The effects of a counter-current interstitial flow on a discharging hourglass

This work experimentally investigates the effects of an interstitial fluid on the discharge of granular material within an hourglass. The experiments include observations of the flow patterns, measurements of the discharge rates, and pressure variations for a range of different fluid viscosities, particle densities and diameters, and hourglass geometries. The results are classified into three regimes: (i) granular flows with negligible interstitial fluid effects; (ii) flows affected by the presence of the interstitial fluid; and (iii) a no-flow region in which particles arch across the orifice and do not discharge. Within the fluid-affected region, the flows were visually classified as lubricated and air-coupled flows, oscillatory flows, channeling flows in which the flow preferentially rises along the sidewalls, and fluidized flows in which the upward flow suspends the particles. The discharge rates depends on the Archimedes number, the ratio of the effective hopper diameter to the particle diameter, and hourglass geometry. The hopper-discharge experiments, as well as experiments found in the literature, demonstrate that the presence of the interstitial fluid is important when the nondimensional ratio (N) of the single-particle terminal velocity to the hopper discharge velocity is less than 10. Flow ceased in all experiments in which the particle diameter was greater than 25% of the effective hopper diameter regardless of the interstitial fluid

Top-mounted inlet system feasibility for transonic-supersonic fighter aircraft

The more salient findings are presented of recent top inlet performance evaluations aimed at assessing the feasibility of top-mounted inlet systems for transonic-supersonic fighter aircraft applications. Top inlet flow field and engine-inlet performance test data show the influence of key aircraft configuration variables-inlet longitudinal position, wing leading-edge extension planform area, canopy-dorsal integration, and variable incidence canards-on top inlet performance over the Mach range of 0.6 to 2.0. Top inlet performance data are compared with those or more conventional inlet/airframe integrations in an effort to assess the viability of top-mounted inlet systems relative to conventional inlet installations

REDUCING TRANSPORTATION DAMAGE TO GRAPES AND STRAWBERRIES

In-transit vibration damage to grapes and strawberries results in reduced quality for the consumer and reduced profits for the produce industry. To solve this problem, the first step is to determine which vibrational frequencies are causing the damage. In various tests, grapes and strawberries were subjected to different frequencies at constant force levels. The effects of the vibration treatments were evaluated on the basis of grading, color analysis, firmness, respiration rate and ethylene production rate. The critical frequency was found to lie between 7.5 and 10 Hertz for both commodities. Color change and respiration rate were shown to be good indicators of damage in grapes. Strawberries did not show a significant effect due to color. Firmness was not affected by vibration in either commodity.Agribusiness,

SIMULATED IN-TRANSIT VIBRATION DAMAGE TO FRESH MARKET RASPBERRIES

Agribusiness,

“Like a drawing of breath”: leisure-based art-making as a source of respite and identity among older women caring for loved ones with dementia

This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in Arts and Health: An International Journal for Research, Policy and Practice on 02/11/2016, available online: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/17533015.2016.1247370Background: Caring for a family member with dementia is stressful. This study explores carers’ experiences of leisure-based art-making, and its contribution to psychological well-being. Method: This study interviewed six women (>60 years old) with lengthy experience of caring for a relative with dementia. All engaged regularly in art-making. Findings were inferred through Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Results: Participation in art-making promoted positive identity, and resilience for care-giving. It offered temporary respite from care-giving demands, helping participants maintain contact with the richness of the external world, and freedom from confinement. Art-making facilitated meaningful connections with others, including the person with dementia, and enabled positive feedback. Participants whose loved ones had recently died or moved to residential care, processed, in oblique, possibly symbolic ways, the end of their intense involvement in care-giving. Conclusions: The findings suggest that meaningful creative leisure occupations may help to protect the psychological well-being of care-givers, promoting resilience