Rotary actuator

Rotary actuators and other mechanical devices incorporating shape memory alloys are provided herein. Shape memory alloys are a group of metals which when deformed at temperatures below their martensite temperatures, resume the shapes which they had prior to the deformation if they are heated to temperatures above their austensite temperatures. Actuators in which shape memory alloys are employed include bias spring types, in which springs deform the shape memory alloy (SMA), and differential actuators, which use two SMA members mechanically connected in series. Another type uses concentric cylindrical members. One member is in the form of a sleeve surrounding a cylinder, both being constructed of shape memory alloys. Herein two capstans are mounted on a shaft which is supported in a framework. Each capstan is capable of rotating the shaft. Shape memory wire, as two separate lengths of wire, is wrapped around each capstan to form a winding around that capstan. The winding on one capstan is so wrapped that the wire is in a prestretched state. The winding on the other capstan is so wrapped that the wire is in a taut, but not a prestretched, state. Heating one performs work in one direction, thus deforming the other one. When the other SMA is heated the action is reversed

Are Diamonds a Girl’s Best Friend? Working Toward a Support System for Sexual Misconduct in Baseball

Anyone who experiences and wishes to report sexual misconduct should be supported and have resources available to them. The problem of practice addressed in this organizational improvement plan is the deficit of structures and supports for reporting sexual misconduct at Baseball X (a pseudonym), resulting in ineffective and inefficient reporting and investigatory processes. This plan is focused on analyzing Baseball X through multiple lenses and frameworks to identify potential solutions to this problem. To resolve this issue, the best solution is to embed strategic and intentional support systems into the organization and its culture. The theories of power, systems, and feminism that underlie Baseball X and this issue are explored, and change is viewed through a combined authentic and servant leadership lens. Baseball X’s organizational context is examined through Bolman and Deal’s four frames, Quinn’s competing values framework, Deszca et al.’s change path model, and Nadler and Tushman’s congruence model. Change implementation is guided by the plan, do, study, act model in alignment with the change path model. Communication and knowledge mobilization plans are also identified and outlined

Environmental control system transducer development study

A development test program of transducers for aerospace projects is described. Stability and performance of existing transducers, and improvements compatible with shuttle ECS requirements are investigated. These requirements incorporate design and development features into the transducers, and include the following: (1) improvement of overall transducer ruggedness and reliability; (2) common transducers for all ECS fluids that will be unaffected by long quiescent periods in the space environment, that will require no maintenance or refurbishing for at least 100 launches; and (3) appropriate self-check features that simplify checkout and maintenance. Models of three different transducers, a three-way valve for pressure transducers from closed liquid loops, surface-type platinum-wire resistance temperature sensors, and a nuclenics gaging system are evaluated. Tests and development improvements are described

Dual-latching solenoid-actuated valve assembly

A tube-type shutoff valve is electrically positioned to its open or closed position by a concentric electromagnetic solenoid. The valve is dual latching in that the armature of the solenoid maintains the sliding tube of the valve in an open or closed position by means of permanent magnets which are effective when current is not supplied to the solenoid. The valve may also be actuated manually

Port Townsend liquids depot: environmental impact assessment of a biofuels facility on the Port Townsend Paper Corporation site

This Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) has been compiled in accordance to the Washington State Environmental Protection Act (SEPA). Its purpose is to analyze and determine the environmental, social, and economic impacts of co-locating a liquid depot facility at the pre-existing Port Townsend Paper Corporation. The Northwest Advanced Renewables Alliance (NARA) has proposed the project, which is siting a liquids depot on land owned by the PTPC. This EIA will analyze all potential significant impacts produced by the proposal and consider all elements as outlined by SEPA

Speech and Burden of Secondary Surgical Interventions Following One-Stage Repair of Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate and Alveolar Bone Grafting Performed at Different Timings.

A comprehensive assessment of the treatment outcome in cleft lip and palate involves evaluating speech and the impact of speech-correcting surgical interventions. This retrospective case-control study compared the speech outcomes of 37 boys and 19 girls with unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) who underwent one-stage cleft repair at an average age of 8.1 months and alveolar bone grafting either before or after 6 years of age, with a non-cleft control group at an average age of 10 years. Two experienced speech and language pathologists conducted perceptual speech assessments using a specialized test of 27 sentences designed for Polish-speaking cleft patients. The results revealed that 5.3% had severe hypernasality, 1.8% had severely impaired speech intelligibility, 10.7% exhibited retracted compensatory articulations, and 7.1% displayed facial grimacing. Mild hyponasality was observed in 12.3% of patients, while 16.1% exhibited voice abnormalities. Additionally, 12.5% of patients required orofacial fistula repairs, 3.6% underwent pharyngoplasties, and 28.6% received ear ventilation tube insertions. The study indicates that speech abnormalities in UCLP patients were relatively infrequent and not highly severe, suggesting that the primary UCLP repair method presented effectively reduced the need for further surgical interventions, leading to positive speech outcomes

MORPHOMETRIC CHARACTERISTICS OF THE SKULL OF AUROCHS (BOS PRIMIGENIUS BOJANUS 1827) FROM THE TUCHOLA FOREST

The aurochs skull was found in Tuchola Forest (the Kujawy and Pomorze Province) in the vicinity of Tuchola. The skull analyzed has come from adult male aurochs, and it is almost complete, only deprived of small fragments of a single incisive bone and the jaw. The osteometric analysis following the method by Duerst [5] was performed. The observations made and measurements taken make it possible to develop our knowledge with further information concerning that extinct species as well as provide information on the occurrence and distribution of aurochs. The measurements made will also facilitate the confrontation of craniometric parameters in aurochs from the Tuchola Forest with the skulls originated from other parts of the country

Przekształcenia małych miast województwa kujawsko-pomorskiego

Zakres problemowy opracowania poświęconego przekształceniom małych miast województwa kujawsko-pomorskiego jest stosunkowo szeroki, ponieważ obejmuje analizę zmian struktury systemu miast, dynamikę ludnościową oraz problematykę przemian społeczno-gospodarczych. Ze względu na zastosowanie konwencji statystyki porównawczej (lata obejmujące pierwszą i drugą dekadę okresu transformacji), badania mają charakter quasi-dynamiczny.Udostępnienie publikacji Wydawnictwa Uniwersytetu Łódzkiego finansowane w ramach projektu „Doskonałość naukowa kluczem do doskonałości kształcenia”. Projekt realizowany jest ze środków Europejskiego Funduszu Społecznego w ramach Programu Operacyjnego Wiedza Edukacja Rozwój; nr umowy: POWER.03.05.00-00-Z092/17-00

Distribution of microelements in human articular cartilage : initial report

The aim of this study was evaluation of distribution microelements in human articular cartilage and to determine factors influencing it. The following elements were taken under consideration: Mg, Ca, Zn, Fe, Pb. Their concentration was assessed in the articular cartilage harvested from the loaded an unloaded area of human femoral heads. Initial results indicate that mechanical loadings are one of the important factors influencing distribution of microelements in human articular cartilage