uranate group ataque: Topics by Science.gov

Sample records for uranate group ataque

Ataque de nervios and panic disorder.

PubMed

Liebowitz, M R; Salmán, E; Jusino, C M; Garfinkel, R; Street, L; Cárdenas, D L; Silvestre, J; Fyer, A J; Carrasco, J L; Davies, S

1994-06-01

Ataque de nervios ("attack of nerves") is an illness category used frequently by Hispanic individuals to describe one or more particular symptom complexes. A review of the literature on ataque suggested some overlap with panic disorder. This study investigated the overlap with panic disorder as well as other DSM-III-R axis I disorders. Hispanic subjects seeking treatment at an anxiety disorders clinic (N = 156) were assessed with a specially designed questionnaire for self-report of ataque de nervios and panic symptoms and with structured or semistructured psychiatric interviews for axis I disorders. Seventy percent of the subjects reported at least one ataque de nervios; 80% of these were female, whereas 57% of the group without these attacks were female. There were no differences in DSM-III-R diagnoses between the groups with and without ataque de nervios. Ataque was frequently associated with one or more anxiety and affective disorders, including panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, recurrent major depression, and anxiety not otherwise specified. Of the 45 subjects with both ataque de nervios and primary panic disorder, 80% appeared to have labeled panic disorder as ataque. Ataque de nervios was associated with panic symptoms even in subjects without panic disorder, but the self-reporting of ataque conveyed additional clinical information about the subjects with panic disorder. Ataque de nervios was similar in frequency and symptoms among subjects of Dominican and Puerto Rican origin. Ataque de nervios overlaps with panic disorder but is a more inclusive construct. Further study of its interrelation with axis I disorders is needed.
Ataque de nervios: relationship to anxiety sensitivity and dissociation predisposition.

PubMed

Hinton, Devon E; Chong, Roberto; Pollack, Mark H; Barlow, David H; McNally, Richard J

2008-01-01

We investigated the relative importance of "fear of arousal symptoms" (i.e., anxiety sensitivity) and "dissociation tendency" in generating ataque de nervios. Puerto Rican patients attending an outpatient psychiatric clinic were assessed for ataque de nervios frequency in the previous month, and they completed the Anxiety Sensitivity Index (ASI) and the Dissociation Experiences Scale (DES). ASI scores were especially high in the ataque-positive group (M=41.6, SD=12.8) as compared with the ataque-negative group (M=27.2, SD=11.7), t(2, 68)=4.6, P<.001. Among the whole sample (N=70), in a logistic regression analysis, the ASI significantly predicted (odds ratio=2.6) the presence of ataque de nervios, but the DES did not. In a linear regression analysis, ataque severity was significantly predicted by both the ASI (beta=.46) and the DES (beta=.29). The theoretical and clinical implications of the strong relationship of the ASI to ataque severity are discussed.
Dissociation, childhood trauma, and ataque de nervios among Puerto Rican psychiatric outpatients.

PubMed

Lewis-Fernández, Roberto; Garrido-Castillo, Pedro; Bennasar, Mari Carmen; Parrilla, Elsie M; Laria, Amaro J; Ma, Guoguang; Petkova, Eva

2002-09-01

This study examined the relationships of dissociation and childhood trauma with ataque de nervios. Forty Puerto Rican psychiatric outpatients were evaluated for frequency of ataque de nervios, dissociative symptoms, exposure to trauma, and mood and anxiety psychopathology. Blind conditions were maintained across assessments. Data for 29 female patients were analyzed. Among these 29 patients, clinician-rated dissociative symptoms increased with frequency of ataque de nervios. Dissociative Experiences Scale scores and diagnoses of panic disorder and dissociative disorders were also associated with ataque frequency, before corrections were made for multiple comparisons. The rate of childhood trauma was uniformly high among the patients and showed no relationship to dissociative symptoms and disorder or number of ataques. Frequent ataques de nervios may, in part, be a marker for psychiatric disorders characterized by dissociative symptoms. Childhood trauma per se did not account for ataque status in this group of female outpatients.
Are ataques de nervios in Puerto Rican children associated with psychiatric disorder?

PubMed

Guarnaccia, Peter J; Martinez, Igda; Ramirez, Rafael; Canino, Glorisa

2005-11-01

To provide the first empirical analysis of a cultural syndrome in children by examining the prevalence and psychiatric correlates of ataques de nervios in an epidemiological study of the mental health of children in Puerto Rico. Probability samples of caretakers of children 4-17 years old in the community (N = 1,892; response rate: 90%) and in clinical services (N = 761; response rate 72%) were administered structured interviews to assess the presence and correlates of ataques de nervios. Nine percent of children in the community sample and 26% of children in the clinical sample had a reported history of an ataque de nervios. In contrast to the overall community and clinical samples, which had more boys in them, the ataque de nervios groups in both samples had more girls in them. Family history of ataques de nervios was associated with ataques de nervios in children in both samples. Across a wide range of depression, anxiety, and disruptive disorders, children who reported an ataque de nervios were more likely to meet research criteria for psychiatric disorder in both samples. Ataques de nervios are a frequently reported cultural syndrome among children in Puerto Rico. Adolescent girls are more likely to report this experience. Ataques de nervios have a significant relationship with psychiatric disorder and impairment in Puerto Rican children.
The relationship between ataque de nervios and unexplained neurological symptoms: a preliminary analysis.

PubMed

Interian, Alejandro; Guarnaccia, Peter J; Vega, William A; Gara, Michael A; Like, Robert C; Escobar, Javier I; Díaz-Martínez, Angélica M

2005-01-01

Within somatization, unexplained neurological symptoms (UNSs) have been shown to mark a distinct subgroup with greater clinical severity. However, some UNSs resemble ataque de nervios somatic symptoms. This raises questions about cultural factors related to Hispanics with somatization characterized by UNSs. To examine cultural factors, preliminary analyses examined the relationship between Hispanic ethnicity, UNSs, and ataque de nervios. Data were obtained from 127 primary care patients (95 Hispanic, 32 European American) with somatization. The Composite International Diagnostic Interview provided somatization data, whereas the Primary Care Evaluation of Mental Disorders was used for data on Axis I disorders. Ataque de nervios was assessed via a proxy measure. Within each ethnic group, cross-tabs examined the relationship between ataque de nervios and multiple UNSs, and ataque de nervios and selected Axis I disorders. Only among Hispanics, a significant overlap was found between ataque de nervios and having four or more UNSs (p < .001), and ataque de nervios and a diagnosis of panic disorder (p = .05). Although equal percentages of European Americans and Hispanics experience multiple UNSs, these results show that the presentation of UNSs among some Hispanics may be qualitatively different, because it may involve features related to ataque de nervios. A diagnosis of panic disorder also appears to interact with cultural factors.
ATAQUE DE NERVIOS AS A MARKER OF SOCIAL AND PSYCHIATRIC VULNERABILITY: RESULTS FROM THE NLAAS

PubMed Central

Guarnaccia, Peter J.; Lewis-Fernandez, Roberto; Pincay, Igda Martinez; Shrout, Patrick; Guo, Jing; Torres, Maria; Canino, Glorisa; Alegria, Margarita

2009-01-01

Background This article presents the first epidemiological portrait of ataques de nervios among Latinos in the mainland United States. Much of the previous literature has focused on Puerto Ricans in Puerto Rico and New York City. Aims This study examines the social and psychiatric correlates of ataque de nervios in a nationally representative sample of Latinos in the United States. Methods This study employs data from the Latino sample [N=2554] of the National Latino and Asian American Study. Analyses examined the associations between ataques de nervios and a range of social and migration variables, as well as psychiatric diagnoses and measures of mental health need. Results Ataques de nervios were reported by 7 to 15% of the different Latino groups, with Puerto Ricans reporting the highest frequency. Ataques de nervios were more frequent in women, those with disrupted marital status, and those more acculturated the U.S. The frequency of those who met criteria for affective, anxiety and substance abuse disorders was higher among those reporting an ataque de nervios. Conclusions Ataque de nervios can serve as an important indicator of social and psychiatric vulnerability in future epidemiological and clinical studies with Latino populations. PMID:19592438
Ataque de nervios as a marker of social and psychiatric vulnerability: results from the NLAAS.

PubMed

Guarnaccia, Peter J; Lewis-Fernandez, Roberto; Martinez Pincay, Igda; Shrout, Patrick; Guo, Jing; Torres, Maria; Canino, Glorisa; Alegria, Margarita

2010-05-01

This article presents the fi rst epidemiological portrait of ataques de nervios among Latinos in the mainland United States. Much of the previous literature has focused on Puerto Ricans in Puerto Rico and New York City. This study examines the social and psychiatric correlates of ataque de nervios in a nationally representative sample of Latinos in the United States. This study employs data from the Latino sample (N = 2554) of the National Latino and Asian American Study (NLAAS). Analyses examined the associations between ataques de nervios and a range of social and migration variables, as well as psychiatric diagnoses and measures of mental health need. Ataques de nervios were reported by 7-15% of the different Latino groups, with Puerto Ricans reporting the highest frequency. Ataques de nervios were more frequent in women, those with disrupted marital status, and those more acculturated to the US. The frequency of those who met criteria for affective, anxiety and substance abuse disorders was higher among those reporting an ataque de nervios. Ataque de nervios can serve as an important indicator of social and psychiatric vulnerability in future epidemiological and clinical studies with Latino populations.
Ataques de nervios in relation to anxiety sensitivity among island Puerto Ricans.

PubMed

Cintrón, Jennifer A; Carter, Michele M; Sbrocco, Tracy

2005-12-01

This study investigated the symptom profile of ataques de nervios (ADN) among Puerto Rican volunteers from the community who self-identified as having experienced at least one ataque. As expected, the most commonly reported ataques-specific symptoms were crying, anger, nervousness, and becoming hysterical. Comparing the responses of those with ADN to those with no history of ADN but who reported elevated anxiety sensitivity (AS) indicated that both groups were comparable on measures of depression, state and trait anxiety, and associated panic symptoms. As expected, both groups scored significantly higher on all measures than did participants with no history of ADN and low AS with the exception of the measure of state anxiety. It is unclear, however, whether the overlap in symptom severity between those with ADN and those with elevated anxiety sensitivity indicates that ADN and AS are the same or distinct conditions.
Comparative phenomenology of ataques de nervios, panic attacks, and panic disorder.

PubMed

Lewis-Fernández, Roberto; Guarnaccia, Peter J; Martínez, Igda E; Salmán, Ester; Schmidt, Andrew; Liebowitz, Michael

2002-06-01

This article examines a clinical sample of 66 Dominican and Puerto Rican subjects who reported ataques de nervios and also psychiatric disorder, and disentangles the phenomenological experiences of ataque de nervios, panic attacks, and panic disorder. In-depth cultural interviews assessed the symptomatic phenomenology of ataque episodes from the local perspective as well as in terms of key panic features, such as recurrence, rapid peaking of symptoms, and lack of provocation. Independent diagnostic assessments of panic attacks and disorder were also used to establish the phenomenological overlap between ataque and panic. Our findings indicate that 36 percent of ataques de nervios fulfill criteria for panic attacks and between 17 percent and 33 percent for panic disorder, depending on the overlap method used. The main features distinguishing ataques that fulfill panic criteria from ataques that do not include whether the episodes were provoked by an upsetting event in the person's life and the rapidity of crescendo of the actual attack. A key finding is that ataques often share individual phenomenological features with panic episodes, but that these features usually do not "run together" during the ataque experience. This confirms previous findings that ataque is a more inclusive construct than panic disorder. The importance of these findings for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of persons with ataques is discussed.
Subtypes of ataques de nervios: the influence of coexisting psychiatric diagnosis.

PubMed

Salmán, E; Liebowitz, M R; Guarnaccia, P J; Jusino, C M; Garfinkel, R; Street, L; Cárdenas, D L; Silvestre, J; Fyer, A J; Carrasco, J L; Davies, S O; Klein, D F

1998-06-01

The current study assesses the relationship between presenting symptomatology of the self-labeled Hispanic popular diagnosis of ataques de nervios and the specific co-morbid psychiatric diagnoses. Hispanic subjects seeking treatment at an anxiety disorders clinic (n = 156) were assessed with a specially designed self-report instrument for both traditional ataque de nervios and panic symptoms, and with structured or semistructured psychiatric interviews for Axis-I disorders. This report focuses on 102 subjects with ataque de nervios who also met criteria for panic disorder, other anxiety disorders, or an affective disorder. Distinct ataque symptom patterns correlated with co-existing panic disorder, affective disorders, or other anxiety disorders. Individuals with both ataque and panic disorder reported the most asphyxia, fear of dying, and increased fear during their ataques. People with ataques who also met criteria for affective disorder reported the most anger, screaming, becoming aggressive, and breaking things during ataques. Ataque positive subjects with other anxiety disorders were less salient for both panic-like and emotional-anger symptoms. The findings suggest that (a) ataque de nervios is a popular label referring to several distinct patterns of loss of emotional control, (b) the type of loss of emotional control is influenced by the associated psychiatric disorder, and (c) ataque symptom patterns may be a useful clinical marker for detecting psychiatric disorders. Further study is needed to examine the relationship between ataque de nervios and psychiatric disorders, as well as the relationship to cultural, demographic, environmental, and personality factors.
Ataques de nervios and somatic complaints among island and mainland Puerto Rican children.

PubMed

Lopez, Irene; Ramirez, Rafael; Guarnaccia, Peter; Canino, Glorisa; Bird, Hector

2011-06-01

Previous research has documented the association between the Latino cultural idiom of distress, ataques de nervios (i.e., "attacks of nerves"), and unexplained neurological symptoms among adults. However, the associations between ataques and somatic complaints in children have not been sufficiently explored. In this study, we assessed the relation between this anxiety-related experience, henceforth ataques, and somatic complaints in a probability sample of Puerto Rican youth, ages 5-13 years, living in San Juan, Puerto Rico (N = 1353) and in the South Bronx, New York (N = 1138). When both sites were combined, children with ataques were significantly more likely to have either a lifetime prevalence of asthma or headaches, and tended to have more stomach aches and a history of epilepsy or seizure than children without ataques. Further within site analyses showed a similar patterning of complaints for the South Bronx sample as for the combined sample. However, children in San Juan with ataques were only slightly more likely to experience headaches, and at risk for injury, than those without ataques. In addition, comparisons between ataque sufferers across sites indicated that children in San Juan with ataques were at elevated risk for serious illness or injury in comparison to those in the South Bronx with ataques. Ataques are significantly associated with a wide range of physical complaints in Puerto Rican youth. However, their pattern of associations differs by context. © 2010 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
The multiple meanings of ataques de nervios in the Latino community.

PubMed

Guarnaccia, P J; DeLaCancela, V; Carrillo, E

1989-05-01

Ataques de nervios ("attacks of nerves") have been discussed in the psychiatric and anthropological literature for over thirty years. The early psychiatric articles focused on the pathology expressed by the ataque. More recent articles by anthropologists and Latino mental health professionals have reconceptualized the ataque through understanding its cultural meaning and the social factors which provoke an ataque de nervios. This article is a contribution to this reinterpretation of the ataque de nervios among Latinos. Through a series of case studies, we argue that the ataque is an expression of anger and grief resulting from the disruption of family systems, the process of migration, and concerns about family members in peoples' countries of origin.
Ataques de Nervios and their psychiatric correlates in Puerto Rican children from two different contexts.

PubMed

López, Irene; Rivera, Fernando; Ramirez, Rafael; Guarnaccia, Peter J; Canino, Glorisa; Bird, Héctor R

2009-12-01

Among Latino adults and children, ataques de nervios has been associated with an array of psychiatric disorders. Using data from a probability sample of Puerto Rican children, aged 5 to 13 years (N = 2491), we assessed the lifetime prevalence and psychiatric correlates of ataques in youth residing in the South Bronx, New York and San Juan, Puerto Rico. Baseline site comparisons indicated that between 4% and 5% of children had a lifetime prevalence of ataques (either by child or parent report) and that ataques were associated with greater global impairment and a host of childhood disorders within the previous twelve months. Ataques were also correlated with greater exposure to violence, as well as more stressful life events for the South Bronx sample. After controlling for several covariates, ataques continued to be significantly associated with psychopathology. Ataques are, therefore, a significant correlate of global impairment and childhood psychopathology among Puerto Rican youth.
Ataque de nervios and history of childhood trauma.

PubMed

Schechter, D S; Marshall, R; Salmán, E; Goetz, D; Davies, S; Liebowitz, M R

2000-07-01

Ataque de nervios is a common, self-labeled Hispanic folk diagnosis. It typically describes episodic, dramatic outbursts of negative emotion in response to a stressor, sometimes involving destructive behavior. Dissociation and affective dysregulation during such episodes suggested a link to childhood trauma. We therefore assessed psychiatric diagnoses, history of ataque, and childhood trauma in treatment-seeking Hispanic outpatients (N = 70). Significantly more subjects with an anxiety or affective disorder plus ataque reported a history of physical abuse, sexual abuse, and/or or a substance-abusing caretaker than those with psychiatric disorder but no ataque. In some Hispanic individuals, ataque may represent a culturally sanctioned expression of extreme affect dysregulation associated with childhood trauma. Patients with ataque de nervios should receive a thorough traumatic history assessment.
A review of the high temperature oxidation of uranium oxides in molten salts and in the solid state to form alkali metal uranates, and their composition and properties

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Griffiths, Trevor R.; Volkovich, Vladimir A.

An extensive review of the literature on the high temperature reactions (both in melts and in the solid state) of uranium oxides (UO 2, U 3O 8 and UO 3) resulting in the formation of insoluble alkali metal (Li to Cs) uranates is presented. Their uranate(VI) and uranate(V) compounds are examined, together with mixed and oxygen-deficient uranates. The reactions of uranium oxides with carbonates, oxides, per- and superoxides, chlorides, sulfates, nitrates and nitrites under both oxidising and non-oxidising conditions are critically examined and systematised, and the established compositions of a range of uranate(VI) and (V) compounds formed are discussed. Alkali metal uranates(VI) are examined in detail and their structural, physical, thermodynamic and spectroscopic properties considered. Chemical properties of alkali metal uranates(VI), including various methods for their reduction, are also reported. Errors in the current theoretical treatment of uranate(VI) spectra are identified and the need to develop routes for the preparation of single crystals is stressed.
A model of the generation of ataque de nervios: the role of fear of negative affect and fear of arousal symptoms.

PubMed

Hinton, Devon E; Lewis-Fernández, Roberto; Pollack, Mark H

2009-01-01

This article examines a model of the generation of ataque de nervios, according to which both fear of negative affectivity and fear of arousal symptoms are associated with the emergence of ataques. We examine the relationship of fear of negative affectivity and fear of arousal to the severity of ataque de nervios during the last month and the last 6 months among Caribbean Latinos residing in the United States. The measures include a Fear of Anger Scale and the Anxiety Sensitivity Index (ASI), the ASI augmented with two items that assess fear of arousal symptoms common in ataques: chest tightness and a sense of inner heat. In keeping with the model of ataque generation, one-way analysis of variances (ANOVAs) and discriminant function analyses illustrated that items assessing "fear of negative affect" and "fear of somatic and psychological symptoms of arousal" both differentiated well among the levels of ataque severity. In addition, key ataque symptoms-mental incapacitation fears, shakiness, chest tightness, palpitations, and a sense of inner heat-were the best discriminators among levels of ataque severity. In patients with severe ataques, the scores of "fear of negative affect" and "fear of ataque-de-nervios-type somatic and psychological symptoms" were extremely elevated. This further suggests that both these types of fears are associated with this idiom of distress and that the specific content of the fears is linked to the symptom picture of the idiom. This suggests specific therapeutic targets for the treatment of ataque, namely, the reduction of anxiety sensitivity (and more generally negative-emotion and arousal sensitivity) using cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), relaxation, and mindfulness techniques.
Ataques de nervios in Puerto Rico: culture-bound syndrome or popular illness?

PubMed

Guarnaccia, P J

1993-04-01

Ataque de nervious is a popular illness category among Puerto Ricans and other Latinos written about in anthropological and psychiatric literature for over thirty years. This paper discusses the issue of categorizing ataque de nervios as a "culture-bound syndrome" using data from the first community-based study of this phenomena using epidemiological methods. The paper summarizes the social and psychological correlates of ataques de nervios and provides a preliminary overview of the situations which provoke ataques and the symptoms people experience. The paper critically examines the use of the "culture-bound syndrome" framework analyzing ataques de nervios and suggests that the term "popular illness" is a more effective label for categorizing this syndrome.
The Role of Peers in the Relation between Hurricane Exposure and Ataques de Nervios among Puerto Rican Adolescents.

PubMed

Rubens, Sonia L; Felix, Erika D; Vernberg, Eric M; Canino, Glorisa

2014-11-01

Although a relation between disaster exposure and ataques de nervios ( ataques ) has been established in adult samples, little is known about this among youth, including factors that may moderate this relation. This study examined the role of the peer context in the relation between exposure to Hurricane Georges and experiencing a past year and lifetime ataques among a representative community sample of 905 youth (N = 476 boys and 429 girls; ages 11-18) residing in Puerto Rico. Data were gathered from 1999-2000 in Puerto Rico, 12-27 months following Hurricane Georges. Logistic regression analyses found that peer violence significantly predicted experiencing an ataque in the past year. Hurricane exposure and peer violence were both significant predictors of a lifetime experience of an ataque . An interaction was found between hurricane exposure and peer violence, indicating that hurricane exposure was significantly related to a lifetime experience of an ataque among adolescents who do not report associating with violent peers. For participants reporting high levels of peer violence, hurricane exposure did not add additional risk for a lifetime experience of an ataque . Understanding the influence of peers in the relation between hurricane exposure and experiencing an ataque may assist in planning developmentally and culturally sensitive response plans.
The Role of Peers in the Relation between Hurricane Exposure and Ataques de Nervios among Puerto Rican Adolescents

PubMed Central

Rubens, Sonia L.; Felix, Erika D.; Vernberg, Eric M.; Canino, Glorisa

2014-01-01

Although a relation between disaster exposure and ataques de nervios (ataques) has been established in adult samples, little is known about this among youth, including factors that may moderate this relation. This study examined the role of the peer context in the relation between exposure to Hurricane Georges and experiencing a past year and lifetime ataques among a representative community sample of 905 youth (N = 476 boys and 429 girls; ages 11–18) residing in Puerto Rico. Data were gathered from 1999–2000 in Puerto Rico, 12–27 months following Hurricane Georges. Logistic regression analyses found that peer violence significantly predicted experiencing an ataque in the past year. Hurricane exposure and peer violence were both significant predictors of a lifetime experience of an ataque. An interaction was found between hurricane exposure and peer violence, indicating that hurricane exposure was significantly related to a lifetime experience of an ataque among adolescents who do not report associating with violent peers. For participants reporting high levels of peer violence, hurricane exposure did not add additional risk for a lifetime experience of an ataque. Understanding the influence of peers in the relation between hurricane exposure and experiencing an ataque may assist in planning developmentally and culturally sensitive response plans. PMID:25436037
The prevalence of ataques de nervios in the Puerto Rico disaster study. The role of culture in psychiatric epidemiology.

PubMed

Guarnaccia, P J; Canino, G; Rubio-Stipec, M; Bravo, M

1993-03-01

This paper presents one of the few epidemiological studies of a popular category of distress, ataques de nervios (attacks of nerves), in the cross-cultural psychiatric literature. As part of a major study of the psychological consequences of the 1985 floods and mudslides which caused considerable damage and death in Puerto Rico, a question was added to the Diagnostic Interview Schedule/Disaster Supplement concerning ataques de nervios. This additional item provided the opportunity to carry out the first study of this important Puerto Rican popular category of distress using a representative, community-based sample. This paper addresses several key questions about ataques de nervios which come from previous psychiatric and anthropological literatures concerning the social correlates of who experiences an ataque de nervios and the relationship of ataques to social distress and psychiatric disorder. People who reported an ataque de nervios were more likely to be female, older, less educated, and formerly married. They were also more likely to meet criteria for anxiety and depressive disorders than those who had not experienced an ataque. The picture that emerges from our analyses is that those who suffer from a combination of social disadvantage, psychiatric disorder, and poor perceived health are more likely to experience an ataque de nervios.

Cross-cultural study of idioms of distress among Spanish nationals and Hispanic American migrants: susto, nervios and ataque de nervios.

PubMed

Durà-Vilà, Glòria; Hodes, Matthew

2012-10-01

Susto (fright), nervios (nerves) and ataque de nervios (attack of nerves) are idioms of distress widely experienced amongst Hispanic Americans, often associated with psychiatric disorders. This study explores understanding of these idioms of distress and attitudes to help seeking amongst indigenous Spanish and Hispanic American residents in Spain. A population survey was undertaken in four adult education centres in Spain. Hypothetical case vignettes of individuals suffering from the idioms of distress were used to investigate understanding and help seeking by a Spanish sample compared with Hispanic American migrants to Spain. 350 questionnaires were obtained (94.6% response rate). The idioms ataque de nervios and nervios were recognised by the majority of the Spanish group but by significantly more of the Hispanic American migrants. However, susto was infrequently recognised by the Spanish group but it was recognised by half of the Hispanic Americans. Hispanic Americans were also more likely to recommend consultation with a psychiatrist/psychologist than Spanish respondents for ataque de nervios and nervios. The Spanish group were more likely to recommend non-medical sources of support such as relatives and priest than Hispanic Americans. Hispanic Americans, more recently arrived, did not show greater recognition of the three idioms than those who have been in Spain longer. Regression analysis showed that being Hispanic American and having lower educational attainment was associated with greater use of susto. The study suggests that people hold multiple models of distress and disorder. This may influence clinical presentations and help seeking behaviour in Spanish as well as Hispanic American populations.
A Quantitative Analysis of "Ataque de Nervios" in Puerto Rico: Further Examination of a Cultural Syndrome

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Febo San Miguel, Vivian E.; Guarnaccia, Peter J.; Shrout, Patrick E.; Lewis-Fernandez, Roberto; Canino, Glorisa J.; Ramirez, Rafael R.

2006-01-01

The authors present a quantitative analysis and assessment of the symptoms of "ataque de nervios." A sample of 121 individuals living in Puerto Rico provided qualitative and structured data on "ataques de nervios" and psychiatric correlates. A total of 77 participants reported having an "ataque de nervios" during…
The experiences of ataques de nervios: towards an anthropology of emotions in Puerto Rico.

PubMed

Guarnaccia, P J; Rivera, M; Franco, F; Neighbors, C

1996-09-01

Ataques de nervios are an idiom of distress used by Puerto Ricans and other Latinos to express dislocations in the social world of the family. This paper contributes to the growing study of the "anthropology of the emotions". Through detailed interviews with 121 people in Puerto Rico, 78 of whom had had an ataque de nervios, we are developing a thick description of both the prototypical models for ataques de nervios and the varied individual experiences of ataques. The interview used in this study is a version of the Explanatory Model Interview Catalogue specifically adapted for use in a community study of ataques de nervios in Puerto Rico. Responses to questions on the experience of ataque de nervios were analyzed using a team of reviewers who represented differing knowledge and experience with Puerto Rican culture and mental health practice. The experience of ataques de nervios involves a loss of control in several important domains of experience: emotional expressions, bodily sensations, action dimensions and alterations in consciousness. That loss of control is closely linked to important social contexts relating to major life problems and the experience of suffering.
Corn Yield and Soil Nitrous Oxide Emission under Different Fertilizer and Soil Management: A Three-Year Field Experiment in Middle Tennessee.

PubMed

Deng, Qi; Hui, Dafeng; Wang, Junming; Iwuozo, Stephen; Yu, Chih-Li; Jima, Tigist; Smart, David; Reddy, Chandra; Dennis, Sam

2015-01-01

A three-year field experiment was conducted to examine the responses of corn yield and soil nitrous oxide (N2O) emission to various management practices in middle Tennessee. The management practices include no-tillage + regular applications of urea ammonium nitrate (NT-URAN); no-tillage + regular applications of URAN + denitrification inhibitor (NT-inhibitor); no-tillage + regular applications of URAN + biochar (NT-biochar); no-tillage + 20% applications of URAN + chicken litter (NT-litter), no-tillage + split applications of URAN (NT-split); and conventional tillage + regular applications of URAN as a control (CT-URAN). Fertilizer equivalent to 217 kg N ha(-1) was applied to each of the experimental plots. Results showed that no-tillage (NT-URAN) significantly increased corn yield by 28% over the conventional tillage (CT-URAN) due to soil water conservation. The management practices significantly altered soil N2O emission, with the highest in the CT-URAN (0.48 mg N2O m(-2) h(-1)) and the lowest in the NT-inhibitor (0.20 mg N2O m(-2) h(-1)) and NT-biochar (0.16 mg N2O m(-2) h(-1)) treatments. Significant exponential relationships between soil N2O emission and water filled pore space were revealed in all treatments. However, variations in soil N2O emission among the treatments were positively correlated with the moisture sensitivity of soil N2O emission that likely reflects an interactive effect between soil properties and WFPS. Our results indicated that improved fertilizer and soil management have the potential to maintain highly productive corn yield while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Corn Yield and Soil Nitrous Oxide Emission under Different Fertilizer and Soil Management: A Three-Year Field Experiment in Middle Tennessee

PubMed Central

Deng, Qi; Hui, Dafeng; Wang, Junming; Iwuozo, Stephen; Yu, Chih-Li; Jima, Tigist; Smart, David; Reddy, Chandra; Dennis, Sam

2015-01-01

Background A three-year field experiment was conducted to examine the responses of corn yield and soil nitrous oxide (N2O) emission to various management practices in middle Tennessee. Methodology/Principal Findings The management practices include no-tillage + regular applications of urea ammonium nitrate (NT-URAN); no-tillage + regular applications of URAN + denitrification inhibitor (NT-inhibitor); no-tillage + regular applications of URAN + biochar (NT-biochar); no-tillage + 20% applications of URAN + chicken litter (NT-litter), no-tillage + split applications of URAN (NT-split); and conventional tillage + regular applications of URAN as a control (CT-URAN). Fertilizer equivalent to 217 kg N ha-1 was applied to each of the experimental plots. Results showed that no-tillage (NT-URAN) significantly increased corn yield by 28% over the conventional tillage (CT-URAN) due to soil water conservation. The management practices significantly altered soil N2O emission, with the highest in the CT-URAN (0.48 mg N2O m-2 h-1) and the lowest in the NT-inhibitor (0.20 mg N2O m-2 h-1) and NT-biochar (0.16 mg N2O m-2 h-1) treatments. Significant exponential relationships between soil N2O emission and water filled pore space were revealed in all treatments. However, variations in soil N2O emission among the treatments were positively correlated with the moisture sensitivity of soil N2O emission that likely reflects an interactive effect between soil properties and WFPS. Conclusion/Significance Our results indicated that improved fertilizer and soil management have the potential to maintain highly productive corn yield while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. PMID:25923716
Ataques de nervios in the Puerto Rican Diagnostic Interview Schedule: the impact of cultural categories on psychiatric epidemiology.

PubMed

Guarnaccia, P J; Rubio-Stipec, M; Canino, G

1989-09-01

This paper examines the effect of the cultural category ataques de nervios on responses to the Puerto Rican Diagnostic Interview Schedule (DIS), a Spanish version of structured psychiatric diagnostic interview developed for the NIMH Epidemiologic Catchment Area study. An ataque de nervios scale was created from the Somatization items of the DIS to explore the effect of this culturally meaningful category of distress on responses to a standard psychiatric interview. Analysis of 1,513 cases from a representative sample of the island of Puerto Rico indicated that people reporting ataque symptoms fit the social characteristics described for ataques sufferers in the ethnographic literature. Qualitative data indicated that Puerto Ricans were reporting ataques de nervios in the panic section of the DIS. Questions are raised about the validity of the somatization and panic sections of the DIS in cross-cultural research with Hispanics.
Clinical pitfalls in the diagnosis of ataque de nervios: a case study.

PubMed

Lizardi, Dana; Oquendo, Maria A; Graver, Ruth

2009-09-01

Ataque de nervios (attack of nerves) is an idiom of distress generally thought of in relation to Caribbean Hispanics. The following case study discusses the presentation of ataque de nervios in a Colombian female. This case study provides insight into a different presentation of ataque de nervios in a new population that clinicians should be aware of in order to ensure accurate diagnosis. Ataque de nervios is a distinct syndrome that does not fully correspond with any single DSM-IV diagnosis. However, there is overlap between symptoms in this condition and those in conventional clinical diagnoses. Common problems in deriving an accurate differential diagnosis are discussed. Implications for treatment are also reviewed, with an emphasis on a comprehensive approach to treatment that supports the client's norms and values.
Beaming Structures of Jupiter's Decametric Radiation from LWA1, NDA, and URAN2 Simultaneous Observations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Imai, M.; Lecacheux, A.; Higgins, C. A.; Clarke, T.; Panchenko, M.; Brazhenko, A. I.; Frantsuzenko, A. V.; Konovalenko, A. A.; Imai, K.

2015-12-01

From December 2014 to March 2015, Jupiter's decametric (DAM) radio observations were carried out by using simultaneously three powerful low-frequency radio telescopes: Long Wavelength Array One (LWA1), Socorro, USA; Nançay Decameter Array (NDA), Nançay, France; and URAN2 telescope, Poltava, Ukraine. Baselines are 10000, 8600, and 2400 kilometers for LWA1-URAN2, NDA-LWA1, and URAN2-NDA, respectively. One Io-B and two Io-A emissions were simultaneously observed. Using cross-correlation analysis of obtained spectrograms, it was found that, as a function of lag time in a pair of two stations, Io-B (mainly S-bursts) and Io-A (L-bursts) show different kinds of cross-correlation coefficients, with sharp and broad peaks, respectively. By measuring lag times between LWA1-URAN2, NDA-LWA1, and URAN2-NDA pairs, it can be tested if either flashlight- or beacon-like beaming is emanated from Jupiter. Measurements of beaming width are also analyzed. Most probable beaming scenarios for Io-B and -A events are suggested.
Selective recovery of uranium from Ca-Mg uranates by chlorination

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pomiro, Federico J.; Gaviría, Juan P.; Quinteros, Raúl D.; Bohé, Ana E.

2017-07-01

A chlorination process is proposed for the uranium extraction and separation using Calciumsbnd Magnesium uranates such as starting reactants which were obtained by precipitation from uranyl nitrate solutions with calcium hydroxide. The study is based on thermodynamic and reaction analysis using chlorine gas as chlorination agent. The results showed that the chlorination reaction of Ca uranate is more feasible to occur than the Mg uranate. The products obtained after chlorination reactions were washed with deionized water to remove the chlorides produced and analyzed. The XRD patterns of the washed products indicated that the chlorination between 400 and 500 °C result in a single phase of calcium uranate (CaUO4) as reaction product. The formation of U3O8 and MgU3O10 was observed at temperatures between 600 °C and 700 °C for 8 hs. The optimal conditions to recover uranium were 3 l h-1 of chlorine and 10 hs of reaction at 700 °C being U3O8 the single uranium product obtained.
An epidemic of collective conversion and dissociation disorder in an indigenous group of Colombia: its relation to cultural change.

PubMed

Piñeros, M; Rosselli, D; Calderon, C

1998-06-01

We describe a collective episode of psychogenic illness in an indigenous group (Embera) of Colombia, geographically isolated from its native homeland and surrounded by non-indigenous settlers. The condition, which affected three young adult men and six adolescent women, was attributed by them to a spell (maleficio). It was designated as ataques de locura (madness attacks) according to their traditional medical system; and as a conversive disorder with dissociative features by psychiatrists. Different therapeutic approaches, including antipsychotic medication, religious healers and traditional herbal remedies were unsuccessful. Contact with shamans of the same ethnic origin, on the other hand, proved to be an effective way of dealing with the symptoms. We interpret the situation as an expression of psychosocial stress secondary to cultural change. This medical problem bears close resemblance to other specific culture-bound syndromes such as ataques de nervios or possession syndromes and gives clues to ways of dealing with psychogenic expressions of cultural stress.
CONCENTRATION OF Pu USING OXALATE TYPE CARRIER

DOEpatents

Ritter, D.M.; Black, R.P.S.

1960-04-19

A method is given for dissolving and reprecipitating an oxalate carrier precipitate in a carrier precipitation process for separating and recovering plutonium from an aqueous solution. Uranous oxalate, together with plutonium being carried thereby, is dissolved in an aqueous alkaline solution. Suitable alkaline reagents are the carbonates and oxulates of the alkali metals and ammonium. An oxidizing agent selected from hydroxylamine and hydrogen peroxide is then added to the alkaline solution, thereby oxidizing uranium to the hexavalent state. The resulting solution is then acidified and a source of uranous ions provided in the acidified solution, thereby forming a second plutoniumcarrying uranous oxalate precipitate.
Emotionally triggered asthma and its relationship to panic disorder, ataques de nervios, and asthma-related death of a loved one in Latino adults.

PubMed

Vazquez, Karinna; Sandler, Jonathan; Interian, Alejandro; Feldman, Jonathan M

2017-02-01

Research has demonstrated high comorbidity between asthma and panic disorder (PD). Less is known about the relationship between asthma and the Latino cultural idiom of distress of ataques de nervios, as well as the role that psychosocial stressors play. The current study tested the hypotheses that Latino asthma patients who experience PD, ataques de nervios, and/or asthma-related death of a loved one endorse greater psychological triggers of asthma, greater perceived impact of asthma triggers, and greater difficulty controlling such triggers than do those without these conditions. Data originated from an interview conducted prior to a randomized controlled trial in which 292 Latino adults with self-reported asthma were recruited from outpatient clinics in the Bronx, NY. The PRIME-MD Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ) was used to screen for PD symptoms, while the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV (SCID-I) was used to confirm diagnosis of PD. Lifetime history of ataques de nervios and asthma-related death of a loved one were based upon self-report. Asthma triggers were examined using the Asthma Trigger Inventory (ATI). PD, ataques de nervios, and asthma-related death of a loved one each predicted a higher frequency of psychological asthma triggers, controlling for gender and comorbid medical conditions. Participants with PD also reported greater impact of asthma triggers than those without PD, while no significant differences in perceived control were observed. Providers should screen for PD, ataques de nervios, and asthma-related death of a loved one in Latino asthma patients, given their observed association with emotionally triggered asthma. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Emotionally Triggered Asthma and its Relationship to Panic Disorder, Ataques de Nervios, and Asthma-Related Death of a Loved One in Latino Adults

PubMed Central

Vazquez, Karinna; Sandler, Jonathan; Interian, Alejandro; Feldman, Jonathan M.

2016-01-01

Objective Research has demonstrated high comorbidity between asthma and panic disorder (PD). Less is known about the relationship between asthma and the Latino cultural idiom of distress of ataques de nervios, as well as the role that psychosocial stressors play. The current study tested the hypotheses that Latino asthma patients who experience PD, ataques de nervios, and/or asthma-related death of a loved one endorse greater psychological triggers of asthma, greater perceived impact of asthma triggers, and greater difficulty controlling such triggers than do those without these conditions. Methods Data originated from an interview conducted prior to a randomized controlled trial in which 292 Latino adults with self-reported asthma were recruited from outpatient clinics in the Bronx, NY. The PRIME-MD Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ) was used to screen for PD symptoms, while the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV (SCID-I) was used to confirm diagnosis of PD. Lifetime history of ataques de nervios and asthma-related death of a loved one were based upon self-report. Asthma triggers were examined using the Asthma Trigger Inventory (ATI). Results PD, ataques de nervios, and asthma-related death of a loved one each predicted a higher frequency of psychological asthma triggers, controlling for gender and comorbid medical conditions. Participants with PD also reported greater impact of asthma triggers than those without PD, while no significant differences in perceived control were observed. Conclusion Providers should screen for PD, ataques de nervios, and asthma-related death of a loved one in Latino asthma patients, given their observed association with emotionally triggered asthma. PMID:28107897
Method for the recovery of uranium values from uranium tetrafluoride

DOEpatents

Kreuzmann, Alvin B.

1983-01-01

The invention is a novel method for the recovery of uranium from dry, particulate uranium tetrafluoride. In one aspect, the invention comprises reacting particulate uranium tetrafluoride and calcium oxide in the presence of gaseous oxygen to effect formation of the corresponding alkaline earth metal uranate and alkaline earth metal fluoride. The product uranate is highly soluble in various acidic solutions wherein the product fluoride is virtually insoluble therein. The product mixture of uranate and alkaline earth metal fluoride is contacted with a suitable acid to provide a uranium-containing solution, from which the uranium is recovered. The invention can achieve quantitative recovery of uranium in highly pure form.
Method for the recovery of uranium values from uranium tetrafluoride

DOEpatents

Kreuzmann, A.B.

1982-10-27

The invention is a novel method for the recovery of uranium from dry, particulate uranium tetrafluoride. In one aspect, the invention comprises reacting particulate uranium tetrafluoride and calcium oxide in the presence of gaseous oxygen to effect formation of the corresponding alkaline earth metal uranate and alkaline earth metal fluoride. The product uranate is highly soluble in various acidic solutions whereas the product fluoride is virtually insoluble therein. The product mixture of uranate and alkaline earth metal fluoride is contacted with a suitable acid to provide a uranium-containing solution, from which the uranium is recovered. The invention can achieve quantitative recovery of uranium in highly pure form.
Interaction of Atmospheric Turbulence with Blade Boundary Layer Dynamics on a 5MW Wind Turbine using Blade-Boundary-Layer-Resolved CFD with hybrid URANS-LES.

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

Vijayakumar, Ganesh; Brasseur, James; Lavely, Adam

We describe the response of the NREL 5 MW wind turbine blade boundary layer to the passage of atmospheric turbulence using blade-boundary-layer-resolved computational fluid dynamics with hybrid URANS-LES modeling.
Are Ataques de Nerviosa in Puerto Rican Children Associated with Psychiatric Disorder?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Guarnaccia, Peter J.; Martinez, Igda; Ramirez, Rafael; Canino, Glorisa

2005-01-01

Objective: To provide the first empirical analysis of a cultural syndrome in children by examining the prevalence and psychiatric correlates of ataques de nervios in an epidemiological study of the mental health of children in Puerto Rico. Method: Probability samples of caretakers of children 4-17 years old in the community (N = 1,892; response…
URANOUS IODATE AS A CARRIER FOR PLUTONIUM

DOEpatents

Miller, D.R.; Seaborg, G.T.; Thompson, S.G.

1959-12-15

A process is described for precipitating plutonium on a uranous iodate carrier from an aqueous acid solution conA plutonium solution more concentrated than the original solution can then be obtained by oxidizing the uranium to the hexavalent state and dissolving the precipitate, after separating the latter from the original solution, by means of warm nitric acid.
Experiments on the Filtration of Solution of Sodium Uranate with Nitric Acid; ENSAYOS DE FILTRACION DE SOLUCIONES DE DISOLUCION DE URANATO SODICO CON ACIDO NITRICO

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

Clement, J.M.; Luina, A.P.; Jodra, L.G.

1957-01-01

In the recovery of uraniuma from leach solutions, the pilot plant of the J.E.N, does not clarify the solution and the sodium uranate carries with it a high proportion of impurities. Therefore, a study was made to determine the optimum conditions for the filtration of sodium uranate from nitric acid solution and to establish modifications in the dissolution processes at present in use for the concentrates. The effects of pressure, addition of CaSO/sub 4/ and Kieselgur, pH, and temperature were investigated The modifications made to the pilot plant as a result of these studies are briefly described. (J.S.R.)
Differential diagnosis of ataque de nervios.

PubMed

Oquendo, M A

1995-01-01

Characteristics of ataque de nervios, a culturally condoned expression of distress that is most frequently seen in Hispanic women, are described. It has symptoms in common with affective and anxiety disorders, with which it can co-occur, and these are delineated for purposes of differential diagnosis. Possible reasons for the preponderance of the condition in women are discussed, along with suggested intervention strategies.

Simultaneous observations of solar sporadic radio emission by the radio telescopes UTR-2, URAN-2 and NDA within the frequency range 8-42 MHz

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Melnik, V.; Konovalenko, A.; Brazhenko, A.; Briand, C.; Dorovskyy, V.; Zarka, P.; Denis, L.; Bulatzen, V.; Frantzusenko, A.; Rucker, H.; Stanislavskyy, A.

2012-09-01

From 25 June till 12 August 2011 sporadic solar radio emission was observed simultaneously by three separate radio telescopes: UTR-2 (Kharkov, Ukraine), URAN-2 (Poltava, Ukraine) and NDA (Nancay, France). During these observations some interesting phenomena were observed. Some of them are discussed in this paper.
Sensitivity of LES results from turbine rim seals to changes in grid resolution and sector size

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

O'Mahoney, T.; Hills, N.; Chew, J.

2012-07-01

Large-Eddy Simulations (LES) were carried out for a turbine rim seal and the sensitivity of the results to changes in grid resolution and the size of the computational domain are investigated. Ingestion of hot annulus gas into the rotor-stator cavity is compared between LES results and against experiments and Unsteady Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes (URANS) calculations. The LES calculations show greater ingestion than the URANS calculation and show better agreement with experiments. Increased grid resolution shows a small improvement in ingestion predictions whereas increasing the sector model size has little effect on the results. The contrast between the different CFD models is most stark in the inner cavity, where the URANS shows almost no ingestion. Particular attention is also paid to the presence of low frequency oscillations in the disc cavity. URANS calculations show such low frequency oscillations at different frequencies than the LES. The oscillations also take a very long time to develop in the LES. The results show that the difficult problem of estimating ingestion through rim seals could be overcome by using LES but that the computational requirements were still restrictive.
Monitoring of impact of anthropogenic inputs on water quality of mangrove ecosystem of Uran, Navi Mumbai, west coast of India.

PubMed

Pawar, Prabhakar R

2013-10-15

Surface water samples were collected from substations along Sheva creek and Dharamtar creek mangrove ecosystems of Uran (Raigad), Navi Mumbai, west coast of India. Water samples were collected fortnightly from April 2009 to March 2011 during spring low and high tides and were analyzed for pH, Temperature, Turbidity, Total solids (TS), Total dissolved solids (TDS), Total suspended solids (TSS), Dissolved oxygen (DO), Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), Carbon dioxide (CO2), Chemical oxygen demand (COD), Salinity, Orthophosphate (O-PO4), Nitrite-nitrogen (NO2-N), Nitrate-nitrogen (NO3-N), and Silicates. Variables like pH, turbidity, TDS, salinity, DO, and BOD show seasonal variations. Higher content of O-PO4, NO3-N, and silicates is recorded due to discharge of domestic wastes and sewage, effluents from industries, oil tanking depots and also from maritime activities of Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT), hectic activities of Container Freight Stations (CFS), and other port wastes. This study reveals that water quality from mangrove ecosystems of Uran is deteriorating due to industrial pollution and that mangrove from Uran is facing the threat due to anthropogenic stress. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
On the Harmonic Coupling of Components in Pairs of IIIb-III Bursts at Decameter Wavelengths

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brazhenko, A. I.; Melnik, V. N.; Frantsuzenko, A. V.; Dorovskyy, V. V.; Rucker, H. O.; Panchenko, M.

2015-06-01

The properties of IIIb-III pairs observed by the URAN-2 radioThe properties of IIIb-III pairs observed by the URAN-2 radiotelescope at frequencies 16-32 MHz are analyzed. Observations of these bursts were hold in April, June and September 2011. Durations, frequency drift rates, simultaneous frequency ratio of pairs components and their polarizations are analyzed. Pro and contra of IIIb-III harmonic connection are discussed.
PROCESS OF SEPARATING PLUTONIUM FROM URANIUM

DOEpatents

Brown, H.S.; Hill, O.F.

1958-09-01

A process is presented for recovering plutonium values from aqueous solutions. It comprises forming a uranous hydroxide precipitate in such a plutonium bearing solution, at a pH of at least 5. The plutonium values are precipitated with and carried by the uranium hydroxide. The carrier precipitate is then redissolved in acid solution and the pH is adjusted to about 2.5, causing precipitation of the uranous hydroxide but leaving the still soluble plutonium values in solution.
Host Plants of Xylosandrus mutilatus in Mississippi

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

Stone, W.D.; Nebeker, T.E.; Gerard, P.D.

Host range of Xylosandrus mutilatus (Blandford) in North America is reported here for the first time. Descriptive data such as number of attacks per host, size of stems at point of attacks, and height of attacks above ground are presented. Hosts observed in Mississippi were Acer rubrum L., Acer saccharum Marsh., Acer palmatum Thunb., Ostrya virginiana (Mill.) K. Koch., Cornus florida L., Fagus grandifolia Ehrh., Liquidamber styraciflua L., Carya spp., Liriodendron tulipifera L., Melia azedarach L., Pinus taeda L., Prunus serotina Ehrh., Prunus americana Marsh., Ulmus alata Michaux, and Vitus rotundifolia Michaux. Liquidamber styraciflua had significantly more successful attacks, significantlymore » higher probability of attacks, and significantly higher number of adult beetles per host tree than did Carya spp., A. rubrum, and L. tulipifera. This information is relevant in determining the impact this exotic beetle may have in nurseries, urban areas, and other forestry systems where this beetle becomes established. (author) [Spanish] El rango de hospederos de Xylosandrus mutilatus (Blandford) en America del Norte esta reportado aqui por la primera vez. Se presentan datos descriptivos como el numero de ataques por hospederos, el tamano de los tallos en el punto de ataque y la altura por encima del nivel de tierra de los ataques. Los hospederos observados en el estado de Mississippi fueron Acer rubrum L., Acer saccharum Marsh., Acer palmatum Thunb., Ostrya virginiana (Mill.) K. Koch., Cornus florida L., Fagus grandifolia Ehrh., Liquidamber styraciflua L., Carya spp., Liriodendron tulipifera L., Melia azedarach L., Pinus taeda L., Prunus serotina Ehrh., Prunus americana Marsh., Ulmus alata Michaux y Vitus rotundifolia Michaux. Liquidamber styraciflua tuvo ataques significativamente mas exitosos, una probabilidad significativamente mas alta de ataques y un numero significativamente mayor de adultos de escarabajos por arbol hospedero que Carya spp., A. rubrum y L. tulipifera. Esta informacion es pertinente en determinar el impacto que pueda tener este escarabajo exotico en invernaderos, areas urbanas y otros sistemas forestales donde el escarabajo se establece. (author)« less
Combined uranous nitrate production consisting of undivided electrolytic cell and divided electrolytic cell (Electrolysis → Electrolytic cell)

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

Yuan, Zhongwei; Yan, Taihong; Zheng, Weifang

2013-07-01

The electrochemical reduction of uranyl nitrate is a green, mild way to make uranous ions. Undivided electrolyzers whose maintenance is less but their conversion ratio and current efficiency are low, have been chosen. However, at the beginning of undivided electrolysis, high current efficiency can also be maintained. Divided electrolyzers' conversion ratio and current efficiency is much higher because the re-oxidation of uranous on anode is avoided, but their maintenance costs are more, because in radioactive environment the membrane has to be changed after several operations. In this paper, a combined method of uranous production is proposed which consists of 2more » stages: undivided electrolysis (early stage) and divided electrolysis (late stage) to benefit from the advantages of both electrolysis modes. The performance of the combined method was tested. The results show that in combined mode, after 200 min long electrolysis (80 min undivided electrolysis and 120 min divided electrolysis), U(IV) yield can achieve 92.3% (500 ml feed, U 199 g/l, 72 cm{sup 2} cathode, 120 mA/cm{sup 2}). Compared with divided mode, about 1/3 working time in divided electrolyzer is reduced to achieve the same U(IV) yield. If 120 min long undivided electrolysis was taken, more than 1/2 working time can be reduced in divided electrolyzer, which means that about half of the maintenance cost can also be reduced. (authors)« less
Reductive stripping process for the recovery of uranium from wet-process phosphoric acid

DOEpatents

Hurst, Fred J.; Crouse, David J.

1984-01-01

A reductive stripping flow sheet for recovery of uranium from wet-process phosphoric acid is described. Uranium is stripped from a uranium-loaded organic phase by a redox reaction converting the uranyl to uranous ion. The uranous ion is reoxidized to the uranyl oxidation state to form an aqueous feed solution highly concentrated in uranium. Processing of this feed through a second solvent extraction cycle requires far less stripping reagent as compared to a flow sheet which does not include the reductive stripping reaction.
Detailed Validation Assessment of Turbine Stage Disc Cavity Rotating Flows

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kanjiyani, Shezan

The subject of this thesis is concerned with the amount of cooling air assigned to seal high pressure turbine rim cavities which is critical for performance as well as component life. Insufficient air leads to excessive hot annulus gas ingestion and its penetration deep into the cavity compromising disc life. Excessive purge air, adversely affects performance. Experiments on a rotating turbine stage rig which included a rotor-stator forward disc cavity were performed at Arizona State University. The turbine rig has 22 vanes and 28 blades, while the rim cavity is composed of a single-tooth rim lab seal and a rim platform overlap seal. Time-averaged static pressures were measured in the gas path and the cavity, while mainstream gas ingestion into the cavity was determined by measuring the concentration distribution of tracer gas (carbon dioxide). Additionally, particle image velocimetry (PIV) was used to measure fluid velocity inside the rim cavity between the lab seal and the overlap. The data from the experiments were compared to an 360-degree unsteady RANS (URANS) CFD simulations. Although not able to match the time-averaged test data satisfactorily, the CFD simulations brought to light the unsteadiness present in the flow during the experiment which the slower response data did not fully capture. To interrogate the validity of URANS simulations in capturing complex rotating flow physics, the scope of this work also included to validating the CFD tool by comparing its predictions against experimental LDV data in a closed rotor-stator cavity. The enclosed cavity has a stationary shroud, a rotating hub, and mass flow does not enter or exit the system. A full 360 degree numerical simulation was performed comparing Fluent LES, with URANS turbulence models. Results from these investigations point to URANS state of art under-predicting closed cavity tangential velocity by 32% to 43%, and open rim cavity effectiveness by 50% compared to test data. The goal of this thesis is to assess the validity of URANS turbulence models in more complex rotating flows, compare accuracy with LES simulations, suggest CFD settings to better simulate turbine stage mainstream/disc cavity interaction with ingestion, and recommend experimentation techniques.
Numerical Study of Outlet Boundary Conditions for Unsteady Turbulent Internal Flows Using the NCC

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Liu, Nan-Suey; Shih, Tsan-Hsing

2009-01-01

This paper presents the results of studies on the outlet boundary conditions for turbulent internal flow simulations. Several outlet boundary conditions have been investigated by applying the National Combustion Code (NCC) to the configuration of a LM6000 single injector flame tube. First of all, very large eddy simulations (VLES) have been performed using the partially resolved numerical simulation (PRNS) approach, in which both the nonlinear and linear dynamic subscale models were employed. Secondly, unsteady Reynolds averaged Navier- Stokes (URANS) simulations have also been performed for the same configuration to investigate the effects of different outlet boundary conditions in the context of URANS. Thirdly, the possible role of the initial condition is inspected by using three different initial flow fields for both the PRNS/VLES simulation and the URANS simulation. The same grid is used for all the simulations and the number of mesh element is about 0.5 million. The main purpose of this study is to examine the long-time behavior of the solution as determined by the imposed outlet boundary conditions. For a particular simulation to be considered as successful under the given initial and boundary conditions, the solution must be sustainable in a physically meaningful manner over a sufficiently long period of time. The commonly used outlet boundary condition for steady Reynolds averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) simulation is a fixed pressure at the outlet with all the other dependent variables being extrapolated from the interior. The results of the present study suggest that this is also workable for the URANS simulation of the LM6000 injector flame tube. However, it does not work for the PRNS/VLES simulation due to the unphysical reflections of the pressure disturbances at the outlet boundary. This undesirable situation can be practically alleviated by applying a simple unsteady convection equation for the pressure disturbances at the outlet boundary. The numerical results presented in this paper suggest that this unsteady convection of pressure disturbances at the outlet works very well for all the unsteady simulations (both PRNS/VLES and URANS) of the LM6000 single injector flame tube.
Simultaneous observations of solar sporadic radio emission by the radio telescopes UTR-2, URAN-2 and NDA within the frequency range 8-41MHz

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Melnik, V. N.; Konovalenko, A. A.; Rucker, H. O.; Brazhenko, A. I.; Briand, C.; Dorovskyy, V. V.; Zarka, P.; Denis, L.; Bulatzen, V. G.; Frantzusenko, A. V.; Stanislavskyy, A. A.

2012-04-01

From 25 June till 12 August 2011 sporadic solar radio emission was observed simultaneously by three separate radio telescopes: UTR-2 (Kharkov, Ukraine), URAN-2 (Poltava, Ukraine) and NDA (Nancay, France). During these observations several type II bursts with double and triple harmonics were registered, as well as type II bursts with complex herringbone structure. The events of particular interest were type II bursts registered on 9 and 11 August 2011. These bursts had opposite sign of circular polarization at different parts of their dynamic spectra. In our opinion we registered the emissions, which came from the different parts of the shock propagating through the solar corona. We have observed also groups of type III bursts merged into one burst, type III bursts with triple harmonics and type III bursts with "split" polarization. In addition some unusual solar bursts were registered: storms of strange narrow-band (up to 500kHz) bursts with high polarization degree (about 80%), decameter spikes of extremely short durations (200-300ms), "tadpole-like" bursts with durations of 1-2s and polarization degree up to 60%.
Ataques de nervios: proposed diagnostic criteria for a culture specific syndrome.

PubMed

Oquendo, M; Horwath, E; Martinez, A

1992-09-01

The authors propose a set of diagnostic criteria and report two cases of ataque de nervios, a syndrome of brief duration seen primarily in Spanish-speaking people of the Caribbean. Following a psychosocial stressor, the afflicted person demonstrates impulsivity, dissociation and communication and perceptual disturbances. The symptoms often begin in the presence of the family, allow a temporary relinquishing of social roles, and result in the mobilization of the social network in support of the person. Further research is needed to improve our understanding of this culture specific syndrome and its relationship to psychiatric disorder.
Flow Control Under Low-Pressure Turbine Conditions Using Pulsed Jets

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Volino, Ralph J.; Ibrahim, Mounir B.

2012-01-01

This publication is the final report of research performed under an NRA/Cooperative Interagency Agreement, and includes a supplemental CD-ROM with detailed data. It is complemented by NASA/CR-2012-217416 and NASA/CR-2012-217417 which include a Ph.D. Dissertation and an M.S. thesis respectively, performed under this contract. In this study the effects of unsteady wakes and flow control using vortex generator jets (VGJs) were studied experimentally and computationally on the flow over the L1A low pressure turbine (LPT) airfoil. The experimental facility was a six passage linear cascade in a low speed wind tunnel at the U.S. Naval Academy. In parallel, computational work using the commercial code FLUENT (ANSYS, Inc.) was performed at Cleveland State University, using Unsteady Reynolds Averaged Navier Stokes (URANS) and Large Eddy Simulations (LES) methods. In the first phase of the work, the baseline flow was documented under steady inflow conditions without flow control. URANS calculations were done using a variety of turbulence models. In the second phase of the work, flow control was added using steady and pulsed vortex generator jets. The VGJs successfully suppressed separation and reduced aerodynamic losses. Pulsed operation was more effective and mass flow requirements are very low. Numerical simulations of the VGJs cases showed that URANS failed to capture the effect of the jets. LES results were generally better. In the third phase, effects of unsteady wakes were studied. Computations with URANS and LES captured the wake effect and generally predicted separation and reattachment to match the experiments. Quantitatively the results were mixed. In the final phase of the study, wakes and VGJs were combined and synchronized using various timing schemes. The timing of the jets with respect to the wakes had some effect, but in general once the disturbance frequency was high enough to control separation, the timing was not very important.
Flow Control Under Low-Pressure Turbine Conditions Using Pulsed Jets: Experimental Data Archive

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Volino, Ralph J.; Ibrahim, Mounir B.

2012-01-01

This publication is the final report of research performed under an NRA/Cooperative Interagency Agreement, and includes a supplemental CD-ROM with detailed data. It is complemented by NASA/CR-2012-217416 and NASA/CR-2012-217417 which include a Ph.D. Dissertation and an M.S. thesis respectively, performed under this contract. In this study the effects of unsteady wakes and flow control using vortex generator jets (VGJs) were studied experimentally and computationally on the flow over the L1A low pressure turbine (LPT) airfoil. The experimental facility was a six passage linear cascade in a low speed wind tunnel at the U.S. Naval Academy. In parallel, computational work using the commercial code FLUENT (ANSYS, Inc.) was performed at Cleveland State University, using Unsteady Reynolds Averaged Navier Stokes (URANS) and Large Eddy Simulations (LES) methods. In the first phase of the work, the baseline flow was documented under steady inflow conditions without flow control. URANS calculations were done using a variety of turbulence models. In the second phase of the work, flow control was added using steady and pulsed vortex generator jets. The VGJs successfully suppressed separation and reduced aerodynamic losses. Pulsed operation was more effective and mass flow requirements are very low. Numerical simulations of the VGJs cases showed that URANS failed to capture the effect of the jets. LES results were generally better. In the third phase, effects of unsteady wakes were studied. Computations with URANS and LES captured the wake effect and generally predicted separation and reattachment to match the experiments. Quantitatively the results were mixed. In the final phase of the study, wakes and VGJs were combined and synchronized using various timing schemes. The timing of the jets with respect to the wakes had some effect, but in general once the disturbance frequency was high enough to control separation, the timing was not very important. This is the supplemental CD-ROM
Solid state speciation of uranium and its local structure in Sr2CeO4 using photoluminescence spectroscopy.

PubMed

Sahu, M; Gupta, Santosh K; Jain, D; Saxena, M K; Kadam, R M

2018-04-15

An effort was taken to carry our speciation study of uranium ion in technologically important cerate host Sr 2 CeO 4 using time resolved photoluminescence spectroscopy. Such studies are not relevant only to nuclear industry but can give rich insight into fundamentals of 5f electron chemistry in solid state systems. In this work both undoped and varied amount of uranium doped Sr 2 CeO 4 compound is synthesized using complex polymerization method and is characterized systematically using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, impedance spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Both XRD and Raman spectroscopy confirmed the formation of pure Sr 2 CeO 4 which has tendency to decompose peritectically to SrCeO 3 and SrO at higher temperature. Uranium doping is confirmed by XRD. Uranium exhibits a rich chemistry owing to its variable oxidation state from +3 to +6. Each of them exhibits distinct luminescence properties either due to f-f transitions or ligand to metal charge transfer (LMCT). We have taken Sr 2 CeO 4 as a model host lattice to understand the photophysical characteristics of uranium ion in it. Emission spectroscopy revealed the stabilization of uranium as U (VI) in the form of UO 6 6- (octahedral uranate) in Sr 2 CeO 4 . Emission kinetics study reflects that uranate ions are not homogeneously distributed in Sr 2 CeO 4 and it has two different environments due to its stabilization at both Sr 2+ as well as Ce 4+ site. The lifetime population analysis interestingly pinpointed that majority of uranate ion resided at Ce 4+ site. The critical energy-transfer distance between the uranate ion was determined based on which the concentration quenching mechanism was attributed to electric multipolar interaction. These studies are very important in designing Sr 2 CeO 4 based optoelectronic material as well exploring it for actinides studies. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Solid state speciation of uranium and its local structure in Sr2CeO4 using photoluminescence spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sahu, M.; Gupta, Santosh K.; Jain, D.; Saxena, M. K.; Kadam, R. M.

2018-04-01

An effort was taken to carry our speciation study of uranium ion in technologically important cerate host Sr2CeO4 using time resolved photoluminescence spectroscopy. Such studies are not relevant only to nuclear industry but can give rich insight into fundamentals of 5f electron chemistry in solid state systems. In this work both undoped and varied amount of uranium doped Sr2CeO4 compound is synthesized using complex polymerization method and is characterized systematically using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, photoluminescence spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Both XRD and Raman spectroscopy confirmed the formation of pure Sr2CeO4 which has tendency to decompose peritectically to SrCeO3 and SrO at higher temperature. Uranium doping is confirmed by XRD. Uranium exhibits a rich chemistry owing to its variable oxidation state from +3 to +6. Each of them exhibits distinct luminescence properties either due to f-f transitions or ligand to metal charge transfer (LMCT). We have taken Sr2CeO4 as a model host lattice to understand the photophysical characteristics of uranium ion in it. Emission spectroscopy revealed the stabilization of uranium as U (VI) in the form of UO66- (octahedral uranate) in Sr2CeO4. Emission kinetics study reflects that uranate ions are not homogeneously distributed in Sr2CeO4 and it has two different environments due to its stabilization at both Sr2+ as well as Ce4+ site. The lifetime population analysis interestingly pinpointed that majority of uranate ion resided at Ce4+ site. The critical energy-transfer distance between the uranate ion was determined based on which the concentration quenching mechanism was attributed to electric multipolar interaction. These studies are very important in designing Sr2CeO4 based optoelectronic material as well exploring it for actinides studies.
Toward a Puerto Rican popular nosology: nervios and ataque de nervios.

PubMed

Guarnaccia, Peter J; Lewis-Fernández, Roberto; Marano, Melissa Rivera

2003-09-01

This paper is about naming illnesses--about who determines what categories are used and the implications of these determinations. The central concerns of medical/psychiatric anthropology have been to understand popular categories of and systems for classification of illness, to examine the relationship of illness categories to cultural understandings of the body, and to interpret the role of categories of illness in mediating between the personal and social spheres. At the same time, the paper also discusses the interplay of popular categories and psychiatric diagnoses. This paper examines the multiple experiences of nervios among Puerto Ricans in Puerto Rico and New York City. Our contention is that nervios is more than a diffuse idiom of distress, and that there are different categories and experiences of nervios which provide insights into how distress is experienced and expressed by Puerto Ricans and point to different social sources of suffering. The data in this paper come from the responses to a series of open-ended questions which tapped into people's general conceptions of nervios and ataques de nervios. These questions were incorporated into follow-up interviews to an epidemiological study of the mental health of adults in Puerto Rico. The results suggest ways to incorporate these different categories of nervios into future research and clinical work with different Latino groups in the United States and in their home countries.
Ataques de nervios: culturally bound and distinct from panic attacks?

PubMed

Keough, Meghan E; Timpano, Kiara R; Schmidt, Norman B

2009-01-01

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders [DSM-IV-TR; American Psychiatric Association [APA], 2000) has emphasized the importance of understanding psychopathology within a cultural framework by including culture-bound syndromes within its appendices. These syndromes are proposed to be bound to certain cultures and distinct from other psychological disorders. Included among the syndromes are ataques de nervios (ADN), which are reported to be bound to the Hispanic culture and closely resemble panic attacks. However, the cultural distinctiveness and phenomenology of ADN has not been adequately investigated. The current study employed an ethnically diverse study sample (N=342) of undergraduates. Participants completed a number of measures that assessed acculturation, syndrome and anxiety risk factors. In contrast to the DSM-IV's conceptualization of ADN, the rate of ADN did not significantly vary across the three main groups (African American, Caucasian, and Hispanic participants) nor did it vary based on acculturation. More consistent with the DSM-IV, the symptom comparisons indicated some differentiation between ADN and panic attacks. The present report provides data indicating that ADNs, as described by the DSM-IV, are not unique to the Hispanic culture and are experienced by non-Hispanic individuals at similar rates to Hispanic-endorsement. The findings are consistent with the DSM-IV assertion that ADNs and PAs are distinct syndromes. (c) 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Initial conditions and modeling for simulations of shock driven turbulent material mixing

DOE PAGES

Grinstein, Fernando F.

2016-11-17

Here, we focus on the simulation of shock-driven material mixing driven by flow instabilities and initial conditions (IC). Beyond complex multi-scale resolution issues of shocks and variable density turbulence, me must address the equally difficult problem of predicting flow transition promoted by energy deposited at the material interfacial layer during the shock interface interactions. Transition involves unsteady large-scale coherent-structure dynamics capturable by a large eddy simulation (LES) strategy, but not by an unsteady Reynolds-Averaged Navier–Stokes (URANS) approach based on developed equilibrium turbulence assumptions and single-point-closure modeling. On the engineering end of computations, such URANS with reduced 1D/2D dimensionality and coarsermore » grids, tend to be preferred for faster turnaround in full-scale configurations.« less
PREPARATION OF HIGH PURITY UF$sub 4$

DOEpatents

Magner, J.E.; Long, R.S.; Ellis, D.A.; Grinstead, R.R.

1962-04-17

S>A process for preparing very highly pure uranous tetrafluoride from impure uranium laden solvent extraction strip solutions, ion exchange process and resin-inpulp process eluate solutions which are at least 8M in hydrochloric acid is described. The process first comprises treating any of the above-mentioned solutions with a reducing agent to reduce the uranium to the + 4 oxidation state, and then contacting the reduced solution with an extractant phase comprising about 10 to 70% of tri-butyl phosphate in an organic solvent-diluent selected from benzene, ethyl-benzene, chlorobenzene, xylene, kerosene, or the like. The uranium is extracted into the extractant phase and is subsequently precipitated by treating the extractant with an aqueous fluoride solution. The highly pure uranous tetrafluoride precipitate is separated from the phases and recovered for subsequent utilization. (AEC)

Are suicide attempts by young Latinas a cultural idiom of distress?

PubMed

Zayas, Luis H; Gulbas, Lauren E

2012-11-01

The high rates of suicide attempts among adolescent Hispanic females in the United States have been well established by epidemiological and clinical studies. In this paper, we review the research history of Latina suicide attempts and their characteristics. Then we apply multi-faceted conceptual and empirical criteria found in the anthropological and psychiatric literature about cultural idioms of distress to the suicide attempts of young Latinas. We contrast the suicide-attempt phenomenon to the well-known ataque de nervios and propose that the phenomenon may reflect a developmental or cultural variant of the ataque. The attempt-as-idiom proposition is intended to invite discussion that can deepen our understanding of the cultural roots of the suicide attempts and their possible designation as cultural idiom. Establishing the meaning of suicide attempts within a cultural perspective can assist psychological and psychiatric research and clinical interventions.
Are suicide attempts by young Latinas a cultural idiom of distress?

PubMed Central

Zayas, Luis H.; Gulbas, Lauren E.

2015-01-01

The high rates of suicide attempts among adolescent Hispanic females in the United States have been well established by epidemiological and clinical studies. In this paper, we review the research history of Latina suicide attempts and their characteristics. Then we apply multifaceted conceptual and empirical criteria found in the anthropological and psychiatric literature about cultural idioms of distress to the suicide attempts of young Latinas. We contrast the suicide-attempt phenomenon to the well-known ataque de nervios and propose that the phenomenon may reflect a developmental or cultural variant of the ataque. The attempt-as-idiom proposition is intended to invite discussion that can deepen our understanding of the cultural roots of the suicide attempts and their possible designation as cultural idiom. Establishing the meaning of suicide attempts within a cultural perspective can assist psychological and psychiatric research and clinical interventions. PMID:23075802
I. S. Shklovsky and Low-Frequency Radio Astronomy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Konovalenko, A. A.

2017-03-01

Purpose: Proving of the high astrophysical significance of the low-frequency radio astronomy (decameter and adjacent hectometer and meter wavelengths), demonstration of the priority results of the Ukrainian low-frequency radio astronomy as well as significant contribution of I. S. Shklovsky to its development. Design/methodology/approach: The requirements to characteristics of high efficiency radio telescopes UTR-2, URAN, GURT and to sensitive and interference immune observational methods at low frequencies are formulated by using the theoretical analysis and astrophysical predictions including those I. S. Shklovsky’s. Findings: New generation radio telescopes UTR-2, URAN, GURT are created and modernized. New observational methods at low frequencies are introduced. Large-scale investigations of the Solar system, Galaxy and Methagalaxy are carried out. They have allowed to detect new objects and phenomena for the continuum, monochromatic, pulse and sporadic cosmic radio emission. The role of I. S. Shklovsky in the development of many low-frequency radio astronomy directions is noted, too. Conclusions: The unique possibilities of the low-frequency radio astronomy which gives new information about the Universe, inaccessible with the other astrophysical methods, are shown. The progress of the low-frequency radio astronomy opens the impressive possibilities for the future. It includes modernization of the largest radio telescopes UTR-2, URAN, NDA and creation of new instruments GURT, NenuFAR, LOFAR, LWA, MWA, SKA as well as making multi-antenna and ground-space experiments. The contribution of outstanding astrophysicist of the XX century I. S. Shklovsky to this part of actual astronomical science is evident, claiming for attention and will never be forgotten.
A case study of energy transfer mechanism from uranium to europium in ZnAl2O4 spinel host by photoluminescence spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kumar, Mithlesh; Mohapatra, M.

2016-04-01

Zinc aluminate (ZAO), a member of spinel class of inorganic compounds has been of much interest of late due to its wide range of use in catalysis, optical, electronic and ceramic industries. When doped with several lanthanides, this material has proved to be a potential host matrix for phosphors. As lanthanides suffer from poor (direct) excitation and emission cross sections, the use of a co-dopant ion can help to circumvent this and extract better emission from a lanthanide doped ZAO system. In this connection, energy transfer mechanism from uranium to europium in the ZAO host was investigated by photoluminescence spectroscopic technique. It was seen that uranium gets stabilized in the hexavalent state as UO66 - (octahedral uranate) where as the lanthanide ion, Eu is stabilized in its trivalent state in the ZAO host. In the co-doped system, an efficient energy transfer pathway from the uranate to europium ion was observed. Based upon emission and life time data a suitable mechanism was proposed for the energy transfer (quenching) process. It was proposed that after excitation by photons, the uranate ions transfer their energy to nearby 5D1 level of Eu3 + ions which non-radiatively de-excites to the corresponding lower levels of 5D0. Further this 5D0 level decays in a radiative mode to the 7F manifold giving the characteristic emission profile of trivalent Eu. It was proposed that both static and dynamic types of energy transfer mechanism were responsible for this process.
Unsteady Thick Airfoil Aerodynamics: Experiments, Computation, and Theory

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Strangfeld, C.; Rumsey, C. L.; Mueller-Vahl, H.; Greenblatt, D.; Nayeri, C. N.; Paschereit, C. O.

2015-01-01

An experimental, computational and theoretical investigation was carried out to study the aerodynamic loads acting on a relatively thick NACA 0018 airfoil when subjected to pitching and surging, individually and synchronously. Both pre-stall and post-stall angles of attack were considered. Experiments were carried out in a dedicated unsteady wind tunnel, with large surge amplitudes, and airfoil loads were estimated by means of unsteady surface mounted pressure measurements. Theoretical predictions were based on Theodorsen's and Isaacs' results as well as on the relatively recent generalizations of van der Wall. Both two- and three-dimensional computations were performed on structured grids employing unsteady Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (URANS). For pure surging at pre-stall angles of attack, the correspondence between experiments and theory was satisfactory; this served as a validation of Isaacs theory. Discrepancies were traced to dynamic trailing-edge separation, even at low angles of attack. Excellent correspondence was found between experiments and theory for airfoil pitching as well as combined pitching and surging; the latter appears to be the first clear validation of van der Wall's theoretical results. Although qualitatively similar to experiment at low angles of attack, two-dimensional URANS computations yielded notable errors in the unsteady load effects of pitching, surging and their synchronous combination. The main reason is believed to be that the URANS equations do not resolve wake vorticity (explicitly modeled in the theory) or the resulting rolled-up un- steady flow structures because high values of eddy viscosity tend to \\smear" the wake. At post-stall angles, three-dimensional computations illustrated the importance of modeling the tunnel side walls.
Beyond Anxious Predisposition: Do Padecer de Nervios and Ataque de Nervios Add Incremental Validity to Predictions of Current Distress among Mexican Mothers?

PubMed Central

Alcántara, Carmela; Abelson, James L.; Gone, Joseph P.

2011-01-01

Background Nervios (PNRV) and ataque de nervios (ATQ) are culture-bound syndromes with overlapping symptoms of anxiety, depression, and dissociation, shown to have inconsistent associations to psychiatric disorder. Few studies test the basic assumption that PNRV and ATQ are uniformly linked to distress outcomes across Latina/o immigrant groups. This study examined: (a) the extent to which acculturative stress, Latino/U.S. American acculturation, and anxious predisposition were associated with lifetime history of ATQ and PNRV, and (b) the extent to which ATQ and PNRV add incremental validity in explaining acculturative stress and psychological distress beyond measures of anxious predisposition. Method Participants (n = 82) included Mexican mothers who completed surveys on acculturation, trait anxiety, anxiety sensitivity, lifetime ATQ/PNRV, psychological distress, and acculturative stress. Results Lifetime PNRV, but not lifetime ATQ, was significantly predictive of psychological distress. PNRV was also linked to trait anxiety. Psychometric measures of anxious predisposition (trait anxiety, anxiety sensitivity) were more robust predictors of distress outcomes than lifetime history of ATQ/PNRV. Conclusions Inquiry into lifetime history of nervios may be a useful point of entry in talking to Mexican immigrant mothers about stress and distress. However, standard tools for assessing anxiety sensitivity and trait anxiety appear most useful in identifying and explaining presence of psychological distress. Further research is needed to determine the cross-cultural relevance of trait anxiety and anxiety sensitivity, and its implications for the development of anxiety treatments that are effective across cultures. PMID:21769996
Beyond anxious predisposition: do padecer de nervios and ataque de nervios add incremental validity to predictions of current distress among Mexican mothers?

PubMed

Alcántara, Carmela; Abelson, James L; Gone, Joseph P

2012-01-01

Nervios (PNRV) and ataque de nervios (ATQ) are culture-bound syndromes with overlapping symptoms of anxiety, depression, and dissociation, shown to have inconsistent associations to psychiatric disorder. Few studies test the basic assumption that PNRV and ATQ are uniformly linked to distress outcomes across Latina/o immigrant groups. This study examined: (a) the extent to which acculturative stress, Latino/US American acculturation, and anxious predisposition were associated with lifetime history of ATQ and PNRV, and (b) the extent to which ATQ and PNRV add incremental validity in explaining acculturative stress and psychological distress beyond measures of anxious predisposition. Participants (n = 82) included Mexican mothers who completed surveys on acculturation, trait anxiety, anxiety sensitivity, lifetime ATQ/PNRV, psychological distress, and acculturative stress. Lifetime PNRV, but not lifetime ATQ, was significantly predictive of psychological distress. PNRV was also linked to trait anxiety. Psychometric measures of anxious predisposition (trait anxiety and anxiety sensitivity) were more robust predictors of distress outcomes than lifetime history of ATQ/PNRV. Inquiry into lifetime history of nervios may be a useful point of entry in talking to Mexican immigrant mothers about stress and distress. However, standard tools for assessing anxiety sensitivity and trait anxiety appear most useful in identifying and explaining the presence of psychological distress. Further research is needed to determine the cross-cultural relevance of trait anxiety and anxiety sensitivity, and its implications for the development of anxiety treatments that are effective across cultures. © 2011 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Study of Near-Stall Flow Behavior in a Modern Transonic Fan with Composite Sweep

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hah, Chunill; Shin, Hyoun-Woo

2011-01-01

Detailed flow behavior in a modern transonic fan with a composite sweep is investigated in this paper. Both unsteady Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (URANS) and Large Eddy Simulation (LES) methods are applied to investigate the flow field over a wide operating range. The calculated flow fields are compared with the data from an array of high-frequency response pressure transducers embedded in the fan casing. The current study shows that a relatively fine computational grid is required to resolve the flow field adequately and to calculate the pressure rise across the fan correctly. The calculated flow field shows detailed flow structure near the fan rotor tip region. Due to the introduction of composite sweep toward the rotor tip, the flow structure at the rotor tip is much more stable compared to that of the conventional blade design. The passage shock stays very close to the leading edge at the rotor tip even at the throttle limit. On the other hand, the passage shock becomes stronger and detaches earlier from the blade passage at the radius where the blade sweep is in the opposite direction. The interaction between the tip clearance vortex and the passage shock becomes intense as the fan operates toward the stall limit, and tip clearance vortex breakdown occurs at near-stall operation. URANS calculates the time-averaged flow field fairly well. Details of measured RMS static pressure are not calculated with sufficient accuracy with URANS. On the other hand, LES calculates details of the measured unsteady flow features in the current transonic fan with composite sweep fairly well and reveals the flow mechanism behind the measured unsteady flow field.
PROCESS FOR RECOVERY OF URANIUM VALUES FROM IMPURE SOLUTIONS THEREOF

DOEpatents

Kilner, S.B.

1959-11-01

A process is presented for the recovery of uraninm values from impure solutions which are obtained, for example, by washing residual uranium salt or uranium metal deposits from stainless steel surfaces using an aqueous or certain acidic aqueous solutions. The solutions include uranyl and oxidized iron, chromium, nickel, and copper ions and may contain manganese, zinc, and silver ions. In accordance with one procedure. the uranyl ions are reduced to the uranous state, and the impurity ions are complexed with cyanide under acidic conditions. The solution is then treated with ammonium hydroxide or alkali metal hydroxide to precipitate uranous hydroxide away from the complexed impurity ions in the solution. Alternatively, an excess of alkali metal cyanide is added to the reduced solution until the solution becomes sufficiently alkaline for the uranons hydroxide to precipitate. An essential feature in operating the process is in maintaining the pH of the solution sufficiently acid during the complexing operation to prevent the precipitation of the impurity metal hydroxides.
Computational fluid dynamics simulation of sound propagation through a blade row.

PubMed

Zhao, Lei; Qiao, Weiyang; Ji, Liang

2012-10-01

The propagation of sound waves through a blade row is investigated numerically. A wave splitting method in a two-dimensional duct with arbitrary mean flow is presented, based on which pressure amplitude of different wave mode can be extracted at an axial plane. The propagation of sound wave through a flat plate blade row has been simulated by solving the unsteady Reynolds average Navier-Stokes equations (URANS). The transmission and reflection coefficients obtained by Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) are compared with semi-analytical results. It indicates that the low order URANS scheme will cause large errors if the sound pressure level is lower than -100 dB (with as reference pressure the product of density, main flow velocity, and speed of sound). The CFD code has sufficient precision when solving the interaction of sound wave and blade row providing the boundary reflections have no substantial influence. Finally, the effects of flow Mach number, blade thickness, and blade turning angle on sound propagation are studied.
PROCESS OF RECOVERING URANIUM

DOEpatents

Kilner, S.B.

1959-12-29

A method is presented for separating and recovering uranium from a complex mixure of impurities. The uranium is dissolved to produce an aqueous acidic solution including various impurities. In accordance with one method, with the uranium in the uranyl state, hydrogen cyanide is introduced into the solution to complex the impurities. Subsequently, ammonia is added to the solution to precipitate the uraniunn as ammonium diuranate away from the impurities in the solution. Alternatively, the uranium is precipitated by adding an alkaline metal hydroxide. In accordance with the second method, the uranium is reduced to the uranous state in the solution. The reduced solution is then treated with solid alkali metal cyanide sufficient to render the solution about 0.1 to 1.0 N in cyanide ions whereat cyanide complex ions of the metal impurities are produced and the uranium is simultaneously precipituted as uranous hydroxide. Alternatively, hydrogen cyanide may be added to the reduced solution and the uranium precipitated subsequently by adding ammonium hydroxide or an alkali metal hydroxide. Other refinements of the method are also disclosed.
Large-eddy and unsteady RANS simulations of a shock-accelerated heavy gas cylinder

DOE PAGES

Morgan, B. E.; Greenough, J. A.

2015-04-08

Two-dimensional numerical simulations of the Richtmyer–Meshkov unstable “shock-jet” problem are conducted using both large-eddy simulation (LES) and unsteady Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (URANS) approaches in an arbitrary Lagrangian–Eulerian hydrodynamics code. Turbulence statistics are extracted from LES by running an ensemble of simulations with multimode perturbations to the initial conditions. Detailed grid convergence studies are conducted, and LES results are found to agree well with both experiment and high-order simulations conducted by Shankar et al. (Phys Fluids 23, 024102, 2011). URANS results using a k–L approach are found to be highly sensitive to initialization of the turbulence lengthscale L and to the timemore » at which L becomes resolved on the computational mesh. As a result, it is observed that a gradient diffusion closure for turbulent species flux is a poor approximation at early times, and a new closure based on the mass-flux velocity is proposed for low-Reynolds-number mixing.« less
High Fidelity Aeroelasticity Simulations of Aircraft and Turbomachinery with Fully-Coupled Fluid-Structure Interaction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gan, Jiaye

The purpose of this research is to develop high fidelity numerical methods to investigate the complex aeroelasticity fluid-structural problems of aircraft and aircraft engine turbomachinery. Unsteady 3D compressible Navier-Stokes equations in generalized coordinates are solved to simulate the complex fluid dynamic problems in aeroelasticity. An efficient and low diffusion E-CUSP (LDE) scheme designed to minimize numerical dissipation is used as a Riemann solver to capture shock waves in transonic and supersonic flows. An improved hybrid turbulence modeling, delayed detached eddy simulation (DDES), is implemented to simulate shock induced separation and rotating stall flows. High order accuracy (3rd and 5th order) weighted essentially non-oscillatory (WENO) schemes for inviscid flux and a conservative 2nd and 4th order viscous flux differencing are employed. To resolve the nonlinear interaction between flow and vibrating blade structures, a fully coupled fluid-structure interaction (FSI) procedure that solves the structural modal equations and time accurate Navier-Stokes equations simultaneously is adopted. A rotor/stator sliding interpolation technique is developed to accurately capture the blade rows interaction at the interface with general grid distribution. Phase lag boundary conditions (BC) based on the time shift (direct store) method and the Fourier series phase lag BC are applied to consider the effect of phase difference for a sector of annulus simulation. Extensive validations are conducted to demonstrate high accuracy and robustness of the high fidelity FSI methodology. The accuracy and robustness of RANS, URANS and DDES turbulence models with high order schemes for predicting the lift and drag of the DLR-F6 configuration are verified. The DDES predicts the drag very well whereas the URANS model significantly over predicts the drag. DDES of a finned projectile base flows is conducted to further validate the high fidelity methods with vortical flow. The DDES is demonstrated to be superior to the URANS for the projectile flow prediction. DDES of a 3D transonic wing flutter is validated with AGARD Wing 445.6 aeroelasticity experiment at free stream Mach number varied from subsonic to supersonic. The predicted flutter boundary at different free stream Mach number including the sonic dip achieves very good agreement with the experiment. In particular, the predicted flutter boundaries at the supersonic conditions match the experiment accurately. The mechanism of sonic dip is investigated. Simulation of supersonic fluid-structural interaction of a flat panel is performed by using DDES with high order shock capturing scheme. The panel vibration induced by the shock boundary layer interaction is well resolved by the high fidelity method. The dominant panel response agrees well with the experiment in terms of the mean panel displacement and frequency. The DDES methodology is used to investigate the stall inception of NASA Stage 35 compressor. The process of rotating stall is compared between the results using both URANS and DDES with full annulus. The stall process begins with spike inception and develops to full stall. The numbers of stall cell, and the size and propagating speed of the stall cells are well captured by both URANS and DDES. Two stall cells with 42% rotor rotating speed are resolved by DDES and one stall cell with 90% rotor rotating speed by URANS. It is not conclusive which method is more accurate since there is no experimental data, but the DDES does show more realistic vortical turbulence with more small scale structures. The non-synchronous vibration (NSV) of a high speed 1-1/2 stage axial compressor is investigated by using rigid blade and vibrating blade with fluid-structural interaction. An interpolation sliding boundary condition is used for the rotor-stator interaction. The URANS simulation with rigid blades shows that the leading edge(LE) circumferentially traveling vortices, roughly above 80% rotor span, travel backwards relative to the rotor rotation and cause an excitation with the frequency agreeing with the measured NSV frequency. The predicted excitation frequency of the traveling vortices in the rigid blade simulation is a non-engine order frequency of 2603 Hz, which agrees very well with the rig measured frequency of 2600 Hz. For the FSI simulation, the results show that there exist two dominant frequencies in the spectrum of the blade vibration. The lower dominant frequency is close to the first bending mode. The higher dominant frequency close to the first torsional mode agrees very well with the measured NSV frequency. To investigate whether the NSV is caused by flow excitation or by flow-structure locked-in phenomenon, the rotating speed is varied within a small RPM range, in which the rig test detected the NSV. The unsteady flows with rigid blades are simulated first at several RPMs. A dominant excitation NSV frequency caused by the circumferentially traveling tip vortices are captured. The simulation then switches to fluid structure interaction that allows the blades to vibrate freely. (Abstract shortened by ProQuest.).
Simulation of Supersonic Base Flows: Numerical Investigations Using DNS, LES, and URANS

DTIC Science & Technology

2006-10-01

global instabilities were found for a two-dimensional bluff body with a blunt base by Hannemann & Oertel (1989). Oertel (1990) found that the... Hannemann , K. & Oertel, H. 1989 Numerical simulation of the absolutely and convectively unstable wake. J. Fluid Mech. 199, 55–88. Harris, P. J. 1997
U(v) in metal uranates: A combined experimental and theoretical study of MgUO 4, CrUO 4, and FeUO 4

DOE PAGES

Guo, Xiaofeng; Tiferet, Eitan; Qi, Liang; ...

2016-01-01

Although pentavalent uranium can exist in aqueous solution, its presence in the solid state is uncommon. Metal monouranates, MgUO 4, CrUO 4 and FeUO 4 were synthesized for detailed structural and energetic investigations. Structural characteristics of these uranates used powder X-ray diffraction, synchrotron X-ray absorption spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and 57Fe-Mossbauer spectroscopy. Enthalpies of formation were measured by high temperature oxide melt solution calorimetry. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations provided both structural and energetic information. The measured structural and thermodynamic properties show good consistency with those predicted from DFT. The presence of U 5+ has been solidly confirmed in CrUOmore » 4 and FeUO 4, which are thermodynamically stable compounds, and the origin and stability of U 5+ in the system was elaborated by DFT. Lastly, the structural and thermodynamic behaviour of U 5+ elucidated in this work is relevant to fundamental actinide redox chemistry and to applications in the nuclear industry and radioactive waste disposal.« less
The Beaming Structures of Jupiter’s Decametric Common S-bursts Observed from the LWA1, NDA, and URAN2 Radio Telescopes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Imai, Masafumi; Lecacheux, Alain; Clarke, Tracy E.; Higgins, Charles A.; Panchenko, Mykhaylo; Dowell, Jayce; Imai, Kazumasa; Brazhenko, Anatolii I.; Frantsuzenko, Anatolii V.; Konovalenko, Alexandr A.

2016-08-01

On 2015 February 21, simultaneous observations of Jupiter's decametric radio emission between 10 and 33 MHz were carried out using three powerful low-frequency radio telescopes: the Long Wavelength Array Station One in the USA, the Nançay Decameter Array in France, and the URAN2 telescope in Ukraine. We measured the lag times of short-bursts (S-bursts) for 105 minutes of data over effective baselines of up to 8460 km by using cross-correlation analysis of the spectrograms from each instrument. Of particular interest is the measurement of the beaming thickness of S-bursts, testing if either flashlight- or beacon-like beaming is emanating from Jupiter. We find that the lag times for all pairs drift slightly as time elapses, in agreement with expectations from the flashlight-like beaming model. This leads to a new constraint of the minimum beaming thickness of 2.″66. Also, we find that most of the analyzed data abound with S-bursts, whose occurrence probability peaks at 17-18 MHz.
Culturally adapted CBT (CA-CBT) for Latino women with treatment-resistant PTSD: a pilot study comparing CA-CBT to applied muscle relaxation.

PubMed

Hinton, Devon E; Hofmann, Stefan G; Rivera, Edwin; Otto, Michael W; Pollack, Mark H

2011-04-01

We examined the therapeutic efficacy of a culturally adapted form of CBT (CA-CBT) for PTSD as compared to applied muscle relaxation (AMR) for female Latino patients with treatment-resistant PTSD. Participants were randomized to receive either CA-CBT (n = 12) or AMR (n = 12), and were assessed before treatment, after treatment, and at a 12-week follow-up. The treatments were manualized and delivered in the form of group therapy across 14 weekly sessions. Assessments included a measure of PTSD, anxiety, culturally relevant idioms of distress (nervios and ataque de nervios), and emotion regulation ability. Patients receiving CA-CBT improved significantly more than in the AMR condition. Effect size estimates showed very large reductions in PTSD symptoms from pretreatment to posttreatment in the CA-CBT group (Cohen's d = 2.6) but only modest improvements in the AMR group (0.8). These results suggest that CA-CBT can be beneficial for previously treatment-resistant PTSD in Latino women. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Prediction and Analysis of the Nonsteady Transition and Separation Processes on an Oscillating Wind Turbine Airfoil using the \\gamma-Re_\\theta Transition Model.

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

Nandi, Taraj; Brasseur, James; Vijayakumar, Ganesh

2016-01-04

This study is aimed at gaining insight into the nonsteady transitional boundary layer dynamics of wind turbine blades and the predictive capabilities of URANS based transition and turbulence models for similar physics through the analysis of a controlled flow with similar nonsteady parameters.
Depression and substance use in a middle aged and older Puerto Rican population.

PubMed

Weingartner, Katherine; Robison, Julie; Fogel, Denise; Gruman, Cynthia

2002-01-01

This study focuses on depression and substance use in Puerto Rican primary care patients, age 50 and older, recruited from five clinics in Hartford, CT (n = 303). One-third of the participants screened positive for depression using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression scale, and 16 percent either reported excessive alcohol use, prescription drug abuse, and/or illegal drug use in the past year. Correlates of depression include younger age, female gender, being separated or divorced, low perceived adequacy of income, poor health status, functional limitations, few emotional supports, and a history of an "ataque de nervios." Younger age, male gender, low perceived adequacy of income, few emotional supports, suicidal ideation, and a history of an "ataque de nervios" were associated with substance use. While the relationship between excessive alcohol use and a higher rate of depression did not reach statistical significance, drug use was a strong predictor of depression, particularly prescription drug abuse. However substance use did not significantly affect the likelihood of seeking treatment for depression. These findings underscore the need for appropriate interventions for those at risk for depression among the Puerto Rican population.
Detached Eddy Simulation for the F-16XL Aircraft Configuration

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Elmiligui, Alaa; Abdol-Hamid, Khaled; Parlette, Edward B.

2015-01-01

Numerical simulations for the flow around the F-16XL configuration as a contribution to the Cranked Arrow Wing Aerodynamic Project International 2 (CAWAPI-2) have been performed. The NASA Langley Tetrahedral Unstructured Software System (TetrUSS) with its USM3D solver was used to perform the unsteady flow field simulations for the subsonic high angle-of-attack case corresponding to flight condition (FC) 25. Two approaches were utilized to capture the unsteady vortex flow over the wing of the F-16XL. The first approach was to use Unsteady Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes (URANS) coupled with standard turbulence closure models. The second approach was to use Detached Eddy Simulation (DES), which creates a hybrid model that attempts to combine the most favorable elements of URANS models and Large Eddy Simulation (LES). Computed surface static pressure profiles are presented and compared with flight data. Time-averaged and instantaneous results obtained on coarse, medium and fine grids are compared with the flight data. The intent of this study is to demonstrate that the DES module within the USM3D solver can be used to provide valuable data in predicting vortex-flow physics on a complex configuration.

PROCESS FOR THE RECOVERY OF URANIUM

DOEpatents

Morris, G.O.

1955-06-21

This patent relates to a process for the recovery of uranium from impure uranium tetrafluoride. The process consists essentially of the steps of dissolving the impure uranium tetrafluoride in excess dilute sulfuric acid in the presence of excess hydrogen peroxide, precipitating ammonium uranate from the solution so formed by adding an excess of aqueous ammonia, dissolving the precipitate in sulfuric acid and adding hydrogen peroxide to precipitate uranium peroxdde.
Simulation of Unsteady Flows Using an Unstructured Navier-Stokes Solver on Moving and Stationary Grids

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Biedron, Robert T.; Vatsa, Veer N.; Atkins, Harold L.

2005-01-01

We apply an unsteady Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (URANS) solver for unstructured grids to unsteady flows on moving and stationary grids. Example problems considered are relevant to active flow control and stability and control. Computational results are presented using the Spalart-Allmaras turbulence model and are compared to experimental data. The effect of grid and time-step refinement are examined.
Late-life anxiety disorders among Puerto Rican primary care patients: impact on well-being, functioning, and service utilization.

PubMed

Diefenbach, Gretchen J; Robison, Julie T; Tolin, David F; Blank, Karen

2004-01-01

With the growing population of older Hispanic adults there is a need for additional research on the mental health care of this patient group. This study explored the impact of anxiety disorders on the health status of 291 older (>/=50 years) Puerto Rican primary care patients (n = 65 with anxiety disorders, n = 226 without anxiety disorders). All analyses controlled for potential confounding variables, including depression diagnosis and physical health burden. Logistic regression indicated that anxiety disorders were associated with higher psychological distress, suicidality, and emergency room service utilization, as well as lower instrumental functioning and perceived health quality. Analysis of covariance indicated that both anxiety disorder status and history of ataque de nervios were related to higher percentages of lifetime somatic symptoms. These data highlight the need for improved recognition and treatment of anxiety disorders in older Puerto Rican adults.
Unsteady Aerodynamic Modeling of A Maneuvering Aircraft Using Indicial Functions

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-03-30

indicial functions are directly calculated using the results of unsteady Reynolds-averaged Navier - Stokes simulation and a grid-movement tool. Results are...but meanwhile, the full-order model based on Unsteady Reynolds-averaged Navier - Stokes (URANS) equation is too computationally expensive to be used...The flow solver used in this study solves the unsteady, three-dimensional and compressible Navier - Stokes equations. The equations in terms of
Investigations of Flow Over a Hemisphere Using Numerical Simulations (Postprint)

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-06-22

ranging from missile defense, remote sensing , and imaging . An important aspect of these applications is determining the effective beam-on-target...Stokes (URANS), detached eddy simulation (DES), and hybrid RANS/LES. The numerical results were compared with the experiment conducted at Auburn...turret. Using the DES and hybrid RANS/LES turbulence models, Loci-Chem was able to capture the unsteady flow structures, such as the shear layer
PROCESS OF PURIFYING URANIUM

DOEpatents

Seaborg, G.T.; Orlemann, E.F.; Jensen, L.H.

1958-12-23

A method of obtaining substantially pure uranium from a uranium composition contaminated with light element impurities such as sodium, magnesium, beryllium, and the like is described. An acidic aqueous solution containing tetravalent uranium is treated with a soluble molybdate to form insoluble uranous molybdate which is removed. This material after washing is dissolved in concentrated nitric acid to obtaln a uranyl nitrate solution from which highly purified uranium is obtained by extraction with ether.
Retardation of uranium and thorium by a cementitious backfill developed for radioactive waste disposal.

PubMed

Felipe-Sotelo, M; Hinchliff, J; Field, L P; Milodowski, A E; Preedy, O; Read, D

2017-07-01

The solubility of uranium and thorium has been measured under the conditions anticipated in a cementitious, geological disposal facility for low and intermediate level radioactive waste. Similar solubilities were obtained for thorium in all media, comprising NaOH, Ca(OH) 2 and water equilibrated with a cement designed as repository backfill (NRVB, Nirex Reference Vault Backfill). In contrast, the solubility of U(VI) was one order of magnitude higher in NaOH than in the remaining solutions. The presence of cellulose degradation products (CDP) results in a comparable solubility increase for both elements. Extended X-ray Absorption Fine Structure (EXAFS) data suggest that the solubility-limiting phase for uranium corresponds to a becquerelite-type solid whereas thermodynamic modelling predicts a poorly crystalline, hydrated calcium uranate phase. The solubility-limiting phase for thorium was ThO 2 of intermediate crystallinity. No breakthrough of either uranium or thorium was observed in diffusion experiments involving NRVB after three years. Nevertheless, backscattering electron microscopy and microfocus X-ray fluorescence confirmed that uranium had penetrated about 40 μm into the cement, implying active diffusion governed by slow dissolution-precipitation kinetics. Precise identification of the uranium solid proved difficult, displaying characteristics of both calcium uranate and becquerelite. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Uranium luminescence in La2 Zr2 O7 : effect of concentration and annealing temperature.

PubMed

Mohapatra, M; Rajeswari, B; Hon, N S; Kadam, R M

2016-12-01

The speciation of a particular element in any given matrix is a prerequisite to understanding its solubility and leaching properties. In this context, speciation of uranium in lanthanum zirconate pyrochlore (La 2 Zr 2 O 7 = LZO), prepared by a low-temperature combustion route, was carried out using a simple photoluminescence lifetime technique. The LZO matrix is considered to be a potential ceramic host for fixing nuclear and actinide waste products generated during the nuclear fuel cycle. Special emphasis has been given to understanding the dynamics of the uranium species in the host as a function of annealing temperature and concentration. It was found that, in the LZO host, uranium is stabilized as the commonly encountered uranyl species (UO 2 2+ ) up to a heat treatment of 500 °C at the surface. Above 500 °C, the uranyl ion is diffused into the matrix as the more symmetric octahedral uranate species (UO 6 6- ). The uranate ions thus formed replace the six-coordinated 'Zr' atoms at regular lattice positions. Further, it was observed that concentration quenching takes place beyond 5 mol% of uranium doping. The mechanism of the quenching was found to be a multipolar interaction. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of Turbulence Modeling on an Excited Jet

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Brown, Clifford A.; Hixon, Ray

2010-01-01

The flow dynamics in a high-speed jet are dominated by unsteady turbulent flow structures in the plume. Jet excitation seeks to control these flow structures through the natural instabilities present in the initial shear layer of the jet. Understanding and optimizing the excitation input, for jet noise reduction or plume mixing enhancement, requires many trials that may be done experimentally or computationally at a significant cost savings. Numerical simulations, which model various parts of the unsteady dynamics to reduce the computational expense of the simulation, must adequately capture the unsteady flow dynamics in the excited jet for the results are to be used. Four CFD methods are considered for use in an excited jet problem, including two turbulence models with an Unsteady Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes (URANS) solver, one Large Eddy Simulation (LES) solver, and one URANS/LES hybrid method. Each method is used to simulate a simplified excited jet and the results are evaluated based on the flow data, computation time, and numerical stability. The knowledge gained about the effect of turbulence modeling and CFD methods from these basic simulations will guide and assist future three-dimensional (3-D) simulations that will be used to understand and optimize a realistic excited jet for a particular application.
OCCUPATIONAL DERMATITIS DUE TO SENSITIZATION TO SODIUM AND CALCIUM URANYL CARBONATES (in French)

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

Thiers, H.; Chanial, G.; Rivoire, J.

1961-01-01

BS>A report on a rare type of occupational dermatitis from sensitization to Na and Ca uranates observed in two workers in the Guegnon uranium-processing plandt is presented. In both patients there was no history of personal or family allergies. The dermatitis was especially evident on the fingers and presented characteristics not reported previously: the skin was dry and wrinkled with small periangualar fissures. Small nodules 2--3 mm, appearing as centers of hyperkeratosis encased in the skin, appeared on the sides and under surface of fingers. The nails were grooved and peeling at the edges. Also, at the base of themore » fingers and over the hand hyperkeritosic eczema of a common type was seen. These lessons were filled with pus. Skin tests confirmed their sensitization to 2% solutions of Na and Ca uranates; otherwise these patients appeared to be completely normal. A survey of working conditions showed that there was no possibility of their dermatitis resulting from radioactivity. That excessive radiation was not involved in the pathogenesis of these lesions was attested to by their normal blood pictures. The manifestations of the lesions indicated their definite allergic origin. Both patients recovered eventually and, after occupying other positions in the plant, have had no recrudescence of the lesions. (BBB)« less
Slat Cove Noise Modeling: A Posteriori Analysis of Unsteady RANS Simulations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Choudhari, Meelan; Khorrami, Mehdi R.; Lockard, David P.; Atkins, Harold L.; Lilley, Geoffrey M.

2002-01-01

A companion paper by Khorrami et al demonstrates the feasibility of simulating the (nominally) self-sustained, large-scale unsteadiness within the leading-edge slat-cove region of multi-element airfoils using unsteady Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes (URANS) equations, provided that the turbulence production term in the underlying two-equation turbulence model is switched off within the cove region. In conjunction with a FfowesWilliams-Hawkings solver, the URANS computations were shown to capture the dominant portion of the acoustic spectrum attributed to slat noise, as well as reproducing the increased intensity of slat cove motions (and, correspondingly, far-field noise as well) at the lower angles of attack. This paper examines that simulation database, augmented by additional simulations, with the objective of transitioning this apparent success to aeroacoustic predictions in an engineering context. As a first step towards this goal, the simulated flow and acoustic fields are compared with experiment and simplified analytical model. Rather intense near-field fluctuations in the simulated flow are found to be associated with unsteady separation along the slat bottom surface, relatively close to the slat cusp. Accuracy of the laminar-cove simulations in this near-wall region is raised to be an open issue. The adjoint Green's function approach is also explored in an attempt to identify the most efficient noise source locations.
Head losses prediction and analysis in a bulb turbine draft tube under different operating conditions using unsteady simulations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wilhelm, S.; Balarac, G.; Métais, O.; Ségoufin, C.

2016-11-01

Flow prediction in a bulb turbine draft tube is conducted for two operating points using Unsteady RANS (URANS) simulations and Large Eddy Simulations (LES). The inlet boundary condition of the draft tube calculation is a rotating two dimensional velocity profile exported from a RANS guide vane- runner calculation. Numerical results are compared with experimental data in order to validate the flow field and head losses prediction. Velocity profiles prediction is improved with LES in the center of the draft tube compared to URANS results. Moreover, more complex flow structures are obtained with LES. A local analysis of the predicted flow field using the energy balance in the draft tube is then introduced in order to detect the hydrodynamic instabilities responsible for head losses in the draft tube. In particular, the production of turbulent kinetic energy next to the draft tube wall and in the central vortex structure is found to be responsible for a large part of the mean kinetic energy dissipation in the draft tube and thus for head losses. This analysis is used in order to understand the differences in head losses for different operating points. The numerical methodology could then be improved thanks to an in-depth understanding of the local flow topology.
Belt-hierarchic structure of th ring, satellite and planet systems: prediction S/2001 U1 and others objects in Solar system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Barkin, Yu. V.

2003-04-01

BELT-HIERARCHIC STRUCTURE OF THE RING, SATELLITE AND PLANET SYSTEMS: PREDICTION S/2001 U1 AND OTHERS OBJECTS IN SOLAR SYSTEM Yu.V.Barkin Sternberg Astronomical Institute, Moscow, Russia, barkin@sai.msu.ru Structure regularities of the planet and satellite systems have been studied. Statistic analysis of the distribution of the major semi-axes of the orbits of the planets, comets and centaurs of the Solar system, satellite and ring systems of Jupiter, Saturn, Neptune and Uran, exoplanet systems of the pulsars PSR 1257+12, PSR 1828-11 and of the main consequence star Ups And was fulfilled. The following empirical regularities were described [1]: 1) the bodies of systems are combined into hierarchic groups and main from them combine 5 companions; 2) differences of the major semi-axes of the neighboring orbits for bodies of every group are constant; 4) for main neighboring hierarchic group these distances are distinguished in 6 times increasing to external grope; 5) the filling of the gropes and some present changes in their structure are caused by the past catastrophes in corresponding systems. The special method of reconstruction of the catastrophes which had place in the life of the Solar system (SS) was developed. Suggested method has let us to explain uniformly observed values of the major semi-axes and average values of eccentricities of the planets. In particular the Pancul’s hypothesis about Jupiter formation from two giant protoplanets (Jupiter I and Jupiter II) was confirmed. The new empirical law of the filling of the orbits of the regular groups of the planets or satellites (or rings structures) of the hierarchic ordered systems of celestial bodies was established. It was shown that sum number of bodies is proportional to the value of catastrophic value of the eccentricities which are same for first, second ,.... and fifth orbits of all gropes. The theoretical numbers of bodies for pointed orbits practically coincide with their observed numbers in main gropes of the all considered systems of celestial bodies (in Solar system and also in exoplanets systems of the pulsars PSR 1257+12, PSR 1828-11 and Ups And). Established regularities of the orbit structures let us to predict some new objects in the Solar system and in exoplanet systems. Some from them have been predicted in last years. So the new satellite of Uran (S/2001 U 1) is characterized by major semi-axis in 8 570 000 km (Minor Planet Electronic Circular, Issued 2002 Sept. 30). This satellite was predicted earlier as satellite E1 (8 640 000 km) [1]. [1] Yu.V.Barkin (2001) Electronic journal «Studied in Russia», 161, pp.1821-1830. http: // zhurnal. ape. relarn.ru/articles/2001/161.pdf.
AFRL’s ALREST Physics-Based Combustion Stability Program

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-11-08

enduring challenge because of the inherent complexities in the physics of multiphase turbulent flames. The present paper provides the Air Force...Combustor F i d e l i t y URANS LES Steady RANS HLES Current SOA Capability with 2000 cores Capability at Program End in 2015 (2,000 cores+GPUs) Capability...Unlimited ALREST Validation Cases “Final Exam ” Hydrogen Stable Single Element (PSU) Stable Single Element Methane (Singla) Supercritical Non
LES Investigation of Wake Development in a Transonic Fan Stage for Aeroacoustic Analysis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hah, Chunill; Romeo, Michael

2017-01-01

Detailed development of the rotor wake and its interaction with the stator are investigated with a large eddy simulation (LES). Typical steady and unsteady Navier-Stokes approaches (RANS and URANS) do not calculate wake development accurately and do not provide all the necessary information for an aeroacoustic analysis. It is generally believed that higher fidelity analysis tools are required for an aeroacoustic investigation of transonic fan stages.
Study of Liquid Breakup Process in Solid Rocket Motors

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-01-01

waves. The breakup level increases with the surrounding gas velocity; more liquid breakup in the nozzle throat reduces the liquid alumina droplet size...process of a liquid film that flows along the wall of a straight channel while a high-speed gas moves over it. We have used an unsteady-flow Reynolds...Averaged Navier-Stokes code (URANS) to investigate the interaction of the liquid film flow with the gas flow, and analyzed the breakup process for
Dakota Uncertainty Quantification Methods Applied to the CFD code Nek5000

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

Delchini, Marc-Olivier; Popov, Emilian L.; Pointer, William David

This report presents the state of advancement of a Nuclear Energy Advanced Modeling and Simulation (NEAMS) project to characterize the uncertainty of the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) code Nek5000 using the Dakota package for flows encountered in the nuclear engineering industry. Nek5000 is a high-order spectral element CFD code developed at Argonne National Laboratory for high-resolution spectral-filtered large eddy simulations (LESs) and unsteady Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (URANS) simulations.
Thermogravimetric Control of Intermediate Products in the Metallurgy of Uranium; CONTROL TERMOGRAVIMETRICO DE PRODUCTOS INTERMEDIOS DE LA METALURGIA DEL URANIO

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

Sanchez, L.G.; Cellini, R.F.

1959-01-01

The thermal decomposition of some intermediate compounds in the metallurgy of uranium such as uranium peroxide, ammonium uranate, ammonium uranium pentafluoride, uranium tetrafluoride, and UO/sub 2/, were studied using Chevenard's thermobalance. Some data on the pyrolysis of synthetic mixtures of intermediate compounds which may appear during the industrial processing are given. Thermogravimetric methods of control are suggested for use in uranium metallurgy. (tr-auth)
Partially-Averaged Navier-Stokes (PANS) approach for study of fluid flow and heat transfer characteristics in Czochralski melt

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Verma, Sudeep; Dewan, Anupam

2018-01-01

The Partially-Averaged Navier-Stokes (PANS) approach has been applied for the first time to model turbulent flow and heat transfer in an ideal Czochralski set up with the realistic boundary conditions. This method provides variable level of resolution ranging from the Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) modelling to Direct Numerical Simulation (DNS) based on the filter control parameter. For the present case, a low-Re PANS model has been developed for Czochralski melt flow, which includes the effect of coriolis, centrifugal, buoyant and surface tension induced forces. The aim of the present study is to assess improvement in results on switching to PANS modelling from unsteady RANS (URANS) approach on the same computational mesh. The PANS computed results were found to be in good agreement with the reported experimental, DNS and Large Eddy Simulation (LES) data. A clear improvement in computational accuracy is observed in switching from the URANS approach to the PANS methodology. The computed results further improved with a reduction in the PANS filter width. Further the capability of the PANS model to capture key characteristics of the Czochralski crystal growth is also highlighted. It was observed that the PANS model was able to resolve the three-dimensional turbulent nature of the melt, characteristic flow structures arising due to flow instabilities and generation of thermal plumes and vortices in the Czochralski melt.
Simulations of Turbulent Momentum and Scalar Transport in Confined Swirling Coaxial Jets

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Shih, Tsan-Hsing; Liu, Nan-Suey; Moder, Jeffrey P.

2015-01-01

This paper presents the numerical simulations of confined three-dimensional coaxial water jets. The objectives are to validate the newly proposed nonlinear turbulence models of momentum and scalar transport, and to evaluate the newly introduced scalar APDF and DWFDF equation along with its Eulerian implementation in the National Combustion Code(NCC). Simulations conducted include the steady RANS, the unsteady RANS (URANS), and the time-filtered Navier-Stokes (TFNS); both without and with invoking the APDF or DWFDF equation.

ELECTROLYTIC PRODUCTION OF URANIUM TETRAFLUORIDE

DOEpatents

Lofthouse, E.

1954-08-31

This patent relates to electrolytic methods for the production of uranium tetrafluoride. According to the present invention a process for the production of uranium tetrafluoride comprises submitting to electrolysis an aqueous solution of uranyl fluoride containing free hydrofluoric acid. Advantageously the aqueous solution of uranyl fluoride is obtained by dissolving uranium hexafluoride in water. On electrolysis, the uranyl ions are reduced to uranous tons at the cathode and immediately combine with the fluoride ions in solution to form the insoluble uranium tetrafluoride which is precipitated.
Aerodynamic investigations of a disc-wing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dumitrache, Alexandru; Frunzulica, Florin; Grigorescu, Sorin

2017-01-01

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the aerodynamic characteristics of a wing-disc, for a civil application in the fire-fighting system. The aerodynamic analysis is performed using a CFD code, named ANSYS Fluent, in the flow speed range up to 25 m/s, at lower and higher angle of attack. The simulation is three-dimensional, using URANS completed by a SST turbulence model. The results are used to examine the flow around the disc with increasing angle of attack and the structure of the wake.
Study of Liquid Breakup Process in Solid Rocket Motor Nozzle

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-02-16

liquid film flow with the gas flow. The rate of the wave breakup was characterized by introducing Breakup-length, Ohnesorge Number (Oh) and Weber Number... liquid film that flows along the wall of a strraight test channel while a relatively higher-speed gas moves over it. We have used an unsteady-flow...Reynolds- Averaged Navier-Stokes code (URANS) to investigate the interaction of the liquid film flow with the gas flow. The rate of the wave breakup was
An Approach to Improved Credibility of CFD Simulations for Rocket Injector Design

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tucker, Paul K.; Menon, Suresh; Merkle, Charles L.; Oefelein, Joseph C.; Yang, Vigor

2007-01-01

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) has the potential to improve the historical rocket injector design process by simulating the sensitivity of performance and injector-driven thermal environments to. the details of the injector geometry and key operational parameters. Methodical verification and validation efforts on a range of coaxial injector elements have shown the current production CFD capability must be improved in order to quantitatively impact the injector design process.. This paper documents the status of an effort to understand and compare the predictive capabilities and resource requirements of a range of CFD methodologies on a set of model problem injectors. Preliminary results from a steady Reynolds-Average Navier-Stokes (RANS), an unsteady Reynolds-Average Navier Stokes (URANS) and three different Large Eddy Simulation (LES) techniques used to model a single element coaxial injector using gaseous oxygen and gaseous hydrogen propellants are presented. Initial observations are made comparing instantaneous results, corresponding time-averaged and steady-state solutions in the near -injector flow field. Significant differences in the flow fields exist, as expected, and are discussed. An important preliminary result is the identification of a fundamental mixing mechanism, accounted for by URANS and LES, but missing in the steady BANS methodology. Since propellant mixing is the core injector function, this mixing process may prove to have a profound effect on the ability to more correctly simulate injector performance and resulting thermal environments. Issues important to unifying the basis for future comparison such as solution initialization, required run time and grid resolution are addressed.
Geology of the Elephanta Island fault zone, western Indian rifted margin, and its significance for understanding the Panvel flexure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Samant, Hrishikesh; Pundalik, Ashwin; D'souza, Joseph; Sheth, Hetu; Lobo, Keegan Carmo; D'souza, Kyle; Patel, Vanit

2017-02-01

The Panvel flexure is a 150-km long tectonic structure, comprising prominently seaward-dipping Deccan flood basalts, on the western Indian rifted margin. Given the active tectonic faulting beneath the Panvel flexure zone inferred from microseismicity, better structural understanding of the region is needed. The geology of Elephanta Island in the Mumbai harbour, famous for the ca. mid-6th century A.D. Hindu rock-cut caves in Deccan basalt (a UNESCO World Heritage site) is poorly known. We describe a previously unreported but well-exposed fault zone on Elephanta Island, consisting of two large faults dipping steeply east-southeast and producing easterly downthrows. Well-developed slickensides and structural measurements indicate oblique slip on both faults. The Elephanta Island fault zone may be the northern extension of the Alibag-Uran fault zone previously described. This and two other known regional faults (Nhava-Sheva and Belpada faults) indicate a progressively eastward step-faulted structure of the Panvel flexure, with the important result that the individual movements were not simply downdip but also oblique-slip and locally even rotational (as at Uran). An interesting problem is the normal faulting, block tectonics and rifting of this region of the crust for which seismological data indicate a normal thickness (up to 41.3 km). A model of asymmetric rifting by simple shear may explain this observation and the consistently landward dips of the rifted margin faults.
An Investigation of Transonic Resonance in a Mach 2.2 Round Convergent-Divergent Nozzle

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dippold, Vance F., III; Zaman, Khairul B. M. Q.

2015-01-01

Hot-wire and acoustic measurements were taken for a round convergent nozzle and a round convergent-divergent (C-D) nozzle at a jet Mach number of 0.61. The C-D nozzle had a design Mach number of 2.2. Compared to the convergent nozzle jet flow, the Mach 2.2 nozzle jet flow produced excess broadband noise (EBBN). It also produced a transonic resonance tone at 1200 Herz. Computational simulations were performed for both nozzle flows. A steady Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes simulation was performed for the convergent nozzle jet flow. For the Mach 2.2 nozzle flow, a steady RANS simulation, an unsteady RANS (URANS) simulation, and an unsteady Detached Eddy Simulation (DES) were performed. The RANS simulation of the convergent nozzle showed good agreement with the hot-wire velocity and turbulence measurements, though the decay of the potential core was over-predicted. The RANS simulation of the Mach 2.2 nozzle showed poor agreement with the experimental data, and more closely resembled an ideally-expanded jet. The URANS simulation also showed qualitative agreement with the hot-wire data, but predicted a transonic resonance at 1145 Herz. The DES showed good agreement with the hot-wire velocity and turbulence data. The DES also produced a transonic tone at 1135 Herz. The DES solution showed that the destabilization of the shock-induced separation region inside the nozzle produced increased levels of turbulence intensity. This is likely the source of the EBBN.
MEASUREMENT OF TRACE LEVELS OF DEUTERIUM OXIDE IN BIOLOGIC FLUIDS USING INFRARED SPECTROPHOTOMETRY.

DTIC Science & Technology

Experimental data relevant to the assay of D2O in human serum, urine, and parotid fluid are presented. For serum, with triplicate scans, values of precision...and of accuracy of plus or minus 3% at the 250 p.p.m. D2O level are obtained. By use of parotid fluid the values are narrowed to plus or minus 2% at...aqueous compartments using values for serum water content. Parotid fluid appears to be particularly suitable for biomedical applications due to its ease
PROCESS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF AMMONIUM URANIUM FLUORIDE

DOEpatents

Ellis, A.S.; Mooney, R.B.

1953-08-25

This patent relates to the preparation of ammonium uranium fluoride. The process comprises adding a water soluble fluoride to an aqueous solution of a uranous compound containing an ammonium salt, and isolating the resulting precipitate. This patent relates to the manufacture of uranium tetnafluoride from ammonium uranium fluoride, NH/sub 4/UF/sub 5/. Uranium tetrafluoride is prepared by heating the ammonium uranium fluoride to a temperature at which dissociation occurs with liberation of ammonium fluoride. Preferably the process is carried out under reduced pressure, or in a current of an inert gas.
Large Eddy Simulation of Flow in Turbine Cascades Using LESTool and UNCLE Codes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Huang, P. G.

2004-01-01

During the period December 23,1997 and December August 31,2004, we accomplished the development of 2 CFD codes for DNS/LES/RANS simulation of turbine cascade flows, namely LESTool and UNCLE. LESTool is a structured code making use of 5th order upwind differencing scheme and UNCLE is a second-order-accuracy unstructured code. LESTool has both Dynamic SGS and Spalart's DES models and UNCLE makes use of URANS and DES models. The current report provides a description of methodologies used in the codes.
Large Eddy Simulation of Flow in Turbine Cascades Using LEST and UNCLE Codes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ashpis, David (Technical Monitor); Huang, P. G.

2004-01-01

During the period December 23, 1997 and December August 31, 2004, we accomplished the development of 2 CFD codes for DNS/LES/RANS simulation of turbine cascade flows, namely LESTool and UNCLE. LESTool is a structured code making use of 5th order upwind differencing scheme and UNCLE is a second-order-accuracy unstructured code. LESTool has both Dynamic SGS and Sparlart's DES models and UNCLE makes use of URANS and DES models. The current report provides a description of methodologies used in the codes.
Association of trauma-related disorders and dissociation with four idioms of distress among Latino psychiatric outpatients.

PubMed

Lewis-Fernández, Roberto; Gorritz, Magdaliz; Raggio, Greer A; Peláez, Clara; Chen, Henian; Guarnaccia, Peter J

2010-06-01

Past research on idioms of distress among U.S. Latinos has revealed that ataque de nervios and altered perceptions, such as hearing and seeing things when alone, are independent markers of higher morbidity and mental health utilization despite having no one-to-one relationships with any single psychiatric diagnosis. It has been proposed that the idioms exert this effect because they are signs of distressing dissociative capacity associated with traumatic exposure. This study examines the relationships in an ethnically diverse Latino psychiatric outpatient sample (N = 230) among interpersonal trauma, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), major depressive disorder, dissociative capacity and four cultural idioms of distress associated with the popular overall category of nervios. We particularly explore how these relationships change with varied measures of traumatic exposure, including trauma severity and timing or persistence of trauma. A series of adjusted bivariate regressions assessed the matrix of associations between the idioms and the clinical variables. In this highly traumatized population, we identified a strong 'nexus' of associations between dissociation and three of the idioms: currently being ill with nerves, ataque de nervios and altered perceptions. These idioms were largely independent from PTSD and depression and were associated with trauma persistence and severity. A fourth idiom, being nervous since childhood, was not associated with any other variable and may represent a personality trait rather than a diagnosable condition. Our results validate the clinical utility of the construct of nervios as a set of specific idioms associated with dissociation that are useful markers of mental health need among Latinos independently of their association with clinical diagnoses.
Genesis of kasolite associated with aplite-pegmatite at Jabal Sayid, Hijaz region, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dawood, Yehia H.; Harbi, Hesham M.; Abd El-Naby, Hamdy H.

2010-01-01

In this study, we report kasolite Pb(UO 2)SiO 4·(H 2O) for the first time as a main uranyl mineral in the mineralized aplite-pegmatite of Jabal Sayid, Hijaz region. It commonly forms clusters of yellow acicular crystals in the voids and fractures. The mineral chemistry and mineralogical characteristics of kasolite were investigated using different techniques. Calcium, iron and phosphorus are detected in kasolite in addition to its major constituents; uranium, lead and silicon. Lead does not exist as a radiogenic product and not even as a substitute for uranium in the mineral structure. Alternatively, galena mineralization could be considered as a source for lead. The fluoride and carbonate complexes played a significant role in the formation of kasolite. High temperature hydrothermal solutions reacted with pre-existing uranium-bearing metamictized accessory minerals such as pyrochlore, U-rich thorite and zircon to form uranous fluoride complexes. These complexes are predominant in reducing environment and at pH 4. When the fluids approached the surface passing through fracture system, the oxygen fugacity ( fO 2) and the pH increased because of the loss of volatile components. At these conditions, uranous fluorides would convert to uranyl fluoride complexes UO 2F 3-. Further decrease in temperature was associated with the decay of the activity of fluorine ion by the dilution of hydrothermal solutions and precipitation of fluorite. At this condition, uranyl-carbonate complexes are favoured. These complexes were combined later with silica and lead to form kasolite.
Computational Simulations of Convergent Nozzles for the AIAA 1st Propulsion Aerodynamics Workshop

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dippold, Vance F., III

2014-01-01

Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations were completed for a series of convergent nozzles in participation of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) 1st Propulsion Aerodynamics Workshop. The simulations were performed using the Wind-US flow solver. Discharge and thrust coefficients were computed for four axisymmetric nozzles with nozzle pressure ratios (NPR) ranging from 1.4 to 7.0. The computed discharge coefficients showed excellent agreement with available experimental data; the computed thrust coefficients captured trends observed in the experimental data, but over-predicted the thrust coefficient by 0.25 to 1.0 percent. Sonic lines were computed for cases with NPR >= 2.0 and agreed well with experimental data for NPR >= 2.5. Simulations were also performed for a 25 deg. conic nozzle bifurcated by a flat plate at NPR = 4.0. The jet plume shock structure was compared with and without the splitter plate to the experimental data. The Wind-US simulations predicted the shock structure well, though lack of grid resolution in the plume reduced the sharpness of the shock waves. Unsteady Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes (URANS) simulations and Detached Eddy Simulations (DES) were performed at NPR = 1.6 for the 25 deg conic nozzle with splitter plate. The simulations predicted vortex shedding from the trailing edge of the splitter plate. However, the vortices of URANS and DES solutions appeared to dissipate earlier than observed experimentally. It is believed that a lack of grid resolution in the region of the vortex shedding may have caused the vortices to break down too soon
Numerical study on wake characteristics of high-speed trains

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yao, Shuan-Bao; Sun, Zhen-Xu; Guo, Di-Long; Chen, Da-Wei; Yang, Guo-Wei

2013-12-01

Intensive turbulence exists in the wakes of high speed trains, and the aerodynamic performance of the trailing car could deteriorate rapidly due to complicated features of the vortices in the wake zone. As a result, the safety and amenity of high speed trains would face a great challenge. This paper considers mainly the mechanism of vortex formation and evolution in the train flow field. A real CRH2 model is studied, with a leading car, a middle car and a trailing car included. Different running speeds and cross wind conditions are considered, and the approaches of unsteady Reynold-averaged Navier-Stokes (URANS) and detached eddy simulation (DES) are utilized, respectively. Results reveal that DES has better capability of capturing small eddies compared to URANS. However, for large eddies, the effects of two approaches are almost the same. In conditions without cross winds, two large vortex streets stretch from the train nose and interact strongly with each other in the wake zone. With the reinforcement of the ground, a complicated wake vortex system generates and becomes strengthened as the running speed increases. However, the locations of flow separations on the train surface and the separation mechanism keep unchanged. In conditions with cross winds, three large vortices develop along the leeward side of the train, among which the weakest one has no obvious influence on the wake flow while the other two stretch to the tail of the train and combine with the helical vortices in the train wake. Thus, optimization of the aerodynamic performance of the trailing car should be aiming at reducing the intensity of the wake vortex system.
Guidelines for Computing Longitudinal Dynamic Stability Characteristics of a Subsonic Transport

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Thompson, Joseph R.; Frank, Neal T.; Murphy, Patrick C.

2010-01-01

A systematic study is presented to guide the selection of a numerical solution strategy for URANS computation of a subsonic transport configuration undergoing simulated forced oscillation about its pitch axis. Forced oscillation is central to the prevalent wind tunnel methodology for quantifying aircraft dynamic stability derivatives from force and moment coefficients, which is the ultimate goal for the computational simulations. Extensive computations are performed that lead in key insights of the critical numerical parameters affecting solution convergence. A preliminary linear harmonic analysis is included to demonstrate the potential of extracting dynamic stability derivatives from computational solutions.
["Nervous breakdown": a diagnostic characterization study].

PubMed

Salmán, E; Carrasco, J L; Liebowitz, M; Díaz Marsá, M; Prieto, R; Jusino, C; Cárdenas, D; Klein, D

1997-01-01

An evaluation was made of the influence of different psychiatric co-morbidities on the symptoms of the disorder popularly known as "ataque de nervios" (nervous breakdown) among the US Hispanic population. Using a self-completed instrument designed specially for both traditional nervous breakdown and for panic symptoms, and structured or semi-structured psychiatric interviews for Axis I disorders, and evaluation was made of Hispanic subjects who sought treatment for anxiety in a clinic (n = 156). This study centered on 102 subjects who presented symptoms of "nervous breakdown" and comorbidity with panic disorder, other anxiety disorders, or affective disorder. Variations in co-morbidity with "nervous breakdown" enabled the identification of different patterns of "nervous breakdown" presenting symptoms. Individuals with "nervous breakdown" and panic disorder characteristically expressed a greater sense of asphyxiation, fear of dying, and growing fear (panic-like) during their breakdowns. Subjects with "nervous breakdown" and affective disorder had a greater sensation of anger and more tendency toward screaming and aggressive behavior such as breaking things during the breakdown (emotional anger). Finally, subjects with "nervous breakdown" and co-morbidity with another anxiety disorder had fewer "paniclike" or "emotional anger" symptoms. These findings suggest that: a) the widely used term "nervous breakdown" is a popular label for different patterns of loss of emotional control; b) the type of loss of emotional control is influenced by the associated psychiatric disorder; and c) the symptoms characteristics of the "nervous breakdown" can be useful clinical markers for associated psychiatric disorders. Future research is needed to determine whether the known Hispanic entity "ataque de nervios" is simply a popular description for different aspects of well-known psychiatric disorders, or if it reflects specific demographic, environmental, personality and/or clinical characteristics of the population.
Association of Trauma-Related Disorders and Dissociation with Four Idioms of Distress Among Latino Psychiatric Outpatients

PubMed Central

Gorritz, Magdaliz; Raggio, Greer A.; Peláez, Clara; Chen, Henian; Guarnaccia, Peter J.

2015-01-01

Past research on idioms of distress among U.S. Latinos has revealed that ataque de nervios and altered perceptions, such as hearing and seeing things when alone, are independent markers of higher morbidity and mental health utilization despite having no one-to-one relationships with any single psychiatric diagnosis. It has been proposed that the idioms exert this effect because they are signs of distressing dissociative capacity associated with traumatic exposure. This study examines the relationships in an ethnically diverse Latino psychiatric outpatient sample (N = 230) among interpersonal trauma, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), major depressive disorder, dissociative capacity and four cultural idioms of distress associated with the popular overall category of nervios. We particularly explore how these relationships change with varied measures of traumatic exposure, including trauma severity and timing or persistence of trauma. A series of adjusted bivariate regressions assessed the matrix of associations between the idioms and the clinical variables. In this highly traumatized population, we identified a strong ‘nexus’ of associations between dissociation and three of the idioms: currently being ill with nerves, ataque de nervios and altered perceptions. These idioms were largely independent from PTSD and depression and were associated with trauma persistence and severity. A fourth idiom, being nervous since childhood, was not associated with any other variable and may represent a personality trait rather than a diagnosable condition. Our results validate the clinical utility of the construct of nervios as a set of specific idioms associated with dissociation that are useful markers of mental health need among Latinos independently of their association with clinical diagnoses. PMID:20414799
Decameter Type IV Burst Associated with a Behind-the-limb CME Observed on 7 November 2013

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Melnik, V. N.; Brazhenko, A. I.; Konovalenko, A. A.; Dorovskyy, V. V.; Rucker, H. O.; Panchenko, M.; Frantsuzenko, A. V.; Shevchuk, M. V.

2018-03-01

We report on the results of observations of a type IV burst made by the Ukrainian Radio interferometer of the Academy of Sciences (URAN-2) in the frequency range 22 - 33 MHz. The burst is associated with a coronal mass ejection (CME) initiated by a behind-the-limb active region (N05E151) and was also observed by the Nançay Decameter Array (NDA) radio telescope in the frequency band 30 - 60 MHz. The purpose of the article is the determination of the source of this type IV burst. After analysis of the observational data obtained with the URAN-2, the NDA, the Solar-Terrestrial Relations Observatory (STEREO) A and B spacecraft, and the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) spacecraft, we come to the conclusion that the source of the burst is the core of a behind-the-limb CME. We conclude that the radio emission can escape the center of the CME core at a frequency of 60 MHz and originates from the periphery of the core at a frequency of 30 MHz that is due to occultation by the solar corona at the corresponding frequencies. We find plasma densities in these regions assuming the plasma mechanism of radio emission. We show that the frequency drift of the start of the type IV burst is governed by an expansion of the CME core. The type III bursts that were observed against this type IV burst are shown to be generated by fast electrons propagating through the CME core plasma. A type II burst was registered at frequencies of 44 - 64 MHz and 3 - 16 MHz and was radiated by a shock with velocities of about 1000 km s^{-1} and 800 km s^{-1}, respectively.
Ethnic syndromes as disguise for protest against colonialism: three ethnographic examples.

PubMed

Hegeman, Elizabeth

2013-01-01

Historical connections are suggested between the domination of 1 culture by another and dissociative spiritual and religious responses to that oppression. Connections are drawn between colonial oppression, trauma, and 3 examples of dissociation and spirit possession: the Zar cult of Southern Sudan, "Puerto Rican syndrome" or ataque, and the Balinese trance dance. Discussed by means of these examples are the role and functions of spirit possession as a means of escape from unbearable reality, where it becomes a form of the expression of needs and desires forbidden by authorities, a way of entering an identity not subject to traditional authorities, and reenactment of traumatic experience.
Analysis by Activation. Part III. Simultaneous Determination of Copper and Uranium in Minerals by Radioactivation; ANALISES POR ATIVACAO. PARTE III. DETERMINACAO SIMULTANEA DE OURO E URANIC NOS MINERAIS POR RADIOATIVACAO

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

Abrao, A.

1959-04-01

ABS>Copper and uranium frequently associated in the same mineral, can be qualitatively and quantitatlvely determined by means of the radioisotopes Au/sup 198/ and Np/sup 239/ formed during the irradiation of the mineral in a reactor The copper is separated from the neptunium and fission products by anion resin without the addition of isotopic carriers. The efficiency of the chemical separation and the purity of the two radioisotopes is controlled by gamma spectroscopy and bidetermination of the half lives. (tr-auth)

Simulation of Synthetic Jets in Quiescent Air Using Unsteady Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes Equations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Vatsa, Veer N.; Turkel, Eli

2006-01-01

We apply an unsteady Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (URANS) solver for the simulation of a synthetic jet created by a single diaphragm piezoelectric actuator in quiescent air. This configuration was designated as Case 1 for the CFDVAL2004 workshop held at Williamsburg, Virginia, in March 2004. Time-averaged and instantaneous data for this case were obtained at NASA Langley Research Center, using multiple measurement techniques. Computational results for this case using one-equation Spalart-Allmaras and two-equation Menter's turbulence models are presented along with the experimental data. The effect of grid refinement, preconditioning and time-step variation are also examined in this paper.
Numerical simulation of vessel dynamics in manoeuvrability and seakeeping problems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Blishchik, A. E.; Taranov, A. E.

2018-05-01

This paper deals with some examples of numerical modelling for ship's dynamics problems and data comparison with corresponding experimental results. It was considered two kinds of simulation: self-propelled turning motion of crude carrier KVLCC2 and changing position of container carrier S 175 due to wave loadings. Mesh generation and calculation were made in STAR-CCM+ package. URANS equations were used as system of equations closed by k-w SST turbulence model. The vessel had several degrees of freedom, which depend on task. Based on the results of this research, the conclusion was made concerning the applicability of used numerical methods.
Prediction of helicopter rotor noise in hover

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kusyumov, A. N.; Mikhailov, S. A.; Garipova, L. I.; Batrakov, A. S.; Barakos, G.

2015-05-01

Two mathematical models are used in this work to estimate the acoustics of a hovering main rotor. The first model is based on the Ffowcs Williams-Howkings equations using the formulation of Farassat. An analytical approach is followed for this model, to determine the thickness and load noise contributions of the rotor blade in hover. The second approach allows using URANS and RANS CFD solutions and based on numerical solution of the Ffowcs Williams-Howkings equations. The employed test cases correspond to a model rotor available at the KNRTUKAI aerodynamics laboratory. The laboratory is equipped with a system of acoustic measurements, and comparisons between predictions and measurements are to be attempted as part of this work.
METHOD OF PROCESSING MONAZITE SAND

DOEpatents

Calkins, G.D.

1957-10-29

A method is given for the pretreatment of monazite sand with sodium hydroxide. When momazite sand is reacted with sodium hydroxide, the thorium, uranium, and rare earths are converted to water-insoluble hydrous oxides; but in the case of uranium, the precipitate compound may at least partly consist of a slightly soluble uranate. According to the patent, monazite sand is treated with an excess of aqueous sodium hydroxide solution, and the insoluble compounds of thorium, uranium, and the rare earths are separated from the aqueous solution. This solution is then concentrated causing sodium phosphate to crystallize out. The crystals are removed from the remaining solution, and the solution is recycled for reaction with a mew supply of momazite sand.
High Sensitive Scintillation Observations At Very Low Frequencies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Konovalenko, A. A.; Falkovich, I. S.; Kalinichenko, N. N.; Olyak, M. R.; Lecacheux, A.; Rosolen, C.; Bougeret, J.-L.; Rucker, H. O.; Tokarev, Yu.

The observation of interplanetary scintillations of compact radio sources is powerful method of solar wind diagnostics. This method is developed mainly at decimeter- meter wavelengths. New possibilities are opened at extremely low frequencies (decameter waves) especially at large elongations. Now this approach is being actively developed using high effective decameter antennas UTR-2, URAN and Nancay Decameter Array. New class of back-end facility like high dynamic range, high resolution digital spectral processors, as well as dynamic spectra determination ideology give us new opportunities for distinguishing of the ionospheric and interplanetary scintillations and for observations of large number of radio sources, whith different angular sizes and elongations, even for the cases of rather weak objects.
PROCESSES OF RECLAIMING URANIUM FROM SOLUTIONS

DOEpatents

Zumwalt, L.R.

1959-02-10

A process is described for reclaiming residual enriched uranium from calutron wash solutions containing Fe, Cr, Cu, Ni, and Mn as impurities. The solution is adjusted to a pH of between 2 and 4 and is contacted with a metallic reducing agent, such as iron or zinc, in order to reduce the copper to metal and thereby remove it from the solution. At the same time the uranium present is reduced to the uranous state The solution is then contacted with a precipitate of zinc hydroxide or barium carbonate in order to precipitate and carry uranium, iron, and chromium away from the nickel and manganese ions in the solution. The uranium is then recovered fronm this precipitate.
Association of a culturally defined syndrome (nervios) with chest pain and DSM-IV affective disorders in Hispanic patients referred for cardiac stress testing.

PubMed

Pavlik, Valory N; Hyman, David J; Wendt, Juliet A; Orengo, Claudia

2004-01-01

Hispanics have a high prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors, most notably type 2 diabetes. However, in a large public hospital in Houston, Texas, Hispanic patients referred for cardiac stress testing were significantly more likely to have normal test results than were Whites or non-Hispanic Blacks. We undertook an exploratory study to determine if nervios, a culturally based syndrome that shares similarities with both panic disorder and anginal symptoms, is sufficiently prevalent among Hispanics referred for cardiac testing to be considered as a possible explanation for the high probability of a normal test result. Hispanic patients were recruited consecutively when they presented for a cardiac stress test. A bilingual interviewer administered a brief medical history, the Rose Angina Questionnaire (RAQ), a questionnaire to assess a history of nervios and associated symptoms, and the PRIME-MD, a validated brief questionnaire to diagnose DSM-IV defined affective disorders. The average age of the 114 participants (38 men and 76 women) was 57 years, and the average educational attainment was 7 years. Overall, 50% of participants reported a history of chronic nervios, and 14% reported an acute subtype known as ataque de nervios. Only 2% of patients had DSM-IV defined panic disorder, and 59% of patients had a positive RAQ score (ie, Rose questionnaire angina). The acute subtype, ataque de nervios, but not chronic nervios, was related to an increased probability of having Rose questionnaire angina (P=.006). Adjusted for covariates, a positive history of chronic nervios, but not Rose questionnaire angina, was significantly associated with a normal cardiac test result (OR=2.97, P=.04). Nervios is common among Hispanics with symptoms of cardiac disease. Additional research is needed to understand how nervios symptoms differ from chest pain in Hispanics and the role of nervios in referral for cardiac workup by primary care providers and emergency room personnel.
Culture-bound syndromes in Hispanic primary care patients.

PubMed

Bayles, Bryan P; Katerndahl, David A

2009-01-01

We sought to document Hispanic primary care patients' knowledge and experience of five culture-bound syndromes (CBS), as well as the basic socio-cultural correlates of these disorders. A convenience sample of 100 adult Hispanic patients presenting in an urban South Texas primary care clinic was recruited to complete a brief cross-sectional survey, presented in an oral format. Interviews sought information concerning five culture-bound syndromes--susto, empacho, nervios, mal de ojo, and ataques de nervios. Additional demographic, socio-economic, and acculturation data was collected. Descriptive and bivariate statistics (chi square, Fisher's) were used to assess relationships among variables and experience with each CBS. A multivariate logistic analysis was conducted to determine the possible contributions of age, gender, acculturation, and education to the personal experience of a culture-bound syndrome. Results indicate that 77% of respondents had knowledge of all five syndromes, with 42% reporting having personally experienced at least one CBS. Nervios was the most commonly suffered disorder, being reported by 30 respondents. This was followed, in declining order ofprevalence, by susto, mal de ojo, empacho, and ataques de nervios. Multivariate logistic regression analysis found that higher education beyond high school was associated with a slightly decreased likelihood of reporting having suffered from any culture-bound syndrome. While co-occurrence among these disorders occurred, the patterns of predictors suggest that the co-occurrence is not a reflection of mislabeling of one common syndrome. Knowledge of and experience with culture-bound syndromes is common among Hispanic primary care patients in South Texas. Healthcare providers ought to consider discussing these illnesses in a non-judgmental manner with patients who present with symptoms that are consistent with these syndromes. Future studies, with larger sample sizes, are warranted to elucidate the nature of culture-bound disorders and their relationships with conventional diagnostic entities and treatment-seeking behaviors.
Processing liquid organic wastes at the NNL Preston laboratory

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

Coppersthwaite, Duncan; Greenwood, Howard; Docrat, Tahera

2013-07-01

Organic compounds of various kinds have been used in the nuclear industry for numerous duties in uranium chemical, metal and ceramic processing plants. In the course of the various operations undertaken, these organic compounds have become contaminated with uranic material, either accidentally or as an inevitable part of the process. Typically, the chemical/physical form and/or concentration of the uranic content of the organics has prevented disposal. In order to address the issue of contaminated liquid organic wastes, the National Nuclear Laboratory (NNL) has developed a suite of treatments designed to recover uranium and to render the waste suitable for disposal.more » The developed processes are operated at industrial scale via the NNL Preston Laboratory Residue Processing Plant. The Oil Waste Leaching (OWL) Process is a fully industrialised process used for the treatment of contaminated oils with approximately 200 tonnes of uranium contaminated oil being treated to date. The process was originally developed for the treatment of contaminated tributyl phosphate and odourless kerosene which had been adsorbed onto sawdust. However, over the years, the OWL process has been refined for a range of oils including 'water emulsifiable' cutting oils, lubricating oils, hydraulic oils/fluids and 'Fomblin' (fully fluorinated) oils. Chemically, the OWL process has proved capable of treating solvents as well as oils but the highly volatile/flammable nature of many solvents has required additional precautions compared with those required for oil treatment. These additional precautions led to the development of the Solvent Treatment Advanced Rig (STAR), an installation operated under an inert atmosphere. STAR is a small 'module' (100 dm{sup 3} volume) which allows the treatment of both water miscible and immiscible solvents. This paper discusses the challenges associated with the treatment of liquid organic wastes and the process developments which have allowed a wide range of materials to be successfully treated. (authors)« less
Formation of stable uranium(VI) colloidal nanoparticles in conditions relevant to radioactive waste disposal.

PubMed

Bots, Pieter; Morris, Katherine; Hibberd, Rosemary; Law, Gareth T W; Mosselmans, J Frederick W; Brown, Andy P; Doutch, James; Smith, Andrew J; Shaw, Samuel

2014-12-09

The favored pathway for disposal of higher activity radioactive wastes is via deep geological disposal. Many geological disposal facility designs include cement in their engineering design. Over the long term, interaction of groundwater with the cement and waste will form a plume of a hyperalkaline leachate (pH 10-13), and the behavior of radionuclides needs to be constrained under these extreme conditions to minimize the environmental hazard from the wastes. For uranium, a key component of many radioactive wastes, thermodynamic modeling predicts that, at high pH, U(VI) solubility will be very low (nM or lower) and controlled by equilibrium with solid phase alkali and alkaline-earth uranates. However, the formation of U(VI) colloids could potentially enhance the mobility of U(VI) under these conditions, and characterizing the potential for formation and medium-term stability of U(VI) colloids is important in underpinning our understanding of U behavior in waste disposal. Reflecting this, we applied conventional geochemical and microscopy techniques combined with synchrotron based in situ and ex situ X-ray techniques (small-angle X-ray scattering and X-ray adsorption spectroscopy (XAS)) to characterize colloidal U(VI) nanoparticles in a synthetic cement leachate (pH > 13) containing 4.2-252 μM U(VI). The results show that in cement leachates with 42 μM U(VI), colloids formed within hours and remained stable for several years. The colloids consisted of 1.5-1.8 nm nanoparticles with a proportion forming 20-60 nm aggregates. Using XAS and electron microscopy, we were able to determine that the colloidal nanoparticles had a clarkeite (sodium-uranate)-type crystallographic structure. The presented results have clear and hitherto unrecognized implications for the mobility of U(VI) in cementitious environments, in particular those associated with the geological disposal of nuclear waste.
Zonal PANS: evaluation of different treatments of the RANS-LES interface

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Davidson, L.

2016-03-01

The partially Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (PANS) model can be used to simulate turbulent flows either as RANS, large eddy simulation (LES) or DNS. Its main parameter is fk whose physical meaning is the ratio of the modelled to the total turbulent kinetic energy. In RANS fk = 1, in DNS fk = 0 and in LES fk takes values between 0 and 1. Three different ways of prescribing fk are evaluated for decaying grid turbulence and fully developed channel flow: fk = 0.4, fk = k3/2tot/ɛ and, from its definition, fk = k/ktot where ktot is the sum of the modelled, k, and resolved, kres, turbulent kinetic energy. It is found that the fk = 0.4 gives the best results. In Girimaji and Wallin, a method was proposed to include the effect of the gradient of fk. This approach is used at RANS- LES interface in the present study. Four different interface models are evaluated in fully developed channel flow and embedded LES of channel flow: in both cases, PANS is used as a zonal model with fk = 1 in the unsteady RANS (URANS) region and fk = 0.4 in the LES region. In fully developed channel flow, the RANS- LES interface is parallel to the wall (horizontal) and in embedded LES, it is parallel to the inlet (vertical). The importance of the location of the horizontal interface in fully developed channel flow is also investigated. It is found that the location - and the choice of the treatment at the interface - may be critical at low Reynolds number or if the interface is placed too close to the wall. The reason is that the modelled turbulent shear stress at the interface is large and hence the relative strength of the resolved turbulence is small. In RANS, the turbulent viscosity - and consequently also the modelled Reynolds shear stress - is only weakly dependent on Reynolds number. It is found in the present work that it also applies in the URANS region.
LES and URANS predictions of the hydrodynamic loads on a tension-leg platform

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Abrishamchi, A.; Younis, B. A.

2012-01-01

This paper reports on the prediction of the unsteady hydrodynamic forces that act on a floating Tension-Leg Platform (TLP) due to the action of a steady current. The results were obtained by solving the three-dimensional, time-dependent form of the equations governing conservation of mass and momentum. Movement of the free surface was tracked using the volume of fluid algorithm. The effects of turbulence were accounted for using two very different approaches: Large-Eddy Simulations (LES) and Unsteady Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes (URANS). The latter approach utilized a two-equation turbulence closure that has been extended to capture the occurrence and consequences of vortex shedding from bluff bodies. The primary objective of the work was to explore the merits and de-merits of each modeling approach when applied to a large-scale structure of the type frequently encountered in practice. The test case chosen for this purposes of this assessment was the case of a conventional TLP in steady current at Reynolds numbers (based on column diameter) of 7.5×106 and 7.5×107. These values are representative of those encountered in deep-sea operations. Experiments and field observations have indicated that the resulting flows exhibit a number of complicated features due to the interactions between the shed vortices and the various structural components of the TLP. Many but not all of these features were captured by the present computations. In addition to a critical assessment of the two modeling approaches, the paper reports on a number of practical experiences gained in the course of conducting this study, including an assessment of the importance of allowing for the movement of the free surface (as opposed to adopting the usual solid-lid approximation) and an illustration of the effects of the current's angle of incidence on the computed hydrodynamic loads.
Qué es la Epilepsia? Attitudes and knowledge of epilepsy by Spanish-speaking adults in the United States.

PubMed

Sirven, Joseph I; Lopez, Ricardo A; Vazquez, Blanca; Van Haverbeke, Peter

2005-09-01

Spanish-speaking adults are the largest minority population group in the United States and are disproportionately afflicted by epilepsy. A unique 78-item survey instrument conducted entirely in Spanish and devoted to the topic of epilepsy was administered to 760 Spanish-speaking adults in seven large U.S. Hispanic metropolitan areas representing a cross section of the U.S. Hispanic community. The answers were compared with those of 272 non-Hispanic controls administered the same survey in English in June 2004. The Hispanic sample correlated well with U.S. Census data. Spanish-speaking adults are mostly unaware about epilepsy, with 21% reporting no familiarity with the condition (P=0.0001). The vast majority of Hispanics use the term convulsiones or ataque to describe a seizure. Thirteen percent of Hispanics with less than high school education believe that epilepsy is contagious (P=0.0001); 8% see "sins" as a cause of seizures (P=0.0001); and 10% agree that "exorcism" would be a good remedy (P=0.002). There is considerable misinformation about epilepsy in the U.S. Hispanic community. Neurologists must be made aware of U.S. Hispanic attitudes and beliefs regarding epilepsy to provide culturally competent care.
Kyol Goeu (‘Wind Overload’) Part II: Prevalence, Characteristics, and Mechanisms of Kyol Goeu and Near-Kyol Goeu Episodes of Khmer Patients Attending a Psychiatric Clinic

PubMed Central

Hinton, Devon; Um, Khin; Ba, Phalnarith

2009-01-01

Kyol goeu (literally, ‘wind overload’) is an orthostatically triggered syncopal syndrome often found among Khmer refugees in the US. In the present study, 36 of 100 (36%) Khmer patients attending a psychiatric clinic were found to have suffered a kyol goeu episode in the past, whereas 60 of 100 (60%) patients had experienced a near-kyol goeu event in the last six months. Following a survey-based characterization of kyol goeu, as well as the presentation of case vignettes, the article discusses six mechanisms resulting in the high prevalence of the syndrome. The article concludes by comparing kyol goeu and ataque de nervios. PMID:20808711
A qualitative analysis of posttraumatic stress among Mexican victims of disaster.

PubMed

Norris, F H; Weisshaar, D L; Conrad, M L; Diaz, E M; Murphy, A D; Lbañez, G E

2001-10-01

In unstructured interviews, 24 Mexicans described survivors' responses to disasters in Guadalajara, Jalisco (n = 9), Homestead, Florida (n = 6), and Puerto Angel, Oaxaca (n = 9). This analysis assessed the extent to which symptom descriptions corresponded to the 17 criterion symptoms of PTSD. Nineteen participants (79%) mentioned from 1 to 9 criterion symptoms. Event-related distress, hypervigilance, recurrent recollections, and avoiding reminders were described most often. Only 3 criterion symptoms were never described. Twenty participants (83%) provided 109 separate expressions that could not be classified specifically as criterion symptoms. These phrases were sorted by 9 independent Mexican volunteers and cluster analyzed. Clusters composed of ataques de nervios, depression, lasting trauma, and somatic complaints provided the best description of the data.
Kyol Goeu ('Wind Overload') Part II: Prevalence, Characteristics, and Mechanisms of Kyol Goeu and Near-Kyol Goeu Episodes of Khmer Patients Attending a Psychiatric Clinic.

PubMed

Hinton, Devon; Um, Khin; Ba, Phalnarith

2001-12-01

Kyol goeu (literally, 'wind overload') is an orthostatically triggered syncopal syndrome often found among Khmer refugees in the US. In the present study, 36 of 100 (36%) Khmer patients attending a psychiatric clinic were found to have suffered a kyol goeu episode in the past, whereas 60 of 100 (60%) patients had experienced a near-kyol goeu event in the last six months. Following a survey-based characterization of kyol goeu, as well as the presentation of case vignettes, the article discusses six mechanisms resulting in the high prevalence of the syndrome. The article concludes by comparing kyol goeu and ataque de nervios.
Trap level spectroscopic investigations of U: ZnAl2O4: Role of defect centres in the TSL process

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mohapatra, M.; Kumar, Mithlesh; Kadam, R. M.

2018-03-01

In order to evaluate the trap level spectroscopic properties of Uranium in ZnAl2O4 spinel host, undoped and Uranium doped ZnAl2O4 samples were synthesized. From photoluminescence (PL) data it was confirmed that uranium gets stabilized in the system as UO66- (octahedral uranate). Electron spin resonance (ESR) studies for the gamma irradiated sample suggested the formation of O2-, F+ and V centres. From the TSL (thermally stimulated luminescence) data, the trap parameters such as frequency factor and activation energy etc. were evaluated. From ESR-TSL correlation it was confirmed that the destruction of O2- ion coincides with TSL glow peak appeared at 332 K.
Study of the Dry Processing of Uranium Ores; ETUDE DES TRAITEMENTS DE MINERAIS D'URANIUM PAR VOIE SECHE

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

Guillet, H.

1959-02-01

A description is given of direct fluorination of preconcentrated uranium ores in order to obtain the hexafluoride. After normal sulfuric acid treatment of the ore to eliminate silica, the uranium is precipitated by lime to obtain either impure calcium uranate of medium grade, or containing around 10% of uranium. This concentrate is dried in an inert atmosphere and then treated with a current of elementary fluorine. The uranium hexafluoride formed is condensed at the outlet of the reaction vessel and may be used either for reduction to tetrafluoride and the subsequent manufacture of uranium metal or as the initial productmore » in a diffusion plant. (auth)« less
Separation of actinides from lanthanides utilizing molten salt electrorefining

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

Grimmett, D.L.; Fusselman, S.P.; Roy, J.J.

1996-10-01

TRUMP-S (TRansUranic Management through Pyropartitioning Separation) is a pyrochemical process being developed to separate actinides form fission products in nuclear waste. A key process step involving molten salt electrorefining to separate actinides from lanthanides has been studied on a laboratory scale. Electrorefining of U, Np, Pu, Am, and lanthanide mixtures from molten cadmium at 450 C to a solid cathode utilizing a molten chloride electrolyte resulted in > 99% removal of actinides from the molten cadmium and salt phases. Removal of the last few percent of actinides is accompanied by lowered cathodic current efficiency and some lanthanide codeposition. Actinide/lanthanide separationmore » ratios on the cathode are ordered U > Np > Pu > Am and are consistent with predictions based on equilibrium potentials.« less
Cross-cultural aspects of anxiety disorders.

PubMed

Hofmann, Stefan G; Hinton, Devon E

2014-06-01

A person's cultural background influences the experience and expression of emotions. In reviewing the recent literature on cross-cultural aspects of anxiety disorders, we identified some culturally related ethnopsychology/ethnophysiology factors (the culture's conceptualizations of how the mind and body function) and contextual factors that influence anxiety disorders. Ethnopsychology/ethnophysiology factors include the person's ideas about the mental and bodily processes (and their interaction), whereas contextual factors are associated with the social norms and rules that may contribute to anxiety, including individualism vs. collectivism and self-construals. From the perspective of ethnopsychology/ethnophysiology and contextual factors, we will discuss "khyâl cap" ("wind attacks"), taijin kyofusho, and ataques de nervios, three prominent examples of culture-specific expressions of anxiety disorders that have all been included in the DSM-5 list of cultural concepts of distress.

An assessment of CFD-based wall heat transfer models in piston engines

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

Sircar, Arpan; Paul, Chandan; Ferreyro-Fernandez, Sebastian

The lack of accurate submodels for in-cylinder heat transfer has been identified as a key shortcoming in developing truly predictive, physics-based computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models that can be used to develop combustion systems for advanced high-efficiency, low-emissions engines. Only recently have experimental methods become available that enable accurate near-wall measurements to enhance simulation capability via advancing models. Initial results show crank-angle dependent discrepancies with respect to previously used boundary-layer models of up to 100%. However, available experimental data is quite sparse (only few data points on engine walls) and limited (available measurements are those of heat flux only). Predictivemore » submodels are needed for medium-resolution ("engineering") LES and for unsteady Reynolds-averaged simulations (URANS). Recently, some research groups have performed DNS studies on engine-relevant conditions using simple geometries. These provide very useful data for benchmarking wall heat transfer models under such conditions. Further, a number of new and more sophisticated models have also become available in the literature which account for these engine-like conditions. Some of these have been incorporated while others of a more complex nature, which include solving additional partial differential equations (PDEs) within the thin boundary layer near the wall, are underway. These models will then be tested against the available DNS/experimental data in both SI (spark-ignition) and CI (compression-ignition) engines.« less
Large Eddy Simulation of Vertical Axis Wind Turbines

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hezaveh, Seyed Hossein

Due to several design advantages and operational characteristics, particularly in offshore farms, vertical axis wind turbines (VAWTs) are being reconsidered as a complementary technology to horizontal axial turbines (HAWTs). However, considerable gaps remain in our understanding of VAWT performance since they have been significantly less studied than HAWTs. This thesis examines the performance of isolated VAWTs based on different design parameters and evaluates their characteristics in large wind farms. An actuator line model (ALM) is implemented in an atmospheric boundary layer large eddy simulation (LES) code, with offline coupling to a high-resolution blade-scale unsteady Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (URANS) model. The LES captures the turbine-to-farm scale dynamics, while the URANS captures the blade-to-turbine scale flow. The simulation results are found to be in good agreement with existing experimental datasets. Subsequently, a parametric study of the flow over an isolated VAWT is carried out by varying solidities, height-to-diameter aspect ratios, and tip speed ratios. The analyses of the wake area and power deficits yield an improved understanding of the evolution of VAWT wakes, which in turn enables a more informed selection of turbine designs for wind farms. One of the most important advantages of VAWTs compared to HAWTs is their potential synergistic interactions that increase their performance when placed in close proximity. Field experiments have confirmed that unlike HAWTs, VAWTs can enhance and increase the total power production when placed near each other. Based on these experiments and using ALM-LES, we also present and test new approaches for VAWT farm configuration. We first design clusters with three turbines then configure farms consisting of clusters of VAWTs rather than individual turbines. The results confirm that by using a cluster design, the average power density of wind farms can be increased by as much as 60% relative to regular arrays. Finally, the thesis conducts an investigation of the influence of farm length (parallel to the wind) to assess the fetch needed for equilibrium to be reached, as well as the origin of the kinetic energy extracted by the turbines.
On the study of wavy leading-edge vanes to achieve low fan interaction noise

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tong, Fan; Qiao, Weiyang; Xu, Kunbo; Wang, Liangfeng; Chen, Weijie; Wang, Xunnian

2018-04-01

The application of wavy leading-edge vanes to reduce a single-stage axial fan noise is numerically studied. The aerodynamic and acoustic performance of the fan is numerically investigated using a hybrid unsteady Reynolds averaged Navier-Stokes (URANS)/acoustic analogy method (Goldstein equations). First, the hybrid URANS/Goldstein method is developed and successfully validated against experiment results. Next, numerical simulations are performed to investigate the noise reduction effects of the wavy leading-edge vanes. The aerodynamic and acoustic performance is assessed for a fan with vanes equipped with two different wavy leading-edge profiles and compared with the performance of conventional straight leading-edge vanes. Results indicate that a fan with wavy leading-edge vanes produces lower interaction noise than the baseline fan without a significant loss in aerodynamic performance. In fact, it is demonstrated that wavy leading-edge vanes have the potential to lead to both aerodynamic and acoustic improvements. The two different wavy leading-edge profiles are shown to successfully reduce the fan tone sound power level by 1.2 dB and 4.3 dB, respectively. Fan efficiency is also improved by about 1% with one of the tested wavy leading-edge profiles. Large eddy simulation (LES) is also performed for a simplified fan stage model to assess the effects of wavy leading-edge vanes on the broadband fan noise. Results indicate that the overall sound power level of a fan can be reduced by about 4 dB with the larger wavy leading-edge profile. Finally, the noise reduction mechanisms are investigated and analysed. It is found that the wavy leading-edge profiles can induce significant streamwise vorticity around the leading-edge protuberances and reduce pressure fluctuations (especially at locations of wavy leading-edge hills) and unsteady forces on the stator vanes. The underlying mechanism of the reduced pressure fluctuations is also discussed by examining the magnitude-squared coherence between the velocity and pressure fluctuations in the vicinity of the noise sources. Moreover, a reduction in the correlation level of the wall pressure fluctuations along the vane leading-edge is observed, as well as destructive phase interference along the vane leading-edge.
Airfoil optimization for unsteady flows with application to high-lift noise reduction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rumpfkeil, Markus Peer

The use of steady-state aerodynamic optimization methods in the computational fluid dynamic (CFD) community is fairly well established. In particular, the use of adjoint methods has proven to be very beneficial because their cost is independent of the number of design variables. The application of numerical optimization to airframe-generated noise, however, has not received as much attention, but with the significant quieting of modern engines, airframe noise now competes with engine noise. Optimal control techniques for unsteady flows are needed in order to be able to reduce airframe-generated noise. In this thesis, a general framework is formulated to calculate the gradient of a cost function in a nonlinear unsteady flow environment via the discrete adjoint method. The unsteady optimization algorithm developed in this work utilizes a Newton-Krylov approach since the gradient-based optimizer uses the quasi-Newton method BFGS, Newton's method is applied to the nonlinear flow problem, GMRES is used to solve the resulting linear problem inexactly, and last but not least the linear adjoint problem is solved using Bi-CGSTAB. The flow is governed by the unsteady two-dimensional compressible Navier-Stokes equations in conjunction with a one-equation turbulence model, which are discretized using structured grids and a finite difference approach. The effectiveness of the unsteady optimization algorithm is demonstrated by applying it to several problems of interest including shocktubes, pulses in converging-diverging nozzles, rotating cylinders, transonic buffeting, and an unsteady trailing-edge flow. In order to address radiated far-field noise, an acoustic wave propagation program based on the Ffowcs Williams and Hawkings (FW-H) formulation is implemented and validated. The general framework is then used to derive the adjoint equations for a novel hybrid URANS/FW-H optimization algorithm in order to be able to optimize the shape of airfoils based on their calculated far-field pressure fluctuations. Validation and application results for this novel hybrid URANS/FW-H optimization algorithm show that it is possible to optimize the shape of an airfoil in an unsteady flow environment to minimize its radiated far-field noise while maintaining good aerodynamic performance.
Cross-Cultural Aspects of Anxiety Disorders

PubMed Central

Hofmann, Stefan G.; Hinton, Devon E.

2014-01-01

A person’s cultural background influences the experience and expression of emotions. In reviewing the recent literature on cross-cultural aspects of anxiety disorders, we identified some culturally related ethnopsychology/ethnophysiology factors (the culture’s conceptualizations of how the mind and body function) and contextual factors that influence anxiety disorders. Ethnopsychology/ethnophysiology factors include the person’s ideas about the mental and bodily processes (and their interaction), whereas contextual factors are associated with the social norms and rules that may contribute to anxiety, including individualism vs. collectivism and self-construals. From the perspective of ethnopsychology/ethnophysiology and contextual factors, we will discuss “khyâl cap” (“wind attacks”), taijin kyofusho, and ataques de nervios, three prominent examples of culture-specific expressions of anxiety disorders that have all been included in the DSM-5 list of cultural concepts of distress, PMID:24744049
CFD simulations of a wind turbine for analysis of tip vortex breakdown

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kimura, K.; Tanabe, Y.; Aoyama, T.; Matsuo, Y.; Arakawa, C.; Iida, M.

2016-09-01

This paper discusses about the wake structure of wind turbine via the use of URANS and Quasi-DNS, focussing on the tip vortex breakdown. The moving overlapped structured grids CFD Solver based on a fourth-order reconstruction and an all-speed scheme, rFlow3D is used for capturing the characteristics of tip vortices. The results from the Model Experiments in Controlled Conditions project (MEXICO) was accordingly selected for executing wake simulations through the variation of tip speed ratio (TSR); in an operational wind turbine, TSR often changes in value. Therefore, it is important to assess the potential effects of TSR on wake characteristics. The results obtained by changing TSR show the variations of the position of wake breakdown and wake expansion. The correspondence between vortices and radial/rotational flow is also confirmed.
Studying the evolution of a type III radio from the Sun up to 1 AU

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mann, Gottfried; Breitling, Frank; Vocks, Christian; Fallows, Richard; Melnik, Valentin; Konovalenko, Alexander

2017-04-01

On March 16, 2016, a type III burst was observed with the ground-based radio telescopes LOFAR and URAN-2 as well as with the radiospectrometer aboard the spacecraft WIND.It started at 80 MHz at 06:37 UT and reached 50 kHz after 23 minutes. A type III burst are considered as the radio signature of an electron beam travelling from the corona into the interplanetary space. The energetic electrons carrying the beam excites Langmuir waves, which convert into radio waves by wave-particle interaction. The relationship between the drift rate and the frequency as derived from the dynamic radio spectra reveals that the velocity of the electrons generating the radio waves of the type III burst is increasing with increasing distance from the center of the Sun.
Experimental and numerical analysis of natural bio and syngas swirl flames in a model gas turbine combustor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Iqbal, S.; Benim, A. C.; Fischer, S.; Joos, F.; Kluβ, D.; Wiedermann, A.

2016-10-01

Turbulent reacting flows in a generic swirl gas turbine combustor model are investigated both numerically and experimentally. In the investigation, an emphasis is placed upon the external flue gas recirculation, which is a promising technology for increasing the efficiency of the carbon capture and storage process, which, however, can change the combustion behaviour significantly. A further emphasis is placed upon the investigation of alternative fuels such as biogas and syngas in comparison to the conventional natural gas. Flames are also investigated numerically using the open source CFD software OpenFOAM. In the numerical simulations, a laminar flamelet model based on mixture fraction and reaction progress variable is adopted. As turbulence model, the SST model is used within a URANS concept. Computational results are compared with the experimental data, where a fair agreement is observed.
Simulations of Turbulent Momentum and Scalar Transport in Confined Swirling Coaxial Jets

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Shih, Tsan-Hsing; Liu, Nan-Suey

2014-01-01

This paper presents the numerical simulations of confined three dimensional coaxial water jets. The objectives are to validate the newly proposed nonlinear turbulence models of momentum and scalar transport, and to evaluate the newly introduced scalar APDF and DWFDF equation along with its Eulerian implementation in the National Combustion Code (NCC). Simulations conducted include the steady RANS, the unsteady RANS (URANS), and the time-filtered Navier-Stokes (TFNS) with and without invoking the APDF or DWFDF equation. When the APDF or DWFDF equation is invoked, the simulations are of a hybrid nature, i.e., the transport equations of energy and species are replaced by the APDF or DWFDF equation. Results of simulations are compared with the available experimental data. Some positive impacts of the nonlinear turbulence models and the Eulerian scalar APDF and DWFDF approach are observed.
Distribution of Acoustic Power Spectra for an Isolated Helicopter Fuselage

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kusyumov, A. N.; Mikhailov, S. A.; Garipova, L. I.; Batrakov, A. S.; Barakos, G.

2016-03-01

The broadband aerodynamic noise can be studied, assuming isotropic flow, turbulence and decay. Proudman's approach allows practical calculations of noise based on CFD solutions of RANS or URANS equations at the stage of post processing and analysis of the solution. Another aspect is the broadband acoustic spectrum and the distribution of acoustic power over a range of frequencies. The acoustic energy spectrum distribution in isotropic turbulence is non monotonic and has a maximum at a certain value of Strouhal number. In the present work the value of acoustic power peak frequency is determined using a prescribed form of acoustic energy spectrum distribution presented in papers by S. Sarkar and M. Y. Hussaini and by G. M. Lilley. CFD modelling of the flow around isolated helicopter fuselage model was considered using the HMB CFD code and the RANS equations.
Cultural psychopathology: uncovering the social world of mental illness.

PubMed

López, S R; Guarnaccia, P J

2000-01-01

We review cultural psychopathology research since Kleinman's (1988) important review with the goals of updating past reviews, evaluating current conceptualizations and methods, and identifying emerging substantive trends. Conceptual advances are noted, particularly developments in the definition of culture and the examination of both culture-specific and cultural-general processes. The contributions of the Culture and Diagnosis Task Force for DSM-IV and the World Mental Health Report are reviewed and contrasted. Selected research on anxiety, schizophrenia, and childhood disorders is examined, with particular attention given to the study of ataque de nervios, social factors affecting the course of schizophrenia, and cross-national differences in internalizing and externalizing problems in children. Within the last ten years, cultural psychopathology research has become a significant force. Its focus on the social world holds promise to make significant inroads in reducing suffering and improving people's everyday lives.
Aerodynamic and aeroacoustic for wind turbine

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

Mohamed, Maizi; Rabah, Dizene

2015-03-10

This paper describes a hybrid approach forpredicting noise radiated from the rotating Wind Turbine (HAWT) blades, where the sources are extracted from an unsteady Reynolds-Averaged-Navier Stocks (URANS) simulation, ANSYS CFX 11.0, was used to calculate The near-field flow parameters around the blade surface that are necessary for FW-H codes. Comparisons with NREL Phase II experimental results are presented with respect to the pressure distributions for validating a capacity of the solver to calculate the near-field flow on and around the wind turbine blades, The results show that numerical data have a good agreement with experimental. The acoustic pressure, presented asmore » a sum of thickness and loading noise components, is analyzed by means of a discrete fast Fourier transformation for the presentation of the time acoustic time histories in the frequency domain. The results convincingly show that dipole source noise is the dominant noise source for this wind turbine.« less
Uranium oxide catalysts: environmental applications for treatment of chlorinated organic waste from nuclear industry.

PubMed

Lazareva, Svetlana; Ismagilov, Zinfer; Kuznetsov, Vadim; Shikina, Nadezhda; Kerzhentsev, Mikhail

2018-02-05

Huge amounts of nuclear waste, including depleted uranium, significantly contribute to the adverse environmental situation throughout the world. An approach to the effective use of uranium oxides in catalysts for the deep oxidation of chlorine-containing hydrocarbons is suggested. Investigation of the catalytic activity of the synthesized supported uranium oxide catalysts doped with Cr, Mn and Co transition metals in the chlorobenzene oxidation showed that these catalysts are comparable with conventional commercial ones. Physicochemical properties of the catalysts were studied by X-ray diffraction, temperature-programmed reduction with hydrogen (H 2 -TPR), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The higher activity of Mn- and Co-containing uranium oxide catalysts in the H 2 -TPR and oxidation of chlorobenzene in comparison with non-uranium catalysts may be related to the formation of a new disperse phase represented by uranates. The study of chlorobenzene adsorption revealed that the surface oxygen is involved in the catalytic process.
Numerical Simulations of Two-Phase Reacting Flow in a Single-Element Lean Direct Injection (LDI) Combustor Using NCC

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Liu, Nan-Suey; Shih, Tsan-Hsing; Wey, C. Thomas

2011-01-01

A series of numerical simulations of Jet-A spray reacting flow in a single-element lean direct injection (LDI) combustor have been conducted by using the National Combustion Code (NCC). The simulations have been carried out using the time filtered Navier-Stokes (TFNS) approach ranging from the steady Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS), unsteady RANS (URANS), to the dynamic flow structure simulation (DFS). The sub-grid model employed for turbulent mixing and combustion includes the well-mixed model, the linear eddy mixing (LEM) model, and the filtered mass density function (FDF/PDF) model. The starting condition of the injected liquid spray is specified via empirical droplet size correlation, and a five-species single-step global reduced mechanism is employed for fuel chemistry. All the calculations use the same grid whose resolution is of the RANS type. Comparisons of results from various models are presented.
Room temperature electrodeposition of actinides from ionic solutions

DOEpatents

Hatchett, David W.; Czerwinski, Kenneth R.; Droessler, Janelle; Kinyanjui, John

2017-04-25

Uranic and transuranic metals and metal oxides are first dissolved in ozone compositions. The resulting solution in ozone can be further dissolved in ionic liquids to form a second solution. The metals in the second solution are then electrochemically deposited from the second solutions as room temperature ionic liquid (RTIL), tri-methyl-n-butyl ammonium n-bis(trifluoromethansulfonylimide) [Me.sub.3N.sup.nBu][TFSI] providing an alternative non-aqueous system for the extraction and reclamation of actinides from reprocessed fuel materials. Deposition of U metal is achieved using TFSI complexes of U(III) and U(IV) containing the anion common to the RTIL. TFSI complexes of uranium were produced to ensure solubility of the species in the ionic liquid. The methods provide a first measure of the thermodynamic properties of U metal deposition using Uranium complexes with different oxidation states from RTIL solution at room temperature.
Unsteady flow sensing and optimal sensor placement using machine learning

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Semaan, Richard

2016-11-01

Machine learning is used to estimate the flow state and to determine the optimal sensor placement over a two-dimensional (2D) airfoil equipped with a Coanda actuator. The analysis is based on flow field data obtained from 2D unsteady Reynolds averaged Navier-Stokes (uRANS) simulations with different jet blowing intensities and actuation frequencies, characterizing different flow separation states. This study shows how the "random forests" algorithm is utilized beyond its typical usage in fluid mechanics estimating the flow state to determine the optimal sensor placement. The results are compared against the current de-facto standard of maximum modal amplitude location and against a brute force approach that scans all possible sensor combinations. The results show that it is possible to simultaneously infer the state of flow and to determine the optimal sensor location without the need to perform proper orthogonal decomposition. Collaborative Research Center (CRC) 880, DFG.
Aerodynamic performance of a small vertical axis wind turbine using an overset grid method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bangga, Galih; Solichin, Mochammad; Daman, Aida; Sa'adiyah, Devy; Dessoky, Amgad; Lutz, Thorsten

2017-08-01

The present paper aims to asses the aerodynamic performance of a small vertical axis wind turbine operating at a small wind speed of 5 m/s for 6 different tip speed ratios (λ=2-7). The turbine consists of two blades constructed using the NACA 0015 airfoil. The study is carried out using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) methods employing an overset grid approach. The (URANS) SST k - ω is used as the turbulence model. For the preliminary study, simulations of the NACA 0015 under static conditions for a broad range of angle of attack and a rotating two-bladed VAWT are carried out. The results are compared with available measurement data and a good agreement is obtained. The simulations demonstrate that the maximum power coefficient attained is 0.45 for λ=4. The aerodynamic loads hysteresis are presented showing that the dynamic stall effect decreases with λ.
Reliability of numerical wind tunnels for VAWT simulation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Raciti Castelli, M.; Masi, M.; Battisti, L.; Benini, E.; Brighenti, A.; Dossena, V.; Persico, G.

2016-09-01

Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) based on the Unsteady Reynolds Averaged Navier Stokes (URANS) equations have long been widely used to study vertical axis wind turbines (VAWTs). Following a comprehensive experimental survey on the wakes downwind of a troposkien-shaped rotor, a campaign of bi-dimensional simulations is presented here, with the aim of assessing its reliability in reproducing the main features of the flow, also identifying areas needing additional research. Starting from both a well consolidated turbulence model (k-ω SST) and an unstructured grid typology, the main simulation settings are here manipulated in a convenient form to tackle rotating grids reproducing a VAWT operating in an open jet wind tunnel. The dependence of the numerical predictions from the selected grid spacing is investigated, thus establishing the less refined grid size that is still capable of capturing some relevant flow features such as integral quantities (rotor torque) and local ones (wake velocities).
Experimental control of a fluidic pinball using genetic programming

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Raibaudo, Cedric; Zhong, Peng; Noack, Bernd R.; Martinuzzi, Robert J.

2017-11-01

The wake stabilization of a triangular cluster of three rotating cylinders was investigated in the present study. Experiments were performed at Reynolds number Re 6000, and compared with URANS-2D simulations at same flow conditions. 2D2C PIV measurements and constant temperature anemometry were used to characterize the flow without and with actuation. Open-loop actuation was first considered for the identification of particular control strategies. Machine learning control was also implemented for the experimental study. Linear genetic programming has been used for the optimization of open-loop parameters and closed-loop controllers. Considering a cost function J based on the fluctuations of the velocity measured by the hot-wire sensor, significant performances were achieved using the machine learning approach. The present work is supported by the senior author's (R. J. Martinuzzi) NSERC discovery Grant. C. Raibaudo acknowledges the financial support of the University of Calgary Eyes-High PDF program.
Elucidating bonding preferences in tetrakis(imido)uranate(VI) dianions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Anderson, Nickolas H.; Xie, Jing; Ray, Debmalya; Zeller, Matthias; Gagliardi, Laura; Bart, Suzanne C.

2017-09-01

Actinyl species, [AnO2]2+, are well-known derivatives of the f-block because of their natural occurrence and essential roles in the nuclear fuel cycle. Along with their nitrogen analogues, [An(NR)2]2+, actinyls are characterized by their two strong trans-An-element multiple bonds, a consequence of the inverse trans influence. We report that these robust bonds can be weakened significantly by increasing the number of multiple bonds to uranium, as demonstrated by a family of uranium(VI) dianions bearing four U-N multiple bonds, [M]2[U(NR)4] (M = Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs). Their geometry is dictated by cation coordination and sterics rather than by electronic factors. Multiple bond weakening by the addition of strong π donors has the potential for applications in the processing of high-valent actinyls, commonly found in environmental pollutants and spent nuclear fuels.

Simulation of Cold Flow in a Truncated Ideal Nozzle with Film Cooling

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Braman, K. E.; Ruf, J. H.

2015-01-01

Flow transients during rocket start-up and shut-down can lead to significant side loads on rocket nozzles. The capability to estimate these side loads computationally can streamline the nozzle design process. Towards this goal, the flow in a truncated ideal contour (TIC) nozzle has been simulated using RANS and URANS for a range of nozzle pressure ratios (NPRs) aimed to match a series of cold flow experiments performed at the NASA MSFC Nozzle Test Facility. These simulations were performed with varying turbulence model choices and for four approximations of the supersonic film injection geometry, each of which was created with a different simplification of the test article geometry. The results show that although a reasonable match to experiment can be obtained with varying levels of geometric fidelity, the modeling choices made do not fully represent the physics of flow separation in a TIC nozzle with film cooling.
Study of fission-product segregation in used CANDU fuel by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) II

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hocking, William H.; Duclos, A. Michael; Johnson, Lawrence H.

1994-03-01

A thorough investigation of the grain-boundary chemistry of used CANDU fuel from one intact element has been conducted by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Selected findings from more extensive XPS measurements on other used CANDU fuels exposed to storage conditions are included for comparison. Cesium, rubidium, tellurium and barium have been commonly observed, often reaching high degrees of surface enrichment, although their relative abundances can vary widely with a complex dependence on the fuel irradiation history. Lower concentrations of cadmium, molybdenum, strontium and iodine have also been occasionally detected. Except for iodine, chemical-shift data are indicative of oxidized species, possibly uranates. Segregation at monolayer-level coverages has been demonstrated by sequential XPS analysis and argon-ion sputtering. Calculations based on an idealized thin-film model are consistent with the depth profiles. The interpretation of these results is discussed in the context of previous studies, especially on LWR fuels.
Simulations of Turbulent Momentum and Scalar Transport in Non-Reacting Confined Swirling Coaxial Jets

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Shih, Tsan-Hsing; Liu, Nan-Suey; Moder, Jeffrey P.

2015-01-01

This paper presents the numerical simulations of confined three-dimensional coaxial water jets. The objectives are to validate the newly proposed nonlinear turbulence models of momentum and scalar transport, and to evaluate the newly introduced scalar APDF and DWFDF equation along with its Eulerian implementation in the National Combustion Code (NCC). Simulations conducted include the steady RANS, the unsteady RANS (URANS), and the time-filtered Navier-Stokes (TFNS); both without and with invoking the APDF or DWFDF equation. When the APDF (ensemble averaged probability density function) or DWFDF (density weighted filtered density function) equation is invoked, the simulations are of a hybrid nature, i.e., the transport equations of energy and species are replaced by the APDF or DWFDF equation. Results of simulations are compared with the available experimental data. Some positive impacts of the nonlinear turbulence models and the Eulerian scalar APDF and DWFDF approach are observed.
Reduced Order Modeling of Combustion Instability in a Gas Turbine Model Combustor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Arnold-Medabalimi, Nicholas; Huang, Cheng; Duraisamy, Karthik

2017-11-01

Hydrocarbon fuel based propulsion systems are expected to remain relevant in aerospace vehicles for the foreseeable future. Design of these devices is complicated by combustion instabilities. The capability to model and predict these effects at reduced computational cost is a requirement for both design and control of these devices. This work focuses on computational studies on a dual swirl model gas turbine combustor in the context of reduced order model development. Full fidelity simulations are performed utilizing URANS and Hybrid RANS-LES with finite rate chemistry. Following this, data decomposition techniques are used to extract a reduced basis representation of the unsteady flow field. These bases are first used to identify sensor locations to guide experimental interrogations and controller feedback. Following this, initial results on developing a control-oriented reduced order model (ROM) will be presented. The capability of the ROM will be further assessed based on different operating conditions and geometric configurations.
Impurity characterization of magnesium diuranate using simultaneous TG-DTA-FTIR measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Raje, Naina; Ghonge, Darshana K.; Hemantha Rao, G. V. S.; Reddy, A. V. R.

2013-05-01

Current studies describe the application of simultaneous thermogravimetry-differential thermal analysis - evolved gas analysis techniques for the compositional characterization of magnesium diuranate (MDU) with respect to the impurities present in the matrix. The stoichiometric composition of MDU was identified as MgU2O7ṡ3H2O. Presence of carbonate and sulphate as impurities in the matrix was confirmed through the evolved gas analysis using Fourier Transformation Infrared Spectrometry detection. Carbon and magnesium hydroxide content present as impurities in magnesium diuranate have been determined quantitatively using TG and FTIR techniques and the results are in good agreement. Powder X-ray diffraction analysis of magnesium diuranate suggests the presence of magnesium hydroxide as impurity in the matrix. Also these studies confirm the formation of magnesium uranate, uranium sesquioxide and uranium dioxide above 1000 °C, due to the decomposition of magnesium diuranate.
Numerical simulation and validation of helicopter blade-vortex interaction using coupled CFD/CSD and three levels of aerodynamic modeling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Amiraux, Mathieu

Rotorcraft Blade-Vortex Interaction (BVI) remains one of the most challenging flow phenomenon to simulate numerically. Over the past decade, the HART-II rotor test and its extensive experimental dataset has been a major database for validation of CFD codes. Its strong BVI signature, with high levels of intrusive noise and vibrations, makes it a difficult test for computational methods. The main challenge is to accurately capture and preserve the vortices which interact with the rotor, while predicting correct blade deformations and loading. This doctoral dissertation presents the application of a coupled CFD/CSD methodology to the problem of helicopter BVI and compares three levels of fidelity for aerodynamic modeling: a hybrid lifting-line/free-wake (wake coupling) method, with modified compressible unsteady model; a hybrid URANS/free-wake method; and a URANS-based wake capturing method, using multiple overset meshes to capture the entire flow field. To further increase numerical correlation, three helicopter fuselage models are implemented in the framework. The first is a high resolution 3D GPU panel code; the second is an immersed boundary based method, with 3D elliptic grid adaption; the last one uses a body-fitted, curvilinear fuselage mesh. The main contribution of this work is the implementation and systematic comparison of multiple numerical methods to perform BVI modeling. The trade-offs between solution accuracy and computational cost are highlighted for the different approaches. Various improvements have been made to each code to enhance physical fidelity, while advanced technologies, such as GPU computing, have been employed to increase efficiency. The resulting numerical setup covers all aspects of the simulation creating a truly multi-fidelity and multi-physics framework. Overall, the wake capturing approach showed the best BVI phasing correlation and good blade deflection predictions, with slightly under-predicted aerodynamic loading magnitudes. However, it proved to be much more expensive than the other two methods. Wake coupling with RANS solver had very good loading magnitude predictions, and therefore good acoustic intensities, with acceptable computational cost. The lifting-line based technique often had over-predicted aerodynamic levels, due to the degree of empiricism of the model, but its very short run-times, thanks to GPU technology, makes it a very attractive approach.
Experience of nervousness and anxiety disorders in Puerto Rican women: psychiatric and ethnopsychological perspectives.

PubMed

Koss-Chioino, J D

1989-01-01

Analyses of case materials describe variations in the experiences of Puerto Rican women diagnosed as having an anxiety disorder, in treatment with mental health clinicians, physicians, or traditional healers. Their common complaints are examined as core symbolic elements in culturally patterned complexes of meanings focused around personal trauma, stressful life events, personal and social reactions, expectations about treatment, and the course of illness. Many of these women report themselves to be "nervous," to be "sick from nerves," or to have had an "ataque de nervios." "Nervousness" is the base symbolic domain in Puerto Rico of what psychiatry labels "anxiety disorder," although it is also a common complaint of many disorders. What "nervousness" means to patients/clients and their clinicians or healers is examined within the frames of multilayered popular and biomedical interpretations. The special difficulties of women in Puerto Rico are highlighted, and psychiatric and ethnopsychological (Spiritist) models of etiology and treatment are compared.
URANS simulations of the tip-leakage cavitating flow with verification and validation procedures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cheng, Huai-yu; Long, Xin-ping; Liang, Yun-zhi; Long, Yun; Ji, Bin

2018-04-01

In the present paper, the Vortex Identified Zwart-Gerber-Belamri (VIZGB) cavitation model coupled with the SST-CC turbulence model is used to investigate the unsteady tip-leakage cavitating flow induced by a NACA0009 hydrofoil. A qualitative comparison between the numerical and experimental results is made. In order to quantitatively evaluate the reliability of the numerical data, the verification and validation (V&V) procedures are used in the present paper. Errors of numerical results are estimated with seven error estimators based on the Richardson extrapolation method. It is shown that though a strict validation cannot be achieved, a reasonable prediction of the gross characteristics of the tip-leakage cavitating flow can be obtained. Based on the numerical results, the influence of the cavitation on the tip-leakage vortex (TLV) is discussed, which indicates that the cavitation accelerates the fusion of the TLV and the tip-separation vortex (TSV). Moreover, the trajectory of the TLV, when the cavitation occurs, is close to the side wall.
Nonlinear optimal control policies for buoyancy-driven flows in the built environment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nabi, Saleh; Grover, Piyush; Caulfield, Colm

2017-11-01

We consider optimal control of turbulent buoyancy-driven flows in the built environment, focusing on a model test case of displacement ventilation with a time-varying heat source. The flow is modeled using the unsteady Reynolds-averaged equations (URANS). To understand the stratification dynamics better, we derive a low-order partial-mixing ODE model extending the buoyancy-driven emptying filling box problem to the case of where both the heat source and the (controlled) inlet flow are time-varying. In the limit of a single step-change in the heat source strength, our model is consistent with that of Bower et al.. Our model considers the dynamics of both `filling' and `intruding' added layers due to a time-varying source and inlet flow. A nonlinear direct-adjoint-looping optimal control formulation yields time-varying values of temperature and velocity of the inlet flow that lead to `optimal' time-averaged temperature relative to appropriate objective functionals in a region of interest.
High temperature reaction between sea salt deposit and (U,Zr)O2 simulated corium debris

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Takano, Masahide; Nishi, Tsuyoshi

2013-11-01

In order to clarify the possible impacts of seawater injection on the chemical and physical state of the corium debris formed in the severe accident at Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plants, the high temperature reaction between sea salt deposit and (U,Zr)O2 simulated corium debris (sim-debris) was examined in the temperature range from 1088 to 1668 K. A dense layer of calcium and sodium uranate formed on the surface of a sim-debris pellet at 1275 K under airflow, with the thickness of over 50 μm. When the oxygen partial pressure is low, calcium is likely to dissolve into the cubic sim-debris phase to form solid solution (Ca,U,Zr)O2+x. The diffusion depth was 5-6 μm from the surface, subjected to 1275 K for 12 h. The crystalline MgO remains affixed on the surface as the main residue of salt components. A part of it can also dissolve into the sim-debris.
Fluidic Vectoring of a Planar Incompressible Jet Flow

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mendez, Miguel Alfonso; Scelzo, Maria Teresa; Enache, Adriana; Buchlin, Jean-Marie

2018-06-01

This paper presents an experimental, a numerical and a theoretical analysis of the performances of a fluidic vectoring device for controlling the direction of a turbulent, bi-dimensional and low Mach number (incompressible) jet flow. The investigated design is the co-flow secondary injection with Coanda surface, which allows for vectoring angles up to 25° with no need of moving mechanical parts. A simple empirical model of the vectoring process is presented and validated via experimental and numerical data. The experiments consist of flow visualization and image processing for the automatic detection of the jet centerline; the numerical simulations are carried out solving the Unsteady Reynolds Average Navier- Stokes (URANS) closed with the k - ω SST turbulence model, using the PisoFoam solver from OpenFOAM. The experimental validation on three different geometrical configurations has shown that the model is capable of providing a fast and reliable evaluation of the device performance as a function of the operating conditions.
Biodegradation of asphalt by Garciaella petrolearia TERIG02 for viscosity reduction of heavy oil.

PubMed

Lavania, Meeta; Cheema, Simrita; Sarma, Priyangshu Manab; Mandal, Ajoy Kumar; Lal, Banwari

2012-02-01

Petroleum hydrocarbon is an important energy resource, but it is difficult to exploit due to the presence of dominated heavy constituents such as asphaltenes. In this study, viscosity reduction of Jodhpur heavy oil (2,637 cP at 50°C) has been carried out by the biodegradation of asphalt using a bacterial strain TERIG02. TERIG02 was isolated from sea buried oil pipeline known as Mumbai Uran trunk line (MUT) located on western coast of India and identified as Garciaella petrolearia by 16S rRNA full gene sequencing. TERIG02 showed 42% viscosity reduction when asphalt along with molasses was used as a sole carbon source compared to only asphalt (37%). The viscosity reduction by asphaltene degradation has been structurally characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). This strain also shows an additional preference to degrade toxic asphalt and aromatics compounds first unlike the other known strains. All these characteristics makes TERIG02 a potential candidate for enhanced oil recovery and a solution to degrading toxic aromatic compounds.
Overview of reductants utilized in nuclear fuel reprocessing/recycling

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

Paviet-Hartmann, P.; Riddle, C.; Campbell, K.

2013-07-01

The most widely used reductant to partition plutonium from uranium in the Purex process was ferrous sulfamate, other alternates were proposed such as hydrazine-stabilized ferrous nitrate or uranous nitrate, platinum catalyzed hydrogen, and hydrazine, hydroxylamine salts. New candidates to replace hydrazine or hydroxylamine nitrate (HAN) are pursued worldwide. They may improve the performance of the industrial Purex process towards different operations such as de-extraction of plutonium and reduction of the amount of hydrazine which will limit the formation of hydrazoic acid. When looking at future recycling technologies using hydroxamic ligands, neither acetohydroxamic acid (AHA) nor formohydroxamic acid (FHA) seem promisingmore » because they hydrolyze to give hydroxylamine and the parent carboxylic acid. Hydroxyethylhydrazine, HOC{sub 2}H{sub 4}N{sub 2}H{sub 3} (HEH) is a promising non-salt-forming reductant of Np and Pu ions because it is selective to neptunium and plutonium ions at room temperature and at relatively low acidity, it could serve as a replacement of HAN or AHA for the development of a novel used nuclear fuel recycling process.« less
Simulations of Spray Reacting Flows in a Single Element LDI Injector With and Without Invoking an Eulerian Scalar PDF Method

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Shih, Tsan-Hsing; Liu, Nan-Suey

2012-01-01

This paper presents the numerical simulations of the Jet-A spray reacting flow in a single element lean direct injection (LDI) injector by using the National Combustion Code (NCC) with and without invoking the Eulerian scalar probability density function (PDF) method. The flow field is calculated by using the Reynolds averaged Navier-Stokes equations (RANS and URANS) with nonlinear turbulence models, and when the scalar PDF method is invoked, the energy and compositions or species mass fractions are calculated by solving the equation of an ensemble averaged density-weighted fine-grained probability density function that is referred to here as the averaged probability density function (APDF). A nonlinear model for closing the convection term of the scalar APDF equation is used in the presented simulations and will be briefly described. Detailed comparisons between the results and available experimental data are carried out. Some positive findings of invoking the Eulerian scalar PDF method in both improving the simulation quality and reducing the computing cost are observed.
Investigation of Unsteady Flow Interaction Between an Ultra-Compact Inlet and a Transonic Fan

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hah, Chunill; Rabe, Douglas; Scribben, Angie

2015-01-01

In the present study, unsteady flow interaction between an ultra-compact inlet and a transonic fan stage is investigated. Future combat aircraft require ultra-compact inlet ducts as part of an integrated, advanced propulsion system to improve air vehicle capability and effectiveness to meet future mission needs. The main purpose of the study is to advance the current understanding of the flow interaction between two different ultra-compact inlets and a transonic fan for future design applications. Both URANS and LES approaches are used to calculate the unsteady flow field and are compared with the available measured data. The present study indicates that stall inception is mildly affected by the distortion pattern generated by the inlet with the current test set-up. The numerical study indicates that the inlet distortion pattern decays significantly before it reaches the fan face for the current configuration. Numerical results with a shorter distance between the inlet and fan show that counter-rotating vortices near the rotor tip due to the serpentine diffuser affects fan characteristics significantly.
Unsteady Aero Computation of a 1 1/2 Stage Large Scale Rotating Turbine

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

To, Wai-Ming

2012-01-01

This report is the documentation of the work performed for the Subsonic Rotary Wing Project under the NASA s Fundamental Aeronautics Program. It was funded through Task Number NNC10E420T under GESS-2 Contract NNC06BA07B in the period of 10/1/2010 to 8/31/2011. The objective of the task is to provide support for the development of variable speed power turbine technology through application of computational fluid dynamics analyses. This includes work elements in mesh generation, multistage URANS simulations, and post-processing of the simulation results for comparison with the experimental data. The unsteady CFD calculations were performed with the TURBO code running in multistage single passage (phase lag) mode. Meshes for the blade rows were generated with the NASA developed TCGRID code. The CFD performance is assessed and improvements are recommended for future research in this area. For that, the United Technologies Research Center's 1 1/2 stage Large Scale Rotating Turbine was selected to be the candidate engine configuration for this computational effort because of the completeness and availability of the data.
Design, experimental analysis, and unsteady Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes simulation of laboratory-scale counter-rotating vertical-axis turbines in marine environment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Doan, Minh; Padricelli, Claudrio; Obi, Shinnosuke; Totsuka, Yoshitaka

2017-11-01

We present the torque and power measurement of laboratory-scale counter-rotating vertical-axis hydrokinetic turbines, built around a magnetic hysteresis brake as the speed controller and a Hall-effect sensor as the rotational speed transducer. A couple of straight-three-bladed turbines were linked through a transmission of spur gears and timing pulleys and coupled to the electronic instrumentation via flexible shaft couplers. A total of 8 experiments in 2 configurations were conducted in the water channel facility (4-m long, 0.3-m wide, and 0.15-m deep). Power generation of the turbines (0.06-m rotor diameter) was measured and compared with that of single turbines of the same size. The wakes generated by these experiments were also measured by particle image velocimetry (PIV) and numerically simulated by unsteady Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (URANS) simulation using OpenFOAM. Preliminary results from wake measurement indicated the mechanism of enhanced power production behind the counter-rotating configuration of vertical-axis turbines. Current address: Politecnico di Milano.
Application of gaseous core reactors for transmutation of nuclear waste

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schnitzler, B. G.; Paternoster, R. R.; Schneider, R. T.

1976-01-01

An acceptable management scheme for high-level radioactive waste is vital to the nuclear industry. The hazard potential of the trans-uranic actinides and of key fission products is high due to their nuclear activity and/or chemical toxicity. Of particular concern are the very long-lived nuclides whose hazard potential remains high for hundreds of thousands of years. Neutron induced transmutation offers a promising technique for the treatment of problem wastes. Transmutation is unique as a waste management scheme in that it offers the potential for "destruction" of the hazardous nuclides by conversion to non-hazardous or more manageable nuclides. The transmutation potential of a thermal spectrum uranium hexafluoride fueled cavity reactor was examined. Initial studies focused on a heavy water moderated cavity reactor fueled with 5% enriched U-235-F6 and operating with an average thermal flux of 6 times 10 to the 14th power neutrons/sq cm-sec. The isotopes considered for transmutation were I-129, Am-241, Am-242m, Am-243, Cm-243, Cm-244, Cm-245, and Cm-246.
PROCESSES FOR SEPARATING AND RECOVERING CONSTITUENTS OF NEUTRON IRRADIATED URANIUM

DOEpatents

Connick, R.E.; Gofman, J.W.; Pimentel, G.C.

1959-11-10

Processes are described for preparing plutonium, particularly processes of separating plutonium from uranium and fission products in neutron-irradiated uraniumcontaining matter. Specifically, plutonium solutions containing uranium, fission products and other impurities are contacted with reducing agents such as sulfur dioxide, uranous ion, hydroxyl ammonium chloride, hydrogen peroxide, and ferrous ion whereby the plutoninm is reduced to its fluoride-insoluble state. The reduced plutonium is then carried out of solution by precipitating niobic oxide therein. Uranium and certain fission products remain behind in the solution. Certain other fission products precipitate along with the plutonium. Subsequently, the plutonium and fission product precipitates are redissolved, and the solution is oxidized with oxidizing agents such as chlorine, peroxydisulfate ion in the presence of silver ion, permanganate ion, dichromate ion, ceric ion, and a bromate ion, whereby plutonium is oxidized to the fluoride-soluble state. The oxidized solution is once again treated with niobic oxide, thus precipitating the contamirant fission products along with the niobic oxide while the oxidized plutonium remains in solution. Plutonium is then recovered from the decontaminated solution.
Tululite, Ca14(Fe3+,Al)(Al,Zn,Fe3+,Si,P,Mn,Mg)15O36: a new Ca zincate-aluminate from combustion metamorphic marbles, central Jordan

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Khoury, Hani N.; Sokol, Ella V.; Kokh, Svetlana N.; Seryotkin, Yurii V.; Nigmatulina, Elena N.; Goryainov, Sergei V.; Belogub, Elena V.; Clark, Ian D.

2016-02-01

Tululite (Ca14(Fe3+,Al)(Al,Zn,Fe3+,Si,P,Mn,Mg)15O36 (the hypothetical end-member formula Ca14{Fe3+O6}[SiO4][Zn5Al9]O26) (IMA2014-065) is a new natural Ca zincate-aluminate, identified in medium-temperature (800-850 °C) combustion metamorphic (CM) spurrite-fluorellestadite marbles from central Jordan. The type locality (Tulul Al Hammam area) is situated in the northern part of the Siwaqa complex, the largest area of the "Mottled Zone" Formation in the Dead Sea region. The marbles originated from bitumen-rich chalky marine sediments of the Maastrichtian-Paleogene Muwaqqar Chalk Marl Formation, which have low clay content (and, consequently, low Al) and high Zn, Cd, and U enrichments. The bulk CM rocks derived from the low-Al protolith have unusually high (Zn + Cd)/Al ratios ( 0.2) and, as a result, a mineralogy with negligibly small percentages of Ca aluminates having low Ca:Al molar ratios (minerals of mayenite supergroup, Ca:Al = 6:7) common to most of calcareous CM rocks in the Mottled Zone. Instead, the mineral assemblage of the Zn-rich marbles contains tululite, with high Ca:Al = 2.55 molar ratios and Zn substituting for a large portion of Al (Zn:Al = 1.1). Tululite occurs in thin clusters as irregular grains with indented outlines (20-100 μm in size), having typical open-work textures associated with rock-forming calcite, fluorellestadite, spurrite, and accessory Zn-rich periclase, lime-monteponite solid solutions, calcium uranates, and zincite. Marbles also bear brownmillerite, dorrite, fluormayenite, high-fluorine Ca aluminate, and lakargiite. Secondary phases are brucite, gel-like calcium silicate hydrates and calcium silicate aluminate hydrates, including Zn- and U-bearing and Cd-rich compounds, Si-bearing hydrated compounds after calcium uranates, and basic Cd chlorides. The empirical formula of the holotype tululite (a mean of 32 analyses) is (Ca13.29Cd0.75)Σ14.04(Al5.46Zn5.20Fe3+ 2.23Si0.95Mn3+ 1.01Mg0.78P0.41)Σ16.04O36. Tululite is cubic, space group F23; a = 14.9346(4) Å; V = 3331.07(15) Å3, Z = 4. The strongest lines of the X-ray powder-diffraction pattern [ d, Å - ( I obs )] are: 2.874(57), 2.640 (100), 2.524(42), 2.278(41), 1.760(54), 1.725(25), 1.524(33), 1.500(33). The crystal structure was solved from single-crystal X-ray diffraction data and refined to wR2 = 0.0672 on the basis of 913 unique reflections with I 0 > 2σ( I). Tululite belongs to a group of compounds with the general formula Ca14 MT 15O35+ x (0 ≤ x ≤ 1), and is a new structure type. The tetrahedral framework of tululite structure is formed by T7O13 secondary building units (SBU), which consist of four corner-linked tetrahedra sharing a common oxygen atom and three tetrahedra sharing two O atoms with the neighbor SBU. Ca2+ cations occupy three positions; two of them also contain a minor amount of Cd2+. The Ca sites surround an island (Fe3+,Al)O6 octahedron and a (Si,P)O4 tetrahedron in the centers of framework cages at the junction of eight SBUs. The (Fe3+,Al)O6 octahedron is coordinated by fourteen Ca positions into a 6-capped cube, whereas the (Si,P)O4 tetrahedron is coordinated by six Ca positions into a regular octahedron. The structural formula of tululite is Ca14{Fe3+O6}M1[(Si,P)O4]T1[(Al,Zn)7O13]2 T2-T4. The mineral is yellow with greenish tint, transparent with vitreous luster, non-fluorescent under ultraviolet light, and showing neither parting nor cleavage; Mohs hardness is 6.5. The density calculated on the basis of the empirical formula is 3.826 g/cm3. Its Raman spectrum shows strong bands at 522, 550 and 636 cm-1 and weak bands at 199, 260, 295, 456, and 754 cm-1.

Fits and Starts: A Mother-Infant Case-Study Involving Intergenerational Violent Trauma and Pseudoseizures Across Three Generations.

PubMed

Schechter, Daniel S; Kaminer, Tammy; Grienenberger, John F; Amat, Jose

2003-01-01

This case-study presents in detail the clinical assessment of a 29-year-old mother and her daughter who first presented to infant mental health specialists at age 16-months, with a hospital record suggesting the presence of a dyadic disturbance since age 8-months. Data from psychiatric and neurological assessments, as well as observational measures of child and mother are reviewed with attention to issues of disturbed attachment, intergenerational trauma, and cultural factors for this inner-city Latino dyad. Severe maternal affect dysregulation in the wake of chronic, early-onset violent-trauma exposure manifested as psychogenic seizures, referred to in the mother's native Spanish as "ataques de nervios," the latter, an idiom of distress, commonly associated with childhood trauma and dissociation. We explore the mechanisms by which the mothers' reexperiencing of violent traumatic experience, together with physiologic hyperarousal and associated negative affects, are communicated to the very young child and the clinician-observer via action and language from moment to moment during the assessment process. The paper concludes with a discussion of diagnostic and treatment implications by Drs. Marshall, Gaensbauer, and Zeanah.
Fits and Starts: A Mother-Infant Case-Study Involving Intergenerational Violent Trauma and Pseudoseizures Across Three Generations

PubMed Central

Schechter, Daniel S.; Kaminer, Tammy; Grienenberger, John F.; Amat, Jose

2007-01-01

This case-study presents in detail the clinical assessment of a 29-year-old mother and her daughter who first presented to infant mental health specialists at age 16-months, with a hospital record suggesting the presence of a dyadic disturbance since age 8-months. Data from psychiatric and neurological assessments, as well as observational measures of child and mother are reviewed with attention to issues of disturbed attachment, intergenerational trauma, and cultural factors for this inner-city Latino dyad. Severe maternal affect dysregulation in the wake of chronic, early-onset violent-trauma exposure manifested as psychogenic seizures, referred to in the mother’s native Spanish as “ataques de nervios,” the latter, an idiom of distress, commonly associated with childhood trauma and dissociation. We explore the mechanisms by which the mothers’ reexperiencing of violent traumatic experience, together with physiologic hyperarousal and associated negative affects, are communicated to the very young child and the clinician-observer via action and language from moment to moment during the assessment process. The paper concludes with a discussion of diagnostic and treatment implications by Drs. Marshall, Gaensbauer, and Zeanah. PMID:18007961
Numerical estimation of cavitation intensity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Krumenacker, L.; Fortes-Patella, R.; Archer, A.

2014-03-01

Cavitation may appear in turbomachinery and in hydraulic orifices, venturis or valves, leading to performance losses, vibrations and material erosion. This study propose a new method to predict the cavitation intensity of the flow, based on a post-processing of unsteady CFD calculations. The paper presents the analyses of cavitating structures' evolution at two different scales: • A macroscopic one in which the growth of cavitating structures is calculated using an URANS software based on a homogeneous model. Simulations of cavitating flows are computed using a barotropic law considering presence of air and interfacial tension, and Reboud's correction on the turbulence model. • Then a small one where a Rayleigh-Plesset software calculates the acoustic energy generated by the implosion of the vapor/gas bubbles with input parameters from macroscopic scale. The volume damage rate of the material during incubation time is supposed to be a part of the cumulated acoustic energy received by the solid wall. The proposed analysis method is applied to calculations on hydrofoil and orifice geometries. Comparisons between model results and experimental works concerning flow characteristic (size of cavity, pressure,velocity) as well as pitting (erosion area, relative cavitation intensity) are presented.
Unsteady Flow Dynamics and Acoustics of Two-Outlet Centrifugal Fan Design

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wong, I. Y. W.; Leung, R. C. K.; Law, A. K. Y.

2011-09-01

In this study, a centrifugal fan design with two flow outlets is investigated. This design aims to provide high mass flow rate but low noise performance. Two dimensional unsteady flow simulation with CFD code (FLUENT 6.3) is carried out to analyze the fan flow dynamics and its acoustics. The calculations were done using the unsteady Reynolds averaged Navier Stokes (URANS) approach in which effects of turbulence were accounted for using κ-ɛ model. This work aims to provide an insight how the dominant noise source mechanisms vary with a key fan geometrical paramters, namely, the ratio between cutoff distance and the radius of curvature of the fan housing. Four new fan designs were calculated. Simulation results show that the unsteady flow-induced forces on the fan blades are found to be the main noise sources. The blade force coefficients are then used to build the dipole source terms in Ffowcs Williams and Hawkings (FW-H) Equation for estimating their noise effects. It is found that one design is able to deliver a mass flow 34% more, but with sound pressure level (SPL) 10 dB lower, than the existing design .
What Was Learned in Predicting Slender Airframe Aerodynamics with the F16-XL Aircraft

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rizzi, Arthur; Lucking, James M.

2014-01-01

The CAWAPI-2 coordinated project has been underway to improve CFD predictions of slender airframe aerodynamics. The work is focused on two flow conditions and leverages a unique flight data set obtained with the F-16XL aircraft for comparison and verification. These conditions, a low-speed high angle-of-attack case and a transonic low angle-of-attack case, were selected from a prior prediction campaign wherein the CFD failed to provide acceptable results. In re-visiting these two cases, approaches for improved results include better, denser grids using more grid adaptation to local flow features as well as unsteady higher-fidelity physical modeling like hybrid RANS/URANS-LES methods. The work embodies predictions from multiple numerical formulations that are contributed from multiple organizations where some authors investigate other possible factors that could explain the discrepancies in agreement, e.g. effects due to deflected control surfaces during the flight tests, as well as static aeroelastic deflection of the outer wing. This paper presents the synthesis of all the results and findings and draws some conclusions that lead to an improved understanding of the underlying flow physics, and finally making the connections between the physics and aircraft features.
Passive control of rotorcraft high-speed impulsive noise

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Szulc, O.; Doerffer, P.; Tejero, F.

2016-10-01

A strong, normal shock wave, terminating a local supersonic area located at the tip of a helicopter blade, not only limits the aerodynamic performance, but also constitutes an origin of the High-Speed Impulsive (HSI) noise. The application of a passive control device (a shallow cavity covered by a perforated plate) just beneath the interaction region weakens the compression level, thus reducing the main source of the HSI noise. The numerical investigation based on the URANS approach and Bohning/Doerffer (BD) transpiration law (SPARC code) confirms a large potential of the new method. Two exemplary implementations, adapted to model helicopter rotors tested at NASA Ames facility in transonic conditions: Caradonna-Tung (lifting, transonic hover) and Caradonna-Laub-Tung (non-lifting, high-speed forward flight), demonstrate the possible gains in terms of the reduction of acoustic pressure fluctuations in the near-field of the blade tip. The CFD results are validated against the experimental data obtained for the reference configurations (no control), while the analysis of the passive control arrangement is based on a purely numerical research. The normal shock wave is effectively eliminated by the wall ventilation exerting a positive impact on the generated level of the HSI noise.
Comparison of Computational and Experimental Results for a Transonic Variable-Speed Power-Turbine Blade Operating with Low Inlet Turbulence Levels

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Booth, David; Flegel, Ashlie

2015-01-01

A computational assessment of the aerodynamic performance of the midspan section of a variable-speed power-turbine blade is described. The computation comprises a periodic single blade that represents the 2-D Midspan section VSPT blade that was tested in the NASA Glenn Research Center Transonic Turbine Blade Cascade Facility. A commercial, off-the-shelf (COTS) software package, Pointwise and CFD++, was used for the grid generation and RANS and URANS computations. The CFD code, which offers flexibility in terms of turbulence and transition modeling options, was assessed in terms of blade loading, loss, and turning against test data from the transonic tunnel. Simulations were assessed at positive and negative incidence angles that represent the turbine cruise and take-off design conditions. The results indicate that the secondary flow induced at the positive incidence cruise condition results in a highly loaded case and transitional flow on the blade is observed. The negative incidence take-off condition is unloaded and the flow is very two-dimensional. The computational results demonstrate the predictive capability of the gridding technique and COTS software for a linear transonic turbine blade cascade with large incidence angle variation.
Design of Shrouded Airborne Wind Turbine & CFD Analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Anbreen, Faiqa; Faiqa Anbreen Collaboration

2015-11-01

The focus is to design a shrouded airborne wind turbine, capable to generate 70 kW to propel a leisure boat. The idea of designing an airborne turbine is to take the advantage of different velocity layers in the atmosphere. The blades have been designed using NREL S826 airfoil, which has coefficient of lift CL of 1.4 at angle of attack, 6°. The value selected for CP is 0.8. The rotor diameter is 7.4 m. The balloon (shroud) has converging-diverging nozzle design, to increase the mass flow rate through the rotor. The ratio of inlet area to throat area, Ai/At is 1.31 and exit area to throat area, Ae/At is1.15. The Solidworks model has been analyzed numerically using CFD. The software used is StarCCM +. The Unsteady Reynolds Averaged Navier Stokes Simulation (URANS) K- ɛ model has been selected, to study the physical properties of the flow, with emphasis on the performance of the turbine. Stress analysis has been done using Nastran. From the simulations, the torque generated by the turbine is approximately 800N-m and angular velocity is 21 rad/s.
Comparison of Computational and Experimental Results for a Transonic Variable-speed Power-Turbine Blade Operating with Low Inlet Turbulence Levels

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Booth, David T.; Flegel, Ashlie B.

2015-01-01

A computational assessment of the aerodynamic performance of the midspan section of a variable-speed power-turbine blade is described. The computation comprises a periodic single blade that represents the 2-D Midspan section VSPT blade that was tested in the NASA Glenn Research Center Transonic Turbine Blade Cascade Facility. A commercial, off-the-shelf (COTS) software package, Pointwise and CFD++, was used for the grid generation and RANS and URANS computations. The CFD code, which offers flexibility in terms of turbulence and transition modeling options, was assessed in terms of blade loading, loss, and turning against test data from the transonic tunnel. Simulations were assessed at positive and negative incidence angles that represent the turbine cruise and take-off design conditions. The results indicate that the secondary flow induced at the positive incidence cruise condition results in a highly loaded case and transitional flow on the blade is observed. The negative incidence take-off condition is unloaded and the flow is very two-dimensional. The computational results demonstrate the predictive capability of the gridding technique and COTS software for a linear transonic turbine blade cascade with large incidence angle variation.
A Very Large Eddy Simulation of the Nonreacting Flow in a Single-Element Lean Direct Injection Combustor Using PRNS with a Nonlinear Subscale Model

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Shih, Tsan-Hsing; Liu, Nan-Suey

2009-01-01

Very large eddy simulation (VLES) of the nonreacting turbulent flow in a single-element lean direct injection (LDI) combustor has been successfully performed via the approach known as the partially resolved numerical simulation (PRNS/VLES) using a nonlinear subscale model. The grid is the same as the one used in a previous RANS simulation, which was considered as too coarse for a traditional LES simulation. In this study, we first carry out a steady RANS simulation to provide the initial flow field for the subsequent PRNS/VLES simulation. We have also carried out an unsteady RANS (URANS) simulation for the purpose of comparing its results with that of the PRNS/VLES simulation. In addition, these calculated results are compared with the experimental data. The present effort has demonstrated that the PRNS/VLES approach, while using a RANS type of grid, is able to reveal the dynamically important, unsteady large-scale turbulent structures occurring in the flow field of a single-element LDI combustor. The interactions of these coherent structures play a critical role in the dispersion of the fuel, hence, the mixing between the fuel and the oxidizer in a combustor.
Integral Method for the Assessment of U-RANS Effectiveness in Non-Equilibrium Flows and Heat Transfer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pond, Ian; Edabi, Alireza; Dubief, Yves; White, Christopher

2015-11-01

Reynolds Average Navier Stokes (RANS) modeling has established itself as a critical design tool in many engineering applications, thanks to its superior computational efficiency. The drawbacks of RANS models are well known, but not necessarily well understood: poor prediction of transition, non equilibrium flows, mixing and heat transfer, to name the ones relevant to our study. In the present study, we use a DNS of a reciprocating channel flow driven by an oscillating pressure gradient to test several low- and high-Reynolds RANS models. Temperature is introduced as a passive scalar to study heat transfer modeling. Low-Reynolds models manage to capture the overall physics of wall shear and heat flux well, yet with some phase discrepancies, whereas high Reynolds models fail. Under the microscope of the integral method for wall shear and wall heat flux, the qualitative agreement appears more serendipitous than driven by the ability of the models to capture the correct physics. The integral method is shown to be more insightful in the benchmarking of RANS models than the typical comparisons of statistical quantities. The authors acknowledges the support of NSF and DOE under grant NSF/DOE 1258697 (VT) and 1258702 (NH).
Variable-Speed Power-Turbine Research at Glenn Research Center

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Welch, Gerard E.; McVetta, Ashlie B.; Stevens, Mark A.; Howard, Samuel A.; Giel, Paul W.; Ameri, Ali, A.; To, Waiming; Skoch, Gary J.; Thurman, Douglas R.

2012-01-01

The main rotors of the NASA Large Civil Tilt-Rotor (LCTR) notional vehicle operate over a wide speed-range, from 100 percent at takeoff to 54 percent at cruise. The variable-speed power turbine (VSPT) offers one approach by which to effect this speed variation. VSPT aerodynamics challenges include high work factors at cruise, wide (40 to 60 ) incidence-angle variations in blade and vane rows over the speed range, and operation at low Reynolds numbers. Rotordynamics challenges include potential responsiveness to shaft modes within the 50 percent VSPT speed-range. A research effort underway at NASA Glenn Research Center, intended to address these key aerodynamic and rotordynamic challenges, is described. Conceptual design and 3-D multistage RANS and URANS analyses, conducted internally and under contract, provide expected VSPT sizing, stage-count, performance and operability information, and maps for system studies. Initial steps toward experimental testing of incidence-tolerant blading in a transonic linear cascade are described, and progress toward development/improvement of a simulation capability for multistage turbines with low Reynolds number transitional flow is summarized. Preliminary rotordynamics analyses indicate that viable concept engines with 50 percent VSPT shaft-speed range. Assessments of potential paths toward VSPT component-level testing are summarized.
Radio Jove: Citizen Science for Jupiter Radio Astronomy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Higgins, C. A.; Thieman, J.; Reyes, F. J.; Typinski, D.; Flagg, R. F.; Greenman, W.; Brown, J.; Ashcraft, T.; Sky, J.; Cecconi, B.; Garcia, L. N.

2016-12-01

The Radio Jove Project (http://radiojove.gsfc.nasa.gov) has been operating as an educational activity for 18 years to introduce radio astronomy activities to students, teachers, and the general public. Participants may build a simple radio telescope kit, make scientific observations, and interact with radio observatories in real-time over the Internet. Recently some of our dedicated citizen science observers have upgraded their systems to better study radio emission from Jupiter and the Sun by adding dual-polarization spectrographs and wide-band antennas in the frequency range of 15-30 MHz. Some of these observations are being used in conjunction with professional telescopes such as the Long Wavelength Array (LWA), the Nancay Decametric Array, and the Ukrainian URAN2 Radio Telescope. In particular, there is an effort to support the Juno Mission radio waves instrument at Jupiter by using citizen science ground-based data for comparison and polarization verification. These data will be archived through a Virtual European Solar and Planetary Access (VESPA) archive (https://voparis-radiojove.obspm.fr/radiojove/welcome) for use by the amateur and professional radio science community. We overview the program and display recent observations that will be of interest to the science community.
Impact of uncertainties in free stream conditions on the aerodynamics of a rectangular cylinder

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mariotti, Alessandro; Shoeibi Omrani, Pejman; Witteveen, Jeroen; Salvetti, Maria Vittoria

2015-11-01

The BARC benchmark deals with the flow around a rectangular cylinder with chord-to-depth ratio equal to 5. This flow configuration is of practical interest for civil and industrial structures and it is characterized by massively separated flow and unsteadiness. In a recent review of BARC results, significant dispersion was observed both in experimental and numerical predictions of some flow quantities, which are extremely sensitive to various uncertainties, which may be present in experiments and simulations. Besides modeling and numerical errors, in simulations it is difficult to exactly reproduce the experimental conditions due to uncertainties in the set-up parameters, which sometimes cannot be exactly controlled or characterized. Probabilistic methods and URANS simulations are used to investigate the impact of the uncertainties in the following set-up parameters: the angle of incidence, the free stream longitudinal turbulence intensity and length scale. Stochastic collocation is employed to perform the probabilistic propagation of the uncertainty. The discretization and modeling errors are estimated by repeating the same analysis for different grids and turbulence models. The results obtained for different assumed PDF of the set-up parameters are also compared.
High fidelity simulation of non-synchronous vibration for aircraft engine fan/compressor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Im, Hong-Sik

The objectives of this research are to develop a high fidelity simulation methodology for turbomachinery aeromechanical problems and to investigate the mechanism of non-synchronous vibration (NSV) of an aircraft engine axial compressor. A fully conservative rotor/stator sliding technique is developed to accurately capture the unsteadiness and interaction between adjacent blade rows. Phase lag boundary conditions (BC) based on the time shift (direct store) method and the Fourier series phase lag BC are implemented to take into account the effect of phase difference for a sector of annulus simulation. To resolve the nonlinear interaction between flow and vibrating blade structure, a fully coupled fluid-structure interaction (FSI) procedure that solves the structural modal equations and time accurate Navier-Stokes equations simultaneously is adopted. An advanced mesh deformation method that generates the blade tip block mesh moving with the blade displacement is developed to ensure the mesh quality. An efficient and low diffusion E-CUSP (LDE) scheme as a Riemann solver designed to minimize numerical dissipation is used with an improved hybrid RANS/LES turbulence strategy, delayed detached eddy simulation (DDES). High order accuracy (3rd and 5th order) weighted essentially non-oscillatory (WENO) schemes for inviscid flux and a conservative 2nd and 4th order viscous flux differencing are employed. Extensive validations are conducted to demonstrate high accuracy and robustness of the high fidelity FSI simulation methodology. The validated cases include: (1) DDES of NACA 0012 airfoil at high angle of attack with massive separation. The DDES accurately predicts the drag whereas the URANS model significantly over predicts the drag. (2) The AGARD Wing 445.6 flutter boundary is accurately predicted including the point at supersonic incoming flow. (3) NASA Rotor 67 validation for steady state speed line and radial profiles at peak efficiency point and near stall point. The calculated results agree excellently with the experiment. (4) NASA Stage 35 speed line and radial profiles to validate the steady state mixing plane BC for multistage computation. Excellent agreement is obtained between the computation and experiment. (5) NASA Rotor 67 full annulus and single passage FSI simulation at near peak condition to validate phase lag BC. The time shifted phase lag BC accurately predicts blade vibration responses that agrees better with the full annulus FSI simulation. The DDES methodology is used to investigate the stall inception of NASA Rotor 67. The stall process begins with spike inception and develops to full stall. The whole process is simulated with full annulus of the rotor. The fully coupled FSI is then used to simulate the stall flutter of NASA Rotor 67. The multistage simulations of a GE aircraft engine high pressure compressor (HPC) reveal for the first time that the travelling tornado vortex formed on the rotor blade tip region is the root cause for the NSV of the compressor. The rotor blades under NSV have large torsional vibration due to the tornado vortex propagation in the opposite to the rotor rotation. The tornado vortex frequency passing the suction surface of each blade in the tip region agrees with the NSV frequency. The predicted NSV frequency based on URANS model with rigid blades agrees very well with the experimental measurement with only 3.3% under-predicted. The NSV prediction using FSI with vibrating blades also obtain the same frequency as the rigid blades. This is because that the NSV is primarily caused by the flow vortex instability and the no resonance occurs. The blade structures respond passively and the small amplitudes of the blade vibration do not have significant effect on the flow. The predicted frequency using DDES with rigid blades is more deviated from the experiment and is 14.7% lower. The reason is that the DDES tends to predict the rotor stall earlier than the URANS and the NSV can be achieved only at higher mass flow rate, which generates a lower frequency. The possible reason for the DDES to predict the rotor stall early may be because DDES is more sensitive to wave reflection and a non-reflective boundary condition may be necessary. Overall, the high fidelity FSI methodology developed in this thesis for aircraft engine fan/compressor aeromechanics simulation is demonstrated to be very successful and has advanced the forefront of the state of the art. Future work to continue to improve the accuracy and efficiency is discussed at the end of the thesis.
Computational Investigations on the Aerodynamics of a Generic Car Model in Proximity to a Side Wall

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mallapragada, Srivatsa

A moving road vehicle is subjected to many fluid interferences caused by a number of external agents apart from the vehicle itself. Vehicles moving in proximity to a side wall is an interesting aspect that has been little investigated in the literature. This is of great interest in motorsports, more specifically in NASCAR racing. The aim of this thesis is to develop a Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) model that can simulate the motion of a race car moving close to a side wall with an objective of understanding the influence of this side barrier on the overall aerodynamic characteristics of the vehicle, like the force and moment coefficients. Additionally, flow visualization tools are used to gain insights into the flow field and to explain the causes of the observed aerodynamic characteristics of the vehicle. This is accomplished by using a generic car model, a 25-degree slant angle Ahmed Body, in proximity to a side wall in a virtual wind tunnel where the vehicle body is allowed to move at constant velocity. This methodology is different from the traditional CFD approach where the air is blown over a stationary vehicle. The simulation process used in this thesis requires the use of a recently developed meshing methodology called the Overset mesh. All simulations were run using a commercial finite volume CFD code called StarCCM+ where the Unsteady Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes URANS fluid flow solver was used to model turbulence. However, the existing literature suggests that no URANS model can correctly predict the flow field around a 25-degree slant Ahmed body model; all models under-predict turbulence in the initial separated shear layer and over-predict the separation region. Subsequently, the first phase of this thesis involved the determination of a modeling methodology that can accurately predict the flow-field over a 25-degree Ahmed body. Two two-equation eddy-viscosity turbulence models, the AKN and SST preferred by many researchers for CFD simulations of massively separated flows, were tested. It turned out that only the latter with modified model coefficients was capable of reproducing the experimental results with a reasonable accuracy. Compared to the eddy viscosity CFD simulations of an isolated 25-degree slant angle Ahmed body seen in existing literature, the results presented in this thesis show significantly better correlations with experiments. The wall proximity studies show a strong influence of the presence of the wall on the overall aerodynamic characteristics of the vehicle body. When compared with the experimental studies, although both show similar trends, however, there exists a significant difference between the experimental and CFD predicted results which tend to worsen as one approaches the wall. These differences can be attributed to fact that the CFD emulation of the flow around the side-wall is more realistic compared to the experimental implementation.
Research on culture-bound syndromes: new directions.

PubMed

Guarnaccia, P J; Rogler, L H

1999-09-01

The unprecedented inclusion of culture-bound syndromes in DSM-IV provides the opportunity for highlighting the need to study such syndromes and the occasion for developing a research agenda to study them. The growing ethnic and cultural diversity of the U.S. population presents a challenge to the mental health field to develop truly cross-cultural approaches to mental health research and services. In this article, the authors provide a critique of previous analyses of the relationship between culture-bound syndromes and psychiatric diagnoses. They highlight the problems in previous classificatory exercises, which tend to focus on subsuming the culture-bound syndromes into psychiatric categories and fail to fully investigate these syndromes on their own terms. A detailed research program based on four key questions is presented both to understand culture-bound syndromes within their cultural context and to analyze the relationship between these syndromes and psychiatric disorders. Results of over a decade of research on ataques de nervios, a Latino-Caribbean cultural syndrome, are used to illustrate this research program. The four questions focus on the nature of the phenomenon, the social-cultural location of sufferers, the relationship of culture-bound syndromes to psychiatric disorders, and the social and psychiatric history of the syndrome in the life course of the sufferer.
Steady and unsteady calculations on thermal striping phenomena in triple-parallel jet

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

Yu, Y. Q.; Merzari, E.; Thomas, J. W.

2017-02-01

The phenomenon of thermal striping is encountered in liquid metal cooled fast reactors (LMFR), in which temperature fluctuation due to convective mixing between hot and cold fluids can lead to a possibility of crack initiation and propagation in the structure due to high cycle thermal fatigue. Using sodium experiments of parallel triple jets configuration performed by Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA) as benchmark, numerical simulations were carried out to evaluate the temperature fluctuation characteristics in fluid and the transfer characteristics of temperature fluctuation from fluid to structure, which is important to assess the potential thermal fatigue damage. In this study,more » both steady (RANS) and unsteady (URANS, LES) methods were applied to predict the temperature fluctuations of thermal striping. The parametric studies on the effects of mesh density and boundary conditions on the accuracy of the overall solutions were also conducted. The velocity, temperature and temperature fluctuation intensity distribution were compared with the experimental data. As expected, steady calculation has limited success in predicting the thermal–hydraulic characteristics of the thermal striping, highlighting the limitations of the RANS approach in unsteady heat transfer simulations. The unsteady results exhibited reasonably good agreement with experimental results for temperature fluctuation intensity, as well as the average temperature and velocity components at the measurement locations.« less
Plasma-based actuators for turbulent boundary layer control in transonic flow

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Budovsky, A. D.; Polivanov, P. A.; Vishnyakov, O. I.; Sidorenko, A. A.

2017-10-01

The study is devoted to development of methods for active control of flow structure typical for the aircraft wings in transonic flow with turbulent boundary layer. The control strategy accepted in the study was based on using of the effects of plasma discharges interaction with miniature geometrical obstacles of various shapes. The conceptions were studied computationally using 3D RANS, URANS approaches. The results of the computations have shown that energy deposition can significantly change the flow pattern over the obstacles increasing their influence on the flow in boundary layer region. Namely, one of the most interesting and promising data were obtained for actuators basing on combination of vertical wedge with asymmetrical plasma discharge. The wedge considered is aligned with the local streamlines and protruding in the flow by 0.4-0.8 of local boundary layer thickness. The actuator produces negligible distortion of the flow at the absence of energy deposition. Energy deposition along the one side of the wedge results in longitudinal vortex formation in the wake of the actuator providing momentum exchange in the boundary layer. The actuator was manufactured and tested in wind tunnel experiments at Mach number 1.5 using the model of flat plate. The experimental data obtained by PIV proved the availability of the actuator.
Aerofoil broadband and tonal noise modelling using stochastic sound sources and incorporated large scale fluctuations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Proskurov, S.; Darbyshire, O. R.; Karabasov, S. A.

2017-12-01

The present work discusses modifications to the stochastic Fast Random Particle Mesh (FRPM) method featuring both tonal and broadband noise sources. The technique relies on the combination of incorporated vortex-shedding resolved flow available from Unsteady Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes (URANS) simulation with the fine-scale turbulence FRPM solution generated via the stochastic velocity fluctuations in the context of vortex sound theory. In contrast to the existing literature, our method encompasses a unified treatment for broadband and tonal acoustic noise sources at the source level, thus, accounting for linear source interference as well as possible non-linear source interaction effects. When sound sources are determined, for the sound propagation, Acoustic Perturbation Equations (APE-4) are solved in the time-domain. Results of the method's application for two aerofoil benchmark cases, with both sharp and blunt trailing edges are presented. In each case, the importance of individual linear and non-linear noise sources was investigated. Several new key features related to the unsteady implementation of the method were tested and brought into the equation. Encouraging results have been obtained for benchmark test cases using the new technique which is believed to be potentially applicable to other airframe noise problems where both tonal and broadband parts are important.

Contaminant Leach Testing of Hanford Tank 241-C-104 Residual Waste

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

Cantrell, Kirk J.; Snyder, Michelle M.V.; Wang, Guohui

2015-07-01

Leach testing of Tank C-104 residual waste was completed using batch and column experiments. Tank C-104 residual waste contains exceptionally high concentrations of uranium (i.e., as high as 115 mg/g or 11.5 wt.%). This study was conducted to provide data to develop contaminant release models for Tank C-104 residual waste and Tank C-104 residual waste that has been treated with lime to transform uranium in the waste to a highly insoluble calcium uranate (CaUO4) or similar phase. Three column leaching cases were investigated. In the first case, C-104 residual waste was leached with deionized water. In the second case, crushedmore » grout was added to the column so that deionized water contacted the grout prior to contacting the waste. In the third case, lime was mixed in with the grout. Results of the column experiments demonstrate that addition of lime dramatically reduces the leachability of uranium from Tank C-104 residual waste. Initial indications suggest that CaUO4 or a similar highly insoluble calcium rich uranium phase forms as a result of the lime addition. Additional work is needed to definitively identify the uranium phases that occur in the as received waste and the waste after the lime treatment.« less
A Two-Stage Procedure Toward the Efficient Implementation of PANS and Other Hybrid Turbulence Models

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Abdol-Hamid, Khaled S.; Girimaji, Sharath S.

2004-01-01

The main objective of this article is to introduce and to show the implementation of a novel two-stage procedure to efficiently estimate the level of scale resolution possible for a given flow on a given grid for Partial Averaged Navier-Stokes (PANS) and other hybrid models. It has been found that the prescribed scale resolution can play a major role in obtaining accurate flow solutions. The first step is to solve the unsteady or steady Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes (URANS/RANS) equations. From this preprocessing step, the turbulence length-scale field is obtained. This is then used to compute the characteristic length-scale ratio between the turbulence scale and the grid spacing. Based on this ratio, we can assess the finest scale resolution that a given grid for a given flow can support. Along with other additional criteria, we are able to analytically identify the appropriate hybrid solver resolution for different regions of the flow. This procedure removes the grid dependency issue that affects the results produced by different hybrid procedures in solving unsteady flows. The formulation, implementation methodology, and validation example are presented. We implemented this capability in a production Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) code, PAB3D, for the simulation of unsteady flows.
Computation of three-dimensional multiphase flow dynamics by Fully-Coupled Immersed Flow (FCIF) solver

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Miao, Sha; Hendrickson, Kelli; Liu, Yuming

2017-12-01

This work presents a Fully-Coupled Immersed Flow (FCIF) solver for the three-dimensional simulation of fluid-fluid interaction by coupling two distinct flow solvers using an Immersed Boundary (IB) method. The FCIF solver captures dynamic interactions between two fluids with disparate flow properties, while retaining the desirable simplicity of non-boundary-conforming grids. For illustration, we couple an IB-based unsteady Reynolds Averaged Navier Stokes (uRANS) simulator with a depth-integrated (long-wave) solver for the application of slug development with turbulent gas and laminar liquid. We perform a series of validations including turbulent/laminar flows over prescribed wavy boundaries and freely-evolving viscous fluids. These confirm the effectiveness and accuracy of both one-way and two-way coupling in the FCIF solver. Finally, we present a simulation example of the evolution from a stratified turbulent/laminar flow through the initiation of a slug that nearly bridges the channel. The results show both the interfacial wave dynamics excited by the turbulent gas forcing and the influence of the liquid on the gas turbulence. These results demonstrate that the FCIF solver effectively captures the essential physics of gas-liquid interaction and can serve as a useful tool for the mechanistic study of slug generation in two-phase gas/liquid flows in channels and pipes.
Caution: Precision Error in Blade Alignment Results in Faulty Unsteady CFD Simulation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lewis, Bryan; Cimbala, John; Wouden, Alex

2012-11-01

Turbomachinery components experience unsteady loads at several frequencies. The rotor frequency corresponds to the time for one rotor blade to rotate between two stator vanes, and is normally dominant for rotor torque oscillations. The guide vane frequency corresponds to the time for two rotor blades to pass by one guide vane. The machine frequency corresponds to the machine RPM. Oscillations at the machine frequency are always present due to minor blade misalignments and imperfections resulting from manufacturing defects. However, machine frequency oscillations should not be present in CFD simulations if the mesh is free of both blade misalignment and surface imperfections. The flow through a Francis hydroturbine was modeled with unsteady Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes (URANS) CFD simulations and a dynamic rotating grid. Spectral analysis of the unsteady torque on the rotor blades revealed a large component at the machine frequency. Close examination showed that one blade was displaced by 0 .0001° due to round-off errors during mesh generation. A second mesh without blade misalignment was then created. Subsequently, large machine frequency oscillations were not observed for this mesh. These results highlight the effect of minor geometry imperfections on CFD solutions. This research was supported by a grant from the DoE and a National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate Fellowship.
Estimation of turbulence intensity and shear factor for diurnal and nocturnal periods with an URANS flow solver coupled with WRF

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Veiga Rodrigues, C.; Palma, J. M. L. M.

2014-06-01

Mesoscale results using the WRF model were downscaled from 3 km to 250 m resolution in a one-way coupling with VENTOS®/M. The results were compared against field measurements at one site comprising 4 meteorological masts, each with two sets of cup anemometers and wind vanes. The results showed that the addition of VENTOS®/M to the model chain improved the wind speed RMSE. Regarding the prediction of wind direction ambivalent results were obtained. Special attention was given to the prediction of turbulence intensity, particularly in reproducing its inverse proportionality with increasing wind speed (cf. IEC 61400-1 standard). The typical use of computational models in wind resource assessment, i.e., relying on decoupled methodologies and neutrally-stratified regimes, does not allow the representation of turbulence intensity for all wind speeds. The results obtained with VENTOS®/M were in agreement with the measured turbulence characteristics at both high and low wind speeds. Such was achieved without the coupling of any turbulence related field, relying solely on the turbulence model embedded in VENTOS®/M and its respective wall boundary conditions, based on Monin-Obukhov similarity theory. The behaviour under different stratification regimes was verified by analysing diurnal and nocturnal events separately.
The Influence of Drag on the Relation Between Swimming Number and Swimming Speed

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gross, David; Argentina, Mederic; Roux, Yann

2017-11-01

The choice of gait parameters used by swimmers has been the subject of considerable research. The recent work of Gazzola et al. (2014) showed that swimmers follow a relation between the viscosity, the input parameters of length, tailbeat frequency and amplitude by way of a new non-dimensional swimming number Sw and the resulting Reynolds number Re that they swim at. The momentum balance leads to a 4/3 power relation between Sw and Re at moderately high Reynolds number and a linear relation between Sw and Re in the turbulent regime. We performed numerical simulations of a swimmer submitted to an imposed deformation and a resolved rigid body motion. A 2D unsteady, inviscid vortex panel method with vortex particle wake approach is used to represent the swimmer and its wake. The method was validated against the analytic solution of an impulsively started foil and a purely heaving foil. The vortex panel method is inviscid by its nature, but with an added viscous drag equivalent to a flat plate yields excellent agreement with the scaling laws observed by Gazzola et al. and 2D URANS results in both flow regimes The influence of Re dependent and independent drag coefficients was studied along with the limit of zero added drag.
Investigations of effect of phase change mass transfer rate on cavitation process with homogeneous relaxation model

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

He, Zhixia; Zhang, Liang; Saha, Kaushik

The super high fuel injection pressure and micro size of nozzle orifice has been an important development trend for the fuel injection system. Accordingly, cavitation transient process, fuel compressibility, amount of noncondensable gas in the fuel and cavitation erosion have attracted more attention. Based on the fact of cavitation in itself is a kind of thermodynamic phase change process, this paper takes the perspective of the cavitation phase change mass transfer process to analyze above mentioned phenomenon. The two-phase cavitating turbulent flow simulations with VOF approach coupled with HRM cavitation model and U-RANS of standard k-ε turbulence model were performedmore » for investigations of cavitation phase change mass transfer process. It is concluded the mass transfer time scale coefficient in the Homogenous Relaxation Model (HRM) representing mass transfer rate should tend to be as small as possible in a condition that ensured the solver stable. At very fast mass transfer rate, the phase change occurs at very thin interface between liquid and vapor phase and condensation occurs more focused and then will contribute predictably to a more serious cavitation erosion. Both the initial non-condensable gas in fuel and the fuel compressibility can accelerate the cavitation mass transfer process.« less
Unsteady Three-Dimensional Simulation of a Shear Coaxial GO2/GH2 Rocket Injector with RANS and Hybrid-RAN-LES/DES Using Flamelet Models

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Westra, Doug G.; West, Jeffrey S.; Richardson, Brian R.

2015-01-01

Historically, the analysis and design of liquid rocket engines (LREs) has relied on full-scale testing and one-dimensional empirical tools. The testing is extremely expensive and the one-dimensional tools are not designed to capture the highly complex, and multi-dimensional features that are inherent to LREs. Recent advances in computational fluid dynamics (CFD) tools have made it possible to predict liquid rocket engine performance, stability, to assess the effect of complex flow features, and to evaluate injector-driven thermal environments, to mitigate the cost of testing. Extensive efforts to verify and validate these CFD tools have been conducted, to provide confidence for using them during the design cycle. Previous validation efforts have documented comparisons of predicted heat flux thermal environments with test data for a single element gaseous oxygen (GO2) and gaseous hydrogen (GH2) injector. The most notable validation effort was a comprehensive validation effort conducted by Tucker et al. [1], in which a number of different groups modeled a GO2/GH2 single element configuration by Pal et al [2]. The tools used for this validation comparison employed a range of algorithms, from both steady and unsteady Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes (U/RANS) calculations, large-eddy simulations (LES), detached eddy simulations (DES), and various combinations. A more recent effort by Thakur et al. [3] focused on using a state-of-the-art CFD simulation tool, Loci/STREAM, on a two-dimensional grid. Loci/STREAM was chosen because it has a unique, very efficient flamelet parameterization of combustion reactions that are too computationally expensive to simulate with conventional finite-rate chemistry calculations. The current effort focuses on further advancement of validation efforts, again using the Loci/STREAM tool with the flamelet parameterization, but this time with a three-dimensional grid. Comparisons to the Pal et al. heat flux data will be made for both RANS and Hybrid RANSLES/ Detached Eddy simulations (DES). Computation costs will be reported, along with comparison of accuracy and cost to much less expensive two-dimensional RANS simulations of the same geometry.
Ethnomedical syndromes and treatment-seeking behavior among Mayan refugees in Chiapas, Mexico.

PubMed

Smith, Bryce D; Sabin, Miriam; Berlin, Elois Ann; Nackerud, Larry

2009-09-01

This survey investigated the prevalence of ethnomedical syndromes and examined treatments and treatment-seeking in Mayan Guatemalans living in United Nations High Commissioner for Refugee (UNHCR) camps in Chiapas, Mexico. Methods included a rapid ethnographic assessment to refine survey methods and inform the cross-sectional survey, which also examined mental health outcomes; 183 households were approached for interview, representing an estimated 1,546 residents in five refugee camps and 93% of all households. One adult per household (N = 170) was interviewed regarding his or her health; an additional 9 adults in three surveyed households participated and were included in this analysis; of the 179 participants, 95 primary child-care providers also answered a children's health questionnaire for their children. Results indicated that ethnomedical syndromes were common in this sample, with 59% of adults and 48.4% of children having experienced susto (fright condition) and 34.1% of adults reporting ataques de nervios (nervous attacks); both conditions were significantly associated with symptoms consistent with posttraumatic stress disorder, anxiety and depression and are mental health conditions recognized by the American Psychiatric Association. Combining healthcare provider and indigenous treatments such as physician prescribed medication (65%), medicinal plants (65.7%), and limpias (spiritual cleansings) (40.6%) was reported. Most participants (86%) sought routine medical treatment from UNHCR trained health promoters in their camp. Assessing ethnomedical health is important for informing mental health programs among this population.
The contribution of Latin American and Caribbean countries on culture bound syndromes studies for the ICD-10 revision: key findings from a working in progress.

PubMed

Razzouk, Denise; Nogueira, Bruno; Mari, Jair de Jesus

2011-05-01

This review aims to verify the scientific evidences for the inclusion of culture bound syndromes in the International Classification of Diseases towards its 11th edition based on studies from Latin American and Caribbean countries. Studies were identified in Medline, LILACS and EMBASE databases for the period between 1992 and 2008, and then classified according to the type of study, to the mental disorder, country and number of publications per year. 163 studies were selected and classified: 33 in MedlLne, 90 in EMBASE e 40 in LILACS. The percentage of culture bound-syndrome corresponded to 9% in Medline, 12% in EMBASE e 2.5% in LILACS. Among fifteen studies on cultural bound syndromes, two were about "nervios and ataque de nervios", two about "susto", four about the relationship between religion beliefs, witchery, trance and mental disorders, one with a proposal for new diagnostic category, three about theoretic issues and three about the pathoplasty of mental disorders. The scarcity of studies on culture bound syndromes might be due to the indexation problems hindering the screening of studies; lack of interest on publishing such studies in indexed journals (publication bias) and due to difficulty to access them. There is no robust evidence identified among cross-cultural studies to recommend changes for International Classification of Diseases-11th edition.
Effects of hydrated lime on radionuclides stabilization of Hanford tank residual waste.

PubMed

Wang, Guohui; Um, Wooyong; Cantrell, Kirk J; Snyder, Michelle M V; Bowden, Mark E; Triplett, Mark B; Buck, Edgar C

2017-10-01

Chemical stabilization of tank residual waste is part of a Hanford Site tank closure strategy to reduce overall risk levels to human health and the environment. In this study, a set of column leaching experiments using tank C-104 residual waste were conducted to evaluate the leachability of uranium (U) and technetium (Tc) where grout and hydrated lime were applied as chemical stabilizing agents. The experiments were designed to simulate future scenarios where meteoric water infiltrates through the vadose zones into the interior of the tank filled with layers of grout or hydrated lime, and then contacts the residual waste. Effluent concentrations of U and Tc were monitored and compared among three different packing columns (waste only, waste + grout, and waste + grout + hydrated lime). Geochemical modeling of the effluent compositions was conducted to determine saturation indices of uranium solid phases that could control the solubility of uranium. The results indicate that addition of hydrated lime strongly stabilized the uranium through transforming uranium to a highly insoluble calcium uranate (CaUO 4 ) or similar phase, whereas no significant stabilization effect of grout or hydrated lime was observed on Tc leachability. The result implies that hydrated lime could be a great candidate for stabilizing Hanford tank residual wastes where uranium is one of the main concerns. Published by Elsevier Ltd.
Prediction and Reduction of Noise in Pneumatic Bleed Valves

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Taghavi Nezhad, Shervin

This study investigates numerically the fluid mechanics and acoustics of pneumatic bleed valves used in turbofan engines. The goal is to characterized the fundamental processes of noise generation and devise strategies for noise reduction. Three different methods are employed for both analysis and redesign of the bleed valve to reduce noise. The bleed valve noise problem is carefully divided into multiple smaller problems. For large separations and tonal noises, the unsteady Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes (URANS) method is utilized. This method is also applied in the re-designing of the bleed valve geometry. For the bleed valve muffler, which is comprised of perforated plates and a honeycomb, a Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) method combined with a simplified acoustic analogy is used. The original muffler design is modified to improve noise attenuation. Finally, for sound scattering through perforated plates, a fully implicit linearized Euler solver is developed. The problem of sound interaction with perforated plates is studied from two perspectives. In the first study the effect of high--speed mean flow is considered and it is shown that at Strouhal numbers of around 0.2-0.25 there is an increase in transmitted incident sound. In the second part, the interaction of holes in two--dimensional perforated plates is investigated using three different configurations. The study demonstrates that the hole interaction has a significant impact on sound attenuation, especially at high frequencies.
Numerical prediction of the spatial and temporal characteristics of the aero-optical disturbance produced by a helicopter in hover

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kelly, Ryan T.

Aero-optical disturbances produced from turbulent compressible flow-fields can seriously degrade the performance of an optical signal. At compressible flight speeds these disturbances stem from the density variations present in turbulent boundary layers and free shear layers; however helicopters typically operate at incompressible speeds, which nearly eliminates the aberrating effect of these flows. For helicopter platforms the sources of aberration originate from the high subsonic flow-field near the rotor blade tips in the form of rotor-tip vortices and from the high temperatures of the engine effluence. During hover the shed rotor-tip vortices and engine effluence convect with the rotor wake encircling the airframe and subsequently a helicopter mounted optical system. The aero-optical effects of the wake beneath a hovering helicopter were analyzed using a combination of Unsteady RANS (URANS) and Large-Eddy Simulations (LES). The spatial and temporal characteristics of the numerical optical wavefronts were compared to full-scale aero-optic experimental measurements. The results indicate that the turbulence of the rotor-tip vortices contributes to the higher order aberrations measured experimentally and that the thermal exhaust plumes effectively limit the optical field-of-regard to forward- and side-looking beam directions. This information along with the computed optical aberrations of the wake can be used to guide the development of adaptive-optic systems or other beam-control approaches.
Observational properties of decameter type IV bursts

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Melnik, Valentin; Brazhenko, Anatoly; Rucker, Helmut; Konovalenko, Alexander; Briand, Carine; Dorovskyy, Vladimir; Zarka, Philippe; Frantzusenko, Anatoly; Panchenko, Michael; Poedts, Stefan; Zaqarashvili, Teimuraz; Shergelashvili, Bidzina

2013-04-01

Oscillations of decameter type IV bursts were registered during observations of solar radio emission by UTR-2, URAN-2 and NDA in 2011-2012. Large majority of these bursts were accompanied by coronal mass ejections (CMEs), which were observed by SOHO and STEREO in the visible light. Only in some cases decameter type IV bursts were not associated with CMEs. The largest periods of oscillations P were some tens of minutes. There were some modes of long periods of oscillations simultaneously. Periods of oscillations in flux and in polarization profiles were close. Detailed properties of oscillations at different frequencies were analyzed on the example of two type IV bursts. One of them was observed on April 7, 2011 when a CME happened. Another one (August 1, 2011) was registered without any CME. The 7 April type IV burst had two periods in the frames 75-85 and 35-85 minutes. Interesting feature of these oscillations is decreasing periods with time. The observed decreasing rates dP/dt equaled 0.03-0.07. Concerning type IV burst observed on August 1, 2011 the period of its oscillations increases from 17 min. at 30 MHz to 44 min. at 10 MHz. Connection of type IV burst oscillations with oscillations of magnetic arches and CMEs at corresponding altitudes are discussed. The work is fulfilled in the frame of FP7 project "SOLSPANET".
Design of airborne wind turbine and computational fluid dynamics analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Anbreen, Faiqa

Wind energy is a promising alternative to the depleting non-renewable sources. The height of the wind turbines becomes a constraint to their efficiency. Airborne wind turbine can reach much higher altitudes and produce higher power due to high wind velocity and energy density. The focus of this thesis is to design a shrouded airborne wind turbine, capable to generate 70 kW to propel a leisure boat with a capacity of 8-10 passengers. The idea of designing an airborne turbine is to take the advantage of higher velocities in the atmosphere. The Solidworks model has been analyzed numerically using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) software StarCCM+. The Unsteady Reynolds Averaged Navier Stokes Simulation (URANS) with K-epsilon turbulence model has been selected, to study the physical properties of the flow, with emphasis on the performance of the turbine and the increase in air velocity at the throat. The analysis has been done using two ambient velocities of 12 m/s and 6 m/s. At 12 m/s inlet velocity, the velocity of air at the turbine has been recorded as 16 m/s. The power generated by the turbine is 61 kW. At inlet velocity of 6 m/s, the velocity of air at turbine increased to 10 m/s. The power generated by turbine is 25 kW.
Development of a High-Order Space-Time Matrix-Free Adjoint Solver

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ceze, Marco A.; Diosady, Laslo T.; Murman, Scott M.

2016-01-01

The growth in computational power and algorithm development in the past few decades has granted the science and engineering community the ability to simulate flows over complex geometries, thus making Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) tools indispensable in analysis and design. Currently, one of the pacing items limiting the utility of CFD for general problems is the prediction of unsteady turbulent ows.1{3 Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) methods, which predict a time-invariant mean flowfield, struggle to provide consistent predictions when encountering even mild separation, such as the side-of-body separation at a wing-body junction. NASA's Transformative Tools and Technologies project is developing both numerical methods and physical modeling approaches to improve the prediction of separated flows. A major focus of this e ort is efficient methods for resolving the unsteady fluctuations occurring in these flows to provide valuable engineering data of the time-accurate flow field for buffet analysis, vortex shedding, etc. This approach encompasses unsteady RANS (URANS), large-eddy simulations (LES), and hybrid LES-RANS approaches such as Detached Eddy Simulations (DES). These unsteady approaches are inherently more expensive than traditional engineering RANS approaches, hence every e ort to mitigate this cost must be leveraged. Arguably, the most cost-effective approach to improve the efficiency of unsteady methods is the optimal placement of the spatial and temporal degrees of freedom (DOF) using solution-adaptive methods.
Comparative analysis of thorium and uranium fuel for transuranic recycle in a sodium cooled Fast Reactor

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

C. Fiorina; N. E. Stauff; F. Franceschini

2013-12-01

The present paper compares the reactor physics and transmutation performance of sodium-cooled Fast Reactors (FRs) for TRansUranic (TRU) burning with thorium (Th) or uranium (U) as fertile materials. The 1000 MWt Toshiba-Westinghouse Advanced Recycling Reactor (ARR) conceptual core has been used as benchmark for the comparison. Both burner and breakeven configurations sustained or started with a TRU supply, and assuming full actinide homogeneous recycle strategy, have been developed. State-of-the-art core physics tools have been employed to establish fuel inventory and reactor physics performances for equilibrium and transition cycles. Results show that Th fosters large improvements in the reactivity coefficients associatedmore » with coolant expansion and voiding, which enhances safety margins and, for a burner design, can be traded for maximizing the TRU burning rate. A trade-off of Th compared to U is the significantly larger fuel inventory required to achieve a breakeven design, which entails additional blankets at the detriment of core compactness as well as fuel manufacturing and separation requirements. The gamma field generated by the progeny of U-232 in the U bred from Th challenges fuel handling and manufacturing, but in case of full recycle, the high contents of Am and Cm in the transmutation fuel impose remote fuel operations regardless of the presence of U-232.« less
Characterization of Unsteady Flow Structures Near Leading-Edge Slat. Part 1; PIV Measurements

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jenkins, Luther N.; Khorrami, Mehdi R.; Choudhari, Meelan

2004-01-01

A comprehensive computational and experimental study has been performed at the NASA Langley Research Center as part of the Quiet Aircraft Technology (QAT) Program to investigate the unsteady flow near a leading-edge slat of a two-dimensional, high-lift system. This paper focuses on the experimental effort conducted in the NASA Langley Basic Aerodynamics Research Tunnel (BART) where Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) data was acquired in the slat cove and at the slat trailing edge of a three-element, high-lift model at 4, 6, and 8 degrees angle of attack and a freestream Mach Number of 0.17. Instantaneous velocities obtained from PIV images are used to obtain mean and fluctuating components of velocity and vorticity. The data show the recirculation in the cove, reattachment of the shear layer on the slat lower surface, and discrete vortical structures within the shear layer emanating from the slat cusp and slat trailing edge. Detailed measurements are used to examine the shear layer formation at the slat cusp, vortex shedding at the slat trailing edge, and convection of vortical structures through the slat gap. Selected results are discussed and compared with unsteady, Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes (URANS) computations for the same configuration in a companion paper by Khorrami, Choudhari, and Jenkins (2004). The experimental dataset provides essential flow-field information for the validation of near-field inputs to noise prediction tools.
Parental mental health, childhood psychiatric disorders, and asthma attacks in island Puerto Rican youth.

PubMed

Ortega, Alexander N; Goodwin, Renee D; McQuaid, Elizabeth L; Canino, Glorisa

2004-01-01

Previous research documents an association of poor parental mental health with asthma in children. This study aims to determine whether the associations between parental mental health problems and childhood asthma attacks persist after controlling for childhood anxiety and depression and other confounding factors. A community household sample of youth ages 4 to 17 years and their primary caregivers from the US Commonwealth of Puerto Rico was studied to determine the associations between parental mental health and childhood asthma attacks. Regression models that predicted asthma attacks in youth controlled for parental mental health problems, childhood anxiety and depression, zone of residence, and parents' age, education, and perception of poverty. After adjusting for children's depressive and anxiety disorders as well as other important confounders, associations between parental depression, suicide attempts, ataque de nervios, and history of mental health treatment and asthma attacks in offspring, by parental report, persisted. Additionally, the frequency of parental mental health problems was associated with children's asthma attacks. Parents with mental health problems were more likely to report histories of asthma attacks in their children compared with parents without mental health problems in Puerto Rico. These associations were not attributable to internalizing disorders in youth but persisted independent of childhood psychopathology and other confounding factors. Clinicians and researchers should recognize the relations between poor parental mental health and childhood asthma and explore the potential role of family psychosocial and behavioral factors related to the manifestation of the disease.
Impact of cyclostationarity on fan broadband noise prediction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wohlbrandt, A.; Kissner, C.; Guérin, S.

2018-04-01

One of the dominant noise sources of modern Ultra High Bypass Ratio (UHBR) engines is the interaction of the rotor wakes with the leading edges of the stator vanes in the fan stage. While the tonal components of this noise generation mechanism are fairly well understood by now, the broadband components are not. This calls to further the understanding of the broadband noise generation in the fan stage. This article introduces a new extension to the Random Particle Mesh (RPM) method, which accommodates in-depth studies of the impact of cyclostationary wake characteristics on the broadband noise in the fan stage. The RPM method is used to synthesize a turbulence field in the stator domain using a URANS simulation characterized by time-periodic turbulence and mean flow. The rotor-stator interaction noise is predicted by a two-dimensional CAA computation of the stator cascade. The impact of cyclostationarity is decomposed into various effects, which are separately investigated. This leads to the finding that the periodic turbulent kinetic energy (TKE) and periodic flow have only a negligible effect on the radiated sound power. The impact of the periodic integral length scale (TLS) is, however, substantial. The limits of a stationary representation of the TLS are demonstrated making this new extension to the RPM method indispensable when background and wake TKE are of comparable level. Good agreement of the predictions with measurements obtained from the 2015 AIAA Fan Broadband Noise Prediction Workshop are also shown.

Zebra pattern in decametric radio emission of Jupiter

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Panchenko, M.; Rošker, S.; Rucker, H. O.; Brazhenko, A.; Zarka, P.; Litvinenko, G.; Shaposhnikov, V. E.; Konovalenko, A. A.; Melnik, V.; Franzuzenko, A. V.; Schiemel, J.

2018-03-01

We report the systematic analysis of zebra-like fine spectral structures in decametric frequency range of Jovian radio emission. Observations were performed by the large ground-based radio telescope URAN-2 during three observation campaigns between, Sep., 2012, and May, 2015. In total, 51 zebra pattern (ZP) events were detected. These rare fine radio features are observed in frequency range from 12.5 to 29.7 MHz as quasi-harmonically related bands of enhanced brightness. ZPs are strongly polarized radio emission with a duration from 20 s to 290 s and flux densities 105-106 Jy (normalized to 1 AU), that is, 1-2 orders lower than for Io-decametric radio emission (DAM). Occurrence of the events does not depend on the position of Io satellite but is strongly controlled by the Jovian central meridian longitude (CML). ZPs are mainly detected in two active sectors of Jovian CMLs: 100∘ to 160∘ for Northern sources (right-handed polarized) and 300∘ and 60∘ (via 360∘) for the Southern sources (left-handed). The frequency interval between neighboring stripes is from 0.26 to 1.5 MHz and in most cases this interval increases with frequency. We discussed the double plasma resonance with electrons or ions as a possible source of the ZPs. The performed analysis of the observations allows us to conclude that the observed ZPs are a new type of narrow band spectral structures in the Jovian DAM.
Climate patterns as predictors of amphibians species richness and indicators of potential stress

USGS Publications Warehouse

Battaglin, W.; Hay, L.; McCabe, G.; Nanjappa, P.; Gallant, Alisa L.

2005-01-01

Amphibians occupy a range of habitats throughout the world, but species richness is greatest in regions with moist, warm climates. We modeled the statistical relations of anuran and urodele species richness with mean annual climate for the conterminous United States, and compared the strength of these relations at national and regional levels. Model variables were calculated for county and subcounty mapping units, and included 40-year (1960-1999) annual mean and mean annual climate statistics, mapping unit average elevation, mapping unit land area, and estimates of anuran and urodele species richness. Climate data were derived from more than 7,500 first-order and cooperative meteorological stations and were interpolated to the mapping units using multiple linear regression models. Anuran and urodele species richness were calculated from the United States Geological Survey's Amphibian Research and Monitoring Initiative (ARMI) National Atlas for Amphibian Distributions. The national multivariate linear regression (MLR) model of anuran species richness had an adjusted coefficient of determination (R2) value of 0.64 and the national MLR model for urodele species richness had an R2 value of 0.45. Stratifying the United States by coarse-resolution ecological regions provided models for anUrans that ranged in R2 values from 0.15 to 0.78. Regional models for urodeles had R2 values. ranging from 0.27 to 0.74. In general, regional models for anurans were more strongly influenced by temperature variables, whereas precipitation variables had a larger influence on urodele models.
Simulation of a Synthetic Jet in Quiescent Air Using TLNS3D Flow Code

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Vatsa, Veer N.; Turkel, Eli

2007-01-01

Although the actuator geometry is highly three-dimensional, the outer flowfield is nominally two-dimensional because of the high aspect ratio of the rectangular slot. For the present study, this configuration is modeled as a two-dimensional problem. A multi-block structured grid available at the CFDVAL2004 website is used as a baseline grid. The periodic motion of the diaphragm is simulated by specifying a sinusoidal velocity at the diaphragm surface with a frequency of 450 Hz, corresponding to the experimental setup. The amplitude is chosen so that the maximum Mach number at the jet exit is approximately 0.1, to replicate the experimental conditions. At the solid walls zero slip, zero injection, adiabatic temperature and zero pressure gradient conditions are imposed. In the external region, symmetry conditions are imposed on the side (vertical) boundaries and far-field conditions are imposed on the top boundary. A nominal free-stream Mach number of 0.001 is imposed in the free stream to simulate incompressible flow conditions in the TLNS3D code, which solves compressible flow equations. The code was run in unsteady (URANS) mode until the periodicity was established. The time-mean quantities were obtained by running the code for at least another 15 periods and averaging the flow quantities over these periods. The phase-locked average of flow quantities were assumed to be coincident with their values during the last full time period.
Gas-phase reactions of uranate ions, UO(2)(-), UO(3)(-), UO(4)(-), and UO(4)H(-), with methanol: a convergence of experiment and theory.

PubMed

Michelini, Maria Del Carmen; Marçalo, Joaquim; Russo, Nino; Gibson, John K

2010-04-19

Bimolecular reactions of uranium oxide molecular anions with methanol have been studied experimentally, by Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry, and computationally, by density functional theory (DFT). The primary goals were to provide fundamental insights into mechanistic and structural details of model reactions of uranium oxides with organics, and to examine the validity of theoretical modeling of these types of reactions. The ions UO(3)(-), UO(4)(-), and UO(4)H(-) each reacted with methanol to give a singular product; the primary products each exhibited sequential reactions with two additional methanol molecules to again give singular products. The observed reactions were elimination of water, formaldehyde, or hydrogen, and in one case addition of a methanol molecule. The potential energy profiles were computed for each reaction, and isotopic labeling experiments were performed to probe the validity of the computed mechanisms and structures-in each case where the experiments could be compared with the theory there was concurrence, clearly establishing the efficacy of the employed DFT methodologies for these and related reaction systems. The DFT results were furthermore in accord with the surprisingly inert nature of UO(2)(-). The results provide a basis to understand mechanisms of key reactions of uranium oxides with organics, and a foundation to extend DFT methodologies to more complex actinide systems which are not amenable to such direct experimental studies.
Numerical simulation of turbulence and sand-bed morphodynamics in natural waterways under live bed conditions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Khosronejad, Ali; Sotiropoulos, Fotis

2012-11-01

We develop and validate a 3D numerical model for coupled simulations of turbulence and sand-bed morphodynamics in natural waterways under live bed conditions. We employ the Fluid-Structure Interaction Curvilinear Immersed Boundary (FSI-CURVIB) method of Khosronejad et al. (Adv. in Water Res., 2011). The mobile channel bed is discretized with an unstructured triangular grid and treated as the sharp-interface immersed boundary embedded in a background curvilinear mesh. Transport of bed load and suspended load sediments are combined in the non-equilibrium from of the Exner-Poyla for the bed surface elevation, which evolves due to the spatio-temporally varying bed shear stress and velocity vector induced by the turbulent flow field. Both URANS and LES models are implemented to simulate the effects of turbulence. Simulations are carried out for a wide range of waterways, from small scale streams to large-scale rivers, and the simulated sand-waves are quantitatively compared to available measurements. It is shown that the model can accurately capture sand-wave formation, growth, and migration processes observed in nature. The simulated bed-forms are found to have amplitude and wave length scales ranging from the order of centimeters up to several meters. This work was supported by NSF Grants EAR-0120914 and EAR-0738726, and National Cooperative Highway Research Program Grant NCHRP-HR 24-33. Computational resources were provided by the University of Minnesota Supercomputing Institute.
Are football matches dangerous for patients with heart disease? [HeartAtaque trial] - A pilot prospective trial.

PubMed

Martins, José Luís; Adrega, Tiago; Santos, Luís; Afreixo, Vera; Viana, Jesus; Santos, José

2018-05-22

Behavioral and emotional factors are triggers of cardiovascular events (CVE). It remains uncertain whether football fans, particularly individuals with coronary artery disease (CAD), are at increased risk for CVE. To assess the effect of watching football matches in patients with known CAD on the incidence of ECV according to the match result. We prospectively evaluated 82 male football supporters, in 23 matches, with history of acute coronary syndrome during matches of the 2015/2016 season. Each individual was evaluated once and monitored with Holter on the day of their team's match and on the control day. Evaluated as the primary endpoint the composite of death, stroke, re-infarct angor or sustained arrhythmias. It was also evaluated as secondary endpoints, episodes of non-sustained supraventricular or ventricular dysrhythmia and mean heart rate (HR). The mean age was 61 ± 10 years. Compared with the control day, despite the significant increase of the HR (p <0.001), that was independent of the result (p> 0.97), the number of cardiovascular events was not different considering the result (p> 0.05). Moreover, the number of non-sustained episodes of supraventricular and ventricular dysrhythmia were not different stratifying according to the match result (p> 0.05). The match result was not associated with a different incidence of cardiovascular events in patients with past history of CAD, with ischemic and arrhythmic substrate, who watched football matches on television. Copyright © 2018 Sociedade Portuguesa de Cardiologia. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.
Evaluation of the aero-optical properties of the SOFIA cavity by means of computional fluid dynamics and a super fast diagnostic camera

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Engfer, Christian; Pfüller, Enrico; Wiedemann, Manuel; Wolf, Jürgen; Lutz, Thorsten; Krämer, Ewald; Röser, Hans-Peter

2012-09-01

The Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) is a 2.5 m reflecting telescope housed in an open cavity on board of a Boeing 747SP. During observations, the cavity is exposed to transonic flow conditions. The oncoming boundary layer evolves into a free shear layer being responsible for optical aberrations and for aerodynamic and aeroacoustic disturbances within the cavity. While the aero-acoustical excitation of an airborne telescope can be minimized by using passive flow control devices, the aero-optical properties of the flow are difficult to improve. Hence it is important to know how much the image seen through the SOFIA telescope is perturbed by so called seeing effects. Prior to the SOFIA science fights Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations using URANS and DES methods were carried out to determine the flow field within and above the cavity and hence in the optical path in order to provide an assessment of the aero-optical properties under baseline conditions. In addition and for validation purposes, out of focus images have been taken during flight with a Super Fast Diagnostic Camera (SFDC). Depending on the binning factor and the sub-array size, the SFDC is able to take and to read out images at very high frame rates. The paper explains the numerical approach based on CFD to evaluate the aero-optical properties of SOFIA. The CFD data is then compared to the high speed images taken by the SFDC during flight.
CFD investigations of the aerodynamics of vehicle overtaking maneuvers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Uddin, Mesbah; Chellaram, Arune Dhiren; Robinson, Austin Clay

2017-06-01

When two vehicle bodies are involved in a passing maneuver, interesting and intricate aerodynamic interactions occur between them. Such passing maneuvers are very important in racing and have been an area of active interest in motorsports for quite some time. The existing literature shows only a few studies in this area, and, as such, very little is known about the complex aerodynamics of racing in proximity. This paper presents a Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) methodology capable of describing the transient effects that occur in this scenario. This is achieved by simulating two tandem simplified vehicle bodies, the Ahmed body, which were placed in a virtual wind tunnel. One Ahmed body was kept stationary, while the other was allowed to move in the longitudinal direction with a relatively low velocity. In order to achieve reliable CFD results when one of the solid objects is moving, a new meshing methodology, called the overset mesh model, was implemented in the CFD process. The simulations were run using Star CCM+, a commercial finite-volume CFD program, in which the unsteady Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes (URANS) solver was applied. The CFD results are compared against fully transient and quasi-steady-state experimental results where encouraging correlations between the CFD and experiments are observed. The veracity of the CFD work presented in this paper provides significant insight into the complex aerodynamics of a passing maneuver, and lays the foundation for further analysis in this area using more complex vehicle shapes and more complex tandem racing or passing maneuvers at a yaw angle.
Characterization of Unsteady Flow Structures Around Tandem Cylinders for Component Interaction Studies in Airframe Noise

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jenkins, Luther N.; Khorrami, Mehdi R.; Choudhari, Meelan M.; McGinley, Catherine B.

2005-01-01

A joint computational and experimental study has been performed at NASA Langley Research Center to investigate the unsteady flow generated by the components of an aircraft landing gear system. Because the flow field surrounding a full landing gear is so complex, the study was conducted on a simplified geometry consisting of two cylinders in tandem arrangement to isolate and characterize the pertinent flow phenomena. This paper focuses on the experimental effort where surface pressures, 2-D Particle Image Velocimetry, and hot-wire anemometry were used to document the flow interaction around the two cylinders at a Reynolds Number of 1.66 x 10(exp 5), based on cylinder diameter, and cylinder spacing-todiameter ratios, L/D, of 1.435 and 3.70. Transition strips were applied to the forward cylinder to produce a turbulent boundary layer upstream of the flow separation. For these flow conditions and L/D ratios, surface pressures on both the forward and rear cylinders show the effects of L/D on flow symmetry, base pressure, and the location of flow separation and attachment. Mean velocities and instantaneous vorticity obtained from the PIV data are used to examine the flow structure between and aft of the cylinders. Shedding frequencies and spectra obtained using hot-wire anemometry are presented. These results are compared with unsteady, Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes (URANS) computations for the same configuration in a companion paper by Khorrami, Choudhari, Jenkins, and McGinley (2005). The experimental dataset produced in this study provides information to better understand the mechanisms associated with component interaction noise, develop and validate time-accurate computer methods used to calculate the unsteady flow field, and assist in modeling of the radiated noise from landing gears.
Coupled thermochemical, isotopic evolution and heat transfer simulations in highly irradiated UO2 nuclear fuel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Piro, M. H. A.; Banfield, J.; Clarno, K. T.; Simunovic, S.; Besmann, T. M.; Lewis, B. J.; Thompson, W. T.

2013-10-01

Predictive capabilities for simulating irradiated nuclear fuel behavior are enhanced in the current work by coupling thermochemistry, isotopic evolution and heat transfer. Thermodynamic models that are incorporated into this framework not only predict the departure from stoichiometry of UO2, but also consider dissolved fission and activation products in the fluorite oxide phase, noble metal inclusions, secondary oxides including uranates, zirconates, molybdates and the gas phase. Thermochemical computations utilize the spatial and temporal evolution of the fission and activation product inventory in the pellet, which is typically neglected in nuclear fuel performance simulations. Isotopic computations encompass the depletion, decay and transmutation of more than 2000 isotopes that are calculated at every point in space and time. These computations take into consideration neutron flux depression and the increased production of fissile plutonium near the fuel pellet periphery (i.e., the so-called “rim effect”). Thermochemical and isotopic predictions are in very good agreement with reported experimental measurements of highly irradiated UO2 fuel with an average burnup of 102 GW d t(U)-1. Simulation results demonstrate that predictions are considerably enhanced when coupling thermochemical and isotopic computations in comparison to empirical correlations. Notice: This manuscript has been authored by UT-Battelle, LLC, under Contract No. DE-AC05-00OR22725 with the U.S. Department of Energy. The United States Government retains and the publisher, by accepting the article for publication, acknowledges that the United States Government retains a non-exclusive, paid-up, irrevocable, world-wide license to publish or reproduce the published form of this manuscript, or allow others to do so, for United States Government purposes.
Computationally efficient simulation of unsteady aerodynamics using POD on the fly

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Moreno-Ramos, Ruben; Vega, José M.; Varas, Fernando

2016-12-01

Modern industrial aircraft design requires a large amount of sufficiently accurate aerodynamic and aeroelastic simulations. Current computational fluid dynamics (CFD) solvers with aeroelastic capabilities, such as the NASA URANS unstructured solver FUN3D, require very large computational resources. Since a very large amount of simulation is necessary, the CFD cost is just unaffordable in an industrial production environment and must be significantly reduced. Thus, a more inexpensive, yet sufficiently precise solver is strongly needed. An opportunity to approach this goal could follow some recent results (Terragni and Vega 2014 SIAM J. Appl. Dyn. Syst. 13 330-65 Rapun et al 2015 Int. J. Numer. Meth. Eng. 104 844-68) on an adaptive reduced order model that combines ‘on the fly’ a standard numerical solver (to compute some representative snapshots), proper orthogonal decomposition (POD) (to extract modes from the snapshots), Galerkin projection (onto the set of POD modes), and several additional ingredients such as projecting the equations using a limited amount of points and fairly generic mode libraries. When applied to the complex Ginzburg-Landau equation, the method produces acceleration factors (comparing with standard numerical solvers) of the order of 20 and 300 in one and two space dimensions, respectively. Unfortunately, the extension of the method to unsteady, compressible flows around deformable geometries requires new approaches to deal with deformable meshes, high-Reynolds numbers, and compressibility. A first step in this direction is presented considering the unsteady compressible, two-dimensional flow around an oscillating airfoil using a CFD solver in a rigidly moving mesh. POD on the Fly gives results whose accuracy is comparable to that of the CFD solver used to compute the snapshots.
Tangential synthetic jets for separation control

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Esmaeili Monir, H.; Tadjfar, M.; Bakhtian, A.

2014-02-01

A numerical study of separation control has been made to investigate aerodynamic characteristics of a NACA23012 airfoil with a tangential synthetic jet. Simulations are carried out at the chord Reynolds number of Re=2.19×106. The present approach relies on solving the Unsteady Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes (URANS) equations. The turbulence model used in the present computation is the Spalart-Allmaras one-equation model. All computations are performed with a finite volume based code. Stall characteristics are significantly improved by controlling the formation of separation vortices in the flow. We placed the synthetic jet at the 12% chord, xj=0.12c, where we expected the separation to occur. Two distinct jet oscillating frequencies: Fj+=0.159 and Fj+=1 were considered. We studied the effect of blowing ratio, Vj/U∞, where it was varied from 0 to 5. The inclined angle of the synthetic jet was varied from αj=0° up to αj=83°. For the non-zero inclined angles, the local maximum in the aerodynamic performance, Cl/Cd, of 6.89 was found for the inclined angle of about 43°. In the present method, by means of creating a dent on the airfoil, linear momentum is transferred to the flow system in tangential direction to the airfoil surface. Thus the absolute maximum of 11.19 was found for the tangential synthetic jet at the inclined angle of the jet of 0°. The mechanisms involved for a tangential jet appear to behave linearly, as by multiplying the activation frequency of the jet by a factor produces the same multiplication factor in the resulting frequency in the flow. However, the mechanisms involved in the non-zero inclined angle cases behave nonlinearly when the activation frequency is multiplied.
Construction of Uranyl Selective Electrode Based on Complex of Uranyl Ion with New Ligand Carboxybenzotriazole in PVC Matrix Membrane

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Abu-Dalo, M. A.; Al-Rawashdeh, N. A. F.; Al-Mheidat, I. R.; Nassory, N. S.

2015-10-01

In the present study uranyl selective electrodes in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) matrix membrane were prepared based on a complex of uranyl ion (UO2) with carboxybenzotriazole (CBT) as ligand. The effect of the nature of plasticizer in PVC matrix were evaluated using three different plasticizers, these are dibutyl phthalate (DBP), dioctyl phthalate (DOP) and bis(2-ethylhexyl) sebacate (BHS). The results of this study indicated that the best plasticizer could be used is the DBP, which may be attributed to its lowest viscosity value compared to DOP and BHS. The electrodes with DBP as plasticizer exhibits a Nernstian response with a slope of 28.0 mV/ decade, over a wide range of concentration from 3.0×10-5-6.0×10-2 M and a detection limit of 4.0×10-6 M. It can be used in the pH range of 4.0-10.0 with a response time of less than 10 s for DBP and 25 s for both DOP and BHS. The effects of ions interferences on the electrode response were evaluated. The di- and tri-valent cations were found to interfere less than univalent cations, which was attributed to the high diffusion and the exchange rate between the univalent ions and the uranyl ion solution. The electrodes were characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Scanning Electron microscopy (SEM). The results of the standard addition method were satisfactory with errors less than 7%. The developed electrode was found to be fast, sensitive and reliable indicated its potential use in measuring the uranly ion concentration in the field.
WASTE ISOLATION PILOT PLANT (WIPP): THE NATIONS' SOLUTION TO NUCLEAR WASTE STORAGE AND DISPOSAL ISSUES

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

Lopez, Tammy Ann

2014-07-17

In the southeastern portion of my home state of New Mexico lies the Chihuahauan desert, where a transuranic (TRU), underground disposal site known as the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) occupies 16 square miles. Full operation status began in March 1999, the year I graduated from Los Alamos High School, in Los Alamos, NM, the birthplace of the atomic bomb and one of the nation’s main TRU waste generator sites. During the time of its development and until recently, I did not have a full grasp on the role Los Alamos was playing in regards to WIPP. WIPP is usedmore » to store and dispose of TRU waste that has been generated since the 1940s because of nuclear weapons research and testing operations that have occurred in Los Alamos, NM and at other sites throughout the United States (U.S.). TRU waste consists of items that are contaminated with artificial, man-made radioactive elements that have atomic numbers greater than uranium, or are trans-uranic, on the periodic table of elements and it has longevity characteristics that may be hazardous to human health and the environment. Therefore, WIPP has underground rooms that have been carved out of 2,000 square foot thick salt formations approximately 2,150 feet underground so that the TRU waste can be isolated and disposed of. WIPP has operated safely and successfully until this year, when two unrelated events occurred in February 2014. With these events, the safety precautions and measures that have been operating at WIPP for the last 15 years are being revised and improved to ensure that other such events do not occur again.« less
Effects of Blade Boundary Layer Transition and Daytime Atmospheric Turbulence on Wind Turbine Performance Analyzed with Blade-Resolved Simulation and Field Data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nandi, Tarak Nath

Relevant to utility scale wind turbine functioning and reliability, the present work focuses on enhancing our understanding of wind turbine responses from interactions between energy-dominant daytime atmospheric turbulence eddies and rotating blades of a GE 1.5 MW wind turbine using a unique data set from a GE field experiment and computer simulations at two levels of fidelity. Previous studies have shown that the stability state of the lower troposphere has a major impact on the coherent structure of the turbulence eddies, with corresponding differences in wind turbine loading response. In this study, time-resolved aerodynamic data measured locally at the leading edge and trailing edge of three outer blade sections on a GE 1.5 MW wind turbine blade and high-frequency SCADA generator power data from a daytime field campaign are combined with computer simulations that mimic the GE wind turbine within a numerically generated atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) flow field which is a close approximation of the atmospheric turbulence experienced by the wind turbine in the field campaign. By combining the experimental and numerical data sets, this study describes the time-response characteristics of the local loadings on the blade sections in response to nonsteady nonuniform energetic atmospheric turbulence eddies within a daytime ABL which have spatial scale commensurate with that of the turbine blade length. This study is the first of its kind where actuator line and blade boundary layer resolved CFD studies of a wind turbine field campaign are performed with the motivation to validate the numerical predictions with the experimental data set, and emphasis is given on understanding the influence of the laminar to turbulent transition process on the blade loadings. The experimental and actuator line method data sets identify three important response time scales quantified at the blade location: advective passage of energy-dominant eddies (≈25 - 50 s), blade rotation (1P, ≈3 s) and sub-1P scale (< 1 s) response to internal eddy structure. Large amplitude short-time ramp-like and oscillatory load fluctuations result in response to temporal changes in velocity vector inclination in the airfoil plane, modulated by eddy passage at longer time scales. Generator power is found to respond strongly to large-eddy wind modulations. The experimental data show that internal dynamics of blade boundary layer near the trailing edge is temporally modulated by the nonsteady external ABL flow that was measured at the leading edge, as well as blade generated turbulence motions. A blade boundary layer resolved CFD study of a GE 1.5MW wind turbine blade is carried out using a hybrid URANS/LES framework to quantify the influence of transition on the blade boundary layer dynamics and subsequent loadings, and also to predict the velocity magnitude data set measured by the trailing edge rakes in the experiment. A URANS based transition model is used as the near-wall model, and its ability to predict nonsteady boundary layer dynamics is assessed for flow over an oscillating airfoil exhibiting varying extents of nonsteady behavior. The CFD study shows that, at rated conditions, the transition and separation locations on the blade surface can be quite dynamic, but the transitional flow has negligible influence on the determination of the separation location and the overall pressure distribution at various blade sections, and subsequently the power output. But this conclusion should be accepted with caution for wind turbines running in off-design conditions (e.g. with significant yaw error, off-design pitch or rapid changes in pitch), where massive separation and dynamic stall may occur. Analysis of the near-blade flow field shows strong three dimensional flow in the inboard regions, which can possibly weaken the chordwise flow in the relatively outboard regions and make them more prone to separation. The trailing edge velocity profiles show qualitative resemblance with some specific cycles observed in the field experiment. The factors leading to the observed differences from the experimental data are also mentioned.
Ab Initio Molecular Dynamics of Uranium Incorporated in Goethite (α-FeOOH): Interpretation of X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy of Trace Polyvalent Metals.

PubMed

Kerisit, Sebastien; Bylaska, Eric J; Massey, Michael S; McBriarty, Martin E; Ilton, Eugene S

2016-11-21

Incorporation of economically or environmentally consequential polyvalent metals into iron (oxyhydr)oxides has applications in environmental chemistry, remediation, and materials science. A primary tool for characterizing the local coordination environment of such metals, and therefore building models to predict their behavior, is extended X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy (EXAFS). Accurate structural information can be lacking yet is required to constrain and inform data interpretation. In this regard, ab initio molecular dynamics (AIMD) was used to calculate the local coordination environment of minor amounts of U incorporated in the structure of goethite (α-FeOOH). U oxidation states (VI, V, and IV) and charge compensation schemes were varied. Simulated trajectories were used to calculate the U L III -edge EXAFS function and fit experimental EXAFS data for U incorporated into goethite under reducing conditions. Calculations that closely matched the U EXAFS of the well-characterized mineral uraninite (UO 2 ), and constrained the S 0 2 parameter to be 0.909, validated the approach. The results for the U-goethite system indicated that U(V) substituted for structural Fe(III) in octahedral uranate coordination. Charge balance was achieved by the loss of one structural proton coupled to addition of one electron into the solid (-1 H + , +1 e - ). The ability of AIMD to model higher energy states thermally accessible at room temperature is particularly relevant for protonated systems such as goethite, where proton transfers between adjacent octahedra had a dramatic effect on the calculated EXAFS. Vibrational effects as a function of temperature were also estimated using AIMD, allowing separate quantification of thermal and configurational disorder. In summary, coupling AIMD structural modeling and EXAFS experiments enables modeling of the redox behavior of polyvalent metals that are incorporated in conductive materials such as iron (oxyhydr)oxides, with applications over a broad swath of chemistry and materials science.
CFD Simulations for the Effect of Unsteady Wakes on the Boundary Layer of a Highly Loaded Low-Pressure Turbine Airfoil (L1A)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Vinci, Samuel, J.

2012-01-01

This report is the third part of a three-part final report of research performed under an NRA cooperative Agreement contract. The first part was published as NASA/CR-2012-217415. The second part was published as NASA/CR-2012-217416. The study of the very high lift low-pressure turbine airfoil L1A in the presence of unsteady wakes was performed computationally and compared against experimental results. The experiments were conducted in a low speed wind tunnel under high (4.9%) and then low (0.6%) freestream turbulence intensity for Reynolds number equal to 25,000 and 50,000. The experimental and computational data have shown that in cases without wakes, the boundary layer separated without reattachment. The CFD was done with LES and URANS utilizing the finite-volume code ANSYS Fluent (ANSYS, Inc.) under the same freestream turbulence and Reynolds number conditions as the experiment but only at a rod to blade spacing of 1. With wakes, separation was largely suppressed, particularly if the wake passing frequency was sufficiently high. This was validated in the 3D CFD efforts by comparing the experimental results for the pressure coefficients and velocity profiles, which were reasonable for all cases examined. The 2D CFD efforts failed to capture the three dimensionality effects of the wake and thus were less consistent with the experimental data. The effect of the freestream turbulence intensity levels also showed a little more consistency with the experimental data at higher intensities when compared with the low intensity cases. Additional cases with higher wake passing frequencies which were not run experimentally were simulated. The results showed that an initial 25% increase from the experimental wake passing greatly reduced the size of the separation bubble, nearly completely suppressing it.
Analysis of Unsteady Tip and Endwall Heat Transfer in a Highly Loaded Transonic Turbine Stage

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Shyam, Vikram; Ameri, Ali; Chen, Jen-Ping

2010-01-01

In a previous study, vane-rotor shock interactions and heat transfer on the rotor blade of a highly loaded transonic turbine stage were simulated. The geometry consists of a high pressure turbine vane and downstream rotor blade. This study focuses on the physics of flow and heat transfer in the rotor tip, casing and hub regions. The simulation was performed using the Unsteady Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes (URANS) code MSU-TURBO. A low Reynolds number k-epsilon model was utilized to model turbulence. The rotor blade in question has a tip gap height of 2.1 percent of the blade height. The Reynolds number of the flow is approximately 3x10(exp 6) per meter. Unsteadiness was observed at the tip surface that results in intermittent "hot spots". It is demonstrated that unsteadiness in the tip gap is governed by inviscid effects due to high speed flow and is not strongly dependent on pressure ratio across the tip gap contrary to published observations that have primarily dealt with subsonic tip flows. The high relative Mach numbers in the tip gap lead to a choking of the leakage flow that translates to a relative attenuation of losses at higher loading. The efficacy of new tip geometry is discussed to minimize heat flux at the tip while maintaining choked conditions. In addition, an explanation is provided that shows the mechanism behind the rise in stagnation temperature on the casing to values above the absolute total temperature at the inlet. It is concluded that even in steady mode, work transfer to the near tip fluid occurs due to relative shearing by the casing. This is believed to be the first such explanation of the work transfer phenomenon in the open literature. The difference in pattern between steady and time-averaged heat flux at the hub is also explained.
Investigation of Unsteady Flow Interaction Between an Ultra-Compact Inlet and a Transonic Fan

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hah, Chunill; Rabe, Douglas; Scribben, Angie

2015-01-01

In the study presented, unsteady flow interaction between an ultra-compact inlet and a transonic fan stage is investigated. Future combat aircraft engines require ultra-compact inlet ducts as part of an integrated, advanced propulsion system to improve air vehicle capability and effectiveness to meet future mission needs. The main purpose of the current study is to advance the understanding of the flow interaction between a modern ultra-compact inlet and a transonic fan for future design applications. Many experimental/ analytical studies have been reported on the aerodynamics of compact inlets in aircraft engines. On the other hand, very few studies have been reported on the effects of flow distortion from these inlets on the performance of the following fan/compressor stages. The primary goal of the study presented is to investigate how flow interaction between an ultra-compact inlet and a transonic compressor influence the operating margin of the compressor. Both Unsteady Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (URANS) and Large Eddy Simulation (LES) approaches are used to calculate the unsteady flow field, and the numerical results are used to study the flow interaction. The present study indicates that stall inception of the following compressor stage is affected directly based on how the distortion pattern evolves before it interacts with the fan/compressor face. For the present compressor, the stall initiates at the tip section with clean inlet flow and distortion pattern away from the casing itself seems to have limited impacts on the stall inception of the compressor. A counter-rotating swirl, which is generated due to flow separation inside the s-shaped compact duct, generates an increased flow angle near the blade tip. This increased flow angle near the rotor tip due to the secondary flow from the counter-rotating vortices is the primary reason for the reduced compressor stall margin.
Validation of High-Fidelity CFD Simulations for Rocket Injector Design

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tucker, P. Kevin; Menon, Suresh; Merkle, Charles L.; Oefelein, Joseph C.; Yang, Vigor

2008-01-01

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) has the potential to improve the historical rocket injector design process by evaluating the sensitivity of performance and injector-driven thermal environments to the details of the injector geometry and key operational parameters. Methodical verification and validation efforts on a range of coaxial injector elements have shown the current production CFD capability must be improved in order to quantitatively impact the injector design process. This paper documents the status of a focused effort to compare and understand the predictive capabilities and computational requirements of a range of CFD methodologies on a set of single element injector model problems. The steady Reynolds-Average Navier-Stokes (RANS), unsteady Reynolds-Average Navier-Stokes (URANS) and three different approaches using the Large Eddy Simulation (LES) technique were used to simulate the initial model problem, a single element coaxial injector using gaseous oxygen and gaseous hydrogen propellants. While one high-fidelity LES result matches the experimental combustion chamber wall heat flux very well, there is no monotonic convergence to the data with increasing computational tool fidelity. Systematic evaluation of key flow field regions such as the flame zone, the head end recirculation zone and the downstream near wall zone has shed significant, though as of yet incomplete, light on the complex, underlying causes for the performance level of each technique. 1 Aerospace Engineer and Combustion CFD Team Leader, MS ER42, NASA MSFC, AL 35812, Senior Member, AIAA. 2 Professor and Director, Computational Combustion Laboratory, School of Aerospace Engineering, 270 Ferst Dr., Atlanta, GA 30332, Associate Fellow, AIAA. 3 Reilly Professor of Engineering, School of Mechanical Engineering, 585 Purdue Mall, West Lafayette, IN 47907, Fellow, AIAA. 4 Principal Member of Technical Staff, Combustion Research Facility, 7011 East Avenue, MS9051, Livermore, CA 94550, Associate Fellow, AIAA. 5 J. L. and G. H. McCain Endowed Chair, Mechanical Engineering, 104 Research Building East, University Park, PA 16802, Fellow, AIAA. American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics 1

Ab Initio Molecular Dynamics of Uranium Incorporated in Goethite (α-FeOOH): Interpretation of X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy of Trace Polyvalent Metals

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

Kerisit, Sebastien; Bylaska, Eric J.; Massey, Michael S.

2016-11-21

Incorporation of economically or environmentally consequential polyvalent metals into iron (oxyhydr)oxides has applications in environmental chemistry, remediation, and materials science. A primary tool for characterizing the local coordination environment of such metals, and therefore building models to predict their behavior, is extended X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy (EXAFS). Accurate structural information can be lacking, yet is required to constrain and inform data interpretation. In this regard, ab initio molecular dynamics (AIMD) was used to calculate the local coordination environment of minor amounts of U incorporated in the structure of goethite (α-FeOOH). U oxidation state (VI, V, and IV) and chargemore » compensation scheme (CCS) were varied. Simulated trajectories were used to calculate the U LIII-edge EXAFS function and fit experimental EXAFS data for U incorporated into goethite under reducing conditions. Calculations that closely matched the U EXAFS of the well-characterized mineral uraninite (UO2), and constrained the S02 parameter to be 0.909, validated the approach. The results for the U-goethite system indicated that U(V) substituted for structural Fe(III) in octahedral uranate coordination. Charge balance was achieved by the loss of one structural proton coupled to injection of one electron into the solid (–1 H+, + 1 e-). The ability of AIMD to model higher-energy states thermally accessible at room temperature is particularly relevant for protonated systems such as goethite, where proton transfers between adjacent octahedra had a dramatic effect on the calculated EXAFS. Vibrational effects as a function of temperature were also estimated using AIMD, allowing separate quantification of thermal and configurational disorder. In summary, coupling AIMD structural modeling and EXAFS experiments enables modeling of the redox behavior of polyvalent metals that are incorporated in conductive materials such as iron (oxyhydr)oxides, with applications over a broad swath of chemistry and materials science.« less
The geochemistry of water near a surficial organic-rich uranium deposit, northeastern Washington State, U.S.A.

USGS Publications Warehouse

Zielinski, R.A.; Otton, J.K.; Wanty, R.B.; Pierson, C.T.

1987-01-01

The chemistry of three stream, three spring and six near-surface waters in the vicinity of a Holocene organic-rich uranium deposit is described, with particular emphasis on the chemistry of U. Results characterize the solution behavior of uranium as U-bearing water interacts with relatively undecomposed, surficial organic matter. Of the measured major and trace chemical species, only U is consistently highly enriched (17-318 ppb) relative to reported values for regional waters, or to literature values for waters in largely granitic terrains. R-mode factor analysis of the chemical data suggests that most U is present in a soluble form, but that some U is also associated with fine suspended particulates of clay, organic matter, or hydrous oxides. Calculations that apply thermodynamic data to predict U speciation in solution indicate the relative importance of uranyl carbonate and uranyl phosphate complexes. Analysis of more finely filtered samples (0.05 ??m vs. 0.45 ??m), and direct radiographic observations using fission-track detectors suspended in the waters indicate the presence of some uraniferous particulate matter. Application of existing thermodynamic data for uranous- and uranyl-bearing minerals indicates that all waters are undersaturated with U minerals as long as ambient Eh ??? +0.1 v. If coexisting surface and near-surface waters are sufficiently oxidizing, initial fixation of U in the deposit should be by a mechanism of adsorption. Alternatively, more reducing conditions may prevail in deeper pore waters of the organic-rich host sediments, perhaps leading to direct precipitation or diagenetic formation of U4+ minerals. A 234U 238U alpha activity ratio of 1.08 ?? 0.02 in a spring issuing from a hillslope above the deposit suggests a relatively soluble source of U. In contrast, higher activity ratios of 234U 238U (??? 1.3) in waters in contact with the uraniferous valley-fill sediments suggest differences in the nature of interaction between groundwater and the local, U-rich source rocks. ?? 1987.
A Numerical Investigation of Turbine Noise Source Hierarchy and Its Acoustic Transmission Characteristics

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

VanZante, Dale; Envia, Edmane

2008-01-01

Understanding the relative importance of the various turbine noise generation mechanisms and the characteristics of the turbine acoustic transmission loss are essential ingredients in developing robust reduced-order models for predicting the turbine noise signature. A computationally based investigation has been undertaken to help guide the development of a turbine noise prediction capability that does not rely on empiricism. The investigation relies on highly detailed numerical simulations of the unsteady flowfield inside a modern high-pressure turbine (HPT). The simulations are developed using TURBO, which is an unsteady Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (URANS) code capable of multi-stage simulations. The purpose of this study is twofold. First, to determine an estimate of the relative importance of the contributions to the coherent part of the acoustic signature of a turbine from the three potential sources of turbine noise generation, namely, blade-row viscous interaction, potential field interaction, and entropic source associated with the interaction of the blade rows with the temperature nonuniformities caused by the incomplete mixing of the hot fluid and the cooling flow. Second, to develop an understanding of the turbine acoustic transmission characteristics and to assess the applicability of existing empirical and analytical transmission loss models to realistic geometries and flow conditions for modern turbine designs. The investigation so far has concentrated on two simulations: (1) a single-stage HPT and (2) a two-stage HPT and the associated inter-turbine duct/strut segment. The simulations are designed to resolve up to the second harmonic of the blade passing frequency tone in accordance with accepted rules for second order solvers like TURBO. The calculations include blade and vane cooling flows and a radial profile of pressure and temperature at the turbine inlet. The calculation can be modified later to include the combustor pattern factor at the turbine inlet to include that contribution to turbine noise. We shall present preliminary analysis of the results obtained so far in order to assess the validity of such an approach and to seek feedback on improving the approach. This work addresses both Area 1 (Turbine Tone Noise) and Area 5 (Influence of the Turbine on Combustor Noise) topics.
Study of Convective Flow Effects in Endwall Casing Treatments in Transonic Compressor Rotors

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hah, Chunill; Mueller, Martin W.; Schiffer, Heinz-Peter

2012-01-01

The unsteady convective flow effects in a transonic compressor rotor with a circumferential-groove casing treatment are investigated in this paper. Experimental results show that the circumferential-groove casing treatment increases the compressor stall margin by almost 50% for the current transonic compressor rotor. Steady flow simulation of the current casing treatment, however, yields only a 15% gain in stall margin. The flow field at near-stall operation is highly unsteady due to several self-induced flow phenomena. These include shock oscillation, vortex shedding at the trailing edge, and interaction between the passage shock and the tip clearance vortex. The primary focus of the current investigation is to assess the effects of flow unsteadiness and unsteady flow convection on the circumferential-groove casing treatment. Unsteady Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (URANS) and Large Eddy Simulation (LES) techniques were applied in addition to steady Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) to simulate the flow field at near-stall operation and to determine changes in stall margin. The current investigation reveals that unsteady flow effects are as important as steady flow effects on the performance of the circumferential grooves casing treatment in extending the stall margin of the current transonic compressor rotor. The primary unsteady flow mechanism is unsteady flow injection from the grooves into the main flow near the casing. Flows moving into and out of the grooves are caused due to local pressure difference near the grooves. As the pressure field becomes transient due to self-induced flow oscillation, flow injection from the grooves also becomes unsteady. The unsteady flow simulation shows that this unsteady flow injection from the grooves is substantial and contributes significantly to extending the compressor stall margin. Unsteady flows into and out of the grooves have as large a role as steady flows in the circumferential grooves. While the circumferential-groove casing treatment seems to be a steady flow device, unsteady flow effects should be included to accurately assess its performance as the flow is transient at near-stall operation.
CFD-based aero-optical analysis of flow fields over two-dimensional cavities with active flow control

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tan, Yan

Prediction and control of optical wave front distortions and aberrations in a high energy laser beam due to interaction with an unsteady highly non-uniform flow field is of great importance in the development of directed energy weapon systems for Unmanned Air Vehicles (UAV). The unsteady shear layer over the weapons bay cavity is the primary cause of this distortion of the optical wave front. The large scale vortical structure of the shear layer over the cavity can be significantly reduced by employing an active flow control technique combined with passive flow control. This dissertation explores various active and passive control methods to suppress the cavity oscillations and thereby improve the aero-optics of cavity flow. In active flow control technique, a steady or a pulsed jet is applied at the sharp leading edge of cavities of different aspect ratios L/D (=2, 4, 15), where L and D are the width and the depth of a cavity respectively. In the passive flow control approach, the sharp leading or trailing edge of the cavity is modified into a round edge of different radii. Both of these active and passive flow control approaches are studied independently and in combination. Numerical simulations are performed, with and without active flow control for subsonic free stream flow past two-dimensional sharp and round leading or trailing edge cavities using Unsteady Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes (URANS) equations with a two-equation Shear Stress Transport (SST) turbulence model or a hybrid SST/Large Eddy Simulation (LES) model. Aero-optical analysis is developed and applied to all the simulation cases. Index of refraction and Optical Path Difference (OPD) are compared for flow fields without and with active flow control. Root-Mean-Square (RMS) value of OPD is calculated and compared with the experimental data, where available. The effect of steady and pulsed blowing on buffet loading on the downstream face of the cavity is also computed. Using the numerical simulations, the most effective approach for controlling the cavity oscillations and aero-optical signatures is determined.
Numerical study of innovative scramjet inlets coupled to combustors using hydrocarbon-air mixture

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Malo-Molina, Faure Joel

The research objective is to use high-fidelity multi-physics Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis to characterize 3-D scramjet flowfields in two novel streamline traced circular configurations without axisymmetric profiles. This work builds on a body of research conducted over the past several years. In addition, this research provides the modeling and simulation support, prior to ground (wind tunnel) and flight experiment programs. Two innovative inlets, Jaws and Scoop, are analyzed and compared to a Baseline inlet, a current state of the art rectangular inlet used as a baseline for on/off-design conditions. The flight trajectory conditions selected were Mach 6 and a dynamic pressure of 1,500 psf (71.82 kPa), corresponding to a static pressure of 43.7 psf (2.09 kPa) and temperature of 400.8 R° (222.67 C°). All inlets are designed for equal flight conditions, equal contraction ratios and exit cross-sectional areas, thus facilitating their comparison and integration to a common combustor design. Analysis of these hypersonic inlets was performed to investigate distortion effects downstream in common generic combustors. These combustors include a single cavity acting as flame holder and strategically positioned fuel injection ports. This research not only seeks to identify the most successful integrated scramjet inlet/combustor design, but also investigates the flow physics and quantifies the integrated performance impact of the two novel scramjet inlet designs. It contributes to the hypersonic air-breathing community by providing analysis and predictions on directly-coupled combustor numerical experiments for developing pioneering inlets or nozzles for scramjets. Several validations and verifications of General Propulsion Analysis Chemical-kinetic and Two-phase (GPACT), the CFD tool, were conducted throughout the research. In addition, this study uses 13 gaseous species and 20 reactions for an Ethylene/air finite-rate chemical model. The key conclusions of this research are: (1) Flow distortion in the innovative inlets is similar to some of the distortion in the Baseline inlet, despite design differences. In both innovative inlets, the resulting flowfield distortions were due to shock boundary layer interactions similar to those found in the Baseline. The Baseline and Jaws performance attributes are stronger than Scoop, but Jaws accomplishes this while eradicating the cowl lip interaction, and lessening the total drag and spillage penalties. (2) The innovative inlets work best on-design, whereas for off-design, the traditional inlet yields a higher performance. Although the innovative inlets' designs mitigated some of the issues encountered in traditional configurations, they underperform at off-design conditions. The strategy used in Jaws was less prone to interaction with the near wall flow, and yields lesser pressure losses and higher efficiency at on-design conditions compared to the others. In general, the overall values for Scoop seem lowest of all due to lesser entrainment. Its drag coefficient and thrust to mass capture ratios are higher than the Baseline configuration. (3) Early pressure losses and flow distortions actually aid downstream combustion in all cases. Although interactions captured by the viscous simulations for the on-design conditions increase losses in the inlets, they enhance turbulence in the isolator, favoring the mixing of air and fuel, and improving the overall factor of the system. Jaws inlet demonstrates the most valuable design with higher performance, but its factor later in the combustor drops relative to its rectangular counterpart. (4) A parametric study of the location and direction of injection is conducted to select the configuration for fuel penetration, mixing factor (factor) and other combustion qualities. Although the trends observed with and without chemical reactions are the same, the former yields roughly 10% higher mixing factor. Unlike at frozen conditions, when chemical reactions are considered, a high compression area was observed upstream of the cavity, not present when modeling Jaws. The upstream reactions from the cavity have a significant impact on the development of the shear layers and downstream development of the entire combustion. (5) Steady and unsteady simulations are conducted to characterize the ignition process, flame anchoring and flashback effects. This unsteadiness enlarges the circulation region in and around the cavity, allowing the reactions to propagate forward through the shear layer, and increases the mixing factor. In Scoop, these effects are exacerbated due to the thicker low energy profile surrounding the walls and most of the lower section of the combustor. In the steady assumptions, the forward reactions and their effects are positioned farthest upstream, closest to the combustor entrance. (6) Unsteady Reynolds Average Navier-Stokes (URANS) and Large Eddy Simulation (LES) modeling are compared to explore overall flow structure and for comparison of individual numerical methods. In URANS, the flashback effects are midway between the entrance and the step, whereas in LES, this effect is near the edge of the step in addition to yielding a higher combustion factor. Thus, the turbulence model and inflow assumptions can critically affect the total outcome of such devices.
Active flow control of subsonic flow in an adverse pressure gradient using synthetic jets and passive micro flow control devices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Denn, Michael E.

Several recent studies have shown the advantages of active and/or passive flow control devices for boundary layer flow modification. Many current and future proposed air vehicles have very short or offset diffusers in order to save vehicle weight and create more optimal vehicle/engine integration. Such short coupled diffusers generally result in boundary layer separation and loss of pressure recovery which reduces engine performance and in some cases may cause engine stall. Deployment of flow control devices can alleviate this problem to a large extent; however, almost all active flow control devices have some energy penalty associated with their inclusion. One potential low penalty approach for enhancing the diffuser performance is to combine the passive flow control elements such as micro-ramps with active flow control devices such as synthetic jets to achieve higher control authority. The goal of this dissertation is twofold. The first objective is to assess the ability of CFD with URANS turbulence models to accurately capture the effects of the synthetic jets and micro-ramps on boundary layer flow. This is accomplished by performing numerical simulations replicating several experimental test cases conducted at Georgia Institute of Technology under the NASA funded Inlet Flow Control and Prediction Technologies Program, and comparing the simulation results with experimental data. The second objective is to run an expanded CFD matrix of numerical simulations by varying various geometric and other flow control parameters of micro-ramps and synthetic jets to determine how passive and active control devices interact with each other in increasing and/or decreasing the control authority and determine their influence on modification of boundary layer flow. The boundary layer shape factor is used as a figure of merit for determining the boundary layer flow quality/modification and its tendency towards separation. It is found by a large number of numerical experiments and the analysis of simulation data that a flow control device's influence on boundary layer quality is a function of three factors: (1) the strength of the longitudinal vortex emanating from the flow control device or devices, (2) the height of the vortex core above the surface and, when a synthetic jet is present, (3) the momentum added to the boundary layer flow.
Efficient Fourier-based algorithms for time-periodic unsteady problems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gopinath, Arathi Kamath

2007-12-01

This dissertation work proposes two algorithms for the simulation of time-periodic unsteady problems via the solution of Unsteady Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes (URANS) equations. These algorithms use a Fourier representation in time and hence solve for the periodic state directly without resolving transients (which consume most of the resources in a time-accurate scheme). In contrast to conventional Fourier-based techniques which solve the governing equations in frequency space, the new algorithms perform all the calculations in the time domain, and hence require minimal modifications to an existing solver. The complete space-time solution is obtained by iterating in a fifth pseudo-time dimension. Various time-periodic problems such as helicopter rotors, wind turbines, turbomachinery and flapping-wings can be simulated using the Time Spectral method. The algorithm is first validated using pitching airfoil/wing test cases. The method is further extended to turbomachinery problems, and computational results verified by comparison with a time-accurate calculation. The technique can be very memory intensive for large problems, since the solution is computed (and hence stored) simultaneously at all time levels. Often, the blade counts of a turbomachine are rescaled such that a periodic fraction of the annulus can be solved. This approximation enables the solution to be obtained at a fraction of the cost of a full-scale time-accurate solution. For a viscous computation over a three-dimensional single-stage rescaled compressor, an order of magnitude savings is achieved. The second algorithm, the reduced-order Harmonic Balance method is applicable only to turbomachinery flows, and offers even larger computational savings than the Time Spectral method. It simulates the true geometry of the turbomachine using only one blade passage per blade row as the computational domain. In each blade row of the turbomachine, only the dominant frequencies are resolved, namely, combinations of neighbor's blade passing. An appropriate set of frequencies can be chosen by the analyst/designer based on a trade-off between accuracy and computational resources available. A cost comparison with a time-accurate computation for an Euler calculation on a two-dimensional multi-stage compressor obtained an order of magnitude savings, and a RANS calculation on a three-dimensional single-stage compressor achieved two orders of magnitude savings, with comparable accuracy.
Computation of unsteady turbomachinery flows: Part 2—LES and hybrids

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tucker, P. G.

2011-10-01

The choice of turbulence model can have a strong impact on results for many turbomachinery zones. Palliative corrections to them and also transition modeling can have a further profound solution impact. The spectral gaps necessary for theoretically valid URANS solutions are also lacking in certain turbomachinery zones. Large Eddy Simulation (LES) alleviates the serious area of turbulence modeling uncertainty but with an extreme increase in computational cost. However, there seems a lack of validation data to explore in depth the performance of LES and thus strategies to refine it. LES best practices are needed. Although LES is, obviously, much less model dependent than RANS, grids currently used for more practical simulations are clearly insufficiently fine for the LES model and numerical schemes not to be playing an excessively strong role. Very few turbomachinery simulations make use of properly constructed, correlated turbulence inflow. Even if this is attempted, most measurement sets are incomplete and lack an adequate basis for modeling this inflow. Gas turbines are highly complex coupled systems and hence inflow and outflow boundary condition specification needs to go beyond just synthesizing turbulent structures and preventing their reflection. Despite the strong limitations of the dissipative Smagorinsky model, it still sees the most wide spread use, generally, in excessively dissipative flow solvers. Monotone Integrated LES (MILES) related approaches, hybrid LES-RANS and more advanced LES models seem to have an equal but subservient frequency of use in turbomachinery applications. Clearly the introduction of a RANS layer can have a substantial accuracy penalty. However, it does allow LES to be rationally used, albeit in a diluted sense for industrial applications. The Reynolds numbers found in turbomachinery are substantial. However, in certain areas evidence suggests they will not be enough to ensure a long inertial subrange and hence the use of standard LES modeling practices. Despite the excessively coarse grids used in much of the LES work reviewed, with essentially RANS based codes, meaningful results are often gained. This can perhaps be attributed to the choice of cases, these being ones for which RANS modeling gives extremely poor performance. It is a concern that for practical turbomachinery LES studies grid densities used tend to have an Reynolds number scaling to a strong negative power.
Predicting equilibrium uranium isotope fractionation in crystals and solution

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schauble, E. A.

2015-12-01

Despite the rapidly growing interest in using 238U/235U measurements as a proxy for changes in oxygen abundance in surface and near-surface environments, the present theoretical understanding of uranium isotope fractionation is limited to a few simple gas-phase molecules and analogues of dissolved species (e.g., 1,2,3). Understanding uranium isotope fractionation behavior in more complicated species, such as crystals and adsorption complexes, will help in the design and interpretation of experiments and field studies, and may suggest other uses for 38U/235U measurements. In this study, a recently developed first-principles method for estimating the nuclear volume component of field shift fractionation in crystals and complex molecular species (4) is combined with mass-dependent fractionation theory to predict equilibrium 38U/235U fractionations in aqueous and crystalline uranium compounds, including uraninite (UO2). The nuclear field shift effect, caused by the interaction of electrons with the finite volume of the positive charge distribution in uranium nuclei, is estimated using Density Functional Theory and the Projector Augmented Wave method (DFT-PAW). Tests against relativistic electronic structure calculations and Mössbauer isomer shift data indicate that the DFT-PAW method is reasonably accurate, while being much better suited to models of complex and crystalline species. Initial results confirm previous predictions that the nuclear volume effect overwhelms mass depdendent fractionation in U(VI)-U(IV) exchange reactions, leading to higher 238U/235U in U(IV) species (i.e., for UO2 xtal vs. UO22+aq, ln αNV ≈ +1.8‰ , ln αMD ≈ -0.8‰, ln αTotal ≈ +1.0‰ at 25ºC). UO2 and U(H2O)94+, are within ~0.4‰ of each other, while U(VI) species appear to be more variable. This suggests that speciation is likely to significantly affect natural uranium isotope fractionations, in addition to oxidation state. Tentatively, it appears that uranyl-type (UO22+-bearing) structures will tend to have higher 238U/235U than uranate-type structures that lack strong U=O bonds. References: 1. Bigeleisen (1996) JACS 118:3676; 2. Schauble (2006) Eos 87:V21B-0570; 3. Abe et al. (2008) J Chem Phys 128:144309, 129:164309, & Abe et al. (2010) J Chem Phys 133:044309; 4. Schauble (2013) PNAS 110:17714.
Meurigite, a new fibrous iron phosphate resembling kidwellite

USGS Publications Warehouse

Birch, W.D.; Pring, A.; Self, P.G.; Gibbs, R.B.; Keck, E.; Jensen, M.C.; Foord, E.E.

1996-01-01

Meurigite is a new hydrated potassium iron phosphate related to kidwellite and with structural similarities to other late-stage fibrous ferric phosphate species. It has been found at four localities so far - the Santa Rita mine, New Mexico, U.S.A.; the Hagendorf-Sud pegmatite in Bavaria, Germany; granite pegmatite veins at Wycheproof, Victoria. Australia; and at the Gold Quarry Mine, Nevada, U.S.A. The Santa Rita mine is the designated type locality. Meurigite occurs as tabular, elongated crystals forming spherical and hemispherical clusters and drusy coatings. The colour ranges from creamy white to pale yellow and yellowish brown. At the type locality, the hemispheres may reach 2 mm across, but the maximum diameter reached in the other occurrences is usually less than 0.5 mm. A wide variety of secondary phosphate minerals accompanies meurigite at each locality, with dufrenite, cyrilovite. beraunite, rockbridgeite and leucophosphite amongst the most common. Vanadates and uranates occur with meurigite at the Gold Quarry mine. Electron microprobe analysis and separate determination of H2O and CO2 on meurigite from the type locality gave a composition for which several empirical formulae could be calculated. The preferred formula, obtained on the basis of 35 oxygen atoms, is (K0.85Na0.03)??0.88(Fe7.013+Al0.16Cu0.02)??7.19 (PO4)5.11(CO3)0.20(OH) 6.7??7-7.25H2O, which simplifies to KFe73+(PO4)5(OH) 7??8H2O. Qualitative analyses only were obtained for meurigite from the other localities, due to the softness and openness of the aggregates. Because of the fibrous nature of meurigite, it was not possible to determine the crystal structure, hence the exact stoichiometry remains uncertain. The lustre of meurigite varies from vitreous to waxy for the Santa Rita mine mineral, to silky for the more open sprays and internal surfaces elsewhere. The streak is very pale yellow to cream and the estimated Mohs hardness is about 3. Cleavage is perfect on {001] and fragments from the type material have a mean specific gravity of 2.96. The strongest lines in the X-ray powder pattern for the type material are (dobs,Iobs,hkl) 3.216(100)404; 4.84(90)111; 3.116(80)205; 4.32(70)112; 9.41(60)201; 3.470(60)800. The X-ray data were indexed on the basis of a monoclinic unit cell determined from electron diffraction patterns. The cell parameters, refined by least squares methods, are a = 29.52(4), b = 5.249(6), c = 18.26(1) A??, ?? = 109.27(7)??, V = 2672(3) A??3, and Z = 4. The calculated density is 2.89 gcm-3. The space group is either C2, Cm or C2/m. X-ray powder data for meurigite are closely similar to those for kidwellite and phosphofibrite, but meurigite appears to be characterised by a strong 14 A?? reflection. The relationship between these three minerals remains uncertain in the absence of structural data. On the available evidence, meurigite and kidwellite are not the respective K and Na-endmembers of a solid solution series. The meurigite cell parameters suggest it belongs to a structural family of fibrous ferric phosphates, such as rockbridgeite, dufrenite and beraunite, which have a discrete 5 A?? fibre axis. Meurigite occurs in widely varying environments, its formation probably favoured by late-stage solutions rich in K rather than Na.
Wind Tunnel Interference Effects on Tilt Rotor Testing Using Computational Fluid Dynamics

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Koning, Witold J. F.

2016-01-01

Experimental techniques to measure rotorcraft aerodynamic performance are widely used. However, most of them are either unable to capture interference effects from bodies, or require an extremely large computational budget. The objective of the present research is to develop an XV-15 Tiltrotor Research Aircraft rotor model for investigation of wind tunnel wall interference using a novel Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) solver for rotorcraft, RotCFD. In RotCFD, a mid-fidelity Unsteady Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes (URANS) solver is used with an incompressible flow model and a realizable k-e turbulence model. The rotor is, however, not modeled using a computationally expensive, unsteady viscous body-fitted grid, but is instead modeled using a blade-element model (BEM) with a momentum source approach. Various flight modes of the XV-15 isolated rotor, including hover, tilt, and airplane mode, have been simulated and correlated to existing experimental and theoretical data. The rotor model is subsequently used for wind tunnel wall interference simulations in the National Full-Scale Aerodynamics Complex (NFAC) at Ames Research Center in California. The results from the validation of the isolated rotor performance showed good correlation with experimental and theoretical data. The results were on par with known theoretical analyses. In RotCFD the setup, grid generation, and running of cases is faster than many CFD codes, which makes it a useful engineering tool. Performance predictions need not be as accurate as high-fidelity CFD codes, as long as wall effects can be properly simulated. For both test sections of the NFAC wall, interference was examined by simulating the XV-15 rotor in the test section of the wind tunnel and with an identical grid but extended boundaries in free field. Both cases were also examined with an isolated rotor or with the rotor mounted on the modeled geometry of the Tiltrotor Test Rig (TTR). A "quasi linear trim" was used to trim the thrust for the rotor to compare the power as a unique variable. Power differences between free field and wind tunnel cases were found from -7 to 0 percent in the 80- by 120-Foot Wind Tunnel and -1.6 to 4.8 percent in the 40- by 80-Foot Wind Tunnel, depending on the TTR orientation, tunnel velocity, and blade setting. The TTR will be used in 2016 to test the Bell 609 rotor in a similar fashion to the research in this report.
Wind Tunnel Interference Effects on Tilt Rotor Testing Using Computational Fluid Dynamics

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Koning, Witold J. F.

2015-01-01

Experimental techniques to measure rotorcraft aerodynamic performance are widely used. However, most of them are either unable to capture interference effects from bodies, or require an extremely large computational budget. The objective of the present research is to develop an XV-15 Tilt Rotor Research Aircraft rotor model for investigation of wind tunnel wall interference using a novel Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) solver for rotorcraft, RotCFD. In RotCFD, a mid-fidelity URANS solver is used with an incompressible flow model and a realizable k-e turbulence model. The rotor is, however, not modeled using a computationally expensive, unsteady viscous body-fitted grid, but is instead modeled using a blade element model with a momentum source approach. Various flight modes of the XV-15 isolated rotor, including hover, tilt and airplane mode, have been simulated and correlated to existing experimental and theoretical data. The rotor model is subsequently used for wind tunnel wall interference simulations in the National Full-Scale Aerodynamics Complex (NFAC) at NASA Ames Research Center in California. The results from the validation of the isolated rotor performance showed good correlation with experimental and theoretical data. The results were on par with known theoretical analyses. In RotCFD the setup, grid generation and running of cases is faster than many CFD codes, which makes it a useful engineering tool. Performance predictions need not be as accurate as high-fidelity CFD codes, as long as wall effects can be properly simulated. For both test sections of the NFAC wall interference was examined by simulating the XV-15 rotor in the test section of the wind tunnel and with an identical grid but extended boundaries in free field. Both cases were also examined with an isolated rotor or with the rotor mounted on the modeled geometry of the Tiltrotor Test Rig (TTR). A 'quasi linear trim' was used to trim the thrust for the rotor to compare the power as a unique variable. Power differences between free field and wind tunnel cases were found from -7 % to 0 % in the 80- by 120-Foot Wind Tunnel test section and -1.6 % to 4.8 % in the 40- by 80-Foot Wind Tunnel, depending on the TTR orientation, tunnel velocity and blade setting. The TTR will be used in 2016 to test the Bell 609 rotor in a similar fashion to the research in this report.
Cassini's motions and resonant librations of synchronous satellites of big planets

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Barkin, Yu. V.

2008-09-01

Introduction. In the paper the rotations of synchronous satellites of the Jupiter, Saturn, Uran and Neptune are studied. On the base theory of resonant rotation of the rigid satellite on precessing elliptical orbit [1], [2] parameters of Cassini's motions and periods of free resonant librations have been determined for big grope of satellites of planets considered as rigid non-spherical bodies. Here I use observed values of coefficients of second harmonics of gravitational potensials ( 2 J and 22 C ) and of dimension less moment of inertia I = C / ?mr 2 ? of Io, Europa, Ganimede, Callisto and also Rhea and Titan, obtained on the base of data of space missions to these bodies [3]. Here C is the polar moment of inertia, m and r is the mass and the mean radius of satellite. Mentioned parameters 2 J , 22 C and I also have been evaluated for a wide set of another's satellites of big planets for their models as homogeneous ellipsoids of known forms and sizes (www.nasa.gov). These models also have been obtained here effective applications. For corresponding models the notation (e) is used here. For another from considered satellites (without indexes) we use also ellipsoidal models of hydrostatic equilibrium state of synchronous satellite [4]. The full list of discussed parameters for satellites of planets is presented in the paper [5]. Perturbed orbital motions of considered satellites we discribe by mean orbital elements reffered to local Laplacian planes of corresponding satellites ( http://ssd.jpl.nasa. gov/sat_elem. html). From them: the eccentricity ( e ), the inclination of orbit plane ( i ), the mean orbital motion and its period ( n and n T ), the angular velocity and period of preseccion of orbit plane of satellite on local Laplacian plane ( n? and T? ). In our approach all mentioned parameters are considered as constants and more fine effects in orbital motions of satellites do not take into account in this paper. The purpose of paper is to study syncronous motions of satellites in Solar system and for each of them to determine the values of the basic Cassini's parameter 0 ? (it is the average angle of inclination of the axis of rotation relatively to normal of the precessing orbit plane) and the periods of resonant librations in the longitude ( g T ), in the pole wobble ( l T ) and period of space precession ( h T ) (and their errors). Here we use the analytical formulas for mentioned parameters which were developed by study of the Moon Cassini's motion in my early papers [1], [2]. Specially for the case of small eccentricities and inclinations of orbits of synchronous satellites we have obtained the simple reduced formulas for all four considered parameters.
Unsteady Loss in the Stator Due to the Incoming Rotor Wake in a Highly-Loaded Transonic Compressor

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hah, Chunill

2015-01-01

The present paper reports an investigation of unsteady loss generation in the stator due to the incoming rotor wake in an advanced GE transonic compressor design with a high-fidelity numerical method. This advanced compressor with high reaction and high stage loading has been investigated both experimentally and analytically in the past. The measured efficiency in this advanced compressor is significantly lower than the design intention/goal. The general understanding is that the current generation of compressor design/analysis tools miss some important flow physics in this modern compressor design. To pinpoint the source of the efficiency miss, an advanced test with a detailed flow traverse was performed for the front one and a half stage at the NASA Glenn Research Center. Detailed data-match analysis by GE identified an unexpected high loss generation in the pressure side of the stator passage. Higher total temperature and lower total pressure are measured near the pressure side of the stator. Various analyses based on the RANS and URANS of the compressor stage do not calculate the measured higher total temperature and lower total pressure on the pressure side of the stator. In the present paper, a Large Eddy Simulation (LES) is applied to find the fundamental mechanism of this unsteady loss generation in the stator due to the incoming rotor wake. The results from the LES were first compared with the NASA test results and the GE interpretation of the test data. LES calculates lower total pressure and higher total temperature on the pressure side of the stator, as the measured data showed, resulting in large loss generation on the pressure side of the stator. Detailed examination of the unsteady flow field from LES shows that the rotor wake, which has higher total temperature and higher total pressure relative to the free stream, interacts quite differently with the pressure side of the blade compared to the suction side of the blade. The higher temperature in the wake remains high as the wake passes through the pressure side of the blade. On the other hand, the total temperature diffuses as it passes through near the suction surface. For the presently investigated compressor, the classical intra-stator wake transport to the pressure side of the blade by the slip velocity in the wake seems to be minor. The main causes of this phenomenon are three-dimensional unsteady vortex interactions near the blade surface. The stabilizing effect of the concave curvature on the suction side keeps the rotor wake thin. On the other hand, the destabilizing effect of the convex curvature of the pressure side makes the rotor wake thicker, which results in a higher total temperature measurement at the stator exit. Additionally, wake stretching through the stator seems to contribute to the redistribution of the total temperature and the loss generation.
Study of the Unsteady Aerodynamics associated with a Cycloidally Rotating Blade

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Agarwal, Nishant

Cycloidal Rotors have been studied for over 100 years, with a focus on applications for vertical axis wind turbines (VAWTs) for energy production and vertical-take-off-and-landing (VTOL) vehicles. Although, numerous experimental and analytical studies have demonstrated their potential competency compared to conventional horizontal-axis rotors, it is not until recently that the focus of these studies has shifted towards understanding the fundamental science behind how these complex systems function. The present study extends the existing fundamental knowledge about cycloidal rotors by particularly focusing on the unsteady aerodynamic phenomena associated with a single-fixed NACA 0012 blade cycloidal rotor as the system translates across an advance ratio (mu = Uinfinity/oR ) of 1. This phenomena was studied both experimentally, making use of particle image velocimetry (PIV) measurements on the system, and computationally, making use of both simple analytical tools and two-dimensional Unsteady Reynolds-Averaged Navier Stokes computational fluid dynamics (URANS-CFD) simulations. It is important to study the transition of the system through mu = 1 in order to better understand the incapability of VAWTs to self-start, and also the progression of VTOL vehicles into forward flight. When the advance ratio is less than one the blade cuts through its own wake. As it approaches one the local airspeed of the flow over the airfoil approaches zero during the retreating portion of the cycle. Finally, as the advance ratio increases beyond one the airfoil will experience reversed flow relative to its direction of rotation. The analysis of the PIV results show that the flow just downstream of the rotor is similar for cases at the same advance ratios, and that the wake structures do not depend upon the Reynolds number, within the range investigated. The phase-history velocity contour plots of the wake structure show a distinct cycloidal pattern for the advance ratio of mu = 1.25, a more stationary wake pattern for mu = 1, and a retarding wake pattern for mu = 0.75. CFD analysis using three different turbulence models showed that an asymmetric wake was generated behind the rotor with a more complex structure (both inside and outside the rotor diameter). This asymmetric wake generation is attributed to the difference in flow conditions at the advancing and retreating sides of the cycle. The complex structures account for the occurrence of dynamic stall, shedding of wake from the trailing edge, flow reversal on the airfoil in the cycle, and the wake-blade interaction. Also, it is observed that a region of high velocity is generated by the airfoil as it sweeps through the flow, which interacts with the airfoil at a later point in the cycle and affects the net force on the airfoil. It was seen that the blade-vortex interaction is not a characteristic property of the cycloidal rotor system. Rather, it depends on the advance ratio at which the system operates.
Designing stream restoration structures using 3D hydro-morphodynamic numerical modeling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Khosronejad, A.; Kozarek, J. L.; Hill, C.; Kang, S.; Plott, R.; Diplas, P.; Sotiropoulos, F.

2012-12-01

Efforts to stabilize and restore streams and rivers across the nation have grown dramatically in the last fifteen years, with over $1 billion spent every year since 1990. The development of effective and long-lasting strategies, however, is far from trivial and despite large investments it is estimated that at least 50% of stream restoration projects fail. This is because stream restoration is today more of an art than a science. The lack of physics-based engineering standards for stream restoration techniques is best underscored in the design and installation of shallow, in-stream, low-flow structures, which direct flow away from the banks, protect stream banks from erosion and scour, and increase habitat diversity. Present-day design guidelines for such in-stream structures are typically vague and rely heavily on empirical knowledge and intuition rather than physical understanding of the interactions of the structures the flow and sediment transport processes in the waterway. We have developed a novel computer-simulation based paradigm for designing in stream structures that is based on state-of-the-art 3D hydro-morphodynamic modeling validated with laboratory and field-scale experiments. The numerical model is based on the Curvilinear Immersed Boundary (CURVIB) approach of Kang et al. and Khosronejad et al. (Adv. in Water Res. 2010, 2011), which can simulate flow and sediment transport processes in arbitrarily complex waterways with embedded rock structures. URANS or large-eddy simulation (LES) models are used to simulate turbulence. Transport of bed materials is simulated using the non-equilibrium Exner equation for the bed surface elevation coupled with a transport equation for suspended load. Extensive laboratory and field-scale experiments have been carried out and employed to validate extensively the computational model. The numerical model is used to develop a virtual testing environment within which one or multiple in-stream structures can be embedded in representative live-bed meandering waterways and simulated numerically to systematically investigate the sensitivity of various design and installation parameters on structure performance and reliability. Waterway geometries are selected by a statistical classification of rivers and streams to represent typical sand-bed and gravel-bed systems found in nature. Results will be presented for rock vanes, J-hook vanes and bendway weirs. Our findings provide novel physical insights into the effects of various in-stream structures on turbulent flow and sediment transport processes in meandering rivers, underscore these effects for different stream-bed materials, and demonstrate how such physics-based analysis can yield design guidelines that often challenge what is commonly done in practice today. To our knowledge, our work is the first systematic attempt to employ advanced numerical modeling coupled with massively parallel supercomputers to design hydraulic structures for stream restoration. This work was supported by NSF Grants EAR-0120914 and EAR-0738726, National Cooperative Highway Research Program Grant NCHRP-HR 24-33.
Spectroscopic methods of process monitoring for safeguards of used nuclear fuel separations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Warburton, Jamie Lee

To support the demonstration of a more proliferation-resistant nuclear fuel processing plant, techniques and instrumentation to allow the real-time, online determination of special nuclear material concentrations in-process must be developed. An ideal materials accountability technique for proliferation resistance should provide nondestructive, realtime, on-line information of metal and ligand concentrations in separations streams without perturbing the process. UV-Visible spectroscopy can be adapted for this precise purpose in solvent extraction-based separations. The primary goal of this project is to understand fundamental URanium EXtraction (UREX) and Plutonium-URanium EXtraction (PUREX) reprocessing chemistry and corresponding UV-Visible spectroscopy for application in process monitoring for safeguards. By evaluating the impact of process conditions, such as acid concentration, metal concentration and flow rate, on the sensitivity of the UV-Visible detection system, the process-monitoring concept is developed from an advanced application of fundamental spectroscopy. Systematic benchtop-scale studies investigated the system relevant to UREX or PUREX type reprocessing systems, encompassing 0.01-1.26 M U and 0.01-8 M HNO3. A laboratory-scale TRansUranic Extraction (TRUEX) demonstration was performed and used both to analyze for potential online monitoring opportunities in the TRUEX process, and to provide the foundation for building and demonstrating a laboratory-scale UREX demonstration. The secondary goal of the project is to simulate a diversion scenario in UREX and successfully detect changes in metal concentration and solution chemistry in a counter current contactor system with a UV-Visible spectroscopic process monitor. UREX uses the same basic solvent extraction flowsheet as PUREX, but has a lower acid concentration throughout and adds acetohydroxamic acid (AHA) as a complexant/reductant to the feed solution to prevent the extraction of Pu. By examining UV-Visible spectra gathered in real time, the objective is to detect the conversion from the UREX process, which does not separate Pu, to the PUREX process, which yields a purified Pu product. The change in process chemistry can be detected in the feed solution, aqueous product or in the raffinate stream by identifying the acid concentration, metal distribution and the presence or absence of AHA. A fiber optic dip probe for UV-Visible spectroscopy was integrated into a bank of three counter-current centrifugal contactors to demonstrate the online process monitoring concept. Nd, Fe and Zr were added to the uranyl nitrate system to explore spectroscopic interferences and identify additional species as candidates for online monitoring. This milestone is a demonstration of the potential of this technique, which lies in the ability to simultaneously and directly monitor the chemical process conditions in a reprocessing plant, providing inspectors with another tool to detect nuclear material diversion attempts. Lastly, dry processing of used nuclear fuel is often used as a head-end step before solvent extraction-based separations such as UREX or TRUEX. A non-aqueous process, used fuel treatment by dry processing generally includes chopping of used fuel rods followed by repeated oxidation-reduction cycles and physical separation of the used fuel from the cladding. Thus, dry processing techniques are investigated and opportunities for online monitoring are proposed for continuation of this work in future studies.
Spectral Gap Energy Transfer in Atmospheric Boundary Layer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bhushan, S.; Walters, K.; Barros, A. P.; Nogueira, M.

2012-12-01

Experimental measurements of atmospheric turbulence energy spectra show E(k) ~ k-3 slopes at synoptic scales (~ 600 km - 2000 km) and k-5/3 slopes at the mesoscales (< 400 km). The -5/3 spectra is presumably related to 3D turbulence which is dominated by the classical Kolmogrov energy cascade. The -3 spectra is related to 2D turbulence, which is dominated by strong forward scatter of enstrophy and weak forward scatter of energy. In classical 2D turbulence theory, it is expected that a strong backward energy cascade would develop at the synoptic scale, and that circulation would grow infinitely. To limit this backward transfer, energy arrest at macroscales must be introduced. The most commonly used turbulence models developed to mimic the above energy transfer include the energy backscatter model for 2D turbulence in the horizontal plane via Large Eddy Simulation (LES) models, dissipative URANS models in the vertical plane, and Ekman friction for the energy arrest. One of the controversial issues surrounding the atmospheric turbulence spectra is the explanation of the generation of the 2D and 3D spectra and transition between them, for energy injection at the synoptic scales. Lilly (1989) proposed that the existence of 2D and 3D spectra can only be explained by the presence of an additional energy injection in the meso-scale region. A second issue is related to the observations of dual peak spectra with small variance in meso-scale, suggesting that the energy transfer occurs across a spectral gap (Van Der Hoven, 1957). Several studies have confirmed the spectral gap for the meso-scale circulations, and have suggested that they are enhanced by smaller scale vertical convection rather than by the synoptic scales. Further, the widely accepted energy arrest mechanism by boundary layer friction is closely related to the spectral gap transfer. This study proposes an energy transfer mechanism for atmospheric turbulence with synoptic scale injection, wherein the generation of 2D and 3D spectra is explained using spectral gap energy transfer. The existence of the spectral gap energy transfer is validated by performing LES for the interaction of large scale circulation with a wall, and studying the evolution of the energy spectra both near to and far from the wall. Simulations are also performed using the Advanced Weather and Research Forecasting (WRF-ARW) for moist zonal flow over Gaussian ridge, and the energy spectra close and away from the ground are studied. The energy spectra predicted by WRF-ARW are qualitatively compared with LES results to emphasize the limitations of the currently used turbulence parameterizations. Ongoing validation efforts include: (1) extending the interaction of large scale circulation with wall simulations to finer grids to capture a wider range of wavenumbers; and (2) a coupled 2D-3D simulation is planned to predict the entire atmospheric turbulence spectra at a very low computational expense. The overarching objective of this study to develop turbulence modeling capability based on the energy transfer mechanisms proposed in this study. Such a model will be implemented in WRF-ARW, and applied to atmospheric simulations, for example the prediction of moisture convergence patterns at the meso-scale in the southeast United States (Tao & Barros, 2008).
A CFD Case Study of a Fan Stage with Split Flow Path Subject to Total Pressure Distortion Inflow

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

To, Wai-Ming

2017-01-01

This report is the documentation of the work performed under the Hypersonic Project of the NASA's Fundamental Aeronautics Program. It was funded through Task Number NNC10E444T under GESS-2 Contract NNC06BA07B. The objective of the task is to develop advanced computational tools for the simulation of multi-stage turbomachinery in support of aeropropulsion. This includes work elements in extending the TURBO code and validating the multi-stage URANS (Unsteady Reynolds Averaged Navier Stokes) simulation results with the experimental data. The unsteady CFD (Computation Fluid Dynamics) calculations were performed in full wheel mode with and without screen generated total pressure distortion at the computational inflow boundary, as well as in single passage phase lag mode for uniform inflow. The experimental data were provided by NASA from the single stage RTA (Revolutionary Turbine Accelerator) fan test program.Significant non-uniform flow condition at the fan-face of the aeropropulsion system is frequentlyencountered in many of the advanced aerospace vehicles. These propulsion systems can be eithera podded or an embedded design employed in HWB (Hybrid Wing Body) airframe concept. It isalso a topic of interest in military applications, in which advanced air vehicles have already deployedsome form of embedded propulsion systems in their design because of the requirementsof compact and low observable inlets. Even in the conventional airframe/engine design, the fancould operate under such condition when the air vehicle is undergoing rapid maneuvering action.It is believed that a better understanding of the fan’s aerodynamic and aeromechanical responseto this type of operating condition or off design operation would be beneficial to designing distortiontolerant blades for improved engine operability.The objective for this research is to assess the capability of turbomachinery code as an analysistool in understanding the effects and evaluating the impact of flow distortion on the aerodynamicand aeromechanical performance of the fan in advanced propulsion systems. Results from thetesting of an advanced fan stage released by NASA are available and will be used here for CFDcode validation. The experiment was performed at NASA’s high speed compressor facility aspart of the RTA (Revolutionary Turbine Accelerator) demonstration project, a joint effort ofNASA Glenn Research Center and GE Aircraft Engines in developing an advanced Mach 4TBCC (Turbine Based Combined Cycle) turbofan/ramjet engine for access to space. Part of thetest was to assess the aerodynamic performance and operability of the fan stage under nonuniforminflow condition. Various flow distortion patterns were created at the fan-face by manipulatingsets of screens placed upstream of the wind tunnel. Measurements at the fan-face willprovide the necessary distortion flow information as the inflow boundary condition for the CFDin a full wheel simulation. Therefore the purpose of this work is to demonstrate the NASA supportedmulti-stage turbomachinery code, TURBO [1-5], in the aerodynamic performance analysisof a modern fan design operating under off design condition, and in particular to validate theCFD results with the RTA fan test data.A brief description of the RTA fan rig configuration is given in the next section, explaining onhow flow distortion were measured in the test and constructed for the CFD at the fan-face. It isfollowed by a section summarizing previous CFD work performed at NASA relevant to the currentfan configuration. A short description of the TURBO code is given next, followed by detailsin the computational model of the fan rig, the required computing resources, and the numericalprocedure for the simulations. The CFD results are presented in the discussion section and finallyconcluding remarks are summarized.

Water-soluble polymers and compositions thereof

DOEpatents

Smith, B.F.; Robison, T.W.; Gohdes, J.W.

1999-04-06

Water-soluble polymers including functionalization from the group of amino groups, carboxylic acid groups, phosphonic acid groups, phosphonic ester groups, acylpyrazolone groups, hydroxamic acid groups, aza crown ether groups, oxy crown ethers groups, guanidinium groups, amide groups, ester groups, aminodicarboxylic groups, permethylated polyvinylpyridine groups, permethylated amine groups, mercaptosuccinic acid groups, alkyl thiol groups, and N-alkylthiourea groups are disclosed.
Water-soluble polymers and compositions thereof

DOEpatents

Smith, Barbara F.; Robison, Thomas W.; Gohdes, Joel W.

2002-01-01

Water-soluble polymers including functionalization from the group of amino groups, carboxylic acid groups, phosphonic acid groups, phosphonic ester groups, acylpyrazolone groups, hydroxamic acid groups, aza crown ether groups, oxy crown ethers groups, guanidinium groups, amide groups, ester groups, aminodicarboxylic groups, permethylated polvinylpyridine groups, permethylated amine groups, mercaptosuccinic acid groups, alkyl thiol groups, and N-alkylthiourea groups are disclosed.
Water-soluble polymers and compositions thereof

DOEpatents

Smith, Barbara F.; Robison, Thomas W.; Gohdes, Joel W.

1999-01-01

Water-soluble polymers including functionalization from the group of amino groups, carboxylic acid groups, phosphonic acid groups, phosphonic ester groups, acylpyrazolone groups, hydroxamic acid groups, aza crown ether groups, oxy crown ethers groups, guanidinium groups, amide groups, ester groups, aminodicarboxylic groups, permethylated polyvinylpyridine groups, permethylated amine groups, mercaptosuccinic acid groups, alkyl thiol groups, and N-alkylthiourea groups are disclosed.
Effect of clinician-patient communication on compliance with flupentixol-melitracen in functional dyspepsia patients

PubMed Central

Yan, Xiu-Juan; Li, Wen-Ting; Chen, Xin; Wang, Er-Man; Liu, Qing; Qiu, Hong-Yi; Cao, Zhi-Jun; Chen, Sheng-Liang

2015-01-01

AIM: To explore whether clinician-patient communication affects adherence to psychoactive drugs in functional dyspepsia (FD) patients with psychological symptoms. METHODS: A total of 262 FD patients with psychological symptoms were randomly assigned to four groups. The patients in Groups 1-3 were given flupentixol-melitracen (FM) plus omeprazole treatment. Those in Group 1 received explanations of both the psychological and gastrointestinal (GI) mechanisms of the generation of FD symptoms and the effects of FM. In Group 2, only the psychological mechanisms were emphasized. The patients in Group 3 were not given an explanation for the prescription of FM. Those in Group 4 were given omeprazole alone. The primary endpoints of this study were compliance rate and compliance index to FM in Groups 1-3. Survival analyses were also conducted. The secondary end points were dyspepsia and psychological symptom improvement in Groups 1-4. The correlations between the compliance indices and the reductions in dyspepsia and psychological symptom scores were also evaluated in Groups 1-3. RESULTS: After 8 wk of treatment, the compliance rates were 67.7% in Group 1, 42.4% in Group 2 and 47.7% in Group 3 (Group 1 vs Group 2, P = 0.006; Group 1 vs Group 3, P = 0.033). The compliance index (Group 1 vs Group 2, P = 0.002; Group 1 vs Group 3, P = 0.024) with the FM regimen was significantly higher in Group 1 than in Groups 2 and 3. The survival analysis revealed that the patients in Group 1 exhibited a significantly higher compliance rate than Groups 2 and 3 (Group 1 vs Group 2, P = 0.002; Group 1 vs Group 3, P = 0.018). The improvement in dyspepsia (Group 1 vs Group 2, P < 0.05; Group 1 vs Group 3, P < 0.05; Group 1 vs Group 4, P < 0.01) and psychological symptom scores (anxiety: Group 1 vs Group 2, P < 0.01; Group 1 vs Group 3, P < 0.05; Group 1 vs Group 4, P < 0.01; depression: Group 1 vs Group 2, P < 0.01; Group 1 vs Group 3, P < 0.01; Group 1 vs Group 4, P < 0.01) in Group 1 were greater than those in Groups 2-4. The compliance indices were positively correlated with the reduction in symptom scores in Groups 1-3. CONCLUSION: Appropriate clinician-patient communication regarding the reasons for prescribing psychoactive drugs that emphasizes both the psychological and GI mechanisms might improve adherence to FM in patients with FD. PMID:25914475
Effect of clinician-patient communication on compliance with flupentixol-melitracen in functional dyspepsia patients.

PubMed

Yan, Xiu-Juan; Li, Wen-Ting; Chen, Xin; Wang, Er-Man; Liu, Qing; Qiu, Hong-Yi; Cao, Zhi-Jun; Chen, Sheng-Liang

2015-04-21

To explore whether clinician-patient communication affects adherence to psychoactive drugs in functional dyspepsia (FD) patients with psychological symptoms. A total of 262 FD patients with psychological symptoms were randomly assigned to four groups. The patients in Groups 1-3 were given flupentixol-melitracen (FM) plus omeprazole treatment. Those in Group 1 received explanations of both the psychological and gastrointestinal (GI) mechanisms of the generation of FD symptoms and the effects of FM. In Group 2, only the psychological mechanisms were emphasized. The patients in Group 3 were not given an explanation for the prescription of FM. Those in Group 4 were given omeprazole alone. The primary endpoints of this study were compliance rate and compliance index to FM in Groups 1-3. Survival analyses were also conducted. The secondary end points were dyspepsia and psychological symptom improvement in Groups 1-4. The correlations between the compliance indices and the reductions in dyspepsia and psychological symptom scores were also evaluated in Groups 1-3. After 8 wk of treatment, the compliance rates were 67.7% in Group 1, 42.4% in Group 2 and 47.7% in Group 3 (Group 1 vs Group 2, P = 0.006; Group 1 vs Group 3, P = 0.033). The compliance index (Group 1 vs Group 2, P = 0.002; Group 1 vs Group 3, P = 0.024) with the FM regimen was significantly higher in Group 1 than in Groups 2 and 3. The survival analysis revealed that the patients in Group 1 exhibited a significantly higher compliance rate than Groups 2 and 3 (Group 1 vs Group 2, P = 0.002; Group 1 vs Group 3, P = 0.018). The improvement in dyspepsia (Group 1 vs Group 2, P < 0.05; Group 1 vs Group 3, P < 0.05; Group 1 vs Group 4, P < 0.01) and psychological symptom scores (anxiety: Group 1 vs Group 2, P < 0.01; Group 1 vs Group 3, P < 0.05; Group 1 vs Group 4, P < 0.01; depression: Group 1 vs Group 2, P < 0.01; Group 1 vs Group 3, P < 0.01; Group 1 vs Group 4, P < 0.01) in Group 1 were greater than those in Groups 2-4. The compliance indices were positively correlated with the reduction in symptom scores in Groups 1-3. Appropriate clinician-patient communication regarding the reasons for prescribing psychoactive drugs that emphasizes both the psychological and GI mechanisms might improve adherence to FM in patients with FD.
Theoretical Issues in Clinical Social Group Work.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Randall, Elizabeth; Wodarski, John S.

1989-01-01

Reviews relevant issues in clinical social group practice including group versus individual treatment, group work advantages, approach rationale, group conditions for change, worker role in group, group composition, group practice technique and method, time as group work dimension, pretherapy training, group therapy precautions, and group work…
Correlation of ABO and Rh blood groups with transfusion administration and fever onset after hip surgery in children.

PubMed

Brdar, Radivoj; Petronic, Ivana; Nikolic, Dejan; Golubovic, Zoran; Bukva, Bojan; Radlovic, Vladimir; Abramovic, Dusan; Ducic, Sinisa; Colovic, Hristina

2012-01-01

Aim of our study was to evaluate distribution of ABO and Rh blood type groups in children after hip surgery regarding transfusion administration and fever presence. Four types of ABO blood groups (A; B; AB; O) and 2 types of Rh blood groups (Rh+; Rh-) were evaluated in group with administered transfusion (tr+) and without given transfusion (tr-); and in group with fever (fev+) and without fever (fev-), in 146 children after hip surgery. Tr+ and fev+ groups were divided into 3 groups (0-24h; 25-48h; 49-72h): for tr+ group (Group 1, Group 2, Group 3), and for fev+ group (Group A, Group B, Group C). AB blood group significantly decreased in Group 1 (χ2= 6.44; p<0.05) and A blood group in Group 3 in tr+ group (χ2= 7.68; p<0.01). O blood group significantly increased in Group 3 in tr+ group (χ2= 9.96; p<0.01). AB blood group significantly decreased in Groups B (χ2= 12.2; p<0.01) and C (χ2= 4.2; p<0.05) in fev+ versus fevgroup. B blood group significantly increased in Group C (χ2= 34.4; p<0.01) in fev+group. Administration of transfusion and fever onset in pediatric patients undergoing surgical correction of the hip is not influenced by the ABO and Rh blood groups system in humans. There is correlation between distribution of ABO blood groups with the time of transfusion administration and fever onset in children after hip surgery.
ImPressOne: A Pressure Display and Acquisition Program for the Low Speed Wind Tunnel at DSTO

DTIC Science & Technology

2005-11-01

Adjustable group; CZ, CS Group 1 – Pressure group A; A0, A1, A2, A3 Group 2 – Pressure group B; B0, B1, B2, B3 Group 3 – Pressure group C; C0, C1 Group...4 – Pressure group D; D0, D1 Group 5 – Temperature group Q; Q0, Q1 Group 6 – Temperature group R; R0, R1 Group 7 – Temperature group S; S0, S1
Group processing in an undergraduate biology course for preservice teachers: Experiences and attitudes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schellenberger, Lauren Brownback

Group processing is a key principle of cooperative learning in which small groups discuss their strengths and weaknesses and set group goals or norms. However, group processing has not been well-studied at the post-secondary level or from a qualitative or mixed methods perspective. This mixed methods study uses a phenomenological framework to examine the experience of group processing for students in an undergraduate biology course for preservice teachers. The effect of group processing on students' attitudes toward future group work and group processing is also examined. Additionally, this research investigated preservice teachers' plans for incorporating group processing into future lessons. Students primarily experienced group processing as a time to reflect on past performance. Also, students experienced group processing as a time to increase communication among group members and become motivated for future group assignments. Three factors directly influenced students' experiences with group processing: (1) previous experience with group work, (2) instructor interaction, and (3) gender. Survey data indicated that group processing had a slight positive effect on students' attitudes toward future group work and group processing. Participants who were interviewed felt that group processing was an important part of group work and that it had increased their group's effectiveness as well as their ability to work effectively with other people. Participants held positive views on group work prior to engaging in group processing, and group processing did not alter their atittude toward group work. Preservice teachers who were interviewed planned to use group work and a modified group processing protocol in their future classrooms. They also felt that group processing had prepared them for their future professions by modeling effective collaboration and group skills. Based on this research, a new model for group processing has been created which includes extensive instructor interaction and additional group processing sessions. This study offers a new perspective on the phenomenon of group processing and informs science educators and teacher educators on the effective implementation of this important component of small-group learning.
[Effects of combined natural hirudin and hyperbaric oxygen therapy on survival of transplanted random-pattern skin flap in rats].

PubMed

Cai, Jieyun; Lin, Bojie; Pan, Xinyuan; Cui, Jia; Pradhan, Rohan; Yin, Guoqian

2018-04-01

To investigate the effect of natural hirudin combined with hyperbaric oxygen therapy on the survival of transplanted random-pattern skin flap in rats. A random-pattern skin flap in size of 10.0 cm×2.5 cm was elevated on the dorsum of 72 Sprague Dawley rats. Then the 72 rats were randomly divided into 4 groups ( n =18) according to the therapy method. At immediate and within 4 days after operation, the rats were treated with normal saline injection in control group, normal saline injection combined with hyperbaric oxygen treatment in hyperbaric oxygen group, the natural hirudin injection in natural hirudin group, and the natural hirudin injection combined with hyperbaric oxygen treatment in combined group. The flap survival was observed after operation, and survival rate was evaluated at 6 days after operation. The skin samples were collected for histological analysis, microvessel density (MVD) measurement, and evaluation of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) expression level by the immunohistochemical staining at 2 and 4 days after operation. Partial necrosis occurred in each group after operation, and the flap in combined group had the best survival. The survival rate of flap was significantly higher in hyperbaric oxygen group, natural hirudin group, and combined group than that in control group, and in combined group than in hyperbaric oxygen group and natural hirudin group ( P <0.05). There was no significant difference between hyperbaric oxygen group and natural hirudin group ( P >0.05). At 2 days, more microvascular structure was observed in hyperbaric oxygen group, natural hirudin group, and combined group in comparison with control group; while plenty of inflammatory cells infiltration in all groups. At 4 days, the hyperbaric oxygen group, natural hirudin group, and the combined group still showed more angiogenesis. Meanwhile, there was still infiltration of inflammatory cells in control group, inflammatory cells in the other groups were significantly reduced when compared with at 2 days. At 2 days, the MVD was significantly higher in hyperbaric oxygen group, natural hirudin group, and combined group than that in control group ( P <0.05); the expression of TNF-α was significantly lower in hyperbaric oxygen group, natural hirudin group, and combined group than that in control group ( P <0.05). There was no significant difference in above indexes between hyperbaric oxygen group, natural hirudin group, and combined group ( P >0.05). At 4 days, the MVD was significantly higher in hyperbaric oxygen group, natural hirudin group, and combined group than that in control group, in natural hirudin group and combined group than in hyperbaric oxygen group ( P <0.05). The expression of TNF-α was significantly lower in hyperbaric oxygen group, natural hirudin group, and combined group than that in control group, in combined group than in natural hirudin group and hyperbaric oxygen group ( P <0.05). Hyperbaric oxygen and natural hirudin therapy after random-pattern skin flap transplantation can improve the survival of flaps. Moreover, combined therapy is seen to exhibit significant synergistic effect. This effect maybe related to promotion of angiogenesis and the reduction of inflammation response.
Between-group competition elicits within-group cooperation in children

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Majolo, Bonaventura; Maréchal, Laëtitia

2017-02-01

Aggressive interactions between groups are frequent in human societies and can bear significant fitness costs and benefits (e.g. death or access to resources). During between-group competitive interactions, more cohesive groups (i.e. groups formed by individuals who cooperate in group defence) should out-perform less cohesive groups, other factors being equal (e.g. group size). The cost/benefit of between-group competition are thought to have driven correlated evolution of traits that favour between-group aggression and within-group cooperation (e.g. parochial altruism). Our aim was to analyse whether the proximate relationship between between-group competition and within-group cooperation is found in 3-10 years old children and the developmental trajectory of such a relationship. We used a large cohort of children (n = 120) and tested whether simulated between-group competition increased within-group cooperation (i.e. how much of a resource children were giving to their group companions) in two experiments. We found greater within-group cooperation when groups of four children were competing with other groups then in the control condition (no between-group competition). Within-group cooperation increased with age. Our study suggests that parochial altruism and in-group/out-group biases emerge early during the course of human development.
Between-group competition elicits within-group cooperation in children

PubMed Central

Majolo, Bonaventura; Maréchal, Laëtitia

2017-01-01

Aggressive interactions between groups are frequent in human societies and can bear significant fitness costs and benefits (e.g. death or access to resources). During between-group competitive interactions, more cohesive groups (i.e. groups formed by individuals who cooperate in group defence) should out-perform less cohesive groups, other factors being equal (e.g. group size). The cost/benefit of between-group competition are thought to have driven correlated evolution of traits that favour between-group aggression and within-group cooperation (e.g. parochial altruism). Our aim was to analyse whether the proximate relationship between between-group competition and within-group cooperation is found in 3–10 years old children and the developmental trajectory of such a relationship. We used a large cohort of children (n = 120) and tested whether simulated between-group competition increased within-group cooperation (i.e. how much of a resource children were giving to their group companions) in two experiments. We found greater within-group cooperation when groups of four children were competing with other groups then in the control condition (no between-group competition). Within-group cooperation increased with age. Our study suggests that parochial altruism and in-group/out-group biases emerge early during the course of human development. PMID:28233820
[Comparative study of complications among routine method,high speed turbine handpiece and piezosurgery device after extraction of impacted wisdom teeth].

PubMed

Guo, Zhao-zhong; Zhang, Heng; Li, Yan; Li, Xin; Liu, Yin; Wang, Yang; Yuan, Chun-xia; Liu, Xue

2012-04-01

To investigate complications in extraction of complicated impacted wisdom teeth whose root apex near to the inferior alveolar nerve(IAN) by using routine method(chisels),high speed turbine handpiece and piezosurgery device respectively. Three hundred qualified patients with impacted wisdom teeth were divided into three groups randomly,one hundred patients in group A were extracted by routine method, one hundred patients in group B were extracted by high speed turbine handpiece, and one hundred patients in group C were extracted by piezosurgery device. The operation time, postoperative pain duration,dry socket and IAN injury were compared between each two groups. All statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 13.0 software package. Differences between groups were compared using a paired t test (quantitative data) or Chi-square test (qualitative data). The operation time in group A was(14.12±0.12)min, (7.22±0.15)min in group B, (25.23±0.32)min in group C; Significant difference was found between group A and group B(P<0.05), group B and group C(P<0.05),group A and group C(P<0.05).Postoperative pain duration was(62.15±1.51)h in group A, (48.23±1.23)h in group B, (14.34±O.80)h in group C; Significant difference was found between group A and group B(P<0.05), group B and group C(P<0.05),group A and group C(P<0.05).9 patients developed dry socket in group A, 2 in group B, and 1 in group C; Significant difference was found between group A and group B(P<0.05), group A and group C(P<0.05). Six patients had IAN injury in group A, 2 in group B, 0 in group C. Significant difference was found between group A and group C. Compared with routine method, high speed turbine is better in extraction of impacted wisdom teeth, which can shorten operation time, lessen postoperative complications. Although there was longer operation time compared with group A and B, piezosurgery device is more effective in reducing postoperative complications.
[Experimental study on avascular necrosis of femoral head in chickens induced by different glucocorticoides].

PubMed

Xiao, Chun-Sheng; Lin, Na; Lin, Shi-Fu; Wan, Rong; Chen, Wei-Heng

2010-03-01

To study the effects of Methylprednisolone and Dexamethasone on the avascular necrosis of femoral head in chickens. Thirty-six chickens were randomly divided into 6 groups (n = 6): control group (group A), Methylprednisolone low dose group (group B), Methylprednisolone large dose group (group C), small dose Dexamethasone and horse serum group (group D), middle dose Dexamethasone and horse serum group (group E), and Dexamethasone large dose group (group F). On the 6th and 12th weeks, blood samples were obtained to determine the level of total cholesterol triglyeride (TG), high density lipoprotein (HDL) and low density lipoprotein (LDL). On the 12th week, femoral heads were taken off. Paraffin tissue sections were prepared to detect histopathologic change with hematoxylin and eosin staining. On the 6th week, compared with group A, the level of CHO increased significantly in group C and group F (P < 0.05), and TG increased in group B, C and group E, while HDL decreased in group B, C and group E. On the 12th week, the level of TG and CHO increased in group B, C, E and group F, and HDL decreased in group C, D and group E (P < 0.05). LDL was not detected in most chickens. The ratio of empty lacuna was higher in group C and group E compared with those of the control group (P < 0.05). Methylprednisolone is easier to induce osteonecrosis of femoral head than Dexamethasone. The condition of metabolic disorder in blood may be the basic pathomechanism of steroid-induced necrosis of femoral head.
[Asymmetric effect of in-group social values on identity with common-identity and common-bond in-groups].

PubMed

Nakashima, Ken'ichiro; Isobe, Chikae; Toshihiko, Souma; Ura, Mitsuhiro

2013-06-01

Moderating effects of group type on the relationship between in-group social values and group identity were investigated. Previous research has indicated that values attached to the in-group, such as its status, privileges, and power, lead to increased group identity. However, these studies have not investigated the role of the type of in-groups on this effect. We conducted an experiment that manipulated the in-group type. In the common-identity type of in-group condition, formation of in- and out-groups on the basis of social categorization was established. In the common-bond type of in-group condition, interactions between the group members were conducted. Results indicated that in the former condition, the degree of in-group social values affected group identity; however, this effect was not found in the latter condition. These results suggest that social values of the in-group have an asymmetric effect on group identity, depending upon the in-group type as a common-identity or common-bond group.
Effect of Different Starvation Levels on Cognitive Ability in Mice

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Xiaobing; Zhi, Guoguo; Yu, Yi; Cai, Lingyu; Li, Peng; Zhang, Danhua; Bao, Shuting; Hu, Wenlong; Shen, Haiyan; Song, Fujuan

2018-01-01

Objective: To study the effect of different starvation levels on cognitive ability in mice. Method: Mice were randomly divided into four groups: normal group, dieting group A, dieting group B, dieting group C. The mice of normal group were given normal feeding amount, the rest of groups were given 3/4 of normal feeding amount, 2/4 of normal feeding amount and 1/4 of normal feeding amount. After feeding mice four days, the weight was observed and T-maze experiment, Morris water maze test, open field test and Serum Catalase activity were detected. Result: Compared with the normal group, the correct rate of the intervention group in the T-maze experiment was decreased and dieting group A> dieting group B> dieting group C. In the Morris water maze test, Compared with the normal group, the correct rate of the intervention group was increased. Among these three intervention groups, dieting group A had the highest correct rate and the difference of dieting group B and dieting group C were similar. In the open field test, Compared with the normal group, the exploration rate of the surrounding environment in the intervention group was increased. In the Serum Catalase test, Compared with the normal group, the activities of serum peroxidase in the intervention groups were decreased and dieting group A> dieting group B> dieting group C. Conclusion: A certain level of starvation could affect the cognitive ability of mice. In a certain range, the level of starvation is inversely proportional to cognitive ability in mice.
Territorial choruses of giant otter groups (Pteronura brasiliensis) encode information on group identity.

PubMed

Mumm, Christina A S; Knörnschild, Mirjam

2017-01-01

Group living animals often engage in corporate territorial defence. Territorial group vocalizations can provide information about group identity, size and composition. Neighbouring groups may use this information to avoid unfavourable direct conflicts. Giant otters are highly social and territorial animals with an elaborate vocal repertoire. They produce long-range screams when they are alert or excited, i.e. in an alarm, isolation or begging context. Long-range screams are not only produced by one individual at a time ('single screams') but also by multiple group members simultaneously, resulting in a highly conspicuous 'group chorus'. Wild giant otters regularly produce group choruses during interactions with predators, when they detect intruders in their territory or before group reunions after separation. Since single screams and especially group choruses probably contribute to the groups' corporate territorial defence, we hypothesized that group identity is encoded in single screams and group choruses. We analysed vocalizations from five wild and three captive giant otter groups and found statistical evidence for a group signature in group choruses. Results for single screams were less conclusive, which might have been caused by the comparatively lower sample size. We suggest that giant otters may gain information on group identity by listening to group choruses. Group identity likely constitutes important social information for giant otters since territory boundaries of neighbouring groups can overlap and direct inter-group conflicts are severe. Therefore, group chorusing may contribute to the mutual avoidance of members from different groups.
Fracture resistance of zirconia-based implant abutments after artificial long-term aging.

PubMed

Alsahhaf, Abdulaziz; Spies, Benedikt Christopher; Vach, Kirstin; Kohal, Ralf-Joachim

2017-02-01

To investigate the survival rate, fracture strength, bending moments, loading to fracture and fracture modes of different designs of zirconia abutments after dynamic loading with thermocycling, and compare these values to titanium abutments. A total of 80 abutment samples were divided into 5 test groups of 16 samples in each group. The study included the following groups, "Group 1" CAD/CAM produced all-zirconia abutments, "Group 2" titanium abutments, "Group 3" zirconia-abutments adhesively luted to a titanium base, "Group 4" prefabricated all-zirconia abutments and "Group 5" zirconia-abutments glass soldered to a titanium base. Half the number of samples in each group was exposed to 1.2 million loading cycles (5-years simulation) in the chewing simulator. The samples that survived the artificial aging were later tested for fracture strength in a universal testing machine. The remaining 8 samples of the group were directly tested for fracture strength. All samples exposed to the 5-years artificial aging survived except of six samples in one group (Group 1). The surviving samples were later fracture tested in the universal testing machine. The bending moments (Ncm) values were as follow: Exposed groups: "Group 1" 94.5Ncm; "Group 2" 599.2Ncm; "Group 3" 477.5Ncm; "Group 4" 314.4Ncm; "Group 5" 509.4Ncm. Non-exposed groups: "Group 1" 269.3Ncm; "Group 2" 474.2Ncm; "Group 3" 377.6Ncm; "Group 4" 265.4Ncm; "Group 5" 372.4Ncm. Except in Group 1, the values were higher in the exposed groups, although, statistically there was no difference (p>0.05). The one-piece ZrO2-abutment group (Group 1 and Group 4) exhibited lower values, while the two-piece ZrO2-abutment groups (Group 3 and Group 5) showed similar values and fracture modes like the titanium abutment group. The titanium abutment group showed the highest values of bending moments among all groups. The implant-abutment connection area appeared to influence the bending moment value and the fracture mode of the tested abutment groups, and it was found to be the weakest part of an internal connection one-piece zirconia abutment. The titanium base in the two-piece zirconia abutment worked as a substitute for the weakest part of the abutment. Therefore, the titanium base can reinforce the fracture strength of a zirconia abutment. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
T-Group and Therapy Group Communication: An Interaction Analysis of the Group Process.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Fisher, B. Aubrey

1979-01-01

Provides an insight into the group process of therapy and compares and contrasts the T-group process with therapy group process. The here-and-now orientation was present in T-group and therapy-group interaction. Greater relational conflict was present in the T-group. Members of the therapy group were much more defensive than members of the…
[Perinatal complications in patients with chronic renal insufficiency on hemodialysis].

PubMed

Vázquez-Rodríguez, Juan Gustavo; del Angel-García, Guadalupe

2010-09-01

Pregnant patients with chronic renal insufficiency treated with hemodialysis experience adverse perinatal results. To compare perinatal complications of patients with chronic renal insufficiency undergoing hemodialysis who become pregnant vs. the complications of women with chronic renal insufficiency not undergoing dialysis but who then require dialysis during gestation. Transversal and retrospective study that included three patients with chronic renal insufficiency on chronic hemodialysis who became pregnant (group A) and three patients with chronic renal insufficiency without hemodialysis at the time of conception but who required dialysis during gestation (group B). Perinatal results were compared. Statistical analysis was performed with measures of central tendency and dispersion and Student t-test. Group A had 25 sessions vs. group B with 29 hemodialysis sessions (p = 0.88). Maternal complications were anemia 100% (six cases), Cesarean delivery 83.3% (group A 2 cases vs. group B 2 cases), preeclampsia 50% (group A 2 cases vs. group B 1 case), uncontrolled hypertension 50% (group A 2 cases vs. group B 1 case), preterm delivery 50% (group A 2 cases vs. group B 1 case), transfusion 33.3% (group A 2 cases), polyhydramnios 33.3% (group A 1 case vs. group B 1 case) and abortion 16.6% (group A 1 case). Fetal complications included fetal loss 16.6% (group A 1 case), neonatal mortality 33.3% (group A 1 cases vs. group B 1 case), prematurity 50% (group A2 cases vs. group B 1 case), fetal distress 50% (group A 1 case vs. group B 2 cases), respiratory failure 33.3% (group A 2 cases) and fetal growth restriction 16.6% (group A 1 case). Frequency of perinatal complications is elevated in both groups.

In-group defense, out-group aggression, and coordination failures in intergroup conflict.

PubMed

De Dreu, Carsten K W; Gross, Jörg; Méder, Zsombor; Giffin, Michael; Prochazkova, Eliska; Krikeb, Jonathan; Columbus, Simon

2016-09-20

Intergroup conflict persists when and because individuals make costly contributions to their group's fighting capacity, but how groups organize contributions into effective collective action remains poorly understood. Here we distinguish between contributions aimed at subordinating out-groups (out-group aggression) from those aimed at defending the in-group against possible out-group aggression (in-group defense). We conducted two experiments in which three-person aggressor groups confronted three-person defender groups in a multiround contest game (n = 276; 92 aggressor-defender contests). Individuals received an endowment from which they could contribute to their group's fighting capacity. Contributions were always wasted, but when the aggressor group's fighting capacity exceeded that of the defender group, the aggressor group acquired the defender group's remaining resources (otherwise, individuals on both sides were left with the remainders of their endowment). In-group defense appeared stronger and better coordinated than out-group aggression, and defender groups survived roughly 70% of the attacks. This low success rate for aggressor groups mirrored that of group-hunting predators such as wolves and chimpanzees (n = 1,382 cases), hostile takeovers in industry (n = 1,637 cases), and interstate conflicts (n = 2,586). Furthermore, whereas peer punishment increased out-group aggression more than in-group defense without affecting success rates (Exp. 1), sequential (vs. simultaneous) decision-making increased coordination of collective action for out-group aggression, doubling the aggressor's success rate (Exp. 2). The relatively high success rate of in-group defense suggests evolutionary and cultural pressures may have favored capacities for cooperation and coordination when the group goal is to defend, rather than to expand, dominate, and exploit.
Me against we: in-group transgression, collective shame, and in-group-directed hostility.

PubMed

Piff, Paul K; Martinez, Andres G; Keltner, Dacher

2012-01-01

People can experience great distress when a group to which they belong (in-group) is perceived to have committed an immoral act. We hypothesised that people would direct hostility toward a transgressing in-group whose actions threaten their self-image and evoke collective shame. Consistent with this theorising, three studies found that reminders of in-group transgression provoked several expressions of in-group-directed hostility, including in-group-directed hostile emotion (Studies 1 and 2), in-group-directed derogation (Study 2), and in-group-directed punishment (Study 3). Across studies, collective shame-but not the related group-based emotion collective guilt-mediated the relationship between in-group transgression and in-group-directed hostility. Implications for group-based emotion, social identity, and group behaviour are discussed.
[Effect of parecoxib on hippocampal inflammation and memory function in aged rats after splenectomy].

PubMed

Li, Peng; Yang, Mengchang; Yang, Xue; Liu, Ziling

2016-06-28

To explore the effect of parecoxib on hippocampal inflammation and short-term memory function after splenectomy in aged rats.  A total of 90 aged male SD rats were randomly divided into 9 groups (all n=10): a control group (Group C), an anesthesia day 1 group (A1 group), an operation day 1 group (O1 group), a saline day 1 group (S1 group), a parecoxib day 1 group (P1 group), an anesthesia day 3 group (A3 group), an operation day 3 group (O3 group), a saline day 3 group (S3 group), and a parecoxib day 3 group (P3 group). In the A1 group and A3 group, rats were anesthetized by intraperitoneal injection of pentobarbital sodium. Under anesthesia condition, rats in the O1 group and O3 group underwent splenectomy. One hour before splenectomy, rats in the P1 group and P3 group received parecoxib injection of 10 mg/kg via tail vein. In the S1 group and S3 group, rats received the same dose of saline. The rats were trained for 5 days in shuttle box before anesthesia, surgery and drug treatment. After shuttle box test, the rats were killed at postoperative 1 and 3 d. The hippocampus was isolated to measure the CD11b expression by immunofluorescent staining, and TNF-α, IL-1 and COX-2 mRNA expression by RT-PCR.  Compared with the Group C, the electric shock time was increased in the O1 and O3 groups, but the active escape time was shortened and the active avoidance reaction (AAR) was decreased (all P<0.01). Compared with the O1 or O3 group, the electric shock time was shortened, the active escape time and AAR was increased in the P1 or P3 group (all P<0.05). There were more CD11b positive cells and TNF-α, IL-1β, COX-2 mRNA expression in hippocampus in the O1, O3, S1 or S3 group compared with the Group C (all P<0.01). Both CD11b positive cells and TNF-α, IL-1β, COX-2 mRNA expression were decreased in the P1 or P3 group compared with that in the O1 or O3 group (all P<0.01).   The parecoxib could reduce hippocampal inflammation and improve short-term memory function through the inhibition of COX-2 expression in aged rats after splenectomy.
Molecular symmetry: Why permutation-inversion (PI) groups don't render the point groups obsolete

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Groner, Peter

2018-01-01

The analysis of spectra of molecules with internal large-amplitude motions (LAMs) requires molecular symmetry (MS) groups that are larger than and significantly different from the more familiar point groups. MS groups are described often by the permutation-inversion (PI) group method. It is shown that point groups still can and should play a significant role together with the PI groups for a class of molecules with internal rotors. In molecules of this class, several simple internal rotors are attached to a rigid molecular frame. The PI groups for this class are semidirect products like H ^ F, where the invariant subgroup H is a direct product of cyclic groups and F is a point group. This result is used to derive meaningful labels for MS groups, and to derive correlation tables between MS groups and point groups. MS groups of this class have many parallels to space groups of crystalline solids.
Roles of participation and feedback in group potency.

PubMed

Gamero, Nuria; Peiró, José M; Zornoza, Ana; Picazo, Carmen

2009-08-01

The roles of group participation and group performance feedback were examined as antecedents of group potency, i.e., beliefs shared among a work group's members about the general effectiveness of the work group. Also examined were how group participation and the congruence of the feedback received from different sources about performance predicted convergence in members' beliefs about group effectiveness. The sample comprised 61 work groups of professionals involved in Master in Business Administration (MBA) programs (284 participants). Mean group size was 4.6 members (SD = .58). 65% of participants were male, and 51% were between 30 and 40 years of age. Data were gathered at two measurement times. Increases in group participation were positively related to increases in group potency and the convergence in beliefs about group effectiveness among group members over time. Results supported the premise that group performance feedback is an antecedent of changes in group potency over time.
Cooperation during cultural group formation promotes trust towards members of out-groups.

PubMed

Pan, Xiaofei Sophia; Houser, Daniel

2013-07-07

People often cooperate with members of their own group, and discriminate against members of other groups. Previous research establishes that cultural groups can form endogenously, and that these groups demonstrate in-group favouritism. Given the presence of cultural groups, the previous literature argues that cultural evolution selects for groups that exhibit parochial altruism. The source of initial variation in these traits, however, remains uninformed. We show here that a group's economic production environment may substantially influence parochial tendencies, with groups formed around more cooperative production (CP) displaying less parochialism than groups formed around more independent production (IP) processes. Participants randomized into CP and IP production tasks formed cultural groups, and subsequently played hidden-action trust games with in-group and out-group trustees. We found CP to be associated with significantly greater sharing and exchanging behaviours than IP. In trust games, significant parochial altruism (in-group favouritism combined with out-group discrimination) was displayed by members of IP groups. By contrast, members of CP groups did not engage in either in-group favouritism or out-group discrimination. Further, we found the absence of out-group discrimination in CP to persist even following 'betrayal'. Finally, belief data suggest that members of CP are not more intrinsically generous than IP members, but rather more likely to believe that out-group trustees will positively reciprocate. Our results have important implications for anyone interested in building cooperative teams, and shed new light on connections between culture and cooperation.
Assessment of Group Preferences and Group Uncertainty for Decision Making

DTIC Science & Technology

1976-06-01

the individ- uals. decision making , group judgments should be preferred to individual judgments if obtaining group judgments costs more. -26- -YI IV... decision making group . IV. A. 3. Aggregation using conjugate distribution. Arvther procedure for combining indivi(jai probability judgments into a group...statisticized group group decision making group judgment subjective probability Delphi method expected utility nominal group 20. ABSTRACT (Continue on
The Effects of Music and Group Stage on Group Leader and Member Behavior in Psychoeducational Groups for Children of Divorce

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cercone, Kristin; DeLucia-Waack, Janice

2012-01-01

This study examined the effects of music and group stage on group process and group leader and member behavior within 8-week psychoeducational groups for children of divorce. Audiotapes of group sessions were rated using the Interactional Process Analysis and the Group Sessions Ratings Scale. Both treatment groups were very similar in terms of…
The effectiveness of multimedia visual perceptual training groups for the preschool children with developmental delay.

PubMed

Chen, Yi-Nan; Lin, Chin-Kai; Wei, Ta-Sen; Liu, Chi-Hsin; Wuang, Yee-Pay

2013-12-01

This study compared the effectiveness of three approaches to improving visual perception among preschool children 4-6 years old with developmental delays: multimedia visual perceptual group training, multimedia visual perceptual individual training, and paper visual perceptual group training. A control group received no special training. This study employed a pretest-posttest control group of true experimental design. A total of 64 children 4-6 years old with developmental delays were randomized into four groups: (1) multimedia visual perceptual group training (15 subjects); (2) multimedia visual perceptual individual training group (15 subjects); paper visual perceptual group training (19 subjects); and (4) a control group (15 subjects) with no visual perceptual training. Forty minute training sessions were conducted once a week for 14 weeks. The Test of Visual Perception Skills, third edition, was used to evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention. Paired-samples t-test showed significant differences pre- and post-test among the three groups, but no significant difference was found between the pre-test and post-test scores among the control group. ANOVA results showed significant differences in improvement levels among the four study groups. Scheffe post hoc test results showed significant differences between: group 1 and group 2; group 1 and group 3; group 1 and the control group; and group 2 and the control group. No significant differences were reported between group 2 and group 3, and group 3 and the control group. The results showed all three therapeutic programs produced significant differences between pretest and posttest scores. The training effect on the multimedia visual perceptual group program and the individual program was greater than the developmental effect Both the multimedia visual perceptual group training program and the multimedia visual perceptual individual training program produced significant effects on visual perception. The multimedia visual perceptual group training program was more effective for improving visual perception than was multimedia visual perceptual individual training program. The multimedia visual perceptual group training program was more effective than was the paper visual perceptual group training program. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Cognitive distance, absorptive capacity and group rationality: a simulation study.

PubMed

Curşeu, Petru Lucian; Krehel, Oleh; Evers, Joep H M; Muntean, Adrian

2014-01-01

We report the results of a simulation study in which we explore the joint effect of group absorptive capacity (as the average individual rationality of the group members) and cognitive distance (as the distance between the most rational group member and the rest of the group) on the emergence of collective rationality in groups. We start from empirical results reported in the literature on group rationality as collective group level competence and use data on real-life groups of four and five to validate a mathematical model. We then use this mathematical model to predict group level scores from a variety of possible group configurations (varying both in cognitive distance and average individual rationality). Our results show that both group competence and cognitive distance are necessary conditions for emergent group rationality. Group configurations, in which the groups become more rational than the most rational group member, are groups scoring low on cognitive distance and scoring high on absorptive capacity.
Cognitive Distance, Absorptive Capacity and Group Rationality: A Simulation Study

PubMed Central

Curşeu, Petru Lucian; Krehel, Oleh; Evers, Joep H. M.; Muntean, Adrian

2014-01-01

We report the results of a simulation study in which we explore the joint effect of group absorptive capacity (as the average individual rationality of the group members) and cognitive distance (as the distance between the most rational group member and the rest of the group) on the emergence of collective rationality in groups. We start from empirical results reported in the literature on group rationality as collective group level competence and use data on real-life groups of four and five to validate a mathematical model. We then use this mathematical model to predict group level scores from a variety of possible group configurations (varying both in cognitive distance and average individual rationality). Our results show that both group competence and cognitive distance are necessary conditions for emergent group rationality. Group configurations, in which the groups become more rational than the most rational group member, are groups scoring low on cognitive distance and scoring high on absorptive capacity. PMID:25314132
Bronchial and bronchovascular sleeve resection for treatment of central lung tumors.

PubMed

Lausberg, H F; Graeter, T P; Wendler, O; Demertzis, S; Ukena, D; Schäfers, H J

2000-08-01

To improve postoperative pulmonary reserve, we have employed parenchyma-sparing resections for central lung tumors irrespective of pulmonary function. The results of lobectomy, pneumonectomy, and sleeve resection were analyzed retrospectively. From October 1995 to June 1999, 422 typical lung resections were performed for lung cancer. Of these, 301 were lobectomies (group I), 81 were sleeve resections (group II), and 40 were pneumonectomies (group III). Operative mortality was 2% in group I, 1.2% in group II, and 7.5% in group III (group I and II vs. group III, p<0.03). Mean time of intubation was 1.0+/-4.1 days in group I, 0.9+/-1.3 days in group II, and 3.6+/-11.2 days in group III (groups I and II vs. group III, p<0.01). The incidence of bronchial complications was 1.3% in group I, none in group II, and 7.5% in group III (group I and II vs group III, p<0.001). After 2 years, survival was 64% in group I, 61.9% in group II, and 56.1% in group III (p = NS). Freedom from local disease recurrence was 92.1% in group I, 95.7% in group II, and 90.9% in group III after 2 years (p = NS). Sleeve resection is a useful surgical option for the treatment of central lung tumors, thus avoiding pneumonectomy with its associated risks. Morbidity, early mortality, long-term survival, and recurrence of disease after sleeve resection are similar to those seen after lobectomy.
Choroidal thickness changes determined by EDI-OCT on acute anterior uveitis in patients with HLA-B27-positive ankylosing spondylitis.

PubMed

Basarir, Berna; Celik, Ugur; Altan, Cigdem; Celik, Nimet Burcu

2018-02-01

To evaluate the choroidal thickness on acute anterior uveitis in patients with HLA-B27-positive ankylosing spondylitis. In this study, 32 eyes of 16 HLA-B27 positive AS patients with anterior uveitis and age-matched 19 eyes for control group were analyzed between January 2014 and April 2015. Assessment criteria were uveitis activity, visual acuity, flare existence, subfoveal choroidal thickness and central macular thickness measurements. The mean subfoveal choroidal thicknesses in affected eye group (Group 1), unaffected eye group (Group 2) and control group (Group 3) were 348.31 ± 72.7, 301.12 ± 49.2 and 318.0 ± 74.3, respectively, in active periods. (p = 0.04 between Group 1 and Group 2, p = 0.234 between Group 1 and Group 3) The mean central macular thicknesses of Group 1, Group 2 and Group 3 were 268.50 ± 16.5, 267.31 ± 16.3 and 249.7 ± 30.5, respectively, in active periods. (p = 0.84 between Group 1 and Group 2, p = 0.029 between Group 1 and Group 3). However, in convalescence period, the mean subfoveal choroidal thicknesses of Group 1, Group 2 and Group 3 were 322.40 ± 48.5, 300.75 ± 47.7 and 318.0 ± 74.3, respectively. (p = 0.22 between Group 1 and Group 2, p = 0.854 between Group 1 and Group 3) The mean central macular thicknesses of Group 1, Group 2 and Group 3 were 269.75 ± 21.9, 256.62 ± 21.5 and 249.7 ± 30.5, respectively. (p = 0.09 between Group 1 and Group 2, p = 0.03 between Group 1 and Group 3). In HLA-B27 positive ankylosing spondylitis patients with anterior uveitis, the choroidal thicknesses of the affected eyes were found as thicker than fellow unaffected one or control eyes in active period. The central macular thicknesses are not affected on both active and convalescent period.
Therapeutic effect of magnesium sulphate on carbon monoxide toxicity-mediated brain lipid peroxidation.

PubMed

Yavuz, Y; Mollaoglu, H; Yürümez, Y; Ucok, K; Duran, L; Tünay, K; Akgün, L

2013-02-01

Carbon monoxide (CO) toxicity primarily results from cellular hypoxia caused by impedance of oxygen delivery. Studies show that CO may cause brain lipid peroxidation and leukocyte-mediated inflammatory changes in the brain. The aim of this study was to investigate whether magnesium sulphate could prevent or diminish brain lipid peroxidation caused by carbon monoxide toxicity in rats. Fourty rats were divided into five groups of 8 rats each. Group l was not received any agent during the experiment. Group 2 was inhaled CO gas followed by intraperitoneally normal saline 30 minutes (min) later. Group 3 was inhaled CO gas followed by 100 mg/kg magnesium sulphate intraperitoneally 30 min later. Group 2 and Group 3 rats was undergone laparotomy and craniotomy while still under anesthesia at 6 hour, and tissue sample was obtained from the cerebrum. Group 4 was inhaled CO gas followed by intraperitoneally normal saline 30 min later. Group 5 was inhaled CO gas followed by 100 mg/kg magnesium sulphate intraperitoneally 30 min later. Group 4 and Group 5 rats was undergone laparotomy and craniotomy while still under anesthesia at 24 hour, and tissue sample was obtained from the cerebrum. Nitric oxide levels were no significantly different between all groups. Malonyldialdehyde levels increased in intoxication group (group 2) and decreased in treatment group (group 3). Activities of superoxide dismutase decreased in intoxication group (group 2) and increased in treatment group (group 3). Activities of catalase increased in intoxication group (group 2) and decreased in treatment group (group 3). Activities of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) decreased in intoxication group (group 4) and increased in treatment group (group 5). CO poisoning caused significant damage, detected within the first 6 hours. Due to antioxidant enzymes, especially GSH-Px activity reaching the top level within 24th hours, significant oxidative damage was not observed. The protective effect against oxidative damage of magnesium sulfate has been identified within the first 6 hours.
[Effects of red ginseng on the congestive heart failure and its mechanism].

PubMed

Ding, D Z; Shen, T K; Cui, Y Z

1995-06-01

Forty-five patients with class IV cardiac function were divided into three groups: group I (digoxin group), group II (Red Ginseng group) and group III (Red Ginseng plus digoxin group). Each group consisted of 15 cases. After treatment, the improvement of the hemodynamical and biochemical indexes of group II and group III were greater than those of group I, and group III was the most significant amongst all. The results suggested that Red Ginseng and digoxin had synergism for treatment of congestive heart failure, and Red Ginseng was an effective and safe adjuvant without any side effects.
Fight tactics in wood ants: individuals in smaller groups fight harder but die faster

PubMed Central

Batchelor, Tim P.; Briffa, Mark

2011-01-01

When social animals engage in inter-group contests, the outcome is determined by group sizes and individual masses, which together determine group resource-holding potential (‘group RHP’). Individuals that perceive themselves as being in a group with high RHP may receive a motivational increase and increase their aggression levels. Alternatively, individuals in lower RHP groups may increase their aggression levels in an attempt to overcome the RHP deficit. We investigate how ‘group RHP’ influences agonistic tactics in red wood ants Formica rufa. Larger groups had higher total agonistic indices, but per capita agonistic indices were highest in the smallest groups, indicating that individuals in smaller groups fought harder. Agonistic indices were influenced by relative mean mass, focal group size, opponent group size and opponent group agonistic index. Focal group attrition rates decreased as focal group relative agonistic indices increased and there was a strong negative influence of relative mean mass. The highest focal attrition rates were received when opponent groups were numerically large and composed of large individuals. Thus, fight tactics in F. rufa seem to vary with both aspects of group RHP, group size and the individual attributes of group members, indicating that information on these are available to fighting ants. PMID:21389029
[Effects of the renal blood flow at different levels by transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation combined general anesthesia induced controlled hypotension].

PubMed

Fang, Jian-Qiao; Zhang, Le-Le; Shao, Xiao-Mei

2012-11-01

To observe the intervention of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) on the renal blood flow at different levels of mean arterial pressure (MAP) in controlled hypotension. Forty-two male beagle dogs were randomly divided into seven groups, i. e., the general anesthesia group, the 50% controlled group, the 40% controlled group, the 30% controlled group, the 50% experimental group, the 40% experimental group, and the 30% experimental group, 6 in each group. Beagles in the general anesthesia group were not treated with controlled hypotension, and the target MAP was achieved in those of the rest groups and maintained for 60 min. In the experimental groups, TEAS was applied to bilateral Hegu (LI4), Zusanli (ST36), Sanyinjiao (SP6), and Quchi (LI11) at 2/100 Hz with the stimulation strength of (4 +/- 1) mA starting from the stability of their physiological conditions to 60 min of maintaining the target MAP level. The changes of the renal blood flow were monitored at different time points using laser Doppler. From starting pressure control to the target MAP level, the renal blood flow was significantly lower in the 30% controlled group than in the general anesthesia group and the basic level of the same group (P < 0.05), while there was no obvious change in the 30% experimental group. In maintaining the blood pressure, the renal blood flow was significantly lower in the 50% controlled group, the 40% controlled group, the 30% controlled group, and the 30% experimental group than in the general anesthesia group (P < 0.05), while there was no obvious change in the 50% experimental group or the 40% experimental group. By the end of blood pressure recovery, the renal blood flow restored to the basic level in the 50% controlled group, the 50% experimental group, and the 40% experimental group (P > 0.05), while it was not restored to the basic level in the 40% controlled group, the 30% controlled group, and the 30% experimental group (P < 0.05). TEAS combined general anesthesia in controlled hypotension could effectively improve the renal blood flow, thus protecting the kidney.
Numerical Investigation of Compressor Non-Synchronous Vibration with Full Annulus Rotor-Stator Interaction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Espinal, Daniel

The objective of this research is to investigate and confirm the periodicity of the Non-Synchronous Vibration (NSV) mechanism of a GE axial compressor with a full-annulus simulation. A second objective is to develop a high fidelity single-passage tool with time-accurate unsteady capabilities able to capture rotor-stator interactions and NSV excitation response. A high fidelity methodology for axial turbomachinery simulation is developed using the low diffusion shock-capturing Riemann solver with high order schemes, the Spalart-Allmaras turbulence closure model, the fully conservative unsteady sliding BC for rotor-stator interaction with extension to full-annulus and single-passage configurations, and the phase lag boundary conditions applied to rotor-stator interface and circumferential BC. A URANS solver is used and captures the NSV flow excitation frequency of 2439 Hz, which agrees reasonably well with the measured NSV frequency of 2600 Hz from strain gage test data. It is observed that the circumferentially traveling vortex formed in the vicinity of the rotor tip propagates at the speed of a non-engine order frequency and causes the NSV. The vortex travels along the suction surface of the blade and crosses the passage outlet near blade trailing edge. Such a vortex motion trajectory repeats in each blade passage and generates two low pressure regions due to the vortex core positions, one at the leading edge and one at the trailing edge, both are oscillating due to the vortex coming and leaving. These two low pressure regions create a pair of coupling forces that generates a torsion moment causing NSV. The full-annulus simulation shows that the circumferentially traveling vortex has fairly periodical behavior and is a full annulus structure. Also, frequencies below the NSV excitation frequency of 2439 Hz with large amplitudes in response to flow-separation related phenomena are present. This behavior is consistent with experimental measurements. For circumferentially averaged parameters like total pressure ratio, NSV is observed to have an effect, particularly at radial locations above 70% span. Therefore, to achieve similar or better total pressure ratio a design with a smaller loading of the upper blade span and a higher loading of the mid blade spans should be considered. A fully-conservative sliding interface boundary condition (BC) is implemented with phase-lag capabilities using the Direct Store method for single-passage simulations. Also Direct Store phase-lag was applied to the circumferential BCs to enforce longer disturbance wavelengths. The unsteady simulation using single-blade-passage with periodic BC for an inlet guide vane (IGV)-rotor configuration captures a 2291 Hz NSV excitation frequency and an IGV-rotor-stator configuration predicts a 2365 Hz NSV excitation frequency with a significantly higher amplitude above 90% span. This correlates closely to the predicted NSV excitation frequency of 2439 Hz for the full-annulus configuration. The two-blade-row configuration exhibits the same vortex structures captured in the full-annulus study. The three-blade-row configuration only captures a tip vortex shedding at the leading edge, which can be attributed to the reflective nature of the BCs causing IGV-rotor-stator interactions to be augmented, becoming dominant and shifting NSV excitation response to engine order regime. Phase-lag simulations with a Nodal Diameter (ND) of 5 is enforced for the circumferential BCs for the three-blade-row configuration, and the results exactly matched the frequency response and flow structures of the periodic simulation, illustrating the small effect that phase-lag has on strongly periodic flow disturbances. A ND of 7 is enforced at the sliding interface, however the NSV excitation completely disappears and only the wake propagation from IGV-Rotor-Stator interactions are captured. Rotor blade passage exhibits a circumferentially travelling vortex similar to those observed in the full-annulus and two-blade-row simulations. This can occur when the rotating instability responsible for the NSV no longer maintains a pressure variation with a characteristic frequency signature as it rotates relative to the rotor rotation, and now has become the beginning of a spike-type stall cell. In this scenario the travelling vortex has become evidence of part-stall of the upper spans of the rotor blade, but stalling is contained maintaining stable operation. In conclusion, an efficient method of capturing NSV excitation has been proposed in a high-fidelity manner, where only 2% of the computational resources used in a full-annulus simulation are required for an accurate single-blade-passage multi-stage simulation.
[Effects of Gukang on bone-source alkaline phosphatase (BALP) and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) in serum of spaying rats].

PubMed

Chen, Yi-fan; Huang, Hong-xing; Li, Ying

2009-02-01

To investigate the effects of Gukang on bone-source alkaline phosphatase (BALP) and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) in serum of spaying rats and the mechanism of curative effect of Gukang on osteoporosis. Sixty-eight 6-month-old SD rats were chosen and randomly divided into blank control group (22 rats with sham operation) and operation group (46 rats with spaying operation). Three months after operation, 10 rats were randomly chosen from each group and tested with bone mineral density in order to determine models of osteoporosis made. After modeling, operation group was divided into 3 sub-groups: operation model group, estrogen group and Gukang group, 12 rars in each group. Twelve rats remained in blank control group. Every group were treated through intragastric administration therapy (volume 10 ml/kg). Blank control group and operation model group were irrigated with distilled water,estrogen group with estrogen and Gukang group with Gukang. Three months after treatment, serum of all groups were collected and tested for E2, BALP and IGF-1 with ELISA. The concentration of serum E2, BALP in estrogen group and Gukang group were higher than operation model group, there were significant difference (P < 0.05), but no significant difference in serum E2 between estrogen group and Gukang group (P > 0.05). The concentration of serum IGF-1 in Gukang group was higher than operation model group and blank control group, there were significant difference (P < 0.05). Gukang can increase the level of E2, BALP and IGF-1 in serum of spaying rats. Thus, it can indirectly promote reproduction of osteoblasts, inhibit activity of osteoclasts and promote bone formation.
Effect of zinc supplementation on lipid peroxidation and lactate levels in rats with diabetes induced by streptozotocin and subjected to acute swimming exercise.

PubMed

Bicer, M; Gunay, M; Baltaci, A K; Uney, K; Mogulkoc, R; Akil, M

2012-01-01

The present study aims to explore the effect of zinc supplementation on lipid peroxidation and lactate levels in rats having diabetes induced by streptozotocin and subjected to acute swimming exercise. A total of 80 adult male rats of Sprague-Dawley type were equally allocated to 8 groups: Group 1, general control. Group 2, zinc-supplemented group. Group 3, zinc-supplemented, diabetic group. Group 4, swimming control group. Group 5, zinc-supplemented swimming group. Group 6, zinc-supplemented diabetic swimming group. Group 7, diabetic swimming group. Group 8, diabetic group. At the end of the 4-week study, blood samples were collected to determine MDA, GSH, GPx, SOD, lactate and zinc levels. The highest MDA values were found in group 7 and 8 (p<0.001). GSH values in groups 5 and 6 were higher (p<0.001). The highest GPx values were established in groups 2, 5 and 6 (p<0.001). SOD values were the highest in groups 5 and 6 (p<0.001) and lowest in groups 2, 3 and 8 (p<0.001). The highest plasma lactate levels were found in group 7 (p<0.001). The highest zinc levels were obtained in groups 1, 2 and 5 (p<0.001), and the lowest zinc levels were found in groups 7 and 8 (p<0.001). Results of the study reveal that zinc supplementation prevents the increase of free radical formation, suppression of antioxidant activity and muscle exhaustion, all of which result from diabetes and acute exercise. Zinc supplementation may contribute to health performance in diabetes and acute exercise (Tab. 2, Fig. 1 Ref. 47). Full Text in PDF www.elis.sk.

When high achievers and low achievers work in the same group: the roles of group heterogeneity and processes in project-based learning.

PubMed

Cheng, Rebecca Wing-yi; Lam, Shui-fong; Chan, Joanne Chung-yan

2008-06-01

There has been an ongoing debate about the inconsistent effects of heterogeneous ability grouping on students in small group work such as project-based learning. The present research investigated the roles of group heterogeneity and processes in project-based learning. At the student level, we examined the interaction effect between students' within-group achievement and group processes on their self- and collective efficacy. At the group level, we examined how group heterogeneity was associated with the average self- and collective efficacy reported by the groups. The participants were 1,921 Hong Kong secondary students in 367 project-based learning groups. Student achievement was determined by school examination marks. Group processes, self-efficacy and collective efficacy were measured by a student-report questionnaire. Hierarchical linear modelling was used to analyse the nested data. When individual students in each group were taken as the unit of analysis, results indicated an interaction effect of group processes and students' within-group achievement on the discrepancy between collective- and self-efficacy. When compared with low achievers, high achievers reported lower collective efficacy than self-efficacy when group processes were of low quality. However, both low and high achievers reported higher collective efficacy than self-efficacy when group processes were of high quality. With 367 groups taken as the unit of analysis, the results showed that group heterogeneity, group gender composition and group size were not related to the discrepancy between collective- and self-efficacy reported by the students. Group heterogeneity was not a determinant factor in students' learning efficacy. Instead, the quality of group processes played a pivotal role because both high and low achievers were able to benefit when group processes were of high quality.
The Effects of Saccharomyces boulardii on Bacterial Translocation in Rats with Obstructive Jaundice

PubMed Central

Geyik, Mehmet Faruk; Aldemir, Mustafa; Hosoglu, Salih; Ayaz, Celal; Satilmis, Selda; Buyukbayram, Huseyin; Kokoglu, Omer Faruk

2006-01-01

INTRODUCTION The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Saccharomyces boulardii treatment on preventing bacterial translocation in an obstructive jaundice animal model. MATERIALS AND METHODS Sixty adult rats were divided into five groups: group 1 – the sham-operated group; group 2 – the common bile duct ligation group; group 3 – the S. boulardii group; group 4 – the ampicillin-sulbaktam group; and group 5 – the S. boulardii plus ampicillin-sulbaktam group. The saline, antibiotics and S. boulardii were given, respectively, for a 7-day period as a single dose per day via temporary orogastric intubation. Seven days following the obstructive jaundice, the animal had laparatomy under sterile conditions. Segments of ileum were removed for histopathological examination. Blood, liver, spleen and mesenteric lymph nodes were taken for microbiological culture. RESULTS Bacterial translocation rates were 0% in the sham-operated group, 83% in group 2, 42% in group 3, 42% in group 4 and 33% in group 5. Bacterial translocation significantly increased in group 2 compared to groups 3, 4 and 5 (P = 0.001). The bacterial counts (CFU/g) of group 2 were significantly higher than those of groups 3, 4 and 5 (P = 0.001). Histopathological examination of ileum specimens revealed a significant decrease in the heights of villi in groups 2–5 compared to the sham-operated group (P = 0.001). The mean villus height in groups 3 and 5 was significantly higher than that of group 4 (P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS S. boulardii was found to be effective in the successful control of translocation and improvement of intestinal barrier function. PMID:16551414
Application of adult attachment theory to group member transference and the group therapy process.

PubMed

Markin, Rayna D; Marmarosh, Cheri

2010-03-01

Although clinical researchers have applied attachment theory to client conceptualization and treatment in individual therapy, few researchers have applied this theory to group therapy. The purpose of this article is to begin to apply theory and research on adult dyadic and group attachment styles to our understanding of group dynamics and processes in adult therapy groups. In particular, we set forth theoretical propositions on how group members' attachment styles affect relationships within the group. Specifically, this article offers some predictions on how identifying group member dyadic and group attachment styles could help leaders predict member transference within the therapy group. Implications of group member attachment for the selection and composition of a group and the different group stages are discussed. Recommendations for group clinicians and researchers are offered. PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved
Human cooperation by lethal group competition.

PubMed

Egas, Martijn; Kats, Ralph; van der Sar, Xander; Reuben, Ernesto; Sabelis, Maurice W

2013-01-01

Why humans are prone to cooperate puzzles biologists, psychologists and economists alike. Between-group conflict has been hypothesized to drive within-group cooperation. However, such conflicts did not have lasting effects in laboratory experiments, because they were about luxury goods, not needed for survival ("looting"). Here, we find within-group cooperation to last when between-group conflict is implemented as "all-out war" (eliminating the weakest groups). Human subjects invested in helping group members to avoid having the lowest collective pay-off, whereas they failed to cooperate in control treatments with random group elimination or with no subdivision in groups. When the game was repeated, experience was found to promote helping. Thus, not within-group interactions alone, not random group elimination, but pay-off-dependent group elimination was found to drive within-group cooperation in our experiment. We suggest that some forms of human cooperation are maintained by multi-level selection: reciprocity within groups and lethal competition among groups acting together.
Group heterogeneity increases the risks of large group size: a longitudinal study of productivity in research groups.

PubMed

Cummings, Jonathon N; Kiesler, Sara; Bosagh Zadeh, Reza; Balakrishnan, Aruna D

2013-06-01

Heterogeneous groups are valuable, but differences among members can weaken group identification. Weak group identification may be especially problematic in larger groups, which, in contrast with smaller groups, require more attention to motivating members and coordinating their tasks. We hypothesized that as groups increase in size, productivity would decrease with greater heterogeneity. We studied the longitudinal productivity of 549 research groups varying in disciplinary heterogeneity, institutional heterogeneity, and size. We examined their publication and citation productivity before their projects started and 5 to 9 years later. Larger groups were more productive than smaller groups, but their marginal productivity declined as their heterogeneity increased, either because their members belonged to more disciplines or to more institutions. These results provide evidence that group heterogeneity moderates the effects of group size, and they suggest that desirable diversity in groups may be better leveraged in smaller, more cohesive units.
Team Attributes, Processes, and Values: A Pedagogical Framework

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Keyton, Joann; Beck, Stephenson J.

2008-01-01

This article proposes a pedagogical framework to help students analyze their group and team interactions. Intersecting five fundamental group attributes (group size, group goal, group member interdependence, group structure, and group identity) with three overarching group processes (leadership, decision making, and conflict management) creates an…
When are emotions related to group-based appraisals? A comparison between group-based emotions and general group emotions.

PubMed

Kuppens, Toon; Yzerbyt, Vincent Y

2014-12-01

In the literature on emotions in intergroup relations, it is not always clear how exactly emotions are group-related. Here, we distinguish between emotions that involve appraisals of immediate group concerns (i.e., group-based emotions) and emotions that do not. Recently, general group emotions, measured by asking people how they feel "as a group member" but without specifying an object for these emotions, have been conceptualized as reflecting appraisals of group concerns. In contrast, we propose that general group emotions are best seen as emotions about belonging to a group. In two studies, general group emotions were closely related to emotions that are explicitly measured as belonging emotions. Two further studies showed that general group emotions were not related to appraisals of immediate group concerns, whereas group-based emotions were. We argue for more specificity regarding the group-level aspects of emotion that are tapped by emotion measures. © 2014 by the Society for Personality and Social Psychology, Inc.
Opposites Detract: Middle School Peer Group Antipathies

PubMed Central

Laursen, Brett; Bukowski, William M.; Nurmi, Jari-Eri; Marion, Donna; Salmela-Aro, Katariina; Kiuru, Noona

2010-01-01

This study examines variability in patterns of peer group antipathy. Same-grade adolescent peer groups were identified from sociometric nominations of preferred affiliates in a community sample of 600 Finnish 9th grade middle school students (M = 15.0 years-old). Hierarchical linear modeling determined characteristics of youth in actor groups (nominators) that predicted antipathy for youth in target groups (nominatees) on the basis of target group characteristics. Most antipathies were based on dissimilarity between groups representing the mainstream culture and groups opposed to it. The higher a peer group's school burnout, the more its members disliked students in peer groups with higher school grades and students in peer groups with higher sports participation. Conversely, the higher a peer group's school grades, the more its members disliked students in peer groups with higher school burnout. Students in peer groups with less problem behavior disliked students in peer groups with more problem behavior. There was some evidence of rivalry within the mainstream culture: The higher a group's school grades, the more its members disliked those in groups whose members participated in sports. PMID:20378125
Fear acquisition and liking of out-group and in-group members: Learning bias or attention?

PubMed

Koenig, Stephan; Nauroth, Peter; Lucke, Sara; Lachnit, Harald; Gollwitzer, Mario; Uengoer, Metin

2017-10-01

The present study explores the notion of an out-group fear learning bias that is characterized by facilitated fear acquisition toward harm-doing out-group members. Participants were conditioned with two in-group and two out-group faces as conditioned stimuli. During acquisition, one in-group and one out-group face was paired with an aversive shock whereas the other in-group and out-group face was presented without shock. Psychophysiological measures of fear conditioning (skin conductance and pupil size) and explicit and implicit liking exhibited increased differential responding to out-group faces compared to in-group faces. However, the results did not clearly indicate that harm-doing out-group members were more readily associated with fear than harm-doing in-group members. In contrast, the out-group face not paired with shock decreased conditioned fear and disliking at least to the same extent that the shock-associated out-group face increased these measures. Based on these results, we suggest an account of the out-group fear learning bias that relates to an attentional bias to process in-group information. Copyright © 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Morphotaxonomic revision of species-groups of Simulium (Simulium) (Diptera: Simuliidae) in the Oriental Region.

PubMed

Takaoka, Hiroyuki

2017-11-24

Species of eight species-groups (seven named and one unnamed) of Simulium (Simulium) Latreille are revised chiefly based on the adult female and male genitalia. Four species-groups are each divided into more than two groups. Thus, the S. christophersi species-group is divided into two (S. christophersi and S. nebulicola species-groups), the S. griseifrons species-group into six (S. griseifrons, S. grossifilum, S. chungi, S. crocinum, S. indicum and S. yadongense species-groups), the S. malyschevi species-group into two (S. malyschevi and S. pavlovskii species-groups), and the S. melanopus species-group into three (S. melanopus, S. dumogaense and S. iridescens species-groups). The S. crassifilum species-group is merged with the S. variegatum species-group. Simulium fulvipes (Ono) of the former S. malyschevi species-group and S. dentastylum Yang, Chen & Luo of Simulium s. str. species unplaced to species-group are removed from the subgenus Simulium because their male styles are subequal in length to the coxites. A revised classification of species of the 15 species-groups including eight new species-groups of Simulium (Simulium) is presented. Keys to 20 species-groups of Simulium (Simulium) in the Oriental Region are provided for adult females and males.
[Effects of granisetron/lidocaine combination on propofol injection-induced pain: a double-blind randomized clinical trial].

PubMed

Ma, Yu-shan; Lin, Xue-mei; Zhou, Jun

2009-05-01

To investigate the alleviation effect of vein pretreatment and granisetron/lidocaine combination on propofol injection-induced pain. Two hundreds patients scheduled for gynaecological laparoscopic operations were randomly divided into four groups: control group (group I), lidocaine group (group II), granisetron group (group III) and granisetron/lidocaine combination group (group IV), with 50 patients in each group. The patients in the above four groups received placebo (saline), lidocaine 20 mg, granisetron 2 mg and granisetron 2 mg plus lidocaine intravenously respectively. The patients were injected with one-forth of scheduled propofol via a dorsal hand vein after one minute of venous occlusion. The pain during the injection of propofol was evaluated. Pain occurred in 84% of patients in the control group, 46% in the lidocaine group, 52% in the granisetron group and 24% in the granisetron/lidocaine combination group. There was a significant reduction in pain incidence in the three experimental groups compared with the control group (P<0.05). The incidence of pain, nausea, vomiting and shivering was less in the granisetron/lidocaine combination group than in the control group (P<0.05). Pretreatment with granisetron/lidocaine may be effective not only in attenuating pains during i.v. injection of propofol, but also in preventing postoperative nausea, vomiting and shivering.
[The protective effect of XD in ConA-induced liver injury].

PubMed

Liu, Xiao-Bin; Wang, Jing; Zhang, Qian-Qian; Liu, Tao; Dang, Tong-Mei; Cao, Yi-Ming

2010-12-01

To explore the protective effect and its mechanism of Modified Xiaochaihu decoction(MXD) in the liver injury of mice. METHORDS: Using Reitman methord to examine serum ALT and ATS; Using sandwich enzyme immunoassay ABC-ELISA to examine serum TNF-α and IFN-γ. Serum ALT and ATS of MXD large dose group and Xiaochaihu decoction (XD )group were lower than that of animal models group, there was significant difference among groups (P<0.05). There were not significant difference (P>0.05) between serum ALT and ATS of MXD small dose group and that of animal models group; MXD large dose group, XD group and Biphenyldimethylesterate (DDB) group are similar, no difference (P>0.05). Serum TNF-α and IFN-γ of MXD large dose group and XD group were significant lower than that of animal models group, there was significant difference among groups (P<0.05). Serum TNF-α and IFN-γ of XD group ware higher than that of MXD large dose group, there was significant difference among groups (P<0.05). MXD large dose group, XD group and DDB group were similar, no difference. Xiaocaihu decoction possesses the effect of pro2 tection of hepatic impairment and the protective mechanism might be associated with the inhibition of apoptosis and immunomodulation.
Within-group behavioural consequences of between-group conflict: a prospective review.

PubMed

Radford, Andrew N; Majolo, Bonaventura; Aureli, Filippo

2016-11-30

Conflict is rife in group-living species and exerts a powerful selective force. Group members face a variety of threats from extra-group conspecifics, from individuals looking for reproductive opportunities to rival groups seeking resources. Theory predicts that such between-group conflict should influence within-group behaviour. However, compared with the extensive literature on the consequences of within-group conflict, relatively little research has considered the behavioural impacts of between-group conflict. We give an overview of why between-group conflict is expected to influence subsequent behaviour among group members. We then use what is known about the consequences of within-group conflict to generate testable predictions about how between-group conflict might affect within-group behaviour in the aftermath. We consider the types of behaviour that could change and how the role of different group members in the conflict can exert an influence. Furthermore, we discuss how conflict characteristics and outcome, group size, social structure and within-group relationship quality might modulate post-conflict behavioural changes. Finally, we propose the need for consistent definitions, a broader range of examined behaviours and taxa, individual-focused data collection, complementary observational and experimental approaches, and a consideration of lasting effects if we are to understand fully the significant influence of between-group conflict on social behaviour. © 2016 The Author(s).
Within-group behavioural consequences of between-group conflict: a prospective review

PubMed Central

Aureli, Filippo

2016-01-01

Conflict is rife in group-living species and exerts a powerful selective force. Group members face a variety of threats from extra-group conspecifics, from individuals looking for reproductive opportunities to rival groups seeking resources. Theory predicts that such between-group conflict should influence within-group behaviour. However, compared with the extensive literature on the consequences of within-group conflict, relatively little research has considered the behavioural impacts of between-group conflict. We give an overview of why between-group conflict is expected to influence subsequent behaviour among group members. We then use what is known about the consequences of within-group conflict to generate testable predictions about how between-group conflict might affect within-group behaviour in the aftermath. We consider the types of behaviour that could change and how the role of different group members in the conflict can exert an influence. Furthermore, we discuss how conflict characteristics and outcome, group size, social structure and within-group relationship quality might modulate post-conflict behavioural changes. Finally, we propose the need for consistent definitions, a broader range of examined behaviours and taxa, individual-focused data collection, complementary observational and experimental approaches, and a consideration of lasting effects if we are to understand fully the significant influence of between-group conflict on social behaviour. PMID:27903869
Dietary Blueberry and Bifidobacteria Attenuate Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Rats by Affecting SIRT1-Mediated Signaling Pathway

PubMed Central

Ren, Tingting; Huang, Chao; Cheng, Mingliang

2014-01-01

NAFLD model rats were established and divided into NAFLD model (MG group), SIRT1 RNAi (SI group), blueberry juice (BJ group), blueberry juice + bifidobacteria (BJB group), blueberry juice + SIRT1 RNAi (BJSI group), and blueberry juice + bifidobacteria + SIRT1 RNAi groups (BJBSI group). A group with normal rats was a control group (CG). BJB group ameliorated NAFLD, which was better than BJ group (P < 0.05). The lipid accumulation was lower in CG, BJ, and BJB groups than that in MG, SI, BJSI, and BJBSI groups (P < 0.05). The levels of SIRT1 and PPAR-α were higher in CG, BJ, and BJB groups than those in MG, SI, BJSI, and BJBSI groups (P < 0.05). The levels of SREBP-1c were lower in CG, BJ, and BJB groups than those in MG, SI, BJSI, and BJBSI groups (P < 0.05). The biochemical indexes SOD, GSH, and HDL-c were improved from CG to BJB group (P < 0.05). Inversely, the levels of AST and ALT, TG, TC, LDL-c, and MDA were decreased from CG to BJB group (P < 0.05). These changes enhance antioxidative capability and biochemical index of rats. Blueberry juice and bifidobacteria improve NAFLD by activating SIRTI-mediating signaling pathway. PMID:25544867
Three new species of Macrelmis Motschulsky (Coleoptera: Elmidae: Elminae) from Southeastern Brazil with new definition of species groups to the genus.

PubMed

Dos Passos, Maria Inês Silva; De Miranda, Gustavo Silva; Nessimian, Jorge Luiz

2015-12-16

Three new species of Macrelmis Motschulsky, 1859 are described and illustrated based on adult males from Rio de Janeiro, Minas Gerais and São Paulo states (southeastern Brazil). A new species groups definition is proposed for the genus, with a redefinition of the former six (aristeae sp. group, celsa sp. group, isus sp. group, granigera sp. group, milleri sp. group and striata sp. group) and designation of four new groups (alea new sp. group, amazonica new sp. group, grandis new sp. group and jureceki new sp. group). The male genitalia of M. clypeata is illustrated for the first time and distributional maps for all species of the genus are provided.
[Mechanism of protective effects of tumor necrosis factor receptor associated protein 1 on hypoxic cardiomyocytes of rats].

PubMed

Xiang, F; Zhang, D X; Ma, S Y; Huang, Y S

2016-12-20

Objective: To investigate the mechanism of protective effects of tumor necrosis factor receptor associated protein 1 (TRAP1) on hypoxic cardiomyocytes of rats. Methods: Primary cultured cardiomyocytes were obtained from neonatal Sprague-Dawley rats (aged 1 to 3 days) and then used in the following experiments. (1) Cells were divided into group TRAP1 and control group according to the random number table (the same grouping method below), and then the total protein of cells was extracted. Total protein of cells in group TRAP1 was added with mouse anti-rat TRAP1 monoclonal antibody, while that in control group was added with the same type of IgG from mouse. Co-immunoprecipitation and protein mass spectrography analysis were used to determine the possible proteins interacted with TRAP1. (2) Cells were divided into normoxia blank control group (NBC), normoxia+ TRAP1 interference control group (NTIC), normoxia+ TRAP1 interference group (NTI), normoxia+ TRAP1 over-expression control group (NTOC), and normoxia+ TRAP1 over-expression group (NTO), with 1 well in each group. Cells in group NBC were routinely cultured, while cells in the latter four groups were respectively added with TRAP1 RNA interference empty virus vector, TRAP1 RNA interference adenovirus vector, TRAP1 over-expression empty virus vector, and TRAP1 over-expression adenovirus vector. Another batch of cells were divided into group NBC, hypoxic blank control group (HBC), hypoxic+ TRAP1 interference control group (HTIC), hypoxic+ TRAP1 interference group (HTI), hypoxic+ TRAP1 over-expression control group (HTOC), and hypoxic+ TRAP1 over-expression group (HTO), with 1 well in each group. Cells in hypoxic groups were under hypoxic condition for 6 hours after being treated as those in the corresponding normoxia groups, respectively. The mRNA expression of cytochrome c oxidase subunit Ⅱ (COXⅡ) of cells in each group was detected by real time fluorescent quantitive reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Experiments were repeated for three times. (3) Cells were divided into group NBC, group HBC, group HTOC, group HTO, hypoxic+ TRAP1 over-expression+ COXⅡinterference control group (HTOCIC), and hypoxic+ TRAP1 over-expression+ COXⅡinterference group (HTOCI), with 3 wells in each group. Cells in the previous 4 groups were treated as those in experiment (2). Cells in group HTOCIC and HTOCI were respectively transfected with COXⅡ RNA interference empty virus vector and COXⅡ RNA interference adenovirus vector, and then both added with TRAP1 over-expression adenovirus vector. The proliferation activity of cells was determined by cell counting kit 8 and microplate reader, and the ratio of death cells was measured by propidium lodide and Hoechst 33342 staining. Another batch of cells were divided into group NBC, group HBC, group HTIC, group HTI, hypoxic+ TRAP1 interference+ COXⅡover-expression control group (HTICOC), and hypoxic+ TRAP1 interference+ COXⅡ over-expression group (HTICO), with 3 wells in each group. Cells in the previous 4 groups were treated as those in experiment (2). Cells in group HTICOC and HTICO were both transfected with TRAP1 RNA interference adenovirus vector, and then respectively added with COXⅡ over-expression empty virus vector and COXⅡ over-expression adenovirus vector. The proliferation activity of cells and the ratio of death cells were detected as before. Experiments were repeated for three times. Data were processed with one-way analysis of variance and LSD test. Results: (1) The expression of TRAP1 was found in cells of group TRAP1, while that was not found in cells of control group. The possible proteins interacted with TRAP1 were keratin, COXⅡ, and an unknown protein with predicted molecular weight 13×10 3 . (2) Compared with that in group NBC, the mRNA expression of COXⅡof cells had no significant change in group NTIC and group NTOC (with P values above 0.05), but significantly decreased in group NTI ( P <0.01), and significantly increased in group NTO ( P <0.01). Compared with that in group NBC, the mRNA expression of COXⅡof cells in group HBC was significantly decreased ( P <0.01). Compared with that in group HBC, the mRNA expression of COXⅡof cells had no significant change in group HTIC and group HTOC (with P values above 0.05), but significantly decreased in group HTI ( P <0.01), and significantly increased in group HTO ( P <0.01). (3) The proliferation activity of cells in group NBC, group HBC, group HTOC, group HTO, group HTOCIC, and group HTOCI was respectively 0.498±0.022, 0.303±0.018, 0.313±0.032, 0.456±0.031, 0.448±0.034, and 0.335±0.026, and the ratios of death cells in above groups were respectively (4.7±1.5)%, (24.7±3.1)%, (26.0±2.7)%, (13.3±2.5)%, (12.7±2.1)%, and (21.0±1.7)%. Compared with those in group NBC, the proliferation activity of cells in HBC was decreased, while the ratio of death cells was increased (with P values below 0.01). Compared with those in group HBC, the proliferation activity of cells and the ratio of death cells in group HTOC had no significant change (with P values above 0.05), while the proliferation activity of cells was increased and the ratio of death cells was decreased in group HTO (with P values below 0.01). Compared with those in group HTO, the proliferation activity of cells and the ratio of death cells in group HTOCIC had no significant change (with P values above 0.05), while the proliferation activity of cells was decreased and the ratio of death cells was increased in group HTOCI (with P values below 0.01). (4) The proliferation activity of cells in group NBC, group HBC, group HTIC, group HTI, group HTICOC, and group HTICO was respectively 0.444±0.025, 0.275±0.016, 0.283±0.021, 0.150±0.009, 0.135±0.011, and 0.237±0.017, and the ratios of death cells in above groups were respectively (3.7±0.6)%, (21.0±2.7)%, (20.3±3.1)%, (31.7±2.5)%, (33.3±3.2)%, and (19.3±1.5)%. Compared with those in group HBC, the proliferation activity of cells and the ratio of death cells in group HTIC had no significant change (with P values above 0.05). Compared with those in group HBC and group HTIC, the proliferation activity of cells was decreased and the ratio of death cells was significantly increased in group HTI (with P values below 0.01). Compared with those in group HTI, the proliferation activity of cells and the ratio of death cells in group HTICOC had no significant change (with P values above 0.05), while the proliferation activity of cells was increased and the ratio of death cells was significantly decreased in group HTICO (with P values below 0.01). Conclusions: TRAP1 can up-regulate the expression of COXⅡ mRNA, and COXⅡ is one of the downstream effector molecules that TRAP1 mediates its protective effects on hypoxic cardiomyocytes.
40 CFR 798.2650 - Oral toxicity.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

...) Control groups. A concurrent control group is required. This group shall be an untreated or sham-treated control group or, if a vehicle is used in administering the test substance, a vehicle control group. If... vehicle control groups are required. (3) Satellite group. (Rodent) A satellite group of 20 animals (10...
40 CFR 798.2650 - Oral toxicity.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

...) Control groups. A concurrent control group is required. This group shall be an untreated or sham-treated control group or, if a vehicle is used in administering the test substance, a vehicle control group. If... vehicle control groups are required. (3) Satellite group. (Rodent) A satellite group of 20 animals (10...
40 CFR 798.2650 - Oral toxicity.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

...) Control groups. A concurrent control group is required. This group shall be an untreated or sham-treated control group or, if a vehicle is used in administering the test substance, a vehicle control group. If... vehicle control groups are required. (3) Satellite group. (Rodent) A satellite group of 20 animals (10...

40 CFR 798.2650 - Oral toxicity.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

...) Control groups. A concurrent control group is required. This group shall be an untreated or sham-treated control group or, if a vehicle is used in administering the test substance, a vehicle control group. If... vehicle control groups are required. (3) Satellite group. (Rodent) A satellite group of 20 animals (10...
40 CFR 798.2650 - Oral toxicity.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

...) Control groups. A concurrent control group is required. This group shall be an untreated or sham-treated control group or, if a vehicle is used in administering the test substance, a vehicle control group. If... vehicle control groups are required. (3) Satellite group. (Rodent) A satellite group of 20 animals (10...
Small Group Cooperative Curriculum and Experimental Evaluation; A Study of Cooperation Training. Final Report.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bloom, Joan R.; And Others

This report describes a project to test the effectiveness of a small-group curriculum designed to teach cooperative group work. The sample of 53 groups of boys and 47 groups of girls was assigned to one of three conditions: (a) established groups, (b) ad hoc groups, and (c) control condition groups. Groups who had training were predicted to choose…
[Total flavones derived from Lagotis brevituba maxim reduce the levels of inflammatory cytokines in cerebral cortex and hippocampus of Alzheimer's disease mice].

PubMed

Yang, Bailing; Hou, Qian; Hu, Feng; Zhang, Fan

2016-07-01

Objective To investigate the mechanism behind the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD) with total flavones derived from Lagotis brevituba maxim (TF-LBM). Methods Fifty SAMP8 mice (aged 8 months) were randomly divided into 5 groups, (150, 300, 600) mg/kg TF-LBM groups, 0.65 g/kg donepezil HCl group and AD model group; 10 SAMR1 mice (aged 8 months) were used as a control group of normal aging. The AD model group and the normal aging control group were given the same volume of distilled water as TF-LBM groups. Eight weeks after intragastric administration, Morris water maze experiment was conducted to calculate the latency of place navigation. After the behavioral experiment, the brain cortical tissue and hippocampus (CA1 region) of the mice from various groups were taken to observe the morphological changes of the cortical tissue and hippocampus and test IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α content. Results Compared with the model group, the escape latency of the normal aging group, the high-dose TF-LBM group and the donepezil HCl group were evidently shortened; compared with the normal aging group, IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-αof the model group increased significantly; compared with the model group, IL-1β content of the low-dose TF-LBM group had no obvious difference, while IL-1β content of the median-dose and high-dose TF-LBM groups and the donepezil HCl group decreased significantly; IL-6 content decreased in all TF-LBM groups and the donepezil HCl group; TNF-α level in the low-dose and median-dose TF-LBM groups had no evident difference, while it was reduced significantly in the high-dose TF-LBM group and the donepezil HCl group. Compared with the normal aging group, IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α content of the model group increased significantly; compared with the model group, IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α content of all TF-LBM groups and the donepezil HCl group decreased. Conclusion TF-LBM can improve the behavior change of SAMP8 mice with AD. TF-LBM can reduce the content of IL-6, IL-1β and TNF-α in cerebral cortex and hippocampus CA1.
The standardized live patient and mechanical patient models--their roles in trauma teaching.

PubMed

Ali, Jameel; Al Ahmadi, Khalid; Williams, Jack Ivan; Cherry, Robert Allen

2009-01-01

We have previously demonstrated improved medical student performance using standardized live patient models in the Trauma Evaluation and Management (TEAM) program. The trauma manikin has also been offered as an option for teaching trauma skills in this program. In this study, we compare performance using both models. Final year medical students were randomly assigned to three groups: group I (n = 22) with neither model, group II (n = 24) with patient model, and group III (n = 24) with mechanical model using the same clinical scenario. All students completed pre-TEAM and post-TEAM multiple choice question (MCQ) exams and an evaluation questionnaire scoring five items on a scale of 1 to 5 with 5 being the highest. The items were objectives were met, knowledge improved, skills improved, overall satisfaction, and course should be mandatory. Students (groups II and III) then switched models, rating preferences in six categories: more challenging, more interesting, more dynamic, more enjoyable learning, more realistic, and overall better model. Scores were analyzed by ANOVA with p < 0.05 being considered statistically significant. All groups had similar scores (means % +/- SD)in the pretest (group I - 50.8 +/- 7.4, group II - 51.3 +/- 6.4, group III - 51.1 +/- 6.6). All groups improved their post-test scores but groups II and III scored higher than group I with no difference in scores between groups II and III (group I - 77.5 +/- 3.8, group II - 84.8 +/- 3.6, group III - 86.3 +/- 3.2). The percent of students scoring 5 in the questionnaire are as follows: objectives met - 100% for all groups; knowledge improved: group I - 91%, group II - 96%, group III - 92%; skills improved: group I - 9%, group II - 83%, group III - 96%; overall satisfaction: group I - 91%, group II - 92%, group III - 92%; should be mandatory: group I - 32%, group II - 96%, group III - 100%. Student preferences (48 students) are as follows: the mechanical model was more challenging (44 of 48); more interesting (40 of 48); more dynamic (46 of 48); more enjoyable (48 of 48); more realistic (32/48), and better overall model (42 of 48). Using the TEAM program, we have demonstrated that improvement in knowledge and skills are equally enhanced by using mechanical or patient models in trauma teaching. However, students overwhelmingly preferred the mechanical model.
The effect of tourniquet usage on cement penetration in total knee arthroplasty: A prospective randomized study of 3 methods.

PubMed

Ozkunt, Okan; Sariyilmaz, Kerim; Gemalmaz, Halil Can; Dikici, Fatih

2018-01-01

It is a randomized study to compare cement penetration on x-rays after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) among 3 different ways to use tourniquets; application during the surgery, application only with implantation prosthesis and with no tourniquet use. A total 69 knees of 59 patients were included in the study in a quasirandom manner. Each patient had physical exams and standard radiographic evaluations at 6 weeks after the TKA procedure. Outcome evaluations included visual analog scale (VAS) scores, Knee Society Scores (KSS), blood transfusion, and drainage status after surgery for all groups. For radiographic review, the tibial plateau was divided into zones in the anterior-posterior and lateral views, according to the Knee Society Scoring System. The average age of the patients who were eligible for the study was 65.05 (range 46-81) years. All 59 patients included in the study were female patients. Group 1 consisted of 24 patients who had TKA with use of a tourniquet during the entire operation. Group 2 consisted of 20 patients who had TKA with use of tourniquet only at the time of cementing and group 3 consisted of 25 patients with no use tourniquet. There is no significant difference in early cement penetration among the groups (group 1 2.50 mm, group 2 2.28 mm, group 3 2.27 mm; group 1 vs 2 P = .083, group 1 vs 3 P = .091, group 2 vs 3 P = .073). There is no significant difference for postoperative drainage among the 3 groups (group 1 245 mL, group 2 258.76 mL, group 3 175.88 mL; group 1 vs 2 P = .081, group 1 vs 3 P = .072, group 2 vs 3 P = .054). There was no need to transfuse more than 1 unit in any patient. The VAS score was significantly higher (group 1 3.58, group 2 1.55, group 3 1.52; group 1 vs 2 P = .022, group 1 vs 3 P = .018, group 2 vs 3 P = .062) and KSS was significantly lower in the tourniquet group (group 1 63, group 2 79, group 3 82; group 1 vs 2 P = .017, group 1 vs 3 P = .02, group 2 vs 3 P = .082). We do not suggest long-duration tourniquet use, which can lead higher pain scores and reduce functional recovery after total knee arthroplasty.
Individualized nutrition intervention is of major benefit to colorectal cancer patients: long-term follow-up of a randomized controlled trial of nutritional therapy.

PubMed

Ravasco, Paula; Monteiro-Grillo, Isabel; Camilo, Maria

2012-12-01

In our published randomized trial in colorectal cancer, group 1 (n = 37) received individualized nutritional counseling and education about regular foods, group 2 (n = 37) received dietary supplements and consumed their usual diet of regular foods, and group 3 (n = 37) consumed their usual diet of regular foods. Neither group 2 nor group 3 received individualized counseling. Early nutritional counseling during radiotherapy was highly effective at reducing acute radiotherapy toxicity and improving nutritional intake/status and quality of life (QoL). Efficacy persisted for 3 mo after the intervention. The objective was to perform long-term follow-up in survivors of that clinical trial to specifically evaluate survival, late toxicity, QoL, and nutritional variables. Medical data were collected from patients' records, and prescheduled interviews were conducted by dietitians for individualized evaluations. Analyses and comparisons between groups (adjusted for stage) were performed after a median follow-up of 6.5 (range: 4.9-8.1) y. Patients complied with the Radiotherapy Department's follow-up protocol. Nutritional deterioration was higher (P < 0.001) in group 3 (n = 26) and group 2 (n = 29) than in group 1 (n = 34). Adequate nutritional status was maintained in 91% of group 1 patients but not in any of the group 3 patients (P < 0.002). Intakes in group 1 were similar to reference values, and the patients adhered to the prescribed recommendations. Intakes in groups 2 and 3 were lower than recommended intakes: group 3 ≃ group 2 < group 1 (P = 0.001). Median survival in group 3 was 4.9 y (30% died), in group 2 was 6.5 y (22% died), and in group 1 was 7.3 y (only 8% died): group 3 > group 2 > group 1 (P < 0.01). Late radiotherapy toxicity was higher in group 3 (n = 17; 65%) and group 2 (n = 17; 59%) than in group 1 (n = 3; 9%): group 3 ≃ group 2 > group 1 (P < 0.001). QoL was worse in groups 3 and 2 than in group 1: group 3 ≃ group 2 < group 1 (P < 0.002). Worse radiotherapy toxicity, QoL, and mortality were associated with deteriorated nutritional status and intake (P < 0.001). Likewise, depleted intake, nutritional status, and QoL predicted shorter survival and late toxicity (HR: 8.25; 95% CI: 2.74, 1.47; P < 0.001). This study conveys novel information about the effectiveness of nutrition at improving long-term prognosis in colorectal cancer. Overall, the data indicate that early individualized nutritional counseling and education during radiotherapy is valuable for patients.
[Integripetal rhodiola herb attenuates high altitude-induced pulmonary arterial remodeling and expression of vascular endothelial growth factor in rats].

PubMed

Bai, Ma-Kang-Zhuo; Guo, Yan; Bian, Ba-Dun-Zhu; Dong, Hai; Wang, Tao; Luo, Feng; Wen, Fu-Qiang; Cui, Chao-Ying

2011-04-25

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of integripetal rhodiola herb on pulmonary arterial remodeling and expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in high altitude pulmonary hypertension in rats. Fifty healthy male Wistar rats were divided into five groups randomly: Plain control group (LC group), 10-day plateau group (H(10) group), 30-day plateau group (H(30) group), 10-day rhodiola-treated plateau group (R(10) group), and 30-day rhodiola-treated plateau group (R(30) group). Each group included 10 rats. The rats in LC group were kept in Chengdu (500 meters above sea level), and rats in H and R groups were kept in Lhasa (3 700 meters above sea level). The rats in R group were daily treated with integripetal rhodiola herb extract (24%, 10 mL/kg) intragastrically for 10 d or 30 d, while rats in LC and H groups were treated with the same volume of saline. Mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP) was detected via a catheter in the pulmonary artery by pressure waveform monitoring. The ratio value of right ventricle weight to left ventricle plus septum weight [RV/(LV + S)] was measured. The microstructure of pulmonary arterioles was examined by electron microscopy. The expression of VEGF in the lung was investigated using immunohistochemistry. The results showed that mPAP and [RV/(LV + S)] in H(10) group and H(30) group were higher than those in LC group (P < 0.05); but there was no significant difference between H(10) group and R(10) group (P < 0.05); and mPAP and [RV/(LV + S)] in H(30) group were lower than those in H(30) group (P < 0.05). Electron microscopy showed that compared to LC group, arteriolar endothelial cells were arranged in a columnar or palisading form, protruding into the lumen, accompanied with luminal stenosis, irregular internal elastic membrane, and proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells in H groups, which was more obvious in H(30) group than in H(10) group; while these pathological changes were attenuated in the R groups compared to H groups. The levels of VEGF protein in H groups were also higher than those in LC group (P < 0.05); while the expression of VEGF in R(30) group was lower than that in H(30) group. In summary, the results show that the integripetal rhodiola herb can attenuate high altitude-induced pulmonary arterial remodeling in rats, and the inhibition of VEGF protein expression by rhodiola may be one of the mechanisms.
[CHANGES OF SEMAPHORIN 3A EXPRESSION IN HEALING OF TIBIA FRACTURE AFTER TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY].

PubMed

Li, Zhengzheng; Zhao, Junwei; Yi, Zhigang; Luo, Wei; Li, Kang; Wang, Yuliang; Wang, Jing; An, Liping; Ma, Jinglin

2016-10-08

To investigate the mechanism of Semaphorin 3A (Sema3A) in fracture healing after nerve injury by observing the expression of Sema3A in the tibia fracture healing after traumatic brain injury (TBI). A total of 192 Wistar female rats, 8-10 weeks old and weighing 220-250 g, were randomly divided into tibia fracture group (group A, n =48), TBI group (group B, n =48), TBI with tibia fracture group (group C, n =48), and control group (group D, n =48). The tibia fracture model was established at the right side of group A; TBI model was made in group B by the improved Feeney method; the TBI and tibia fracture model was made in group C; no treatment was given in group D. The tissue samples were respectively collected at 3, 5, 7, 14, 21, and 28 days after operation; HE staining, immunohistochemistry staining, and Western blot method were used for the location and quantitative detection of Sema3A in callus tissue. HE staining showed that no obvious changes were observed at each time point in groups B and D. At 3 and 5 days, there was no obvious callus growth at fracture site with inflammatory cells and fibrous tissue filling in groups A and C. At 7 and 14 days, fibrous tissue grew from periosteum to fracture site in groups A and C; the proliferation of chondrocytes in exterior periosteum gradually formed osteoid callus at fracture site in groups A and C. The chondrocyte had bigger size, looser arrangement, and more osteoid in group C than group A. Group B had disorder periosteum, slight subperiosteal bone hyperplasia, and no obvious change of bone trabecula in group B when compared with group D. At 21 and 28 days, cartilage callus was gradually replaced by new bone trabecula in groups A and C. Group C had loose arrange, disorder structure, and low density of bone trabecula, big callus area and few chondrocyte and osteoid when compared with group A; group B was similar to Group D. Immunohistochemistry staining showed that Sema3A expression in chondrocytes in group C was higher than that in group A, particularly at 7, 14, and 21 day. Sema3A was significantly higher in osteoblasts of new bone trabecula in group A than group C, especially at 14 and 21 days ( P <0.05). Western blot results showed that the Sema3A had the same expression trend during fracture healing in groups A and C. However, the expression of Sema3A protein was significantly higher in group C than group A ( P <0.05) and in group B than group D ( P <0.05) at 7, 14, 21, and 28 days. Abnormal expression of Sema3A may play a role in fracture healing after nerve injury by promoting the chondrocytes proliferation and reducing the distribution of sensory nerve fibers and osteoblast differentiation.
[Effect of jingui shenqi pill and its disassembled recipes on ovarian functions in shen yang deficiency female rats].

PubMed

Long, Yong-Ling; Li, Zheng-Mu

2013-07-01

To observe the effect of Jingui Shenqi Pill (JSP) and its disassembled recipes (supplementing Shen yang, supplementing Shen yin, and supplementing Shen yang and Shen yin) on ovarian functions of female rats of Shen yang deficiency syndrome (SYDS). Totally 55 SD female rats were randomly divided into 5 groups, i.e., the normal control group, the model group, the Shen yang supplementing group, the Shen yin supplementing group, the Shen yang and Shen yin supplementing group, 11 in each group. Except the normal control group, rats in the rest group were injected with hydrocortisone at the daily dose of 25 mg/kg at the muscle of femoribus internus for 12 successive days. From the 13th day after successful modeling, rats were administered by gastrogavage with different recipes at the dose of 1 mL/100 g (2.75 g/kg Shen yang supplementing recipe; 6.25 g/kg Shen yin supplementing recipe; 6.75 g/kg JSP), once daily for 20 successive days. Equal volume of normal saline was given to those in the normal control group and the model group, once daily for 20 successive days. Blood was withdrawn from the orbit on the 2nd day after intervention. The serum estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P) were detected using ELISA. The weight of uterus and ovarian index (VI) were calculated. The pathological changes were observed by HE staining. The general condition of rats in the Shen yang and Shen yin supplementing group were improved. The body weight (g) was added by 35.0 +/- 12.5 in the normal control group, 16.7 +/- 7.4 in the model group, 20.2 +/- 6.9 in the Shen yang supplementing group, 18.3 +/- 3.6 in the Shen yin supplementing group, and 29.4 +/- 12.2 in the Shen yang and Shen yin supplementing group. The uterus VI (mg/100 g) was 183.4 +/- 11.6 in the normal control group,144.0 +/- 6.5 in the model group,158.7 +/- 6.3 in the Shen yang supplementing group,152.1 +/- 6.9 in the Shen yin supplementing group, and 172.8 +/- 8.1 in the Shen yang and Shen yin supplementing group. The ovarian VI (mg/100 g) were 32.9 +/- 2.4 in the normal control group, 22.6 +/- 1.1 in the model group, 25.0 +/- 1.4 in the Shen yang supplementing group, 23.0 +/- 0.4 in the Shen yin supplementing group, and 31.4 +/- 3.3 in the Shen yang and Shen yin supplementing group. Compared with the model group, the body weight and ovarian VI increased in the Shen yang supplementing group and the Shen yang and Shen yin supplementing group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). The uterus VI increased in each medicated group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Compared with the Shen yang supplementing group and the Shen yin supplementing group, all indices increased in the Shen yang and Shen yin supplementing group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). The E2 and P levels increased in the Shen yang supplementing group and the Shen yang and Shen yin supplementing group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). The content of E2 (pg/mL) was 22.1 +/- 9.4 in the normal control group, 9.8 +/- 3.0 in the model group, 11.3 +/- 2.2 in the Shen yang supplementing group, 10.5 +/- 0.8 in the Shen yin supplementing group, and 16.0 +/- 5.5 in the Shen yang and Shen yin supplementing group. The content of P (ng/mL) was 14.6 +/- 7.5 in the normal control group, 4.3 +/- 1.8 in the model group, 8.3 +/- 2.8 in the Shen yang supplementing group, 5.9 +/- 2.9 in the Shen yin supplementing group, and 9.5 +/- 3.4 in the Shen yang and Shen yin supplementing group. Compared with the Shen yang supplementing group and the Shen yin supplementing group, the E2 level increased in the Shen yang and Shen yin supplementing group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Compared with the Shen yin supplementing group, the P level increased in the Shen yang and Shen yin supplementing group (P < 0.05). Compared with the model group, the ovarian follicle at each stage increased and pathological follicular ovarian follicles decreased in the Shen yang and Shen yin supplementing group (P < 0.01). Less primary follicles, secondary follicles, and mature follicles could be seen in the Shen yang supplementing group and the Shen yin supplementing group. The total numbers of all-level follicles were obviously higher in the Shen yang and Shen yin supplementing group than in the Shen yang supplementing group and the Shen yin supplementing group (P < 0.05). The number of pathological follicles was obviously less in the Shen yang and Shen yin supplementing group than in the Shen yin supplementing group (P < 0.05). As for SYDS, JSP and its dissembled recipes could improve damaged ovarian functions to some degree. But better effect could not be obtained by Shen yang supplementing method or Shen yin supplementing method alone. Shen yang and Shen yin supplementing method could elevate the efficacy.
[Effects of glutamine induced heat shock protein 70 overexpression on atrial fibrosis and connexin 43 remodeling in isoprenaline-treated rats].

PubMed

Bao, Hong-Gang; Zhang, Wei-Ze; Ma, Ling; Li, Tao; Wang, Fei; Chen, Yong-Qing

2013-04-01

To explore the effects of glutamine (Gln) induced heat shock protein 70(Hsp70) overexpression on atrial fibrosis and connexin 43 remodeling in isoprenaline(ISO)treated rats and related mechanisms. Forty male SD rats were randomly divided into five groups (n = 8 each group): control group, DMSO group, ISO 5 mg×kg(-1)×d(-1) group (Fibrosis group), ISO 5 mg×kg(-1)×d(-1) + Ala-Gln 0.75 mg×kg(-1)×d(-1) group (Intervention group) and ISO 5 mg×kg(-1)×d(-1) + QUE 100 mg× kg(-1)×d(-1) + Ala-Gln 0.75 mg×kg(-1)×d(-1) + DMSO group (QUE group).Rats were killed after 7 d. The AngII expression in myocardial tissue was detected by radioimmunoassay; myocardial fibrosis was observed by HE staining.Collagen volume fractions were quantified by Masson staining and as the indicators of atrial fibrosis. The expressions of Hsp70, p-JNK1/2/3, c-Jun and Cx43 were determined with immunohistochemical method. AngII content was similar between the control group [(68.51 ± 10.76) pg/L] and DMSO [(71.47 ± 11.49) pg/L] group (P > 0.05), and significantly increased in fibrosis group [(211.25 ± 49.49) pg/L], intervention group [(185.32 ± 54.85) pg/L] and QUE [(189.90 ± 42.12) pg/L] group (P < 0.01 vs. control group). Atrial fibrosis was significantly higher in the fibrosis group [(29.485 ± 9.966)%] and QUE group [(25.060 ± 8.581)%] but not in the intervention group [(7.861 ± 1.867)%] compared to control group [(6.842 ± 1.674)%] and DMSO group [(7.108 ± 1.343)%]. The expression of Hsp70 was similar among the control group (0.160 ± 0.023), DMSO group (0.163 ± 0.022), fibrosis group (0.166 ± 0.028) and QUE (0.168 ± 0.027) group (P > 0.05) while significantly upregulated in the intervention group (0.215 ± 0.018) (P < 0.01 vs. control group). The expressions of p-JNK1/2/3 and c-Jun were similar between control group (0.151 ± 0.016;0.163 ± 0.022) and DMSO group (0.154 ± 0.021;0.164 ± 0.024)(P > 0.05), while significantly upregulated in fibrosis group (0.202 ± 0.025; 0.254 ± 0.044) and QUE group (0.196 ± 0.024; 0.251 ± 0.027) (P < 0.01 vs. control group) but not in intervention group (0.160 ± 0.025; 0.168 ± 0.024)were not changed obviously (P > 0.05 vs. control group). The content of Cx43 was similar between control group and DMSO group (0.231 ± 0.035 vs. 0.220 ± 0.032, P > 0.05), and was linearly distributed in intercalated disc of the cardiomyocytes, however, the content of Cx43 was significantly reduced (P < 0.01) and the Cx43 distribution was disordered in fibrosis group (0.163 ± 0.013) and QUE group (0.165 ± 0.024), while these changes were not found in intervention group. Glutamine could reduce the atrial fibrosis and Cx43 remodeling in isoprenaline-treated rats by up-regulating Hsp70 and inhibiting JNK signaling pathway activation through down-regulating p-JNK1/2/3 and c-Jun expression.
Human cooperation by lethal group competition

PubMed Central

Egas, Martijn; Kats, Ralph; van der Sar, Xander; Reuben, Ernesto; Sabelis, Maurice W.

2013-01-01

Why humans are prone to cooperate puzzles biologists, psychologists and economists alike. Between-group conflict has been hypothesized to drive within-group cooperation. However, such conflicts did not have lasting effects in laboratory experiments, because they were about luxury goods, not needed for survival (“looting”). Here, we find within-group cooperation to last when between-group conflict is implemented as “all-out war” (eliminating the weakest groups). Human subjects invested in helping group members to avoid having the lowest collective pay-off, whereas they failed to cooperate in control treatments with random group elimination or with no subdivision in groups. When the game was repeated, experience was found to promote helping. Thus, not within-group interactions alone, not random group elimination, but pay-off-dependent group elimination was found to drive within-group cooperation in our experiment. We suggest that some forms of human cooperation are maintained by multi-level selection: reciprocity within groups and lethal competition among groups acting together. PMID:23459158
Ganging up or sticking together? Group processes and children's responses to text-message bullying.

PubMed

Jones, Siân E; Manstead, Antony S R; Livingstone, Andrew G

2011-02-01

Drawing on social identity theory and intergroup emotion theory (IET), we examined group processes underlying bullying behaviour. Children were randomly assigned to one of three groups: a perpetrator's group, a target's group, or a third party group. They then read a gender-consistent scenario in which the norm of the perpetrator's group (to be kind or unkind towards others) was manipulated, and an instance of cyberbullying between the perpetrator's group and a member of the target's group was described. It was found that group membership, group norms, and the proposed antecedents of the group-based emotions of pride, shame, and anger (but not guilt) influenced group-based emotions and action tendencies in ways predicted by social identity and IET. The results underline the importance of understanding group-level emotional reactions when it comes to tackling bullying, and show that being part of a group can be helpful in overcoming the negative effects of bullying. ©2010 The British Psychological Society.
21 CFR 874.3320 - Group hearing aid or group auditory trainer.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Group hearing aid or group auditory trainer. 874... SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES EAR, NOSE, AND THROAT DEVICES Prosthetic Devices § 874.3320 Group hearing aid or group auditory trainer. (a) Identification. A group hearing aid or group auditory trainer...
21 CFR 874.3320 - Group hearing aid or group auditory trainer.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2012-04-01 2012-04-01 false Group hearing aid or group auditory trainer. 874... SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES EAR, NOSE, AND THROAT DEVICES Prosthetic Devices § 874.3320 Group hearing aid or group auditory trainer. (a) Identification. A group hearing aid or group auditory trainer...
21 CFR 874.3320 - Group hearing aid or group auditory trainer.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2014-04-01 2014-04-01 false Group hearing aid or group auditory trainer. 874... SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES EAR, NOSE, AND THROAT DEVICES Prosthetic Devices § 874.3320 Group hearing aid or group auditory trainer. (a) Identification. A group hearing aid or group auditory trainer...
21 CFR 874.3320 - Group hearing aid or group auditory trainer.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Group hearing aid or group auditory trainer. 874... SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES EAR, NOSE, AND THROAT DEVICES Prosthetic Devices § 874.3320 Group hearing aid or group auditory trainer. (a) Identification. A group hearing aid or group auditory trainer...
Some Critical Differences between Self-Help and Therapy Groups.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Riordan, Richard J.; Beggs, Marilyn S.

1988-01-01

Presents a scheme for addressing differences between self-help groups and therapy groups, characterizing a list of group work parameters according to emphasis placed on each in therapy groups in contrast with self-help groups. Distinguishes between support groups, started by professional helping organizations or individuals, and self-help groups,…
Using Telestrations™ to Illustrate Small Group Communication Principles

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Fedesco, Heather Noel

2014-01-01

This single class activity described here: (1) illustrates the importance of interdependence in groups; (2) can be used to measure group productivity and performance; (3) can encourage groups to engage in group learning; and (4) can facilitate group cohesion for newly formed groups. Students will be working in groups for the majority of their…
Deviance as adherence to injunctive group norms: the overlooked role of social identification in deviance.

PubMed

Crane, Monique F; Platow, Michael J

2010-12-01

We currently report three studies investigating group members' expressions of dissatisfaction and discontent with the behaviour and attitudes of their in-group members. Our analysis examines the context in which group members will deviate from actual group member behaviour. We argue that highly identifying group members will challenge fellow group member behaviour when that group member behaviour is perceived to violate injunctive group norms. Further, we predicted that high identifiers would still challenge such group member behaviour even if that behaviour were conducted by a majority of group members. Thus, high identifiers were predicted to express descriptively deviant opinions when the behaviour of other members contravenes injunctive group norms. In Studies 1 and 2, group-level self-definition served as a moderator in the relationship between the expression of discontent and perceived injunctive norm violation; in Study 3, group-level self-investment served as this moderator. The findings supported our predictions. This support was particularly strong when a majority of group members violated group norms. Implications for the analysis of the relationship between social identification and deviance are discussed.

Biliopancreatic duct injection of ethanol as an experimental model of acute and chronic pancreatitis in rats

PubMed Central

Unal, Ethem; Atalay, Suleyman; Tolan, Huseyin Kerem; Yuksekdag, Sema; Yucel, Metin; Acar, Aylin; Basak, Fatih; Gunes, Pembegul; Bas, Gurhan

2015-01-01

In the present study, we described an easily reproducable experimental pancreatits model induced by biliopancreatic duct injection of ethyl alcohol. Seventy Wistar albino rats were divided equally into seven groups randomly: the control group (group 1), acute pancreatitis groups; induced by 20% ethanol (group 2), 48% ethanol (group 3), 80% ethanol (group 4), chronic pancreatitis groups; induced by 20% ethanol (group 5), 48% ethanol (group 6) and by 80% ethanol (group 7). Acute pancreatitis groups were sacrified on postoperative day 3, while the control group and chronic pancreatitis groups were killed on postoperative day 7. Histopathologic evaluation was done, and P < 0.05 was accepted as statistically significant. All rats in group 3 developed acute pancreatitis (100%). Inflammatory infiltration of neutrophils and mononuclear cells, interstitial edema, and focal necrotic areas were seen in the pancreatic tissues. Similarly, all rats in group 6 developed chronic pancreatitis (100%). Interstitial fibrosis, lymphotic infiltration, ductal dilatation, acinar cell atrophy, periductal hyperplasia were seen in the pancreatic tissues. Mortality was seen only in group 7. The biliopancreatic ductal injection of 48% ethanol induced acute and chronic pancreatitis has 100% success rate. PMID:25785001
Neuroprotective effects of agmatine in experimental peripheral nerve injury in rats: a prospective randomized and placebo-controlled trial.

PubMed

Sezer, Aykut; Guclu, Bulent; Kazanci, Burak; Cakir, Murteza; Coban, Mustafa Kemal

2014-01-01

The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the activity of agmatine, an inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) inhibitor and selective N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) antagonist, on reducing tissue damage in distal part of traumatic nerve in an experimental rat peripheral nerve injury model. Sciatic nerves of 30 Sprague Dawley male rats were used. Rats were divided into 5 groups; group 1 (n=6), control group; group 2 (n=6), axonotmesis + placebo group; group 3 (n=6), axonotmesis + 50 mg/kg agmatine treatment group; group 4 (n=6), neurotmesis + placebo group; group 5 (n=6), neurotmesis + 50 mg/kg agmatine treatment group. Axonolysis, axon degeneration, edema, hemorrhage, and inflammation were evaluated in histopathologic examinations of all the groups. When group 2 was compared with group 3 in histopathologic sections, axonolysis was less in group 3 (p=0.007), as was axon degeneration (p=0.022) and edema (p=0.018). When group 4 was compared with group 5, axonolysis was less in group 5 (p=0.009), as was axon degeneration (p=0.006) and edema (p=0.021). This study demonstrated agmatine to have antioxidant and antineurotoxic effects in an experimental rat peripheral nerve injury model.
Src inhibitor reduces permeability without disturbing vascularization and prevents bone destruction in steroid-associated osteonecrotic lesions in rabbits.

PubMed

He, Yi-Xin; Liu, Jin; Guo, Baosheng; Wang, Yi-Xiang; Pan, Xiaohua; Li, Defang; Tang, Tao; Chen, Yang; Peng, Songlin; Bian, Zhaoxiang; Liang, Zicai; Zhang, Bao-Ting; Lu, Aiping; Zhang, Ge

2015-03-09

To examine the therapeutic effect of Src inhibitor on the VEGF mediating vascular hyperpermeability and bone destruction within steroid-associated osteonecrotic lesions in rabbits. Rabbits with high risk for progress to destructive repair in steroid-associated osteonecrosis were selected according to our published protocol. The selected rabbits were systemically administrated with either Anti-VEGF antibody (Anti-VEGF Group) or Src inhibitor (Src-Inhibition Group) or VEGF (VEGF-Supplement Group) or a combination of VEGF and Src inhibitor (Supplement &Inhibition Group) or control vehicle (Control Group) for 4 weeks. At 0, 2 and 4 weeks after administration, in vivo dynamic MRI, micro-CT based-angiography, histomorphometry and immunoblotting were employed to evaluate the vascular and skeletal events in different groups. The incidence of the destructive repair in the Anti-VEGF Group, Src-Inhibition Group and Supplement &Inhibition Group was all significantly lower than that in the Control Group. The angiogenesis was promoted in VEGF-Supplement Group, Src-Inhibition Group and Supplement &Inhibition Group, while the hyperpermeability was inhibited in Anti-VEGF Group, Src-Inhibition Group and Supplement &Inhibition Group. The trabecular structure was improved in Src-Inhibition Group and Supplement &Inhibition Group. Src inhibitor could reduce permeability without disturbing vascularization and prevent destructive repair in steroid-associated osteonecrosis.
Evaluation of the effects of fulvestrant and micronized progesterone on the post-operative adhesion formation and ovarian reserve in rat model with immunohistochemical and biochemical analysis.

PubMed

Oner, Gokalp; Ulug, Pasa; Demirci, Elif; Kumtepe, Yakup; Gündogdu, Cemal

2015-01-01

To evaluate the effects of fulvestrant and micronized progesterone on post-operative adhesion formation and ovarian reserve in a rat uterine horn adhesion. In this prospective randomized controlled trial, 32 female Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into four groups including control group (Group 1), the control adhesion group (Group 2), 1 mg/kg daily intramuscular fulvestrant received group (Group 3) and 1 mg/kg daily oral micronized progesterone received group (Group 4). The extent and severity of adhesions were scored and samples were taken from adhesion areas to investigate the grades of adhesions according to the immunohistochemical scoring system. Ovarian reserves were measured with anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) and histological ovarian follicles count. The extent, severity and total adhesion scores were reduced in all treatment groups compared to control adhesion group (Group 2). Similarly, immunohistochemical adhesion scores were lower in the treatment groups. AMH and follicle count were significantly found lower in adhesion groups compared with control group. However, treatment groups were found to have higher ovarian reserve compared to control adhesion group (Group 2). Fulvestrant and micronized progesterone were found to reduce post-operative adhesion formations and have decreased detrimental effects of adhesion formation on ovarian reserve.
Student Use of Out-of-Class Study Groups in an Introductory Undergraduate Biology Course

PubMed Central

Rybczynski, Stephen M.; Schussler, Elisabeth E.

2011-01-01

Self-formed out-of-class study groups may benefit student learning; however, few researchers have quantified the relationship between study group use and achievement or described changes in study group usage patterns over a semester. We related study group use to performance on content exams, explored patterns of study group use, and qualitatively described student perceptions of study groups. A pre- and posttest were used to measure student content knowledge. Internet-based surveys were used to collect quantitative data on exam performance and qualitative data on study group usage trends and student perceptions of study groups. No relationship was found between gains in content knowledge and study group use. Students who participated in study groups did, however, believe they were beneficial. Four patterns of study group use were identified: students either always (14%) or never (55%) used study groups, tried but quit using them (22%), or utilized study groups only late in the semester (9%). Thematic analysis revealed preconceptions and in-class experiences influence student decisions to utilize study groups. We conclude that students require guidance in the successful use of study groups. Instructors can help students maximize study group success by making students aware of potential group composition problems, helping students choose group members who are compatible, and providing students materials on which to focus their study efforts. PMID:21364102
Effects of Urtica dioica on hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats.

PubMed

Kandis, Hayati; Karapolat, Sami; Yildirim, Umran; Saritas, Ayhan; Gezer, Suat; Memisogullari, Ramazan

2010-01-01

To evaluate the effects of Urtica dioica on hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury. Thirty adult male Wistar albino rats were divided into three groups: sham group (group 1), control group (group 2), and Urtica dioica group (group 3). All the rats were exposed to hepatic ischemia for 60 min, followed by 60 min of reperfusion. In group 2, a total of 2 ml/kg 0.9% saline solution was given intraperitoneally. In group 3, a total of 2 ml/kg Urtica dioica was given intraperitoneally. At the end of the procedure, liver tissue and blood samples were taken from all rats. Serum aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, ceruloplasmin, catalase, paraoxonase, arylesterase, and lipid hydroperoxide levels were measured. Liver tissue histopathologies were also evaluated by light microscopy. Serum aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase and lactate dehydrogenase levels were significantly higher in group 2 than in group 1, and significantly lower in group 3 than in group 2. Also, group 2 had higher serum lipid hydroperoxides and ceruloplasmin levels but lower catalase, paraoxonase, and arylesterase levels than group 1. In group 3, serum lipid hydroperoxides and ceruloplasmin levels were significantly lower, and catalase, paraoxonase, and arylesterase levels were higher than those in group 2. Histopathological examination showed that liver tissue damage was significantly decreased in group 3 compared with group 2. Urtica dioica has a protective effect on the liver in hepatic ischemia-reperfusion-injured rats.
Effects of flurbiprofen axetil on postoperative serum IL-2 and IL-6 levels in patients with colorectal cancer.

PubMed

Jiang, W W; Wang, Q H; Peng, P; Liao, Y J; Duan, H X; Xu, M; Li, Y; Zhang, P B

2015-12-09

We explored the effects of flurbiprofen axetil on interleukin (IL)-2 and IL-6 levels in postoperative patients with colorectal cancer. A total of 120 patients (American Society of Anesthesiologists I and II) scheduled to undergo colorectal cancer surgery were randomly divided into 3 groups (N = 40 in each group): flurbiprofen axetil group (group F), morphine group (group M), and tramadol group (group T). Group M received 0.1 mg/kg morphine, group T received 1.5 mg/kg tramadol, and group F received 1.5 mg/kg flurbiprofen axetil. Patients in the 3 groups were administered treatments through intravenous injection 10 min before surgery. Serum IL-2 and IL-6 levels were detected. Postoperative adverse reactions were recorded, such as nausea, vomiting, and pruritus. The serum IL-6 level of the 3 groups increased 3 h after surgery. Compared with group M, IL-6 level was higher in group T and group F at 1 day after the surgery, and the differences between group M and the other groups were significant (P < 0.05). Moreover, the incidence of adverse reactions was significantly different among 3 groups (P < 0.05). Flurbiprofen axetil promoted the secretion of IL-2 and inhibited IL-6; additionally, flurbiprofen axetil may have a lower incidence of adverse reactions compared to other treatments.
Study about the effects of different fitness sports on cognitive function and emotion of the aged.

PubMed

Zhang, Xinan; Ni, Xiaomei; Chen, Peijie

2014-12-01

The aim of the study was to explore the effects of different fitness sports on cognitive function and emotion of the aged people. A total of 150 subjects aged between 60 and 70 were recruited from Shenyang Aged University and elderly activity center. All subjects reported no fitness before this study. The aged subjects were divided into five groups, included swimming group (A group), running group (B group), square dancing group (C group), Tai Chi group (D group) and control group (E group) with 30 people in each group. Subjects in each group received exercise intervention continued for 18 months. At baseline, 6, 12 and 18 months after intervention, the P300 test, SECF, HAMD and HAMA scale evaluations were performed. Compared to E group, the P2, N2 and P3 latency and response time in the D group after intervention for 6 months, and in the A-C groups after intervention for 12 months were significantly prolonged. The anxiety symptom and depression levels in the A-D groups after intervention for 12 months were significantly decreased when compared to E group (P < 0. 01), where significantly improved compared with the E group (P < 0. 01). The effect of exercise intervention for Tai Chi group was the most significant. Different fitness sports have marked beneficial effect on cognitive function and emotion of the aged people, especially the Tai Chi exercise.
Protective effects of boron and vitamin E on ethylene glycol-induced renal crystal calcium deposition in rat.

PubMed

Bahadoran, H; Naghii, M R; Mofid, M; Asadi, M H; Ahmadi, K; Sarveazad, A

2016-10-01

Kidney stone disease is a common form of renal disease. Antioxidants, such as vitamin E (Vit E) and boron, are substances that reduce the damage caused by oxidation. Adult male rats were divided into 5 groups (n=6). In group 1, rats received standard food and water for 28 days (control group); in group 2, standard rodent food and water with 0.75% ethylene glycol/d (dissolved in drinking water) (EG Group); in group 3, similar to group 2, with 3 mg of boron/d (dissolved in water) (EG+B Group); in group 4, similar to group 2, with 200 IU of vitamin E injected intraperitoneally on the first day and the 14th day, (EG+Vit E Group); in group 5, mix of groups 3 and 4, respectively (EG+B+Vit E Group). Kidney sections showed that crystals in the EG group increased significantly in comparison with the control group. Crystal calcium deposition score in groups of EG+B (160), EG+Vit E, and EG+B+Vit E showed a significant decrease compared to EG group. Measurement of the renal tubules area and renal tubular epithelial histological score showed the highest significant dilation in the EG group. Tubular dilation in the EG+B+Vit E group decreased compared to the EG+B and EG+Vit E groups. Efficient effect of boron and Vit E supplements, separately and in combination, has a complimentary effect in protection against the formation of kidney stones, probably by decreasing oxidative stress.
Evaluation of nutritional status and support in children with congenital heart disease.

PubMed

Blasquez, A; Clouzeau, H; Fayon, M; Mouton, J-B; Thambo, J-B; Enaud, R; Lamireau, T

2016-04-01

The objective of this disease was to determine the prevalence of malnutrition in children with congenital heart disease (CHD). A total of 125 children with CHD, under 6 months of age, were divided into four groups: no pulmonary hypertension (PH) or cyanosis (group 1, n=47), isolated cyanosis (group 2, n=52), isolated PH (group 3, n=16), and PH and cyanosis (group 4, n=10). Six children died at 6 months (n=4), 12 months (n=1) and 19 months (n=1). The remaining children were followed-up for 24 months. Prevalence of moderate to severe malnutrition (weight/weight for height <80%), caloric intake and medications were compared between the four groups. Moderate or severe malnutrition was more frequent in group 4 (100%) compared with others groups (group 1, 20%; group 2, 16.7% and group 3, 50%; P<0.05). Low oral caloric intake was more frequent in group 3 (71.4%) and group 4 (75%) than in group 1 (28%) and 2 (28.6%) (P<0.05). Food enrichment was practised in half of the children of group 4 and rarely in other groups (group 1, 15.8%; group 2, 8.6% and group 3, 11.1%; P<0.05). Enteral feeding was used more often in groups 3 (33.3%) and 4 (50%) than in groups 1 (15.8%) or 2 (14.3%; P<0.05). Moderate or severe malnutrition is present in 15% of children with CHD, and it is more frequent in case of PH. Half of these children demonstrate low caloric intake, whereas few have proper nutritional support.
Study on perfume stimulating olfaction with volatile oil of Acorus gramineus for treatment of the Alzheimer's disease rat.

PubMed

Liu, Zhi-Bin; Niu, Wen-Min; Yang, Xiao-Hang; Wang, Yuan; Wang, Wei-Gang

2010-12-01

To probe into the therapeutic effect of perfume stimulating olfaction with volatile oil of Acorus Gramineus on the Alzheimer's disease (AD) rat. Totally 50 adult SD rats, male,weighing 300 +/- 10 g, were randomly divided into 5 groups, normal group (group A), olfactory nerve severing model group (group B), AD model group (group C), AD model plus perfume stimulation group (group D), AD model olfactory nerve severing plus perfume stimulation group (group E), 10 rats in each group. After perfume stimulation, Morris maze test was conducted for valuating the learning and memory ability; Malondaldehyde (MDA) content, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities in the brain, and the brain weight were detected. Compared with the AD model group, the average escape latency and swimming distance in 6 days were significantly shorter than those in the group A, B, D (P < 0.01), with no significant differences between the group C and the group E (P > 0.05); Compared with the group A, B and D, MDA content in the group C significantly increased (P < 0.01), and SOD and GSH-Px activities significantly decreased (P < 0.01), and brain weight/body weight decreased significantly in the group C (P < 0.01), with no significant differences between the group C and the group E (P > 0.05). Perfume stimultating olfaction with volatile oil of Acorus Gramineus can significantly increase the learning-memory ability, decrease MDA content and increase SOD and GSH-Px activities and weight of brain in AD rats.
Ameliorating effects of tempol on methotrexate-induced liver injury in rats.

PubMed

Pınar, Neslihan; Kaplan, Mahir; Özgür, Tümay; Özcan, Oğuzhan

2018-06-01

Methotrexate (MTX) is used in the treatment of certain types of cancers and chronic inflammatory illnesses, although the clinical use of MTX is limited due to its adverse effects, the most common of which are hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity. In the present study, we demonstrate the protecting influence of tempol related to oxidative stress in MTX-induced liver toxicity in rats using histopathological and biochemical parameters. The rats were divided into four groups: control group (group 1), tempol group (group 2), MTX group (group 3) and MTX + tempol group (group 4). The control group (group 1) received physiological saline for 10 days; the tempol group (group 2) received 30 mg/kg i.p. for 10 days, the MTX group (group 3) received a single dose of 20 mg/kg intraperitoneal (i.p.) on the fourth day of the study, and the MTX + tempol group (group 4) received a single dose of 20 mg/kg i.p. on the fourth day, followed by tempol 30 mg/kg i.p. for 10 days. Malondialdehyde (MDA), myeloperoxidase (MPO), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels were found to be significantly lower in the MTX + tempol group then in the MTX group; while superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) levels were found to be higher in the MTX + tempol group than in the MTX group. Tempol ameliorates vacuolic degeneration, inflammation and necrosis in MTX-treated rats. Our study demonstrates that tempol treatment after MTX administration ameliorates oxidative damage in liver tissue in rats. Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS.
Milligan-Morgan hemorrhoidectomy with anal cushion suspension and partial internal sphincter resection for circumferential mixed hemorrhoids.

PubMed

Lu, Ming; Shi, Guang-Ying; Wang, Guo-Qiang; Wu, Yan; Liu, Yang; Wen, Hao

2013-08-14

To identify a more effective treatment protocol for circumferential mixed hemorrhoids. A total of 192 patients with circumferential mixed hemorrhoids were randomized into the treatment group, where they underwent Milligan-Morgan hemorrhoidectomy with anal cushion suspension and partial internal sphincter resection, or the control group, where traditional external dissection and internal ligation were performed. Postoperative recovery and complications were monitored. The time to wound healing was 12.96 ± 2.25 d in the treatment group shorter than 19.58 ± 2.71 d in the control group. Slight pain rate was 58.3% in the treatment group higher than 22.9% in the control group; moderate pain rate was 33.3% in the treatment group lower than 56.3% in the control group severe pain rate was 8.4% in the treatment group lower than 20.8% in the control group. No edema rate was 70.8% in the treatment group higher than 43.8% in the control group; mild local edema rate was 26% in the treatment group lower than 39.6% in the control group obvious local edema was 3.03% in the treatment group lower than 16.7% in the control group. No stenosis rate was 85.4% in the treatment group higher than 63.5% in the control group; moderate stenosis rate was 14.6% in the treatment group Lower than 27.1% in the control group severe anal stenosis rate was 0% in the treatment group lower than 9.4% in the control group. Milligan-Morgan hemorrhoidectomy with anal cushion suspension and partial internal sphincter resection is the optimal treatment for circumferential mixed hemorrhoids and can be widely applied in clinical settings.
Milligan-Morgan hemorrhoidectomy with anal cushion suspension and partial internal sphincter resection for circumferential mixed hemorrhoids

PubMed Central

Lu, Ming; Shi, Guang-Ying; Wang, Guo-Qiang; Wu, Yan; Liu, Yang; Wen, Hao

2013-01-01

AIM: To identify a more effective treatment protocol for circumferential mixed hemorrhoids. METHODS: A total of 192 patients with circumferential mixed hemorrhoids were randomized into the treatment group, where they underwent Milligan-Morgan hemorrhoidectomy with anal cushion suspension and partial internal sphincter resection, or the control group, where traditional external dissection and internal ligation were performed. Postoperative recovery and complications were monitored. RESULTS: The time to wound healing was 12.96 ± 2.25 d in the treatment group shorter than 19.58 ± 2.71 d in the control group. Slight pain rate was 58.3% in the treatment group higher than 22.9% in the control group; moderate pain rate was 33.3% in the treatment group lower than 56.3% in the control group severe pain rate was 8.4% in the treatment group lower than 20.8% in the control group. No edema rate was 70.8% in the treatment group higher than 43.8% in the control group; mild local edema rate was 26% in the treatment group lower than 39.6% in the control group obvious local edema was 3.03% in the treatment group lower than 16.7% in the control group. No stenosis rate was 85.4% in the treatment group higher than 63.5% in the control group; moderate stenosis rate was 14.6% in the treatment group Lower than 27.1% in the control group severe anal stenosis rate was 0% in the treatment group lower than 9.4% in the control group. CONCLUSION: Milligan-Morgan hemorrhoidectomy with anal cushion suspension and partial internal sphincter resection is the optimal treatment for circumferential mixed hemorrhoids and can be widely applied in clinical settings. PMID:23946609
Evaluation of nanoselenium (Nano-Se) effect on hematological and serum biochemical parameters of rat in experimentally lead poisoning.

PubMed

Dehkordi, A Jafari; Mohebbi, A N; Aslani, M R; Ghoreyshi, S M

2017-04-01

The present study was designed to evaluate the effect of nanoselenium (Nano-Se) on hematological and biochemical parameters of rats experimentally intoxicated with lead (Pb). Thirty male rats were randomly divided into six groups as follows: the control, selenite, Nano-Se, Pb group, Pb + selenite, and Pb + Nano-Se groups. After 35 days, blood was collected from rats and hematology and serum biochemical parameters of oxidative stress were measured. The thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) level of Pb group was significantly higher than other groups. Also, TBARS level was significantly lower in the Pb + Nano-Se group than Pb + selenite group. The serum superoxide dismutase activities were significantly lower in Pb group than the control, Pb + selenite, and Pb + Nano-Se groups. The catalase activities in the Pb group showed no significant change when compared to other groups. In the Pb group, packed cell volume was lower than the control group. A significant difference was observed between the control group and the Pb, Pb + selenite, and Pb + Nano-Se groups. In the Pb group, the numbers of white blood cell (WBC) decreased in comparison with the control group. Also, there was significant increase in WBC counts in the Pb + Nano-Se and Pb + selenite groups in comparison with Pb group. The number of lymphocytes in the Pb group decreased in comparison with the control group. By comparing the means of the Pb + Nano-Se and Pb + selenite groups together, it was determined that there were significant differences in the lymphocytes and neutrophil counts. In conclusion, usage of selenium compounds particularly Nano-Se particles inhibits the adverse effects of Pb on antioxidant activity and immune system function in the Pb poisoning.
In-group defense, out-group aggression, and coordination failures in intergroup conflict

PubMed Central

De Dreu, Carsten K. W.; Méder, Zsombor; Giffin, Michael; Prochazkova, Eliska; Krikeb, Jonathan

2016-01-01

Intergroup conflict persists when and because individuals make costly contributions to their group’s fighting capacity, but how groups organize contributions into effective collective action remains poorly understood. Here we distinguish between contributions aimed at subordinating out-groups (out-group aggression) from those aimed at defending the in-group against possible out-group aggression (in-group defense). We conducted two experiments in which three-person aggressor groups confronted three-person defender groups in a multiround contest game (n = 276; 92 aggressor–defender contests). Individuals received an endowment from which they could contribute to their group’s fighting capacity. Contributions were always wasted, but when the aggressor group’s fighting capacity exceeded that of the defender group, the aggressor group acquired the defender group’s remaining resources (otherwise, individuals on both sides were left with the remainders of their endowment). In-group defense appeared stronger and better coordinated than out-group aggression, and defender groups survived roughly 70% of the attacks. This low success rate for aggressor groups mirrored that of group-hunting predators such as wolves and chimpanzees (n = 1,382 cases), hostile takeovers in industry (n = 1,637 cases), and interstate conflicts (n = 2,586). Furthermore, whereas peer punishment increased out-group aggression more than in-group defense without affecting success rates (Exp. 1), sequential (vs. simultaneous) decision-making increased coordination of collective action for out-group aggression, doubling the aggressor’s success rate (Exp. 2). The relatively high success rate of in-group defense suggests evolutionary and cultural pressures may have favored capacities for cooperation and coordination when the group goal is to defend, rather than to expand, dominate, and exploit. PMID:27601640
[Expression of OPG/RANK/RANKL in the rat dental pulp tissue of periodontitis combined with vascular calcification and its clinical significance].

PubMed

Pan, Ke-Qing; Zhang, Peng-Mei; Deng, Jing; Lou, Xiu-Xiu; Meng, Yun; Liu, Gui-Rong

2016-08-01

To study the expression and possible role of OPG/RANK/RANKLin the rat dental pulp of periodontitis combined with vascular calcification. Thirty-six male Wister rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: control group(group C), periodontitis group(group CP), vascular calcification group(group VDN) and compound group(group CP+VDN). Each group underwent corresponding management to establish animal model. When the model was successful, the maxillae including molars were sectioned, pulp tissue was examined by H-E staining; Immunohistochemical staining method was used to evaluate the expression and ratio of OPG and RANKL in pulp tissues. Statistical analysis was carried out using SPSS 19.0 software package. The pulp tissue of group CP, VDN, CP+VDN showed varied degrees of damage, neutrophil infiltration, pulp vascular congestion, odontoblasts vacuolar changes, pulp necrosis by H-E staining, and the changes in CP+VDN group was the most significant, followed by CP group, VDN group. Immunohistochemistry showed OPG in pulp tissues in group CP, VDN, CP+VDN were significantly lower than that in normal group (P<0.05), and the expression in group CP+VDN was the least;Expression of RANKL in pulp tissues in group CP, VDN, CP+VDN were significantly higher than that in normal group(P<0.05)，and the expression in group CP+VDN was the highest. The ratio of OPG/RANKL in normal group was the highest, and the ratio in CP+VDN group was the lowest. Periodontitis and vascular calcification can damage the pulp tissue, periodontitis compound with vascular calcification may aggravate the injury; OPG/RANKL/RANK system may play an important role in pulp tissue injury.
Three-month treatment with triptorelin, letrozole and ulipristal acetate before hysteroscopic resection of uterine myomas: prospective comparative pilot study.

PubMed

Bizzarri, Nicolò; Ghirardi, Valentina; Remorgida, Valentino; Venturini, Pier Luigi; Ferrero, Simone

2015-09-01

To compare the usefulness of preoperative treatment with triptorelin, letrozole or ulipristal acetate or no treatment before hysteroscopic removal of uterine submucosal myomas. Single center prospective non-randomized comparative pilot study. The study included consecutive premenopausal patients undergoing hysteroscopic resection of myomas graded as type 0, type 1 or type 2 according to the FIGO classification with diameter between 20 and 35 mm. Exclusion criteria were: associated polyps, associated non-hysteroscopic surgical procedures, >2 myomas requiring hysteroscopic resection. This study enrolled patients who underwent either direct surgery (group S; n=23) or 3-month preoperative treatment with triptorelin (3.75 mg every 28 days; group T; n=20), letrozole (2.5 mg/day; group L; n=11) or ulipristal acetate (5 mg/day; group U; n=7). Patients underwent hysteroscopic resection of the myomas. All medical treatments caused a significant decrease in the volume of myomas (group T, p<.001; group L, p<.001; group U, p=.006); however, the percentage decrease in myoma volume was lower in group U than in group T (p=.001) and in group L (p=.010). The hysteroscopy time was higher in group S than in group T (p<.001) and in group L (p=.001); there was no significant difference in the hysteroscopy time between group S and group U (p=.206). Fluid absorption was lower in group T than in group S (p=.002) and in group L than in group S (p=.048); fluid absorption was similar in group S and group U (p=.110). Intra- and postoperative complications, postoperative pain, and patient satisfaction were similar in the four study groups. Surgeon's evaluation of operative difficulty was better in group T than in group S (p<.005). Preoperative treatment with triptorelin and letrozole decreases the hysteroscopy time and the volume of fluid absorbed during hysteroscopic resection of uterine submucosal myomas. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.
The Study of Different Approaches of Parecoxib Sodium Pretreatment on the Behavior of Rats with Neuropathic Pain.

PubMed

Cui, Wenyao; Yu, Xue; Zhang, Huiqian

2015-05-01

Our objective is to analyze and observe the different administration routes of parecoxib sodium pretreatment on the behavioral improvement of rats with neuropathic pain to provide the preclinical data of parecoxib sodium on neuropathic pain treatment. 30 SD rats were randomly divided into five groups, including model group, sham operation group, intrathecal injection group (IT group), intraperitoneal injection group (IP group), and perineural infiltration group (PI group). The rats in model group and three parecoxib sodium pretreatment groups received spinal nerve ligation (SNL). Heat pain test and 50 % paw mechanical withdrawal threshold test (50 % PMWT) were use to assess the responses after parecoxib sodium pretreatment. 50 % PMWT results of right foot in five groups had no statistical difference (P > 0.05); 50 % PMWT results of left and right feet in three parecoxib sodium pretreatment groups were obviously higher than SNL group at different time points, which was statistically different (P < 0.05); in comparison with three pretreatment groups, the data of left foot in IT group were obviously higher than PI group and IP group, and the comparison among three groups had significant difference (P < 0.05). However, the data of right foot had no significant difference among three groups (P > 0.05). Paw thermal withdrawal latency (PTWL) results of left and right feet in five groups had no significant difference before surgery (P > 0.05); after the establishment of neuropathic model, PTWL results in five groups were significantly decreased; however, PTWL results of left and right feet at 3 days after surgery in IT group were significantly higher than the two other pretreatment groups (P < 0.05); PTWL results of left and right feet at 7 and 14 days after surgery had no significant difference. Parecoxib sodium pretreatment can effectively improve the behaviors caused by neuropathic pain, and intrathecal injection is the most effective route of administration.
[Effects of electroacupuncture at "Jiaji" (EX-B 2) on myocardial apoptosis and the expression of Bcl-2 and Bax in rats with ischemia-reperfusion injury].

PubMed

Kong, Su-Ping; Zhang, Xin; Tan, Qi-Wen

2013-06-01

To explore the protective mechanism of acupuncture on myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury. Fifty Wistar rats were randomly divided into a sham-operation group, a model group, a Jiaji group , a Neiguan group and a Yanglingquan group, 10 rats in each group. The model of myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury was duplicated by ligating the left anterior descending coronary artery (LADCA) in the later four groups, and the LADCA was not ligated in the sham-operation group. The rats in the treatment groups were treated with electroacupuncture at "Jiaji" (EX-B 2), "Neiguan" (PC 6) and "Yanglingquan" (GB 34) on both sides, respectively, once a day for 7 days. No interventions were produced in the sham-operation group and model group. Myocardial apoptosis were examined by the TUNEL method. The expressions of Bcl-2 and Bax proteins were measured by immunohistochemical method. Apoptosis index(AI) was significantly lower in the Jiaji group, Neiguan group and sham-operation group compared with model group (P < 0.01). Compared with the sham-operation group, AI were significantly increased in other groups (all P < 0.01). There was no significant difference in AI between Jiaji and Neiguan group (P > 0.05). Compared with the model group, the expression of Bcl-2 was significantly increased and Bax protein was significantly decreased in Jiaji group and Neiguan group (both P < 0.01). The expressions of Bcl-2 and Bax proteins were significantly increased in other groups compared with the sham-operation group (all P < 0.01). There was no significant difference in the expression of Bcl-2 and Bax proteins between Jiaji and Neiguan group (P > 0.05). Electroacupuncture at both Jiaji (EX-B 2) and Neiguan (PC 6) has protective effects on myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury, and the mechanism is closely related to inhibiting myocardial apoptosis by adjusting the expression of Bcl-2 and Bax.

Non-invasive treatment to grade 1 essential hypertension by percutaneous laser and electric pulse to acupoint with music: A randomized controlled trial.

PubMed

Zhan, Hong-Rui; Hong, Zhong-Si; Chen, Yi-Shen; Hong, Hai-Yu; Weng, Ze-Bin; Yang, Zhang-Bin; Shi, Jing-Li; Chen, Zhong-Ben

2016-09-01

To study a non-drug therapy for hypertension disease by combining percutaneous laser and electric pulse stimulation to acupoint with music, and to test the efficiency of the combining treatment to grade 1 essential hypertension. A total of 174 patients with grade 1 essential hypertension were randomly assigned to 3 groups with a random number table after Chinese medicine (CM) syndrome differentiation: the photoelectric and musical treatment group (Group 1, with a self-developed multi-mode audio frequency pulse photoelectric therapeutic apparatus), acupuncture group (Group 2), and oral placebo group (Group 3), 58 cases per group. The curative effect of each group was evaluated by the changes of blood pressure and CM syndrome integral before and after treatment. Compared with Group 3, there were significant decrease of blood pressure and CM syndrome integral in Group 1 and Group 2 (P<0.01). Compared with Group 2, Group 1 showed the highest decrease in systolic pressure (P<0.017). The total effective rate of anti-hypertension in Group 1 (91.38%, 53/58) was significantly higher than that in Group 2 (74.13%, 43/58) and Group 3 (18.97%, 11/58, P<0.05 or P<0.01); and that in Group 2 was also significantly higher than that in Group 3 (P<0.01). There were significant difference in the total effective rate of CM syndrome integral in both Group 1 (93.10%, 54/58) and Group 2 (84.48%, 49/58) as compared with Group 3 (17.24%, 10/58, P<0.01), while there was no significant difference between Group 1 and Group 2 (P>0.05). The multi-mode audio frequency pulse photoelectric therapeutic apparatus, combining music, laser and electric pulse stimulation, is clinically useful for grade 1 essential hypertension. This "three in one" therapy method is non-invasive, easy and simple to handle. It is expected to be popularized as a new alternative treatment.
Mini-intervention for subacute low back pain: a randomized controlled trial.

PubMed

Karjalainen, Kaija; Malmivaara, Antti; Pohjolainen, Timo; Hurri, Heikki; Mutanen, Pertti; Rissanen, Pekka; Pahkajärvi, Helena; Levon, Heikki; Karpoff, Hanna; Roine, Risto

2003-03-15

Randomized controlled trial. To investigate the effectiveness and costs of a mini-intervention, provided in addition to the usual care, and the incremental effect of a work site visit for patients with subacute disabling low back pain. There is lack of data on cost-effectiveness of brief interventions for patients with prolonged low back pain. A total of 164 patients with subacute low back pain were randomized to a mini-intervention group (A), a work site visit group (B), or a usual care group (C). Groups A (n = 56) and B (n = 51) underwent one assessment by a physician plus a physiotherapist. Group B received a work site visit in addition. Group C served as controls (n = 57) and was treated in municipal primary health care. All patients received a leaflet on back pain. Pain, disability, specific and generic health-related quality of life, satisfaction with care, days on sick leave, and use and costs of health care consumption were measured at 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow-ups. During follow-up, fewer subjects had daily pain in Groups A and B than in Group C (Group A Group C, = 0.002; Group B Group C, = 0.030). In Group A, pain was less bothersome (Group A Group C, = 0.032) and interfered less with daily life (Group A Group C, = 0.040) than among controls. Average days on sick leave were 19 in Group A, 28 in Group B, and 41 in Group C (Group A Group C, = 0.019). Treatment satisfaction was better in the intervention groups than among the controls, and costs were lowest in the mini-intervention group. Mini-intervention reduced daily back pain symptoms and sickness absence, improved adaptation to pain and patient satisfaction among patients with subacute low back pain, without increasing health care costs. A work site visit did not increase effectiveness.
The impact of gout on patient's lives: a study of African-American and Caucasian men and women with gout.

PubMed

Singh, Jasvinder A

2014-06-24

The aim of this study was to examine the impact of gout on quality of life (QOL) and study differences by gender and race. Ten race- and sex-stratified nominal groups were conducted, oversampling for African-Americans and women with gout. Patients presented, discussed, combined and rank-ordered their concerns. A total of 62 patients with mean age 65.1 years, 60% men, 64% African-American, participated in 10 nominal groups: African-American men (n = 23; 3 groups); African-American women (n = 18; 3 groups); Caucasian men (n = 15; 3 groups); and Caucasian women (n = 6; 1 group). The most frequently cited high-ranked concerns among the ten nominal groups were: (1) effect of gout flare on daily activities (n = 10 groups); (2) work disability (n = 8 groups); (3) severe pain (n = 8 groups); (4) joint swelling and tenderness (n = 6 groups); (5) food restrictions (n = 6 groups); (6) medication related issues (n = 6 groups); (7) dependency on family and others (n = 5 groups); (8) emotional Impact (n = 5 groups); (9) interference with sexual function (n = 4 groups); (10) difficulty with shoes (n = 4 groups); and (11) sleep disruption (n = 4 groups). Compared with men, women ranked the following concerns high more often: problems with shoes (n = 4 versus n = 0 groups); dependency (n = 3 versus n = 2 groups); and joint/limb deformity (n = 2 versus n = 0 group). Compared with Caucasians, African-Americans ranked the following concerns high more often: dietary restrictions (n = 6 versus n = 0 groups); severe pain (n = 6 versus n = 2 groups); gout bringing the day to a "halt" (n = 2 versus n = 0 group); effect on emotional health (n = 4 versus n = 1 groups); and the need for canes/crutches during flares (n = 2 versus n = 0 group). Gout has a significant impact on a patient's QOL. Important differences in the impact of gout by gender and race were noted.
Cancer treatment adherence among low-income women with breast or gynecologic cancer: a randomized controlled trial of patient navigation.

PubMed

Ell, Kathleen; Vourlekis, Betsy; Xie, Bin; Nedjat-Haiem, Frances R; Lee, Pey-Jiuan; Muderspach, Laila; Russell, Christy; Palinkas, Lawrence A

2009-10-01

The authors implemented a controlled, randomized trial that compared 2 interventions: the provision of written resource navigation information (enhanced usual care [EUC]) versus written information plus patient navigation (TPN) aimed at improving adjuvant treatment adherence and follow-up among 487 low-income, predominantly Hispanic women with breast cancer or gynecologic cancer. Women were randomized to receive either TPN or EUC; and chemotherapy, radiation therapy, hormone therapy, and follow-up were assessed over 12 months. Patients with breast cancer were analyzed separately from patients with gynecologic cancer. Overall adherence rates ranged from 87% to 94%, and there were no significant differences between the TPN group and the EUC group. Among women with breast cancer, 90% of the EUC group and 88% of the TPN group completed chemotherapy (14% of the EUC group and 26% of the TPN group delayed the completion of chemotherapy), 2% of the EUC group and 4% of the TPN group failed to complete chemotherapy, and 8% of the EUC group and 7% of the TPN group refused chemotherapy. Radiation treatment adherence was similar between the groups: Ninety percent of patients completed radiation (40% of the EUC group and 42% of the TPN group delayed the completion of radiation); in both groups, 2% failed to complete radiation, and 8% refused radiation. Among gynecologic patients, 87% of the EUC group and 94% of the TPN group completed chemotherapy (41% of the EUC group and 31% of the TPN group completed it with delays), 7% of the EUC group and 6% of the TPN group failed to complete chemotherapy, 6% of the EUC refused chemotherapy, 87% of the EUC group and 84% of the TPN group completed radiation (51% of the EUC group and 42% of the TPN with delays), 5% of the EUC group and 8% of the TPN group failed to complete radiation, and 8% of the EUC group and 5% of the TPN group refused radiation. Treatment adherence across randomized groups was notably higher than reported in previous studies, suggesting that active telephone patient navigation or written resource informational materials may facilitate adherence among low-income, predominantly Hispanic women. Adherence also may have be facilitated by federal-state breast and cervical cancer treatment funding. 2009 American Cancer Society.
[MAPK signaling pathways involved in aluminum-induced apoptosis and necroptosis in SH-SY5Y cells].

PubMed

Jia, Xiaofang; Zhang, Qinli; Niu, Qiao

2014-11-01

To explore the role of MAPK signaling pathway in apoptosis and necroptosis induced by aluminum in SH-SY5Y cells. To imitate neural cell death induced by aluminium, AlCl3 x 6H2O (4 mmol/L) was used to treat SH-SY5Y cells. Necrostatin-1 (Nec-1,60 μmol/L), the specific inhibitor for necroptosis, and zVAD-fmk (20 μmol/L), the specific inhibitor for apoptosis, were added into cultures for inhibiting the occurrence of necroptosis and apoptosis. CCK-8 was performed to measure cell viability, flow cytometry was used to test the difference of apoptosis rate and necrosis rate between groups, and western-blot was used to detect the change of MAPK protein. Compared with blank control group, solvent control group, Nec-1 control group and zVAD-fmk control group, cell viabiligy of Al(3+) exposed group, Al(3+) plus Nec-1 group and Al(3+) plus zVAD-fmk group decreaced (P < 0.05). Compared with Al(3+) exposed group, cell viability of Al(3+) plus Nec-1 group and Al(3+) plus zVAD-fmk group increased (P < 0.05). Necrotic rate and apoptotic rate in Al(3+) exposed group, Al(3+) plus Nec-1 group and Al(3+) plus zVAD-fmk group obviously increased compared with blank control group, solvent control group, Nec-1 control group and zVAD-fmk control group (P < 0.05). Compared with Al(3+) exposed group, necrotic and apaptotic rate of Al(3+) plus zVAD-fmk group and Al(3+) plus Nec-1 group were statistically significant decreased (P < 0.05). Compared with blank control group, solvent control group, Nec-1 control group and zVAD-fmk control group, expression of p-p38 in Al(3+) exposed group, Al(3+) plus Nec-1 group and Al(3+) plus zVAD-fmk group increased obviously (P < 0.05), and expression of p-ERK decreased significantly (P < 0.05). Compared with Al(3+) exposed group, expression of p-p38 decreased (P < 0.05), but p-ERK increased in Al(3+) plus Nec-1 group (P < 0.05). The ERK and p38 MAPK signaling pathways are involved in aluminum-induced necroptosis in SH-SY5Y cells, but only ERK signaling pathway is involved in aluminum-induced apoptosis, and JNK signaling pathway is not involved in aluminum-induced cell death.
24 CFR 982.612 - Group home: State approval of group home.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... 24 Housing and Urban Development 4 2012-04-01 2012-04-01 false Group home: State approval of group home. 982.612 Section 982.612 Housing and Urban Development REGULATIONS RELATING TO HOUSING AND URBAN... Types Group Home § 982.612 Group home: State approval of group home. A group home must be licensed...
24 CFR 982.612 - Group home: State approval of group home.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... 24 Housing and Urban Development 4 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Group home: State approval of group home. 982.612 Section 982.612 Housing and Urban Development REGULATIONS RELATING TO HOUSING AND URBAN... Types Group Home § 982.612 Group home: State approval of group home. A group home must be licensed...
24 CFR 982.612 - Group home: State approval of group home.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... 24 Housing and Urban Development 4 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Group home: State approval of group home. 982.612 Section 982.612 Housing and Urban Development Regulations Relating to Housing and Urban... Types Group Home § 982.612 Group home: State approval of group home. A group home must be licensed...
24 CFR 982.612 - Group home: State approval of group home.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... 24 Housing and Urban Development 4 2014-04-01 2014-04-01 false Group home: State approval of group home. 982.612 Section 982.612 Housing and Urban Development REGULATIONS RELATING TO HOUSING AND URBAN... Types Group Home § 982.612 Group home: State approval of group home. A group home must be licensed...
24 CFR 982.612 - Group home: State approval of group home.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... 24 Housing and Urban Development 4 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false Group home: State approval of group home. 982.612 Section 982.612 Housing and Urban Development REGULATIONS RELATING TO HOUSING AND URBAN... Types Group Home § 982.612 Group home: State approval of group home. A group home must be licensed...
Weak-link capacitor

DOEpatents

Dirk, Shawn M [Albuquerque, NM; Johnson, Ross S [Albuquerque, NM; Wheeler, David R [Albuquerque, NM; Bogart, Gregory R [Corrales, NM

2011-06-07

A process for making a dielectric material where a precursor polymer selected from poly(phenylene vinylene) polyacetylene, poly(p-phenylene), poly(thienylene vinylene), poly(1,4-naphthylene vinylene), and poly(p-pyridine vinylene) is energized said by exposure by radiation or increase in temperature to a level sufficient to eliminate said leaving groups contained within the precursor polymer, thereby transforming the dielectric material into a conductive polymer. The leaving group in the precursor polymer can be a chloride, a bromide, an iodide, a fluoride, an ester, an xanthate, a nitrile, an amine, a nitro group, a carbonate, a dithiocarbamate, a sulfonium group, an oxonium group, an iodonium group, a pyridinium group, an ammonium group, a borate group, a borane group, a sulphinyl group, or a sulfonyl group.
Weak-link capacitor

DOEpatents

Dirk, Shawn M.; Johnson, Ross S.; Wheeler, David R.; Bogart, Gregory R.

2013-04-23

A process for making a dielectric material where a precursor polymer selected from poly(phenylene vinylene)polyacetylene, poly(p-phenylene), poly(thienylene vinylene), poly(1,4-naphthylene vinylene), and poly(p-pyridine vinylene) is energized said by exposure by radiation or increase in temperature to a level sufficient to eliminate said leaving groups contained within the precursor polymer, thereby transforming the dielectric material into a conductive polymer. The leaving group in the precursor polymer can be a chloride, a bromide, an iodide, a fluoride, an ester, an xanthate, a nitrile, an amine, a nitro group, a carbonate, a dithiocarbamate, a sulfonium group, an oxonium group, an iodonium group, a pyridinium group, an ammonium group, a borate group, a borane group, a sulphinyl group, or a sulfonyl group.
Psychological need-satisfaction and subjective well-being within social groups.

PubMed

Sheldon, Kennon M; Bettencourt, B Ann

2002-03-01

Five candidate measures of psychological need-satisfaction were evaluated as predictors of high positive and low negative mood within the group, intrinsic motivation for group activities, and high commitment to the group. Consistent with self-determination theory (Deci & Ryan, 1991), personal autonomy and interpersonal relatedness both predicted positive outcomes. Consistent with optimal distinctiveness theory (Brewer, 1991), feeling included within the group, feeling personally distinctive within the group, and feeling that the group is distinctive compared to other groups, also predicted positive outcomes. Simultaneous regression analyses indicated that the five needs were differentially related to the different well-being indicators, and also suggested that group inclusion may be the most important need to satisfy within group contexts. Supplementary analyses showed that members of formal groups felt less personal autonomy, but more group distinctiveness, compared to informal group members.
[Effects of electroacupuncture at "Weizhong" (BL 40) on regeneration and morphology in rats with bupivacaine-induced multifidus muscle injury].

PubMed

Peng, Yuanyuan; Liu, Tong; Chen, Yupei; Zou, Dehui; Zhang, Li

2016-03-01

To observe the intervention effect of electroacupuncture (EA) at "Weizhong" (BL 40) on rats with bupivacaine-induced multifidus muscle injury, so as to explore the action mechanism. A total of 72 rats were randomly divided into a control group, a model group, a Weizhong group and a Shenshu group, 18 rats in each group. Each group was again randomly divided into a 4-day subgroup, a 7-day subgroup and a 14-day subgroup, 6 rats in each subgroup. Rats in the model group, Weizhong group and Shenshu group were treated with intramuscular injection of 0.5% bupivacaine (BPVC) to establish the model of multifidus muscle injury. Rats in the Weizhong group and Shenshu group were treated with EA at "Weizhong" (BL 40) and "Shenshu" (BL 23), 20 min per treatment, once a day. Each subgroup was treated for 4 days, 7 days and 14 days respectively. Rats in the control group and model group were treated with immobilization. The morphology and cross sectional area (CSA) changes of multifidus with HE and Masson staining at different time points were observed; the expression of insulin like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) and myogenic differentiation antigen (MyoD) was measured by immunohistochemical method. After the modeling, there were significant morphology changes of multifidus at different time points, which was not fully recovered after 14 days. The morphological observation in the Weizhong group and Shenshu group was superior to that in the model group. At 7th day, the CSA in the Weizhong group was higher than that in the model group (P < 0.05); at 14th day, the CSA in the Weizhong group and Shenshu group was higher than that in the model group (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). At 4th day and 7th day, the expression of IGF-1 in the model group was higher than that in the control group (both P < 0.01); at 4th day, that in the Weizhong group was higher than that in the model group (P < 0.01), and that in the Weizhong group was higher than that in the Shenshu group (P < 0.05), and that in the Shenshu group was as higher than that in the model group (P < 0.05); at 14th day, that in the Shenshu group was higher than that in the model and Weizhong group (P < 0.01). At 4th day, the expression of MyoD in the Weizhong group and Shenshu group was higher than that in the model group (P < 0.01), which was more significant in the Weizhong group (P < 0.01). Electroacupuncture at "Weizhong" (BL 40) and "Shenshu" (BL 23) can both promote the regeneration of multifidus muscle injury. EA at "Weizhong" (BL 40) has a better effect at early phase, which may be related to the up-regulation of IGF-1 and MyoD and the completion of the proliferation of myoblast in advance.
[The protective effect of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells carrying antioxidant gene superoxide dismutase on paraquat lung injury in mice].

PubMed

Liu, Hong; Ding, Yingwei; Hou, Yuehui; Zhao, Guangju; Lu, Yang; Chen, Xiao; Cai, Qiqi; Hong, Guangliang; Qiu, Qiaomeng; Lu, Zhongqiu

2016-01-01

To explore the possible mechanism and protective effect of BMSCs (bone mesenchymal stem cells) carrying superoxide dismutase (SOD) gene on mice with paraquat-induced acute lung injury. To establish the cell line of BMSCs bringing SOD gene, lentiviral vector bringing SOD gene was built and co-cultured with BMSCs. A total of 100 BALB/c mice were randomly divided into five groups, namely Control group, poisoning group (PQ group) , BMSCs therapy group (BMSC group) , BMSCs-Cherry therapy group (BMSC-Cherry group) , BMSCs-SOD therapy group (BMSC-SOD group) . PQ poisoning model was produced by stomach lavaged once with 1 ml of 25 mg/kg PQ solution, and the equal volume of normal saline (NS) was given to Control group mice instead of PQ. The corresponding BMSCs therapy cell lines were delivered to mice through the tail vein of mice 4h after PQ treatment.Five mice of each group were sacrificed 3 d, 7 d, 14 d and 21 days after corresponding BMSCs therapy cell lines administration, and lung tissues of mice were taken to make sections for histological analysis. The serum levels of glutathione (GSH) , malondialdehyde (MDA) , SOD, and the levels of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in lung tissue were determined. The level of SOD was assayed by Westen-blot. Compared with Control group, the early (3 days) levels of SOD protein in lung tissue of PQ group obviously decreased, and the late (21 days) levels of SOD obviously increased, while in therapy groups, that was higher than that in PQ group, and the BMSCs-SOD group showed most obvious (all P<0.05) . Compared with Control group, the levels of plasma GSH and SOD of PQ group and each therapy group wae significantly lower than those in Control group, while in therapy groups, those were higher than those of PQ group, and the BMSCs-SOD group showed most obvious (all P<0.05) .Compared with Control group, the level of plasma MDA, TNF-α and TGF-β in PQ group and therapy groups were significantly higher, while in therapy groups, that was lower than that in PQ group, and the BMSCs-SOD group showed most obvious (all P<0.05) . Lung biopsy showed that, the degree of lung tissue damage in each therapy group obviously reduced. SOD is the key factor of the removal of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in cells, that can obviously inhibit the oxidative stress damage and the apoptosis induced by PQ, thus significantly increasing alveolar epithelial cell ability to fight outside harmful environment.
Immunotherapy with dendritic cells and cytokine-induced killer cells for MDA-MB-231 breast cancer stem cells in nude mice

PubMed Central

Chen, Qiang; Cui, Xiao-Xu; Liang, Pei-Fen; Dou, Jin-Xia; Liu, Zi-Yan; Sun, Wen-Wen

2016-01-01

Objective: To compare the effects and safety of immunotherapy using different methods to load DC-CIK cells for MDA-MB-231 breast cancer stem cells. Methods: A breast cancer model was established in BALB/c nude mice using breast cancer stem cells. All mice were randomly divided into six groups, and each group had three nude mice: the blank control group, the DC-CIK group (group D), the MDA-MB-231 CSC whole-cell lysate DC-CIK group (group L-D), the MDA-MB-231 CSC RNA DC-CIK group (group R-D), the THP DC-CIK group (group T-D) and group THP. Nude mice in groups D, L-D, R-D and T-D were injected with CSCs; 4 days later, the mice were inoculated with 1 × 106 DC-CIK cells via the tail vein. This injection was repeated 2 times a week for three weeks. The mice in groups THP and T-D were injected with a 5 mg/Kg dose of THP chemotherapeutic agents via the tail vein the day before DC-CIK injection, which was repeated one time a week for three weeks. Nude mice in the blank control group were injected with normal saline. The weights and sizes of the tumors were measured after the mice were euthanized. The expression of c-Myc, a key proto-oncogene associated with the Akt signaling pathway, was detected with RT-PCR. Results: The tumor growth rates in each group were as follows: group L-D < group R-D < group D < group T-D < blank control group < group THP. The nude mice in groups L-D, R-D and D were normal, active and had a healthy appetite. The mice in groups T-D and THP were lethargic, less active and showed loss of appetite, and their caudal vein was easy to stimulate. The mice in the blank control group were sacrificed during the third week or when their tumors developed ulceration. Compared with the blank control group, c-Myc gene expression was reduced in the tumors of the five experimental groups. Conclusion: The results showed that DC-CIK cells stimulated by different methods were highly effect against MDA-MB-231 breast cancer stem cells in nude mice in all groups, especially in group L-D. DC-CIK immunotherapy may provide a new strategy for the clinical treatment of breast cancer. PMID:27508015
Immunotherapy with dendritic cells and cytokine-induced killer cells for MDA-MB-231 breast cancer stem cells in nude mice.

PubMed

Chen, Qiang; Cui, Xiao-Xu; Liang, Pei-Fen; Dou, Jin-Xia; Liu, Zi-Yan; Sun, Wen-Wen

2016-01-01

To compare the effects and safety of immunotherapy using different methods to load DC-CIK cells for MDA-MB-231 breast cancer stem cells. A breast cancer model was established in BALB/c nude mice using breast cancer stem cells. All mice were randomly divided into six groups, and each group had three nude mice: the blank control group, the DC-CIK group (group D), the MDA-MB-231 CSC whole-cell lysate DC-CIK group (group L-D), the MDA-MB-231 CSC RNA DC-CIK group (group R-D), the THP DC-CIK group (group T-D) and group THP. Nude mice in groups D, L-D, R-D and T-D were injected with CSCs; 4 days later, the mice were inoculated with 1 × 10(6) DC-CIK cells via the tail vein. This injection was repeated 2 times a week for three weeks. The mice in groups THP and T-D were injected with a 5 mg/Kg dose of THP chemotherapeutic agents via the tail vein the day before DC-CIK injection, which was repeated one time a week for three weeks. Nude mice in the blank control group were injected with normal saline. The weights and sizes of the tumors were measured after the mice were euthanized. The expression of c-Myc, a key proto-oncogene associated with the Akt signaling pathway, was detected with RT-PCR. The tumor growth rates in each group were as follows: group L-D < group R-D < group D < group T-D < blank control group < group THP. The nude mice in groups L-D, R-D and D were normal, active and had a healthy appetite. The mice in groups T-D and THP were lethargic, less active and showed loss of appetite, and their caudal vein was easy to stimulate. The mice in the blank control group were sacrificed during the third week or when their tumors developed ulceration. Compared with the blank control group, c-Myc gene expression was reduced in the tumors of the five experimental groups. The results showed that DC-CIK cells stimulated by different methods were highly effect against MDA-MB-231 breast cancer stem cells in nude mice in all groups, especially in group L-D. DC-CIK immunotherapy may provide a new strategy for the clinical treatment of breast cancer.
Clinical study of double dose of valsartan combined with tacrolimus in treatment of diabetic nephropathy.

PubMed

Jin, H; Zhang, H-N; Hou, X-L; Zhang, B; Wu, J; Zhang, H-B

2016-01-01

To investigate the clinical effect of double dose of valsartan combined with tacrolimus in the treatment of diabetic nephropathy (DN). HA total of 86 cases diagnosed with DN were selected from October 2013 to October 2014 in Zaozhuang Municipal Hospital, China. The study was approved by our hospital Ethics Committee and written consent was obtained from patients and their family members. Patients were randomly divided into three groups according to the sequence of admission, group A (conventional dose of valsartan group, n = 28 cases), group B (double dose of valsartan group, n = 29 cases) and group C (double dose of valsartan combined with tacrolimus group, n = 29). Clinical effects were compared by analyzing the renal function tests after 8 weeks. 24h urine protein, serum creatinine level of patients in group B and group C were significantly lower than that of group A. Those in group C was much lower. The glomerular filtration rates were significantly higher for group B and C than that of group A, and those in group C were much higher. The difference is statistically significant (p < 0.05). High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs CRP) and adiponectin levels of patients in group B and C of were significantly lower than that of group A and those in group C were much lower. The difference is statistically significant (p < 0.05). The high mobility group protein 1 (HMGB1) and renal tubular and interstitial damage index (TDI) of patients in B and C groups were significantly lower than those in the A group, and those in C group were significantly lower. The difference was statistically significant p < 0.05). The clinical effective rates of patients in group B and C were significantly higher than that in group A, and those of group C were much higher. The difference is statistically significant (p < 0.05). The recurrence rates of patients in group B and group C were significantly lower than those of group A and those in group C were much lower. The difference is statistically significant (p < 0.05). Patients in three groups showed no obvious drug complications. Double dose of valsartan combined with tacrolimus treatment of DN patients can improve clinical symptoms, reducing inflammation, inhibiting or even reversing the interstitial fibrosis, which will improve the curative effect and reduce the recurrence, as to provide a new theoretical basis for the clinical treatment of the disease.
Effect of intravenous immunoglobulin on the function of Treg cells derived from immunosuppressed mice with Pseudomonas aeruginosa pneumonia.

PubMed

Li, Junlu; Chen, Tingsang; Yuan, Congcong; Zhao, Guoqiang; Xu, Min; Li, Xiaoyan; Cao, Jie; Xing, Lihua

2017-01-01

The present study aimed to investigate the effect of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) on regulatory T (Treg) cells derived from immunosuppressed mice with Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) pneumonia. A total of 108 BALB/c mice were randomly divided into the following groups: control group (Control), immunosuppressed group (IS), PA pneumonia group (PA), PA pneumonia in immunosuppressed group (IS + PA), PA pneumonia with IVIG treatment in immunocompetent group (PA + IVIG) and PA pneumonia with IVIG treatment in immunosuppressed group (IS + PA + IVIG). Each group comprised 18 mice. The combined PA pneumonia in immunosuppressed model and the treatment models were established. The mice in each group were sacrificed at 4, 8, and 24 h time points. The general condition and pathological changes in the lung tissues of the mice were monitored. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction was used to detect the forkhead box P3 (FOXP3) mRNA relative expression level in the lung tissues. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect the serum concentration of active transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β). No inflammatory response were exhibited in the lung tissues of the mice in Control group and IS group, while varying degrees of acute lung injury were revealed in the mice in PA group, IS + PA group, PA + IVIG group and IS + PA + IVIG group. Lung tissue injury was most apparent at the 8 h time point, and it indicated the greatest effect in IS + PA group. Whereas tissue damages were alleviated in PA + IVIG group and IS + PA + IVIG group compared with IS + PA group. In addition, tissue damage lessened in PA + IVIG group compared with PA group and IS + PA + IVIG group. FOXP3 mRNA expression levels in the lung tissues and the serum concentration of TGF-β were lower in IS group, PA group, IS + PA group and IS + PA + IVIG group at the 4, 8 and 24 h time points, respectively compared with Control group. FOXP3 mRNA expression levels decreased in PA + IVIG group at the 4h time point and TGF-β serum concentrations decreased at the 4 and 8h time points compared with Control group, and subsequently increased. In the immunosuppred model with PA pneumonia, the immune system was greatly compromised. IVIG partially restored the immunosuppressed functions of Treg cells, suppressed the overactivated immune system and ameliorated the development of the disease.
Determining an anti-Mullerian hormone cutoff level to predict clinical pregnancy following in vitro fertilization in women with severely diminished ovarian reserve.

PubMed

Merhi, Zaher; Zapantis, Athena; Berger, Dara S; Jindal, Sangita K

2013-10-01

Serum anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) levels estimate ovarian reserve. The purpose of this study was to identify a minimum serum AMH level that correlates with acceptable clinical pregnancy rate (CPR) in women with severe diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF). A historical cohort of severe DOR participants (age ≥35) with day 3 FSH of >10 ng/mL were included (n = 120). Participants were categorized into 3 groups: AMH <0.2 (Group 1, n = 38), AMH = 0.2-0.79 (Group 2, n = 57) and AMH ≥ 0.8 (Group 3, n = 25) ng/mL. The main outcome was CPR. The number of retrieved and mature oocytes, transferred embryos, spontaneous abortion (SAB) and live birth (LB) rates were also evaluated. Among the three groups, there was no difference in day 3 FSH and estradiol, total gonadotropins dose used per cycle, or LB. Participants in Group 1 were two years older than those in Group 2 and had significantly higher BMI than those in Groups 2 and 3. The three groups significantly differed in AFC (Group 1< Group 2< Group 3; p = 0.001) and cycle cancellation rate (Group 1> Group 2> Group 3; p = 0.006), and had a trend toward significance in SAB rate (Group 1> Group 2> Group 3; p = 0.06). Group 3 had significantly more retrieved and mature oocytes than Groups 1 or 2. Group 2 and 3 had significantly higher CPR per cycle start compared to Group 1. Although Group 2 had significantly fewer oocytes retrieved and mature oocytes than Group 3, CPR per cycle start for both groups was not different. ROC curve indicated that the point of maximal inflection between lower and higher CPR represents an AMH value of 0.2 ng/mL. AMH of 0.2 ng/mL appears to be a meaningful threshold for predicting CPR in women with severe DOR at our practice. This information can be crucial during the pre-cycle counseling of these women.

Effect of in-home fortification of complementary feeding on intellectual development of Chinese children.

PubMed

Chen, Chun-Ming; Wang, Yu-Ying; Chang, Su-Ying

2010-04-01

To explore the effect of in-home fortification of complementary feeding on intellectual development of Chinese children aged below 24 months. One thousand and four hundred seventy eight children aged 4-12 months were recruited and divided into study groups (formula 1 group and formula 2 group) and control group. In two study groups, in addition to the usual complementary food, children were fed with a sachet of fortified food supplement each day. Protein and micronutrients were provided in formula 1 group. Formula 2 group had the same energy intake as the formula 1 group . In addition to measurement of physical growth and detection of hemoglobin level, Development Quotient (DQ) or Intelligence Quotient (IQ) was assessed. The DQ of children aged below 24 months was 97.2, 95.5, and 93.8 in formula 1 group, formula 2 group and control group, respectively, and the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05). The DQ of children in formula 1 group, formula 2 group, and control group was 92.7, 90.4, and 88.3 respectively in the first follow up showing statistically significant differences (P < 0.05). And, DQ of children in formula 1 group, formula 2 group and control group were 96.7, 94.5, and 93.7 respectively in the second follow up, showing statistically significant differences (P < 0.05). Full-IQ of children in the formula 1 group was 3.1 and 4.5 points higher than that in formula 2 group and in control group respectively. Verbal IQ of children in the formula 1 group was 2.1 and 5 points higher than that in formula 2 group and control group respectively. Performance IQ was 2.5 and 3.1 points higher than that in formula 2 group and control group respectively. All above mentioned comparisons were statistically significant. Fortification of complementary feeding showed persistent effect on intelligence development of young children which could persist to 6 years of age. The critical time for correction of anemia could be under 18 months.
Learning basic laparoscopic skills: a randomized controlled study comparing box trainer, virtual reality simulator, and mental training.

PubMed

Mulla, Mubashir; Sharma, Davendra; Moghul, Masood; Kailani, Obeda; Dockery, Judith; Ayis, Salma; Grange, Philippe

2012-01-01

The objectives of this study were (1) to compare different methods of learning basic laparoscopic skills using box trainer (BT), virtual reality simulator (VRS) and mental training (MT); and (2) to determine the most effective method of learning laparoscopic skills. Randomized controlled trial. King's College, London. 41 medical students were included in the study. After randomization, they were divided into 5 groups. Group 1 was the control group without training; group 2 was box trained; group 3 was also box trained with an additional practice session; group 4 was VRS trained; and group 5 was solely mentally trained. The task was to cut out a circle marked on a stretchable material. All groups were assessed after 1 week on both BT and VRS. Four main parameters were assessed, namely time, precision, accuracy, and performance. Time: On BT assessment, the box-trained group with additional practice group 3 was the fastest, and the mental-trained group 5 was the slowest. On VRS assessment, the time difference between group 3 and the control group 1 was statistically significant. Precision: On BT assessment, the box-trained groups 2 and 3 scored high, and mental trained were low on precision. On VRS assessment, the VRS-trained group ranked at the top, and the MT group was at the bottom on precision. Accuracy: On BT assessment, the box-trained group 3 was best and the mental-trained group was last. On VRS assessment, the VRS-trained group 4 scored high closely followed by box-trained groups 2 and 3. Performance: On BT assessment, the box-trained group 3 ranked above all the other groups, and the mental-trained group ranked last. On VRS assessment, the VRS group 4 scored best, followed closely by box-trained groups 2 and 3. The skills learned on box training were reproducible on both VRS and BT. However, not all the skills learned on VRS were transferable to BT. Furthermore, VRS was found to be a reliable and the most convenient method of assessment. MT alone cannot replace conventional training. Copyright Â© 2012 Association of Program Directors in Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Frequencies and ethnic distribution of ABO and RhD blood groups in China: a population-based cross-sectional study.

PubMed

Liu, Jue; Zhang, Shikun; Wang, Qiaomei; Shen, Haiping; Zhang, Yiping; Liu, Min

2017-12-03

ABO and RhD blood groups are key factors affecting blood transfusion safety. The distribution of ABO and RhD blood groups varies globally, but limited data exist for ethnic distributions of these blood groups in Asian populations. We aimed to evaluate the distribution of ABO and RhD blood groups among Chinese ethnic groups. A population-based cross-sectional study. Data on ABO groups and ethnicities were obtained from the National Free Preconception Health Examination Project (NFPHEP) with participants from 220 counties of 31 provinces in China PARTICIPANTS: There were 3 832 034 participants aged 21-49 years who took part in the NFPHEP from January 2010 to December 2012 and were included in this study. The proportion of ABO and RhD blood groups among different ethnic groups was calculated. ABO and RhD blood distribution was significantly different among nine ethnic groups (P<0.001). Compared with other ethnic groups, the Yi group had more A phenotypes (34.0%), and the Manchu (33.7%) and Mongolian (33.3%) ethnic groups had more B phenotypes. The Zhuang group had the greatest proportion of O phenotypes (41.8%), followed by the Miao group (37.7%). AB phenotypes were more frequent in the Uygur ethnic group (10.6%) but lower in the Zhuang group (5.5%). Meanwhile, RhD negativity (RhD-) was greater in the Uygur group (3.3%) than in the Mongolian (0.3%) and Manchu ethnic groups (0.4%). O RhD- blood groups were more frequent in the Uygur group (0.8%) than in the other ethnic groups (0.1%-0.4%, P<0.001). ABO and RhD blood phenotypes vary across different ethnic groups in China. The diversity in the distribution of the ABO and RhD blood groups in different ethnic groups should be considered when developing rational and evidence-based strategies for blood collection and management. © Article author(s) (or their employer(s) unless otherwise stated in the text of the article) 2017. All rights reserved. No commercial use is permitted unless otherwise expressly granted.
Anxiety and depression propensities in patients with acute toxic liver injury

PubMed Central

Suh, Jeong Ill; Sakong, Jeong Kyu; Lee, Kwan; Lee, Yong Kook; Park, Jeong Bae; Kim, Dong Joon; Seo, Yeon Seok; Lee, Jae Dong; Ko, Soon Young; Lee, Byung Seok; Kim, Seok Hyun; Kim, Byung Seok; Kim, Young Seok; Lee, Heon Ju; Kim, In Hee; Sohn, Joo Hyun; Kim, Tae Yeob; Ahn, Byung Min

2013-01-01

AIM: To investigate anxiety and depression propensities in patients with toxic liver injury. METHODS: The subjects were divided into three groups: a healthy control group (Group 1, n = 125), an acute non-toxic liver injury group (Group 2, n = 124), and a group with acute toxic liver injury group caused by non-commercial herbal preparations (Group 3, n = 126). These three groups were compared and evaluated through questionnaire surveys and using the Hospital Anxiety-Depression Scale (HADS), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and the hypochondriasis scale. RESULTS: The HADS anxiety subscale was 4.9 ± 2.7, 5.0 ± 3.0 and 5.6 ± 3.4, in Groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively. The HADS depression subscale in Group 3 showed the most significant score (5.2 ± 3.2, 6.4 ± 3.4 and 7.2 ± 3.4 in Groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively) (P < 0.01 vs Group 1, P < 0.05 vs Group 2). The BAI and BDI in Group 3 showed the most significant score (7.0 ± 6.3 and 6.9 ± 6.9, 9.5 ± 8.6 and 8.8 ± 7.3, 10.7 ± 7.2 and 11.6 ± 8.5 in Groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively) (BAI: P < 0.01 vs Group 1, P < 0.05 vs Group 2) (BDI: P < 0.01 vs Group 1 and 2). Group 3 showed a significantly higher hypochondriasis score (8.2 ± 6.0, 11.6 ± 7.5 and 13.1 ± 6.5 in Groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively) (P < 0.01 vs Group 1, P < 0.05 vs Group 2). CONCLUSION: Psychological factors that present vulnerability to the temptation to use alternative medicines, such as herbs and plant preparations, are important for understanding toxic liver injury. PMID:24379633
The effects of intravenous, enteral and combined administration of glutamine on malnutrition in sepsis: a randomized clinical trial.

PubMed

Koksal, Guniz Meyancı; Erbabacan, Emre; Tunali, Yusuf; Karaoren, Gulsah; Vehid, Suphi; Oz, Huseyin

2014-01-01

Our aim was to compare the effects of intravenous, enteral, and enteral plus intravenous supplemented glutamine on plasma transferrin, nitrogen balance, and creatinine/height index in septic patients with malnutrition. Blood and urine samples were collected for transferrin, urea and creatinine measurements. Samples, SOFA score and protein-calorie intake values were repeated on days 7 and 15. Patients (n:120) were randomly divided into 4 groups. Group I received 30 g/day IV glutamine, group II received 30 g/day enteral glutamine, group III received 15 g/day IV and 15 g/day enteral glutamine. Group IV received only enteral feeding as a control group. Transferrin levels decreased in group IV (p<0.01 0-7 days, p<0.01 7-15 days, p<0.01 0-15 days). Nitrogen balance levels were highest in group IV when compared with group I (p<0.05, p<0.001), group II (p<0.001), and group III (p<0.05, p<0.001) on days 7-15. Creatinine/height indexes increased in group I (p<0.001), group II (p<0.001), group III (p<0.001), and group IV (p<0.05) on day 15. In group III the creatinine/height index was higher than in groups I and II (p<0.05). In group IV, creatinine/height index was lower than in group I (p<0.01) and group II (p<0.001). Protein-calorie intake in group IV was higher than others on day 7 (p<0.05). SOFA scores of group IV were higher than the other groups on day 15 (p<0.05). This study demonstrated, that combined route of gln supplementation resulted in the most positive outcome to transferrin, creatine/height index and nitrogen balance (on days 7 and 15) during the catabolic phase of septic patients with malnutrition.
[Clinical observation of post-herpetic neuralgia treated with TCM herbal cupping therapy].

PubMed

Wu, Xi; Hu, Hui; Guo, Liang; Wang, Hui

2013-02-01

To compare the difference in the efficacy on post-herpetic neuralgia among TCM herbal cupping therapy, Chinese medicine thermal compressing therapy and mecobalamine. Fifty-seven cases were randomized into a TCM herbal cupping group, a thermal compressing group and a western medicine group, 19 cases in each one. The oral administration of ibuprofen was applied in every group. In the herbal cupping group, the bamboo cups soaked in the boiled Chinese herbal decoction were sucked on the most significant painful area. In the thermal compressing group, the towel soaked in the boiled Chinese herbal decoction was compressed on the most significant painful area. In the medication group, the muscular injection of mecobalamine was adopted. The treatment was given once a day, for 2 weeks totally in each group. SF-MPQ score and clinical efficacy before and after treatment were observed in each group. The remarkable effective rates were 78.9% (15/19), 36.8% (7/19) and 5.3% (1/19) in the TCM herbal cupping group, thermal compressing group and western medicine group separately. The efficacy in the TCM herbal cupping group was significantly superior to the thermal compressing group and western medicine group (all P < 0.05), and that in the thermal compressing group was superior to the western medicine group (P < 0.05). After treatment, SF-MPQ score was reduced significantly in each group (P < 0.001, P < 0.01). The score in the herbal cupping group was reduced more significantly as compared with the thermal compressing group and western medicine group (all P < 0.01). The improvement in pain in the thermal compressing group was superior to the western medicine group (P < 0.01). TCM herbal cupping therapy achieves the superior efficacy for post-herpetic neuralgia and relieves pain effectively of the patients, which is more advantageous than CM herbal thermal compressing therapy and Mecobalamine.
[Expression of PARP/NF-κB and intervention effect of 5-AIQ/PDTC in SAP rats with adrenal damage].

PubMed

Yang, Bo; Guo, Wen-Yi; Yu, Jia; Zhao, Kai-liang; Shi, Qiao; Zuo, Teng; Wang, Wei-xing

2013-10-15

To explore the expression of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase/nuclear factor-κB (PARP/NF-κB) and intervention effect of 5-aminoisoquinolinone/pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (5-AIQ/PDTC) in severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) rats with adrenal damage. The primarily cultured adrenocortical cells were quantitatively divided into control group (SO), pancreatitis group (SAP), PDTC drug control group (SO+PDTC), PDTC intervention group (SAP+PDTC), 5-AIQ drug control group (SO+ 5-AIQ) and 5-AIQ intervention group (SAP+5-AIQ). The SAP and 2 intervention groups were stimulated with the sera of SAP rats. Then corresponding drugs were added and culture continued for 12 hours. The corticosterone levels and PARP/NF-κB expression were observed for each group. Adrenal cells in vitro cultured were round or oval, had secretory granules and could be stained by 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase antibody. The adherence rate was 60% after 48-hour culturing. The corticosterone level of SAP group was significantly lower than that of SO group [ (216.4 ± 15.7) vs (294.8 ± 16.3) µg/L, P < 0.05]. The 2 intervention groups were (258.6 ± 19.0) and (264.3 ± 18.2) µg/L respectively. These two values were higher than those of SAP group (P < 0.05), but lower than those of SO group (P < 0.05). With regards to the expression of PARP-1, the SAP and PDTC intervention groups were higher than SO group while 5-AIQ intervention group was significantly lower than SAP and PDTC intervention groups, but higher than SO and drug control groups. The expression of NF-κB in SAP group was higher than that in SO group. Two intervention groups were lower than SAP group, but higher than SO and drug control groups. The pathway of PARP/NF-κB participates in adrenal damage of SAP rats. To a certain extent, the uses of 5-AIQ and PDTC may alleviate adrenal damage.
[Effects of warm needling moxibustion on knee cartilage and morphology in rats with knee osteoarthritis].

PubMed

Zhang, Yongliang; Mi, Yiqun; Gang, Jiahong; Wang, Huamin

2016-02-01

To observe the effects of warm needling moxibustion on body mass, knee cartilage andmorphology in rats with knee osteoarthritis (KOA). Forty SD rats were randomly divided into a normalgroup, a model group, a medication group and a warm needling group, 10 rats in each one. Except the normalgroup, the rats in the remaining three groups were injected with papain to establish the model of KOA. After themodeling, rats in the model group did not receive any treatment; rats in the warm needling group were treated withwarm needling moxibustion at bilateral "Xiqian"; rats in the medication group were treated with intragastric administration of meloxicam; rats in the normal group were treated with 0. 9% NaCl solution (identical dose as medication group) and immobilized as the warm needling group. The treatment was given once a day for consecutive20 days. The body mass, scale of knee cartilage and morphological changes were observed in each group after'treatment. The increasing of body mass in the medication group and warm needling group was faster than!that in the model group, but slower than that in the normal group (all P<0. 05); the difference between medication group and warm needling group was not statistically significant (P>0. 05). The scale of knee cartilage in thewarm needling group and medication group was significantly lower than that in the model group (both P<0. 05),while the scale in the warm needling group was lower than that in the medication group (P<. 05). Regarding theknee morphology under micro-CT, the relief of knee degeneration and improvement of knee recovery in the warm needlinggroup were superior to those in the medication group. The warm needling moxibustion could effectively reduce the knee pain, improve the recovery of knee cartilage, which is a safe and effective treatment.
Comparative analysis of endothelial cell loss following phacoemulsification in pupils of different sizes.

PubMed

Maggon, Rakesh; Bhattacharjee, Raghudev; Shankar, Sandeep; Kar, Rajesh Chandra; Sharma, Vivek; Roy, Shyamal

2017-12-01

To compare Endothelial cell(EC) loss following Phacoemulsification (PKE) in pupils of different sizes. A prospective double masked observational study in which a total of 150 eyes of 150 patients between 50 & 70 years of age with senile cataract of nuclear sclerosis grade II were enrolled. Patients were allocated into three groups of 50 eyes each in Group A (pupil size <5 mm), Group B (pupil size 5-7 mm) and Group C (pupil size >7 mm). Pupillary size was measured by determining the height of slit on slit-lamp biomicroscope examination. PKE was done by the same expert surgeon using vertical chop technique and a foldable intraocular lens was implanted in the capsular bag. Corneal EC count and pachymetry were performed twice and average of 2 readings was taken for the purpose of this study. Measurements were taken preoperatively and postoperatively on day 1, day 7 and day 30. The mean EC count loss on postoperative day 1 in Group A was 19.45%, Group B 14.89%, Group C 10.19% with statistical significant difference between Group A and Group B, as also Group A and Group C. The difference was not significant between Group B and Group C, though there was a fall in EC count in Group C as well. Increase in corneal thickness on postoperative day 1 in group A was 5.43%, Group B 3.55%, Group C 2.14% with statistical significant difference between Group A and Group B, as also Group A and Group C with no difference in Group B and Group C. PKE done in eyes with maximal pupillary dilatation of <5 mm causes a greater EC loss and results in thicker corneas postoperatively as compared to eyes with pupillary dilatation of >5 mm at the end of one month.
[Effect of wound healing of orthopedic surgery in human immunodeficiency virus infected patients with perioperative adjuvant treatments].

PubMed

Sun, Sheng; Zhang, Yaoshen; Zhang, Qiang; Li, Xin; Wan, Gang; Zhao, Changsong; Cai, Juan; Yuan, Zheng

2014-08-05

To observe the early wound healing of orthopedic surgery in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) carrier patients treated with optimized auxiliary treatments. During a period of 48 months, according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria plus CD4⁺ T lymphocyte count, the patients scheduled for orthopedic surgery (including HIV positive and negative) were divided into group A (HIV positive, CD4<500/ml) with optimized auxiliary treatments, group B (HIV positive, CD4 ≥ 500/ml) and group C (HIV negative) on prophylactic antibiotic therapy alone. Wound healing of 3 groups were observed postoperatively. The rates of clinical wound infection were compared among 3 groups. A total of 471 cases (n = 79, HIV+; n = 392, HIV-) were selected due to fresh fracture (n = 544, 77.28%), fracture of spine (n = 57, 12.31%), mal-union (n = 13, 2.76%), aseptic necrosis (n = 15, 3.18%) and osteoarthritis (n = 21, 4.46%). During surgery, early open reduction and plate screw internal fixation (group A, n = 23; group B, n = 21; group C, n = 274); pedicle screw internal fixation (group A, n = 5; group B, n = 6; group C, n = 47); total joint replacement (group A, n = 3; group B, n = 4; group C, n = 8); interlocking intramedullary nail fixation (group A, n = 7; group B, n = 4; group C, n = 35) and other operations (group A, n = 3; group B, n = 3; group C, n = 28). For infections, 2 cases (4.88%) were observed in group A, 3 (5.26%) in group B and 26 (6.63%) in group C. The differences were statistically insignificant. Reasonable perioperative adjuvant treatments, including use of antibiotic, nutritional supports, immunomodulators and anti-retroviral drugs, are offered to HIV infected patients undergoing orthopedic surgery. Their risks of postoperative wound infection may be controlled.
The antifertility effectiveness of copper/low-density polyethylene nanocomposite and its influence on the endometrial environment in rats.

PubMed

Liu, He-Fang; Liu, Zi-Long; Xie, Chang-Sheng; Yu, Jing; Zhu, Chang-Hong

2007-02-01

The study was conducted to investigate the antifertility effectiveness of copper/low-density polyethylene nanocomposite (nano-Cu/LDPE) and its influence on the endometrial environment in rats. One hundred and seventy sexually mature female Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into five groups: sham-operated control group (SO group, n=10), bulk copper group (Cu group, n=40), LDPE group (n=40), and nano-Cu/LDPE groups I (n=40) and II (n=40). Twenty rats in each group except for the SO group were mated with male rats of proven fertility, from 30 days after insertion, and the antifertility rates (ATs) were observed at Day 11 of pregnancy. The concentrations of prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) and tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) in the endometrium of the remaining rats in each group were measured by using ELISA at the 30th and 60th day after insertion, respectively. ATs in the Cu group and nano-Cu/LDPE groups I and II (100%) were significantly higher than those in the LDPE group (p<.05). Compared with those in the SO group, the concentrations of PGE(2) and tPA in all experimental groups except for PGE(2) levels in the LDPE group were significantly increased at Day 30 after insertion, and these parameters in the nano-Cu/LDPE groups were significantly lower than in the Cu group (p<.05). At Day 60 after insertion, tPA levels were still higher in the Cu and nano-Cu/LDPE groups, but there was no difference in PGE(2) levels in all groups except for the Cu group. Nano-Cu/LDPE exhibits satisfactory contraceptive efficacy with less influence on the endometrium PGE(2) and tPA levels.
Effects of ischemic preconditioning and iloprost on myocardial ischemia-reperfusion damage in rats.

PubMed

Ay, Yasin; Kara, Ibrahim; Aydin, Cemalettin; Ay, Nuray Kahraman; Teker, Melike Elif; Senol, Serkan; Inan, Bekir; Basel, Halil; Uysal, Omer; Zeybek, Rahmi

2013-01-01

This study investigates the effects of cardiac ischemic preconditioning and iloprost on reperfusion damage in rats with myocardial ischemia/reperfusion. 38 male Wistar Albino rats used in this study were divided into 5 groups. The control group (Group 1) (n=6), ischemia/reperfusion (IR) group (Group 2) (n=8), cardiac ischemic preconditioning (CIP) group (Group 3) (n=8), iloprost (ILO) group (Group 4) (n=8), and cardiac ischemic preconditioning + iloprost (CIP+ILO) group (Group 5) (n=8). Pre-ischemia, 15 minutes post-ischemia, 45 minutes post-reperfusion, mean blood pressure (MBP), and heart rates (HR) were recorded. The rate-pressure product (RPP) was calculated. Post-reperfusion plasma creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), troponin (cTn) vlaues, and infarct size/area at risk (IS/AAR) were calculated from myocardial tissue samples. Arrhythmia and ST segment elevations were evaluated during the ischemia and reperfusion stages. Although the MBP, HR, RPP values, biochemical parameters of CK-MB and LDH levels, IS/AAR rates, ST segment elevation values were found to be similar in CIP and CIP+ILO groups and the IR and ILO groups (p>0.05), CIP-containing group values had a positively meaningful difference (p<0.05) compared with the IR and ILO group. While mild-moderate findings of damage were observed in Group 3 and Group 5, severely findings of damage were releaved in Group 2 and Group 4. The arrhythmia score of the ILO group was meaningfully lower (F: 41.4, p<0.001) than the IR group. We can conclude that the effects of myocardial reperfusion damage can be reduced by cardiac ischemic preconditioning, intravenous iloprost reduced the incidence of ventricular arrhythmia associated with reperfusion, and its use with CIP caused no additional changes.
[Osteogenic potential of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells from ovariectomied osteoporotic rat].

PubMed

Li, Dong-ju; Ge, Dong-xia; Wu, Wen-chao; Wu, Jiang; Li, Liang

2005-05-01

To investigate the difference of osteogenic potential of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) between healthy rats and osteoporotic rats. We established the animal model of osteoporosis by performing ovariectom on the 3-month-old female Sprague-Dawley rats. Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells(MSCs) were isolated from the rats of control group and of ovariectomized (ovx) group by means of the density-gradient centrifugation method, and the 3rd-4th passage MSCs were used in all the experiments. The experiments comprised 4 groups: (1) Marrow mesenchymal stem cells control group (MSCs control group); (2) Marrow mesenchymal stem cells ovx group (MSCs ovx group); (3) Osteogenesis induction control group (OSI control group); (4) Osteogenesis induction ovx group (OSI ovx group). Cell cycle and proliferation index (PI) of MSCs were detected by flow cytometry. The expression of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) was detected by dynamics method with substrate of phosphoric acid para-Nitro benzene. The levels of osteocalcin were detected with the isotope labelling method. (1) PI of MSCs was lower in MSCs ovx group than in MSCs control group. (2) The expression of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) was much higher in OSI control group than in the MSCs control group; the expression of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) was much higher in the OSI control group than in OSI ovx group after 7-day and 14-day osteogenic induction. (3) The level of osteocalcin was much higher in the OSI control group than in the MSCs control group after 14-day, 21-day, 28-day osteogenic induction. The level of osteocalcin was much higher in the OSI control group than in the OSI ovx group. Both the proliferative potential and the osteogenic potential of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from the ovariectomized osteoporotic rat are decreased.
The effect of captopril and losartan on the electrophysiology of myocardial cells of myocardial ischemia rats.

PubMed

Shi, Xiangmin; Shan, Zhaoling; Yuan, Hongtao; Guo, Hongyang; Wang, Yutang

2014-01-01

This study aims to investigate the effect of captopril and losartan on the electrophysiology of myocardial cells parameters in ventricular vulnerable period and effective refractory period of myocardial ischemia rats. 96 wistar rats were enrolled in the study and divided into six groups: Captopril myocardial ischemia group, losartan myocardial ischemia group, myocardial ischemia control group, captopril normal group, losartan normal group and normal control group (n=16). We observed morphological changes of myocardial tissue in each group. The cardiac electrophysiological parameters in effective refractory period of each group were measured. Creatine kinase (CK), alanine aminotransferase (GOT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), the expression of Cardiotrophin 1 (CT-1) and malonaldehyde (MDA) were detected. Compared the losartan and captopril group with the control group, (P<0.05). Losartan and captopril can shorten the ventricular vulnerable period of the normal group and ischemic group. There was no interaction effect between losartan and captopril group and the acute myocardial ischemia group. The effect of losartan and captopril on time window in ventricular vulnerable period showed that compared with the control group (P<0.05). Losartan and captopril had a significant effect on prolonged effective refractory period of normal and ischemic rats. There was no interaction effect between losartan and captopril group and the acute myocardial ischemia group. Compared with the myocardial ischemia control group, CK, GOT, LDH and MDA decreased in captopril and losartan myocardial ischemia groups (P<0.05). Losartan and captopril had a significant effect on prolonged effective refractory period and shorten ventricular vulnerable period, they can also effectively prevent arrhythmias.
[Analysis of the characteristic of pharyngeal paraesthesia patients by high resolution manometry].

PubMed

Gu, Yun; Qian, Wei

2015-09-01

To discuss the pressure changing characteristics of upper esophageal sphincter (UES), lower esophageal sphincter (LES) and the esophagus kinetic characteristics of pharyngeal paraesthesia patients. To take high resolution manometry in 44 cases of pharyngeal paraesthesia patients and 23 normal subjects separately. According to the RSI score,the 44 patients were divided into group A (the group without reflux, RSI < 13, n = 25) and group B (the group with reflux, RSI ≥ 13, n = 19). The UES average resting pressure and average residual pressure of patients group were higher than the control group (P < 0.05); The UES average resting pressure and average residual pressure of group B were higher than group A (P < 0.05); The LES average resting pressure and average residual pressure of group B were lower than group A and the control group (P < 0.05); The comparison of LES average resting pressure and average residual pressure between group A and the control group was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). The esophagus DCI of group B was lower than that of group A and control group (P < 0.05). The esophagus DCI comparison between group A and control group was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). The pharyngeal paresthesia symptoms of'patients was associated with the increasing of UES pressure. The pharyngeal paresthesia symptoms of group with reflux was related to low pressure of LES and high pressure of UES. The last part of esophagus of group with reflux had obstacles in powers, which weaken the peristalsis and declined the ability to clear the bolus and gastric reflux material.
[Expression and significance of tumor necrosis factor alpha, matrix metalloproteinase 2 and collagen in skin tissue of pressure ulcer of rats].

PubMed

Wang, X H; Mao, T T; Pan, Y Y; Xie, H H; Zhang, H Y; Xiao, J; Jiang, L P

2016-03-01

To observe the expressions of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2) and collagen in local skin tissue of pressure ulcer of rats, and to explore the possible mechanism of the pathogenesis of pressure ulcer. Forty male SD rats were divided into normal control group, 3 d compression group, 5 d compression group, 7 d compression group, and 9 d compression group according to the random number table, with 8 rats in each group. The rats in normal control group did not receive any treatment, whereas the rats in the latter 4 groups were established the deep tissue injury model (3 d compression group) and pressure ulcer model (the other 3 groups) on the gracilis muscle on both hind limbs using a way of cycle compression of ischemia-reperfusion magnet. The rats in 3 d compression group received only three cycles of compression, while the compressed skin of the rats in 5 d compression group, 7 d compression group, and 9 d compression group were cut through and received pressure to 5, 7 and 9 cycles after three cycles of compression, respectively. The rats in 3 d compression group were sacrificed immediately after receiving compression for 3 d (the rats in normal control group were sacrificed at the same time), and the rats in the other 3 groups were respectively sacrificed after receiving compression for 5, 7, and 9 d, and the skin tissue on the central part of gracilis muscle on both hind limbs were harvested. The morphology of the skin tissue was observed with HE staining. The expression of collagen fiber was observed with Masson staining. The expressions of collagen type Ⅳ and MMP-2 were detected by immunohistochemical method. The expressions of TNF-α and phosphorylated NF kappa B (NF-κB) were determined by Western blotting. Data were processed with one-way analysis of variance and LSD test. (1) In normal control group, the skin tissue of rats was stratified squamous epithelium, with the clear skin structure, and there was no obvious infiltration of inflammatory cells. In 3 d compression group, the skin layers of rats were clear, with quite a few fibroblasts, and the inflammatory cells began to infiltrate. In 5 d compression group, 7 d compression group, and 9 d compression group, the epidermis of rats thickened, with the number of fibroblasts reduced, and the infiltration of inflammatory cells enhanced with the compressed time prolonging. (2) In normal control group, the collagen fibers in skin tissue of rats were arranged in order, with rich content. In 3 d compression group, the collagen fibers in skin tissue of rats were arranged orderly, with high expression level, which was similar to that in normal control group (P>0.05). In 5 d compression group and 7 d compression group, the collagen fibers in skin tissue of rats were arranged in disorder, with the expression level gradually reduced, which were significantly lower than that in normal control group (with P values below 0.01). In 9 d compression group, the expression of collagen fiber in skin tissue of rats was a little higher than that in 7 d compression group, but it was still significantly lower than that in normal control group (P<0.01). (3) The expressions of collagen type Ⅳ in skin tissue of rats in normal control group, 3 d compression group, 5 d compression group, 7 d compression group, and 9 d compression group were respectively 11.0±2.8, 9.0±1.7, 8.3±2.8, 5.1±1.8, and 5.4±1.2. The expression of collagen type Ⅳ in skin tissue of rats in 3 d compression group was similar to that in normal control group (P>0.05). The expressions of collagen type Ⅳ in skin tissue of rats in 5 d compression group, 7 d compression group, and 9 d compression group were significantly lower than that in normal control group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). The expression of MMP-2 in skin tissue of rats in 3 d compression group was similar to that in normal control group (P>0.05). The expressions of MMP-2 in skin tissue of rats in 5 d compression group, 7 d compression group, and 9 d compression group were significantly higher than that in normal control group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). (4) The expression of TNF-α in skin tissue of rats in normal control group was 0.48±0.11, and the expressions of TNF-α in skin tissue of rats in 3 d compression group, 5 d compression group, 7 d compression group, and 9 d compression group were respectively 0.84±0.08, 1.13±0.19, 1.34±0.16, and 1.52±0.23, which were all significantly higher than that in normal control group (with P values below 0.01). The expressions of phosphorylated NF-κB in skin tissue of rats in 3 d compression group and 9 d compression group were similar to that in normal control group (with P values above 0.05), and the expressions of phosphorylated NF-κB in skin tissue of rats in 5 d compression group and 7 d compression group were significantly higher than that in normal control group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). The high expression of MMP-2 and reduction of collagen induced by inflammatory reaction mediated by the high expression of TNF-α in local skin tissue of pressure ulcer of rats may be one of the important reasons for the formation of pressure ulcer.
Modified visual field trend analysis.

PubMed

De Moraes, Carlos Gustavo V; Ritch, Robert; Tello, Celso; Liebmann, Jeffrey M

2011-01-01

Visual field trend analysis can be influenced by outlying values that may disproportionately affect estimation of the rate of change. We tested a modified approach to visual field trend analysis to minimize this problem. Automated pointwise linear regression (PLR) was used in glaucoma patients with ≥13 SITA-Standard 24-2 VF tests in either eye. In the control group (Group A), conventional PLR using the entire set of VF tests was carried out. In the other 3 groups (study groups), a truncated analysis was done using only the first and last 3 (Group B), first and last 4 (Group C), or first and last 5 (Group D) VF tests. We compared the global slopes (dB/y), number of eyes experiencing significant progression, and significant improvement between groups. Ninety eyes of 90 patients were evaluated. The mean number±SD of VF tests was 15.7±2.6, spanning 7.8±1.7 years. The study groups showed similar global rates of VF change as the control group (Group A=-0.48±0.5, Group B=-0.48±0.6, Group C=-0.48±0.6, Group D=-0.48±0.5 dB/y, P>0.05), and a similar number of eyes reaching a progression endpoint (Group A=53, Group B=52, Group C=49, Group D=53, P>0.05). However, Group B showed fewer eyes presenting VF improvement (false-positives). The modified VF trend-analysis showed greater specificity than conventional PLR in a population with glaucoma.
Plagiarism and the medical fraternity: a study of knowledge and attitudes.

PubMed

Shirazi, Bushra; Jafarey, Aamir M; Moazam, Farhat

2010-04-01

To assess knowledge and perceptions of plagiarism in medical students and faculty of private and public medical colleges in Karachi. A questionnaire based study was conducted on groups of 4th year medical students and medical faculty members. Group A consisted of medical students while group B comprised faculty members. The questionnaire contained 19 questions that assessed knowledge and attitudes of the respondents regarding various aspects of plagiarism. The total number of medical students (Group A) studied was 114 while the faculty number (Group B) was 82. Nineteen percent Group A and 22% of Group B displayed the correct knowledge about referencing materials from the internet or other sources. Seventeen percent of respondents in Group A and 16% in Group B had correct information about the use of quotation marks when incorporating verbatim phrases from external sources. Regarding Power Point presentations, 53% of respondents from Group A and 57% from Group B knew the appropriate requirements. There was a statistically significant difference among the two groups regarding the issue of self plagiarism, with 63% of respondents in Group A and 88% in Group B demonstrating correct understanding. Both groups showed a general lack of understanding regarding copyright rules and 18% of Group A and 23% of respondents in Group B knew the correct responses. Eighteen percent of respondents in Group A and 27% in Group B claimed to have never indulged in this practice. There is a general lack of information regarding plagiarism among medical students and faculty members.
Effects of Urtica dioica on hepatic ischemia‐reperfusion injury in rats

PubMed Central

Kandis, Hayati; Karapolat, Sami; Yildirim, Umran; Saritas, Ayhan; Gezer, Suat; Memisogullari, Ramazan

2010-01-01

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effects of Urtica dioica on hepatic ischemia‐reperfusion injury. METHODS: Thirty adult male Wistar albino rats were divided into three groups: sham group (group 1), control group (group 2), and Urtica dioica group (group 3). All the rats were exposed to hepatic ischemia for 60 min, followed by 60 min of reperfusion. In group 2, a total of 2 ml/kg 0.9% saline solution was given intraperitoneally. In group 3, a total of 2 ml/kg Urtica dioica was given intraperitoneally. At the end of the procedure, liver tissue and blood samples were taken from all rats. Serum aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, ceruloplasmin, catalase, paraoxonase, arylesterase, and lipid hydroperoxide levels were measured. Liver tissue histopathologies were also evaluated by light microscopy. RESULTS: Serum aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase and lactate dehydrogenase levels were significantly higher in group 2 than in group 1, and significantly lower in group 3 than in group 2. Also, group 2 had higher serum lipid hydroperoxides and ceruloplasmin levels but lower catalase, paraoxonase, and arylesterase levels than group 1. In group 3, serum lipid hydroperoxides and ceruloplasmin levels were significantly lower, and catalase, paraoxonase, and arylesterase levels were higher than those in group 2. Histopathological examination showed that liver tissue damage was significantly decreased in group 3 compared with group 2. CONCLUSIONS: Urtica dioica has a protective effect on the liver in hepatic ischemia‐reperfusion‐injured rats. PMID:21340227
Protective effects of udenafil citrate, piracetam and dexmedetomidine treatment on testicular torsion/detorsion-induced ischaemia/reperfusion injury in rats.

PubMed

Tuglu, D; Yuvanc, E; Ozan, T; Bal, F; Yilmaz, E; Atasoy, P; Kisa, U; Batislam, E

2016-08-01

The aim of this study was to investigate the antioxidant properties of udenafil citrate (1.4 mg kg(-1) -2.8 mg kg(-1) ), dexmedetomidine 25 μg kg(-1) and piracetam 200 mg kg(-1) administered on ipsilateral/contralateral testes after ischaemia in a rat model of testicular torsion/detorsion (T/D) and define its protective effect histologically. Fifty-six Wistar albino rats were included and randomly assigned into 6 groups. No intervention was performed in control group (Group 1, n = 8) and in torsion/detorsion group, (Group 2, n = 8). Udenafil 1.4 mg kg(-1) was given to torsion/detorsion group (Group 3, n = 10), udenafil 2.8 mg kg(-1) was given to torsion/detorsion group (Group 4, n = 10), piracetam 200 mg kg(-1) was given to torsion/detorsion group (Group 5, n = 10) and dexmedetomidine 25 μg kg(-1) was given to torsion/detorsion group (Group 6, n = 10) intraperitoneally after 60 mins of testicular torsion. Biochemical and histopathological testicular injury were evaluated. When the tissue was examined by TOS values, Group 3, Group 4 and Group 5 were significantly lower than Group 2. In contrary Group 6 values were significantly higher than Group 2. The increasing doses of udenafil demonstrated antioxidant properties on the testis tissue and histopathological that protects the testicles. © 2015 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.

The Origins and Strategic Objectives of the Al-Qaeda Organization in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM)

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-12-01

Group Islamic Army (the Armed Islamic Group) GSPC Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat GICM Groupe Islamique de Combat (Moroccan Islamic Combat...the Armed Islamic Group (GIA, Groupe Islamique Armé), emerged. The GIA was a group made up of former militants who always rejected the idea of...French acronym GICM: Groupe Islamique Combatant au Maroc), the Libyan Islamic Fighting Group LIFG . This analysis will determine the nature of the
Managing parental groups: personal impact of a group leadership course for child healthcare nurses.

PubMed

Lefèvre, Åsa; Lundqvist, Pia; Drevenhorn, Eva; Hallström, Inger

2017-02-01

To investigate the experience and personal impact of a group leadership course for child healthcare nurses. During their child's first year, all parents in Sweden are invited to participate in parental groups within the child health service; however, only 49% choose to participate. Despite extensive experience, child healthcare nurses find managing parental groups challenging and express a need for training in group dynamics and group leadership. The study was designed as a controlled study with a pretest/post-test design where the participants form their own control group. A group leadership course was given to 56 child healthcare nurses and evaluated in a pre- and postintervention questionnaire, a course evaluation and an interview with the course leaders. The child healthcare nurses felt their group leadership skills were strengthened and the majority (96%) felt that the course had changed their way of leading parental groups. They felt that the group leader role had been clarified and that they had obtained several new tools to use in their groups. Clarifying the role of group leader and adding knowledge about group leadership and dynamics seems to have increased the self-confidence for child healthcare nurses in group leadership. Improved confidence in group management might motivate the child healthcare nurses to further develop parental groups to attract the parents who currently choose not to participate. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Protective effects of tempol in an experimental ovarian ischemia-reperfusion injury model in female Wistar albino rats.

PubMed

Pınar, Neslihan; Soylu Karapınar, Oya; Özcan, Oğuzhan; Atik Doğan, Esin; Bayraktar, Suphi

2017-07-01

The aim of this study was to investigate the antioxidant effects of tempol on ovarian ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury in rats. Forty female Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into 5 groups: Group I, sham; Group II, ischemia (I); Group III, I/R; Group IV, I/R + tempol 30 mg/kg i.p; Group V, I/R + tempol 50 mg/kg i.p. Oxidative stress index (OSI) was significantly higher in the ischemia group and the I/R group than in the sham group. Catalase levels were significantly lower in the I/R group than in the I/R + tempol 30 mg/kg i.p. and the I/R + tempol 50 mg/kg i.p. groups. Glutathione peroxidase levels were lower in the I/R group than in the I/R + tempol 30 mg/kg i.p. and the I/R + tempol 50 mg/kg i.p. groups. MDA levels were significantly lower in the I/R + tempol 30 mg/kg i.p. group and the I/R + tempol 50 mg/kg i.p. group than in the I/R group. The levels of the histopathological parameters were significantly decreased in the I/R + tempol 50 mg/kg i.p. group compared with the I/R group. Tempol can be used for reducing ovarian I/R injury.
Optimal group size in a highly social mammal

PubMed Central

Markham, A. Catherine; Gesquiere, Laurence R.; Alberts, Susan C.; Altmann, Jeanne

2015-01-01

Group size is an important trait of social animals, affecting how individuals allocate time and use space, and influencing both an individual’s fitness and the collective, cooperative behaviors of the group as a whole. Here we tested predictions motivated by the ecological constraints model of group size, examining the effects of group size on ranging patterns and adult female glucocorticoid (stress hormone) concentrations in five social groups of wild baboons (Papio cynocephalus) over an 11-y period. Strikingly, we found evidence that intermediate-sized groups have energetically optimal space-use strategies; both large and small groups experience ranging disadvantages, in contrast to the commonly reported positive linear relationship between group size and home range area and daily travel distance, which depict a disadvantage only in large groups. Specifically, we observed a U-shaped relationship between group size and home range area, average daily distance traveled, evenness of space use within the home range, and glucocorticoid concentrations. We propose that a likely explanation for these U-shaped patterns is that large, socially dominant groups are constrained by within-group competition, whereas small, socially subordinate groups are constrained by between-group competition and predation pressures. Overall, our results provide testable hypotheses for evaluating group-size constraints in other group-living species, in which the costs of intra- and intergroup competition vary as a function of group size. PMID:26504236
New angiotensin II type 1 receptor blocker, azilsartan, attenuates cardiac remodeling after myocardial infarction.

PubMed

Nakamura, Yuichi; Suzuki, Satoshi; Saitoh, Shu-ichi; Takeishi, Yasuchika

2013-01-01

After an acute myocardial infarction (MI), neurohumoral systems including renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) are activated which in turn aggravate cardiac remodeling. Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) are useful drugs for suppression of RAAS. The purpose of this study was to evaluate a new ARB, azilsartan, for suppressing cardiac remodeling and progression to heart failure after MI. We created MI by left anterior descending coronary artery ligation in male mice, and these mice were orally administered saline (0.2 mL) in the control group (Group C), 0.1 mg/kg/d of azilsartan in the low dose group (Group L), and 1.0 mg/kg/d in the high dose group (Group H) everyday. Blood pressure was decreased in Group H, but not in Group L, compared to Group C. At 2 weeks after MI creation, infarct size and fibrotic change at the site remote to the myocardial infarcted area were attenuated in Group L and Group H compared to Group C. Echocardiography revealed that cardiac remodeling was suppressed in Group L and Group H compared to Group C. Increases of mRNA expression levels related to fibrotic change were attenuated in Group L and Group H compared to Group C. The new ARB, azilsartan, had a cardiac remodeling suppression effect after MI, and this effect was observed without blood pressure lowering.
Effects of Sex Composition on Group Processes in Alcohol Prevention Groups for Teens

PubMed Central

Garcia, Tracey A.; Bacio, Guadalupe A.; Tomlinson, Kristin; Ladd, Benjamin O.; Anderson, Kristen G.

2015-01-01

Although most alcohol and other drug prevention programs for adolescents are offered in group settings, little is known about the possible effects of sex composition on group processes and mechanisms of change. Using the Group Actor-Partner Interdependence Model framework, we examined how the sex constellation of adolescent prevention group members influenced youth satisfaction, engagement, and endorsement of healthy behavior during group. Participants in Project Options (N = 379; 61.8% girls; Mage = 16.1; SD = 1.4), a voluntary school-based alcohol prevention program, completed measures of satisfaction at each prevention session and observers rated engagement and change talk for each group. When analyses were oriented towards girls, their personal satisfaction, group-rated satisfaction, and group-level engagement were positively related to having more girls in the group. Similarly, in boys, personal satisfaction, satisfaction of the group as a whole, and engagement in groups improved when groups were composed of more girls. Statements supportive of healthy alcohol/drug-related decision making were unrelated to group composition. The findings suggest that the composition of girls and boys in groups has differential effects on some group processes. This avenue of research has merit for the understanding the mechanisms associated with satisfaction and engagement in adolescent substance use prevention programs. PMID:26237325
Role of diclofenac sodium and paracetamol on colonic anastomosis: An experimental rodent model.

PubMed

Gulcicek, Osman Bilgin; Solmaz, Ali; Yigitbas, Hakan; Ercetin, Candas; Yavuz, Erkan; Ozdogan, Kamil; Biricik, Aytac; Akkalp, Asli Kahraman; Uzun, Hafize; Kutnu, Muge; Celebi, Fatih; Celik, Atilla

2018-05-01

Despite many advances in surgery and technology, colonic anastomosis remains a challenge after colonic resection. The purpose of this study is to compare the safety of using diclofenac sodium and paracetamol for analgesia in colonic anastomosis on rats. Wistar-Hannover rats were randomly allocated to four groups: Group 1, sham-operated group; Group 2, control group; Group 3, diclofenac sodium group; Group 4, paracetamol group. After laparotomy, the left colon was transected and a single-layer anastomosis was made with 5/0 vicryl in Groups 2, 3, and 4. Only laparotomy was performed in Group 1. After anastomosis, we administered saline to Group 2, diclofenac sodium to Group 3, and paracetamol to Group 4 for 7 days. Then, all animals were decapitated. The anastomotic region was resected, and bursting pressure was measured. Then, the specimen was sent to the laboratory for histological examination and hydroxyproline analysis. Bursting pressure and hydroxyproline level were significantly higher in the paracetamol group (p<0.05). When we looked at the fibrosis levels of these groups, it was also higher in paracetamol group. Bursting pressure, hydroxyproline levels, and fibrosis levels indicate that the perioperative use of paracetamol for analgesia when undergoing colonic anastomosis is safer than diclofenac sodium. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier Taiwan.
Social Groups Prioritize Selective Attention to Faces: How Social Identity Shapes Distractor Interference

PubMed Central

Hill, LaBarron K.; Williams, DeWayne P.; Thayer, Julian F.

2016-01-01

Human faces automatically attract visual attention and this process appears to be guided by social group memberships. In two experiments, we examined how social groups guide selective attention toward in-group and out-group faces. Black and White participants detected a target letter among letter strings superimposed on faces (Experiment 1). White participants were less accurate on trials with racial out-group (Black) compared to in-group (White) distractor faces. Likewise, Black participants were less accurate on trials with racial out-group (White) compared to in-group (Black) distractor faces. However, this pattern of out-group bias was only evident under high perceptual load—when the task was visually difficult. To examine the malleability of this pattern of racial bias, a separate sample of participants were assigned to mixed-race minimal groups (Experiment 2). Participants assigned to groups were less accurate on trials with their minimal in-group members compared to minimal out-group distractor faces, regardless of race. Again, this pattern of out-group bias was only evident under high perceptual load. Taken together, these results suggest that social identity guides selective attention toward motivationally relevant social groups—shifting from out-group bias in the domain of race to in-group bias in the domain of minimal groups—when perceptual resources are scarce. PMID:27556646
The recruitment of new members to existing PBSGL small groups: a qualitative study.

PubMed

Park, Julia; Cunningham, David E

2018-04-23

Introduction Practice-Based Small Group Learning (PBSGL) is a learning programme widely adopted by primary healthcare professions (general practitioners, general practice nurses and pharmacists) in Scotland and other countries in the UK. PBSGL groups recruit members and decide on meeting dates and venues. Study aims To determine how groups recruit new members and discern what are the important attributes of the new members. Method A grounded theory approach was used with purposive sampling to recruit PBSGL groups to the study. Focus groups drawn from established PBSGL groups were conducted by two researchers following an iterative process, with interviews audio-recorded and transcribed, and codes and themes constructed. Data saturation was achieved. Results and conclusions Four themes were identified that affected group recruitment: group formation and purpose; group culture and ethos; experience and seniority range of group members; professional socialisation and cross-fertilisation. Groups whose main purpose was learning encouraged diverse membership, while groups that were stricter with recruitment often prioritised friendship, group safety, trust and peer support over learning. The variation in group's openness to recruitment may make it difficult for potential members to find a group and this may affect the development and expansion of the PBSGL programme.
Which Treatment is More Effective for Functional Ankle Instability: Strengthening or Combined Muscle Strengthening and Proprioceptive Exercises?

PubMed

Kim, Ki-Jong; Kim, Young-Eok; Jun, Hyun-Ju; Lee, Jin-Su; Ji, Sung-Ha; Ji, Sang-Goo; Seo, Tae-Hwa; Kim, Young-Ok

2014-03-01

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to implement combined muscle strengthening and proprioceptive exercises to examine the effects of combined exercises on functional ankle instability. [Subjects and Methods] Experiments were conducted with 30 adult males and females. The study subjects were randomly assigned to either a control group (Group A), a muscle strengthening exercise group (Group B), or a combined muscle strengthening and proprioceptive exercise group (Group C) consisting of 10 subjects each. In Group A, measurements were only conducted before and after the experiment without any intervention, whereas the exercise programs for Group B and Group C were implemented three days per week for four weeks. [Results] Muscle strength showed significant increases in Groups B and C compared with the control group during plantar flexion, dorsiflexion, inversion, and eversion. The Cumberland ankle instability tool showed significant increases in Group B and Group C compared with Group A and significant increases in Group C compared with Group B. [Conclusion] Applying combined muscle strengthening and proprioceptive exercises to those who have functional ankle instability is more effective than applying only muscle strengthening exercises.
Intergroup threat and experienced affect: the distinct roles of causal attributions and in-group identification.

PubMed

Costarelli, Sandro

2009-06-01

Research shows that under manipulated conditions of intergroup threat, individuals experience greater negative affect to the extent that low in-group identifiers make an in-group-internal attribution rather than an out-group-internal attribution, and high in-group identifiers make an out-group-internal attribution rather than an in-group-internal attribution for outcomes of intergroup comparison that threaten their social identity. The author predicted and found that under conditions of making an out-group-internal attribution, such an effect of in-group identification is mediated by the general proneness to perceiving in-group-out-group differences, or intergroup distinctiveness, at high, but not low, levels of in-group identification. Combining the findings of 2 different literatures, the author provides new insights into the distinct roles played by intergroup attributions as a predictor, in-group identification as a moderator, and intergroup distinctiveness as a mediator of the affective responses produced under conditions of social identity threat instantiated by individuals' making out-group-internal attribution for the in-group unfavorable outcomes of intergroup comparison.
Is ursodeoxycholic acid crucial for ischemia/reperfusion-induced ovarian injury in rat ovary?

PubMed

Akdemir, Ali; Sahin, Cagdas; Erbas, Oytun; Yeniel, Ahmet O; Sendag, Fatih

2015-08-01

Ursodeoxycholic acid is frequently used in cholestatic liver diseases. Also, it protects hepatocytes against oxidative stress induced by hydrophobic bile acids. We investigated the anti-oxidative effect of ursodeoxycholic acid on ischemia/reperfusion injury after ovarian de-torsion in rats. We designed five study groups. Group 1 (n = 6): Sham-operated group; group 2 (n = 6): torsion group; group 3 (n = 6): torsion and ursodeoxycholic acid, group 4 (n = 7): torsion/de-torsion group; and group 5 (n = 7): torsion/de-torsion and ursodeoxycholic acid. After that, ovarian samples were obtained and examined histologically and tissue levels of malondialdehyde were measured. Follicular degeneration, edema and inflammatory cells were significantly decreased in groups 3 and 5 in comparison with groups 2 and 4. Also, groups 4 and 5 were compared in terms of vascular congestion and hemorrhage and these were found to be significantly decreased in group 5. In addition, levels of malondialdehyde were significantly decreased in groups 3 and 5 in comparison with groups 2 and 4. We concluded that ursodeoxycholic acid might be useful to protect the ovary against ischemia and reperfusion injury.
Keeping up appearances: Strategic information exchange by disidentified group members

PubMed Central

Matschke, Christina

2017-01-01

Information exchange is a crucial process in groups, but to date, no one has systematically examined how a group member’s relationship with a group can undermine this process. The current research examined whether disidentified group members (i.e., members who have a negative relationship with their group) strategically undermine the group outcome in information exchange. Disidentification has been found to predict negative group-directed behaviour, but at the same time disidentified members run the risk of being punished or excluded from the group when displaying destructive behaviour. In three studies we expected and found that disidentified group members subtly act against the interest of the group by withholding important private information, while at the same time they keep up appearances by sharing important information that is already known by the other group members. These findings stress the importance of taking a group member’s relationship with a group into account when considering the process of information exchange. PMID:28384322
Early group bias in the Faroe Islands: Cultural variation in children's group-based reasoning.

PubMed

Schug, Mariah G; Shusterman, Anna; Barth, Hilary; Patalano, Andrea L

2016-01-01

Recent developmental research demonstrates that group bias emerges early in childhood. However, little is known about the extent to which bias in minimal (i.e., arbitrarily assigned) groups varies with children's environment and experience, and whether such bias is universal across cultures. In this study, the development of group bias was investigated using a minimal groups paradigm with 46 four- to six-year-olds from the Faroe Islands. Children observed in-group and out-group members exhibiting varying degrees of prosocial behaviour (egalitarian or stingy sharing). Children did not prefer their in-group in the pretest, but a pro-in-group and anti-out-group sentiment emerged in both conditions in the posttest. Faroese children's response patterns differ from those of American children [Schug, M. G., Shusterman, A., Barth, H., & Patalano, A. L. (2013). Minimal-group membership influences children's responses to novel experience with group members. Developmental Science, 16(1), 47-55], suggesting that intergroup bias shows cultural variation even in a minimal groups context.
Inter-group and intra-group assertiveness: adolescents' social skills following cultural transition.

PubMed

Korem, Anat; Horenczyk, Gabriel; Tatar, Moshe

2012-08-01

The goals of this study were to examine intra-group and inter-group assertiveness among adolescents, and to compare these two domains of assertiveness between cultural groups in Israel. Measures of intra-group and inter-group assertiveness were developed, and questionnaires were administrated to 441 immigrants from the Former Soviet Union (FSU), 242 immigrants from Ethiopia and 333 non-immigrants. Compared to non-immigrants, FSU and Ethiopian immigrants' inter-group assertiveness was lower. Girls reported higher levels of inter-group assertiveness than boys. Each of the immigrant groups rates itself as equally assertive as the non-immigrant group and more assertive than the other immigrant group. Also, a difference between inter-group and intra-group assertiveness was found among the FSU immigrants. It is argued that adolescents' assertiveness following cultural transition is associated with socio-cultural context, and the implications of this conclusion are discussed. Copyright © 2011 The Foundation for Professionals in Services for Adolescents. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Altruistic behavior in cohesive social groups: The role of target identifiability.

PubMed

Ritov, Ilana; Kogut, Tehila

2017-01-01

People's tendency to be more generous toward identifiable victims than toward unidentifiable or statistical victims is known as the Identifiable Victim Effect. Recent research has called the generality of this effect into question, showing that in cross-national contexts, identifiability mostly affects willingness to help victims of one's own "in-group." Furthermore, in inter-group conflict situations, identifiability increased generosity toward a member of the adversary group, but decreased generosity toward a member of one's own group. In the present research we examine the role of group-cohesiveness as an underlying factor accounting for these divergent findings. In particular, we examined novel groups generated in the lab, using the minimal group paradigm, as well as natural groups of students in regular exercise sections. Allocation decisions in dictator games revealed that a group's cohesiveness affects generosity toward in-group and out-group recipients differently, depending on their identifiability. In particular, in cohesive groups the identification of an in-group recipient decreased, rather than increased generosity.
[Protective effect of Saccharomyces boulardii against intestinal mucosal barrier injury in rats with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease].

PubMed

Liu, Y T; Li, Y Q; Wang, Y Z

2016-12-20

Objective: To investigate the protective effect of Saccharomyces boulardii against intestinal mucosal barrier injury in rats with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Methods: A total of 36 healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats with a mean body weight of 180±20 g were randomly divided into control group, model group, and treatment group, with 12 rats in each group, after adaptive feeding for 1 week. The rats in the control group were given basic feed, and those in the model group and treatment group were given high-fat feed. After 12 weeks of feeding, the treatment group was given Saccharomyces boulardii (75×10 8 CFU/kg/d) by gavage, and those in the control group and model group were given isotonic saline by gavage. At the 20th week, blood samples were taken from the abdominal aorta to measure the levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), triglyceride (TG), intestinal fatty acid binding protein (IFABP), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and endotoxins. The liver pathological changes, intestinal histopathological changes, and expression of occludin in the intestinal mucosa were observed. Fecal samples were collected to measure the changes in Escherichia coli and Bacteroides. A one-way analysis of variance and the SNK test were used for comparison between multiple groups, and the rank sum test was used as the non-parametric test. Results: Compared with the control group, the model group had significantly higher body weight, liver mass, and liver index ( P < 0.05), and compared with the model group, the treatment group had significant reductions in body weight, liver mass, and liver index ( P < 0.05). The model group had significant increases in TG, ALT, and AST compared with the control group ( P < 0.05), the treatment group had a significant reduction in AST compared with the model group ( P < 0.05), and the treatment group had slight reductions in TG and ALT compared with the model group ( P > 0.05). Compared with the control group, the model group had significant increases in the levels of endotoxin, TNF-α, and IFABP ( P < 0.05), and the treatment group had significant reductions in the levels of endotoxin, TNF-α, and IFABP ( P < 0.05). Liver tissue staining showed that the model group had significantly increased hepatocyte steatosis compared with the control group ( P < 0.05), and that the treatment group had significantly reduced hepatocyte steatosis compared with the model group ( P < 0.05). The intestinal villi in the control group had ordered arrangement and a complete structure; in the model group, the intestinal villi were shortened with local shedding and a lack of ordered arrangement; compared with the model group, the treatment group had mild edema and ordered arrangements of the intestinal villi. The model group had a significantly reduced level of occludin protein compared with the control group ( P < 0.05), and the treatment group had a slight increase compared with the model group. The model group had a significantly increased number of Escherichia coli and a significantly reduced number of Bacteroides compared with the control group ( P < 0.05), and the treatment group had a significantly reduced number of Escherichia coli and a significantly increased number of Bacteroides compared with the model group ( P < 0.05). Conclusion: High-fat diet can successfully induce NAFLD in rats, and intervention with Saccharomyces boulardii can reduce body weight and improve hepatocyte steatosis. Saccharomyces boulardii can reduce endotoxemia in NAFLD rats and thus alleviate inflammatory response. Saccharomyces boulardii can also adjust the proportion of Escherichia coli and Bacteroides in the intestine of NAFLD rats.
Comparing Indirect Effects in Different Groups in Single-Group and Multi-Group Structural Equation Models

PubMed Central

Ryu, Ehri; Cheong, Jeewon

2017-01-01

In this article, we evaluated the performance of statistical methods in single-group and multi-group analysis approaches for testing group difference in indirect effects and for testing simple indirect effects in each group. We also investigated whether the performance of the methods in the single-group approach was affected when the assumption of equal variance was not satisfied. The assumption was critical for the performance of the two methods in the single-group analysis: the method using a product term for testing the group difference in a single path coefficient, and the Wald test for testing the group difference in the indirect effect. Bootstrap confidence intervals in the single-group approach and all methods in the multi-group approach were not affected by the violation of the assumption. We compared the performance of the methods and provided recommendations. PMID:28553248
Evaluation of suture material characteristics in an in vitro experimental model.

PubMed

Justan, I

2010-01-01

The purpose of our study was to indentify the mechanical characteristics of various suture materials. We created an in-vitro experimental flexor tendon model. Materials were divided into four groups: monofilament polypropylene non-absorbable material (group 1); monofilament long-term absorbable material (group 2); polyester multifilament non-absorbable coated material (group 3) and polyester multifilament non-absorbable uncoated material (group 4). We performed 135 tests. The mean maximal tensile strength was 62.92 N in group 1, 75.20 N in group 2, 36.38 N in group 3 and 72.4 N in group 4. Elasticity in millimetres was adjusted at the 35N level: group 1:2.01 mm, group 2:2.18 mm, group 3:2.14 and group 4:1.51 mm. With regard to its elasticity and favourable SD for tensile strength measurements, polyester multifilament non-absorbable uncoated material was considered to be the most suitable material.
Social Class Differences Produce Social Group Preferences

PubMed Central

Horwitz, Suzanne R.; Shutts, Kristin; Olson, Kristina R.

2014-01-01

Some social groups are higher in socioeconomic status than others and the former tend to be favored over the latter. The present research investigated whether observing group differences in wealth alone can directly cause children to prefer wealthier groups. In Experiment 1, 4–5-year-old children developed a preference for a wealthy novel group over a less wealthy group. In Experiment 2, children did not develop preferences when groups differed by another kind of positive/negative attribute (i.e., living in brightly-colored houses vs. drab houses), suggesting that wealth is a particularly meaningful group distinction. Lastly, in Experiment 3, the effect of favoring novel wealthy groups was moderated by group membership: Children assigned to a wealthy group showed ingroup favoritism, but those assigned to the less wealthy group did not. These experiments shed light on why children tend to be biased in favor of social groups that are higher in socioeconomic status. PMID:24702971

Group Work Publication-1991.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Zimpfer, David G.

1992-01-01

Lists 21 new publications in group work, of which 9 are reviewed. Those discussed include publications on group counseling and psychotherapy, structured groups, support groups, psychodrama, and social group work. (Author/NB)
Influence of group cohesion on maternal well-being among participants in a support/education group program for single mothers.

PubMed

Lipman, Ellen L; Waymouth, Marjorie; Gammon, Tara; Carter, Patricia; Secord, Margaret; Leung, Olivia; Mills, Brenda; Hicks, Frances

2007-10-01

Single mothers are at increased risk of psychosocial disadvantage, social isolation and physical and mental health difficulties. The authors present (1) the results of group cohesion assessments completed by mothers participating in a trial of community-based support/education groups, and (2) assessments of the association between group cohesion ratings and intervention outcomes of maternal self-evaluations of well-being (mood, self-esteem, and social support) and parenting. Mothers participating in groups completed the Group Atmosphere Scale, a measure of group cohesion, post-group. Overall, most participants provided strong ratings of group cohesion. Significant associations were found between group cohesion and specific positive outcomes. This suggests a positive association between group cohesion and mood, self-esteem, social support, and parenting, in this trial.
Biochemical metabolic changes assessed by 31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy after radiation-induced hepatic injury in rabbits

PubMed Central

Yu, Ri-Sheng; Hao, Liang; Dong, Fei; Mao, Jian-Shan; Sun, Jian-Zhong; Chen, Ying; Lin, Min; Wang, Zhi-Kang; Ding, Wen-Hong

2009-01-01

AIM: To compare the features of biochemical metabolic changes detected by hepatic phosphorus-31 magnetic resonance spectroscopy (31P MRS) with the liver damage score (LDS) and pathologic changes in rabbits and to investigate the diagnostic value of 31P MRS in acute hepatic radiation injury. METHODS: A total of 30 rabbits received different radiation doses (ranging 5-20 Gy) to establish acute hepatic injury models. Blood biochemical tests, 31P MRS and pathological examinations were carried out 24 h after irradiation. The degree of injury was evaluated according to LDS and pathology. Ten healthy rabbits served as controls. The MR examination was performed on a 1.5 T imager using a 1H/31P surface coil by the 2D chemical shift imaging technique. The relative quantities of phosphomonoesters (PME), phosphodiesters (PDE), inorganic phosphate (Pi) and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) were measured. The data were statistically analyzed. RESULTS: (1) Relative quantification of phosphorus metabolites: (a) ATP: there were significant differences (P < 0.05) (LDS-groups: control group vs mild group vs moderate group vs severe group, 1.83 ± 0.33 vs 1.55 ± 0.24 vs 1.27 ± 0.09 vs 0.98 ± 0.18; pathological groups: control group vs mild group vs moderate group vs severe group, 1.83 ± 0.33 vs 1.58 ± 0.25 vs 1.32 ± 0.07 vs 1.02 ± 0.18) of ATP relative quantification among control group, mild injured group, moderate injured group, and severe injured group according to both LDS grading and pathological grading, respectively, and it decreased progressively with the increased degree of injury (r = -0.723, P = 0.000). (b) PME and Pi; the relative quantification of PME and Pi decreased significantly in the severe injured group, and the difference between the control group and severe injured group was significant (P < 0.05) (PME: LDS-control group vs LDS-severe group, 0.86 ± 0.23 vs 0.58 ± 0.22, P = 0.031; pathological control group vs pathological severe group, 0.86 ± 0.23 vs 0.60 ± 0.21, P = 0.037; Pi: LDS-control group vs LDS-severe group, 0.74 ± 0.18 vs 0.43 ± 0.14, P = 0.013; pathological control group vs pathological severe group, 0.74 ± 0.18 vs 0.43 ± 0.14, P = 0.005) according to LDS grading and pathological grading, respectively. (c) PDE; there were no significant differences among groups according to LDS grading, and no significant differences between the control group and experimental groups according to pathological grading. (2) The ratio of relative quantification of phosphorus metabolites: significant differences (P < 0.05) (LDS-moderate group and LDS-severe group vs LDS-control group and LDS-mild group, 1.94 ± 0.50 and 1.96 ± 0.72 vs 1.43 ± 0.31 and 1.40 ± 0.38) were only found in PDE/ATP between the moderate injured group, the severe injured group and the control group, the mild injured group. No significant difference was found in other ratios of relative quantification of phosphorus metabolites. CONCLUSION: 31P MRS is a useful method to evaluate early acute hepatic radiation injury. The relative quantification of hepatic ATP levels, which can reflect the pathological severity of acute hepatic radiation injury, is correlated with LDS. PMID:19522022
The use of modern dressings in managing split-thickness skin graft donor sites: a single-centre randomised controlled trial.

PubMed

Kazanavičius, M; Cepas, A; Kolaityte, V; Simoliuniene, R; Rimdeika, R

2017-06-02

To identify the most appropriate, most suitable and most efficient dressing for split-thickness skin graft (STSG) donor sites. Comparing the wound healing rate, pain severity and duration, as well as the dressing change frequency in four randomised patient groups. A single-centre non-blinded randomised controlled trial was carried out during 2010-2014. All patients treated for skin defects/lesions (due to burns, trauma or ulcers) using STSG were included in the study. All patients were randomly allocated in four different donor site treatment groups; polyurethane (PU group, Mepilex); polyurethane with silicone membrane (PUSM group; Mepilex border,); transparent, breathable film (TBF group; Mepitel film) and cotton gauze dressings (CG group) using Excel 2007. We evaluated: wound healing time, pain severity and duration, the frequency of dressing change, donor site re-epithelialisation, donor site complications (signs of inflammation or infection). Patients were assessed on postoperative days: 1, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18 and 21. After random allocation of study participants the number of patients in each group were: PU group n=25; PUSM group n=24; TBF group n=24; CG group n=25. The groups were homogenous according to gender, age, main pathology, donor site area and wound size. The STSG donor site healing time varied from 9 to 21 days. The mean healing time in the CG group was 14.76 days, whereas in the PU, PUSM, and TBF group it was significantly shorter; 12.25 days, 11.63 days and 10 days, respectively. Patients in the TBF group demonstrated the most rapid healing time with 66.7% of STSG donor sites healed by postoperative day 9. The pain duration interval in modern dressing groups (PU, PUSM and TBF groups) was 0-9 days, whereas it was 6-18 day in the CS group. Pain intensity mean on postoperative day 1 was 2.21 in the PU group; 1.67 in the PUSM group; 1.46 in the TBF group and 3.04 in the CG group. The average pain duration in Group PU, PUSM, and TBF was 4.08 days; 2.5 days; 2.29 days, respectively. The average number of times each dressing was changed in each group was, 2.83 times in the PU group and PUSM group and 1.46 times in the TBF group. The CG dressing group were changed once when the donor site wound re-epithelialised. There was one patient in the PU group who experienced signs of infection, was treated accordingly and excluded from the study. The fastest healing time was demonstrated by patients in the TBF group. The pain was not as severe and for a shorter period of time in modern dressing study groups. However, the pain was lightest and felt shortest in TBF dressing group. The modern dressings PU and PUSM had to be changed more frequently than TBF.
The interprofessional team as a small group.

PubMed

Kane, R A

1975-01-01

Conflicts in interprofessional teamwork may be as much explained by group process considerations as by the interaction of professional roles and statuses. This paper examines the interprofessional team as a small group, using a synthesis of sources from social psychology, social group work, T-group literature, management theory, and health team research. Eight issues are considered in relation to the team as a small group, namely, (a) the individual in the group, (b) team size, (c) group norms, (d) democracy, (e) decision making and conflict resolution, (f) communication and structure, (g) leadership, and (h) group harmony and its relationship to group productivity.
ABO and Rh blood group genotypes in a cohort of Saudi stem cell donors.

PubMed

Alzahrani, M; Jawdat, D; Alaskar, A; Cereb, N; Hajeer, A H

2018-04-01

The ABO and rhesus (Rh) blood group antigens are the most frequently studied genetic markers in a large group of people. Blood type frequencies vary in different racial/ethnic groups. Our objective was to investigate the distribution of the ABO and rhesus (Rh) blood groups by molecular typing method in a population of Saudi stem cell donors. Our data indicate that the most common blood group in our population is group O followed by group A then group B, and finally, the least common is group AB. © 2018 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Simulated Group Counseling: An Experiential Training Model for Group Work.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Romano, John L.

1998-01-01

Describes an experiential group training model designed for prepracticum-level counseling graduate students. Simulated Group Counseling (SCG) offers students an opportunity to experience being group members; facilitating a group; and processing the group with peers, an advanced graduate student observer, and the instructor. SGC reduces…
The Effects of Two Self-Regulation Interventions to Increase Self-Efficacy and Group Exercise Behavior in Fitness Clubs

PubMed Central

Middelkamp, Jan; van Rooijen, Maaike; Wolfhagen, Peter; Steenbergen, Bert

2016-01-01

Studies on the adoption and maintenance of group exercise behavior are scarce. The objective of this study is to test two self-efficacy based interventions to increase barrier self-efficacy and group exercise behavior. In total 122 participants (Mage 42.02 yr.; SD 12.29; 67% females) were recruited and randomly assigned to one control and two experimental groups. The control group was limited to participate in one virtual group exercise program only (group 1). The first experimental group was able to self-set their activities and participate in multiple group exercise programs (group 2). The second experimental group received an additional monthly coaching protocol to manage self-set goals (group 3). A validated scale for barrier self-efficacy was used, group exercise sessions were measured and drop-out rates were registered. An ANOVA indicated that mean amount of sessions of group 1 and 3, and 2 and 3 differed significantly (p < 0.05) in 12 weeks. Descriptive statistics demonstrate mean group exercise sessions over the total of 12 weeks of 2.74 (SD 4.65) in the control group; 4.75 (SD 6.08) in the first experimental group, and 12.25 (SD 9.07) for the second experimental group. Regression analysis indicated that self-efficacy at 8-weeks explained the highest variance in overall group exercise sessions (R2 = 0.18; p < 0.05). Overall drop-out rates were 88% in group 1, 78% in group 2 and 48% in group 3. The results showed that group exercise behavior can significantly be improved by a coaching protocol on self-set goals. Future research should address the effectiveness of self-set activities and self-set goals for a longer period of time and in other types of exercise programs. Key points Approximately 144 million individuals exercise in fitness clubs worldwide. About 50% participate in at least one group exercise program and 23% participate only in group exercise classes with instructor. Research on attendance and exercise behavior in fitness clubs is limited but there are strong indications that the frequencies are low. This study demonstrates that group exercise behavior in fitness clubs can be improved significantly by a coaching protocol on self-set goals based on tenets of self-efficacy theory. PMID:27274676
The impact of gout on patient’s lives: a study of African-American and Caucasian men and women with gout

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

Introduction The aim of this study was to examine the impact of gout on quality of life (QOL) and study differences by gender and race. Methods Ten race- and sex-stratified nominal groups were conducted, oversampling for African-Americans and women with gout. Patients presented, discussed, combined and rank-ordered their concerns. Results A total of 62 patients with mean age 65.1 years, 60% men, 64% African-American, participated in 10 nominal groups: African-American men (n = 23; 3 groups); African-American women (n = 18; 3 groups); Caucasian men (n = 15; 3 groups); and Caucasian women (n = 6; 1 group). The most frequently cited high-ranked concerns among the ten nominal groups were: (1) effect of gout flare on daily activities (n = 10 groups); (2) work disability (n = 8 groups); (3) severe pain (n = 8 groups); (4) joint swelling and tenderness (n = 6 groups); (5) food restrictions (n = 6 groups); (6) medication related issues (n = 6 groups); (7) dependency on family and others (n = 5 groups); (8) emotional Impact (n = 5 groups); (9) interference with sexual function (n = 4 groups); (10) difficulty with shoes (n = 4 groups); and (11) sleep disruption (n = 4 groups). Compared with men, women ranked the following concerns high more often: problems with shoes (n = 4 versus n = 0 groups); dependency (n = 3 versus n = 2 groups); and joint/limb deformity (n = 2 versus n = 0 group). Compared with Caucasians, African-Americans ranked the following concerns high more often: dietary restrictions (n = 6 versus n = 0 groups); severe pain (n = 6 versus n = 2 groups); gout bringing the day to a “halt” (n = 2 versus n = 0 group); effect on emotional health (n = 4 versus n = 1 groups); and the need for canes/crutches during flares (n = 2 versus n = 0 group). Conclusions Gout has a significant impact on a patient’s QOL. Important differences in the impact of gout by gender and race were noted. PMID:24961941
33 CFR Appendix B to Part 155 - Determining and Evaluating Required Response Resources for Vessel Response Plans

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... carried [persistent (groups II, III, and IV) or non-persistent (group I)]; and the geographic area(s) in... type of petroleum oil carried [persistent (groups II, III, and IV) or non-persistent (group I)]; and... Petroleum Oil Cargo Groups Non-persistent oil 72 G: Group I 1.0 Persistent oil: Group II 1.8 Group III 2.0...
33 CFR Appendix B to Part 155 - Determining and Evaluating Required Response Resources for Vessel Response Plans

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... carried [persistent (groups II, III, and IV) or non-persistent (group I)]; and the geographic area(s) in... type of petroleum oil carried [persistent (groups II, III, and IV) or non-persistent (group I)]; and... Petroleum Oil Cargo Groups Non-persistent oil 72 G: Group I 1.0 Persistent oil: Group II 1.8 Group III 2.0...
33 CFR Appendix B to Part 155 - Determining and Evaluating Required Response Resources for Vessel Response Plans

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... carried [persistent (groups II, III, and IV) or non-persistent (group I)]; and the geographic area(s) in... type of petroleum oil carried [persistent (groups II, III, and IV) or non-persistent (group I)]; and... Petroleum Oil Cargo Groups Non-persistent oil 72 G: Group I 1.0 Persistent oil: Group II 1.8 Group III 2.0...
[Value of mDIXON-Quant sequence, diffusion-weighted imaging in quantitatively diagnosing the sacroiliitis stages].

PubMed

An, Y Y; Li, H X; Zhan, Y; Lei, X W

2017-10-10

Objective: To evaluate the value of mDIXON-Quant sequence, diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) in quantitative diagnosing of the sacroiliitis stages in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Methods: Based on the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Activity Index (BASDAI) and laboratory parameters, a total of 51 patients were diagnosed with AS. They were divided into two groups as early active group ( n =20) and chronic active group ( n =31), and at the same time, 25 healthy people from Tianjin were included as control group. The regular MRI sequences and mDIXON-Quant sequence, DWI were obtained. The apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and fat-signal fraction (FF) value of bone marrow with edema of the sacroiliac joints in early active group and chronic active group and of subchondral bone marrow of sacroiliac joint in control group all were measured by ADC maps and FF maps. Mean (FF, ADC) values were compared between groups. Results: The ADC value of the early active group, chronic active group and the control group is (1.07±0.20)×10(-3)mm(2)/s, (1.00±0.22)×10(-3)mm(2)/s, (0.25±0.07)×10(-3)mm(2)/s, respectively, and the differences of ADC value between early active group and control group, chronic active group and control group were significant ( P <0.01), but the difference of the ADC value between early active group and chronic active group was not significant ( P =0.394). That is to say, the ADC value can't distinguish the early active group and chronic active group. The differences of FF value between groups was significant ( P <0.01), and the FF value of bone marrow with edema in chronic active group were higher than that in early active group. Conclusions: The mDIXON-Quant sequence can quantitatively diagnose early active group and chronic active group, and the diagnostic value is better than DWI. Thus, it can provide guidance for clinical treatment and prognosis.
[Efficacy observation of nonspecific low back pain treated with the dragon-tiger fighting needling method].

PubMed

Zhao, Feng; Cao, Dong-bo; Yuan, Yi-qin; Luo, Jian; Wen, Yan-yun; Wang, Yue; Yu, Jie

2012-06-01

To compare the difference in the clinical efficacy on nonspecific low back pain (NLBP) treated with the dragon-tiger fighting needling method, the uniform reinforcing-reducing method and the intermediate frequency physiotherapy. Ninety cases of NLBP were randomly divided into a dragon-tiger fighting needling group (group A), an uniform reinforcing-reducing needling group (group B) and an intermediate frequency physiotherapy group (group C), 30 cases in each one. In the group A, the dragon-tiger fighting needling method was used. In the group B, the uniform reinforcing-reducing method was applied. Two groups of acupoints were prescribed. One group included Shenshu (BL 23), Dachangshu (BL 25), Weizhong (BL 40) and Ashi points. The other group included Qihaishu (BL 24), Guanyuanshu (BL 26), Kunlun (BL 60), Yaoyangguan (GV 3). These two groups of acupoints were used alternatively in the above two groups. In the group C, the intermediate frequency physiotherapy was adopted in the pain area of the lumbar region. The treatment was given once per day in each group. Six treatments made one session. Totally, 2 sessions were required. The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), the Oswestry Disability Index (ODD and the clinical efficacy were observed in each group. The scores of VAS and ODI were reduced obviously after treatment in each group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). The score reducing in the group A was much more remarkable than those in the other two groups (all P < 0.05). The clinical curative rate was 30.0% (9/30), 23.3% (7/30) and 16.7% (5/30) in the group A, the group B and the group C, respectively. In comparison, the clinical efficacy in the group A was superior to that in either of the other groups (all P< 0.05). The dragon-tiger fighting needling method achieves the much better efficacy on NLBP compared with either the uniform reinforcing-reducing method or the intermediate frequency physiotherapy. It is one of the more effective needling method for analgesia.
Effect of gamma-hydroxybutyric acid on tissue Na+,K- ATPase levels after experimental head trauma.

PubMed

Yosunkaya, A; Ustün, M E; Bariskaner, H; Tavlan, A; Gürbilek, M

2004-05-01

A failure of the Na(+),K(+)-ATPase activity (which is essential for ion flux across the cell membranes) occurs in many pathological conditions and may lead to cell dysfunction or even cell death. By altering the concentration of specific opioid peptides, gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) may change ion flux across cell membranes and produce the 'channel arrest' which we assumed will inhibit the failure of Na+,K(+)-ATPase activity and therefore lead to energy conservation and cell protection. Therefore we planned this study to see the effects of GHB at two different doses on Na(+),K(+)-ATPase activity in an experimental head trauma model. Forty New Zealand rabbits were divided equally into four groups: group I was the sham-operated group, group II (untreated group), group III received head trauma and intravenous (i.v.) 500 mg/kg GHB and group IV received head trauma and i.v. 50 mg/kg GHB. Head trauma was delivered by performing a craniectomy over the right hemisphere and dropping a weight of 10 g from a height of 80 cm. The non-traumatized (left) side was named as 'a' and the traumatized (right) side as 'b'. One hour after the trauma in groups II and III and craniotomy in group I, brain cortices were resected from both sides and in group I only from the right side was the tissue Na-K-ATPase activity determined. The mean +/- SD of Na(+),K(+)-ATPase levels of each group are as follows: group I - 5.97 +/- 0.55; group IIa - 3.90 +/- 1.08; group IIb - 3.58 +/- 0.90; group IIIa - 5.53 +/- 0.60; group IIIb - 5.33 +/- 0.88; group IVa - 5.05 +/- 0.72; group IVb - 4.93 +/- 0.67. The Na(+),K(+)-ATPase levels of group IIa, IIb, IVa and IVb were significantly different from group S (P < 0.05). There were also significant differences between group IIa and groups IIIa and IVa; group IIb and groups IIIb and IVb (P < 0.05). We conclude that GHB is effective in suppressing the decrease in Na(+),K(+)-ATPase levels in brain tissue at two different dose schedules after head trauma.
[Effects of inhibiting the phosphorylation of JNK by absorbed INF-γon the remodeling of nasal mucosa in allergic rhinitis rats].

PubMed

Li, Q; Chen, Y L; Ma, Y Y; Zhang, Y D; Sun, C W; You, C P

2016-07-05

Objective: To study the role of phosphorylated JNK(c-Jun N-terminal kinase) on nasal mucosa remodeling in allergic rhinitis(AR) rats and the influence of IFN-γon IL-1β,JNK and nasal mucosa remodeling. Method: According to random number table,48 Wistar rats were divided into control group(A group),AR group(B group),IFN-γgroup(C group) and triamcinolone acetonide group(D group).The rats in group B,C and D were sensitized and provocated for inducing AR by intraperitoneal injection of ovalbumin(OVA) and Al(OH)₃.Thirty minutes before intranasally challenged,rats in three groups were administrated by instillation of PBS,IFN-γand triamcinolone acetonide into nasal cavities,while the group A rats were administrated by saline solution.Ten rats in each group were selected to enter the final experiment.The density of IL-1βin serum and nasal lavage fluid were tested by ELISA.The mean absorbance (m A ) of phosphorylated JNK and c-Jun were tested by immunohistochemistry.Western Blot detected the P-JNK level in nasal tissue homogenate. Result: The density of IL-1βin serum and nasal lavage fluid in group C and group D were significantly lower than that of group B ( P <0.01).Immunohistochemistry study showed that the protein expression level of phosphorylated JNK and c-Jun of nasal mucosa were significantly increased in group B,but significantly reduced in group C and group D .The mA of phosphorylated JNK and c-Jun in group B were significantly higher than those in the group C and group D( P <0.01).The Western blot showed that the P-JNK of nasal tissue homogenate in group B was higher than that of group C and group D ( P <0.01). Conclusion: The phosphorylation of JNK played an important role in nasal mucosa remodeling.IFN-γcould inhibit the phosphorylation of JNK and reduce the nasal mucosa remodeling.The mechanisms may be achieved through down-regulation of IL-1β. Copyright© by the Editorial Department of Journal of Clinical Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery.
Neo-adjuvant chemotherapy with cisplatin induces low expression of NMDA receptors and postoperative cognitive impairment.

PubMed

Cheng, Jing; Liu, Xiaoqing; Cao, Longhui; Zhang, Tianhua; Li, Huiting; Lin, Wenqian

2017-01-10

Whether Neo-adjuvant chemotherapy can affect patients' postoperative brain function is not clear. In this study, we investigated the effect of preoperative cisplatin treatment on postoperative cognitive function and its possible mechanism in rats. Moreover, we also tested whether the NMDAR inhibitor memantine could attenuate cisplatin-induced alterations. 12-month-oldSprague-Dawley rats randomly received an intraperitoneal injection of either cisplatin once a week at a dose of 3mg/kg for three consecutive weeks or an equivalent volume of normal saline. After the injections, the normal saline injection group was divided into 3 groups (n=5 each): a normal saline group (group S), normal saline+pentobarbital group (group SP), and normal saline+pentobarbital+operation group (group SPO).The cisplatin injection group was divided into 3 groups: a cisplatin group (group C), cisplatin+pentobarbital group (group CP), and cisplatin+pentobarbital+operation group (group CPO).Rats in the group SP, SPO,CP and CPO were anaesthetized with sodium pentobarbital and then the SPO and CPO groups underwent a simple laparotomy operation. The effects of memantine were tested through two additional groups of rats (cisplatin+memantine group (group CM) and cisplatin+pentobarbital+operation+memantine group (group CPOM)). A Morris water maze test was performed to evaluate the spatial learning and memory ability five days after anesthesia or operation. After the test, the hippocampi were removed for detection of the expression of NMDAR by western bloting. The relevant protein expression levels of PSD95 and ERK1/2 were detected by western blot analysis. Rats treated with cisplatin had a longer mean escape latency and spent a shorter amount of time in the target quadrant than did the normal saline injection rats. Furthermore, the protein expression levels of NMDA receptors, PSD95 and ERK1/2 were decreased in cisplatin group and memantine could up-regulate their expression. These results suggest that neo-adjuvant chemotherapy with cisplatin exacerbate the postoperative cognitive dysfunction in rats, and this may be caused by a lower expression of NMDA receptors in the hippocampus. Memantine could attenuate these alterations. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.
Effects of Number of Animals Monitored on Representations of Cattle Group Movement Characteristics and Spatial Occupancy

PubMed Central

Liu, Tong; Green, Angela R.; Rodríguez, Luis F.; Ramirez, Brett C.; Shike, Daniel W.

2015-01-01

The number of animals required to represent the collective characteristics of a group remains a concern in animal movement monitoring with GPS. Monitoring a subset of animals from a group instead of all animals can reduce costs and labor; however, incomplete data may cause information losses and inaccuracy in subsequent data analyses. In cattle studies, little work has been conducted to determine the number of cattle within a group needed to be instrumented considering subsequent analyses. Two different groups of cattle (a mixed group of 24 beef cows and heifers, and another group of 8 beef cows) were monitored with GPS collars at 4 min intervals on intensively managed pastures and corn residue fields in 2011. The effects of subset group size on cattle movement characterization and spatial occupancy analysis were evaluated by comparing the results between subset groups and the entire group for a variety of summarization parameters. As expected, more animals yield better results for all parameters. Results show the average group travel speed and daily travel distances are overestimated as subset group size decreases, while the average group radius is underestimated. Accuracy of group centroid locations and group radii are improved linearly as subset group size increases. A kernel density estimation was performed to quantify the spatial occupancy by cattle via GPS location data. Results show animals among the group had high similarity of spatial occupancy. Decisions regarding choosing an appropriate subset group size for monitoring depend on the specific use of data for subsequent analysis: a small subset group may be adequate for identifying areas visited by cattle; larger subset group size (e.g. subset group containing more than 75% of animals) is recommended to achieve better accuracy of group movement characteristics and spatial occupancy for the use of correlating cattle locations with other environmental factors. PMID:25647571
[Effect of febuxostat on epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition of kidney tubules, serum interleukin-6 and transforming growth factor β(1) in hyperuricemic rats].

PubMed

Lin, Z M; Zhang, R S; Fan, C X; Liang, Y L; Li, L; Zhao, L; Qu, J C; Xu, X; Zhao, H Y; Liu, X N; Zhu, K S

2017-05-01

Objective: To observe the effect of febuxostat on epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of kidney tubules and the levels of serum IL-6 nad transforming growth factor (TGF)β(1) in hyperuricemic rats. Methods: Forty male SD rats were divided into 4 groups: normal control group (NC group), oteracil potassium group (OP group), oteracil potassium with febuxostat group (OF group) and oteracil potassium with benzbromarone group (OB group). Each group had 10 rats and balanced in body weights. To induce hyperuricemia, rats were given oteracil potassium by gastric gavage once a day for eight weeks. Rats in OF group and OB group were given either febuxostat or benbromarone starting with oteracil potassium, and rats in NC group was given saline only. Blood samples were taken before, and at the end of 4 and 8 weeks of the treatments and serum uric acid, creatinine, blood usea nitrogen(BUN), IL-6 and TGFβ(1) contents were measured at each time point. Renal pathological changes were observed via HE and Masson staining, and the expression of α-SMA and E-cadherin were detected by immunohistochemistry. Results: Compared with those in NC group, the levels of serum uric acid, creatinine, BUN, IL-6 and TGFβ(1) in the another three groups were increased significantly (all P <0.01). However, the IL-6 and TGFβ(1) contents in OF group were much lower than those in OP group ( P <0.01). HE and Masson staining showed that OF group had less damage and tubulointerstitial fibrosis than OP group and OB group ( P <0.01). Moreover, the expression of α-SMA was significantly down-regulated ( P <0.01) and that of E-cadherin was significantly up-regulated in OF group compared with those in OP group. Conclusion: Febuxostat treatment significantly inhibited EMT and reduced the levels of IL-6 and TGFβ(1) in hyperuricemia rats.
Group Composition, Creative Synergy, and Group Performance.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Taggar, Simon

2001-01-01

A study of 94 intact autonomous work groups performing multi-part tasks revealed that group creative performance increased exponentially with the number of highly creative group members composing the group. However, this occurred only when Team Creativity-Relevant Processes within the group were relatively high. (Contains references.) (Author/CR)

Effects of xylitol as a sugar substitute on diabetes-related parameters in nondiabetic rats.

PubMed

Islam, Md Shahidul

2011-05-01

Abstract The present study was examined the effects of xylitol feeding on diabetes-associated parameters in nondiabetic rats. Seven-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups: control (five rats), sucrose (six rats), and xylitol (six rats). Animal had free access to a commercial rat pellet diet, and ad libitum water, 10% sucrose solution, and 10% xylitol solution were supplied to the control, sucrose, and xylitol groups, respectively. After 3 weeks of feeding of experimental diets, food intakes were significantly (P<.05) lower in the sucrose and xylitol groups compared with the control group. Drink intake was significantly higher in the sucrose group but significantly lower in the xylitol group compared with the control group. Body weight gain was significantly lower in the xylitol group compared with the sucrose group. Weekly nonfasting blood glucose was significantly increased, but fasting blood glucose was significantly decreased, in the sucrose group compared with the control and xylitol groups. Significantly better glucose tolerance was observed in the xylitol group compared with the control and sucrose groups. Serum insulin and fructosamine concentrations were not significantly influenced by the feeding of xylitol or sucrose. Relative liver weight and liver glycogen were significantly increased in the xylitol group compared with the sucrose group, whereas no difference was observed between the xylitol and control groups. Serum total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol were significantly decreased in the sucrose and xylitol groups, and serum triglyceride of the xylitol group, but not the sucrose group, was significantly increased compared with the control group. Data of this study suggest that xylitol can be a better sweetener than sucrose to maintain diabetes-related parameters at a physiologically safer and stable condition.
[Clinical research of pasinizid on retreated sputum positive pulmonary tuberculosis in senilities].

PubMed

Yu, D; Wang, J; Hu, X

2001-10-01

To observe and evaluate the effect and safety of pasinizid on treatment of the senile pulmonary tuberculosis with bacteriological positive. 115 cases of the senile pulmonary tuberculosis with bacteriological positive were divided into therapy group(group A) and control group(group B1 and B2) randomly. Chemotherapy regimen: group A were treated by 3DZL2E/5DL2E mainly composed of pasinizid; group B1 were treated by 3HPZL2/5HL2E(abbreviated HP regimen); group B2 were treated by 3DZL2E/5DL2E(abbreviated SH regimen). When the chemotherapy was over, the sputum negative conversion rates were 92%, 72%, 71% in group A, group B1 and group B2 respectively. The conversion rate in group A was significantly higher than that in group B1 and group B2 (P < 0.05); focal absorption rates were 75%, 50%, 50% respectively, while the vanishing rates of cavity were 85%, 46%, 50% respectively. The rate in group A was significantly higher than that in group B1 and B2(P < 0.05); Rates of side effects were 17%, 58%, 18% respectively. The rates in group A and group B2 were apparently lower than that in group B1(P < 0.01). Bacteriological relapse rate of 2 years were 5%, 19%, 18%, respectively. The rate in group A was lower than that in group B1 and B2 (P < 0.01). The effect of pasinizid on senile retreated sputum positive pulmonary tuberculosis was better than HP and SH regimen. Due to its lower rates of side effects, it is recommended for clinical usage.
Influence of different conditioning methods on the shear bond strength of novel light-curing nano-ionomer restorative to enamel and dentin.

PubMed

Korkmaz, Yonca; Ozel, Emre; Attar, Nuray; Ozge Bicer, Ceren

2010-11-01

The purpose of this study was to investigate shear bond strength (SBS) between a light-curing nano-ionomer restorative and enamel or dentin after acid etching, after erbium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Er:YAG) laser etching, or after combined treatment. Forty third molars were selected, the crowns were sectioned, and 80 tooth slabs were obtained. The specimens were assigned to two groups, which were divided into four subgroups(n = 10). Group 1 [enamel (e)], treated with 37% phosphoric acid (A) + Ketac nano-primer (K); group 2 [dentin (d)], (A) + (K); group 3(e), Er:YAG laser etching (L) + (A) + (K); group 4(d), (L) + (A) + (K); group 5(e), (L) + (K); group 6(d), (L) + (K); group 7(e), (K); group 8(d), (K). The SBS of the specimens was measured with a universal test machine (1 mm/min). Data were analyzed by independent samples t-test, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and a post-hoc Duncan test (p < 0.05). No difference was determined between groups 3 and 5 (p > 0.05). Group 7 exhibited higher SBS values than those of groups 3 and 5 (p < 0.05). Group 1 showed higher SBSs than those of groups 3, 5 and 7 (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference between groups 4 and 6 (p > 0.05). No difference was observed between groups 2 and 4 (p > 0.05). However, group 2 presented higher SBSs than did group 6 (p < 0.05). Group 8 exhibited the highest SBS values when compared with groups 2, 4 and 6 (p < 0.05). Er:YAG laser adversely affected the adhesion of the light-curing nano-ionomer restorative to both enamel and dentin.
Comparison of protective effects of safflor injection and extract of Ginkgo biloba on lung ischemia/reperfusion injury in rabbits.

PubMed

Tian, Xiao-xi; Wang, Bo-liang; Cao, Yi-zhan; Zhong, Yue-xia; Tu, Yan-yang; Xiao, Jian-bo; He, Qian-feng; Zhai, Li-na

2015-03-01

To observe the protective effects of safflor Injection (SI) and extract of Ginkgo biloba (EGB) on lung ischemia-reperfusion injury (LIRI) and investigate its mechanism. In vivo rabbit model of LIRI was reconstructed. Forty rabbits were randomly and equally divided into four groups: sham-operation group (sham group), ischemia-reperfusion group (model group), ischemia-reperfusion plus SI group (safflor group) and ischemia-reperfusion plus EGB injection group (EGB group). Malondialdehyde (MDA) content, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and xanthine oxidase (XO) activity in serum were measured. The wet/dry weight ratio (W/D) of the lung tissue and activity of myeloperoxidase (MPO) were also tested. Ultrastructure change of the lung tissue was observed by the electron microscope. The expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) was measured by immunohistochemistry (IHC). In the model group, MDA and XO increased and SOD decreased in serum compared with the sham group (P<0.01). The values of W/D, MPO and ICAM-1 of the model group were higher than those of the sham group (P<0.01), but those of the safflor group and EGB group were significantly lower than those of the model group (P<0.01). The IHC demonstrated that ICAM-1 expression in lung tissue of the model group was significantly higher than those of the safflor group (P<0.01). Compared with safflor group, in the EGB group MDA, XO, MPO decreased, SOD and ICAM-1 expression increased (P<0.05), but the change of W/D was not statistically significant (P>0.05). SI and EGB may attenuate LIRI through antioxidation, inhibition of neutrophil aggregation and down-regulation of ICAM-1 expression. But EGB had more effect on the antioxidation, while SI did better on regulating ICAM-1 expression.
The Effect of Early Intervention and Rehabilitation in the Expression of Aquaporin-4; and Ultrastructure Changes on Rat's Offspring's Damaged Brain Caused by Intrauterine Infection

PubMed Central

Rajesh, Kumar; Xiangying, Kong

2015-01-01

Objective To study the effect of early intervention and rehabilitation in the expression of aquaporin-4 and ultrastructure changes on cerebral palsy pups model induced by intrauterine infection. Methods 20 pregnant Wistar rats were consecutively injected with lipopolysaccharide intraperitoneally. 60 Pups born from lipopolysaccharide group were randomly divided into intervention group (n=30) and non-intervention group (n=30); intervention group further divided into early intervention and rehabilitation group (n=10), acupuncture group (n=10) and consolidate group (n=10). Another 5 pregnant rats were injected with normal saline intraperitoneally; 30 pups born from the normal saline group were taken as control group. The intervention group received early intervention, rehabilitation and acupuncture treatment. The motor functions of all pups were assessed via suspension test and modified BBB locomotor score. Aquaporin-4 expression in brain tissue was studied through immunohistochemical and western-blot analysis. Ultrastructure changes in damaged brain and control group were studied electron-microscopically. Results The scores of suspension test and modified BBB locomotor test were significantly higher in the control group than the intervention and non intervention group (p<0.01); higher in the intervention group than the non-intervention group (p<0.01). The expression of Aquaporin-4 was lower in intervention and non intervention group than in the control group (p<0.01); also lower in non-intervention group than the intervention group (p<0.01). Marked changes were observed in ultrastructure of cortex and hippocampus CAI in brain damaged group. Conclusion Early intervention and rehabilitation training can improve the motor function in offspring with brain injury and reduce the expression of aquaporin-4 in damaged brain. PMID:26279808
[Single and combining effects of Calculus Bovis and zolpidem on inhibitive neurotransmitter of rat striatum corpora].

PubMed

Liu, Ping; He, Xinrong; Guo, Mei

2010-04-01

To investigate the correlation effects between single or combined administration of Calculus Bovis or zolpidem and changes of inhibitive neurotransmitter in rat striatum corpora. Sampling from rat striatum corpora was carried out through microdialysis. The content of two inhibitive neurotransmitters in rat corpus striatum- glycine (Gly) and gama aminobutyric acid (GABA), was determined by HPLC, which involved pre-column derivation with orthophthaladehyde, reversed-phase gradient elution and fluorescence detection. GABA content of rat striatum corpora in Calculus Bovis group was significantly increased compared with saline group (P < 0.01). GABA content of zolpidem group and Calculus Boris plus zolpidem group were increased largely compared with saline group as well (P < 0.05). GABA content of Calculus Bovis group was higher than combination group (P < 0.05). GABA content of zolpidem group was not significantly different from combination group. Gly content of Calculus Bovis or zolpidem group was markedly increased compared with saline group or combination group (P < 0.05). Contents of two inhibitive neurotransmitters in rat striatum corpora were all significantly increased in Calculus Bovis group, zolpidem group and combination group. The magnitude of increase was lower in combination group than in Calculus Bovis group and Zolpidem group, suggesting that Calculus Bovis promoted encephalon inhibition is more powerful than zolpidem. The increase in two inhibitive neurotransmitters did not show reinforcing effect in combination group, suggesting that Calculus Bovis and zolpidem may compete the same receptors. Therefore, combination of Calculus Bovis containing drugs and zolpidem has no clinical significance. Calculus Bovis shouldn't as an aperture-opening drugs be used for resuscitation therapy.
Protective effect of ebselen on experimental testicular torsion and detorsion injury.

PubMed

Rifaioglu, M M; Motor, S; Davarci, I; Tuzcu, K; Sefil, F; Davarci, M; Nacar, A

2014-12-01

Ebselen is used as a drug in clinical trials against stroke, reperfusion injury with anti-atherosclerotic and renoprotective effects. The aim of this study is to investigate the protective effect of ebselen, on torsion/detorsion (T/D)-induced biochemical and histopathological changes in experimental testicular ischaemia/reperfusion injury. A total of 28 male Wistar Albino rats were divided into four groups: group 1(sham-operated group, n = 7), group 2(ebselen group, n = 7), group 3(torsion/detorsion + saline, n = 7) and group 4(T/D + 10 mg kg(-1) ebselen group, n = 7). The tissue homogenate samples were used for immediate nitric oxide (NO), malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione measurement. Testes in all groups were evaluated for the biochemical assay and histopathological examinations. To evaluate spermatogenesis, Johnsen scoring system was used. Testicular tissue MDA and NO levels in group 3 were significantly higher than in group 1 and 4. In histological evaluation of the testicular tissues, ebselen administration improved tubular histology significantly compared with T/D group. Significant increase in histological score was observed in the testis of group 3 compared with group 1 and 2. Histological score in group 4 significantly decreased compared with group 3. Johnson score was significantly lower in T/D group compared with all other three groups, ebselen administration increased the score significantly compared with T/D group. Ebselen reduced oxidative biochemical and histopathological damage in our testicular T/D rat model. © 2013 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.
Cognitive-behavioral treatment groups for people with chronic physical illness in Hong Kong: reflections on a culturally attuned model.

PubMed

Wong, Daniel Fu Keung; Chau, Phyllis; Kwok, Anna; Kwan, Jackie

2007-07-01

This study describes and evaluates a cognitive-behavioral treatment group for people with chronic physical illness in Hong Kong. We developed a group protocol based on the understanding that Chinese people generally prefer a structured group format, expect group leaders to be active and directive, and are not used to expressing opinions and emotions in groups. The experimental and waitlist control groups had 38 and 35 participants, respectively. A standardized questionnaire was administered to all participants before and after the group treatment. Results suggest that members of the experimental group showed improvements in mental health, negative automatic thoughts, and negative emotions when compared to those in the waitlist control groups, and at the end of group treatment. Implications for designing and running a culturally attuned CBT group for Chinese people are discussed.
I won't tell: Young children show loyalty to their group by keeping group secrets.

PubMed

Misch, Antonia; Over, Harriet; Carpenter, Malinda

2016-02-01

Group loyalty is highly valued. However, little is known about young children's loyal behavior. This study tested whether 4- and 5-year-olds (N=96) remain loyal to their group even when betraying it would be materially advantageous. Children and four puppets were allocated to novel groups. Two of these puppets (either in-group or out-group members) then told children a group secret and urged them not to disclose the secret. Another puppet (not assigned to either group) then bribed children with stickers to tell the secret. Across ages, children were significantly less likely to reveal the secret in the in-group condition than in the out-group condition. Thus, even young children are willing to pay a cost to be loyal to their group. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Concept of grouping in partitioning of HLW for self-consistent fuel cycle

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

Kitamoto, A.; Mulyanto

1993-12-31

A concept of grouping for partitioning of HLW has been developed in order to examine the possibility of a self-consistent fuel recycle. The concept of grouping of radionuclides is proposed herein, such as Group MA1 (MA below Cm), Group MA2 (Cm and higher MA), Group A ({sup 99}Tc and I), Group B (Cs and Sr) and Group R (the partitioned remain of HLW). Group B is difficult to be transmuted by neutron reaction, so a radiation application in an industrial scale should be developed in the future. Group A and Group MA1 can be burned by a thermal reactor, onmore » the other hand Group MA2 should be burned by a fast reactor. P-T treatment can be optimized for the in-core and out-core system, respectively.« less
Older but wilier: In-group accountability and the development of subjective group dynamics.

PubMed

Abrams, Dominic; Rutland, Adam; Cameron, Lindsey; Ferrell, Jennifer

2007-01-01

To test social and cognitive variables that may affect the development of subjective group dynamics, the authors had 224 children between the ages of 5 and 12 years evaluate an in-group and an out-group and normative and deviant in-group members under conditions of high or low accountability to in-group peers. In-group bias and relative favorability to normative versus deviant in-group members (differential evaluation) increased when children were accountable to peers and as a function of perceptions of peer group acceptance of these members (differential inclusion). These effects were significantly larger among older children. Multiple classification ability was unrelated to judgments of group members. This study shows that the development of subjective group dynamics involves an increase in sensitivity to the normative aspects of the intergroup context. Copyright 2006 APA, all rights reserved.
A comparative evaluation of APF gel, CPP/ACP paste alone and in combination with carbon dioxide laser on human enamel resistance to acid solubility using atomic absorption spectrometry: an in-vitro study.

PubMed

Nozari, Ali; Rafiee, Azade; Dehghan Khalili, Sara; Fekrazad, Reza

2018-04-01

The aim of this study was to compare the effects of acidulated phosphate fluoride (APF) gel, calcium phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate (CPP/ACP) paste alone and in combination with CO2 laser on the resistance of enamel to acid solubility. Ninety enamel sections were obtained from 15 extracted teeth and were randomly assigned to six groups: 1) control group; 2) APF group; 3) CPP-ACP group; 4) CO2 laser group; 5) APF + CO2 group; and 6) CPP-ACP + CO2 group. The specimens were individually demineralized in 0.1 M lactic acid solution with adjusted pH of 4.8 for 24h at 37 ºC. The acid solubility was determined using atomic absorption spectrometry. Statistical analysis was done using one-way ANOVA and Tukey-Kramer post hoc test (P<0.05). The average extent of calcium ion released (ppm) was estimated as follow: group 1: 6.974±1.757, group 2: 5.363±1.383, group 3: 6.962±1.489, group 4: 6.890±1.560, group 5: 4.803±1.080 and group 6: 6.789±1.218. Based on the between-group comparison results, group 2 and group 5 showed significant differences with the other groups. Under the studied conditions, only, the APF group alone and in combination with CO2 laser could decrease enamel acid solubility.
Suppression of oxidative stress by grape seed supplementation in rats

PubMed Central

Choi, Soo-Kyong; Zhang, Xian-Hua

2012-01-01

Polyphenol-rich grape seeds have a beneficial effect on human health. The present study was performed to investigate the effects of grape seeds on antioxidant activities in rats. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a control diet group (C), a high-fat diet group (HF), a 5% grape seed-supplemented control diet group (G), and a 5% grape seed-supplemented high-fat diet group (HG). Dietary supplementation with grape seeds reduced serum concentrations of lipid peroxides compared with those in the C and HF groups. The hepatic level of lipid peroxides decreased significantly in the grape seed groups compared with that in the C and HF groups. Superoxide dismutase activity in the G group increased significantly compared with that in the C group. Catalase activity tended to be higher by feeding grape seeds. The grape seed diet increased glutathione peroxidase activity in the C group. Glutathione-S-transferase activity increased significantly in the G group compared with that in the C group. Hepatic content of total glutathione increased significantly in the HG group but decreased significantly in the HF group. The ratio of reduced glutathione and oxidized glutathione increased by feeding the grape seed diet. Total vitamin A concentration was significantly higher in HG group than in other groups. Liver tocopherol content of the G and HG groups was significantly higher than that of the control groups. These results suggest that dietary supplementation with grape seeds is beneficial for suppressing lipid peroxidation in high fat-fed rats. PMID:22413034
Striving for group agency: threat to personal control increases the attractiveness of agentic groups.

PubMed

Stollberg, Janine; Fritsche, Immo; Bäcker, Anna

2015-01-01

When their sense of personal control is threatened people try to restore perceived control through the social self. We propose that it is the perceived agency of ingroups that provides the self with a sense of control. In three experiments, we for the first time tested the hypothesis that threat to personal control increases the attractiveness of being part or joining those groups that are perceived as coherent entities engaging in coordinated group goal pursuit (agentic groups) but not of those groups whose agency is perceived to be low. Consistent with this hypothesis we found in Study 1 (N = 93) that threat to personal control increased ingroup identification only with task groups, but not with less agentic types of ingroups that were made salient simultaneously. Furthermore, personal control threat increased a sense of collective control and support within the task group, mediated through task-group identification (indirect effects). Turning to groups people are not (yet) part of, Study 2 (N = 47) showed that personal control threat increased relative attractiveness ratings of small groups as possible future ingroups only when the relative agency of small groups was perceived to be high. Perceived group homogeneity or social power did not moderate the effect. Study 3 (N = 78) replicated the moderating role of perceived group agency for attractiveness ratings of entitative groups, whereas perceived group status did not moderate the effect. These findings extend previous research on group-based control, showing that perceived agency accounts for group-based responses to threatened control.
[Infertility in polycystic ovary syndrome treated with acupuncture and clomiphene: a randomized controlled trial].

PubMed

Jiang, Duosheng; Zhang, Yingchun; Wu, Xianqun; Wu, Song

2015-02-01

To explore the best therapy for infertility caused by polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). One hundred and twenty patients were randomized into three groups, a clomi-phene group (group A), an acupuncture-moxibustion + Chinese medicine group (group B) and a clomiphene + acupuncture-moxibustion+ Chinese medicine group (group C), 40 cases in each one. In the group A, since the 5th day of menstruation, clomiphene was prescribed for oral administration. In the group B, on the 5th day of menstruation, warm needling therapy was applied at Zhongji (CV 3), Guanyuan (CV 4), Guilai (ST 29), etc. Additionally, the Chinese herbal medication for tonifying the kidney and activating blood circulation was provided. In the group C, the therapy as the group B was combined on the basis of the treatment as the group A. The treatment lasted continuously for 3 menstrual cycles. The endometrial thickness, endometrial type and cervical mucus score on human chorionic gon adotropin (HCG) day, and ovulatory cycle rate, clinical pregnancy rate and abortion rate after treatment were observed in the patients of the three groups. 1) HCG day cervical mucus score, endometrial thickness and endometrial morphology (A type rate): the results in the group C were better than those in the group A (all P<0.01); the results in the group B were better than those in the group A (all P<0.05). The difference in the endometrial thickness was not significant in comparison between the group C and the group B (P>0.05). The cervical mucus score and endometrial morphology (A type rate) in the group C were better than those in the group B (both P<0.05). 2) The ovulatory cycle rates in the group A and group (C were higher than that in the group B (both P<0.05), the pregnancy rate in the group C was higher than that in the other groups (both P<0.05), and the early abortion rate in the group C was lower than that in the group A and group B (both P<0.01). 3) Follicle diameter from 18 mm to 20 mm and endometrial thickness: the differences were not significant between the normal pregnancy patients and the early abortion patients (both P>0.05). The endometrial morphology A type rate in the normal pregnancy patients was higher than that in the early abortion patients (P<0.05). The combined therapy of acupuncture, herbal medicine and clomiphene improves the pregnancy rate and reduces early abortion rate by effectively improving HCG day cervical mucus, endometrial thickness and morphology. The efficacy is apparently superior to the simple medication with clomiphene and the combined application of acupuncture and herbal medicine.
Antifungal efficacy of natamycin in experimental fusarium solani keratitis

PubMed Central

Dong, Xian-Hui; Gao, Wei-Juan; He, Xiao-Ping

2012-01-01

AIM To evaluate the efficacy of topical administration Natamycin, which is produced by China, in an experimental rabbit model of Fusarium solani keratitis, to provide experimental basis for the application of clinical safety. METHODS Fusarium solani was induced in the right eye of 30 New Zealand rabbits. Forty-eight hours after inoculation, the animals were divided into 3 different treatment groups, 10 rabbit eyes of each group: Group 1 (Natamycin) treated with topical Natamycin, group 2 (Natacyn) treated with topical Natacyn, group 3 (control) treated with topical saline solution. The eyes of each group was examined clinically with slit lamp using ulcer scoring system on day 4, 10, 15, and 21 for status of healing, corneal vascularisation, iritis, hypopyon and macular nebula. The findings were recorded on day 10 and day 21. RESULTS Ulcer score on day 10, day 15, day 21: The score of Natamycin group are 1.45±0.16, 1.08±0.11, 0.70±0.40. The score of Natacyn group are 1.35±0.12, 1.10±0.12, 0.65±0.35. the score of control group are 1.30±0.08, 3.63±0.28, 3.80±0.16. Natamycin group and Natacyn group were different from control group (P<0.01). There is no difference between Natamycin group and Natacyn group. Status of healing on day 10 and day 21: The cure rate of the Natamycin group is 90% on day 10, and 100% on day 21. The cure rate of the Natacyn group is 80% on day 10, and 100% on day 21.Natamycin group and Natacyn group were different from control group (P<0.01). There is no difference between Natamycin group and Natacyn group. Corneal vascularisation, iritis, hypopyon and macular nebula on day 10 and day 21: in Natamycin group, the number of the eyes which have Corner vascularisation, iritis, hypopyon and macular nebula are 2,0,0,2. In Natacyn group, the number of the eyes which have Corner vascularisation, iritis, hypopyon and macular nebula are 1,0,0,2. In control group, the number of the eyes which have Corner vascularisation, iritis, hypopyon and macular nebula are 9,9,8,9.Natamycin group and Natacyn group were different from control group (P<0.01). There is no difference between Natamycin group and Natacyn group. CONCLUSION Natamycin was found to be effective in fungal keratitis, similar to Natacyn, and it can stop the corner vascularisation, iritis, hypopyon and macular nebula to happen. Natamyin manufactured in China is effective against fungal keratitis, with esay availability and low toxicity in its use. PMID:22762038
Antifungal efficacy of natamycin in experimental fusarium solani keratitis.

PubMed

Dong, Xian-Hui; Gao, Wei-Juan; He, Xiao-Ping

2012-01-01

To evaluate the efficacy of topical administration Natamycin, which is produced by China, in an experimental rabbit model of Fusarium solani keratitis, to provide experimental basis for the application of clinical safety. Fusarium solani was induced in the right eye of 30 New Zealand rabbits. Forty-eight hours after inoculation, the animals were divided into 3 different treatment groups, 10 rabbit eyes of each group: Group 1 (Natamycin) treated with topical Natamycin, group 2 (Natacyn) treated with topical Natacyn, group 3 (control) treated with topical saline solution. The eyes of each group was examined clinically with slit lamp using ulcer scoring system on day 4, 10, 15, and 21 for status of healing, corneal vascularisation, iritis, hypopyon and macular nebula. The findings were recorded on day 10 and day 21. Ulcer score on day 10, day 15, day 21: The score of Natamycin group are 1.45±0.16, 1.08±0.11, 0.70±0.40. The score of Natacyn group are 1.35±0.12, 1.10±0.12, 0.65±0.35. the score of control group are 1.30±0.08, 3.63±0.28, 3.80±0.16. Natamycin group and Natacyn group were different from control group (P<0.01). There is no difference between Natamycin group and Natacyn group. Status of healing on day 10 and day 21: The cure rate of the Natamycin group is 90% on day 10, and 100% on day 21. The cure rate of the Natacyn group is 80% on day 10, and 100% on day 21.Natamycin group and Natacyn group were different from control group (P<0.01). There is no difference between Natamycin group and Natacyn group. Corneal vascularisation, iritis, hypopyon and macular nebula on day 10 and day 21: in Natamycin group, the number of the eyes which have Corner vascularisation, iritis, hypopyon and macular nebula are 2,0,0,2. In Natacyn group, the number of the eyes which have Corner vascularisation, iritis, hypopyon and macular nebula are 1,0,0,2. In control group, the number of the eyes which have Corner vascularisation, iritis, hypopyon and macular nebula are 9,9,8,9.Natamycin group and Natacyn group were different from control group (P<0.01). There is no difference between Natamycin group and Natacyn group. Natamycin was found to be effective in fungal keratitis, similar to Natacyn, and it can stop the corner vascularisation, iritis, hypopyon and macular nebula to happen. Natamyin manufactured in China is effective against fungal keratitis, with esay availability and low toxicity in its use.
An in vitro evaluation of various irrigation techniques for the removal of double antibiotic paste from root canal surfaces

PubMed Central

GOKTURK, Hakan; OZKOCAK, Ismail; BUYUKGEBİZ, Fevzi; DEMİR, Osman

2016-01-01

ABSTRACT Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of conventional syringe irrigations, passive ultrasonic irrigation (PUI), Vibringe, CanalBrush, XP-endo Finisher, and laser-activated irrigation (LAI) systems in removing double antibiotic paste (DAP) from root canals. Material and Methods One hundred five extracted single-rooted teeth were instrumented. The roots were split longitudinally. Three standard grooves were created and covered with DAP. The roots were distributed into seven groups: Group 1, beveled needle irrigation; Group 2, double side-vented needle irrigation; Group 3, CanalBrush; Group 4, XP-endo Finisher; Group 5, Vibringe; Group 6, PUI; Group 7, LAI. The amount of remaining DAP was scored under a stereomicroscope. Results Group 4, Group 6, and Group 7 removed significantly more DAP than the other protocols in the coronal region. Group 7 was more efficient in the middle region; however, no significant difference was found between Group 7 and Group 6. No differences were found between groups in the apical region either, except for the comparisons between groups 7 and 2, and groups 2 and 3. Conclusions None of the investigated protocols were able to completely remove the DAP from the grooves. The Vibringe and XP-endo Finisher systems showed results similar to those of conventional needle irrigation. PMID:28076461
[Establishment of animal model of temporomandibular joint synovitis and its histological investigation].

PubMed

Chen, Cai-Yun; Ding, Yin; Liu, Ya-Jing; Zhang, Ya-Bo

2010-02-01

To establish a stable animal model of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) synovitis. Sixteen 6-week-old male SD rats were classified into four groups, control group, occlusal dimension increase group, masseter resection group, occlusal dimension increase group and masseter resection group. The rats in the occlusal dimension increase group were adhered composite resin to their maxillary molars in order to increase the occlusal vertical dimension when they were 9-week-old. The rats in the masseter resection group were cut off their bilateral masseter muscles when they were 6-week-old. In the occlusal dimension increase group and masseter resection group, rats' bilateral masseter muscles were resected and occlusal vertical dimension was increased. All rats were sacrificed at their 10 weeks old. TMJ samples were prepared for histology to evaluate the animal model. The control group showed non-inflammatory changes. The occlusal dimension increase group and the masseter resection group showed vascular dilation and synovial lining proliferation, but there were no statistically significant differences between the two groups (P > 0.05). Compared to the two disposed groups, the occlusal dimension increase group and masseter resection group showed significant inflammatory changes (P < 0.05), including synovial lining proliferation, vascular dilation and fibrin deposit. The animal model of TMJ synovitis created in the present investigation could simulate the real pathological features of synovitis in vivo, and this animal model showed the obvious merits of high stability and reproduction.
Neural network integration during the perception of in-group and out-group members.

PubMed

Greven, Inez M; Ramsey, Richard

2017-11-01

Group biases guide social interactions by promoting in-group favouritism, but the neural mechanisms underpinning group biases remain unclear. While neuroscience research has shown that distributed brain circuits are associated with seeing in-group and out-group members as "us" and "them", it is less clear how these networks exchange signals. This fMRI study uses functional connectivity analyses to investigate the contribution of functional integration to group bias modulation of person perception. Participants were assigned to an arbitrary group and during scanning they observed bodies of in-group or out-group members that cued the recall of positive or negative social knowledge. The results showed that functional coupling between perceptual and cognitive neural networks is tuned to particular combinations of group membership and social knowledge valence. Specifically, coupling between body perception and theory-of-mind networks is biased towards seeing a person that had previously been paired with information consistent with group bias (positive for in-group and negative for out-group). This demonstrates how brain regions associated with visual analysis of others and belief reasoning exchange and integrate signals when evaluating in-group and out-group members. The results update models of person perception by showing how and when interplay occurs between perceptual and extended systems when developing a representation of another person. Copyright © 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.

Active versus receptive group music therapy for major depressive disorder-A pilot study.

PubMed

Atiwannapat, Penchaya; Thaipisuttikul, Papan; Poopityastaporn, Patchawan; Katekaew, Wanwisa

2016-06-01

To compare the effects of 1) active group music therapy and 2) receptive group music therapy to group counseling in treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD). On top of standard care, 14 MDD outpatients were randomly assigned to receive 1) active group music therapy (n=5), 2) receptive group music therapy (n=5), or 3) group counseling (n=4). There were 12 one-hour weekly group sessions in each arm. Participants were assessed at baseline, 1 month (after 4 sessions), 3 months (end of interventions), and 6 months. Primary outcomes were depressive scores measured by Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) Thai version. Secondary outcomes were self-rated depression score and quality of life. At 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months, both therapy groups showed statistically non-significant reduction in MADRS Thai scores when compared with the control group (group counseling). The reduction was slightly greater in the active group than the receptive group. Although there were trend toward better outcomes on self-report depression and quality of life, the differences were not statistically significant. Group music therapy, either active or receptive, is an interesting adjunctive treatment option for outpatients with MDD. The receptive group may reach peak therapeutic effect faster, but the active group may have higher peak effect. Group music therapy deserves further comprehensive studies. Copyright © 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.
Low-frequency group exercise improved the motor functions of community-dwelling elderly people in a rural area when combined with home exercise with self-monitoring

PubMed Central

Matsubayashi, Yoshito; Asakawa, Yasuyoshi; Yamaguchi, Haruyasu

2016-01-01

[Purpose] This study examined whether low-frequency group exercise improved the motor functions of community-dwelling elderly people in a rural area when combined with home exercise with self-monitoring. [Subjects] The subjects were community-dwelling elderly people in a rural area of Japan. [Methods] One group (n = 50) performed group exercise combined with home exercise with self-monitoring. Another group (n = 37) performed group exercise only. Low-frequency group exercise (warm-up, exercises for motor functions, and cool-down) was performed in seven 40 to 70-minute sessions over 9 weeks by both groups. Five items of motor functions were assessed before and after the intervention. [Results] Significant interactions were observed between groups and assessment times for all motor functions. Improvements in motor functions were significantly greater in the group that performed group exercise combined with home exercise with self-monitoring than in the group that performed group exercise only. Post-hoc comparisons revealed significant differences in 3 items of motor functions. No significant improvements were observed in motor functions in the group that performed group exercise only. [Conclusions] Group exercise combined with home exercise with self-monitoring improved motor functions in the setting of low-frequency group exercise for community-dwelling elderly people in a rural area. PMID:27065520
[Protection and bidirectional effect of rhubarb anthraquinone and tannins for rats' liver].

PubMed

Qin, Lu-shan; Zhao, Hai-ping; Zhao, Yan-ling; Ma, Zhi-jiel; Zeng, Ling-na; Zhang, Ya-ming; Zhang, Ping; Yan, Dan; Bai, Zhao-fang; Li, Yue; Hao, Qing-xiu; Zhao, Kui-jun; Wang, Jia-bo; Xiao, Xiao-he

2014-06-01

To compare the bidirectional effect of rhubarb total anthraquinone (TA) and total tannins (TT) on rats' liver. One hundred rats were randomly divided into 10 groups, i.e., the blank group, the model group, the blank + high dose TA group, the blank +low dose TA group, the blank + high dose TT group, the blank + low dose TT group, the model + high dose TA group, the model + low dose TA group, the model +high dose TT group, and the model + low dose TT group, 10 in each group. The carbon tetrachloride (CCI4) was used to prepare the acute liver injury rat model. TA and TT of rhubarb (at 5.40 g crude drugs/kg and 14.69 g crude drugs/kg) were intragastrically administrated to rats in all groups except the blank group and the model group, once daily for 6 successive days.The general state of rats, biochemical indices such as alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), laminin (LN), hyaluronic acid (HA), transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-beta1), as well pathological results of rat liver tissues. Finally the protection laws of TA and TT for rats' liver were analyzed using factor analysis. Compared with the blank control group, all biochemical indices increased in the blank group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). HA also increased in the blank + high dose TA group; AST, ALT, and HA also increased in the blank +high dose TT group (P < 0.05). Compared with the model group, AST, ALT, ALP, HA, and TGF-beta1 significantly decreased in the model + low dose TA group, the model + high dose TA group, the model + low dose TT group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Serum AST, ALT, and ALP also decreased in the model + high dose TT group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Pathological results showed that mild swollen liver cells in the model + high dose TA group. Fatty degeneration and fragmental necrosis around the central veins occurred in the blank + high dose TA group. The pathological injury was inproved in the model +low dose TA group. Two common factors, liver fibrosis and liver cell injury, were extracted by using factor analysis. TA showed stronger improvement of the two common factors than TT. Rhubarb TA and TT showed protective and harmful effects on rats' liver. At an equivalent dosage, TA had better liver protection than TT. High dose TT played a role in liver injury to some extent.
Combination of Saxagliptin and Metformin Is Effective as Initial Therapy in New-Onset Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus With Severe Hyperglycemia.

PubMed

Amblee, Ambika; Lious, Daniel; Fogelfeld, Leon

2016-06-01

The efficacy/safety of combination oral agents in those with stable newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes (T2DM) with severe hyperglycemia is unknown. The objective of the study was to assess glycemic and β-cell outcomes of two oral regimens. This was an open-label, randomized controlled trial with patients enrolled from 2011 through 2014 and followed up for 12 weeks. The study was conducted at a major public hospital in Chicago. One hundred adults with newly diagnosed T2DM and severe hyperglycemia (300-450 mg/dL) participated in the study. One hundred patients were randomized to receive Kombiglyze XR (saxagliptin 5 mg/metformin 2000 mg) daily (K group) vs glipizide XL 10 mg daily (G group). The measure was to maintain fasting/premeal glucose of less than 300 mg/dL up to 6 weeks and less than 250 mg/dL after 6 weeks until study end, and to have no return acute care-site visits. Those not meeting criteria were discontinued. Other outcomes included continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) and β-cell function estimates at start and study end. Baseline characteristics and primary outcome (K group 94%, G group 98%) were similar in both groups. The enrollment glucose (K group 343 mg/dL, G group 341 mg/dL) and glycated hemoglobin (K group 10.8%, G group 11%) declined by week 12 (K group 137 mg/dL, G group 129 mg/dL, and K group 6.8%, G group 6.9%), respectively. Homeostasis model assessment to assess basal insulin secretion and early insulin response improved severalfold (K group ×5.8, G group ×5.9, and K group ×9.5, G group ×13.1). In follow-up, the incidence of hypoglycemia was lower in the K group (self-monitored blood glucose: K group 8.0%, G group 24%; CGM: K group 20%, G group 46.5%) as were the number of episodes of hypoglycemia (self-monitored blood glucose: K group 4 in 12 weeks, G group 27 in 12 weeks; CGM: K group 0.28 per 24 h, G group 0.31 per 24 h). Kombiglyze XR and glipizide XL are efficacious in improving glycemia and β-cell function in stable newly diagnosed T2DM with severe hyperglycemia. The K group had less hypoglycemia. These results suggest that certain oral medications could be appropriate alternatives in treating severe hyperglycemia.
Evaluation of efficacy of topical povidone-iodine and different types of fluoroquinolones in the sterilization of bacterial flora on the conjunctiva.

PubMed

Coskun, Mehmet; Altintas, Ayse Gul Kocak; Anayol, Mustafa Alpaslan; Raza, Sabri; Celikbilek, Nevreste; Simsek, Saban

2011-12-01

To compare the sterilization effectivity of topical povidone-iodine, ciprofloxacin, and ofloxacin on the conjunctival bacterial flora. One hundred sixty-four eyes of 164 patients scheduled for cataract surgery were prospectively analyzed. Conjunctival cultures were obtained 1 day before the surgery without any topical application in all patients. Conjunctival flora was examined in 53 eyes of 53 patients (Group I) 15 min after 5% topical povidone-iodine application on the day of the surgery. Fifty-four eyes of 54 patients (Group II) received 1 drop 0.3% ciprofloxacin at 12 pm 1 day before the operation and 4 drops at 15 min intervals on the day of the surgery. Another 57 eyes of 57 patients (Group III) received 0.3% ofloxacin in the same application mode as ciprofloxacin. Conjunctival cultures were taken in all patients 15 min after last drop of topical antibiotic application. Only coagulase-negative staphylococci were isolated from 75.4% in Group I, 72.2% in Group II, and 59.6% in Group III on pretreatment culture. Different types of bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Proteus spp., Micrococcus spp. were identified in other patients. Pretreatment conjunctival flora of Group I and Group II were similar (P>0.05), but it was significantly different in Group III (P<0.05). After topical application no bacterial growth was observed in 77.3% in Group I, 92.5% in Group II, and 66.6% in Group III. The difference between Group I and III was insignificant (P>0.05), but bacterial eradication effectiveness was significantly higher in Group II than that of other groups (P<0.05). Post-treatment cultures showed same bacterial flora as pretreatment cultures in 14.9% in Group I, 1.8% in Group II, and 19.2% in Group III. The difference between Group I and Group III was statistically insignificant (P>0.05) and the difference between Group II and other groups was statistically significant (P<0.05). Four eyes (7.5%) showed different types of bacterial growth from pretreatment flora in Group I, which were seen in 3 eyes (5.5%) in Group II and in 8 eyes (14%) in Group III. The differences between groups were statistically insignificant (P>0.05). Ciprofloxacin seems to be more effective in conjunctival sterilization. In consideration with high variety of bacterial flora in pretreatment period in ofloxacin group, ofloxacin seems to be superior to povidone-iodine on the reduction of bacterial flora on the conjunctiva.
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A comparison of the effects of epidural and spinal anesthesia with ischemia-reperfusion injury on the rat transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous flap.

PubMed

Acar, Yusuf; Bozkurt, Mehmet; Firat, Ugur; Selcuk, Caferi Tayyar; Kapi, Emin; Isik, Fatma Birgul; Kuvat, Samet Vasfi; Celik, Feyzi; Bozarslan, Beri Hocaoglu

2013-11-01

The purpose of this study is to compare the effects of spinal and epidural anesthesia on a rat transverse rectus abdominus myocutaneous flap ischemia-reperfusion injury model.Forty Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 4 experimental groups: group I (n = 10), sham group; group II (n = 10), control group; group III (n = 10), epidural group; and group IV (n = 10), spinal group. After the elevation of the transverse rectus abdominus myocutaneous flaps, all groups except for the sham group were subjected to normothermic no-flow ischemia for 4 hours, followed by a reperfusion period of 2 hours. At the end of the reperfusion period, biochemical and histopathological evaluations were performed on tissue samples.Although there was no significant difference concerning the malonyldialdehyde, nitric oxide, and paraoxonase levels in the spinal and epidural groups, the total antioxidant state levels were significantly increased, and the total oxidative stress levels were significantly decreased in the epidural group in comparison to the spinal group. The pathological evaluation showed that findings related to inflammation, nuclear change rates and hyalinization were significantly higher in the spinal group compared with the epidural group.Epidural anesthesia can be considered as a more suitable method that enables a decrease in ischemia-reperfusion injuries in the muscle flaps.
Are temporomandibular disorders associated with habitual sleeping body posture or nasal septal deviation?

PubMed

Yalçınkaya, Esin; Cingi, Cemal; Bayar Muluk, Nuray; Ulusoy, Seçkin; Hanci, Deniz

2016-01-01

Numerous factors can be considered for the etiology of temporomandibular disorders (TMD). The aim of the present study was to investigate whether the presence of both nasal septal deviation (NSD) and habitual prone sleeping posture (HPSP) predisposes TMD. We evaluated 200 subjects in 4 groups. Group I (NSD-, HPSP-/control group), Group II (NSD+, HPSP-), Group III (NSD-, HPSP+), Group IV (NSD+, HPSP+). All patients were examined according to the research diagnostic criteria to determine the presence of TMD. Group IV had the highest value for TMD incidence (44 %). Thus, we found that the presence of both NSD and HPSP parameters increased TMD incidence in Group IV compared to the control group (p = 0.000). Additionally, Group IV showed significantly higher values than Group II (p = 0.012) and Group III (p = 0.039). For Group III (NSD-, HPSP+), TMD was determined higher compared to the control group (p = 0.009). A statistically higher value of presence of TMD was determined in Group II (NSD+, HPSP-) than control group (p = 0.029). The incidence of TMD was significantly higher in women than men (p = 0.020). We concluded that one having an unilateral obstructive nasal septal deviation in addition to a habit of sleeping in prone position must be alert for potential TMD.
Endothelial function and its relationship to leptin, homocysteine, and insulin resistance in lean and overweight eumenorrheic women and PCOS patients: a pilot study.

PubMed

Mancini, Fulvia; Cianciosi, Arianna; Reggiani, Giulio Marchesini; Facchinetti, Fabio; Battaglia, Cesare; de Aloysio, Domenico

2009-06-01

To verify if patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), have an increased cardiovascular risk compared with healthy controls. Prospective case-control study. University-based practice. Twenty eumenorrheic controls (ten lean [group A] and ten overweight [group B]) and 24 PCOS women (14 lean [group C] and ten overweight [group D]). Cardiovascular risk markers and hormonal parameters were assessed. Androgens, fasting glucose, insulin, leptin, fibrinogen, homocysteine, endothelin-1 and flow-mediated dilatation of the brachial artery were measured to investigate their relationship to weight and to PCOS. The brachial artery diameter and the pulsatility index, after the reactive hyperemia, showed in group A the most intense vasodilatation compared with the other groups. Homocysteine levels did not differ among the groups. Endothelin-1 was significantly higher in group A compared with groups B and D. Leptin was significantly lower in groups A and C compared with groups B and D. Insulin resistance was higher in groups B and D. Group A had significantly higher glucose-insulin ratio compared with all of the other groups; group C had significantly higher glucose-insulin ratio only compared with group D. Weight and PCOS are two independent variables affecting the endothelial function.
Group rational-emotive and cognitive-behavioral therapy.

PubMed

Ellis, A

1992-01-01

The theory of rational-emotive therapy (RET) and of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is briefly explained and is applied to group therapy. It is shown how RET and CBT therapy groups deal with transference, countertransference, levels of group intervention, process versus content orientation, identifying underlying group process themes, here-and-now activation, working with difficult group members, activity levels of therapist and group members, and other group problems. Although they particularly concentrate on people's tendencies to construct and create their own "emotional" difficulties, RET and CBT group procedures fully acknowledge the interactions of human thoughts, feelings, and actions and active-directively employ a variety of cognitive, emotive, and behavioral group therapy techniques.
[Use of "gelatamp" colloidal silver gelatin sponge to prevent dry socket after extracting mandibular impacted teeth].

PubMed

Wang, Yao-zhong; Guan, Qun-li; Li, Ya-xin; Guo, Ji-lai; Jiang, Ling; Jia, Mu-yun; Deng, Yue

2013-02-01

To study the clinical effect of "gelatamp" colloidal silver gelatin sponge on preventing dry socket after extracting the mandibular impacted teeth. 1350 teeth extracted from 976 patients who needed to extract the mandibular impacted teeth were divided into group A, group B and group C randomly. "Gelatamp" colloidal silver gelatin sponge was implanted into alveolar socket after teeth extraction in group A, with absorbable gelatin sponge was implanted into alveolar socket in group B and nothing was implanted into alveolar socket in group C. The incidence of dry socket was observed, the data was analyzed using SPSS10.0 software package. The incidence of dry socket was 0.44% in group A, 2% in group B and 4.44% in group C. There was significant difference in the incidence of dry socket between group A and group C(P<0.01). There was also significant difference between group B and group C(P<0.05) and between group A and group B(P<0.05). The results demonstrate that "gelatamp" colloidal silver gelatin sponge can prevent the occurrence of dry socket after teeth extraction, which is of wide clinical use.
N-acetylcysteine supplementation reduces oxidative stress for cytosine arabinoside in rat model.

PubMed

Balci, Yasemin Isik; Acer, Semra; Yagci, Ramazan; Kucukatay, Vural; Sarbay, Hakan; Bozkurt, Kerem; Polat, Aziz

2017-02-01

Cytosine arabinoside (ARA-C) is a pyrimidine analog that may cause keratoconjunctivitis when used in high doses. The underlying mechanism may be the increased amounts of reactive oxygen radicals that may damage the DNA synthesis of corneal and conjunctival epithelial cells. Topical corticosteroids are one of the prophylactic treatments for keratoconjunctivitis induced by ARA-C. Forty Wistar-type albino rats were included in this study the rats were divided into four groups. The first group (Group 1) received only ARA-C, the second group (Group 2) received ARA-C and N-acetylcysteine (NAC), the third group (Group 3) received only NAC and the fourth group (Group 4) was the control group. The total oxidant status (TOS), the total antioxidant capacity and the oxidative stress index (OSI) measurements of the cornea and the conjunctiva were evaluated in these four groups. The mean TOS and OSI value was the highest in Group 1 and the lowest in Group 3. The differences in TOS and OSI values were statistically significant between Group 1 and Group 2. There are decreases in TOS and OSI values in rats which received ARA-C with NAC administration. NAC may have a protective effect on ARA-C-induced keratoconjunctivitis.
Pathologic changes of wound tissue in rats with stage III pressure ulcers treated by transplantation of human amniotic epithelial cells.

PubMed

Zheng, Xilan; Jiang, Zhixia; Zhou, Aiting; Yu, Limei; Quan, Mingtao; Cheng, Huagang

2015-01-01

This study aims to determine the impact of orthotopic transplantation of human amniotic epithelial cells (hAECs) on the pathologic changes of wound tissues in a self-prepared rat stage III pressure ulcer model. Ninety-six SD rats were randomly divided into the model group (group M), hAEC transplantation group (group H), traditional treatment group (group T), and the control group (group C), with 24 rats in each group. The wound healing time was observed in 6 rats from each group, and 6 rats of each group were selected for post-modeling on day(s) (D) 1, 3, and 7 for HE staining to compare the pathological changes. The healing time of group H was significantly shorter than the other three groups. Moreover, pathological observations revealed that group H exhibited significant proliferation of fibrous tissues and vessels in the dermal layer, and the appearance time and degree of skin appendages were significantly greater than that observed in the other three groups. Pathological observations showed that hAEC transplantation could significantly speed up the healing of stage III pressure ulcer.
Group X

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

Fields, Susannah

2007-08-16

This project is currently under contract for research through the Department of Homeland Security until 2011. The group I was responsible for studying has to remain confidential so as not to affect the current project. All dates, reference links and authors, and other distinguishing characteristics of the original group have been removed from this report. All references to the name of this group or the individual splinter groups has been changed to 'Group X'. I have been collecting texts from a variety of sources intended for the use of recruiting and radicalizing members for Group X splinter groups for themore » purpose of researching the motivation and intent of leaders of those groups and their influence over the likelihood of group radicalization. This work included visiting many Group X websites to find information on splinter group leaders and finding their statements to new and old members. This proved difficult because the splinter groups of Group X are united in beliefs, but differ in public opinion. They are eager to tear each other down, prove their superiority, and yet remain anonymous. After a few weeks of intense searching, a list of eight recruiting texts and eight radicalizing texts from a variety of Group X leaders were compiled.« less
[Repair of spinal cord injury with rats' umbilical cord MSCs].

PubMed

Zhu, Yuhai; Feng, Shiqing; Wang, Xue

2009-12-01

To study the growth characteristics of umbilical cord MSCs (UCMSCs) in vitro and its effect on the nerve regeneration after spinal cord injury (SCI). UCMSCs isolated from pregnant rats umbilical cord were cultured and purified in vitro. Sixty female Wistar rats weighing (300 +/- 10) g were randomized into three groups (n=20 per group). UCMSCs group (group A) in which UCMSCs suspension injection was conducted; DMEM control group (group B) in which 10% DMEM injection was conducted; sham group (group C) in which the animal received laminectomy only. Establish acute SCI model (T10) by Impactor model-II device in group A and group B. The recovery of the lower extremity was observed using BBB locomotor scoring system, neurofilament 200 (NF-200) immunofluorescence staining was performed to detect the neural regeneration, and then the corticospinal tract (CST) was observed using the biotinylated dextran amine (BDA) tracing. Cultured UCMSCs were spindle-shaped fibrocyte-like adherent growth, swirling or parallelly. The USMSCs expressed CD29, but not CD31, CD45, and HLA-DR. The BBB score was higher in group A than group B 4, 5, and 6 weeks after operation, and there was a significant difference between two groups (P < 0.05). The BBB scores at different time points were significantly lower in groups A and B than that in group C (P < 0.05). UCMSCs was proved to survive and assemble around the injured place by frozen section of the cords 6 weeks after injury. NF-200 positive response area in groups A, B, and C was (11,943 +/- 856), (7,986 +/- 627), and (13,117 +/- 945) pixels, respectively, suggesting there was a significant difference between groups A, C and group B (P < 0.05), and no significant difference was evident between group A and group C (P > 0.05). BDA anterograde tracing 10 weeks after operation demonstrated that more regenerated nerve fibers went through injured area in group A, but just quite few nerve fibers in group B went through the injuried cavity. The ratios of regenerative axons amount to T5 axons in group A and group B were smaller than that of group C (P < 0.05). UCMSCs can proliferate rapidly in vitro, survive and differentiate to neurons after being grafted into injured spinal cord. The transplantation of UCMSCs is effective in promoting functional recovery and axonal regeneration after SCI.
Outcomes 18 years after implementation of a nonoperative caries preventive program--the Nexö-method--on children in Moscow, Russia.

PubMed

Kuzmina, Irina; Ekstrand, Kim R

2015-08-01

To report the long-term effect (18 years) of the Nexö-method, initially implemented in groups of children in Moscow in 1994. Three groups of children were included in the initial study in 1994. This study is a follow-up study of two of the three initial groups: a group of 6-year-olds (test group6 ; control group6 ) and a group of 11-year-olds (test group11 , control group11) , n = 50 individuals in each of the four subgroups. In 2012, >80% of the participants in the two groups (now aged 24 and 28 years old) were re-examined by the original examiner, who was blinded to which group the patients had belonged in the initial study. After re-examination, the participants were interviewed by a person not otherwise attached to the study. Finally, caries data were collected from 100 24-year-olds and 100 28-year-olds who attended the dental school (50%) and private clinic (50%) in Moscow (External control groups24,28 ). The outcome variables of the study were plaque and gingival status, and DMFT/S. In 2012, the control groups24,28 displayed significantly higher plaque scores than the test groups24,28 (P-values < 0.05). No differences were seen regarding gingivitis scores (P-values > 0.41). Mean DMFT/S in 2012 was test group24 = 6.98/10.51, control group24 = 8.84/13.14 (P = 0.02/0.06). External control group24 = 8.89/15.86 (test24 versus external control group24 , P = 0.01/0.007; control24 versus external control group24 , P = 0.94/0.16). Test group28 = 6.74/10.83, control group28 = 8.70/14.48 (P = 0.02/0.008). External control group28 = 9.03/18.06 (test28 versus external control28 , P = 0.03/0.001; control28 versus external control28 , P = 0.68/0.07). The interview indicated that the participants in the test groups were more aware of factors that are considered important for control of caries than participants in the control groups. The data from this group of Moscow citizens suggest a long-term positive effect of the Nexö-method implemented during childhood. © 2015 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Efficacy of a New Recrystallized Enrofloxacin Hydrochloride-Dihydrate against Leptospirosis in a Hamster Model.

PubMed

Carrascosa, Alma; Gutierrez, Lilia; De la Peña, Alejandro; Candanosa, Irma E; Tapia, Graciela; Sumano, Hector

2017-11-01

A trial on Syrian hamsters ( Mesocricetus auratus ) infected with Leptospira interrogans serovar Canicola was established to compare treatment efficacies of daily intramuscular (i.m.) injections of either 10 mg/kg of 5% enrofloxacin (Baytril [BE]; Bayer Animal Health, Mexico) or the same dose of enrofloxacin hydrochloride-dihydrate (enro-C). Hamsters were experimentally infected via the oral submucosa with 400 microorganisms/animal, in a sequential time schedule aligned to the initial treatment day, and were treated in groups as follows: a group treated with 5% enrofloxacin daily for 7 days after 24 h of infection (group BE 24 ); a group treated as described for group BE 24 but with enro-C (enro-C 24 ); a group also treated with 5% enrofloxacin but starting at 72 h after infection (BE 74 ); a group treated as described for group BE 74 but with injection of enro-C (enro-C 74 ). An untreated-uninfected control group (group CG - ) and an infected-untreated control group (group CG + ) were assembled ( n = 18 in all groups). Weights and temperatures of the hamsters were monitored daily for 28 days. After hamsters were euthanatized or following death, necropsy, histopathology, macroscopic agglutination tests (MAT), bacterial culture, and PCR were performed. The mortality rates were 38.8% in group BE 24 and 100% in group BE 74 No mortality was observed in group enro-C 24 , and 11.1% mortality was recorded in group enro-C 74 The mortality rates in groups CG + and CG - were 100% and zero, respectively. Combined necropsy and histopathologic findings revealed signs of septicemia and organ damage in groups BE 24 , BE 72 , and CG + Groups enro-C 24 and CG - showed no lesions. Moderated lesions were registered in 3 hamsters in group enro-C 72 MAT results were positive in 83.3% of BE 24 hamsters (83.3%) and 100% of BE 72 and CG + hamsters; MAT results were positive in 16.7% in group Enro-C 24 and 38.9% in group enro-C 72 Only 4/18 were PCR positive in group enro-C 72 and only 1 in group enro-C 24 ( P < 0.05). It can be concluded that enro-C may be a viable option to treat leptospirosis in hamsters and that this may be the case in other species. Copyright © 2017 American Society for Microbiology.
[Impacts of early metoprolol intervention on connexin 43 and phosphorylated connexin 43 expression in rabbits with experimental myocardial infarction].

PubMed

Zhou, M; Lu, Q; Jiang, J Q; Chen, Z N; Gong, Z G; Li, Z G; Fu, W W; Ding, S F

2017-04-24

Objective: To investigate the early intervention effects of metoprolol on connexin 43(Cx43) and phosphorylated Cx43 (p-Cx43) expression in rabbits with post myocardial infarction. Methods: A total of 24 adult male New Zealand white rabbits were divided into sham group ( n =6), early treatment group( n =6), routine treatment group( n =6), and myocardial infarction group( n =6) with a randomized block design blocked by weight. Myocardial infarction was induced by left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) ligation. Rabbits in sham group received similar surgical procedure without LAD ligation. Metoprolol (12.5 mg/kg dissolved in 2 ml distilled water) was applied to rabbits in early treatment group and routine treatment group per gavage immediately after recovery from anesthesia and at 24 hours after myocardial infarction, respectively, then treated daily for 40 days. Rabbits in sham group and myocardial infarction group received 2 ml distilled water per gavage daily for 40 days. Plasma lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and creatine kinase (CK) level were detected by automatic biochemistry analyzer after 6 hours in all rabbits. Ventricular fibrillation threshold (VFT) was measured in vivo by bipolar pacing electrodes at 40 days. Cx43 and p-Cx43 distribution in ventricular tissue was detected by immunofluorescence analyses. Cx43 and p-Cx43 protein level in ventricular tissue was determined by Western blot. Results: (1) Plasma LDH ((851.7±85.9)U/L vs. (332.3±39.6)U/L, P <0.01) and CK ((1 192.7±105.3)U/L vs. (462.3±65.6)U/L, P <0.01) were significantly higher in myocardial infarction group than in sham group (both P <0.01). (2) VFT was significantly lower in myocardial infarction group than that in sham group ((470.0±91.0) beats per minute vs. (683.3±60.9) beats per minute, P <0.05), and VFT was significantly higher in early treatment group ((633.3±43.2) beats per minute) and routine treatment group ((645.0±30.8) beats per minute) than in the myocardial infarction group (both P <0.05). (3) Immunofluorescence analyses showed that Cx43 was mainly localized in the intercalated disk, which was perpendicular to the cell long axis with linear arrangement, and less lateral distribution in sham group, early treatment group and routine treatment group, which was significantly different as the case in the myocardial infarction group. The expression of p-Cx43 in myocardial infarction group was less than in sham group, which was significantly upregulated in in early treatment group and routine treatment group when compared with myocardial infarction group, and expression of p-Cx43 was significantly higher in early treatment group than in routine treatment group. (4)The p-Cx43/Cx43 ratio of protein was significantly lower in myocardial infarction group than in sham group (0.165±0.011 vs. 0.363±0.046, P <0.05), and significantly higher in early treatment group (0.720±0.063) and routine treatment group (0.364±0.030) than in myocardial infarction group (both P <0.05), and this ratio was significantly higher in early treatment group than in routine treatment group ( P <0.05). Conclusion: Metoprolol treatment, especially the early metoprolol treatment (within 24 hours after LAD ligation), could significantly improve VFT by ameliorating the distribution and dephosphorylation of myocardial Cx43 in rabbits with experimental myocardial infarction.
[Clinical study of high intensity focused ultrasound ablation combined with GnRH-a and LNG-IUS for the treatment of adenomyosis].

PubMed

Ye, M Z; Deng, X L; Zhu, X G; Xue, M

2016-09-25

Objective: To investigate the clinical effect of dysmenorrhea in patients with adenomyosis treated by high intensity focused ultrasound(HIFU)ablation combined with gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist(GnRH-a)and levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system(LNG-IUS). Methods: From April 2012 to December 2015, 477 cases of adenomyosis patients with dysmenorrhea were treated by HIFU in the Third Xiangya Hospital. Among them, some patients were treated with HIFU alone, some of them were treated with HIFU combined with GnRH-a and(or)LNG-IUS, thus were classified as H group, H+G group, H+M group and H+G+M group. The improvements of clinical results were compared among the four groups and the influencing factors of HIFU treatment for adenomyosis were also analyzed. Results: During the follow-up period, the overall effective rates of the treatment decreased with time, 3 months 89.4%(345/386), 12 months 84.0%(221/263), 24 months 74.2%(98/132), and the overall recurrence rate was 12.9%(39/303). The significant difference in the curative at 3 months[H group 83.7%(170/203), H+M group 95.0%(95/100), H+G group 100.0%(43/43), H+G+M group 96.8%(30/31)], 12 months[H group 79.4%(123/155), H+M group 93.2%(69/74), H+G group 11/12, H+G+M group 15/17], and 24 months[H group 68.0%(51/75), H+M group 96.4%(27/28), H+G group 6/12, H+G+M group 15/15]after HIFU treatment and recurrence rate[H group 19.0%(29/153), H+M group 3.3%(3/90), H+G group 19.4%(6/31), H+G+M group 4.5%(1/22)]were observed among the four groups( P <0.05). Pairwise comparison further showed that, in 3 months after the treatment, the effect of H group was significantly lower than those of H+M group and H+G group( P = 0.003, P =0.005); in 12 months after the treatment, the effect of H group was significantly lower than that of H+M group( P =0.006); while in 24 months after treatment, the effect of H group was significantly lower than that of H+G+M group( P =0.005), and the effect of H+G group was lower than that of H+G+M group( P = 0.001); and the recurrence rate of H group was significantly higher than that of H+M group( P <0.008). In patients of group H, the effect of HIFU was related to uterine size, the effect of patients with large uterine volume was significantly higher than that of small volume of uterine of patients( P =0.017, OR =2.739, 95% CI : 1.200- 6.251); with increasing of age, the improvement of dysmenorrhea had a increasing trend( P <0.05). Conclusions: HIFU combined with GnRH-a and(or)LNG-IUS could improve the treatment effect in relief of dysmenorrhea. Based on our results, individual treatment protocol should be selected for different patients.
Oral purgative and simethicone before small bowel capsule endoscopy

PubMed Central

Rosa, Bruno Joel Ferreira; Barbosa, Mara; Magalhães, Joana; Rebelo, Ana; Moreira, Maria João; Cotter, José

2013-01-01

AIM: To evaluate small bowel cleansing quality, diagnostic yield and transit time, comparing three cleansing protocols prior to capsule endoscopy. METHODS: Sixty patients were prospectively enrolled and randomized to one of the following cleansing protocols: patients in Group A underwent a 24 h liquid diet and overnight fasting; patients in Group B followed protocol A and subsequently were administered 2 L of polyethylene glycol (PEG) the evening before the procedure; patients in Group C followed protocol B and were additionally administered 100 mg of simethicone 30 min prior to capsule ingestion. Small bowel cleansing was independently assessed by two experienced endoscopists and classified as poor, fair, good or excellent according to the proportion of small bowel mucosa under perfect conditions for visualization. When there was no agreement between the two endoscopists, the images were reviewed and discussed until a consensus was reached. The preparation was considered acceptable if > 50% or adequate if > 75% of the mucosa was in perfect cleansing condition. The amount of bubbles was assessed independently and it was considered significant if it prevented a correct interpretation of the images. Positive endoscopic findings, gastric emptying time (GET) and small bowel transit time (SBTT) were recorded for each examination. RESULTS: There was a trend favoring Group B in achieving an acceptable (including fair, good or excellent) level of cleansing (Group A: 65%; Group B: 83.3%; Group C: 68.4%) [P = not significant (NS)] and favoring Group C in attaining an excellent level of cleansing (Group A: 10%; Group B: 16.7%; Group C: 21.1%) (P = NS). The number of patients with an adequate cleansing of the small bowel, corresponding to an excellent or good classification, was 5 (25%) in Group A, 5 (27.8%) in Group B and 4 (21.1%) in Group C (P = 0.892). Conversely, 7 patients (35%) in Group A, 3 patients (16.7%) in Group B and 6 patients (31.6%) in Group C were considered to have poor small bowel cleansing (P = 0.417), with significant fluid or debris such that the examination was unreliable. The proportion of patients with a significant amount of bubbles was 50% in Group A, 27.8% in Group B and 15.8% in Group C (P = 0.065). This was significantly lower in Group C when compared to Group A (P = 0.026). The mean GET was 27.8 min for Group A, 27.2 min for Group B and 40.7 min for Group C (P = 0.381). The mean SBTT was 256.4 min for Group A, 256.1 min for Group B and 258.1 min for Group C (P = 0.998). Regarding to the rate of complete examinations, the capsule reached the cecum in 20 patients (100%) in Group A, 16 patients (88.9%) in Group B and 17 patients (89.5%) in Group C (P = 0.312). A definite diagnosis based on relevant small bowel endoscopic lesions was established in 60% of the patients in Group A (12 patients), 44.4% in Group B (8 patients) and 57.8% in Group C (11 patients) (P = 0.587). CONCLUSION: Preparation with 2 L of PEG before small bowel capsule endoscopy (SBCE) may improve small bowel cleansing and the quality of visualization. Simethicone may further reduce intraluminal bubbles. No significant differences were found regarding GET, SBTT and the proportion of complete exploration or diagnostic yield among the three different cleansing protocols. PMID:23424190

Oral purgative and simethicone before small bowel capsule endoscopy.

PubMed

Rosa, Bruno Joel Ferreira; Barbosa, Mara; Magalhães, Joana; Rebelo, Ana; Moreira, Maria João; Cotter, José

2013-02-16

To evaluate small bowel cleansing quality, diagnostic yield and transit time, comparing three cleansing protocols prior to capsule endoscopy. Sixty patients were prospectively enrolled and randomized to one of the following cleansing protocols: patients in Group A underwent a 24 h liquid diet and overnight fasting; patients in Group B followed protocol A and subsequently were administered 2 L of polyethylene glycol (PEG) the evening before the procedure; patients in Group C followed protocol B and were additionally administered 100 mg of simethicone 30 min prior to capsule ingestion. Small bowel cleansing was independently assessed by two experienced endoscopists and classified as poor, fair, good or excellent according to the proportion of small bowel mucosa under perfect conditions for visualization. When there was no agreement between the two endoscopists, the images were reviewed and discussed until a consensus was reached. The preparation was considered acceptable if > 50% or adequate if > 75% of the mucosa was in perfect cleansing condition. The amount of bubbles was assessed independently and it was considered significant if it prevented a correct interpretation of the images. Positive endoscopic findings, gastric emptying time (GET) and small bowel transit time (SBTT) were recorded for each examination. There was a trend favoring Group B in achieving an acceptable (including fair, good or excellent) level of cleansing (Group A: 65%; Group B: 83.3%; Group C: 68.4%) [P = not significant (NS)] and favoring Group C in attaining an excellent level of cleansing (Group A: 10%; Group B: 16.7%; Group C: 21.1%) (P = NS). The number of patients with an adequate cleansing of the small bowel, corresponding to an excellent or good classification, was 5 (25%) in Group A, 5 (27.8%) in Group B and 4 (21.1%) in Group C (P = 0.892). Conversely, 7 patients (35%) in Group A, 3 patients (16.7%) in Group B and 6 patients (31.6%) in Group C were considered to have poor small bowel cleansing (P = 0.417), with significant fluid or debris such that the examination was unreliable. The proportion of patients with a significant amount of bubbles was 50% in Group A, 27.8% in Group B and 15.8% in Group C (P = 0.065). This was significantly lower in Group C when compared to Group A (P = 0.026). The mean GET was 27.8 min for Group A, 27.2 min for Group B and 40.7 min for Group C (P = 0.381). The mean SBTT was 256.4 min for Group A, 256.1 min for Group B and 258.1 min for Group C (P = 0.998). Regarding to the rate of complete examinations, the capsule reached the cecum in 20 patients (100%) in Group A, 16 patients (88.9%) in Group B and 17 patients (89.5%) in Group C (P = 0.312). A definite diagnosis based on relevant small bowel endoscopic lesions was established in 60% of the patients in Group A (12 patients), 44.4% in Group B (8 patients) and 57.8% in Group C (11 patients) (P = 0.587). Preparation with 2 L of PEG before small bowel capsule endoscopy (SBCE) may improve small bowel cleansing and the quality of visualization. Simethicone may further reduce intraluminal bubbles. No significant differences were found regarding GET, SBTT and the proportion of complete exploration or diagnostic yield among the three different cleansing protocols.
40 CFR 65.62 - Process vent group determination.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... 40 Protection of Environment 16 2012-07-01 2012-07-01 false Process vent group determination. 65... (CONTINUED) CONSOLIDATED FEDERAL AIR RULE Process Vents § 65.62 Process vent group determination. (a) Group status. The owner or operator of a process vent shall determine the group status (i.e., Group 1, Group 2A...
40 CFR 65.62 - Process vent group determination.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... 40 Protection of Environment 16 2014-07-01 2014-07-01 false Process vent group determination. 65... (CONTINUED) CONSOLIDATED FEDERAL AIR RULE Process Vents § 65.62 Process vent group determination. (a) Group status. The owner or operator of a process vent shall determine the group status (i.e., Group 1, Group 2A...
40 CFR 65.62 - Process vent group determination.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... 40 Protection of Environment 15 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Process vent group determination. 65... (CONTINUED) CONSOLIDATED FEDERAL AIR RULE Process Vents § 65.62 Process vent group determination. (a) Group status. The owner or operator of a process vent shall determine the group status (i.e., Group 1, Group 2A...
How Do Children Share Information in Groups?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gummerum, Michaela; Leman, Patrick J.; Hollins, Tara S.

2014-01-01

Group decision making should be particularly beneficial when group members share unique information, because then a group can make a better decision than each group member alone. This study examined how elementary-school children share unique information during group decision making. Seventy-nine groups of 3 same-sex and same-age 7- and 9-year-old…
40 CFR 65.62 - Process vent group determination.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

..., or Group 2B) for each process vent. Group 1 process vents require control, and Group 2A and 2B... 40 Protection of Environment 15 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Process vent group determination. 65... (CONTINUED) CONSOLIDATED FEDERAL AIR RULE Process Vents § 65.62 Process vent group determination. (a) Group...
Treatability Study Pilot Test Operation Field Photos

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

Li, Jun

Photos in each group are in chronological order as captured: Group I Tank Platform Setup, November 14, 2017; Group II Tank Setup, November 15, 2017; Group III Aboveground Injestion System (AIS) Setup, November 20, 2017; Group IV Chemical Mixing, November 21, 2017; Group V KB-1 Bacteria Injection, November 27, 2017; Group VI Miscellaneous.
The Relationship of Interpersonal Attraction and Attraction to Group in a Growth Group Setting.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Evans, Nancy J.

1984-01-01

Investigated the relationship of interpersonal attraction and attraction to groups. Students (N=56) participating in growth groups completed the Group Attitude Scale and individual rating scales early, midway, and late in the group. Data indicated an increasing relationship between interpersonal and group attraction throughout the life of the…
Group Play Therapy with Sexually Abused Preschool Children: Group Behaviors and Interventions

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jones, Karyn Dayle

2002-01-01

Group play therapy is a common treatment modality for children who have been sexually abused. Sexually abused preschoolers exhibit different group play therapy behaviors than do nonabused children. Group workers need to be aware of these differences and know the appropriate group interventions. This article describes group play therapy with…
Providing Effective Speech-Language Pathology Group Treatment in the Comprehensive Inpatient Rehabilitation Setting.

PubMed

Baron, Christine; Holcombe, Molly; van der Stelt, Candace

2018-02-01

Group treatment is an integral part of speech-language pathology (SLP) practice. The majority of SLP literature concerns group treatment provided in outpatient settings. This article describes the goals, procedures, and benefits of providing quality SLP group therapy in the comprehensive inpatient rehabilitation (CIR) setting. Effective CIR groups must be designed with attention to type and severity of communication impairment, as well physical stamina of group members. Group leaders need to target individualized patient goals while creating a challenging, complex, and dynamic group context that supports participation by all group members. Direct patient-to-patient interaction is fostered as much as possible. Peer feedback supports goal acquisition by fellow group members. The rich, complex group context fosters improved insight, initiation, social connectedness, and generalization of communication skills. Group treatment provides a unique type of treatment not easily replicated with individual treatment. SLP group treatment in a CIR is an essential component of an intensive, high-quality program. Continued advocacy for group therapy provision and research into its efficacy and effectiveness are warranted. Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.
[Clinical application of biofragmentable anastomosis ring for intestinal anastomosis].

PubMed

Ye, Feng; Lin, Jian-jiang

2006-11-01

To compare the efficacy of the biofragmentable anastomotic ring (BAR) with conventional hand-sutured and stapling techniques,and to evaluate the safety and applicability of the BAR in intestinal anastomosis. The totol of 498 patients performed intestinal anastomosis from January 2000 to November 2005 were allocated to BAR group (n=186), hand-sutured group (n=177) and linear cutter group (n=135). The operative time, postoperative convalescence and corresponding complication were recorded. Postoperative anastomotic inflammation and anastomotic stenosis were observed during half or one year follow-up of 436 patients. The operative time was (102 +/- 16) min in the BAR group, (121 +/- 15) min in the hand-sutured group, and (105 +/- 18 ) min in the linear cutter group. The difference was significant statistically (P <0.05). The operative time in BAR group and linear cutter group was shorter than hand-sutured group. One case of anastomotic leakage was noted in the BAR group, one case in the hand-sutured group, and none in the linear cutter group. They were cured by conservative methods. One case of anastomotic obstruction happened in the BAR group, one case in the hand-sutured group. Two of them were cured by conservative methods. Two cases of anastomotic obstruction happened in the hand-sutured group. However, one of them required reoperation to remove the obstruction. In the BAR, hand-sutured and the linear cutter group, the postoperative first flatus time was (67.2+/- 4.6) h, (70.2 +/- 5.8) h and (69.2 +/- 6.2)h, respectively. No significant differences were observed among three groups(P > 0.05). The rate of postoperative anastomotic inflammation was 3.0 % (5/164) in the BAR group, 47.8 % (76/159) in hand-sutured group and 7.1 % (8/113) in the linear cutter group. The difference was significant statistically (P <0.05). The rate of postoperative anastomotic inflammation in the BAR group and in the linear cutter group was less than that in hand-sutured group. BAR is one of rapid,safe and effective methods in intestinal anastomosis. It has less anastomotic inflammatory reaction than hand-sutured technique. It should be considered equal to manual and stapler methods.
Association between ABO blood/rhesus grouping and hepatitis B and C: a case-control study.

PubMed

Pourhassan, Abolfazl

2014-06-01

During past decades, a connection between hepatitis and the host ABO/Rh blood groups has been always under dispute, with no appropriately designed study yet. This study aimed to investigate possible association between ABO blood/Rh groups with both hepatitis B and C. In this case-control setting, 200 healthy individuals (controls), 200 patients with chronic Hepatitis-B infection (HB) and 200 patients with chronic Hepatitis-C infection (HC) were recruited from 2010 to 2013 in Tabriz Sina Hospital. ABO blood and Rh grouping was performed and the results were compared between the case and control groups. Both pair of the control and HB groups and the control and HC groups were matched for their subjects' age and sex. In the control group, 178 subjects (89%) were Rh+ and 22 subjects (11%) were Rh-. In the HB group, there were 180 Rh+ (90%) and 20 Rh- (10%) patients. In the HC group there were 168 Rh+ (84%) and 32 Rh-negative (16%) patients. Both pair of the control and HB groups (p = 0.74), as well as the control and HC groups (p = 0.14) were comparable for the status of Rh. In the control group there were 84 (42%), 32 (16%), 66 (33%) and 18 (9%) subjects with A, B, O and AB blood groups, respectively. The corresponding figures were 84 (42%), 34 (17%), 58 (29%) and 24 (12%) for the HB patients; and 80 (40%), 29 (14.5%), 85 (42.5%) and 6 (3%) for the HC patients. Comparing between the control and HB groups showed no significant difference in terms of the frequency of ABO blood groups (p = 0.70). However, with comparing the control and HC groups, the rate of O blood group was significantly higher in the HC group and concomitantly, the rate of AB blood group was significantly higher in the control group (p = 0.04). Although, there is not a significant association between ABO blood groups and HB, this association is significant between certain ABO blood groups and HC.
An In Vitro Evaluation of the Loosening of Different Interchangeable Abutments in Internal-Connection-Type Implants.

PubMed

Park, Ji-Man; Baek, Chang-Hyun; Heo, Seong-Joo; Kim, Seong-Kyun; Koak, Jai-Young; Kim, Shin-Koo; Belser, Urs C

The aim of this study was to compare the loosening of interchangeable one-piece abutments connected to internal-connection-type implants after cyclic loading. Four implant abutment groups (n = 7 in each group) with Straumann tissue-level implants were assessed: Straumann solid abutment (group S), Southern Implants solid abutment (group SI), Implant Direct straight abutment (group ID), and Blue Sky Bio regular platform abutment (group BSB). The implant was firmly held in a special jig to ensure fixation. Abutment screws were tightened to manufacturers' recommended torque with a digital torque gauge. The hemispherical loading members were fabricated for the load cell of a universal testing machine to evenly distribute the force on the specimens and to fulfill the ISO 14801:2007 standard. A cyclic loading of 25 N at 30 degrees to the implant's long axis was applied for a duty of a half million cycles. Tightening torques were measured prior to the loading. Removal torques were measured after cyclic loading. The data were analyzed with one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), and the significance level was set at P < .05. The mean removal torques after cyclic loading were 34.0 ± 1.1 Ncm (group S), 25.0 ± 1.5 Ncm (group SI), 23.9 ± 2.1 Ncm (group ID), and 27.9 ± 1.3 Ncm (group BSB). Removal torques of each group were statistically different in the order of group S > group BSB > groups SI and ID (P < .05). The mean reduction rates were -2.9% ± 3.2% (group S), -21.9% ± 4.8% (group SI), -20.2% ± 7.2% (group ID), and -6.9% ± 4.3% (group BSB) after a half million cycles, respectively. Reduction rates of groups S and BSB were statistically lower than those of groups SI and ID (P < .01). The standard deviation of group S was lower than group BSB. The removal torque of the original Straumann abutment was significantly higher than those of the copy abutments. The reduction rate of the groups S and BSB abutments was lower than those of the other copy abutments.
In vitro progression of artificial white spot lesions sealed with an infiltrant resin.

PubMed

Gelani, R; Zandona, A F; Lippert, F; Kamocka, M M; Eckert, G

2014-01-01

This study assessed the ability of an infiltrant resin (Icon, DMG Chemisch-Pharmazeutische Fabrik GmbH, Hamburg, Germany) to prevent artificial lesion progression in vitro when used to impregnate white spot lesions and also assessed the effect of saliva contamination on resin infiltration. Enamel specimens (n=252) were prepared and covered with nail varnish, leaving a window of sound enamel. After demineralization (pH 5.0; four weeks), specimens were divided into six groups (n=42 per group): group 1, 2% fluoride gel (positive control); group 2, resin infiltrant; group 3, resin infiltrant + fluoride gel; group 4, no treatment (negative control); group 5, resin infiltrant application after saliva contamination; and group 6, resin infiltrant + fluoride gel after saliva contamination. Specimens from each group were cut perpendicular to the surface, and one-half of each specimen was exposed to a demineralizing solution for another four weeks. The other half was set aside as a record of initial lesion depth and was used later in the determination of lesion progression. Lesion progression and infiltrant penetration were measured using confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and transverse microradiography (TMR). For lesion depth, based on CLSM, groups 2 and 3 showed the least changes when submitted to demineralization challenge, followed by group 1, then groups 5 and 6, and finally group 4. There were no significant differences between groups 2 and 3 or groups 5 and 6 in their ability to inhibit further lesion progression (p<0.05). Based on TMR, groups 2 and 3 also showed the fewest changes when submitted to demineralization challenge, followed by group 5, then groups 1 and 6, and finally group 4. In terms of mineral loss as measured by TMR, all groups that contained fluoride (groups 1, 3, and 6) show less percentage change in mineral loss than the groups that did not contain fluoride (groups 2, 4, and 5). It can be concluded that infiltrant penetration into early enamel lesions inhibited further demineralization in vitro, especially in the presence of fluoride. Saliva contamination decreased the ability of the infiltrant to prevent further demineralization, but the presence of fluoride seemed to counteract this effect.
Colorectal cancer lymph node staining by activated carbon nanoparticles suspension in vivo or methylene blue in vitro

PubMed Central

Cai, Hong-Ke; He, Hai-Fei; Tian, Wei; Zhou, Mei-Qi; Hu, Yue; Deng, Yong-Chuan

2012-01-01

AIM: To investigate whether activated carbon nanoparticles suspension (ACNS) or methylene blue (MB) can increase the detected number of lymph nodes in colorectal cancer. METHODS: Sixty-seven of 72 colorectal cancer patients treated at our hospital fulfilled the inclusion criteria of the study which was conducted from December 2010 to February 2012. Seven patients refused to participate. Eventually, 60 patients were included, and randomly assigned to three groups (20 in each group): ACNS group (group A), MB group (group B) and non-stained conventional surgical group (group C). In group A, patients received subserosal injection of 1 mL ACNS in a 4-quadrant region around the mass. In group B, the main artery of specimen was identified and isolated after the specimen was removed, and 2 mL MB was slowly injected into the isolated, stretched and fixed vessel. In group C, no ACNS and MB were injected. All the mesentery lymph nodes were isolated and removed systematically by visually inspecting and palpating the adipose tissue. RESULTS: No difference was observed among the three groups in age, gender, tumor location, tumor diameter, T-stage, degree of differentiation, postoperative complications and peritoneal drainage retention time. The total number of detected lymph nodes was 535, 476 and 223 in the three groups, respectively. The mean number of detected lymph nodes per patient was significantly higher in group A than in group C (26.8 ± 8.4 vs 12.2 ± 3.2, P < 0.001). Similarly, there were significantly more lymph nodes detected in group B than in group C (23.8 ± 6.9 vs 12.2 ± 3.2, P < 0.001). However, there was no significant difference between group A and group B. There were 50, 46 and 32 metastatic lymph nodes dissected in 13 patients of group A, 10 patients of group B and 11 patients of group C, without significant differences among the three groups. Eleven of the 60 patients had insufficient number of detected lymph nodes (< 12). Only one patient with T4a rectal cancer had 10 lymph nodes detected in group B, the other 10 patients were all from group C. Based on the different diameter categories, the number of detected lymph nodes in groups A and B was significantly higher than in group C. However, there was no statistically significant difference between group A and group B. The metastatic lymph nodes were not significant different among the three groups. Similarly, tumor location, T stage and tumor differentiation did not affect the staining results. Body mass index was a minor influencing factor in the two different staining methods. The stained lymph nodes can easily be identified from the mesenteric adipose tissues, and the staining time for lymph nodes was not significantly different compared with unstained group. None of the patients in groups A and B had drug-related complications. CONCLUSION: Both activated carbon nanoparticles suspension in vivo and methylene blue in vitro can be used as tracers to increase the detected number of lymph nodes in colorectal cancer. PMID:23155345
A group therapist perspective on self-help groups.

PubMed

Lieberman, M A

1990-07-01

The author provides an overview of self-help groups in terms of their origins, growth, scope, and effectiveness, and then compares these groups with professionally conducted psychotherapy groups. A framework for evaluating group helping systems is proposed which includes five principal dimensions: the helping group as a social microcosm; technological complexity/simplicity; psychological distance/closeness between helper and helpee; specificity/generality of help methods; and differentiation versus nondifferentiation among participants. The author concludes his article by recommending four strategies for how group therapists can contribute to self-help groups.
Cognitive synergy in groups and group-to-individual transfer of decision-making competencies

PubMed Central

Curşeu, Petru L.; Meslec, Nicoleta; Pluut, Helen; Lucas, Gerardus J. M.

2015-01-01

In a field study (148 participants organized in 38 groups) we tested the effect of group synergy and one's position in relation to the collaborative zone of proximal development (CZPD) on the change of individual decision-making competencies. We used two parallel sets of decision tasks reported in previous research to test rationality and we evaluated individual decision-making competencies in the pre-group and post-group conditions as well as group rationality (as an emergent group level phenomenon). We used multilevel modeling to analyze the data and the results showed that members of synergetic groups had a higher cognitive gain as compared to members of non-synergetic groups, while highly rational members (members above the CZPD) had lower cognitive gains compared to less rational group members (members situated below the CZPD). These insights extend the literature on group-to-individual transfer of learning and have important practical implications as they show that group dynamics influence the development of individual decision-making competencies. PMID:26441750
Positive Feeling, Negative Meaning: Visualizing the Mental Representations of In-Group and Out-Group Smiles

PubMed Central

Dotsch, Ron; Wentura, Dirk

2016-01-01

Even though smiles are seen as universal facial expressions, research shows that there exist various kinds of smiles (i.e., affiliative smiles, dominant smiles). Accordingly, we suggest that there also exist various mental representations of smiles. Which representation is employed in cognition may depend on social factors, such as the smiling person’s group membership: Since in-group members are typically seen as more benevolent than out-group members, in-group smiles should be associated with more benevolent social meaning than those conveyed by out-group members. We visualized in-group and out-group smiles with reverse correlation image classification. These visualizations indicated that mental representations of in-group smiles indeed express more benevolent social meaning than those of out-group smiles. The affective meaning of these visualized smiles was not influenced by group membership. Importantly, the effect occurred even though participants were not instructed to attend to the nature of the smile, pointing to an automatic association between group membership and intention. PMID:26963621
Altruistic behavior in cohesive social groups: The role of target identifiability

PubMed Central

Ritov, Ilana; Kogut, Tehila

2017-01-01

People’s tendency to be more generous toward identifiable victims than toward unidentifiable or statistical victims is known as the Identifiable Victim Effect. Recent research has called the generality of this effect into question, showing that in cross-national contexts, identifiability mostly affects willingness to help victims of one’s own “in-group.” Furthermore, in inter-group conflict situations, identifiability increased generosity toward a member of the adversary group, but decreased generosity toward a member of one’s own group. In the present research we examine the role of group-cohesiveness as an underlying factor accounting for these divergent findings. In particular, we examined novel groups generated in the lab, using the minimal group paradigm, as well as natural groups of students in regular exercise sections. Allocation decisions in dictator games revealed that a group’s cohesiveness affects generosity toward in-group and out-group recipients differently, depending on their identifiability. In particular, in cohesive groups the identification of an in-group recipient decreased, rather than increased generosity. PMID:29161282
Social support, organizational characteristics, psychological well-being, and group appraisal in three self-help group populations.

PubMed

Maton, K I

1988-02-01

This study examined the relationship of three social support and three organizational variables to two well-being and two group appraisal variables among 144 members of Compassionate Friends, Multiple Sclerosis, and Overeaters Anonymous self-help groups. An anonymous questionnaire was the major research instrument. Receiving social support was not significantly related to depression or anxiety but was positively related to perceived group benefits and group satisfaction. Providing social support and friendship were each positively related to one well-being and one group appraisal variable. Bidirectional supporters (i.e., individuals high on both receiving and providing support) reported more favorable well-being and group appraisal than Receivers, Providers, and Low Supporters. At the group level of analysis (n = 15 groups), groups with higher levels of role differentiation, greater order and organization, and in which leaders were perceived as more capable contained members who reported more positive well-being and group appraisal. The implications for future research and professional consultation to self-help groups are discussed.

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