summary of existing vapor pressure correlations for coal tars and model compounds. Chapter B summarizes the main experimental approaches for coal tar preparation and characterization whichmore » have been used throughout the project. Chapter C is concerned with the selection of the model compounds for coal pyrolysis tars and reviews the data available to us on the vapor pressures of high boiling point aromatic compounds. This chapter also deals with the question of identifying factors that govern the vapor pressures of coal tar model materials and their mixtures. Chapter D covers the vapor pressures and heats of vaporization of primary cellulose tars. Chapter E discusses the results of the main focus of this study. In summary, this work provides improved understanding of the volatility of coal and cellulose pyrolysis tars. It has resulted in new experimentally verified vapor pressure correlations for use in pyrolysis models. Further research on this topic should aim at developing general vapor pressure correlations for all coal tars, based on their molecular weight together with certain specific chemical characteristics i.e. hydroxyl group content.« less

Enhancing the Effectiveness of Carbon Dioxide Flooding by Managing Asphaltene Precipitation

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

Deo, Milind D.

2002-02-21

This project was undertaken to understand fundamental aspects of carbon dioxide (CO2) induced asphaltene precipitation. Oil and asphaltene samples from the Rangely field in Colorado were used for most of the project. The project consisted of pure component and high-pressure, thermodynamic experiments, thermodynamic modeling, kinetic experiments and modeling, targeted corefloods and compositional modeling.

MIMAC-He3: MICRO-TPC MATRIX OF CHAMBERS OF 3He

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Santos, D.; Guillaudin, O.; Lamy, Th.; Mayet, F.; Moulin, E.

2007-08-01

The project of a micro-TPC matrix of chambers of 3He for direct detection of non-baryonic dark matter is outlined. The privileged properties of 3He are highlighted. The double detection (ionization - projection of tracks) will assure the electron-recoil discrimination. The complementarity of MIMAC-He3 for supersymmetric dark matter search with respect to other experiments is illustrated. The modular character of the detector allows to have different gases to get A-dependence. The pressure degreee of freedom gives the possibility to work at high and low pressure. The low pressure regime gives the possibility to get the directionality of the tracks. The first measurements of ionization at very few keVs for 3He in 4He gas are described.

76 FR 2684 - Notice of a Project Waiver of Section 1605 (Buy American Requirement) of the American Recovery...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-01-14

... pressure at a wastewater effluent pump station. Lake County is receiving this waiver to purchase Noreva... will be installed on a 15,000 foot, 6-inch effluent line under high pressure (515 feet of static head... Class 300, wafer body to fit between ANSI B16.5 flanges, rated working pressure 720 psig at 100 degrees...

Novel blood pressure and pulse pressure estimation based on pulse transit time and stroke volume approximation.

PubMed

Lee, Joonnyong; Sohn, JangJay; Park, Jonghyun; Yang, SeungMan; Lee, Saram; Kim, Hee Chan

2018-06-18

Non-invasive continuous blood pressure monitors are of great interest to the medical community due to their value in hypertension management. Recently, studies have shown the potential of pulse pressure as a therapeutic target for hypertension, but not enough attention has been given to non-invasive continuous monitoring of pulse pressure. Although accurate pulse pressure estimation can be of direct value to hypertension management and indirectly to the estimation of systolic blood pressure, as it is the sum of pulse pressure and diastolic blood pressure, only a few inadequate methods of pulse pressure estimation have been proposed. We present a novel, non-invasive blood pressure and pulse pressure estimation method based on pulse transit time and pre-ejection period. Pre-ejection period and pulse transit time were measured non-invasively using electrocardiogram, seismocardiogram, and photoplethysmogram measured from the torso. The proposed method used the 2-element Windkessel model to model pulse pressure with the ratio of stroke volume, approximated by pre-ejection period, and arterial compliance, estimated by pulse transit time. Diastolic blood pressure was estimated using pulse transit time, and systolic blood pressure was estimated as the sum of the two estimates. The estimation method was verified in 11 subjects in two separate conditions with induced cardiovascular response and the results were compared against a reference measurement and values obtained from a previously proposed method. The proposed method yielded high agreement with the reference (pulse pressure correlation with reference R ≥ 0.927, diastolic blood pressure correlation with reference R ≥ 0.854, systolic blood pressure correlation with reference R ≥ 0.914) and high estimation accuracy in pulse pressure (mean root-mean-squared error ≤ 3.46 mmHg) and blood pressure (mean root-mean-squared error ≤ 6.31 mmHg for diastolic blood pressure and ≤ 8.41 mmHg for systolic blood pressure) over a wide range of hemodynamic changes. The proposed pulse pressure estimation method provides accurate estimates in situations with and without significant changes in stroke volume. The proposed method improves upon the currently available systolic blood pressure estimation methods by providing accurate pulse pressure estimates.

Evaluating Threats in Multinational Marine Ecosystems: A Coast Salish First Nations and Tribal Perspective.

PubMed

Gaydos, Joseph K; Thixton, Sofie; Donatuto, Jamie

2015-01-01

Despite the merit of managing natural resources on the scale of ecosystems, evaluating threats and managing risk in ecosystems that span multiple countries or jurisdictions can be challenging. This requires each government involved to consider actions in concert with actions being taken in other countries by co-managing entities. Multiple proposed fossil fuel-related and port development projects in the Salish Sea, a 16,925 km2 inland sea shared by Washington State (USA), British Columbia (Canada), and Indigenous Coast Salish governments, have the potential to increase marine vessel traffic and negatively impact natural resources. There is no legal mandate or management mechanism requiring a comprehensive review of the potential cumulative impacts of these development activities throughout the Salish Sea and across the international border. This project identifies ongoing and proposed energy-related development projects that will increase marine vessel traffic in the Salish Sea and evaluates the threats each project poses to natural resources important to the Coast Salish. While recognizing that Coast Salish traditions identify all species as important and connected, we used expert elicitation to identify 50 species upon which we could evaluate impact. These species were chosen because Coast Salish depend upon them heavily for harvest revenue or as a staple food source, they were particularly culturally or spiritually significant, or they were historically part of Coast Salish lifeways. We identified six development projects, each of which had three potential impacts (pressures) associated with increased marine vessel traffic: oil spill, vessel noise and vessel strike. Projects varied in their potential for localized impacts (pressures) including shoreline development, harbor oil spill, pipeline spill, coal dust accumulation and nearshore LNG explosion. Based on available published data, impact for each pressure/species interaction was rated as likely, possible or unlikely. Impacts are likely to occur in 23 to 28% of the possible pressure/species scenarios and are possible in another 15 to 28% additional pressure/species interactions. While it is not clear which impacts will be additive, synergistic, or potentially antagonistic, studies that manipulate multiple stressors in marine ecosystems suggest that threats associated with these six projects are likely to have an overall additive or even synergistic interaction and therefore impact species of major cultural importance to the Coast Salish, an important concept that would be lost by merely evaluating each project independently. Failure to address multiple impacts will affect the Coast Salish and the 7 million other people that also depend on this ecosystem. These findings show the value of evaluating multiple threats, and ultimately conducting risk assessments at the scale of ecosystems and highlight the serious need for managers of multinational ecosystems to actively collaborate on evaluating threats, assessing risk, and managing resources.

Evaluating Threats in Multinational Marine Ecosystems: A Coast Salish First Nations and Tribal Perspective

PubMed Central

Gaydos, Joseph K.; Thixton, Sofie; Donatuto, Jamie

2015-01-01

Despite the merit of managing natural resources on the scale of ecosystems, evaluating threats and managing risk in ecosystems that span multiple countries or jurisdictions can be challenging. This requires each government involved to consider actions in concert with actions being taken in other countries by co-managing entities. Multiple proposed fossil fuel-related and port development projects in the Salish Sea, a 16,925 km2 inland sea shared by Washington State (USA), British Columbia (Canada), and Indigenous Coast Salish governments, have the potential to increase marine vessel traffic and negatively impact natural resources. There is no legal mandate or management mechanism requiring a comprehensive review of the potential cumulative impacts of these development activities throughout the Salish Sea and across the international border. This project identifies ongoing and proposed energy-related development projects that will increase marine vessel traffic in the Salish Sea and evaluates the threats each project poses to natural resources important to the Coast Salish. While recognizing that Coast Salish traditions identify all species as important and connected, we used expert elicitation to identify 50 species upon which we could evaluate impact. These species were chosen because Coast Salish depend upon them heavily for harvest revenue or as a staple food source, they were particularly culturally or spiritually significant, or they were historically part of Coast Salish lifeways. We identified six development projects, each of which had three potential impacts (pressures) associated with increased marine vessel traffic: oil spill, vessel noise and vessel strike. Projects varied in their potential for localized impacts (pressures) including shoreline development, harbor oil spill, pipeline spill, coal dust accumulation and nearshore LNG explosion. Based on available published data, impact for each pressure/species interaction was rated as likely, possible or unlikely. Impacts are likely to occur in 23 to 28% of the possible pressure/species scenarios and are possible in another 15 to 28% additional pressure/species interactions. While it is not clear which impacts will be additive, synergistic, or potentially antagonistic, studies that manipulate multiple stressors in marine ecosystems suggest that threats associated with these six projects are likely to have an overall additive or even synergistic interaction and therefore impact species of major cultural importance to the Coast Salish, an important concept that would be lost by merely evaluating each project independently. Failure to address multiple impacts will affect the Coast Salish and the 7 million other people that also depend on this ecosystem. These findings show the value of evaluating multiple threats, and ultimately conducting risk assessments at the scale of ecosystems and highlight the serious need for managers of multinational ecosystems to actively collaborate on evaluating threats, assessing risk, and managing resources. PMID:26691860

Analysis of the induction of the myelin basic protein binding to the plasma membrane phospholipid monolayer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Lei; Hao, Changchun; Feng, Ying; Gao, Feng; Lu, Xiaolong; Li, Junhua; Sun, Runguang

2016-09-01

Myelin basic protein (MBP) is an essential structure involved in the generation of central nervous system (CNS) myelin. Myelin shape has been described as liquid crystal structure of biological membrane. The interactions of MBP with monolayers of different lipid compositions are responsible for the multi-lamellar structure and stability of myelin. In this paper, we have designed MBP-incorporated model lipid monolayers and studied the phase behavior of MBP adsorbed on the plasma membrane at the air/water interface by thermodynamic method and atomic force microscopy (AFM). By analyzing the pressure-area (π-A) and pressure-time (π-T) isotherms, univariate linear regression equation was obtained. In addition, the elastic modulus, surface pressure increase, maximal insertion pressure, and synergy factor of monolayers were detected. These parameters can be used to modulate the monolayers binding of protein, and the results show that MBP has the strongest affinity for 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3- phosphoserine (DPPS) monolayer, followed by DPPC/DPPS mixed and 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phospho-choline (DPPC) monolayers via electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions. AFM images of DPPS and DPPC/DPPS mixed monolayers in the presence of MBP (5 nM) show a phase separation texture at the surface pressure of 20 mN/m and the incorporation of MBP put into the DPPC monolayers has exerted a significant effect on the domain structure. MBP is not an integral membrane protein but, due to its positive charge, interacts with the lipid head groups and stabilizes the membranes. The interaction between MBP and phospholipid membrane to determine the nervous system of the disease has a good biophysical significance and medical value. Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 21402114 and 11544009), the Natural Science Basic Research Plan in Shaanxi Province of China (Grant No. 2016JM2010), the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities of China (Grant No. GK201604004), and the National University Science and Technology Innovation Project of China (Grant Nos. 201610718014 and cx16018).

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

McDonald, A. D.; Jones, B. J. P.; Nygren, D. R.

A new method to tag the barium daughter in the double beta decay ofmore » $$^{136}$$Xe is reported. Using the technique of single molecule fluorescent imaging (SMFI), individual barium dication (Ba$$^{++}$$) resolution at a transparent scanning surface has been demonstrated. A single-step photo-bleach confirms the single ion interpretation. Individual ions are localized with super-resolution ($$\\sim$$2~nm), and detected with a statistical significance of 12.9~$$\\sigma$$ over backgrounds. This lays the foundation for a new and potentially background-free neutrinoless double beta decay technology, based on SMFI coupled to high pressure xenon gas time projection chambers.« less

Digital-flutter-suppression-system investigations for the active flexible wing wind-tunnel model

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Perry, Boyd, III; Mukhopadhyay, Vivek; Hoadley, Sherwood Tiffany; Cole, Stanley R.; Buttrill, Carey S.

1990-01-01

Active flutter suppression control laws were designed, implemented, and tested on an aeroelastically-scaled wind-tunnel model in the NASA Langley Transonic Dynamics Tunnel. One of the control laws was successful in stabilizing the model while the dynamic pressure was increased to 24 percent greater than the measured open-loop flutter boundary. Other accomplishments included the design, implementation, and successful operation of a one-of-a-kind digital controller, the design and use of two simulation methods to support the project, and the development and successful use of a methodology for online controller performance evaluation.

Digital-flutter-suppression-system investigations for the active flexible wing wind-tunnel model

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Perry, Boyd, III; Mukhopadhyay, Vivek; Hoadley, Sherwood T.; Cole, Stanley R.; Buttrill, Carey S.; Houck, Jacob A.

1990-01-01

Active flutter suppression control laws were designed, implemented, and tested on an aeroelastically-scaled wind tunnel model in the NASA Langley Transonic Dynamics Tunnel. One of the control laws was successful in stabilizing the model while the dynamic pressure was increased to 24 percent greater than the measured open-loop flutter boundary. Other accomplishments included the design, implementation, and successful operation of a one-of-a-kind digital controller, the design and use of two simulation methods to support the project, and the development and successful use of a methodology for on-line controller performance evaluation.

Analysis of space-time projection of differential and Michelson-type speckle-interferometer output signal for cardiovibration measurement

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ulyanov, Sergey S.; Tuchin, Valery V.

1993-06-01

The sex differences in cardiovascular system responses to a mild noise stress are established using the physiological and the dynamic systems theory methods. Lower levels of basal systolic arterial pressure and higher rates of its dropping and normalization under influence and after its cessation are typical for women. There are no hypertensive responses to stresses in women in contrast to men. The normalized entropy of the ECG signal, describing the physiological variability, increases in women and decreases in men. The advantages of female cardiovascular system response to mild stresses are discussed.

Field campaign on sediment transport behaviour in a pressure main from pumping station to wastewater treatment plant in Berlin.

PubMed

Gunkel, M; Pawlowsky-Reusing, E

2017-05-01

As part of the project KURAS, the Berliner Wasserbetriebe realized a field campaign in 2015 in order to increase the process knowledge regarding the behaviour of transported sediment in the pressure main leading from the pumpstation to the wastewater treatment plant. The field campaign was conducted because of a lack of knowledge about the general condition of the pressure main due to its bad accessibility and the suspicion of deposits caused by hydraulic underload. The practical evidence of the sediment transport performance of this part of the sewer system, dependent on different load cases, should present a basis for further analysis, for example regarding flushing measures. A positive side-effect of the investigation was the description of the amount of pollutants caused by different weather conditions in combined sewer systems and the alterations of the sewage composition due to biogenic processes during transport. The concept included the parallel sampling of the inflow at the pumpstation and the outflow at the end of the pressure main during different weather conditions. By calculating the inflow to the pressure main, as well as its outflow at different flow conditions, it was possible to draw conclusions in regard to the transport behaviour of sediment and the bioprocesses within an 8.5 km section of the pressure main. The results show clearly that the effects of sedimentation and remobilization depend on the flow conditions. The balance of the total suspended solids (TSS) load during daily variations in dry weather shows that the remobilization effect during the run-off peak is not able to compensate for the period of sedimentation happening during the low flow at night. Based on the data for dry weather, an average of 238 kg of TSS deposits in the pressure main remains per day. The remobilization of sediment occurs only due to the abruptly increased delivery rates caused by precipitation events. These high pollution loads lead to a sudden strain at the wastewater treatment plant. It was found that the sediment transport behaviour is characterized by sedimentation up to a flow velocity of 0.35 m/s, while remobilization effects occur above 0.5 m/s. The assumption of bad sediment transport performance in the pressure main was confirmed. Therefore, the results can be used as a basis for further analysis, for example regarding periodical flushing as a means of cleaning the pressure main. The findings, especially regarding the methods and processes, are transferable and can be applied to other pressure mains in combined sewer systems. Besides the outlined evaluation of the sediment transport behaviour of the pressure main, the collected data were used in the project to calibrate a sewer system model, including a water quality model for the catchment area, and as a contribution towards an early physically based sediment transport modelling in InfoWorks CS.

RADON PRESSURE DIFFERENTIAL PROJECT - PHASE I - FLORIDA RESEARCH PROGRAM

EPA Science Inventory

The report gives results of tests on 70 central Florida houses to assess and characterize pressure differentials in new (age 5 years or less) Florida houses. Blower door tests determined house airtightness and air distribution system leakage. The 70 houses had an average airtight...

Bio-mass utilization in high pressure cogeneration boiler

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Koundinya, Sandeep; Maria Ambrose Raj, Y.; Sreeram, K.; Divakar Shetty A., S.

2017-07-01

Coal is widely used all over the world in almost all power plants. The dependence on coal has increased enormously as the demand for electricity has reached its peak. Coal being a non-renewable source is depleting fast. We being the engineers, it's our duty to conserve the natural resources and optimize the coal consumption. In this project, we have tried to optimize the bio-mass utilization in high pressure cogeneration boiler. The project was carried in Seshasayee Paper and Boards Limited, erode related to Boiler No:10 operating at steam pressure of 105 kscg and temperature of 510°C. Available bio-mass fuels in and around the mill premises are bagasse, bagasse pith, cane trash and chipper dust. In this project, we have found out the coal equivalent replacement by the above bio-mass fuel(s) to facilitate deciding on the optimized quantity of coal that can be replaced by biomass without modifying the existing design of the plant. The dominant fuel (coal) which could be displaced with the substitute biomass fuel had been individually (biomass) analyzed.

Computational and Experimental Characterization of the Mach 6 Facility Nozzle Flow for the Enhanced Injection and Mixing Project at NASA Langley Research Center

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Drozda, Tomasz G.; Cabell, Karen F.; Passe, Bradley J.; Baurle, Robert A.

2017-01-01

Computational fluid dynamics analyses and experimental data are presented for the Mach 6 facility nozzle used in the Arc-Heated Scramjet Test Facility for the Enhanced Injection and Mixing Project (EIMP). This project, conducted at the NASA Langley Research Center, aims to investigate supersonic combustion ramjet (scramjet) fuel injection and mixing physics relevant to flight Mach numbers greater than 8. The EIMP experiments use a two-dimensional Mach 6 facility nozzle to provide the high-speed air simulating the combustor entrance flow of a scramjet engine. Of interest are the physical extent and the thermodynamic properties of the core flow at the nozzle exit plane. The detailed characterization of this flow is obtained from three-dimensional, viscous, Reynolds-averaged simulations. Thermodynamic nonequilibrium effects are also investigated. The simulations are compared with the available experimental data, which includes wall static pressures as well as in-stream static pressure, pitot pressure and total temperature obtained via in-stream probes positioned just downstream of the nozzle exit plane.

A Corrosion Risk Assessment Model for Underground Piping

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Datta, Koushik; Fraser, Douglas R.

2009-01-01

The Pressure Systems Manager at NASA Ames Research Center (ARC) has embarked on a project to collect data and develop risk assessment models to support risk-informed decision making regarding future inspections of underground pipes at ARC. This paper shows progress in one area of this project - a corrosion risk assessment model for the underground high-pressure air distribution piping system at ARC. It consists of a Corrosion Model of pipe-segments, a Pipe Wrap Protection Model; and a Pipe Stress Model for a pipe segment. A Monte Carlo simulation of the combined models provides a distribution of the failure probabilities. Sensitivity study results show that the model uncertainty, or lack of knowledge, is the dominant contributor to the calculated unreliability of the underground piping system. As a result, the Pressure Systems Manager may consider investing resources specifically focused on reducing these uncertainties. Future work includes completing the data collection effort for the existing ground based pressure systems and applying the risk models to risk-based inspection strategies of the underground pipes at ARC.

Wavelet transforms as solutions of partial differential equations

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

Zweig, G.

This is the final report of a three-year, Laboratory Directed Research and Development (LDRD) project at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL). Wavelet transforms are useful in representing transients whose time and frequency structure reflect the dynamics of an underlying physical system. Speech sound, pressure in turbulent fluid flow, or engine sound in automobiles are excellent candidates for wavelet analysis. This project focused on (1) methods for choosing the parent wavelet for a continuous wavelet transform in pattern recognition applications and (2) the more efficient computation of continuous wavelet transforms by understanding the relationship between discrete wavelet transforms and discretized continuousmore » wavelet transforms. The most interesting result of this research is the finding that the generalized wave equation, on which the continuous wavelet transform is based, can be used to understand phenomena that relate to the process of hearing.« less

Initial research on recycled tyre bales for road infrastructure applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Duda, Aleksander; Sobala, Dariusz

2017-12-01

The paper reviews selected surveys carried out within the R&D project, co-financed with the European Regional Development Fund, called "ReUse - Innovative Recycling Materials, Enhancing the Sustainability of Bridge Facilities" (Innotech No. K3 / IN3 / 38/228116 / NCBiR / 15). The aim of the project and conducted research is to develop and implement innovative, cheap and environmentally-friendly recycled construction material in the form of tyre bales made from compressed used car tyres. This material is likely to be applied in civil engineering, especially in transport infrastructure, geotechnical and hydraulic engineering. New material is cheap and has unique properties such as low weight, high water permeability, high vibration and noise-damping capacity, low pressure coefficient values and other parameters that technically and economically allow it to replace natural aggregates. The extensive practical application of new material will facilitate the replacement of waste management methods with the environmentally friendly ones.

Evaluation of Pressure Pain Threshold as a Measure of Perceived Stress and High Job Strain

PubMed Central

Hven, Lisbeth; Frost, Poul

2017-01-01

Objective To investigate whether pressure pain threshold (PPT), determined by pressure algometry, can be used as an objective measure of perceived stress and job strain. Methods We used cross-sectional base line data collected during 1994 to 1995 within the Project on Research and Intervention in Monotonous work (PRIM), which included 3123 employees from a variety of Danish companies. Questionnaire data included 18 items on stress symptoms, 23 items from the Karasek scale on job strain, and information on discomfort in specified anatomical regions was also collected. Clinical examinations included pressure pain algometry measurements of PPT on the trapezius and supraspinatus muscles and the tibia. Associations of stress symptoms and job strain with PPT of each site was analyzed for men and women separately with adjustment for age body mass index, and discomfort in the anatomical region closest to the point of pressure algometry using multivariable linear regression. Results We found significant inverse associations between perceived stress and PPT in both genders in models adjusting for age and body mass index: the higher level of perceived stress, the lower the threshold. For job strain, associations were weaker and only present in men. In men all associations were attenuated when adjusting for reported discomfort in regions close to the site of pressure algometry. The distributions of PPT among stressed and non-stressed persons were strongly overlapping. Conclusions Despite significant associations between perceived stress and PPT, the discriminative capability of PPT to distinguish individuals with and without stress is low. PPT measured by pressure algometry seems not applicable as a diagnostic tool of a state of mental stress. PMID:28052089

Poor Long-Term Blood Pressure Control after Intracerebral Hemorrhage

PubMed Central

Zahuranec, Darin B.; Wing, Jeffrey J.; Edwards, Dorothy F.; Menon, Ravi S.; Fernandez, Stephen J.; Burgess, Richard E.; Sobotka, Ian A.; German, Laura; Trouth, Anna J.; Shara, Nawar M.; Gibbons, M. Chris; Boden-Albala, Bernadette; Kidwell, Chelsea S.

2012-01-01

Background and Purpose Hypertension is the most important risk factor associated with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). We explored racial differences in blood pressure (BP) control after ICH and assessed predictors of BP control at presentation, 30 days, and 1 year in a prospective cohort study. Methods Subjects with spontaneous ICH were identified from the DiffErenCes in the Imaging of Primary Hemorrhage based on Ethnicity or Race (DECIPHER) Project. Blood pressure was compared by race at each time point. Multivariable linear regression was used to determine predictors of presenting mean arterial pressure (MAP), and longitudinal linear regression was used to assess predictors of MAP at follow-up. Results A total of 162 patients were included (mean age 59, 53% male, 77% black). MAP at presentation was 9.6 mmHg higher in blacks than whites despite adjustment for confounders (p=0.065). Fewer than 20% of patients had normal blood pressure (<120/80 mmHg) at 30 days or 1 year. While there was no difference at 30 days (p=0.331), blacks were more likely than whites to have Stage I/II hypertension at one year (p=0.036). Factors associated with lower MAP at follow-up in multivariable analysis were being married at baseline (p=0.032) and living in a facility (versus personal residence) at the time of BP measurement (p=0.023). Conclusions Long-term blood pressure control is inadequate in patients following ICH, particularly in blacks. Further studies are needed to understand the role of social support and barriers to control to identify optimal approaches to improve blood pressure in this high-risk population. PMID:22903494

Job strain and blood pressure in employed men and women: a pooled analysis of four northern italian population samples.

PubMed

Cesana, Giancarlo; Sega, Roberto; Ferrario, Marco; Chiodini, Paolo; Corrao, Giovanni; Mancia, Giuseppe

2003-01-01

The extent to which psychosocial stress concurs to raise blood pressure is still uncertain. Here the association between job strain and office blood pressure in a pooled analysis of four population samples from northern Italy is assessed. Four surveys assessing prevalence of major coronary risk factors were performed in 1986, 1990, 1991, and 1993 in area "Brianza" (Milan), a World Health Organization-MONItoring cardiovascular disease (WHO-MONICA) Project collaborating center. Ten year age- and gender-stratified independent samples were randomly recruited from the 25- to 64-year-old residents. The methods used to assess coronary risk factors strictly adhered to the MONICA manual, were kept constant, and underwent internal and external quality controls. Job strain was investigated through the administration to employed participants of a questionnaire derived from the Karasek model, assessing job demand/control latitude. Analysis was restricted to 25- to 54-year-old participants, untreated for hypertension (1799 men and 1010 women). Among men, there was a 3 mm Hg increase of systolic blood pressure (p<.001) moving from low to high strain job categories. This difference was independent from age, education, body mass index, alcohol intake, smoking habits, leisure time physical activity, and survey. No relevant differences among job strain categories were found in women and for diastolic blood pressure in both gender groups. These results carried out on a large population-based sample confirm previous findings obtained adopting ambulatory blood pressure measurements in more restricted samples of population or patients. Further research is needed to clarify the relationship between perceived work stress and blood pressure in women.

Permeability measurements on rock samples from Unzen Scientific Drilling Project Drill Hole 4 (USDP-4)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Watanabe, Tohru; Shimizu, Yuhta; Noguchi, Satoshi; Nakada, Setsuya

2008-07-01

Permeability measurement was made on five rock samples from USDP-4 cores. Rock samples were collected from the conduit zone and its country rock. One sample (C14-1-1) is considered as a part of the feeder dyke for the 1991-1995 eruption. The transient pulse method was employed under confining pressure up to 50 MPa. Compressional wave velocity was measured along with permeability. The measured permeability ranges from 10 - 19 to 10 - 17 m 2 at the atmospheric pressure, and is as low as that reported for tight rocks such as granite. The permeability decreases with increasing confining pressure, while the compressional wave velocity increases. Assuming that pores are parallel elliptical tubes, the pressure dependence of permeability requires aspect ratio of 10 - 4 -10 - 2 at the atmospheric pressure. The pore aperture is estimated to be less than 1 μm. The estimated aspect ratio and pore aperture suggest that connectivity of pores is maintained by narrow cracks. The existence of cracks is supported by the pressure dependence of compressional wave velocity. Narrow cracks (< 1 μm) are observed in dyke samples, and they must have been created after solidification. Dyke samples do not provide us information of pore structures during degassing, since exsolved gas has mostly escaped and pores governing the gas permeable flow should have been lost. Both dyke and country rock samples provide us information of materials around ascending magma. Although the measured small-scale permeability cannot be directly applied to geological-scale processes, it gives constrains on studies of large-scale permeability.

Pressure garment design tool to monitor exerted pressures.

PubMed

Macintyre, Lisa; Ferguson, Rhona

2013-09-01

Pressure garments are used in the treatment of hypertrophic scarring following serious burns. The use of pressure garments is believed to hasten the maturation process, reduce pruritus associated with immature hypertrophic scars and prevent the formation of contractures over flexor joints. Pressure garments are normally made to measure for individual patients from elastic fabrics and are worn continuously for up to 2 years or until scar maturation. There are 2 methods of constructing pressure garments. The most common method, called the Reduction Factor method, involves reducing the patient's circumferential measurements by a certain percentage. The second method uses the Laplace Law to calculate the dimensions of pressure garments based on the circumferential measurements of the patient and the tension profile of the fabric. The Laplace Law method is complicated to utilise manually and no design tool is currently available to aid this process. This paper presents the development and suggested use of 2 new pressure garment design tools that will aid pressure garment design using the Reduction Factor and Laplace Law methods. Both tools calculate the pressure garment dimensions and the mean pressure that will be exerted around the body at each measurement point. Monitoring the pressures exerted by pressure garments and noting the clinical outcome would enable clinicians to build an understanding of the implications of particular pressures on scar outcome, maturation times and patient compliance rates. Once the optimum pressure for particular treatments is known, the Laplace Law method described in this paper can be used to deliver those average pressures to all patients. This paper also presents the results of a small scale audit of measurements taken for the fabrication of pressure garments in two UK hospitals. This audit highlights the wide range of pressures that are exerted using the Reduction Factor method and that manual pattern 'smoothing' can dramatically change the actual Reduction Factors used. Crown Copyright © 2013. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

A semi-implicit augmented IIM for Navier–Stokes equations with open, traction, or free boundary conditions

PubMed Central

Li, Zhilin; Xiao, Li; Cai, Qin; Zhao, Hongkai; Luo, Ray

2016-01-01

In this paper, a new Navier–Stokes solver based on a finite difference approximation is proposed to solve incompressible flows on irregular domains with open, traction, and free boundary conditions, which can be applied to simulations of fluid structure interaction, implicit solvent model for biomolecular applications and other free boundary or interface problems. For some problems of this type, the projection method and the augmented immersed interface method (IIM) do not work well or does not work at all. The proposed new Navier–Stokes solver is based on the local pressure boundary method, and a semi-implicit augmented IIM. A fast Poisson solver can be used in our algorithm which gives us the potential for developing fast overall solvers in the future. The time discretization is based on a second order multi-step method. Numerical tests with exact solutions are presented to validate the accuracy of the method. Application to fluid structure interaction between an incompressible fluid and a compressible gas bubble is also presented. PMID:27087702

A semi-implicit augmented IIM for Navier-Stokes equations with open, traction, or free boundary conditions.

PubMed

Li, Zhilin; Xiao, Li; Cai, Qin; Zhao, Hongkai; Luo, Ray

2015-08-15

In this paper, a new Navier-Stokes solver based on a finite difference approximation is proposed to solve incompressible flows on irregular domains with open, traction, and free boundary conditions, which can be applied to simulations of fluid structure interaction, implicit solvent model for biomolecular applications and other free boundary or interface problems. For some problems of this type, the projection method and the augmented immersed interface method (IIM) do not work well or does not work at all. The proposed new Navier-Stokes solver is based on the local pressure boundary method, and a semi-implicit augmented IIM. A fast Poisson solver can be used in our algorithm which gives us the potential for developing fast overall solvers in the future. The time discretization is based on a second order multi-step method. Numerical tests with exact solutions are presented to validate the accuracy of the method. Application to fluid structure interaction between an incompressible fluid and a compressible gas bubble is also presented.

Compression strength of composite primary structural components

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Johnson, Eric R.

1993-01-01

Two projects are summarized. The first project is entitled 'Stiffener Crippling Inititated by Delaminations' and its objective is to develop a computational model of the stiffener specimens that includes the capability to predict the interlaminar stress response at the flange free edge in postbuckling. The second is entitled 'Pressure Pillowing of an Orthogonally Stiffened Cylindrical Shell'. A paper written on this project is included.

The 1994 NASA/USRA/ADP Design Projects

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cruse, Thomas; Richardson, Joseph; Tryon, Robert

1994-01-01

The NASA/USRA/ADP Design Projects from Vanderbilt University, Department of Mechanical Engineering (1994) are enclosed in this final report. Design projects include: (1) Protein Crystal Growth, both facilities and methodology; (2) ACES Deployable Space Boom; (3) Hybrid Launch System designs for both manned and unmanned systems; (4) LH2 Fuel Tank design (SSTO); (5) SSTO design; and (6) Pressure Tank Feed System design.

Basin-Scale Hydrologic Impacts of CO2 Storage: Regulatory and Capacity Implications

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

Birkholzer, J.T.; Zhou, Q.

Industrial-scale injection of CO{sub 2} into saline sedimentary basins will cause large-scale fluid pressurization and migration of native brines, which may affect valuable groundwater resources overlying the deep sequestration reservoirs. In this paper, we discuss how such basin-scale hydrologic impacts can (1) affect regulation of CO{sub 2} storage projects and (2) may reduce current storage capacity estimates. Our assessment arises from a hypothetical future carbon sequestration scenario in the Illinois Basin, which involves twenty individual CO{sub 2} storage projects in a core injection area suitable for long-term storage. Each project is assumed to inject five million tonnes of CO{sub 2}more » per year for 50 years. A regional-scale three-dimensional simulation model was developed for the Illinois Basin that captures both the local-scale CO{sub 2}-brine flow processes and the large-scale groundwater flow patterns in response to CO{sub 2} storage. The far-field pressure buildup predicted for this selected sequestration scenario suggests that (1) the area that needs to be characterized in a permitting process may comprise a very large region within the basin if reservoir pressurization is considered, and (2) permits cannot be granted on a single-site basis alone because the near- and far-field hydrologic response may be affected by interference between individual sites. Our results also support recent studies in that environmental concerns related to near-field and far-field pressure buildup may be a limiting factor on CO{sub 2} storage capacity. In other words, estimates of storage capacity, if solely based on the effective pore volume available for safe trapping of CO{sub 2}, may have to be revised based on assessments of pressure perturbations and their potential impact on caprock integrity and groundwater resources, respectively. We finally discuss some of the challenges in making reliable predictions of large-scale hydrologic impacts related to CO{sub 2} sequestration projects.« less

Hypertension Prevalence, Awareness, Treatment, and Control and Sodium Intake in Shandong Province, China: Baseline Results From Shandong–Ministry of Health Action on Salt Reduction and Hypertension (SMASH), 2011

PubMed Central

Bi, Zhenqiang; Liang, Xiaofeng; Xu, Aiqiang; Wang, Linghong; Shi, Xiaoming; Zhao, Wenhua; Ma, Jixiang; Guo, Xiaolei; Zhang, Xiaofei; Zhang, Jiyu; Ren, Jie; Yan, Liuxia; Lu, Zilong; Wang, Huicheng; Tang, Junli; Cai, Xiaoning; Dong, Jing; Zhang, Juan; Chu, Jie; Engelgau, Michael; Yang, Quanhe; Hong, Yuling

2014-01-01

Introduction In China, population-based blood pressure levels and prevalence of hypertension are increasing. Meanwhile, sodium intake, a major risk factor for hypertension, is high. In 2011, to develop intervention priorities for a salt reduction and hypertension control project in Shandong Province (population 96 million), a cross-sectional survey was conducted to collect information on sodium intake and hypertension prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control. Methods Complex, multistage sampling methods were used to select a provincial-representative adult sample. Blood pressure was measured and a survey conducted among all participants; condiments were weighed in the household, a 24-hour dietary recall was conducted, and urine was collected. Hypertension was determined by blood pressure measured on a single occasion and self-reported use of antihypertension medications. Results Overall, 23.4% (95% confidence interval [CI], 20.9%–26.0%) of adults in Shandong were estimated to have hypertension. Among those classified as having hypertension, approximately one-third (34.5%) reported having hypertension, approximately one-fourth (27.5%) reported taking medications, and one-seventh (14.9%) had their blood pressure controlled (<140/<90 mm Hg). Estimated total average daily dietary sodium intake was 5,745 mg (95% CI, 5,428 mg–6,063 mg). Most dietary sodium (80.8%) came from salt and high-salt condiments added during cooking: a sodium intake of 4,640 mg (95% CI, 4,360 mg–4,920 mg). The average daily urinary sodium excretion was 5,398 mg (95% CI, 5,112 mg–5,683 mg). Conclusion Hypertension and excessive sodium intake in adults are major public health problems in Shandong Province, China. PMID:24854239

Hurricane risk mitigation - High Pressure Gas Facility

NASA Image and Video Library

2008-07-29

A worker pours concrete as part of a nitrogen risk mitigation project at the High Pressure Gas Facility at Stennis Space Center. The concrete slab will provide the foundation needed to place new pumps at the site and is part of ongoing hurricane-related mitigation work at Stennis.

Development of a Personalized Model for Pressure Ulcer Prevention Acutely Following Spinal Cord Injury: Biomarkers of Muscle Composition and Resilience

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-10-01

SUBJECT TERMS Spinal cord injury, pressure ulcer prevention, biomarkers, personalized healthcare 16. SECURITY CLASSIFICATION OF: 17. LIMITATION OF...ulcer prevention, biomarkers, personalized healthcare 3. Accomplishments Major Project Goals Task 1: Subject Recruitment and Data Collection

Hurricane risk mitigation - High Pressure Gas Facility

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2008-01-01

A worker pours concrete as part of a nitrogen risk mitigation project at the High Pressure Gas Facility at Stennis Space Center. The concrete slab will provide the foundation needed to place new pumps at the site and is part of ongoing hurricane-related mitigation work at Stennis.

Vertical amplitude phase structure of a low-frequency acoustic field in shallow water

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kuznetsov, G. N.; Lebedev, O. V.; Stepanov, A. N.

2016-11-01

We obtain in integral and analytic form the relations for calculating the amplitude and phase characteristics of an interference structure of orthogonal projections of the oscillation velocity vector in shallow water. For different frequencies and receiver depths, we numerically study the source depth dependences of the effective phase velocities of an equivalent plane wave, the orthogonal projections of the sound pressure phase gradient, and the projections of the oscillation velocity vector. We establish that at low frequencies in zones of interference maxima, independently of source depth, weakly varying effective phase velocity values are observed, which exceed the sound velocity in water by 5-12%. We show that the angles of arrival of the equivalent plane wave and the oscillation velocity vector in the general case differ; however, they virtually coincide in the zone of the interference maximum of the sound pressure under the condition that the horizontal projections of the oscillation velocity appreciably exceed the value of the vertical projection. We give recommendations on using the sound field characteristics in zones with maximum values for solving rangefinding and signal-detection problems.

Betweenness-Based Method to Identify Critical Transmission Sectors for Supply Chain Environmental Pressure Mitigation.

PubMed

Liang, Sai; Qu, Shen; Xu, Ming

2016-02-02

To develop industry-specific policies for mitigating environmental pressures, previous studies primarily focus on identifying sectors that directly generate large amounts of environmental pressures (a.k.a. production-based method) or indirectly drive large amounts of environmental pressures through supply chains (e.g., consumption-based method). In addition to those sectors as important environmental pressure producers or drivers, there exist sectors that are also important to environmental pressure mitigation as transmission centers. Economy-wide environmental pressure mitigation might be achieved by improving production efficiency of these key transmission sectors, that is, using less upstream inputs to produce unitary output. We develop a betweenness-based method to measure the importance of transmission sectors, borrowing the betweenness concept from network analysis. We quantify the betweenness of sectors by examining supply chain paths extracted from structural path analysis that pass through a particular sector. We take China as an example and find that those critical transmission sectors identified by betweenness-based method are not always identifiable by existing methods. This indicates that betweenness-based method can provide additional insights that cannot be obtained with existing methods on the roles individual sectors play in generating economy-wide environmental pressures. Betweenness-based method proposed here can therefore complement existing methods for guiding sector-level environmental pressure mitigation strategies.

Incompressible SPH Model for Simulating Violent Free-Surface Fluid Flows

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Staroszczyk, Ryszard

2014-06-01

In this paper the problem of transient gravitational wave propagation in a viscous incompressible fluid is considered, with a focus on flows with fast-moving free surfaces. The governing equations of the problem are solved by the smoothed particle hydrodynamics method (SPH). In order to impose the incompressibility constraint on the fluid motion, the so-called projection method is applied in which the discrete SPH equations are integrated in time by using a fractional-step technique. Numerical performance of the proposed model has been assessed by comparing its results with experimental data and with results obtained by a standard (weakly compressible) version of the SPH approach. For this purpose, a plane dam-break flow problem is simulated, in order to investigate the formation and propagation of a wave generated by a sudden collapse of a water column initially contained in a rectangular tank, as well as the impact of such a wave on a rigid vertical wall. The results of simulations show the evolution of the free surface of water, the variation of velocity and pressure fields in the fluid, and the time history of pressures exerted by an impacting wave on a wall.

Permeability Measurements of Rock Samples from Conduit Drilling at Unzen Volcano, Japan

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Watanabe, T.; Shimizu, Y.; Noguchi, S.; Nakada, S.

2006-12-01

The last eruption of Unzen Volcano (1990-1995) was effusive to form lava domes, though magmas at depths are estimated to have contained volatile materials enough to cause explosive eruptions [e.g., Sato et al., 1995]. Most of volatile materials should have escaped from ascending magmas. The escape of gas is controlled by permeability of magmas and country rocks. Unzen Scientific Drilling Project sampled both the latest conduit and its country rock (USDP-4). In order to understand degassing processes, we have measured the permeability of these rock samples. Four cube samples with edges of 25 mm were cut from USDP-4 cores C1, C12 (country rock), C13 and C14 (conduit). Sample C1 is considered as Old Unzen Lava, and Sample C12 volcanic breccia. The transient pulse method was employed to measure the permeability. It applies a step of the fluid pressure difference across a specimen, and measures the decay rate of the fluid pressure difference. This method can be applied to samples with very low permeability, since it determines the permeability without measuring the fluid flux. Nitrogen gas was used as a pore fluid. Our permeametry system is built in a pressure vessel, and the confining pressure and the pore fluid pressure can be controlled independently. The temperature of the measurement system is kept constant within 0.1 degree. The temperature control and the background leak rate limit the measurable permeability to be higher than 10^{-20} m2. Measurements were first conducted under the atmospheric pressure. The permeability in a rock sample varies with the direction by a factor less than 5. Sample C1 has the lowest permeability (10^{-19} m2), and Sample C12 the highest value (10^{-17 m2). The permeability of C13 and C14 is of the order of 10^{- 18} m2. Though only a trace of vesicles can be seen in conduit samples, the interconnection is still maintained. The pressure dependence of the permeability is now investigated up to 50 MPa. The permeability of C13 and C14 (conduit samples) decreases by around one order of magnitude as the confining pressure increases from the atmospheric pressure to 50 MPa. The pressure dependence sensitively reflects the geometry of pores that control the interconnection of pores. Implications for degassing processes will be discussed on the basis of measured permeability and SEM images.

My Path Into X-Ray, Optics and Pressure: Experiences and Achievements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Evans, William

2013-04-01

A successful career path in science is rarely formulaic or achieved by following a predefined set of actions. Sustained commitment, perseverance, performance and relationships are all key ingredients. Judicious selection of opportunities (research projects, employers, etc.) can lead to significant scientific accomplishments and career advancements. In this presentation I will review the trajectory of my scientific career spanning my experiences from the Westinghouse STS and ISEF, through Caltech and Harvard to my current position of High Pressure Physics Group Leader at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. I will discuss my involvement in some exciting research projects using x-ray synchrotron sources and optical spectroscopy to study static and dynamic properties of materials at high-pressures. In addition, I will share my perspectives on the importance of excellence, preparedness and the value of professional relationships.

Development of Kinetics and Mathematical Models for High-Pressure Gasification of Lignite-Switchgrass Blends: Cooperative Research and Development Final Report, CRADA Number CRD-11-447

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

Iisa, Kristiina

2016-04-06

NREL will work with Participant as a subtier partner under DE-FOA-0000240 titled "Co-Production of Power, Fuels, and Chemicals via Coal/Biomass Mixtures." The goal of the project is to determine the gasification characteristics of switchgrass and lignite mixtures and develop kinetic models. NREL will utilize a pressurized thermogravimetric analyzer to measure the reactivity of chars generated in a pressurized entrained-flow reactor at Participant's facilities and to determine the evolution of gaseous species during pyrolysis of switchgrass-lignite mixtures. Mass spectrometry and Fourier-transform infrared analysis will be used to identify and quantify the gaseous species. The results of the project will aid inmore » defining key reactive properties of mixed coal biomass fuels.« less

Spherical Harmonics Functions Modelling of Meteorological Parameters in PWV Estimation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Deniz, Ilke; Mekik, Cetin; Gurbuz, Gokhan

2016-08-01

Aim of this study is to derive temperature, pressure and humidity observations using spherical harmonics modelling and to interpolate for the derivation of precipitable water vapor (PWV) of TUSAGA-Active stations in the test area encompassing 38.0°-42.0° northern latitudes and 28.0°-34.0° eastern longitudes of Turkey. In conclusion, the meteorological parameters computed by using GNSS observations for the study area have been modelled with a precision of ±1.74 K in temperature, ±0.95 hPa in pressure and ±14.88 % in humidity. Considering studies on the interpolation of meteorological parameters, the precision of temperature and pressure models provide adequate solutions. This study funded by the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK) (The Estimation of Atmospheric Water Vapour with GPS Project, Project No: 112Y350).

Early Weight Gain, Linear Growth, and Mid-Childhood Blood Pressure: A Prospective Study in Project Viva.

PubMed

Perng, Wei; Rifas-Shiman, Sheryl L; Kramer, Michael S; Haugaard, Line K; Oken, Emily; Gillman, Matthew W; Belfort, Mandy B

2016-02-01

In recent years, the prevalence of hypertension and prehypertension increased markedly among children and adolescents, highlighting the importance of identifying determinants of elevated blood pressure early in life. Low birth weight and rapid early childhood weight gain are associated with higher future blood pressure. However, few studies have examined the timing of postnatal weight gain in relation to later blood pressure, and little is known regarding the contribution of linear growth. We studied 957 participants in Project Viva, an ongoing US prebirth cohort. We examined the relations of gains in body mass index z-score and length/height z-score during 4 early life age intervals (birth to 6 months, 6 months to 1 year, 1 to 2 years, and 2 to 3 years) with blood pressure during mid-childhood (6-10 years) and evaluated whether these relations differed by birth size. After accounting for confounders, each additional z-score gain in body mass index during birth to 6 months and 2 to 3 years was associated with 0.81 (0.15, 1.46) and 1.61 (0.33, 2.89) mm Hg higher systolic blood pressure, respectively. Length/height gain was unrelated to mid-childhood blood pressure, and there was no evidence of effect modification by birth size for body mass index or length/height z-score gain. Our findings suggest that more rapid gain in body mass index during the first 6 postnatal months and in the preschool years may lead to higher systolic blood pressure in mid-childhood, regardless of size at birth. Strategies to reduce accrual of excess adiposity during early life may reduce mid-childhood blood pressure, which may also impact adult blood pressure and cardiovascular health. © 2015 American Heart Association, Inc.

2017 GTO Project review Laboratory Evaluation of EGS Shear Stimulation.

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

Bauer, Stephen J.

The objectives and purpose of this research has been to produce laboratory-based experimental and numerical analyses to provide a physics-based understanding of shear stimulation phenomena (hydroshearing) and its evolution during stimulation. Water was flowed along fractures in hot and stressed fractured rock, to promote slip. The controlled laboratory experiments provide a high resolution/high quality data resource for evaluation of analysis methods developed by DOE to assess EGS “behavior” during this stimulation process. Segments of the experimental program will provide data sets for model input parameters, i.e., material properties, and other segments of the experimental program will represent small scale physicalmore » models of an EGS system, which may be modeled. The coupled lab/analysis project has been a study of the response of a fracture in hot, water-saturated fractured rock to shear stress experiencing fluid flow. Under this condition, the fracture experiences a combination of potential pore pressure changes and fracture surface cooling, resulting in slip along the fracture. The laboratory work provides a means to assess the role of “hydroshearing” on permeability enhancement in reservoir stimulation. Using the laboratory experiments and results to define boundary and input/output conditions of pore pressure, thermal stress, fracture shear deformation and fluid flow, and models were developed and simulations completed by the University of Oklahoma team. The analysis methods are ones used on field scale problems. The sophisticated numerical models developed contain parameters present in the field. The analysis results provide insight into the role of fracture slip on permeability enhancement-“hydroshear” is to be obtained. The work will provide valuable input data to evaluate stimulation models, thus helping design effective EGS.« less

Cost-effectiveness of a pressure ulcer quality collaborative.

PubMed

Makai, Peter; Koopmanschap, Marc; Bal, Roland; Nieboer, Anna P

2010-06-01

A quality improvement collaborative (QIC) in the Dutch long-term care sector (nursing homes, assisted living facilities, home care) used evidence-based prevention methods to reduce the incidence and prevalence of pressure ulcers (PUs). The collaborative consisted of a core team of experts and 25 organizational project teams. Our aim was to determine its cost-effectiveness from a healthcare perspective. We used a non-controlled pre-post design to establish the change in incidence and prevalence of PUs in 88 patients over the course of a year. Staff indexed data and prevention methods (activities, materials). Quality of life (Qol) weights were assigned to the PU states. We assessed the costs of activities and materials in the project. A Markov model was built based on effectiveness and cost data, complemented with a probabilistic sensitivity analysis. To illustrate the results of longer term, three scenarios were created in which change in incidence and prevalence measures were (1) not sustained, (2) partially sustained, and (3) completely sustained. Incidence of PUs decreased from 15% to 4.5% for the 88 patients. Prevalence decreased from 38.6% to 22.7%. Average Quality of Life (Qol) of patients increased by 0.02 Quality Adjusted Life Years (QALY)s in two years; healthcare costs increased by euro2000 per patient; the Incremental Cost-effectiveness Ratio (ICER) was between 78,500 and 131,000 depending on whether the changes in incidence and prevalence of PU were sustained. During the QIC PU incidence and prevalence significantly declined. When compared to standard PU care, the QIC was probably more costly and more effective in the short run, but its long-term cost-effectiveness is questionable. The QIC can only be cost-effective if the changes in incidence and prevalence of PU are sustained.

Students' construction of a simple steam distillation apparatus and development of creative thinking skills: A project-based learning

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Diawati, Chansyanah; Liliasari, Setiabudi, Agus; Buchari

2017-05-01

This project-based learning combined the chemistry of separation process using steam distillation with engineering design process in an undergraduate chemistry course. Students built upon their knowledge of phase changes, immiscible mixture, and the relationship between vapor pressure and boiling point to complete a project of modifications steam distillation apparatus. The research method is a qualitative case study, which aims to describe how (1) the creative thinking skills of students emerged during six weeks of theproject, (2) students built steam distillation apparatus characteristics as the project product and (3) students response to the project-based learning model. The results showed that the students had successfully constructed a steam distillation apparatus using plastic kettle as steam generator and distillation flask. A Plastic tubewas used to drain water vapor from steam generator to distillation flask and to drain steam containing essential oil to the condenser. A biscuit tin filled with ice was used as a condenser. The time required until resulting distillate was fifteen minutes. The production of essential was conductive qualitatively by a very strong smell typical of essential oil and two phases of distillate. Throughout the project, students formulated the relevant and varied problem, formulated the goals, proposed the ideas of the apparatus and materials, draw apparatus design, constructed apparatus, tested apparatus, evaluated, and reported the project. Student response was generally positive. They were pleased, interested, more understanding the concepts and work apparatus principles, also implemented new ideas. These results indicate that project-based learning can develop students' creative thinking skills. Based on these results, it is necessary to conduct research and implemented project-based learning to other concepts.

Directional Dark Matter Detector Prototype (Time Projection Chamber)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Oliver-Mallory, Kelsey; Garcia-Sciveres, Maurice; Kadyk, John; Lopex-Thibodeaux, Mayra

2013-04-01

The time projection chamber is a mature technology that has emerged as a promising candidate for the directional detection of the WIMP particle. In order to utilize this technology in WIMP detection, the operational parameters must be chosen in the non-ideal regime. A prototype WIMP detector with a 10cm field cage, double GEM amplification, and ATLAS FEI3 pixel chip readout was constructed for the purpose of investigating effects of varying gas pressure in different gas mixtures. The rms radii of ionization clusters of photoelectrons caused by X-rays from a Fe-55 source were measured for several gas pressures between 760torr and 99torr in Ar(70)/ CO2(30), CF4, He(80)/Isobutane(20), and He(80)/CF4(20) mixtures. Average radii were determined from distributions of the data for each gas mixture and pressure, and revealed a negative correlation between pressure and radius in Ar(70)/CO2(30) and He(80)/Isobutane(20) mixtures. Investigation of the pressure-radius measurements are in progress using distributions of photoelectron and auger electron practical ranges (Univ. of Pisa) and diffusion, using the Garfield Monte Carlo program.

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

Russell, J.S.

Several factors in the development of the East Wilmington oil field by THUMS Long Beach Co. are described. These include: critical path scheduling, complex stratigraphy, reservoir engineering, drilling program, production methods, pressure maintenance, crude oil processing, automation, transportation facilities, service lines, and electrical facilities. The complexity and closely scheduled operational events interwoven in the THUMS project demands a method for the carefully planned sequence of jobs to be done, beginning with island construction up through routine production and to the LACT system. These demanding requirements necessitated the use of a critical path scheduling program. It was decided to use themore » program evaluation technique. This technique is used to assign responsibilities for individual assignments to time assignments, and to keep the overall program on schedule. The stratigraphy of East Wilmington complicates all engineering functions associated with recovery methods and reservoir evaluation. At least 5 major faults are anticipated.« less

Socio spatial adaptation as a resilience form of native unplanned settlement in confrontation with new planned settlement development pressure (case study: enclave native settlement in Serpong, Tangerang)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ischak, Mohammad; Setioko, Bambang; Nurgandarum, Dedes

2017-12-01

Urban growth refers to expansion of a metropolitan into sub urban areas as the surrounding environment, with no exception of Jakarta city due to limited availability and high price of land within the city. The city of Jakarta, as a metropolitan, carries of expansion in its surrounding environment including Tangerang. Privat developers may an important role in this urban growth through their large scale of new settlement development project. The formation of establishment of enclave native unplanned sub urban settlement scattered within planned new settlement in Tangerang is to be an consequence of Jakarta urban growth. This fenomena could be comprehended as a form of resilience native settlement in confrontation with the new planned settlement pressure. The aim of this research, presented in this paper is to understand the socio-spatial concept of those enclave native settlement as an adaptation form to the new planned settlement pressure. Through descriptive qualitative research method, with indepth interview as a main research instrument, this research could depict or uncover the facts that there are various form of socio-spatial adaptation as the main theme of resilience native suburban settlement formation.

Ultrahigh vacuum process for the deposition of nanotubes and nanowires

DOEpatents

Das, Biswajit; Lee, Myung B

2015-02-03

A system and method A method of growing an elongate nanoelement from a growth surface includes: a) cleaning a growth surface on a base element; b) providing an ultrahigh vacuum reaction environment over the cleaned growth surface; c) generating a reactive gas of an atomic material to be used in forming the nanoelement; d) projecting a stream of the reactive gas at the growth surface within the reactive environment while maintaining a vacuum of at most 1.times.10.sup.-4 Pascal; e) growing the elongate nanoelement from the growth surface within the environment while maintaining the pressure of step c); f) after a desired length of nanoelement is attained within the environment, stopping direction of reactive gas into the environment; and g) returning the environment to an ultrahigh vacuum condition.

Dual laser optical system and method for studying fluid flow

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Owen, R. B.; Witherow, W. K. (Inventor)

1983-01-01

A dual laser optical system and method is disclosed for visualization of phenomena in transport substances which induce refractive index gradients such as fluid flow and pressure and temperature gradients in fluids and gases. Two images representing mutually perpendicular components of refractive index gradients may be viewed simultaneously on screen. Two lasers having wave lengths in the visible range but separated by about 1000 angstroms are utilized to provide beams which are collimated into a beam containing components of the different wave lengths. The collimated beam is passed through a test volume of the transparent substance. The collimated beam is then separated into components of the different wave lengths and focused onto a pair of knife edges arranged mutually perpendicular to produce and project images onto the screen.

Improving hypertension management through pharmacist prescribing; the rural alberta clinical trial in optimizing hypertension (Rural RxACTION): trial design and methods

PubMed Central

2011-01-01

Background Patients with hypertension continue to have less than optimal blood pressure control, with nearly one in five Canadian adults having hypertension. Pharmacist prescribing is gaining favor as a potential clinically efficacious and cost-effective means to improve both access and quality of care. With Alberta being the first province in Canada to have independent prescribing by pharmacists, it offers a unique opportunity to evaluate outcomes in patients who are prescribed antihypertensive therapy by pharmacists. Methods The study is a randomized controlled trial of enhanced pharmacist care, with the unit of randomization being the patient. Participants will be randomized to enhanced pharmacist care (patient identification, assessment, education, close follow-up, and prescribing/titration of antihypertensive medications) or usual care. Participants are patients in rural Alberta with undiagnosed/uncontrolled blood pressure, as defined by the Canadian Hypertension Education Program. The primary outcome is the change in systolic blood pressure between baseline and 24 weeks in the enhanced-care versus usual-care arms. There are also three substudies running in conjunction with the project examining different remuneration models, investigating patient knowledge, and assessing health-resource utilization amongst patients in each group. Discussion To date, one-third of the required sample size has been recruited. There are 15 communities and 17 pharmacists actively screening, recruiting, and following patients. This study will provide high-level evidence regarding pharmacist prescribing. Trial Registration Clinicaltrials.gov NCT00878566. PMID:21834970

Enhanced cell disruption strategy in the release of recombinant hepatitis B surface antigen from Pichia pastoris using response surface methodology

PubMed Central

2012-01-01

Background Cell disruption strategies by high pressure homogenizer for the release of recombinant Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) from Pichia pastoris expression cells were optimized using response surface methodology (RSM) based on the central composite design (CCD). The factors studied include number of passes, biomass concentration and pulse pressure. Polynomial models were used to correlate the above mentioned factors to project the cell disruption capability and specific protein release of HBsAg from P. pastoris cells. Results The proposed cell disruption strategy consisted of a number of passes set at 20 times, biomass concentration of 7.70 g/L of dry cell weight (DCW) and pulse pressure at 1,029 bar. The optimized cell disruption strategy was shown to increase cell disruption efficiency by 2-fold and 4-fold for specific protein release of HBsAg when compared to glass bead method yielding 75.68% cell disruption rate (CDR) and HBsAg concentration of 29.20 mg/L respectively. Conclusions The model equation generated from RSM on cell disruption of P. pastoris was found adequate to determine the significant factors and its interactions among the process variables and the optimum conditions in releasing HBsAg when validated against a glass bead cell disruption method. The findings from the study can open up a promising strategy for better recovery of HBsAg recombinant protein during downstream processing. PMID:23039947

The Impact of the Bologna Process on Academic Staff in Ukraine

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Shaw, Marta A.; Chapman, David W.; Rumyantseva, Nataliya L.

2012-01-01

Academic staff in Ukraine face a convergence of institutional and professional pressures precipitated by a national economic crisis, projected declines in enrolment and dramatic changes to institutional procedures as institutions implement the Bologna Process. This article examines the extent to which these pressures are reshaping the way academic…

40 CFR 146.6 - Area of review.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... lateral distance in which the pressures in the injection zone may cause the migration of the injection and... is the lateral distance from the perimeter of the project area, in which the pressures in the... (length) k=Hydraulic conductivity of the injection zone (length/time) H=Thickness of the injection zone...

Back-pressure Effect on Shock-Train Location in a Scramjet Engine Isolator

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-03-01

valves .......................................................................................... 57 Side project: making an actuator stand...21 Figure 8. Main manual shut off valve ...................................................................................22 Figure 9 . A small...characteristic about this wind tunnel. With Mach 1.8 nozzle, prior to test runs, the upstream regulator pressure valve (Figure 9 ) was set at

Johnson Creek Landslide research project, Lincoln County, Oregon : final report to the Oregon Department of Transportation.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2008-07-01

A five-year study indicates that the Johnson Creek landslide moves in response to intense rainfall that raises pore water : pressure throughout the slide in the form of pulses of water pressure traveling from the headwall graben down the axis of : th...

EPA AND ERDA HIGH-TEMPERATURE/HIGH-PRESSURE PARTICULATE CONTROL PROGRAMS

EPA Science Inventory

The report describes and compares current projects sponsored by EPA and the U.S. Energy Research and Development Administration (ERDA), relating to the control of particulate matter in fuel gas streams at high temperatures (1000 to 2000F) and high pressures (5 atm and greater). T...

Liquid Hydrogen Regulated Low Pressure High Flow Pneumatic Panel AFT Arrow Analysis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jones, Kelley, M.

2013-01-01

Project Definition: Design a high flow pneumatic regulation panel to be used with helium and hydrogen. The panel will have two circuits, one for gaseous helium (GHe) supplied from the GHe Movable Storage Units (MSUs) and one for gaseous hydrogen (GH2) supplied from an existing GH2 Fill Panel. The helium will supply three legs; to existing panels and on the higher pressure leg and Simulated Flight Tanks (SFTs) for the lower pressure legs. The hydrogen line will pressurize a 33,000 gallon vacuum jacketed vessel.

Climatic Variations in Tropical West African Rainfall and the Implications for Military Planners

DTIC Science & Technology

2008-06-01

perturbation pressure isobars. There is a ridge in (a) and a trough in (b) at the equator and to the east of the forcing region. Note that the pressure...Climatology course project team), CDR Eric Buch (C6F Oceanographer), Mr. Samson Brand (NRL Monterey), VADM Paul Gaffney (ret.), Prof. Russell Elsberry, LT...pressure isobars. There is a ridge in (a) and a trough in (b) at the equator and to the east of the forcing region. Note that the pressure to the west

Southwestern Regional Partnership For Carbon Sequestration (Phase 2) Pump Canyon CO2- ECBM/Sequestration Demonstration, San Juan Basin, New Mexico

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

Advanced Resources International

2010-01-31

Within the Southwest Regional Partnership on Carbon Sequestration (SWP), three demonstrations of geologic CO{sub 2} sequestration are being performed -- one in an oilfield (the SACROC Unit in the Permian basin of west Texas), one in a deep, unmineable coalbed (the Pump Canyon site in the San Juan basin of northern New Mexico), and one in a deep, saline reservoir (underlying the Aneth oilfield in the Paradox basin of southeast Utah). The Pump Canyon CO{sub 2}-enhanced coalbed methane (CO{sub 2}/ECBM) sequestration demonstration project plans to demonstrate the effectiveness of CO{sub 2} sequestration in deep, unmineable coal seams via a small-scalemore » geologic sequestration project. The site is located in San Juan County, northern New Mexico, just within the limits of the high-permeability fairway of prolific coalbed methane production. The study area for the SWP project consists of 31 coalbed methane production wells located in a nine section area. CO{sub 2} was injected continuously for a year and different monitoring, verification and accounting (MVA) techniques were implemented to track the CO{sub 2} movement inside and outside the reservoir. Some of the MVA methods include continuous measurement of injection volumes, pressures and temperatures within the injection well, coalbed methane production rates, pressures and gas compositions collected at the offset production wells, and tracers in the injected CO{sub 2}. In addition, time-lapse vertical seismic profiling (VSP), surface tiltmeter arrays, a series of shallow monitoring wells with a regular fluid sampling program, surface measurements of soil composition, CO{sub 2} fluxes, and tracers were used to help in tracking the injected CO{sub 2}. Finally, a detailed reservoir model was constructed to help reproduce and understand the behavior of the reservoir under production and injection operation. This report summarizes the different phases of the project, from permitting through site closure, and gives the results of the different MVA techniques.« less

Task Management for Firefighters: A Practical Approach to Task Management.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Roberts, Stephen S.

1979-01-01

A project management system for organizing requests from multiple departments and controlling the workload of the development/maintenance computer staff is described. Practical solutions to deciding project priorities, determining time estimates, creating positive peer pressure among programing staff, and formalizing information requests are…

18 CFR 12.35 - Specific inspection requirements.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

...) Seismicity; (ix) Internal stress and hydrostatic pressures in project structures or their foundations or... structures; (iii) The structural adequacy and stability of structures under all credible loading conditions... project works to withstand the loading or overtopping which may occur from a flood up to the probable...

18 CFR 12.35 - Specific inspection requirements.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

...) Seismicity; (ix) Internal stress and hydrostatic pressures in project structures or their foundations or... structures; (iii) The structural adequacy and stability of structures under all credible loading conditions... project works to withstand the loading or overtopping which may occur from a flood up to the probable...

Poleward displacement of coastal upwelling-favorable winds through the 21st century

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rykaczewski, R. R.; Dunne, J. P.; Sydeman, W. J.; Garcia-Reyes, M.; Black, B.; Bograd, S. J.

2016-02-01

Coastal upwelling is a critical factor influencing the biological production, acidification, and deoxygenation of the ocean's major eastern boundary current ecosystems. A leading conceptual hypothesis projects that the winds that induce coastal upwelling will intensify in response to increased land-sea temperature differences associated with anthropogenic global warming. We examine this hypothesis using an ensemble of coupled, ocean-atmosphere models and find limited evidence for intensification of upwelling-favorable winds or atmospheric pressure gradients in response to increasing land-sea temperature differences. However, our analyses reveal consistent latitudinal and seasonal dependencies of projected changes in wind intensity associated with poleward migration of major atmospheric high-pressure cells. Summertime winds near poleward boundaries of climatological upwelling zones are projected to intensify, while winds near equatorward boundaries are projected to weaken. Developing a better understanding of future changes in upwelling winds is essential to identifying portions of the oceans susceptible to increased hypoxia, ocean acidification, and eutrophication under climate change.

Primary-care based participatory rehabilitation: users’ views of a horticultural and arts project

PubMed Central

Barley, Elizabeth A; Robinson, Susan; Sikorski, Jim

2012-01-01

Background Participation in horticulture and arts may improve wellbeing in those with mental and physical illness. Aim To conduct an in-depth exploration of the views and experience of participants of a primary-care-based horticultural and participatory arts rehabilitation project (Sydenham Garden). Design and setting Qualitative interview study of a primary-care-based horticultural and participatory arts rehabilitation project in South London. Method Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 16 participants (referred to as ‘coworkers’) of Sydenham Garden. Seven were female. Participants were aged between 38 and 91 years and had a range of severe mental and physical health problems; most had depression. The interviews were analysed using constant comparison and thematic analysis. Results Data were overwhelmingly positive concerning participation. Coworkers considered participation in the project to promote wellbeing by providing purposeful and enjoyable activity and interest, improving mood and self-perceptions, and providing an escape from life’s pressures. Being outdoors was considered therapeutic. The most-valued aspect of participation was the social contact derived as a result of it. Many of the coworkers who were interviewed developed transferable skills, including nationally recognised qualifications, which they valued highly. Conclusion Delivery of horticultural therapy and participatory arts is a feasible model for improving wellbeing in patients in primary care who have serious illness. Longer-term studies are needed to address what happens to people after leaving such projects. PMID:22520790

Monitoring localized cracks on under pressure concrete nuclear containment wall using linear and nonlinear ultrasonic coda wave interferometry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Legland, J.-B.; Abraham, O.; Durand, O.; Henault, J.-M.

2018-04-01

Civil engineering is constantly demanding new methods for evaluation and non-destructive testing (NDT), particularly to prevent and monitor serious damage to concrete structures. Tn this work, experimental results are presented on the detection and characterization of cracks using nonlinear modulation of coda waves interferometry (NCWT) [1]. This method consists in mixing high-amplitude low-frequency acoustic waves with multi-scattered probe waves (coda) and analyzing their effects by interferometry. Unlike the classic method of coda analysis (CWT), the NCWT does not require the recording of a coda as a reference before damage to the structure. Tn the framework of the PTA-ENDE project, a 1/3 model of a preconstrained concrete containment (EDF VeRCoRs mock-up) is placed under pressure to study the leakage of the structure. During this evaluation protocol, specific areas are monitored by the NCWT (during 5 days, which correspond to the protocol of nuclear power plant pressurization under maintenance test). The acoustic nonlinear response due to the high amplitude of the acoustic modulation gives pertinent information about the elastic and dissipative nonlinearities of the concrete. Tts effective level is evaluated by two nonlinear observables extracted from the interferometry. The increase of nonlinearities is in agreement with the creation of a crack with a network of microcracks located at its base; however, a change in the dynamics of the evolution of the nonlinearities may indicate the opening of a through crack. Tn addition, as during the experimental campaign, reference codas have been recorded. We used CWT to follow the stress evolution and the gas leaks ratio of the structure. Both CWT and NCWT results are presented in this paper.

High Energy Ultrasound As An Applicable Tool For Well Regeneration

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bott, W.; Hofmann, T.; Wilken, R.-D.

Drinking water abstraction by groundwater wells is a main part of ground-water man- agement. During well operation ageing processes cause a decrease of permeability and productivity of these wells. The occurring processes are mainly a combination of chemical, physical and biological factors. This leads to the necessity of well regen- eration in order to maintain original well conditions and are linked to major invest- ments. The use of ultrasound as a well regeneration method is a new application for this purpose. In comparison to conventional regeneration methods, mainly mechan- ical and chemical procedures or a combination of both, high energy ultrasound can be called an environmentally "friendly" application because of the avoidance of any use of harmful chemicals within the well and the aquifer. In addition this method acts with consideration to the well building. But there are conflicting opinions on the effi- ciency of ultrasound. The goal of a current research project, financed by the German Foundation of Environment (DBU), is to answer the question, under which conditions high energy ultrasound is most effective for well regeneration. For this purpose an experimental station was constructed to carry out laboratory examinations on the in- fluence of different parameters on ultrasound efficiency, i.e. hydrostatic pressure, tem- perature, different filter gravel and well filter, duration of sonic, fre-quency and inten- sity. The whole instal-lation is stable regarding pressure up to 20 bar, to approximate con-ditions in real wells. First results show a clear dependence of sonic penetration on different materials of well filter and different size of filter gravel as well as on hydro- static pressure conditions within the well. The contribution presents the experimental setup and figures out further results of currently carried out investigations.

The Application of a Novel Pressurized Liquid Extraction Method to Quantify Organic Tracers Combined with Historic and Novel Organic Contaminants for the Discover-AQ Houston Field Experiment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Clark, A. E.; Yoon, S.; Sheesley, R. J.; Usenko, S.

2014-12-01

DISCOVER-AQ is a NASA mission seeking to better understand air quality in cities across the United States. In September 2013, flight, satellite and ground-based data was collected in Houston, TX and the surrounding metropolitan area. Over 300 particulate matter filter samples were collected as part of the ground-based sampling efforts, at four sites across Houston. Samples include total suspended particle matter (TSP) and fine particulate matter (less than 2.5 μm in aerodynamic diameter; PM2.5). For this project, an analytical method has been developed for the pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) of a wide variety of organic tracers and contaminants from quartz fiber filters (QFFs). Over 100 compounds were selected including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), hopanes, levoglucosan, organochlorine pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), and organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs). Currently, there is no analytical method validated for the reproducible extraction of all seven compound classes in a single automated technique. Prior to extraction, QFF samples were spiked with known amounts of target analyte standards and isotopically-labeled surrogate standards. The QFF were then extracted with methylene chloride:acetone at high temperatures (100˚C) and pressures (1500 psi) using a Thermo Dionex Accelerated Solvent Extractor system (ASE 350). Extracts were concentrated, spiked with known amounts of isotopically-labeled internal standards, and analyzed by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry utilizing electron ionization and electron capture negative ionization. Target analytes were surrogate recovery-corrected to account for analyte loss during sample preparation. Ambient concentrations of over 100 organic tracers and contaminants will be presented for four sites in Houston during DISCOVER-AQ.

Project Squid. Annual Program Report

DTIC Science & Technology

1950-01-01

cooled, with helical flow around the combustion chamber walls and approximately longitudinal flow over the nozzle walls. All injectors are of the...instantaneous pressures in the channel near tne rotating valve were recorded by means of a condenser -type pressure gauge3 and the mean pressure was...air ’P k = thermal conductivity of air Nusselt and Jurges2 in 1928, derived an equation similar to the above on the basis of a somewhat different

Two innovative pore pressure calculation methods for shallow deep-water formations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Deng, Song; Fan, Honghai; Liu, Yuhan; He, Yanfeng; Zhang, Shifeng; Yang, Jing; Fu, Lipei

2017-11-01

There are many geological hazards in shallow formations associated with oil and gas exploration and development in deep-water settings. Abnormal pore pressure can lead to water flow and gas and gas hydrate accumulations, which may affect drilling safety. Therefore, it is of great importance to accurately predict pore pressure in shallow deep-water formations. Experience over previous decades has shown, however, that there are not appropriate pressure calculation methods for these shallow formations. Pore pressure change is reflected closely in log data, particularly for mudstone formations. In this paper, pore pressure calculations for shallow formations are highlighted, and two concrete methods using log data are presented. The first method is modified from an E. Philips test in which a linear-exponential overburden pressure model is used. The second method is a new pore pressure method based on P-wave velocity that accounts for the effect of shallow gas and shallow water flow. Afterwards, the two methods are validated using case studies from two wells in the Yingqiong basin. Calculated results are compared with those obtained by the Eaton method, which demonstrates that the multi-regression method is more suitable for quick prediction of geological hazards in shallow layers.

Paraventricular Nucleus Modulates Excitatory Cardiovascular Reflexes during Electroacupuncture

PubMed Central

Tjen-A-Looi, Stephanie C.; Guo, Zhi-Ling; Fu, Liang-Wu; Longhurst, John C.

2016-01-01

The paraventricular nucleus (PVN) regulates sympathetic outflow and blood pressure. Somatic afferent stimulation activates neurons in the hypothalamic PVN. Parvocellular PVN neurons project to sympathoexcitatory cardiovascular regions of the rostral ventrolateral medulla (rVLM). Electroacupuncture (EA) stimulates the median nerve (P5-P6) to modulate sympathoexcitatory responses. We hypothesized that the PVN and its projections to the rVLM participate in the EA-modulation of sympathoexcitatory cardiovascular responses. Cats were anesthetized and ventilated. Heart rate and mean blood pressure were monitored. Application of bradykinin every 10-min on the gallbladder induced consistent pressor reflex responses. Thirty-min of bilateral EA stimulation at acupoints P5-P6 reduced the pressor responses for at least 60-min. Inhibition of the PVN with naloxone reversed the EA-inhibition. Responses of cardiovascular barosensitive rVLM neurons evoked by splanchnic nerve stimulation were reduced by EA and then restored with opioid receptor blockade in the PVN. EA at P5-P6 decreased splanchnic evoked activity of cardiovascular barosensitive PVN neurons that also project directly to the rVLM. PVN neurons labeled with retrograde tracer from rVLM were co-labeled with μ-opioid receptors and juxtaposed to endorphinergic fibers. Thus, the PVN and its projection to rVLM are important in processing acupuncture modulation of elevated blood pressure responses through a PVN opioid mechanism. PMID:27181844

Pressure ulcer prevention is everyone's business: the PUPS project.

PubMed

Blenman, Juliet; Marks-Maran, Di

2017-03-23

Prevention of pressure ulcers is one of the greatest healthcare challenges in terms of reducing patient harm. The literature shows that although numerous reports and policy documents have been published, pressure ulcer prevention remains an ongoing challenge. A number of innovations have been published offering practising nurses and managers ideas for raising awareness of skin care and preventing pressure ulcers. The majority of these have focused on patients in hospital settings with very little in the literature related to care-home and community initiatives. This article reports on an innovative approach to education for pressure ulcer prevention through collaboration between patients, carers and health and social care professionals.

Hunting down the chimera of multiple disciplinarity in conservation science.

PubMed

Pooley, Simon P; Mendelsohn, J Andrew; Milner-Gulland, E J

2014-02-01

The consensus is that both ecological and social factors are essential dimensions of conservation research and practice. However, much of the literature on multiple disciplinary collaboration focuses on the difficulties of undertaking it. This review of the challenges of conducting multiple disciplinary collaboration offers a framework for thinking about the diversity and complexity of this endeavor. We focused on conceptual challenges, of which 5 main categories emerged: methodological challenges, value judgments, theories of knowledge, disciplinary prejudices, and interdisciplinary communication. The major problems identified in these areas have proved remarkably persistent in the literature surveyed (c.1960-2012). Reasons for these failures to learn from past experience include the pressure to produce positive outcomes and gloss over disagreements, the ephemeral nature of many such projects and resulting lack of institutional memory, and the apparent complexity and incoherence of the endeavor. We suggest that multiple disciplinary collaboration requires conceptual integration among carefully selected multiple disciplinary team members united in investigating a shared problem or question. We outline a 9-point sequence of steps for setting up a successful multiple disciplinary project. This encompasses points on recruitment, involving stakeholders, developing research questions, negotiating power dynamics and hidden values and conceptual differences, explaining and choosing appropriate methods, developing a shared language, facilitating on-going communications, and discussing data integration and project outcomes. Although numerous solutions to the challenges of multiple disciplinary research have been proposed, lessons learned are often lost when projects end or experienced individuals move on. We urge multiple disciplinary teams to capture the challenges recognized, and solutions proposed, by their researchers while projects are in process. A database of well-documented case studies would showcase theories and methods from a variety of disciplines and their interactions, enable better comparative study and evaluation, and provide a useful resource for developing future projects and training multiple disciplinary researchers. © 2013 The Authors. Conservation Biology published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of Society for Conservation Biology.

Hunting Down the Chimera of Multiple Disciplinarity in Conservation Science

PubMed Central

POOLEY, SIMON P; MENDELSOHN, J ANDREW; MILNER-GULLAND, E J

2014-01-01

The consensus is that both ecological and social factors are essential dimensions of conservation research and practice. However, much of the literature on multiple disciplinary collaboration focuses on the difficulties of undertaking it. This review of the challenges of conducting multiple disciplinary collaboration offers a framework for thinking about the diversity and complexity of this endeavor. We focused on conceptual challenges, of which 5 main categories emerged: methodological challenges, value judgments, theories of knowledge, disciplinary prejudices, and interdisciplinary communication. The major problems identified in these areas have proved remarkably persistent in the literature surveyed (c.1960–2012). Reasons for these failures to learn from past experience include the pressure to produce positive outcomes and gloss over disagreements, the ephemeral nature of many such projects and resulting lack of institutional memory, and the apparent complexity and incoherence of the endeavor. We suggest that multiple disciplinary collaboration requires conceptual integration among carefully selected multiple disciplinary team members united in investigating a shared problem or question. We outline a 9-point sequence of steps for setting up a successful multiple disciplinary project. This encompasses points on recruitment, involving stakeholders, developing research questions, negotiating power dynamics and hidden values and conceptual differences, explaining and choosing appropriate methods, developing a shared language, facilitating on-going communications, and discussing data integration and project outcomes. Although numerous solutions to the challenges of multiple disciplinary research have been proposed, lessons learned are often lost when projects end or experienced individuals move on. We urge multiple disciplinary teams to capture the challenges recognized, and solutions proposed, by their researchers while projects are in process. A database of well-documented case studies would showcase theories and methods from a variety of disciplines and their interactions, enable better comparative study and evaluation, and provide a useful resource for developing future projects and training multiple disciplinary researchers. PMID:24299167

Explaining Michigan: developing an ex post theory of a quality improvement program.

PubMed

Dixon-Woods, Mary; Bosk, Charles L; Aveling, Emma Louise; Goeschel, Christine A; Pronovost, Peter J

2011-06-01

Understanding how and why programs work-not simply whether they work-is crucial. Good theory is indispensable to advancing the science of improvement. We argue for the usefulness of ex post theorization of programs. We propose an approach, located within the broad family of theory-oriented methods, for developing ex post theories of interventional programs. We use this approach to develop an ex post theory of the Michigan Intensive Care Unit (ICU) project, which attracted international attention by successfully reducing rates of central venous catheter bloodstream infections (CVC-BSIs). The procedure used to develop the ex post theory was (1) identify program leaders' initial theory of change and learning from running the program; (2) enhance this with new information in the form of theoretical contributions from social scientists; (3) synthesize prior and new information to produce an updated theory. The Michigan project achieved its effects by (1) generating isomorphic pressures for ICUs to join the program and conform to its requirements; (2) creating a densely networked community with strong horizontal links that exerted normative pressures on members; (3) reframing CVC-BSIs as a social problem and addressing it through a professional movement combining "grassroots" features with a vertically integrating program structure; (4) using several interventions that functioned in different ways to shape a culture of commitment to doing better in practice; (5) harnessing data on infection rates as a disciplinary force; and (6) using "hard edges." Updating program theory in the light of experience from program implementation is essential to improving programs' generalizability and transferability, although it is not a substitute for concurrent evaluative fieldwork. Future iterations of programs based on the Michigan project, and improvement science more generally, may benefit from the updated theory present here. © 2011 Milbank Memorial Fund. Published by Wiley Periodicals Inc.

CALIBRATION OF SEISMIC ATTRIBUTES FOR RESERVOIR CHARACTERIZATION

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

Wayne D. Pennington; Horacio Acevedo; Aaron Green

2002-10-01

The project, ''Calibration of Seismic Attributes for Reservoir Calibration,'' is now complete. Our original proposed scope of work included detailed analysis of seismic and other data from two to three hydrocarbon fields; we have analyzed data from four fields at this level of detail, two additional fields with less detail, and one other 2D seismic line used for experimentation. We also included time-lapse seismic data with ocean-bottom cable recordings in addition to the originally proposed static field data. A large number of publications and presentations have resulted from this work, including several that are in final stages of preparation ormore » printing; one of these is a chapter on ''Reservoir Geophysics'' for the new Petroleum Engineering Handbook from the Society of Petroleum Engineers. Major results from this project include a new approach to evaluating seismic attributes in time-lapse monitoring studies, evaluation of pitfalls in the use of point-based measurements and facies classifications, novel applications of inversion results, improved methods of tying seismic data to the wellbore, and a comparison of methods used to detect pressure compartments. Some of the data sets used are in the public domain, allowing other investigators to test our techniques or to improve upon them using the same data. From the public-domain Stratton data set we have demonstrated that an apparent correlation between attributes derived along ''phantom'' horizons are artifacts of isopach changes; only if the interpreter understands that the interpretation is based on this correlation with bed thickening or thinning, can reliable interpretations of channel horizons and facies be made. From the public-domain Boonsville data set we developed techniques to use conventional seismic attributes, including seismic facies generated under various neural network procedures, to subdivide regional facies determined from logs into productive and non-productive subfacies, and we developed a method involving cross-correlation of seismic waveforms to provide a reliable map of the various facies present in the area. The Wamsutter data set led to the use of unconventional attributes including lateral incoherence and horizon-dependent impedance variations to indicate regions of former sand bars and current high pressure, respectively, and to evaluation of various upscaling routines. The Teal South data set has provided a surprising set of results, leading us to develop a pressure-dependent velocity relationship and to conclude that nearby reservoirs are undergoing a pressure drop in response to the production of the main reservoir, implying that oil is being lost through their spill points, never to be produced. Additional results were found using the public-domain Waha and Woresham-Bayer data set, and some tests of technologies were made using 2D seismic lines from Michigan and the western Pacific ocean.« less

Calibration of Seismic Attributes for Reservoir Characterization

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

Wayne D. Pennington

2002-09-29

The project, "Calibration of Seismic Attributes for Reservoir Characterization," is now complete. Our original proposed scope of work included detailed analysis of seismic and other data from two to three hydrocarbon fields; we have analyzed data from four fields at this level of detail, two additional fields with less detail, and one other 2D seismic line used for experimentation. We also included time-lapse seismic data with ocean-bottom cable recordings in addition to the originally proposed static field data. A large number of publications and presentations have resulted from this work, inlcuding several that are in final stages of preparation ormore » printing; one of these is a chapter on "Reservoir Geophysics" for the new Petroleum Engineering Handbook from the Society of Petroleum Engineers. Major results from this project include a new approach to evaluating seismic attributes in time-lapse monitoring studies, evaluation of pitfalls in the use of point-based measurements and facies classifications, novel applications of inversion results, improved methods of tying seismic data to the wellbore, and a comparison of methods used to detect pressure compartments. Some of the data sets used are in the public domain, allowing other investigators to test our techniques or to improve upon them using the same data. From the public-domain Stratton data set we have demonstrated that an apparent correlation between attributes derived along 'phantom' horizons are artifacts of isopach changes; only if the interpreter understands that the interpretation is based on this correlation with bed thickening or thinning, can reliable interpretations of channel horizons and facies be made. From the public-domain Boonsville data set we developed techniques to use conventional seismic attributes, including seismic facies generated under various neural network procedures, to subdivide regional facies determined from logs into productive and non-productive subfacies, and we developed a method involving cross-correlation of seismic waveforms to provide a reliable map of the various facies present in the area. The Wamsutter data set led to the use of unconventional attributes including lateral incoherence and horizon-dependent impedance variations to indicate regions of former sand bars and current high pressure, respectively, and to evaluation of various upscaling routines. The Teal South data set has provided a surprising set of results, leading us to develop a pressure-dependent velocity relationship and to conclude that nearby reservoirs are undergoing a pressure drop in response to the production of the main reservoir, implying that oil is being lost through their spill points, never to be produced. Additional results were found using the public-domain Waha and Woresham-Bayer data set, and some tests of technologies were made using 2D seismic lines from Michigan and the western Pacific ocean.« less

Systems and methods for measuring component matching

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Courter, Kelly J. (Inventor); Slenk, Joel E. (Inventor)

2006-01-01

Systems and methods for measuring a contour match between adjacent components are disclosed. In one embodiment, at least two pressure sensors are located between adjacent components. Each pressure sensor is adapted to obtain a pressure measurement at a location a predetermined distance away from the other pressure sensors, and to output a pressure measurement for each sensor location. An output device is adapted to receive the pressure measurements from at least two pressure sensors and display the pressure measurements. In one aspect, the pressure sensors include flexible thin film pressure sensors. In accordance with other aspects of the invention, a method is provided for measuring a contour match between two interfacing components including measuring at least one pressure applied to at least one sensor between the interfacing components.

[Measuring the blood pressure in both arms is of little use; longitudinal study into blood pressure differences between both arms and its reproducibility in patients with diabetes mellitus type 2].

PubMed

Kleefstra, N; Houweling, S T; Meyboom-de Jong, B; Bilo, H J G

2007-07-07

To determine the prevalence of inter-arm blood pressure differences > 10 mmHg in patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 (DM2) and to determine whether these differences are consistent over time. Descriptive. In an evaluation study of 169 DM2 patients from 5 general practices in 2003 and 2004, different methods of oscillatory measurement were used to investigate inter-arm blood pressure differences > 10 mmHg systolic or diastolic. These methods were: one measurement in each arm non-simultaneously (method A), one measurement simultaneously (B) and the mean of two simultaneous measurements (C). With method A an inter-arm blood pressure difference was found in 33% of patients. This percentage diminished to 9 with method C. In 44% (n = 7) of the patients in whom method C detected a relevant blood pressure difference, this difference was not found with method A. In 79% of patients the inter-arm blood pressure difference was not reproduced after one year. In daily practice, one non-simultaneous blood pressure measurement in each arm (method A) was of little value for identification of patients with inter-arm blood pressure differences. The reproducibility was poor one year later. Bilateral blood pressure measurement is therefore of little value.

An analysis of the static load test on single square pile of 40x40 cm2, using finite element method in Rusunawa project, Jatinegara, Jakarta

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Harasid, Harun; Roesyanto; Iskandar, Rudi; Silalahi, Sofyan A.

2018-03-01

Piling Foundation is one of the foundations which is used to penetrate its load through soil layer. The power carried by the piling is obtained from the end bearing capacity, that is, the compressive end piling and friction bearing capacity obtained from friction bearing and adhesive capacity between the piling and the soil around it. The investigation on the Standard Penetration Test is aimed to get the description of soil layer, based on the type and color of soil through visual observation, and soil characteristics. SPT data can be used to calculate bearing capacity. Besides investigating the SPT, this study is also been equipped by taking the samples in laboratory and loading test on the piling and Ducth Cone Penetrometer (DCP) data to confirm its bearing capacity. This study analyzed bearing capacity and settlement in the square pile of 40X40 cm in diameter in a single pile or grouped, using an empirical method, AllPile program, Plaxis program, and comparing the result with interpreting its loading test in the foundation of Rusunawa project, Jatinegara, Jakarta. The analysis was been done by using the data on soil investigation and laboratory by comparing them with Mohr-Coulomb soil model. Ultimate bearing capacity from the SPT data in the piling of 15.4 meters was 189.81 tons and the parameter of soil shear strength was 198.67 tons. The sander point, based on Aoki and De Alencar bearing capacity was 276.241 tons and based on Mayerhoff it was 305.49 tons. Based on the loading test of bearing capacity, unlimited bearing capacity for the three methods was Davisson (260 tons), Mazurkiewich (270 tons), and Chin (250 tons). The efficiency of grouped piles according to Converse-Library Equation method = 0.73, according to Los Angeles Group Action Equation method = 0.59, and according to Sheila-Keeny method = 0.94. Bearing capacity based on piling strength was 221.76 tons, bearing capacity based on calendaring data was 201.71 tons, and lateral bearing capacity of a single piling foundation was 129.6 kN (12.96 tons). When the maximum load (280 tons) was been given, more decrease occurred in the Maintained load test of 21.00 mm and Quick Load Test method of 20.67 mm, compared with the result of Load Test in the field of 18.74 mm. Based on ASTM D1143/81, the permitted value was 25.40 mm. Therefore, based on that decreasing, it could be concluded that foundation piles were safe in the construction. The pore water pressure is highly influenced by time so that in Maintained Load Test and Quick Load Test, there was the disparity in the level of pore water pressure. Based on the result of the calculation, Quick Load Test showed that in pore water pressure was dissipated in its acceleration.

Occupant Protection Project

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bopp, Genie; Somers, Jeff; Granderson, Brad; Gernhardt, Mike; Currie, Nancy; Lawrence, Chuck

2010-01-01

Topics include occupant protection overview with a focus on crew protection during dynamic phases of flight; occupant protection collaboration; modeling occupant protection; occupant protection considerations; project approach encompassing analysis tools, injury criteria, and testing program development; injury criteria update methodology, unique effects of pressure suits and other factors; and a summary.

Evaluation in the Transnational "Management by Projects" Policies

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Heikkinen, Anja

2004-01-01

There is a supranational tendency in educational governance towards a "management by projects" policy, which substitutes democratic procedures and norm-based control in the materialisation of educational justice. The organisational level becomes crucial for the management of education and the pressure to conceive education as a…

Finite element methods for the biomechanics of soft hydrated tissues: nonlinear analysis and adaptive control of meshes.

PubMed

Spilker, R L; de Almeida, E S; Donzelli, P S

1992-01-01

This chapter addresses computationally demanding numerical formulations in the biomechanics of soft tissues. The theory of mixtures can be used to represent soft hydrated tissues in the human musculoskeletal system as a two-phase continuum consisting of an incompressible solid phase (collagen and proteoglycan) and an incompressible fluid phase (interstitial water). We first consider the finite deformation of soft hydrated tissues in which the solid phase is represented as hyperelastic. A finite element formulation of the governing nonlinear biphasic equations is presented based on a mixed-penalty approach and derived using the weighted residual method. Fluid and solid phase deformation, velocity, and pressure are interpolated within each element, and the pressure variables within each element are eliminated at the element level. A system of nonlinear, first-order differential equations in the fluid and solid phase deformation and velocity is obtained. In order to solve these equations, the contributions of the hyperelastic solid phase are incrementally linearized, a finite difference rule is introduced for temporal discretization, and an iterative scheme is adopted to achieve equilibrium at the end of each time increment. We demonstrate the accuracy and adequacy of the procedure using a six-node, isoparametric axisymmetric element, and we present an example problem for which independent numerical solution is available. Next, we present an automated, adaptive environment for the simulation of soft tissue continua in which the finite element analysis is coupled with automatic mesh generation, error indicators, and projection methods. Mesh generation and updating, including both refinement and coarsening, for the two-dimensional examples examined in this study are performed using the finite quadtree approach. The adaptive analysis is based on an error indicator which is the L2 norm of the difference between the finite element solution and a projected finite element solution. Total stress, calculated as the sum of the solid and fluid phase stresses, is used in the error indicator. To allow the finite difference algorithm to proceed in time using an updated mesh, solution values must be transferred to the new nodal locations. This rezoning is accomplished using a projected field for the primary variables. The accuracy and effectiveness of this adaptive finite element analysis is demonstrated using a linear, two-dimensional, axisymmetric problem corresponding to the indentation of a thin sheet of soft tissue. The method is shown to effectively capture the steep gradients and to produce solutions in good agreement with independent, converged, numerical solutions.

Prediction of Gas Lubricated Foil Journal Bearing Performance

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Carpino, Marc; Talmage, Gita

2003-01-01

This report summarizes the progress in the first eight months of the project. The objectives of this research project are to theoretically predict the steady operating conditions and the rotor dynamic coefficients of gas foil journal bearings. The project is currently on or ahead of schedule with the development of a finite element code that predicts steady bearing performance characteristics such as film thickness, pressure, load, and drag. Graphical results for a typical bearing are presented in the report. Project plans for the next year are discussed.

Abdominal Twin Pressure Sensors for the assessment of abdominal injuries in Q dummies: in-dummy evaluation and performance in accident reconstructions.

PubMed

Beillas, Philippe; Alonzo, François; Chevalier, Marie-Christine; Lesire, Philippe; Leopold, Franck; Trosseille, Xavier; Johannsen, Heiko

2012-10-01

The Abdominal Pressure Twin Sensors (APTS) for Q3 and Q6 dummies are composed of soft polyurethane bladders filled with fluid and equipped with pressure sensors. Implanted within the abdominal insert of child dummies, they can be used to detect abdominal loading due to the belt during frontal collisions. In the present study - which is part of the EC funded CASPER project - two versions of APTS (V1 and V2) were evaluated in abdominal belt compression tests, torso flexion test (V1 only) and two series of sled tests with degraded restraint conditions. The results suggest that the two versions have similar responses, and that the pressure sensitivity to torso flexion is limited. The APTS ability to detect abdominal loading in sled tests was also confirmed, with peak pressures typically below 1 bar when the belt loaded only the pelvis and the thorax (appropriate restraint) and values above that level when the abdomen was loaded directly (inappropriate restraint). Then, accident reconstructions performed as part of CASPER and previous EC funded projects were reanalyzed. Selected data from 19 dummies (12 Q6 and 7 Q3) were used to plot injury risk curves. Maximum pressure, maximum pressure rate and their product were all found to be injury predictors. Maximum pressure levels for a 50% risk of AIS3+ were consistent with the levels separating appropriate and inappropriate restraint in the sled tests (e.g. 50% risk of AIS3+ at 1.09 bar for pressure filtered CFC180). Further work is needed to refine the scaling techniques between ages and confirm the risk curves.

Analytical and Numerical Models of Pressurization for CO2 Storage in Deep Saline Formations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wildgust, N.; Cavanagh, A.

2010-12-01

Deep saline formations are expected to store gigatonnes of CO2 over the coming decades, making a significant contribution to greenhouse gas mitigation. At present, our experience of deep saline formation storage is limited to a small number of demonstration projects that have successfully injected megatonnes of captured CO2. However, concerns have been raised over pressurization, and related brine displacement, in deep saline formations, given the anticipated scale of future storage operations. Whilst industrial-scale demonstration projects such as Sleipner and In Salah have not experienced problems, generic flow models have indicated that, in some cases, pressure may be an issue. The problem of modeling deep saline formation pressurization has been approached in a number of different ways by researchers, with published analytical and numerical solutions showing a wide range of outcomes. The divergence of results (either supporting or negating the pressurization issue) principally reflects the a priori choice of boundary conditions. These approaches can be summed up as either 'open' or 'closed': a) open system models allow the formation pressure to dissipate laterally, resulting in reasonable storage scenarios; b) closed system models predict pressurization, resulting in a loss of injectivity and/or storage formation leakage. The latter scenario predicts that storage sites will commonly fail to accommodate injected CO2 at a rate sufficient to handle routine projects. Our models aim to demonstrate that pressurization, and the related brine displacement issue, need to be addressed at a regional scale with geologically accurate boundary conditions. Given that storage formations are unlikely to have zero-flow boundaries (closed system assumption), the boundary contribution to pressure relief from low permeability shales may be significant. At a field scale, these shales are effectively perfect seals with respect to multiphase flow, but are open with respect to single phase flow and pressure dissipation via brine displacement at a regional scale. This is sometimes characterized as a 'semi-closed' system. It follows that the rate at which pressure can be dissipated (and CO2 injected) is highly sensitive to the shale permeability. A common range from sub-millidarcy (10-17 m2) to sub-nanodarcy (10-22 m2) is considered, and the empirical relationships of permeability with respect to porosity and threshold pressure are reviewed in light of the regional scale of CO2 storage in deep saline formations. Our model indicates that a boundary permeability of about a microdarcy (10-18 m2) is likely to provide sufficient pressure dissipation via brine displacement to allow for routine geological storage. The models also suggest that nanodarcy shales (10-21 m2) will result in significant pressurization. There is regional evidence, from the North Sea, that typical shale permeabilities at depths associated with CO2 storage (1-3 km) are likely to favor storage, relegating pressurization to a manageable issue.

Method for Making Measurements of the Post-Combustion Residence Time in a Gas Turbine Engine

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Miles, Jeffrey H (Inventor)

2015-01-01

A system and method of measuring a residence time in a gas-turbine engine is provided, whereby the method includes placing pressure sensors at a combustor entrance and at a turbine exit of the gas-turbine engine and measuring a combustor pressure at the combustor entrance and a turbine exit pressure at the turbine exit. The method further includes computing cross-spectrum functions between a combustor pressure sensor signal from the measured combustor pressure and a turbine exit pressure sensor signal from the measured turbine exit pressure, applying a linear curve fit to the cross-spectrum functions, and computing a post-combustion residence time from the linear curve fit.

Saving water in showers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Alkhaddar, R. A.; Phipps, D.; Morgan, R.; Karci, B.; Hordesseux, J.

2007-07-01

This project is part of a programme aimed at reducing water consumption. Power showers are water inefficient, but in order to persuade the user to accept a lower water use it will be necessary to sustain the "shower experience" to maintain user satisfaction. Previous work has indicated that users' requirements include temperature stability, adequate water volume and distribution, and skin pressure, all of which are substantially controlled by the showerhead. In the present phase of the project several commercially available domestic showerheads have been examined to determine pressure-volume characteristics, radial spray distributions at different flow rates, direct and indirect measures of "skin pressure" and measurements of vertical temperature profiles. Part of the practical work at LJMU has supported extensive theoretical studies by CFD carried out by staff at Arup (consulting engineers) for the Market Transformation Programme. A future phase will study user satisfaction in their own homes where user satisfaction will be surveyed and linked to the physical performance of the shower.

Empirically observed learning rates for concentrating solar power and their responses to regime change

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lilliestam, Johan; Labordena, Mercè; Patt, Anthony; Pfenninger, Stefan

2017-07-01

Concentrating solar power (CSP) capacity has expanded slower than other renewable technologies and its costs are still high. Until now, there have been too few CSP projects to derive robust conclusions about its cost development. Here we present an empirical study of the cost development of all operating CSP stations and those under construction, examining the roles of capacity growth, industry continuity, and policy support design. We identify distinct CSP expansion phases, each characterized by different cost pressure in the policy regime and different industry continuity. In 2008-2011, with low cost pressure and following industry discontinuity, costs increased. In the current phase, with high cost pressure and continuous industry development, costs decreased rapidly, with learning rates exceeding 20%. Data for projects under construction suggest that this trend is continuing and accelerating. If support policies and industrial structure are sustained, we see no near-term factors that would hinder further cost decreases.

NASA-USRP Summer 2013 Internship Final Report

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gurganus, S. Christine

2013-01-01

Three major projects were undertaken during the Summer 2013 USRP Internship: (A) assisting the cTAPS group with component and pressure vessel system analyses and documentation, (B) designing a hoisting fixture for a solid rocket motor, (C) finding an alternative to removing the DOT rated gaseous nitrogen tank from the roof for hydrostatic testing. Hypergolic Material Assessments (HMAs) and pressure calculations were performed on components of pressure systems. Additionally, component information was logged in the Standard Parts Database to provide a location where system designers can find information regarding components, including their specifications and compatibility with fluids. A hoisting fixture was designed to hoist a solid rocket motor and meets the specifications related to stress and size. However, there are issues with the fixtures bolt head allotment, the bolt spacing, and the complexity of the part. Finally, calculations were performed on an expiring DOT rated gaseous nitrogen tank in an attempt to re-rate it per ASME standards. This was unsuccessful so other options are being explored for the tank. While much progress was made on all three projects, there is still work to be performed on each project to achieve the desired results.

Electrochemical Sensing for a Rapidly Evolving World

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mullen, Max Robertson

This dissertation focuses on three projects involving the development of harsh environment gas sensors. The first project discusses the development of a multipurpose oxygen sensor electrode for use in sealing with the common electrolyte yttria stabilized zirconia. The purpose of the sealing function is to produce an internal reference environment maintained by a metal/metal oxide mixture, a criteria for miniaturization of potentiometric oxygen sensing technology. This sensor measures a potential between the internal reference and a sensing environment. The second project discusses the miniaturization of an oxygen sensor and the fabrication of a more generalized electrochemical sensing platform. The third project discusses the discovery of a new mechanism in the electrochemical sensing of ammonia through molecular recognition and the utilization of a sensor taking advantage of the new mechanism. An initial study involving the development of a microwave synthesized La0.8Sr0.2Al0.9Mn0.1O3 sensor electrode material illustrates the ability of the material developed to meet ionic and electronic conducting requirements for effective and Nernstian oxygen sensing. In addition the material deforms plastically under hot isostatic pressing conditions in a similar temperature and pressure regime with yttria stabilized zirconia to produce a seal and survive temperatures up to 1350 °C. In the second project we show novel methods to seal an oxygen environment inside a device cavity to produce an electrochemical sensor body using room temperature plasma-activated bonding and low temperature and pressure assisted plasma-activated bonding with silicon bodies, both in a clean room environment. The evolution from isostatic hot pressing methods towards room temperature complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) compatible technologies using single crystal silicon substrates in the clean room allows the sealing of devices on a much larger scale. Through this evolution in bonding technology we move from performing non-scalable experiments to produce one sensor at a time to scalable experiments producing six. The bonding methods we use are compatible with wafer scale processing. Practically speaking this means that the oxygen sensor design is scalable to produce thousands of sensors from one single bond. Using this bonding technology we develop a generalized sensing platform that could be used for a variety of sensing applications, including oxygen sensing, but also potentially involving CO2 or NOx as well. Future efforts will involve completing of O2 sensor construction and adaption of the design for CO2 and NOx sensing. The final project focuses on a novel ammonia sensor and sensing mechanism in Ag loaded zeolite Y. The sensor resistance changes upon exposure to ammonia due to the molecular recognition of Ag+ and ammonia, producing Ag(NH3)x+ species. The sensing mechanism is a Grothuss like mechanism based on the hoping of Ag+ centers. The hopping frequency of Ag+ changes upon introduction of ammonia due to the reduced electrostatic interactions between Ag+ and the negatively charged zeolite framework upon formation of Ag(NH3) x+. The change in hopping frequency results in a measurable change in impedance.

The Evaluation of a Risk Degree for the Process of a Brown Coal Spontaneous Ignition on Dumps with Using of Modern Numeric Methods

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Klouda, Petr; Moni, Vlastimil; Řehoř, Michal; Blata, Jan; Helebrant, František

2018-06-01

The article is a summary of information about evaluation of a risk degree for a brown coal spontaneous ignition which is realized on the base of a database analysis of information about the development of stative quantities and desorbated gases in the stored bodies of the brown coal. The data were gained from the long term complex measurements which were realized at chosen companies during the coal mining in the previous parts of the project. In the last part of the project, we examined results of temperature models from thermographs with results of gasses and coal samples from the mines. Then, the influence of atmospheric conditions (insolation, water downfall, changes of barometric pressure etc.), the influence of coal mass degradation, the influence of physical and chemical factors, and the influence of other defective factors on the process of the coal spontaneous ignition. The gasmetry was assess with gas in-situ samples and laboratory gas models of indicative gasses for the spontaneous ignition, which were taken from the method of the thermic oxidation with the aim of the correlation finding for an epicentre of temperature within the spontaneous ignition.

Development and testing of thermal energy storage modules for use in active solar heating and cooling systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Parker, J. C.

1981-01-01

The project development requirements and criteria are presented along with technical data for the modules. Performance tests included: ducting, temperature, pressure and air flow measurements, dry and wet bulb temperature; duct pressure measurements; and air conditioning apparatus checks; installation, operation, and maintenance instructions are included.

The Preliminary Program of University Construction Projects in Portugal: 10 Case Studies

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Carrasco Campos, M. Helena; Teixeira, J. Manuel Cardoso

2012-01-01

Currently, societies exert varied and sometimes contradictory pressures on universities. These pressures have been provoking discussion on the best role of these institutions to meet the needs of contemporary societies. Universities will assume different forms and models of organization, according to what each one will define as being its mission…

Examining Charter School Policy and Public School District Resource Allocation in Ohio

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Linick, Matthew A.

2016-01-01

This project focuses on the competitive pressure, or the threat of competitive pressure, generated by charter school policy. This paper uses longitudinal district-level data and multiple quasi-experimental designs to examine the relationship between two Ohio charter school policies and changes in public school district instructional resource…

Meros Preconditioner Package

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

2004-04-01

Meros uses the compositional, aggregation, and overload operator capabilities of TSF to provide an object-oriented package providing segregated/block preconditioners for linear systems related to fully-coupled Navier-Stokes problems. This class of preconditioners exploits the special properties of these problems to segregate the equations and use multi-level preconditioners (through ML) on the matrix sub-blocks. Several preconditioners are provided, including the Fp and BFB preconditioners of Kay & Loghin and Silvester, Elman, Kay & Wathen. The overall performance and scalability of these preconditioners approaches that of multigrid for certain types of problems. Meros also provides more traditional pressure projection methods including SIMPLE andmore » SIMPLEC.« less

Demonstration of Single-Barium-Ion Sensitivity for Neutrinoless Double-Beta Decay Using Single-Molecule Fluorescence Imaging.

PubMed

McDonald, A D; Jones, B J P; Nygren, D R; Adams, C; Álvarez, V; Azevedo, C D R; Benlloch-Rodríguez, J M; Borges, F I G M; Botas, A; Cárcel, S; Carrión, J V; Cebrián, S; Conde, C A N; Díaz, J; Diesburg, M; Escada, J; Esteve, R; Felkai, R; Fernandes, L M P; Ferrario, P; Ferreira, A L; Freitas, E D C; Goldschmidt, A; Gómez-Cadenas, J J; González-Díaz, D; Gutiérrez, R M; Guenette, R; Hafidi, K; Hauptman, J; Henriques, C A O; Hernandez, A I; Hernando Morata, J A; Herrero, V; Johnston, S; Labarga, L; Laing, A; Lebrun, P; Liubarsky, I; López-March, N; Losada, M; Martín-Albo, J; Martínez-Lema, G; Martínez, A; Monrabal, F; Monteiro, C M B; Mora, F J; Moutinho, L M; Muñoz Vidal, J; Musti, M; Nebot-Guinot, M; Novella, P; Palmeiro, B; Para, A; Pérez, J; Querol, M; Repond, J; Renner, J; Riordan, S; Ripoll, L; Rodríguez, J; Rogers, L; Santos, F P; Dos Santos, J M F; Simón, A; Sofka, C; Sorel, M; Stiegler, T; Toledo, J F; Torrent, J; Tsamalaidze, Z; Veloso, J F C A; Webb, R; White, J T; Yahlali, N

2018-03-30

A new method to tag the barium daughter in the double-beta decay of ^{136}Xe is reported. Using the technique of single molecule fluorescent imaging (SMFI), individual barium dication (Ba^{++}) resolution at a transparent scanning surface is demonstrated. A single-step photobleach confirms the single ion interpretation. Individual ions are localized with superresolution (∼2  nm), and detected with a statistical significance of 12.9σ over backgrounds. This lays the foundation for a new and potentially background-free neutrinoless double-beta decay technology, based on SMFI coupled to high pressure xenon gas time projection chambers.

Demonstration of Single-Barium-Ion Sensitivity for Neutrinoless Double-Beta Decay Using Single-Molecule Fluorescence Imaging

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

McDonald, A. D.; Jones, B. J. P.; Nygren, D. R.; Adams, C.; Álvarez, V.; Azevedo, C. D. R.; Benlloch-Rodríguez, J. M.; Borges, F. I. G. M.; Botas, A.; Cárcel, S.; Carrión, J. V.; Cebrián, S.; Conde, C. A. N.; Díaz, J.; Diesburg, M.; Escada, J.; Esteve, R.; Felkai, R.; Fernandes, L. M. P.; Ferrario, P.; Ferreira, A. L.; Freitas, E. D. C.; Goldschmidt, A.; Gómez-Cadenas, J. J.; González-Díaz, D.; Gutiérrez, R. M.; Guenette, R.; Hafidi, K.; Hauptman, J.; Henriques, C. A. O.; Hernandez, A. I.; Hernando Morata, J. A.; Herrero, V.; Johnston, S.; Labarga, L.; Laing, A.; Lebrun, P.; Liubarsky, I.; López-March, N.; Losada, M.; Martín-Albo, J.; Martínez-Lema, G.; Martínez, A.; Monrabal, F.; Monteiro, C. M. B.; Mora, F. J.; Moutinho, L. M.; Muñoz Vidal, J.; Musti, M.; Nebot-Guinot, M.; Novella, P.; Palmeiro, B.; Para, A.; Pérez, J.; Querol, M.; Repond, J.; Renner, J.; Riordan, S.; Ripoll, L.; Rodríguez, J.; Rogers, L.; Santos, F. P.; dos Santos, J. M. F.; Simón, A.; Sofka, C.; Sorel, M.; Stiegler, T.; Toledo, J. F.; Torrent, J.; Tsamalaidze, Z.; Veloso, J. F. C. A.; Webb, R.; White, J. T.; Yahlali, N.; NEXT Collaboration

2018-03-01

A new method to tag the barium daughter in the double-beta decay of Xe 136 is reported. Using the technique of single molecule fluorescent imaging (SMFI), individual barium dication (Ba++ ) resolution at a transparent scanning surface is demonstrated. A single-step photobleach confirms the single ion interpretation. Individual ions are localized with superresolution (˜2 nm ), and detected with a statistical significance of 12.9 σ over backgrounds. This lays the foundation for a new and potentially background-free neutrinoless double-beta decay technology, based on SMFI coupled to high pressure xenon gas time projection chambers.

The effect of grazing on the plant cover in the north of Caspian lowland

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Novikova, Nina; Vyshivkin, Alexey

2017-04-01

Transect and key sites methods were used for investigation of solonetz complex vegetation changes under different impact of cattle herd (cows, ships and goats) in Northern Caspian area, Russia. The groups of plant species differently responding to stocking pressure are revealed: avoiding, preferring, indifferent. Compiled list of plant species that grow only on the protected area of steppe Dzhanybek research station. Determined, that along a gradient of strengthening of cattle grazing decrease the plants height, numbers of species and projective cover within communities. It was shown, that optimum condition for vegetation is marked within the area of low grazing.

Metallic wire grid behavior and testing in a low pressure gaseous noble elements detector

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ji, W.

2018-05-01

High voltage performance has been a challenge for noble element detectors. One piece of this challenge is the emission of electrons from metal electrodes when applying high voltage. This has become a major concern for low-background detectors such as LUX-ZEPLIN (LZ). LZ is a liquid xenon Time Projection Chamber (TPC) searching for Weakly Interactive Massive Particles (WIMPs). In this work, we demonstrate a method to measure electron emission from metallic electrode grids via detection of proportional scintillation light. We find consistency with Fowler-Nordheim emission with a surface parameter β = 1988 after electro-polishing treatment of a stainless steel grid.

Simulation Tool for Dielectric Barrier Discharge Plasma Actuators at Atmospheric and Sub-Atmospheric Pressures: SBIR Phase I Final Report

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Likhanskii, Alexandre

2012-01-01

This report is the final report of a SBIR Phase I project. It is identical to the final report submitted, after some proprietary information of administrative nature has been removed. The development of a numerical simulation tool for dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma actuator is reported. The objectives of the project were to analyze and predict DBD operation at wide range of ambient gas pressures. It overcomes the limitations of traditional DBD codes which are limited to low-speed applications and have weak prediction capabilities. The software tool allows DBD actuator analysis and prediction for subsonic to hypersonic flow regime. The simulation tool is based on the VORPAL code developed by Tech-X Corporation. VORPAL's capability of modeling DBD plasma actuator at low pressures (0.1 to 10 torr) using kinetic plasma modeling approach, and at moderate to atmospheric pressures (1 to 10 atm) using hydrodynamic plasma modeling approach, were demonstrated. In addition, results of experiments with pulsed+bias DBD configuration that were performed for validation purposes are reported.

Phase stability of transition metals and alloys

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

Hixson, R.S.; Schiferl, D.; Wills, J.M.

1997-06-01

This is the final report of a three-year, Laboratory-Directed Research and Development (LDRD) project at the Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL). This project was focused on resolving unexplained differences in calculated and measured phase transition pressures in transition metals. Part of the approach was to do new, higher accuracy calculations of transmission pressures for group 4B and group 6B metals. Theory indicates that the transition pressures for these baseline metals should change if alloyed with a d-electron donor metal, and calculations done using the Local Density Approximation (LDA) and the Virtual Crystal Approximation (VCA) indicate that this is true. Alloymore » systems were calculated for Ti, Zr and Hf based alloys with various solute concentrations. The second part of the program was to do new Diamond Anvil Cell (DAC) measurements to experimentally verify calculational results. Alloys were prepared for these systems with grain size suitable for Diamond Anvil Cell experiments. Experiments were done on pure Ti as well as Ti-V and Ti-Ta alloys. Measuring unambiguous transition pressures for these systems proved difficult, but a new technique developed yielded good results.« less

Managing endotracheal tube cuff pressure at altitude: a comparison of four methods.

PubMed

Britton, Tyler; Blakeman, Thomas C; Eggert, John; Rodriquez, Dario; Ortiz, Heather; Branson, Richard D

2014-09-01

Ascent to altitude results in the expansion of gases in closed spaces. The management of overinflation of the endotracheal tube (ETT) cuff at altitude is critical to prevent mucosal injury. We continuously measured ETT cuff pressures during a Critical Care Air Transport Team training flight to 8,000-ft cabin pressure using four methods of cuff pressure management. ETTs were placed in a tracheal model, and mechanical ventilation was performed. In the control ETT, the cuff was inflated to 20 mm Hg to 22 mm Hg and not manipulated. The manual method used a pressure manometer to adjust pressure at cruising altitude and after landing. A PressureEasy device was connected to the pilot balloon of the third tube and set to a pressure of 20 mm Hg to 22 mm Hg. The final method filled the balloon with 10 mL of saline. Both size 8.0-mm and 7.5-mm ETT were studied during three flights. In the control tube, pressure exceeded 70 mm Hg at cruising altitude. Manual management corrected for pressure at altitude but resulted in low cuff pressures upon landing (<10 mm Hg). The PressureEasy reduced the pressure change to a maximum of 36 mm Hg, but on landing, cuff pressures were less than 15 mm Hg. Saline inflation ameliorated cuff pressure changes at altitude, but initial pressures were 40 mm Hg. None of the three methods using air inflation managed to maintain cuff pressures below those associated with tracheal damage at altitude or above pressures associated with secretion aspiration during descent. Saline inflation minimizes altitude-related alteration in cuff pressure but creates excessive pressures at sea level. New techniques need to be developed.

Ultrasonic Nondestructive Evaluation of PRSEUS Pressure Cube Article in Support of Load Test to Failure

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Johnston, Patrick H.

2013-01-01

The PRSEUS Pressure Cube Test was a joint development effort between the Boeing Company and NASA Langley Research Center, sponsored in part by the Environmentally Responsible Aviation Project and Boeing internal R&D. This Technical Memorandum presents the results of ultrasonic inspections in support of the PRSEUS Pressure Cube Test, and is a companion document with the NASA test report and a report on the acoustic emission measurements made during the test.

Constraints on Pore Pressure in Subduction Zones From Geotechnical Tests and Physical Properties Data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Saffer, D. M.; McKiernan, A. W.

2005-12-01

At subduction zones, as incoming sediments are either offscraped or underthrust at the trench, elevated pore pressures result from the combination of rapid loading and low permeability. Pore pressure within underthrust sediment is especially important for the mechanical strength of the plate boundary fault system, because the main décollement localizes immediately above this sediment, and at many subduction zones steps downward into it. Because the underthrust sediment undergoes progressive uniaxial (vertical) strain, quantitative estimates of in situ pore pressure can be obtained by several methods, including: (1) maximum past burial stress ( Pv'}) from laboratory consolidation tests on core samples, and (2) observed compaction trends in boreholes. These methods allow a detailed view of pore pressure and its variability down-section, providing insight into dewatering processes and the evolution of shear strength relevant to early development of the décollement. Geotechnical tests also provide independent measurement of the coefficient of consolidation ( Cv), compressibility ( mv), and permeability (k) of sediment samples, which can be used to parameterize forward models of pressure generation. Here, I discuss pore pressure estimates derived from (1) consolidation tests on core samples, and (2) observed porosity profiles, along transects where ODP drilling has sampled sediment at the Nankai, N. Barbados, and Costa Rican subduction zones. At all three margins, the two independent methods yield consistent results, and indicate development of significant overpressures that increase systematically with distance from the trench. The values are in good agreement with direct measurements in 2 instrumented boreholes at Barbados, maximum and minimum bounds from the known loading rate, and results of 2-D numerical models of fluid flow. Inferred pressures document nearly undrained conditions at the base of the section (excess pressures equal to the load emplaced by subduction burial), and partially drained conditions at the top (excess pressures of ~40% of the undrained response at Costa Rica, ~50-60% at Nankai, and ~90-100% at Barbados). The spatial pattern of excess pore pressure is most consistent with upward drainage to a highly permeable décollement, to distances of at least 5-10 km landward of the trench. When directly measured values of mv and k from laboratory geotechnical experiments are incorporated into simple 1-D models of vertical dewatering, simulated pore pressures are consistent with those inferred from consolidation tests and porosity data. Model results suggest that severe underconsolidation should persist for tens of km from the trench; notably, simulated underconsolidation is diminished by 20-30 km landward of the trench at Nankai, broadly coincident with the locations of both diminished seismic reflection amplitude observed at the décollement and the updip extent of coseismic slip. The consistent results achieved at these three margins indicate that: (1) geotechnical tests can provide viable estimates of in situ pore pressure, at least at shallow depths, and (2) laboratory-derived values of permeability and sediment compressibility may be representative of in situ properties, despite collection at small spatial scale and over short times. However, significant uncertainty exists in projecting models to greater depth using geotechnical parameters from shallow samples; more detailed laboratory investigations are clearly needed to better understand the roles of temperature, rate, and diagenetic effects.

Processing and thermodynamics research, Volume II. Monthly progress report, November 1984

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

Not Available

Data assembly is in progress on the Venezuelan Cerro Negro, California, Wilmington and Mexican Mayan crudes. A draft of a proposal is in preparation that might join this correlational work with complementary correlational work at the University of Oklahoma (Project BPT1). Cerro Negro 200 to 425/sup 0/C and 425 to 550/sup 0/C saturate fractions were analyzed with the CEC 21-103 mass spectrometer using ASTM method D2786, and experiments were devised to establish reproducibility of analyses with the KRATOS MS-50 (Project BPT2). Thermodynamic property measurements on organic nitrogen compounds included a liquid phase heat capacity study of 2,5-dimethylpyridine, and the oxygenmore » sensitivity of phenanthridine was checked prior to bomb calorimetry (Project BPT3A). Heat capacity measurements on chroman are progressing well, and vapor pressure measurements of tetrahydrophenanthrene are in progress (Project BPT3B). Work was begun on the design and procurement of equipment necessary for construction of a bench scale catalytic cracking unit. The supercritical extraction unit is being assembled (Project OPT1). Thiopene separations were begun on Cerro Negro 425 to 550/sup 0/C neutrals, and separation of sulfides from Cerro Negro 550 to 700/sup 0/C and 700+/sup 0/C neutrals was completed (Project OPT2). Preparations for PVT studies of methanol are nearing completion, and a list of critically needed PVT measurements was reviewed to help select the next compound for study. A possible candidate is hydrogen sulfide. (Project OPT3). Good progress continues in the treatment of the RP feed (Project OPT4) to recover Milspec F-76. It is anticipated that 85% recovery is possible by the chemical treatment/distillation process.« less

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

Toro, Javier, E-mail: jjtoroca@unal.edu.co; Duarte, Oscar, E-mail: ogduartev@unal.edu.co; Requena, Ignacio, E-mail: requena@decsai.ugr.es

The concept of vulnerability has been used to describe the susceptibility of physical, biotic, and social systems to harm or hazard. In this sense, it is a tool that reduces the uncertainties of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) since it does not depend exclusively on the value assessments of the evaluator, but rather is based on the environmental state indicators of the site where the projects or activities are being carried out. The concept of vulnerability thus reduces the possibility that evaluators will subjectively interpret results, and be influenced by outside interests and pressures during projects. However, up until now, EIAmore » has been hindered by a lack of effective methods. This research study analyzes the concept of vulnerability, defines Vulnerability Importance and proposes its inclusion in qualitative EIA methodology. The method used to quantify Vulnerability Importance is based on a set of environmental factors and indicators that provide a comprehensive overview of the environmental state. The results obtained in Colombia highlight the usefulness and objectivity of this method since there is a direct relation between this value and the environmental state of the departments analyzed. - Research Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer The concept of vulnerability could be considered defining Vulnerability Importance included in qualitative EIA methodology. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer The use of the concept of environmental vulnerability could reduce the subjectivity of qualitative methods of EIA. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer A method to quantify the Vulnerability Importance proposed provides a comprehensive overview of the environmental state. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Results in Colombia highlight the usefulness and objectivity of this method.« less

Barriers to Community Participation in Development Planning: Lessons from the Mutengene (Cameroon) Self-Help Water Project.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Njoh, Ambe J.

2002-01-01

A community water supply project in Cameroon illustrates the following constraints on community participation in development: paternalistic authorities, prescriptive role of the state, selective participation, bias toward "hard" issues, inattention to negative results, group conflicts, gatekeeping, pressure for immediate results,…

To Help Schools Combat Smoking.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Baker, Leonard S.

1978-01-01

Describes the national antismoking campaign in terms of various school projects funded by the U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, coordinated by its new Office on Smoking and Health. Projects include utilizing peer counselors, demonstrating what smoking does to the body, and showing how to deal with social pressures. (MF)

Rijke-Type Thermoacoustic Oscillations

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Beke, Tamas

2011-01-01

Thermoacoustic instability can appear in any thermal device when the unsteady heat transfer is favourably coupled with the fluctuations of acoustic pressure. In this paper, we present a project type of physical measuring and modelling task; the aim of our project is to help our students increase their knowledge of thermoacoustics. Our paper…

NASA's Cryogenic Fluid Management Technology Project

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tramel, Terri L.; Motil, Susan M.

2008-01-01

The Cryogenic Fluid Management (CFM) Project's primary objective is to develop storage, transfer, and handling technologies for cryogens that will support the enabling of high performance cryogenic propulsion systems, lunar surface systems and economical ground operations. Such technologies can significantly reduce propellant launch mass and required on-orbit margins, reduce or even eliminate propellant tank fluid boil-off losses for long term missions, and simplify vehicle operations. This paper will present the status of the specific technologies that the CFM Project is developing. The two main areas of concentration are analysis models development and CFM hardware development. The project develops analysis tools and models based on thermodynamics, hydrodynamics, and existing flight/test data. These tools assist in the development of pressure/thermal control devices (such as the Thermodynamic Vent System (TVS), and Multi-layer insulation); with the ultimate goal being to develop a mature set of tools and models that can characterize the performance of the pressure/thermal control devices incorporated in the design of an entire CFM system with minimal cryogen loss. The project does hardware development and testing to verify our understanding of the physical principles involved, and to validate the performance of CFM components, subsystems and systems. This database provides information to anchor our analytical models. This paper describes some of the current activities of the NASA's Cryogenic Fluid Management Project.

A rapid and non-invasive method for measuring the peak positive pressure of HIFU fields by a laser beam.

PubMed

Wang, Hua; Zeng, Deping; Chen, Ziguang; Yang, Zengtao

2017-04-12

Based on the acousto-optic interaction, we propose a laser deflection method for rapidly, non-invasively and quantitatively measuring the peak positive pressure of HIFU fields. In the characterization of HIFU fields, the effect of nonlinear propagation is considered. The relation between the laser deflection length and the peak positive pressure is derived. Then the laser deflection method is assessed by comparing it with the hydrophone method. The experimental results show that the peak positive pressure measured by laser deflection method is little higher than that obtained by the hydrophone, confirming that they are in reasonable agreement. Considering that the peak pressure measured by hydrophones is always underestimated, the laser deflection method is assumed to be more accurate than the hydrophone method due to the absence of the errors in hydrophone spatial-averaging measurement and the influence of waveform distortion on hydrophone corrections. Moreover, noting that the Lorentz formula still remains applicable to high-pressure environments, the laser deflection method exhibits a great potential for measuring HIFU field under high-pressure amplitude. Additionally, the laser deflection method provides a rapid way for measuring the peak positive pressure, without the scan time, which is required by the hydrophones.

Stabilization of time domain acoustic boundary element method for the exterior problem avoiding the nonuniqueness.

PubMed

Jang, Hae-Won; Ih, Jeong-Guon

2013-03-01

The time domain boundary element method (TBEM) to calculate the exterior sound field using the Kirchhoff integral has difficulties in non-uniqueness and exponential divergence. In this work, a method to stabilize TBEM calculation for the exterior problem is suggested. The time domain CHIEF (Combined Helmholtz Integral Equation Formulation) method is newly formulated to suppress low order fictitious internal modes. This method constrains the surface Kirchhoff integral by forcing the pressures at the additional interior points to be zero when the shortest retarded time between boundary nodes and an interior point elapses. However, even after using the CHIEF method, the TBEM calculation suffers the exponential divergence due to the remaining unstable high order fictitious modes at frequencies higher than the frequency limit of the boundary element model. For complete stabilization, such troublesome modes are selectively adjusted by projecting the time response onto the eigenspace. In a test example for a transiently pulsating sphere, the final average error norm of the stabilized response compared to the analytic solution is 2.5%.

Fresh Water Generation from Aquifer-Pressured Carbon Storage: Interim Progress Report

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

Aines, R D; Wolery, T J; Hao, Y

2009-07-22

This project is establishing the potential for using brine pressurized by Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) operations in saline formations as the feedstock for desalination and water treatment technologies including nanofiltration (NF) and reverse osmosis (RO). The aquifer pressure resulting from the energy required to inject the carbon dioxide provides all or part of the inlet pressure for the desalination system. Residual brine would be reinjected into the formation at net volume reduction. This process provides additional storage space (capacity) in the aquifer, reduces operational risks by relieving overpressure in the aquifer, and provides a source of low-cost fresh watermore » to offset costs or operational water needs. Computer modeling and laboratory-scale experimentation are being used to examine mineral scaling and osmotic pressure limitations for brines typical of CCS sites. Computer modeling is being used to evaluate processes in the aquifer, including the evolution of the pressure field. This progress report deals mainly with our geochemical modeling of high-salinity brines and covers the first six months of project execution (September, 2008 to March, 2009). Costs and implementation results will be presented in the annual report. The brines typical of sequestration sites can be several times more concentrated than seawater, requiring specialized modeling codes typical of those developed for nuclear waste disposal calculations. The osmotic pressure developed as the brines are concentrated is of particular concern, as are precipitates that can cause fouling of reverse osmosis membranes and other types of membranes (e.g., NF). We have now completed the development associated with tasks (1) and (2) of the work plan. We now have a contract with Perlorica, Inc., to provide support to the cost analysis and nanofiltration evaluation. We have also conducted several preliminary analyses of the pressure effect in the reservoir in order to confirm that reservoir pressure can indeed be used to drive the reverse osmosis process. Our initial conclusions from the work to date are encouraging: (1) The concept of aquifer-pressured RO to provide fresh water associated with carbon dioxide storage appears feasible. (2) Concentrated brines such as those found in Wyoming are amenable to RO treatment. We have looked at sodium chloride brines from the Nugget Formation in Sublette County. 20-25% removal with conventional methods is realistic; higher removal appears achievable with NF. The less concentrated sulfate-rich brines from the Tensleep Formation in Sublette County would support >80% removal with conventional RO. (3) Brines from other proposed sequestration sites can now be analyzed readily. An osmotic pressure curve appropriate to these brines can be used to evaluate cost and equipment specifications. (4) We have examined a range of subsurface brine compositions that is potentially pertinent to carbon sequestration and noted the principal compositional trends pertinent to evaluating the feasibility of freshwater extraction. We have proposed a general categorization for the feasibility of the process based on total dissolved solids (TDS). (5) Withdrawing pressurized brine can have a very beneficial effect on reservoir pressure and total available storage capacity. Brine must be extracted from a deeper location in the aquifer than the point of CO{sub 2} injection to prevent CO{sub 2} from migrating to the brine extraction well.« less

A Comparison of Fatigue Design Methods

DTIC Science & Technology

2001-04-05

Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code does not...Engineers, "ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code ," ASME, 3 Park Ave., New York, NY 10016-5990. [4] Langer, B. F., "Design of Pressure Vessels Involving... and Pressure Vessel Code [3] presents these methods and has expanded the procedures to other pressure vessels besides nuclear pressure vessels. B.

Uncertainty based pressure reconstruction from velocity measurement with generalized least squares

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Jiacheng; Scalo, Carlo; Vlachos, Pavlos

2017-11-01

A method using generalized least squares reconstruction of instantaneous pressure field from velocity measurement and velocity uncertainty is introduced and applied to both planar and volumetric flow data. Pressure gradients are computed on a staggered grid from flow acceleration. The variance-covariance matrix of the pressure gradients is evaluated from the velocity uncertainty by approximating the pressure gradient error to a linear combination of velocity errors. An overdetermined system of linear equations which relates the pressure and the computed pressure gradients is formulated and then solved using generalized least squares with the variance-covariance matrix of the pressure gradients. By comparing the reconstructed pressure field against other methods such as solving the pressure Poisson equation, the omni-directional integration, and the ordinary least squares reconstruction, generalized least squares method is found to be more robust to the noise in velocity measurement. The improvement on pressure result becomes more remarkable when the velocity measurement becomes less accurate and more heteroscedastic. The uncertainty of the reconstructed pressure field is also quantified and compared across the different methods.

Method and Simple Apparatus for Teaching the Auscultatory Method for Measuring Human Blood Pressure to Large Classes.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Geddes, L. A.

1980-01-01

Presents audiovisual methods to aid instruction in measuring blood pressure by indirect methods, so that a large screen display for cuff pressure is produced and high intensity Korotkoff sounds are amplified. (CS)

The Effects of Popping Popcorn Under Reduced Pressure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Quinn, Paul; Cooper, Amanda

2008-03-01

In our experiments, we model the popping of popcorn as an adiabatic process and develop a process for improving the efficiency of popcorn production. By lowering the pressure of the popcorn during the popping process, we induce an increase in popcorn size, while decreasing the number of remaining unpopped kernels. In this project we run numerous experiments using three of the most common popping devices, a movie popcorn maker, a stove pot, and a microwave. We specifically examine the effects of varying the pressure on total sample size, flake size and waste. An empirical relationship is found between these variables and the pressure.

Continuous Blood Pressure Monitoring in Daily Life

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lopez, Guillaume; Shuzo, Masaki; Ushida, Hiroyuki; Hidaka, Keita; Yanagimoto, Shintaro; Imai, Yasushi; Kosaka, Akio; Delaunay, Jean-Jacques; Yamada, Ichiro

Continuous monitoring of blood pressure in daily life could improve early detection of cardiovascular disorders, as well as promoting healthcare. Conventional ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) equipment can measure blood pressure at regular intervals for 24 hours, but is limited by long measuring time, low sampling rate, and constrained measuring posture. In this paper, we demonstrate a new method for continuous real-time measurement of blood pressure during daily activities. Our method is based on blood pressure estimation from pulse wave velocity (PWV) calculation, which formula we improved to take into account changes in the inner diameter of blood vessels. Blood pressure estimation results using our new method showed a greater precision of measured data during exercise, and a better accuracy than the conventional PWV method.

Physical and cultural determinants of postpartum pelvic floor support and symptoms following vaginal delivery: a protocol for a mixed-methods prospective cohort study

PubMed Central

Nygaard, Ingrid E; Clark, Erin; Clark, Lauren; Egger, Marlene J; Hitchcock, Robert; Hsu, Yvonne; Norton, Peggy; Sanchez-Birkhead, Ana; Shaw, Janet; Sheng, Xiaoming; Varner, Michael

2017-01-01

Introduction Pelvic floor disorders (PFDs), including pelvic organ prolapse (POP), stress and urgency urinary incontinence, and faecal incontinence, are common and arise from loss of pelvic support. Although severe disease often does not occur until women become older, pregnancy and childbirth are major risk factors for PFDs, especially POP. We understand little about modifiable factors that impact pelvic floor function recovery after vaginal birth. This National Institutes of Health (NIH)-funded Program Project, ‘Bridging physical and cultural determinants of postpartum pelvic floor support and symptoms following vaginal delivery’, uses mixed-methods research to study the influences of intra-abdominal pressure, physical activity, body habitus and muscle fitness on pelvic floor support and symptoms as well as the cultural context in which women experience those changes. Methods and analysis Using quantitative methods, we will evaluate whether pelvic floor support and symptoms 1 year after the first vaginal delivery are affected by biologically plausible factors that may impact muscle, nerve and connective tissue healing during recovery (first 8 weeks postpartum) and strengthening (remainder of the first postpartum year). Using qualitative methods, we will examine cultural aspects of perceptions, explanations of changes in pelvic floor support, and actions taken by Mexican-American and Euro-American primipara, emphasising early changes after childbirth. We will summarise project results in a resource toolkit that will enhance opportunities for dialogue between women, their families and providers, and across lay and medical discourses. We anticipate enrolling up to 1530 nulliparous women into the prospective cohort study during the third trimester, following those who deliver vaginally 1 year postpartum. Participants will be drawn from this cohort to meet the project's aims. Ethics and dissemination The University of Utah and Intermountain Healthcare Institutional Review Boards approved this study. Data are stored in a secure password-protected database. Papers summarising the primary results and ancillary analyses will be published in peer-reviewed journals. PMID:28073797

THAI-SPICE: Testbed for High-Acuity Imaging – Stable Photometry and ImageMotion Compensation Experiment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Young, Eliot

THAI-SPICE is the Testbed for High-Acuity Imaging - Stable Photometry and ImageMotion Compensation Experiment - It is a lead proposal, accompanied by a coInstitutional proposal from MIT LL. The overarching goal of THAI-SPICE is to advance balloonborne telescopes to the point where they can surpass HST in terms of spatial resolution in visible wavelengths and surpass the Kepler mission in terms of observing exoplanet transits. Balloon-borne telescopes are becoming an important part of NASA's observing programs - each 100-day super-pressure balloon flight will provide 1000 hours of dark time observing, equivalent to about 1/3 of the total on-target time allocated in an HST cycle across its entire portfolio of science programs. However, balloon-borne telescopes face unique challenges from the stratospheric thermal environment and the pointing stability of a suspended platform. This proposal will study and test three areas of development that will enable high-acuity image quality and stable photometry from balloon-borne telescopes. - Passive thermal control and stabilization of balloon-borne OTAs (Optical Tube Assemblies). Recent modeling suggests that an appropriate arrangement of sunshields, earth-shields and telescope insulation can reduce diurnal temperature excursions from more than 40°C to less than 2°C. Furthermore, modeling also suggests that the steadystate temperature of an OTA can be reduced to temperatures near 180 K, an advantage for infrared observing programs. However, most modeling packages (e.g., Thermal Desktop) do not accurately account for convection in the 3 torr or 8 torr environment of zeropressure or super-pressure balloons. In fact, it is hard to tell whether radiation or convection is a more significant cooling mechanism at super-pressure balloon altitudes. We propose to verify or update Thermal Desktop results with a series of experiments using an instrumented OTA and sun- and earth-shields. The payoff from this experiment will be balloon-borne telescopes that exhibit extremely stable temperatures through daynight cycles and, in turn, avoid optical misalignment due to temperature excursions. - Orthogonal Transfer CCDs as solid-state motion compensation devices. In order to stay within a wavefront error budget that is comparable to WFIRST or HST, a balloon-borne imaging system cannot afford a single mediocre optical element. Fine steering mirrors are especially problematic, since they are often thin, lightweight and mounted to a fastmoving mechanism. We will test the performance of OTCCDs on actual balloon platforms to assess how they can compensate for focal plane motion in flight. In addition, we will measure the photometric stability afforded by OTCCDs, and whether purposely moving a point source in a pattern can improve photometry by PSF-shaping and spreading the signal over many array elements. - In-flight wavefront error measurements. During a 100-day mission, it will be useful to monitor the focus and optical alignment of the telescope and the attached instruments. A Shack-Hartmann array located at an exit pupil will provide a detailed breakdown of the optical system: compact commercial units often provide over 15 Zernike polynomials. We want to test another method, the Curvature Wavefront Sensing method (aka, the Roddier method). The CWS method only requires images on either side of focus. It does not require extra hardware nor access to an exit pupil. We want to demonstrate the CWS method in flight and compare its results to a conventional Shack-Hartmann array. All of these projects leverage prior work, some supported by previous APRA projects, some part of NASA's ongoing GHAPS project (Gondola for High Altitude Planetary Science). We propose two domestic flights with a 24-in instrumented telescope and a gondola capable of coarse pointing. This project will involve students from the University of Virginia and the University of Colorado.

Peer-to-peer nursing rounds and hospital-acquired pressure ulcer prevalence in a surgical intensive care unit: a quality improvement project.

PubMed

Kelleher, Alyson Dare; Moorer, Amanda; Makic, MaryBeth Flynn

2012-01-01

We conducted a quality improvement project in order to evaluate the effect of nurse-to-nurse bedside "rounding" as a strategy to decrease hospital-acquired pressure ulcers (HAPU) in a surgical intensive care unit. We instituted weekly peer-to-peer bedside skin rounds in a 17-bed surgical intensive care unit. Two nurses were identified as skin champions and trained by the hospital's certified WOC nurse to conduct skin rounds. The skin champion nurses conducted weekly peer-to-peer rounds that included discussions about key elements of our patients' skin status including current Braden Scale for Pressure Sore Risk score, and implementation of specific interventions related to subscale risk assessment. If a pressure ulcer was present, the current action plan was reevaluated for effectiveness. Quarterly HAPU prevalence studies were conducted from January 2008 to December 2010. Nineteen patients experienced a HAPU: 17 were located on the coccyx and 2 on the heel. Ten ulcers were classified as stage II, 3 PU were stage IV, 5 were deemed unstageable, and 1 was classified as a deep tissue injury. The frequency of preventive interventions rose during our quality improvement project. Specifically, the use of prevention surfaces increased 92%, repositioning increased 30%, nutrition interventions increased 77%, and moisture management increased 100%. Prior to focused nursing rounds, the highest HAPU prevalence rate was 27%. After implementing focused nursing rounds, HAPU rates trended down and were 0% for 3 consecutive quarters.

Conservative-variable average states for equilibrium gas multi-dimensional fluxes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Iannelli, G. S.

1992-01-01

Modern split component evaluations of the flux vector Jacobians are thoroughly analyzed for equilibrium-gas average-state determinations. It is shown that all such derivations satisfy a fundamental eigenvalue consistency theorem. A conservative-variable average state is then developed for arbitrary equilibrium-gas equations of state and curvilinear-coordinate fluxes. Original expressions for eigenvalues, sound speed, Mach number, and eigenvectors are then determined for a general average Jacobian, and it is shown that the average eigenvalues, Mach number, and eigenvectors may not coincide with their classical pointwise counterparts. A general equilibrium-gas equation of state is then discussed for conservative-variable computational fluid dynamics (CFD) Euler formulations. The associated derivations lead to unique compatibility relations that constrain the pressure Jacobian derivatives. Thereafter, alternative forms for the pressure variation and average sound speed are developed in terms of two average pressure Jacobian derivatives. Significantly, no additional degree of freedom exists in the determination of these two average partial derivatives of pressure. Therefore, they are simultaneously computed exactly without any auxiliary relation, hence without any geometric solution projection or arbitrary scale factors. Several alternative formulations are then compared and key differences highlighted with emphasis on the determination of the pressure variation and average sound speed. The relevant underlying assumptions are identified, including some subtle approximations that are inherently employed in published average-state procedures. Finally, a representative test case is discussed for which an intrinsically exact average state is determined. This exact state is then compared with the predictions of recent methods, and their inherent approximations are appropriately quantified.

Design Concepts for Cooled Ceramic Matrix Composite Turbine Vanes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Boyle, Robert

2014-01-01

This project demonstrated that higher temperature capabilities of ceramic matrix composites (CMCs) can be used to reduce emissions and improve fuel consumption in gas turbine engines. The work involved closely coupling aerothermal and structural analyses for the first-stage vane of a high-pressure turbine (HPT). These vanes are actively cooled, typically using film cooling. Ceramic materials have structural and thermal properties different from conventional metals used for the first-stage HPT vane. This project identified vane configurations that satisfy CMC structural strength and life constraints while maintaining vane aerodynamic efficiency and reducing vane cooling to improve engine performance and reduce emissions. The project examined modifications to vane internal configurations to achieve the desired objectives. Thermal and pressure stresses are equally important, and both were analyzed using an ANSYS® structural analysis. Three-dimensional fluid and heat transfer analyses were used to determine vane aerodynamic performance and heat load distributions.

Radon entry into basements: Approach, experimental structures, and instrumentation of the small structures research project

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

Fisk, W.J.; Modera, M.P.; Sextro, R.G.

1992-02-01

We describe the experimental approach, structures, and instrumentation of a research project on radon generation and transport in soil and entry into basements. The overall approach is to construct small precisely-fabricated basements in areas of different geology and climate, to control the pressures and ventilation rates in the structures, and to monitor radon concentrations and other relevant parameters over a period of one year or more. Two nearly air-tight structures have been constructed at the first site. The floor of each structure contains adjustable-width slots that serve as the only significant pathway for advective entry of radon. A layer ofmore » gravel underlays the floor of one structure; otherwise they are identical. The structures are instrumented for continuous or periodic monitoring of soil, structural, and meteorological parameters that affect radon entry. The pressure difference that drives advective radon entry can be maintained constant or varied over time. Soil gas and radon entry rates and associated parameters, such as soil gas pressures and radon concentrations, have been monitored for a range of steady-state and time-varying pressure differences between the interior of the structure and the soil. Examples of the experimentally-measured pressure and permeability fields in the soil around a structure are presented and discussed.« less

Supercomputing Aspects for Simulating Incompressible Flow

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kwak, Dochan; Kris, Cetin C.

2000-01-01

The primary objective of this research is to support the design of liquid rocket systems for the Advanced Space Transportation System. Since the space launch systems in the near future are likely to rely on liquid rocket engines, increasing the efficiency and reliability of the engine components is an important task. One of the major problems in the liquid rocket engine is to understand fluid dynamics of fuel and oxidizer flows from the fuel tank to plume. Understanding the flow through the entire turbo-pump geometry through numerical simulation will be of significant value toward design. One of the milestones of this effort is to develop, apply and demonstrate the capability and accuracy of 3D CFD methods as efficient design analysis tools on high performance computer platforms. The development of the Message Passage Interface (MPI) and Multi Level Parallel (MLP) versions of the INS3D code is currently underway. The serial version of INS3D code is a multidimensional incompressible Navier-Stokes solver based on overset grid technology, INS3D-MPI is based on the explicit massage-passing interface across processors and is primarily suited for distributed memory systems. INS3D-MLP is based on multi-level parallel method and is suitable for distributed-shared memory systems. For the entire turbo-pump simulations, moving boundary capability and efficient time-accurate integration methods are built in the flow solver, To handle the geometric complexity and moving boundary problems, an overset grid scheme is incorporated with the solver so that new connectivity data will be obtained at each time step. The Chimera overlapped grid scheme allows subdomains move relative to each other, and provides a great flexibility when the boundary movement creates large displacements. Two numerical procedures, one based on artificial compressibility method and the other pressure projection method, are outlined for obtaining time-accurate solutions of the incompressible Navier-Stokes equations. The performance of the two methods is compared by obtaining unsteady solutions for the evolution of twin vortices behind a flat plate. Calculated results are compared with experimental and other numerical results. For an unsteady flow, which requires small physical time step, the pressure projection method was found to be computationally efficient since it does not require any subiteration procedure. It was observed that the artificial compressibility method requires a fast convergence scheme at each physical time step in order to satisfy the incompressibility condition. This was obtained by using a GMRES-ILU(0) solver in present computations. When a line-relaxation scheme was used, the time accuracy was degraded and time-accurate computations became very expensive.

Pressure induced phase transitions studies using advanced synchrotron techniques

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Haozhe; Liu, Lisa; Zhao, Jinggeng; HIT Overseas Collaborative Base at Argonne Collaboration

2013-06-01

In this presentation, the joint effort on high pressure research through program of Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT) Overseas Collaborative Base at Argonne will be introduced. Selected research projects on pressure induced phase transitions at room temperature and high/low temperature conditions, such as A2B3 type topological insulators, iron arsenide superconductors, piezoelectric/ferroelectric materials, ABO3 type single crystals and metallic glasses, will be presented. Recent development on imaging and diffraction tomography techniques in diamond anvil cell will be reviewed as well.

Numerical simulations of microwave heating of liquids: enhancements using Krylov subspace methods

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lollchund, M. R.; Dookhitram, K.; Sunhaloo, M. S.; Boojhawon, R.

2013-04-01

In this paper, we compare the performances of three iterative solvers for large sparse linear systems arising in the numerical computations of incompressible Navier-Stokes (NS) equations. These equations are employed mainly in the simulation of microwave heating of liquids. The emphasis of this work is on the application of Krylov projection techniques such as Generalized Minimal Residual (GMRES) to solve the Pressure Poisson Equations that result from discretisation of the NS equations. The performance of the GMRES method is compared with the traditional Gauss-Seidel (GS) and point successive over relaxation (PSOR) techniques through their application to simulate the dynamics of water housed inside a vertical cylindrical vessel which is subjected to microwave radiation. It is found that as the mesh size increases, GMRES gives the fastest convergence rate in terms of computational times and number of iterations.

75 FR 69711 - STP Nuclear Operating Company, South Texas Project Nuclear Power Plant, Units 3 and 4; Exemption

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-11-15

... Rocks for Engineering Analysis and Design of Nuclear Power Plants.'' In this exemption request, the... the design of the wall. Hence, the staff concludes that, the resulting static and dynamic earth pressures will be bounded by the lateral earth pressures used in design. Bearing Capacity The applicant...

Using semi-analytic solutions to approximate the area of potential impact for carbon dioxide injection

EPA Science Inventory

This study examines using the threshold critical pressure increase and the extent of the carbon dioxide (CO2) plume to delineate the area of potential impact (AoPI) for geologic CO2 storage projects. The combined area covering both the CO2 plume and the region where the pressure ...

Feasibility Study of Coal Gasification/Fuel Cell/Cogeneration Project, Fort Greely, Alaska Site. Preliminary Survey,

DTIC Science & Technology

1985-04-02

sothat oilconsumptior ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code . can be measured. Hot water boiler plants with out- U1I Shell-and-tube type exchangers are...slopes possible to VIII of the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code . prevent rain or melting snow from penetrating into (2? Water will flow through the

Effect of Intake Pressure and Temperature on Auto-Ignition of Fuels with Different Cetane Number and Volatility

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-04-12

1 Effect Of Intake Pressure And Temperature On Auto-Ignition Of Fuels With Different Cetane Number And Volatility C. Jayakumar , U. Joshi, Z...AUTHOR(S) Eric Sattler; C. Jayakumar ; U. Joshi; Z. Zheng; W. Bryzik 5d. PROJECT NUMBER 5e. TASK NUMBER 5f. WORK UNIT NUMBER 7. PERFORMING

Feasibility study of a pressure-fed engine for a water recoverable space shuttle booster. Volume 1: Executive summary

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1972-01-01

An overview is presented of the results of the analyses conducted in support of the selected engine system for the pressure-fed booster stage. During initial phases of the project, a gimbaled, regeneratively cooled, fixed thrust engine having a coaxial pintle injector was selected as optimum for this configuration.

Investigating the Metastability of Clathrate Hydrates for Energy Storage

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

Koh, Carolyn Ann

2014-11-18

Important breakthrough discoveries have been achieved from the DOE award on the key processes controlling the synthesis and structure-property relations of clathrate hydrates, which are critical to the development of clathrate hydrates as energy storage materials. Key achievements include: (i) the discovery of key clathrate hydrate building blocks (stable and metastable) leading to clathrate hydrate nucleation and growth; (ii) development of a rapid clathrate hydrate synthesis route via a seeding mechanism; (iii) synthesis-structure relations of H2 + CH4/CO2 binary hydrates to control thermodynamic requirements for energy storage and sequestration applications; (iv) discovery of a new metastable phase present during clathratemore » hydrate structural transitions. The success of our research to-date is demonstrated by the significant papers we have published in high impact journals, including Science, Angewandte Chemie, J. Am. Chem. Soc. Intellectual Merits of Project Accomplishments: The intellectual merits of the project accomplishments are significant and transformative, in which the fundamental coupled computational and experimental program has provided new and critical understanding on the key processes controlling the nucleation, growth, and thermodynamics of clathrate hydrates containing hydrogen, methane, carbon dioxide, and other guest molecules for energy storage. Key examples of the intellectual merits of the accomplishments include: the first discovery of the nucleation pathways and dominant stable and metastable structures leading to clathrate hydrate formation; the discovery and experimental confirmation of new metastable clathrate hydrate structures; the development of new synthesis methods for controlling clathrate hydrate formation and enclathration of molecular hydrogen. Broader Impacts of Project Accomplishments: The molecular investigations performed in this project on the synthesis (nucleation & growth)-structure-stability relations of clathrate hydrate systems are pivotal in the fundamental understanding of crystalline clathrate hydrates and the discovery of new clathrate hydrate properties and novel materials for a broad spectrum of energy applications, including: energy storage (hydrogen, natural gas); carbon dioxide sequestration; controlling hydrate formation in oil/gas transportation in subsea pipelines. The Project has also enabled the training of undergraduate, graduate and postdoctoral students in computational methods, molecular spectroscopy and diffraction, and measurement methods at extreme conditions of high pressure and low temperature.« less

Climate projection of synoptic patterns forming extremely high wind speed over the Barents Sea

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Surkova, Galina; Krylov, Aleksey

2017-04-01

Frequency of extreme weather events is not very high, but their consequences for the human well-being may be hazardous. These seldom events are not always well simulated by climate models directly. Sometimes it is more effective to analyze numerical projection of large-scale synoptic event generating extreme weather. For example, in mid-latitude surface wind speed depends mainly on the sea level pressure (SLP) field - its configuration and horizontal pressure gradient. This idea was implemented for analysis of extreme wind speed events over the Barents Sea. The calendar of high surface wind speed V (10 m above the surface) was prepared for events with V exceeding 99th percentile value in the central part of the Barents Sea. Analysis of probability distribution function of V was carried out on the base of ERA-Interim reanalysis data (6-hours, 0.75x0.75 degrees of latitude and longitude) for the period 1981-2010. Storm wind events number was found to be 240 days. Sea level pressure field over the sea and surrounding area was selected for each storm wind event. For the climate of the future (scenario RCP8.5), projections of SLP from CMIP5 numerical experiments were used. More than 20 climate models results of projected SLP (2006-2100) over the Barents Sea were correlated with modern storm wind SLP fields. Our calculations showed the positive tendency of annual frequency of storm SLP patterns over the Barents Sea by the end of 21st century.

The Prediction of Unsteady Aerodynamic Loading in High Aspect Ratio Wall Bounded Jets

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lurie, Michael B.

Stealth aircraft are becoming more and more prevalent in the aircraft industry. One of the features of many stealth aircraft is an integrated engine that is mounted above the aircraft fuselage. The engine nozzle is often rectangular with a high aspect ratio, and exhausts onto a jet deck formed by the aircraft fuselage. This configuration allows the aircraft fuselage to shield the noise and other detectable features caused by the engine from the ground. The Northrop Grumman B2 Bomber is perhaps the most well-known example of this configuration. Additionally, stealth technology combined with unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV's) has led to the Joint Unmanned Combat System project, or J-UCAS. Both of the aircraft in development in this project use a wall-bounded high aspect ratio nozzle for stealth purposes. While these engine configurations provide a low radar profile and reduce the noise levels on the ground, they do introduce additional considerations. Since the engine is mounted above the aircraft, the nozzle jet is wall bounded by the fuselage of the aircraft. This is known as the flight deck. The jet stream exiting the nozzle can travel at supersonic speeds and potentially generates shock or expansion waves that impinge on the surface of the deck. The oscillations of these shockwaves on the deck produce localized unsteady forces acting on the aircraft. In addition, the interaction between the high speed jet stream and the slower ambient air causes a shear layer to form from the trailing edge of the nozzle. Turbulent eddies form and increase in size as they move downstream. The interactions of the shear layer with the flight deck produce additional unsteady forces on the aircraft. This thesis presents a study to predict the forces on a flight deck caused by a high aspect ratio wall bounded nozzle using both experimental methods and numerical simulations. The experiments performed were conducted on two different nozzles with aspect ratios of 4-1 and 8-1. Several different run conditions, including subsonic, overexpanded, on-design, and under-expanded, are included to study the effects of Mach number on the unsteady pressure. An aluminum flat plate is used to represent the aft deck. The plate is instrumented with Endevco pressure transducers to capture the fluctuating pressure on the aft deck. A spectral analysis performed on the individual sensors shows that the primary sources of fluctuating pressure are the shear layer along with shock-boundary layer interaction. Additional scaling with the nozzle heights is also presented. The numerical simulations were performed using a fully viscous, hybrid RANS/ LES model. They matched the nozzle characteristics and run conditions performed in the experiment. A detailed comparison between the unsteady pressures predicted by the computational simulations and those measured by the experiment is presented. Several discrepancies between the experimental and numerical results are the result of numerical error caused by the time marching scheme used in the simulations. A proper orthogonal decomposition (POD) method is introduced to further analyze the computational simulations and provide a filtering method to obtain more accurate results.

Osmotically-assisted desalination method and system

DOEpatents

Achilli, Andrea; Childress, Amy E.; Cath, Tzahi Y.

2014-08-12

Systems and methods for osmotically assisted desalination include using a pressurized concentrate from a pressure desalination process to pressurize a feed to the desalination process. The depressurized concentrate thereby produced is used as a draw solution for a pressure-retarded osmosis process. The pressure-retarded osmosis unit produces a pressurized draw solution stream that is used to pressurize another feed to the desalination process. In one example, the feed to the pressure-retarded osmosis process is impaired water.

Exploiting the flexibility and the polarization of ferroelectric perovskite surfaces to achieve efficient photochemistry and enantiospecificity

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

Rappe, Andrew

This research project explored the catalytic properties of complex surfaces of functional materials. The PI used first-principles density functional theory (DFT) calculations to explore a tightly integrated set of properties. The physical properties of complex functional materials that influence surface chemistry were explored, including bulk and surface electric dipoles, and surface conductivity. The energetic, compositional, electronic, and chemical properties of the surfaces of these materials were explored in detail, and connections between material properties and chemical reactivity were established. This project led to 28 publications, including Nat. Comm., JACS, 3 PRL, 7 PRB, 2 ACS Nano, 2 Nano Lett., 4more » JPCL, 2 JCP, Chem. Mater., ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces, Phys. Rev. Appl., and a U.S. Patent on surface catalysts. The key accomplishments in this project involved work in six coordinated areas: pioneering ways to control bulk dipoles in order to dynamically affect catalysis, exploring novel ways of bringing charge to the surface for redox catalysis, nonstoichiometric surfaces offering new sites for heterogeneous catalysis, illustrating how surface catalysis responds to applied pressure, catalytic growth of carbon-based materials, and new computational methods allowing more accurate exploration of molecule-surface interactions« less

Two methods to simulate intrapulpal pressure: effects upon bonding performance of self-etch adhesives.

PubMed

Feitosa, V P; Gotti, V B; Grohmann, C V; Abuná, G; Correr-Sobrinho, L; Sinhoreti, M A C; Correr, A B

2014-09-01

To evaluate the effects of two methods to simulate physiological pulpal pressure on the dentine bonding performance of two all-in-one adhesives and a two-step self-etch silorane-based adhesive by means of microtensile bond strength (μTBS) and nanoleakage surveys. The self-etch adhesives [G-Bond Plus (GB), Adper Easy Bond (EB) and silorane adhesive (SIL)] were applied to flat deep dentine surfaces from extracted human molars. The restorations were constructed using resin composites Filtek Silorane or Filtek Z350 (3M ESPE). After 24 h using the two methods of simulated pulpal pressure or no pulpal pressure (control groups), the bonded teeth were cut into specimens and submitted to μTBS and silver uptake examination. Results were analysed with two-way anova and Tukey's test (P < 0.05). Both methods of simulated pulpal pressure led statistically similar μTBS for all adhesives. No difference between control and pulpal pressure groups was found for SIL and GB. EB led significant drop (P = 0.002) in bond strength under pulpal pressure. Silver impregnation was increased after both methods of simulated pulpal pressure for all adhesives, and it was similar between the simulated pulpal pressure methods. The innovative method to simulate pulpal pressure behaved similarly to the classic one and could be used as an alternative. The HEMA-free one-step and the two-step self-etch adhesives had acceptable resistance against pulpal pressure, unlike the HEMA-rich adhesive. © 2013 International Endodontic Journal. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Apparatus and method for pressure testing closure disks

DOEpatents

Merten, Jr., Charles W.

1992-01-21

A method and device for testing the burst pressure of closure disks which provides high pressure to both sides of a disk and rapidly releases pressure from one side thereof causing a high rate of change of pressure. A hollow notched plug allows the rapid release of pressure upon rupturing. A tensile load is transmitted by a piston in combination with fluid pressure to the hollow notched plug.

Quantifying options for reducing coronary heart disease mortality by 2020.

PubMed

Huffman, Mark D; Lloyd-Jones, Donald M; Ning, Hongyan; Labarthe, Darwin R; Guzman Castillo, Maria; O'Flaherty, Martin; Ford, Earl S; Capewell, Simon

2013-06-25

The American Heart Association (AHA) 2020 Strategic Impact Goal proposes a 20% improvement in cardiovascular health of all Americans. We aimed to estimate the potential reduction in coronary heart disease (CHD) deaths. We used data on 40 373 adults free of cardiovascular disease from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES; 1988-2010). We quantified recent trends for 6 metrics (total cholesterol, systolic blood pressure, physical inactivity, smoking, diabetes mellitus, and obesity) and generated linear projections to 2020. We projected the expected number of CHD deaths in 2020 if 2006 age- and sex-specific CHD death rates remained constant, which would result in ≈480 000 CHD deaths in 2020 (12% increase). We used the previously validated IMPACT CHD model to project numbers of CHD deaths in 2020 under 2 different scenarios: (1) Assuming a 20% improvement in each cardiovascular health metric, we project 365 000 CHD deaths in 2020 (range 327 000-403 000) a 24% decrease reflecting modest reductions in total cholesterol (-41 000), systolic blood pressure (-36 000), physical inactivity (-12 000), smoking (-10 000), diabetes mellitus (-10 000), and obesity (-5000); (2) Assuming that recent risk factor trends continue to 2020, we project 335 000 CHD deaths (range 274 000-386 000), a 30% decrease reflecting improvements in total cholesterol, systolic blood pressure, smoking, and physical activity (≈167 000 fewer deaths), offset by increases in diabetes mellitus and body mass index (≈24 000 more deaths). Two contrasting scenarios of change in cardiovascular health metrics could prevent 24% to 30% of the CHD deaths expected in 2020, though with differing effects by age. Unfavorable continuing trends in obesity and diabetes mellitus would have substantial adverse effects. This analysis demonstrates the utility of modelling to inform health policy.

Bacterial abundance and activity in deep-sea sediments from the eastern North Atlantic

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Eardly, D. F.; Carton, M. W.; Gallagher, J. M.; Patching, J. W.

Results are presented from four cruises to the Porcupine Abyssal Plain (PAP site) that took place during the BENGAL project from September 1996 to March 1998, and two cruises to the PAP and an oligotrophic site (EUMELI) that took place during the DEEPSEAS project between September 1993 and March 1994. Bacterial abundances in sediment and sediment contact water were measured by epifluorescence microscopy. Bacterial activity was determined by 3H-thymidine incorporation as a measure of DNA synthesis, and by 3H-leucine incorporation as a measure of protein synthesis. Activities were measured under atmospheric and in situ pressures and temperatures. Bacterial activity was usually higher in samples incubated at in situ pressure than those incubated at atmospheric pressure indicating that a barophilic community was dominant. Inter-cruise comparisons of abundance and activity during the BENGAL project showed no firm evidence of there being a seasonal response in the benthic microbial community to any episodic phytodetritus event. This was probably because of inter-annual variations in the quality and quantity of phytodetritus deposition at the PAP site, the rapid remineralization of fresh organic material by the microbial communities and the timing of cruises to the study area. 3H-thymidine and 3H-leucine incorporation in sediments was higher during the BENGAL period than the DEEPSEAS programme. A methodological change in the 3H-thymidine incorporation technique for sediments may explain the differences in DNA synthesis observed between the two projects, whereas the lower levels of protein synthesis observed during the DEEPSEAS programme probably reflected both inter-annual variations in activity at the PAP site and the lower productivity that prevailed at surface at the EUMELI oligotrophic site. Rates of 3H-thymidine incorporation in sediment contact water were similar during both projects.

Non-invasive method of measuring cerebral spinal fluid pressure

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Borchert, Mark S. (Inventor); Lambert, James L. (Inventor)

2000-01-01

The invention provides a method of non-invasively determining intracranial pressure from measurements of an eye. A parameter of an optic nerve of the eye is determined, along with an intraocular pressure of the eye. The intracranial pressure may be determined from the intraocular pressure and the parameter.

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

Nabeel A. Riza

The goals of the second six months of the Phase 2 of this project were to conduct first time experimental studies using optical designs and some initial hardware developed in the first 6 months of Phase 2. One focus is to modify the SiC chip optical properties to enable gas species sensing with a specific gas species under high temperature and pressure. The goal was to acquire sensing test data using two example inert and safe gases and show gas discrimination abilities. A high pressure gas mixing chamber was to be designed and assembled to achieve the mentioned gas sensingmore » needs. Another goal was to initiate high temperature probe design by developing and testing a probe design that leads to accurately measuring the thickness of the deployed SiC sensor chip to enable accurate overall sensor system design. The third goal of this phase of the project was to test the SiC chip under high pressure conditions using the earlier designed calibration cell to enable it to act as a pressure sensor when doing gas detection. In this case, experiments using a controlled pressure system were to deliver repeatable pressure measurement data. All these goals have been achieved and are described in detail in the report. Both design process and diagrams for the mechanical elements as well as the optical systems are provided. Photographs or schematics of the fabricated hardware are provided. Experimental data from the three optical sensor systems (i.e., Thickness, pressure, and gas species) is provided. The design and experimentation results are summarized to give positive conclusions on the proposed novel high temperature high pressure gas species detection optical sensor technology.« less

Pressure ulcers: implementation of evidence-based nursing practice.

PubMed

Clarke, Heather F; Bradley, Chris; Whytock, Sandra; Handfield, Shannon; van der Wal, Rena; Gundry, Sharon

2005-03-01

A 2-year project was carried out to evaluate the use of multi-component, computer-assisted strategies for implementing clinical practice guidelines. This paper describes the implementation of the project and lessons learned. The evaluation and outcomes of implementing clinical practice guidelines to prevent and treat pressure ulcers will be reported in a separate paper. The prevalence and incidence rates of pressure ulcers, coupled with the cost of treatment, constitute a substantial burden for our health care system. It is estimated that treating a pressure ulcer can increase nursing time up to 50%, and that treatment costs per ulcer can range from US$10,000 to $86,000, with median costs of $27,000. Although evidence-based guidelines for prevention and optimum treatment of pressure ulcers have been developed, there is little empirical evidence about the effectiveness of implementation strategies. The study was conducted across the continuum of care (primary, secondary and tertiary) in a Canadian urban Health Region involving seven health care organizations (acute, home and extended care). Trained surveyors (Registered Nurses) determined the prevalence and incidence of pressure ulcers among patients in these organizations. The use of a computerized decision-support system assisted staff to select optimal, evidence-based care strategies, record information and analyse individual and aggregate data. Evaluation indicated an increase in knowledge relating to pressure ulcer prevention, treatment strategies, resources required, and the role of the interdisciplinary team. Lack of visible senior nurse leadership; time required to acquire computer skills and to implement new guidelines; and difficulties with the computer system were identified as barriers. There is a need for a comprehensive, supported and sustained approach to implementation of evidence-based practice for pressure ulcer prevention and treatment, greater understanding of organization-specific barriers, and mechanisms for addressing the barriers.

Evaluation of Historical and Projected Agricultural Climate Risk Over the Continental US

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhu, X.; Troy, T. J.; Devineni, N.

2016-12-01

Food demands are rising due to an increasing population with changing food preferences, which places pressure on agricultural systems. In addition, in the past decade climate extremes have highlighted the vulnerability of our agricultural production to climate variability. Quantitative analyses in the climate-agriculture research field have been performed in many studies. However, climate risk still remains difficult to evaluate at large scales yet shows great potential of help us better understand historical climate change impacts and evaluate the future risk given climate projections. In this study, we developed a framework to evaluate climate risk quantitatively by applying statistical methods such as Bayesian regression, distribution fitting, and Monte Carlo simulation. We applied the framework over different climate regions in the continental US both historically and for modeled climate projections. The relative importance of any major growing season climate index, such as maximum dry period or heavy precipitation, was evaluated to determine what climate indices play a role in affecting crop yields. The statistical modeling framework was applied using county yields, with irrigated and rainfed yields separated to evaluate the different risk. This framework provides estimates of the climate risk facing agricultural production in the near-term that account for the full uncertainty of climate occurrences, range of crop response, and spatial correlation in climate. In particular, the method provides robust estimates of importance of irrigation in mitigating agricultural climate risk. The results of this study can contribute to decision making about crop choice and water use in an uncertain climate.

Pressure balance cross-calibration method using a pressure transducer as transfer standard

PubMed Central

Olson, D; Driver, R. G.; Yang, Y

2016-01-01

Piston gauges or pressure balances are widely used to realize the SI unit of pressure, the pascal, and to calibrate pressure sensing devices. However, their calibration is time consuming and requires a lot of technical expertise. In this paper, we propose an alternate method of performing a piston gauge cross calibration that incorporates a pressure transducer as an immediate in-situ transfer standard. For a sufficiently linear transducer, the requirement to exactly balance the weights on the two pressure gauges under consideration is greatly relaxed. Our results indicate that this method can be employed without a significant increase in measurement uncertainty. Indeed, in the test case explored here, our results agreed with the traditional method within standard uncertainty, which was less than 6 parts per million. PMID:28303167

Apparatus and method for excluding gas from a liquid

DOEpatents

Murphy, Jr., Robert J.

1985-01-01

The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method for preventing diffusion of a gas under high pressure into the bulk of a liquid filling a substantially closed chamber. This apparatus and method is particularly useful in connection with test devices for testing fluid characteristics under harsh conditions of extremely high pressure and high temperature. These devices typically pressurize the liquid by placing the liquid in pressure and fluid communication with a high pressure inert gas. The apparatus and method of the present invention prevent diffusion of the pressurizing gas into the bulk of the test liquid by decreasing the chamber volume at a rate sufficient to maintain the bulk of the liquid free of absorbed or dissolved gas by expelling that portion of the liquid which is contaminated by the pressurizing gas.

Comparison of Pressures Applied by Digital Tourniquets in the Emergency Department

PubMed Central

Lahham, Shadi; Tu, Khoa; Ni, Mickey; Tran, Viet; Lotfipour, Shahram; Anderson, Craig L.; Fox, J Christian

2011-01-01

Background: Digital tourniquets used in the emergency department have been scrutinized due to complications associated with their use, including neurovascular injury secondary to excessive tourniquet pressure and digital ischemia caused by a forgotten tourniquet. To minimize these risks, a conspicuous tourniquet that applies the least amount of pressure necessary to maintain hemostasis is recommended. Objective: To evaluate the commonly used tourniquet methods, the Penrose drain, rolled glove, the Tourni-cot and the T-Ring, to determine which applies the lowest pressure while consistently preventing digital perfusion. Methods: We measured the circumference of selected digits of 200 adult males and 200 adult females to determine the adult finger size range. We then measured the pressure applied to four representative finger sizes using a pressure monitor and assessed the ability of each method to prevent digital blood flow with a pulse oximeter. Results: We selected four representative finger sizes: 45mm, 65mm, 70mm, and 85mm to test the different tourniquet methods. All methods consistently prevented digital perfusion. The highest pressure recorded for the Penrose drain was 727 mmHg, the clamped rolled glove 439, the unclamped rolled glove 267, Tourni-cot 246, while the T-Ring had the lowest at 151 mmHg and least variable pressures of all methods. Conclusion: All tested methods provided adequate hemostasis. Only the Tourni-cot and T-Ring provided hemostasis at safe pressures across all digit sizes with the T-Ring having a lower overall average pressure. PMID:21691536

Seal Related Development Activities at EG/G

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Greiner, Harold F.

1991-01-01

Seal related development activities including modeling, analysis, and performance testing are described for several current seal related projects. Among the current seal related projects are the following: high pressure gas sealing systems for turbomachinery; brush seals for gas path sealing in gas turbines; and tribological material evaluation for wear surfaces in sealing systems.

Concentrating Solar Power Projects - Airlight Energy Ait-Baha Pilot Plant |

Science.gov Websites

heat at high temperature to the existing 12MW ORC Generator. Status Date: February 16, 2015 Project Mirror Manufacturer (Model): Airlight Energy (Pneumatic mirror) # of Heat Collector Elements (HCEs): 108 HCE Manufacturer: Airlight Energy Heat-Transfer Fluid Type: Air at ambient pressure Solar-Field Inlet

Implementing the "Marketing You" Project in Large Sections of Principles of Marketing

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Smith, Karen H.

2004-01-01

There is mounting pressure on business education to increase experiential learning at the same time that budget constraints are forcing universities to increase class size. This article explains the design and implementation of the "Marketing You" project in two large sections of Principles of Marketing to bring experiential learning into the…

Land and People, the Growing Pressure.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Harrison, Paul

1983-01-01

A summary and an analysis of the findings of the Land Resources for Populations of the Future project are provided in this report. The project, conducted by the Food and Agriculture Organization, studied the food production capabilities of 117 developing countries to determine how many people they could support at different levels of farming and…

MEASUREMENTS OF CAPILLARY PRESSURE-SATURATION RELATIONSHIPS AND DNAPL DISTRIBUTION IN SILICA SANDS USING LIGHT TRANSMISSION VISUALIZATION

EPA Science Inventory

This study is a part of an ongoing research project that aims at assessing the environmental benefits of partial DNAPL removal. The laboratory part of the research project is to examine the functional relationship between DNAPL (modeled by PCE) architecture, mass removal and cont...

Harnessing Alaska. [Hydroelectric power in Alaska

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

Not Available

Four hydropower projects will provide electricity for isolated Alaskan cities by late 1984. A 15Mw project is already producing power. The three remaining hydro projects are described. Tyee Lake is a lake tap project. Water is supplied to the powerhouse by tapping the lake via a tunnel blasted through the lake bottom. Water then flows through a vertical pressure shaft to a power tunnel and into an aboveground powerhouse. Swan Lake consists of a double-curved arch dam and a power tunnel. Terror Lake consists of a concrete-faced compacted rockfill dam and a power tunnel.

Water-level and wave measurements in the Chandeleur Islands, Louisiana, 2012 and 2013

USGS Publications Warehouse

Dickhudt, Patrick J.; Sherwood, Christopher R.; DeWitt, Nancy T.

2015-01-01

This report documents measurements of atmospheric pressure, water levels, and waves made by the U.S. Geological Survey in the Chandeleur Islands, Louisiana, during 2012 and 2013 as part of the Barrier Island Evolution Research project. Simple, inexpensive pressure sensors mounted in shallow wells were buried in the beach and left for one hurricane season and one winter-storm season. Gauges with rapid-sampling pressure sensors that provided nondirectional wave data and water-level data were mounted on rugged mounts on the Chandeleur Sound side and at the base of a tower at the northern end of the island chain. Additionally, an atmospheric pressure sensor was mounted on the tower to provide a local atmospheric pressure measurement for correcting the submerged pressure records.

Maximum magnitude estimations of induced earthquakes at Paradox Valley, Colorado, from cumulative injection volume and geometry of seismicity clusters

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yeck, William L.; Block, Lisa V.; Wood, Christopher K.; King, Vanessa M.

2015-01-01

The Paradox Valley Unit (PVU), a salinity control project in southwest Colorado, disposes of brine in a single deep injection well. Since the initiation of injection at the PVU in 1991, earthquakes have been repeatedly induced. PVU closely monitors all seismicity in the Paradox Valley region with a dense surface seismic network. A key factor for understanding the seismic hazard from PVU injection is the maximum magnitude earthquake that can be induced. The estimate of maximum magnitude of induced earthquakes is difficult to constrain as, unlike naturally occurring earthquakes, the maximum magnitude of induced earthquakes changes over time and is affected by injection parameters. We investigate temporal variations in maximum magnitudes of induced earthquakes at the PVU using two methods. First, we consider the relationship between the total cumulative injected volume and the history of observed largest earthquakes at the PVU. Second, we explore the relationship between maximum magnitude and the geometry of individual seismicity clusters. Under the assumptions that: (i) elevated pore pressures must be distributed over an entire fault surface to initiate rupture and (ii) the location of induced events delineates volumes of sufficiently high pore-pressure to induce rupture, we calculate the largest allowable vertical penny-shaped faults, and investigate the potential earthquake magnitudes represented by their rupture. Results from both the injection volume and geometrical methods suggest that the PVU has the potential to induce events up to roughly MW 5 in the region directly surrounding the well; however, the largest observed earthquake to date has been about a magnitude unit smaller than this predicted maximum. In the seismicity cluster surrounding the injection well, the maximum potential earthquake size estimated by these methods and the observed maximum magnitudes have remained steady since the mid-2000s. These observations suggest that either these methods overpredict maximum magnitude for this area or that long time delays are required for sufficient pore-pressure diffusion to occur to cause rupture along an entire fault segment. We note that earthquake clusters can initiate and grow rapidly over the course of 1 or 2 yr, thus making it difficult to predict maximum earthquake magnitudes far into the future. The abrupt onset of seismicity with injection indicates that pore-pressure increases near the well have been sufficient to trigger earthquakes under pre-existing tectonic stresses. However, we do not observe remote triggering from large teleseismic earthquakes, which suggests that the stress perturbations generated from those events are too small to trigger rupture, even with the increased pore pressures.

Technology Solutions Case Study: Air Leakage and Air Transfer Between Garage and Living Space, Waldorf, Maryland

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

None

2014-11-01

In this project, Building Science Corporation worked with production homebuilder K. Hovnanian to evaluate air transfer between the garage and living space in a single-family detached home constructed by a production homebuilder in compliance with the 2009 International Residential Code and the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code. The project gathered important information about the performance of whole-building ventilation systems and garage ventilation systems as they relate to minimizing flow of contaminated air from garage to living space. A series of 25 multipoint fan pressurization tests and additional zone pressure diagnostic testing measured the garage and house air leakage, the garage-to-housemore » air leakage, and garage and house pressure relationships to each other and to outdoors using automated fan pressurization and pressure monitoring techniques. While the relative characteristics of this house may not represent the entire population of new construction configurations and air tightness levels (house and garage) throughout the country, the technical approach was conservative and should reasonably extend the usefulness of the results to a large spectrum of house configurations from this set of parametric tests in this one house. Based on the results of this testing, the two-step garage-to-house air leakage test protocol described above is recommended where whole-house exhaust ventilation is employed. For houses employing whole-house supply ventilation (positive pressure) or balanced ventilation (same pressure effect as the baseline condition), adherence to the EPA Indoor airPLUS house-to-garage air sealing requirements should be sufficient to expect little to no garage-to-house air transfer.« less

Combustion Stability Characteristics of the Project Morpheus Liquid Oxygen / Liquid Methane Main Engine

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Melcher, John C.; Morehead, Robert L.

2014-01-01

The project Morpheus liquid oxygen (LOX) / liquid methane (LCH4) main engine is a Johnson Space Center (JSC) designed 5,000 lbf-thrust, 4:1 throttling, pressure-fed cryogenic engine using an impinging element injector design. The engine met or exceeded all performance requirements without experiencing any in- ight failures, but the engine exhibited acoustic-coupled combustion instabilities during sea-level ground-based testing. First tangential (1T), rst radial (1R), 1T1R, and higher order modes were triggered by conditions during the Morpheus vehicle derived low chamber pressure startup sequence. The instability was never observed to initiate during mainstage, even at low power levels. Ground-interaction acoustics aggravated the instability in vehicle tests. Analysis of more than 200 hot re tests on the Morpheus vehicle and Stennis Space Center (SSC) test stand showed a relationship between ignition stability and injector/chamber pressure. The instability had the distinct characteristic of initiating at high relative injection pressure drop at low chamber pressure during the start sequence. Data analysis suggests that the two-phase density during engine start results in a high injection velocity, possibly triggering the instabilities predicted by the Hewitt stability curves. Engine ignition instability was successfully mitigated via a higher-chamber pressure start sequence (e.g., 50% power level vs 30%) and operational propellant start temperature limits that maintained \\cold LOX" and \\warm methane" at the engine inlet. The main engine successfully demonstrated 4:1 throttling without chugging during mainstage, but chug instabilities were observed during some engine shutdown sequences at low injector pressure drop, especially during vehicle landing.

Method for Making Measurements of the Post-Combustion Residence Time in a Gas Turbine Engine

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Miles, Jeffrey H. (Inventor)

2017-01-01

A method of measuring a residence time in a gas-turbine engine is disclosed that includes measuring a combustor pressure signal at a combustor entrance and a turbine exit pressure signal at a turbine exit. The method further includes computing a cross-spectrum function between the combustor pressure signal and the turbine exit pressure signal, calculating a slope of the cross-spectrum function, shifting the turbine exit pressure signal an amount corresponding to a time delay between the measurement of the combustor pressure signal and the turbine exit pressure signal, and recalculating the slope of the cross-spectrum function until the slope reaches zero.

Regulatory Mechanism of Muscle Disuse Atrophy in Adult Rats

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1993-01-01

During the last phase of NAG 2-386 we completed three studies. The effects of 14 days of weightlessness; the vastus medialis (VM) from flight rats in COSMOS 2044 was compared with the VM from tail suspended rats and other controls. The type I and II fibers in the mixed fiber portion of the VM were significantly reduced in flight rats and capillary densities paralleled the fiber density changes. The results of this project compared favorably with those in the extensor digitorum longus following seven days of flight in SL 3. The cardiovascular projects focused on the blood pressure changes in head down tilted rats (HDT) and non-head down tilted (N-HDT) rats. Blood pressures (MAP, SP and DP) were significantly elevated through seven days of HDT and rapidly returned to control levels within one day after removal from the HDT position. The N-HDT showed some slight rise in blood pressure but these were not as great and they were not as rapid. The HDT rats were characterized as exhibiting transient hypertension. These results led to some of the microvascular and vascular graduate student projects of Dr. Bernhard Stepke. Also our results refute or, at least, do not agree with previous reports from other laboratories. Each animal, in our blood pressure projects, served as its own control thereby providing more accurate results. Also, our experiments focused on recovery studies which can, in and of themselves, provide guidelines for flight experiments concerned with blood pressure changes. Another experiment was conducted to examine the role of testicular atrophy in whole body suspended (WBS) and tail suspended (TS) rats. We worked in conjunction with Dr. D.R. Deaver's laboratory at Pennsylvania State University and Dr. R. P. Amann at Colorado State University. In the TS rats the testes are retracted into the abdominal cavity, unless a ligature is placed to maintain them in the external scrotal sac. The cryptorchid condition in TS rats results in atrophy of the testes and lowered levels of spermatid formation. Hormonal changes due to testes atrophy must be considered in future experiments where related effects may modify muscle, bone or other tissue changes. Also, some new assessments of past results (published by many researchers) may warrant revised interpretations. The blood pressure studies and the testicular function results were presented and reviewed during an invited lecture at the University of Bordeaux II during the Animals in Space Symposium in March 1993. In summary, each of these three projects complied with the objectives of the proposal and serve to demonstrate the utility of animal models in preparations and interpretations of space flight results. All funding has been expended in accordance with the approved budget.

HIGH PRESSURE COAL COMBUSTON KINETICS PROJECT

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

Stefano Orsino

As part of the U.S. Department of Energy (DoE) initiative to improve the efficiency of coal-fired power plants and reduce the pollution generated by these facilities, DOE has funded the High-Pressure Coal Combustion Kinetics (HPCCK) Projects. A series of laboratory experiments were conducted on selected pulverized coals at elevated pressures with the specific goals to provide new data for pressurized coal combustion that will help extend to high pressure and validate models for burnout, pollutant formation, and generate samples of solid combustion products for analyses to fill crucial gaps in knowledge of char morphology and fly ash formation. Two seriesmore » of high-pressure coal combustion experiments were performed using SRI's pressurized radiant coal flow reactor. The first series of tests characterized the near burner flame zone (NBFZ). Three coals were tested, two high volatile bituminous (Pittsburgh No.8 and Illinois No.6), and one sub-bituminous (Powder River Basin), at pressures of 1, 2, and 3 MPa (10, 20, and 30 atm). The second series of experiments, which covered high-pressure burnout (HPBO) conditions, utilized a range of substantially longer combustion residence times to produce char burnout levels from 50% to 100%. The same three coals were tested at 1, 2, and 3 MPa, as well as at 0.2 MPa. Tests were also conducted on Pittsburgh No.8 coal in CO2 entrainment gas at 0.2, 1, and 2 MPa to begin establishing a database of experiments relevant to carbon sequestration techniques. The HPBO test series included use of an impactor-type particle sampler to measure the particle size distribution of fly ash produced under complete burnout conditions. The collected data have been interpreted with the help of CFD and detailed kinetics simulation to extend and validate devolatilization, char combustion and pollutant model at elevated pressure. A global NOX production sub-model has been proposed. The submodel reproduces the performance of the detailed chemical reaction mechanism for the NBFZ tests.« less

Improving the Long-Term Stability of Atmospheric Surface Deformation Predictions by Mitigating the Effects of Orography Updates in Operational Weather Forecast Models

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dill, Robert; Bergmann-Wolf, Inga; Thomas, Maik; Dobslaw, Henryk

2016-04-01

The global numerical weather prediction model routinely operated at the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) is typically updated about two times a year to incorporate the most recent improvements in the numerical scheme, the physical model or the data assimilation procedures into the system for steadily improving daily weather forecasting quality. Even though such changes frequently affect the long-term stability of meteorological quantities, data from the ECMWF deterministic model is often preferred over alternatively available atmospheric re-analyses due to both the availability of the data in near real-time and the substantially higher spatial resolution. However, global surface pressure time-series, which are crucial for the interpretation of geodetic observables, such as Earth rotation, surface deformation, and the Earth's gravity field, are in particular affected by changes in the surface orography of the model associated with every major change in horizontal resolution happened, e.g., in February 2006, January 2010, and May 2015 in case of the ECMWF operational model. In this contribution, we present an algorithm to harmonize surface pressure time-series from the operational ECMWF model by projecting them onto a time-invariant reference topography under consideration of the time-variable atmospheric density structure. The effectiveness of the method will be assessed globally in terms of pressure anomalies. In addition, we will discuss the impact of the method on predictions of crustal deformations based on ECMWF input, which have been recently made available by GFZ Potsdam.

Characteristic study of flat spray nozzle by using particle image velocimetry (PIV) and ANSYS simulation method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pairan, M. Rasidi; Asmuin, Norzelawati; Isa, Nurasikin Mat; Sies, Farid

2017-04-01

Water mist sprays are used in wide range of application. However it is depend to the spray characteristic to suit the particular application. This project studies the water droplet velocity and penetration angle generated by new development mist spray with a flat spray pattern. This research conducted into two part which are experimental and simulation section. The experimental was conducted by using particle image velocimetry (PIV) method, ANSYS software was used as tools for simulation section meanwhile image J software was used to measure the penetration angle. Three different of combination pressure of air and water were tested which are 1 bar (case A), 2 bar (case B) and 3 bar (case C). The flat spray generated by the new development nozzle was examined at 9cm vertical line from 8cm of the nozzle orifice. The result provided in the detailed analysis shows that the trend of graph velocity versus distance gives the good agreement within simulation and experiment for all the pressure combination. As the water and air pressure increased from 1 bar to 2 bar, the velocity and angle penetration also increased, however for case 3 which run under 3 bar condition, the water droplet velocity generated increased but the angle penetration is decreased. All the data then validated by calculate the error between experiment and simulation. By comparing the simulation data to the experiment data for all the cases, the standard deviation for this case A, case B and case C relatively small which are 5.444, 0.8242 and 6.4023.

Validation of Noninvasive MOEMS-Assisted Measurement System Based on CCD Sensor for Radial Pulse Analysis

PubMed Central

Malinauskas, Karolis; Palevicius, Paulius; Ragulskis, Minvydas; Ostasevicius, Vytautas; Dauksevicius, Rolanas

2013-01-01

Examination of wrist radial pulse is a noninvasive diagnostic method, which occupies a very important position in Traditional Chinese Medicine. It is based on manual palpation and therefore relies largely on the practitioner′s subjective technical skills and judgment. Consequently, it lacks reliability and consistency, which limits practical applications in clinical medicine. Thus, quantifiable characterization of the wrist pulse diagnosis method is a prerequisite for its further development and widespread use. This paper reports application of a noninvasive CCD sensor-based hybrid measurement system for radial pulse signal analysis. First, artery wall deformations caused by the blood flow are calibrated with a laser triangulation displacement sensor, following by the measurement of the deformations with projection moiré method. Different input pressures and fluids of various viscosities are used in the assembled artificial blood flow system in order to test the performance of laser triangulation technique with detection sensitivity enhancement through microfabricated retroreflective optical element placed on a synthetic vascular graft. Subsequently, the applicability of double-exposure whole-field projection moiré technique for registration of blood flow pulses is considered: a computational model and representative example are provided, followed by in vitro experiment performed on a vascular graft with artificial skin atop, which validates the suitability of the technique for characterization of skin surface deformations caused by the radial pulsation. PMID:23609803

Validation of noninvasive MOEMS-assisted measurement system based on CCD sensor for radial pulse analysis.

PubMed

Malinauskas, Karolis; Palevicius, Paulius; Ragulskis, Minvydas; Ostasevicius, Vytautas; Dauksevicius, Rolanas

2013-04-22

Examination of wrist radial pulse is a noninvasive diagnostic method, which occupies a very important position in Traditional Chinese Medicine. It is based on manual palpation and therefore relies largely on the practitioner's subjective technical skills and judgment. Consequently, it lacks reliability and consistency, which limits practical applications in clinical medicine. Thus, quantifiable characterization of the wrist pulse diagnosis method is a prerequisite for its further development and widespread use. This paper reports application of a noninvasive CCD sensor-based hybrid measurement system for radial pulse signal analysis. First, artery wall deformations caused by the blood flow are calibrated with a laser triangulation displacement sensor, following by the measurement of the deformations with projection moiré method. Different input pressures and fluids of various viscosities are used in the assembled artificial blood flow system in order to test the performance of laser triangulation technique with detection sensitivity enhancement through microfabricated retroreflective optical element placed on a synthetic vascular graft. Subsequently, the applicability of double-exposure whole-field projection moiré technique for registration of blood flow pulses is considered: a computational model and representative example are provided, followed by in vitro experiment performed on a vascular graft with artificial skin atop, which validates the suitability of the technique for characterization of skin surface deformations caused by the radial pulsation.

First results of geodetic deformation monitoring after commencement of CO2 injection at the Aquistore underground CO2 storage site

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Craymer, M.; White, D.; Piraszewski, M.; Zhao, Y.; Henton, J.; Silliker, J.; Samsonov, S.

2015-12-01

Aquistore is a demonstration project for the underground storage of CO2 at a depth of ~3350 m near Estevan, Saskatchewan, Canada. An objective of the project is to design, adapt, and test non-seismic monitoring methods that have not been systematically utilized to date for monitoring CO2 storage projects, and to integrate the data from these various monitoring tools to obtain quantitative estimates of the change in subsurface fluid distributions, pressure changes and associated surface deformation. Monitoring methods being applied include satellite-, surface- and wellbore-based monitoring systems and comprise natural- and controlled-source electromagnetic methods, gravity monitoring, continuous GPS, synthetic aperture radar interferometry (InSAR), tiltmeter array analysis, and chemical tracer studies. Here we focus on the GPS, InSAR and gravity monitoring. Five monitoring sites were installed in 2012 and another six in 2013, each including GPS and InSAR corner reflector monuments (some collocated on the same monument). The continuous GPS data from these stations have been processed on a daily basis in both baseline processing mode using the Bernese GPS Software and precise point positioning mode using CSRS-PPP. Gravity measurements at each site have also been performed in fall 2013, spring 2014 and fall 2015, and at two sites in fall 2014. InSAR measurements of deformation have been obtained for a 5 m footprint at each site as well as at the corner reflector point sources. Here we present the first results of this geodetic deformation monitoring after commencement of CO2 injection on April 14, 2015. The time series of these sites are examined, compared and analyzed with respect to monument stability, seasonal signals, longer term trends, and any changes in motion and mass since CO2 injection.

New calibration method for I-scan sensors to enable the precise measurement of pressures delivered by 'pressure garments'.

PubMed

Macintyre, Lisa

2011-11-01

Accurate measurement of the pressure delivered by medical compression products is highly desirable both in monitoring treatment and in developing new pressure inducing garments or products. There are several complications in measuring pressure at the garment/body interface and at present no ideal pressure measurement tool exists for this purpose. This paper summarises a thorough evaluation of the accuracy and reproducibility of measurements taken following both of Tekscan Inc.'s recommended calibration procedures for I-scan sensors; and presents an improved method for calibrating and using I-scan pressure sensors. The proposed calibration method enables accurate (±2.1 mmHg) measurement of pressures delivered by pressure garments to body parts with a circumference ≥30 cm. This method is too cumbersome for routine clinical use but is very useful, accurate and reproducible for product development or clinical evaluation purposes. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd and ISBI. All rights reserved.

A Comparison of Prediction Methods for Design of Pump as Turbine for Small Hydro Plant: Implemented Plant

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Naeimi, Hossein; Nayebi Shahabi, Mina; Mohammadi, Sohrab

2017-08-01

In developing countries, small and micro hydropower plants are very effective source for electricity generation with energy pay-back time (EPBT) less than other conventional electricity generation systems. Using pump as turbine (PAT) is an attractive, significant and cost-effective alternative. Pump manufacturers do not normally provide the characteristic curves of their pumps working as turbines. Therefore, choosing an appropriate Pump to work as a turbine is essential in implementing the small-hydro plants. In this paper, in order to find the best fitting method to choose a PAT, the results of a small-hydro plant implemented on the by-pass of a Pressure Reducing Valve (PRV) in Urmia city in Iran are presented. Some of the prediction methods of Best Efficiency Point of PATs are derived. Then, the results of implemented project have been compared to the prediction methods results and the deviation of from measured data were considered and discussed and the best method that predicts the specifications of PAT more accurately determined. Finally, the energy pay-back time for the plant is calculated.

Blood Pressure Measurement: Clinic, Home, Ambulatory, and Beyond

PubMed Central

Drawz, Paul E.; Abdalla, Mohamed; Rahman, Mahboob

2014-01-01

Blood pressure has traditionally been measured in the clinic setting using the auscultory method and a mercury sphygmomanometer. Technological advances have led to improvements in measuring clinic blood pressure and allowed for measuring blood pressures outside the clinic. This review outlines various methods for evaluating blood pressure and the clinical utility of each type of measurement. Home blood pressures and 24 hour ambulatory blood pressures have improved our ability to evaluate risk for target organ damage and hypertension related morbidity and mortality. Measuring home blood pressures may lead to more active participation in health care by patients and has the potential to improve blood pressure control. Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring enables the measuring nighttime blood pressures and diurnal changes, which may be the most accurate predictors of risk associated with elevated blood pressure. Additionally, reducing nighttime blood pressure is feasible and may be an important component of effective antihypertensive therapy. Finally, estimating central aortic pressures and pulse wave velocity are two of the newer methods for assessing blood pressure and hypertension related target organ damage. PMID:22521624

Industry Application ECCS / LOCA Integrated Cladding/Emergency Core Cooling System Performance: Demonstration of LOTUS-Baseline Coupled Analysis of the South Texas Plant Model

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

Zhang, Hongbin; Szilard, Ronaldo; Epiney, Aaron

Under the auspices of the DOE LWRS Program RISMC Industry Application ECCS/LOCA, INL has engaged staff from both South Texas Project (STP) and the Texas A&M University (TAMU) to produce a generic pressurized water reactor (PWR) model including reactor core, clad/fuel design and systems thermal hydraulics based on the South Texas Project (STP) nuclear power plant, a 4-Loop Westinghouse PWR. A RISMC toolkit, named LOCA Toolkit for the U.S. (LOTUS), has been developed for use in this generic PWR plant model to assess safety margins for the proposed NRC 10 CFR 50.46c rule, Emergency Core Cooling System (ECCS) performance duringmore » LOCA. This demonstration includes coupled analysis of core design, fuel design, thermalhydraulics and systems analysis, using advanced risk analysis tools and methods to investigate a wide range of results. Within this context, a multi-physics best estimate plus uncertainty (MPBEPU) methodology framework is proposed.« less

A novel method for calculating the dynamic capillary force and correcting the pressure error in micro-tube experiment.

PubMed

Wang, Shuoliang; Liu, Pengcheng; Zhao, Hui; Zhang, Yuan

2017-11-29

Micro-tube experiment has been implemented to understand the mechanisms of governing microcosmic fluid percolation and is extensively used in both fields of micro electromechanical engineering and petroleum engineering. The measured pressure difference across the microtube is not equal to the actual pressure difference across the microtube. Taking into account the additional pressure losses between the outlet of the micro tube and the outlet of the entire setup, we propose a new method for predicting the dynamic capillary pressure using the Level-set method. We first demonstrate it is a reliable method for describing microscopic flow by comparing the micro-model flow-test results against the predicted results using the Level-set method. In the proposed approach, Level-set method is applied to predict the pressure distribution along the microtube when the fluids flow along the microtube at a given flow rate; the microtube used in the calculation has the same size as the one used in the experiment. From the simulation results, the pressure difference across a curved interface (i.e., dynamic capillary pressure) can be directly obtained. We also show that dynamic capillary force should be properly evaluated in the micro-tube experiment in order to obtain the actual pressure difference across the microtube.

Improved pressure contour analysis for estimating cardiac stroke volume using pulse wave velocity measurement.

PubMed

Kamoi, Shun; Pretty, Christopher; Balmer, Joel; Davidson, Shaun; Pironet, Antoine; Desaive, Thomas; Shaw, Geoffrey M; Chase, J Geoffrey

2017-04-24

Pressure contour analysis is commonly used to estimate cardiac performance for patients suffering from cardiovascular dysfunction in the intensive care unit. However, the existing techniques for continuous estimation of stroke volume (SV) from pressure measurement can be unreliable during hemodynamic instability, which is inevitable for patients requiring significant treatment. For this reason, pressure contour methods must be improved to capture changes in vascular properties and thus provide accurate conversion from pressure to flow. This paper presents a novel pressure contour method utilizing pulse wave velocity (PWV) measurement to capture vascular properties. A three-element Windkessel model combined with the reservoir-wave concept are used to decompose the pressure contour into components related to storage and flow. The model parameters are identified beat-to-beat from the water-hammer equation using measured PWV, wave component of the pressure, and an estimate of subject-specific aortic dimension. SV is then calculated by converting pressure to flow using identified model parameters. The accuracy of this novel method is investigated using data from porcine experiments (N = 4 Pietrain pigs, 20-24.5 kg), where hemodynamic properties were significantly altered using dobutamine, fluid administration, and mechanical ventilation. In the experiment, left ventricular volume was measured using admittance catheter, and aortic pressure waveforms were measured at two locations, the aortic arch and abdominal aorta. Bland-Altman analysis comparing gold-standard SV measured by the admittance catheter and estimated SV from the novel method showed average limits of agreement of ±26% across significant hemodynamic alterations. This result shows the method is capable of estimating clinically acceptable absolute SV values according to Critchely and Critchely. The novel pressure contour method presented can accurately estimate and track SV even when hemodynamic properties are significantly altered. Integrating PWV measurements into pressure contour analysis improves identification of beat-to-beat changes in Windkessel model parameters, and thus, provides accurate estimate of blood flow from measured pressure contour. The method has great potential for overcoming weaknesses associated with current pressure contour methods for estimating SV.

Extending the frontiers of mass spectrometric instrumentation and methods

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

Schieffer, Gregg Martin

2010-01-01

The focus of this dissertation is two-fold: developing novel analysis methods using mass spectrometry and the implementation and characterization of a novel ion mobility mass spectrometry instrumentation. The novel mass spectrometry combines ion trap for ion/ion reactions coupled to an ion mobility cell. The long term goal of this instrumentation is to use ion/ion reactions to probe the structure of gas phase biomolecule ions. The three ion source - ion trap - ion mobility - qTOF mass spectrometer (IT - IM - TOF MS) instrument is described. The analysis of the degradation products in coal (Chapter 2) and the imagingmore » plant metabolites (Appendix III) fall under the methods development category. These projects use existing commercial instrumentation (JEOL AccuTOF MS and Thermo Finnigan LCQ IT, respectively) for the mass analysis of the degraded coal products and the plant metabolites, respectively. The coal degradation paper discusses the use of the DART ion source for fast and easy sample analysis. The sample preparation consisted of a simple 50 fold dilution of the soluble coal products in water and placing the liquid in front of the heated gas stream. This is the first time the DART ion source has been used for analysis of coal. Steven Raders under the guidance of John Verkade came up with the coal degradation projects. Raders performed the coal degradation reactions, worked up the products, and sent them to me. Gregg Schieffer developed the method and wrote the paper demonstrating the use of the DART ion source for the fast and easy sample analysis. The plant metabolite imaging project extends the use of colloidal graphite as a sample coating for atmospheric pressure LDI. DC Perdian and I closely worked together to make this project work. Perdian focused on building the LDI setup whereas Schieffer focused on the MSn analysis of the metabolites. Both Perdian and I took the data featured in the paper. Perdian was the primary writer of the paper and used it as a chapter in his dissertation. Perdian and Schieffer worked together to address the revisions and publish it in Rapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry Journal.« less

Advanced Methods for Aircraft Engine Thrust and Noise Benefits: Nozzle-Inlet Flow Analysis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Morgan, Morris H.; Gilinsky, Mikhail M.

2001-01-01

Three connected sub-projects were conducted under reported project. Partially, these sub-projects are directed to solving the problems conducted by the HU/FM&AL under two other NASA grants. The fundamental idea uniting these projects is to use untraditional 3D corrugated nozzle designs and additional methods for exhaust jet noise reduction without essential thrust lost and even with thrust augmentation. Such additional approaches are: (1) to add some solid, fluid, or gas mass at discrete locations to the main supersonic gas stream to minimize the negative influence of strong shock waves forming in propulsion systems; this mass addition may be accompanied by heat addition to the main stream as a result of the fuel combustion or by cooling of this stream as a result of the liquid mass evaporation and boiling; (2) to use porous or permeable nozzles and additional shells at the nozzle exit for preliminary cooling of exhaust hot jet and pressure compensation for non-design conditions (so-called continuous ejector with small mass flow rate; and (3) to propose and analyze new effective methods fuel injection into flow stream in air-breathing engines. Note that all these problems were formulated based on detailed descriptions of the main experimental facts observed at NASA Glenn Research Center. Basically, the HU/FM&AL Team has been involved in joint research with the purpose of finding theoretical explanations for experimental facts and the creation of the accurate numerical simulation technique and prediction theory for solutions for current problems in propulsion systems solved by NASA and Navy agencies. The research is focused on a wide regime of problems in the propulsion field as well as in experimental testing and theoretical and numerical simulation analysis for advanced aircraft and rocket engines. The F&AL Team uses analytical methods, numerical simulations, and possible experimental tests at the Hampton University campus. We will present some management activity and theoretical numerical simulation results obtained by the FM&AL Team in the reporting period in accordance with the schedule of the work.

MR thermometry characterization of a hyperthermia ultrasound array designed using the k-space computational method

PubMed Central

Al-Bataineh, Osama M; Collins, Christopher M; Park, Eun-Joo; Lee, Hotaik; Smith, Nadine Barrie

2006-01-01

Background Ultrasound induced hyperthermia is a useful adjuvant to radiation therapy in the treatment of prostate cancer. A uniform thermal dose (43°C for 30 minutes) is required within the targeted cancerous volume for effective therapy. This requires specific ultrasound phased array design and appropriate thermometry method. Inhomogeneous, acoustical, three-dimensional (3D) prostate models and economical computational methods provide necessary tools to predict the appropriate shape of hyperthermia phased arrays for better focusing. This research utilizes the k-space computational method and a 3D human prostate model to design an intracavitary ultrasound probe for hyperthermia treatment of prostate cancer. Evaluation of the probe includes ex vivo and in vivo controlled hyperthermia experiments using the noninvasive magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) thermometry. Methods A 3D acoustical prostate model was created using photographic data from the Visible Human Project®. The k-space computational method was used on this coarse grid and inhomogeneous tissue model to simulate the steady state pressure wavefield of the designed phased array using the linear acoustic wave equation. To ensure the uniformity and spread of the pressure in the length of the array, and the focusing capability in the width of the array, the equally-sized elements of the 4 × 20 elements phased array were 1 × 14 mm. A probe was constructed according to the design in simulation using lead zerconate titanate (PZT-8) ceramic and a Delrin® plastic housing. Noninvasive MRI thermometry and a switching feedback controller were used to accomplish ex vivo and in vivo hyperthermia evaluations of the probe. Results Both exposimetry and k-space simulation results demonstrated acceptable agreement within 9%. With a desired temperature plateau of 43.0°C, ex vivo and in vivo controlled hyperthermia experiments showed that the MRI temperature at the steady state was 42.9 ± 0.38°C and 43.1 ± 0.80°C, respectively, for 20 minutes of heating. Conclusion Unlike conventional computational methods, the k-space method provides a powerful tool to predict pressure wavefield in large scale, 3D, inhomogeneous and coarse grid tissue models. Noninvasive MRI thermometry supports the efficacy of this probe and the feedback controller in an in vivo hyperthermia treatment of canine prostate. PMID:17064421

Comparison of two methods based on photoplethysmography for the diagnosis of peripheral arterial disease.

PubMed

Høyer, Christian; Nielsen, Nikolaj Schandorph; Jordansen, Malene Kragh Overvad; Zacho, Helle Damgaard

2017-12-01

To examine the interchangeability of two methods for distal pressure measurement based on photoplethysmography using a truncated or full display of the arterial inflow curve, respectively. Toe and ankle pressures were obtained from 69 patients suspected of peripheral arterial disease (PAD). Observer reproducibility of the curve readings was examined by blinded reassessment of the pressure curves in a randomly selected subgroup (60 limbs). There were no significant differences in mean pressures between the two methods (p for all > .455). The limits of agreement for the differences were -15.0-15.4 mmHg for right toe pressures, -16.3-16.2 mmHg for left toe pressures, -14.2-15.7 mmHg for right ankle pressures, and -18.3-17.7 mmHg for left ankle pressures. Correlation analysis revealed intraclass correlation coefficients ≥0.960 for all measuring sites. Cohen's Kappa showed excellent agreement in diagnostic classification, with κ = 0.930 for the diagnosis of PAD and perfect agreement in the diagnosis of critical limb ischemia (κ = 1.000). The analysis of intra-observer variation for curve reading showed limits of agreement of -3.9-4.0 for toe pressures and -7.6-7.7 for ankle pressures for the method involving truncated display and -3.1-3.2 for toe pressures and -6.3-8.6 for ankle pressures for the method involving full display of the signal. The present study shows minimal differences in diagnostic classification, as well as in ankle and toe pressures, between the full display and the truncated display of the photoplethysmographic pulse signal. Furthermore, the inter-observer variation was low for both of the photoplethysmographic methods investigated.

Pressure algorithm for elliptic flow calculations with the PDF method

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Anand, M. S.; Pope, S. B.; Mongia, H. C.

1991-01-01

An algorithm to determine the mean pressure field for elliptic flow calculations with the probability density function (PDF) method is developed and applied. The PDF method is a most promising approach for the computation of turbulent reacting flows. Previous computations of elliptic flows with the method were in conjunction with conventional finite volume based calculations that provided the mean pressure field. The algorithm developed and described here permits the mean pressure field to be determined within the PDF calculations. The PDF method incorporating the pressure algorithm is applied to the flow past a backward-facing step. The results are in good agreement with data for the reattachment length, mean velocities, and turbulence quantities including triple correlations.

A pilot randomised controlled trial of negative pressure wound therapy to treat grade III/IV pressure ulcers [ISRCTN69032034

PubMed Central

2012-01-01

Background Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) is widely promoted as a treatment for full thickness wounds; however, there is a lack of high-quality research evidence regarding its clinical and cost effectiveness. A trial of NPWT for the treatment of grade III/IV pressure ulcers would be worthwhile but premature without assessing whether such a trial is feasible. The aim of this pilot randomised controlled trial was to assess the feasibility of conducting a future full trial of NPWT for the treatment of grade III and IV pressure ulcers and to pilot all aspects of the trial. Methods This was a two-centre (acute and community), pilot randomised controlled trial. Eligible participants were randomised to receive either NPWT or standard care (SC) (spun hydrocolloid, alginate or foam dressings). Outcome measures were time to healing of the reference pressure ulcer, recruitment rates, frequency of treatment visits, resources used and duration of follow-up. Results Three hundred and twelve patients were screened for eligibility into this trial over a 12-month recruitment period and 12/312 participants (3.8%) were randomised: 6 to NPWT and 6 to SC. Only one reference pressure ulcer healed (NPWT group) during follow-up (time to healing 79 days). The mean number of treatment visits per week was 3.1 (NPWT) and 5.7 (SC); 6/6 NPWT and 1/6 SC participants withdrew from their allocated trial treatment. The mean duration of follow-up was 3.8 (NPWT) and 5.0 (SC) months. Conclusions This pilot trial yielded vital information for the planning of a future full study including projected recruitment rate, required duration of follow-up and extent of research nurse support required. Data were also used to inform the cost-effectiveness and value of information analyses, which were conducted alongside the pilot trial. Trial registration Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN69032034. PMID:22839453

The differential path phase comparison method for determining pressure derivatives of elastic constants of solids

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Peselnick, L.

1982-08-01

An ultrasonic method is presented which combines features of the differential path and the phase comparison methods. The proposed differential path phase comparison method, referred to as the `hybrid' method for brevity, eliminates errors resulting from phase changes in the bond between the sample and buffer rod. Define r(P) [and R(P)] as the square of the normalized frequency for cancellation of sample waves for shear [and for compressional] waves. Define N as the number of wavelengths in twice the sample length. The pressure derivatives r'(P) and R' (P) for samples of Alcoa 2024-T4 aluminum were obtained by using the phase comparison and the hybrid methods. The values of the pressure derivatives obtained by using the phase comparison method show variations by as much as 40% for small values of N (N < 50). The pressure derivatives as determined from the hybrid method are reproducible to within ±2% independent of N. The values of the pressure derivatives determined by the phase comparison method for large N are the same as those determined by the hybrid method. Advantages of the hybrid method are (1) no pressure dependent phase shift at the buffer-sample interface, (2) elimination of deviatoric stress in the sample portion of the sample assembly with application of hydrostatic pressure, and (3) operation at lower ultrasonic frequencies (for comparable sample lengths), which eliminates detrimental high frequency ultrasonic problems. A reduction of the uncertainties of the pressure derivatives of single crystals and of low porosity polycrystals permits extrapolation of such experimental data to deeper mantle depths.

A Survey of Measurement, Mitigation, and Verification Field Technologies for Carbon Sequestration Geologic Storage

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cohen, K. K.; Klara, S. M.; Srivastava, R. D.

2004-12-01

The U.S. Department of Energy's (U.S. DOE's) Carbon Sequestration Program is developing state-of-the-science technologies for measurement, mitigation, and verification (MM&V) in field operations of geologic sequestration. MM&V of geologic carbon sequestration operations will play an integral role in the pre-injection, injection, and post-injection phases of carbon capture and storage projects to reduce anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions. Effective MM&V is critical to the success of CO2 storage projects and will be used by operators, regulators, and stakeholders to ensure safe and permanent storage of CO2. In the U.S. DOE's Program, Carbon sequestration MM&V has numerous instrumental roles: Measurement of a site's characteristics and capability for sequestration; Monitoring of the site to ensure the storage integrity; Verification that the CO2 is safely stored; and Protection of ecosystems. Other drivers for MM&V technology development include cost-effectiveness, measurement precision, and frequency of measurements required. As sequestration operations are implemented in the future, it is anticipated that measurements over long time periods and at different scales will be required; this will present a significant challenge. MM&V sequestration technologies generally utilize one of the following approaches: below ground measurements; surface/near-surface measurements; aerial and satellite imagery; and modeling/simulations. Advanced subsurface geophysical technologies will play a primary role for MM&V. It is likely that successful MM&V programs will incorporate multiple technologies including but not limited to: reservoir modeling and simulations; geophysical techniques (a wide variety of seismic methods, microgravity, electrical, and electromagnetic techniques); subsurface fluid movement monitoring methods such as injection of tracers, borehole and wellhead pressure sensors, and tiltmeters; surface/near surface methods such as soil gas monitoring and infrared sensors and; aerial and satellite imagery. This abstract will describe results, similarities, and contrasts for funded studies from the U.S. DOE's Carbon Sequestration Program including examples from the Sleipner North Sea Project, the Canadian Weyburn Field/Dakota Gasification Plant Project, the Frio Formation Texas Project, and Yolo County Bioreactor Landfill Project. The abstract will also address the following: How are the terms ``measurement,'' ``mitigation''and ``verification'' defined in the Program? What is the U.S. DOE's Carbon Sequestration Program Roadmap and what are the Roadmap goals for MM&V? What is the current status of MM&V technologies?

Demonstration of Isothermal Compressed Air Energy Storage to Support Renewable Energy Production

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

Bollinger, Benjamin

This project develops and demonstrates a megawatt (MW)-scale Energy Storage System that employs compressed air as the storage medium. An isothermal compressed air energy storage (ICAES TM) system rated for 1 MW or more will be demonstrated in a full-scale prototype unit. Breakthrough cost-effectiveness will be achieved through the use of proprietary methods for isothermal gas cycling and staged gas expansion implemented using industrially mature, readily-available components.The ICAES approach uses an electrically driven mechanical system to raise air to high pressure for storage in low-cost pressure vessels, pipeline, or lined-rock cavern (LRC). This air is later expanded through the samemore » mechanical system to drive the electric motor as a generator. The approach incorporates two key efficiency-enhancing innovations: (1) isothermal (constant temperature) gas cycling, which is achieved by mixing liquid with air (via spray or foam) to exchange heat with air undergoing compression or expansion; and (2) a novel, staged gas-expansion scheme that allows the drivetrain to operate at constant power while still allowing the stored gas to work over its entire pressure range. The ICAES system will be scalable, non-toxic, and cost-effective, making it suitable for firming renewables and for other grid applications.« less

The g Factors of Ground State of Ruby and Their Pressure-Induced Shifts

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ma, Dongping; Zhang, Hongmei; Chen, Jurong; Liu, Yanyun

1998-12-01

By using the theory of pressure-induced shifts and the eigenfunctions at normal and various pressures obtained from the diagonalization of the complete d3 energy matrix adopting C3v symmetry, g factors of the ground state of ruby and their pressure-induced shifts have been calculated. The results are in very good agreement with the experimental data. For the precise calculation of properties of the ground skate, it is necessary to take into account the effects of all the excited states by the diagonalization of the complete energy matrix. The project (Grant No. 19744001) supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China

New developments in high pressure x-ray spectroscopy beamline at High Pressure Collaborative Access Team

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

Xiao, Y. M., E-mail: yxiao@carnegiescience.edu; Chow, P.; Boman, G.

The 16 ID-D (Insertion Device - D station) beamline of the High Pressure Collaborative Access Team at the Advanced Photon Source is dedicated to high pressure research using X-ray spectroscopy techniques typically integrated with diamond anvil cells. The beamline provides X-rays of 4.5-37 keV, and current available techniques include X-ray emission spectroscopy, inelastic X-ray scattering, and nuclear resonant scattering. The recent developments include a canted undulator upgrade, 17-element analyzer array for inelastic X-ray scattering, and an emission spectrometer using a polycapillary half-lens. Recent development projects and future prospects are also discussed.

Skin Rounds: A Quality Improvement Approach to Enhance Skin Care in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

PubMed

Nist, Marliese Dion; Rodgers, Elizabeth A; Ruth, Brenda M; Bertoni, C Briana; Bartman, Thomas; Keller, Leah A; Dail, James W; Gardikes-Gingery, Renee; Shepherd, Edward G

2016-10-01

Skin injuries are common among neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) patients and may lead to significant complications. Standardized methods of preventing, detecting, and treating skin injuries are needed. The aim of this project was to standardize the assessment, documentation, and tracking of skin injuries among hospitalized neonatal patients and to determine the incidence of pressure ulcers in this patient population. (1) Creation of an interdisciplinary skin team to identify skin injuries through weekly skin rounds. (2) Assessment of all patients at least twice daily for the presence of skin injuries. Interventions were implemented upon identification of a skin injury. Pressure ulcers of Stage II or more were further assessed by wound/ostomy nurses. A total of 2299 NICU patients were hospitalized and assessed between July 2011 and December 2015. After the initiation of skin rounds, the baseline incidence of pressure ulcers increased from 0.49 per 1000 patient days to 4.6 per 1000 patient days, reflecting an improvement in detection and reporting. The most common skin injuries detected included erythema, skin tears, and ecchymosis; the most common cause of injuries was medical devices. A dedicated skin team can improve the detection and reporting of skin injuries among NICU patients. Determination of the incidence of pressure ulcers in this population is critical to develop targeted interventions. Further research is needed to determine the most effective interventions to prevent and treat skin injuries among hospitalized neonates.

General fuel cell hybrid synergies and hybrid system testing status

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Winkler, Wolfgang; Nehter, Pedro; Williams, Mark C.; Tucker, David; Gemmen, Randy

FCT hybrid power systems offer the highest efficiency and the cleanest emissions of all fossil fuelled power. The engineering for the highest possible efficiency at lowest cost and weight depends on general system architecture issues and the performance of the components. Presented in this paper are system studies which provide direction for the most efficient path toward achieving the most beneficial result for this technology. Ultimately, fuel cell-turbine (FCT) hybrid systems applicable to integrated gasification combined cycle power systems will form the basis for reaching the goals for advanced coal-based power generation. The FCT hybrid power island will also be important for the FutureGen plant and will provide new options for carbon dioxide capture and sequestration as well as power and hydrogen generation. The system studies presented in this paper provide insight to current technology 'benchmarks' versus expected benefits from hybrid applications. Discussion is also presented on the effects of different balance of plant arrangements and approaches. Finally, we discuss the status of US DOE is sponsored projects that are looking to help understand the unique requirements for these systems. One of these projects, Hyper, will provide information on FCT dynamics and will help identify technical needs and opportunities for cycle advancement. The methods studied show promise for effective control of a hybrid system without the direct intervention of isolation valves or check valves in the main pressure loop of the system, which introduce substantial pressure losses, allowing for realization of the full potential efficiency of the hybrid system.

21 CFR 184.1065 - Linoleic acid.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... various methods including hydrolysis and saponification, the Twitchell method, low pressure splitting with catalyst, continuous high pressure counter current splitting, and medium pressure autoclave splitting with...

Extended duration orbiter medical project variability of blood pressure and heart rate (STS-50/USML-1)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fritsch-Yelle, Janice M.; Charles, John B.; Boettcher, Sheila W.

1994-01-01

Decreases in arterial baroreflex function after space flight may be related to changes in blood pressure and heart rate patterns during flight. Ambulatory blood pressure and heart rate were measured for 24 hours, in fourteen astronauts on two occasions before flight, two to three occasions in flight, and 2 days after landing on Shuttle missions lasting 4 to 14 days. Blood pressure and heart rate were recorded every 20minutes during awake periods and every 30 minutes during sleep. In pre- and postflight studies, the 24-hour ambulatory measurements were followed by studies of carotid baroreceptor-cardiac reflex responses. Carotid baroreceptors were stimulated using a sequence of neck pressure and suction from +40 to -65 mmHg.

Single-stage, low-noise, advanced technology fan. Volume 4: Fan aerodynamics. Section 1: Results and analysis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sullivan, T. J.; Silverman, I.; Little, D. R.

1977-01-01

Test results at design speed show fan total pressure ratio, weight flow, and adiabatic efficiency to be 2.2, 2.9, and 1.8% lower than design goal values. The hybrid acoustic inlet (which utilizes a high throat Mach number and acoustic wall treatment for noise suppression) demonstrated total pressure recoveries of 98.9% and 98.2% at takeoff and approach. Exhaust duct pressure losses differed between the hardwall duct and treated duct with splitter by about 0.6% to 2.0% in terms of fan exit average total pressure (depending on operating condition). When the measured results were used to estimate pressure losses, a cruise sfc penalty of 0.68%, due to the acoustically treated duct, was projected.

Preliminary Study on GF/Carbon/Epoxy Composite Permeability in Designing Close Compartment Processing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ya’acob, A. M.; Razali, D. A.; Anwar, U. A.; Radhi, A. H.; Ishak, A. A.; Minhat, M.; Aris, K. D. Mohd; Johari, M. K.; Casey, T.

2018-05-01

This project involves discovering how the permeability effect inside a close compartment in processing. After the appropriate pressure range was found, the close compartment was designed by studying the relationship between pressure output and the flow rate. A variety of pressure ranges have been used in this test to determine the effective pressure range that can be applied to the manufacturing process. Based on the results, the suitable pressure ranges were found between 55 psi to 75 psi. These pressures have been chosen based on the area covered on the product surfaces and time taken to penetrate the proposed area. The relationship between pressure and flow rate have been found to be directly proportional until 75 psi only. In conclusion, 70 psi for the proposed design of close compartment mould is suitable to be used to fulfill the required area of 120 mm square within 90 seconds.

Flat-plate solar array project. Task 1: Silicon material. Investigation of the hydrochlorination of SiC14

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mui, J. Y. P.

1982-01-01

A two inch diameter stainless steel reactor was designed and built to operate at pressures up to 500 psig for the experimental studies on the hydrochlorination of SiCl4 and metallurgical grade (m.g.) silicon metal to SiHCl3. In order to clearly see the effect of pressure, the experiments were carried out at low reactor pressures of 73 psig and 150 psig, respectively. A large pressure effect on the hydrochlorination reaction was observed between the results of the low pressure experiments and the results of the high pressure experiments. In general, higher pressure produces a higher conversion of SiHCl3, but at a lower reaction rate. The effect of temperature on the reaction rate was studied at 73 psig. Higher reaction temperature gave a higher conversion and a higher reaction rate. Samples of the materials used to construct the hydrochlorination reactor were prepared for corrosion tests.

Reconstruction of an acoustic pressure field in a resonance tube by particle image velocimetry.

PubMed

Kuzuu, K; Hasegawa, S

2015-11-01

A technique for estimating an acoustic field in a resonance tube is suggested. The estimation of an acoustic field in a resonance tube is important for the development of the thermoacoustic engine, and can be conducted employing two sensors to measure pressure. While this measurement technique is known as the two-sensor method, care needs to be taken with the location of pressure sensors when conducting pressure measurements. In the present study, particle image velocimetry (PIV) is employed instead of a pressure measurement by a sensor, and two-dimensional velocity vector images are extracted as sequential data from only a one- time recording made by a video camera of PIV. The spatial velocity amplitude is obtained from those images, and a pressure distribution is calculated from velocity amplitudes at two points by extending the equations derived for the two-sensor method. By means of this method, problems relating to the locations and calibrations of multiple pressure sensors are avoided. Furthermore, to verify the accuracy of the present method, the experiments are conducted employing the conventional two-sensor method and laser Doppler velocimetry (LDV). Then, results by the proposed method are compared with those obtained with the two-sensor method and LDV.