Designing a Free Academic Early Alert System

This manuscript describes the development and implementation of a cloud-based, academic early alert system using Google Sheets. It was written for a non-computer savvy person to be able to develop the early alert system. By creating a Master Sheet and using the syntax from the share function of Google Sheets, a unique sheet can be created for each advisor that limits information sharing of their specific advisees. By adding a Google Form to the sheet, advisor interventions can be captured that reflect interventions made as a result of the early alert sheet. Approximately 52% of students were identified on the early alert sheet by having at least one non-passing score on an exam. There were 35-50% of faculty advisors who documented their interventions in the sheet. The template and coding used to develop this academic early alert sheet may be applied to other central documentation needs, such as professionalism early alert. Conflict of Interest Dr. Welch reports owning stock in Alphabet, Inc, however, was not involved in the selection of Google as the preferred platform at this institution.   Type: Not

Orientational order parameters of a de Vries–type ferroelectric liquid crystal obtained by polarized Raman spectroscopy and x-ray diffraction

The orientational order parameters 〈P2〉 and 〈P4〉 of the ferroelectric, de Vries–type liquid crystal 9HL have been determined in the SmA* and SmC* phases by means of polarized Raman spectroscopy, and in the SmA* phase using x-ray diffraction. Quantum density functional theory predicts Raman spectra for 9HL that are in good agreement with the observations and indicates that the strong Raman band probed in the experiment corresponds to the uniaxial, coupled vibration of the three phenyl rings along the molecular long axis. The magnitudes of the orientational order parameters obtained in the Raman and x-ray experiments differ dramatically from each other, a discrepancy that is resolved by considering that the two techniques probe the orientational distributions of different molecular axes. We have developed a systematic procedure in which we calculate the angle between these axes and rescale the orientational order parameters obtained from x-ray scattering with results that are then in good agreement with the Raman data. At least in the case of 9HL, the results obtained by both techniques support a “sugar loaf” orientational distribution in the SmA* phase with no qualitative difference to conventional smectics A. The role of individual molecular fragments in promoting de Vries–type behavior is considered

Advanced Manifolds for Improved Solid Oxide Electrolyzer Performance

An investigation was conducted to see if additive manufacturing could be used to fabricate more efficient manifold designs for improved flow, reduced stresses, and decreased number of joints to be sealed for a solid oxide electrolyzer used to convert carbon dioxide to oxygen. Computational flow and mechanical modeling were conducted on a NASA Glenn Research Center patented cell and stack design with the potential to achieve a 3-4 times mass reduction. Various manifold designs were modeled, and two were downselected to be fabricated and tested. Some benefit was seen in a baffled manifold design, which directed incoming flow more effectively into the flow channels, compared to the original design, where the flow spent more time within the manifold itself. Flow measurements indicated some non-uniformity of flow across the channels at higher flow rates, which were not predicted by the model. Some possible explanations for the differences are discussed

Diet or exercise, or both, for weight reduction in women after childbirth

Background: Weight retention after pregnancy may contribute to obesity. It is known that diet and exercise are recommended components of any weight loss programme in the general population. However, strategies to achieve healthy body weight among postpartum women have not been adequately evaluated. Objectives: The objectives of this review were to evaluate the effect of diet, exercise or both for weight reduction in women after childbirth, and to assess the impact of these interventions on maternal body composition, cardiorespiratory fitness, breastfeeding performance and other child and maternal outcomes. Search methods: We searched the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group’s Trials Register (31 January 2012) and LILACS (31 January 2012). We scanned secondary references and contacted experts in the field. We updated the search of the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group’s Trials Register on 30 April 2013 and added the results to the awaiting classification section of the review. Selection criteria: All published and unpublished randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-randomised trials of diet or exercise or both, among women during the postpartum period. Data collection and analysis Both review authors independently assessed trial quality and extracted data. Results are presented using risk ratio (RR) for categorical data and mean difference (MD) for continuous data. Data were analysed with a fixed-effect model. A random-effects model was used in the presence of heterogeneity. Main results: Fourteen trials were included, but only 12 trials involving 910 women contributed data to outcome analysis. Women who exercised did not lose significantly more weight than women in the usual care group (two trials; n = 53; MD -0.10 kg; 95% confidence interval (CI) -1.90 to 1.71). Women who took part in a diet (one trial; n = 45; MD -1.70 kg; 95% CI -2.08 to -1.32), or diet plus exercise programme (seven trials; n = 573; MD -1.93 kg; 95% CI -2.96 to -0.89; random-effects, T² = 1.09, I² = 71%), lost significantly more weight than women in the usual care group. There was no difference in the magnitude of weight loss between diet alone and diet plus exercise group (one trial; n = 43; MD 0.30 kg; 95% CI -0.06 to 0.66). The interventions seemed not to affect breastfeeding performance adversely. Authors’ conclusions: Evidence from this review suggests that both diet and exercise together and diet alone help women to lose weight after childbirth. Nevertheless, it may be preferable to lose weight through a combination of diet and exercise as this improves maternal cardiorespiratory fitness and preserves fat-free mass, while diet alone reduces fat-free mass. This needs confirmation in large trials of high methodological quality. For women who are breastfeeding, more evidence is required to confirm whether diet or exercise, or both, is not detrimental for either mother or baby

Dieta o ejercicio, o ambos, para la reducción de peso en mujeres después del parto

Antecedentes: La retención de peso después del embarazo puede contribuir a la obesidad. Se conoce que la dieta y el ejercicio son los componentes recomendados de cualquier programa de pérdida de peso para la población en general. Sin embargo, no se han evaluado adecuadamente las estrategias para lograr un peso corporal posparto saludable entre las mujeres. Objetivos: Los objetivos de esta revisión fueron evaluar el efecto de la dieta, el ejercicio o ambos para la reducción de peso en las mujeres después del parto y evaluar la repercusión de estas intervenciones sobre la composición corporal materna, el estado físico cardiorrespiratorio, el rendimiento de la lactancia y otros resultados maternoinfantiles. Estrategia de búsqueda: Se realizaron búsquedas en el registro de ensayos del Grupo Cochrane de Embarazo y Parto (Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group) (septiembre 2006) y LILACS. Se revisaron las referencias secundarias y se estableció contacto con expertos en el campo. Criterios de selección: Todos los ensayos controlados aleatorios (ECA) publicados y no publicados y los ensayos cuasialeatorios de dieta o ejercicio o ambos, entre las mujeres durante el período posparto. Recopilación y análisis de datos: Tres revisores evaluaron de forma independiente la calidad de los ensayos y extrajeron los datos. Para presentar los resultados se utilizó el riesgo relativo para los datos categóricos y la diferencia de medias ponderada (DMP) para los datos continuos. Los datos se analizaron con un modelo de efectos fijos. Cuando hubo heterogeneidad se utilizó un modelo de efectos aleatorios. Resultados principals: Se incluyeron seis ensayos con 245 mujeres. Las mujeres que hicieron ejercicio no perdieron significativamente más peso que las mujeres del grupo de atención habitual (un ensayo; n = 33; DMP 0,00 kg; intervalo de confianza [IC] del 95%: -8,63 a 8,63). Las mujeres que siguieron una dieta (un ensayo; n = 45; DMP -1,70 kg; IC del 95%: -2,08 a -1,32) o una dieta más un programa de ejercicio (cuatro ensayos; n = 169; DMP -2,89 kg; IC del 95%: -4,83 a -0,95), perdieron significativamente más peso que las mujeres que recibieron atención habitual. No hubo diferencias en la magnitud de la pérdida de peso entre el grupo de dieta y el de dieta más ejercicio (un ensayo; n = 43; DMP 0,30 kg; IC del 95%: -0,60 a 0,66). Las intervenciones no parecieron afectar negativamente el rendimiento de la lactancia materna. Conclusiones de los autores: Las pruebas preliminares de esta revisión indican que seguir una dieta junto con ejercicio parece ser más efectivo que la dieta sola para ayudar a las mujeres a perder peso después del parto, porque la primera opción mejora el nivel del estado físico cardiorrespiratorio materno y preserva la masa magra, mientras que la dieta sola reduce la masa magra. En el caso de las mujeres que lactan, se necesitan más pruebas para confirmar si la dieta o el ejercicio, o ambos, no son perjudiciales para la madre o el neonato. Debido a los insuficientes datos disponibles, se necesitan investigaciones adicionales con un tamaño de la muestra más grande para confirmar los resultados

Effect of physical activity intervention based on a pedometer on physical activity level and anthropometric measures after childbirth: a randomized controlled trial

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Pregnancy and childbirth are associated with weight gain in women, and retention of weight gained during pregnancy can lead to obesity in later life. Diet and physical activity are factors that can influence the loss of retained pregnancy weight after birth. Exercise guidelines exist for pregnancy, but recommendations for exercise after childbirth are virtually nonexistent. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of physical activity intervention based on pedometer on physical activity level and anthropometric measures of women after childbirth.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We conducted a randomized controlled trial in which 66 women who had given birth 6 weeks to 6 months prior were randomly assigned to receive either a 12 week tailored program encouraging increased walking using a pedometer (intervention group, n = 32) or routine postpartum care (control group, n = 34). During the 12-week study period, each woman in the intervention group wore a pedometer and recorded her daily step count. The women were advised to increase their steps by 500 per week until they achieved the first target of 5000 steps per day and then continued to increase it to minimum of 10,000 steps per day by the end of 12^thweek. Assessed outcomes included anthropometric measures, physical activity level, and energy expenditure per week. Data were analyzed using the paired t-test, independent t-test, Mann-Whitney, chi-square, Wilcoxon, covariance analysis, and the general linear model repeated measures procedure as appropriate.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>After 12 weeks, women in the intervention group had significantly increased their physical activity and energy expenditure per week (4394 vs. 1651 calorie, <it>p </it>< 0.001). Significant differences between-group in weight (<it>P </it>= 0.001), Body Mass Index (<it>P </it>= 0.001), waist circumference (<it>P </it>= 0.001), hip circumference (<it>P </it>= 0.032) and waist-hip ratio (<it>P </it>= 0.02) were presented after the intervention. The intervention group significantly increased their mean daily step count over the study period (from 3249 before, to 9960 after the intervention, <it>p </it>< 0.001).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>A physical activity intervention based on pedometer is an effective means to increase physical activity; reducing retention of weight gained during pregnancy and can improve anthropometric measures in postpartum women.</p> <p>Trial registration</p> <p>ISRCTN: <a href="http://www.controlled-trials.com/IRCT201105026362N1">IRCT201105026362N1</a></p

Study of mass and momentum transfer in diesel sprays base on X-ray mass distribution measurements and on a theoretical derivation

[EN] In this paper, a research aimed at quantifying mass and momentum transfer in the near-nozzle field of diesel sprays injected into stagnant ambient air is reported. The study combines X-ray measurements for two different nozzles and axial positions, which provide mass distributions in the spray, with a theoretical model based on momentum flux conservation, which was previously validated. This investigation has allowed the validation of Gaussian profiles for local fuel concentration and velocity near the nozzle exit, as well as the determination of Schmidt number at realistic diesel spray conditions. This information could be very useful for those who are interested in spray modeling, especially at high-pressure injection conditions. © 2010 Springer-Verlag.This work was partly sponsored by "Vicerrectorado de Investigacion, Desarrollo e Innovacion'' of the "Universidad Politecnica de Valencia'' in the frame of the project "Estudio del flujo en el interior de toberas de inyeccion Diesel'', reference no. 3150 and by "Generalitat Valenciana'' in the frame of the project with the same title and reference GV/2009/031. This support is gratefully acknowledged by the authors.Desantes, J.; Salvador Rubio, FJ.; López, JJ.; De La Morena, J. (2011). Study of mass and momentum transfer in diesel sprays base on X-ray mass distribution measurements and on a theoretical derivation. Experiments in Fluids. 50(2):233-246. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00348-010-0919-8S233246502Abramovich GN (1963) The theory of turbulent jets. MIT Press, Cambridge, MAAdler D, Lyn WT (1969) The evaporation and mixing of a liquid fuel spray in a Diesel air swirl. Proc Instn Mech Eng 184:171–180Coghe A, Cossali GE (1994) Phase Doppler characterisation of a Diesel spray injected into a high density gas under vaporisation regimes. In: 7th international symposium on application of laser techniques to fluid mechanics, LisbonCorreas D (1998) Theoretical and experimental study of isothermal Diesel free sprays (in Spanish). PhD Thesis, Universidad Politécnica de ValenciaCossali GE (2001) An integral model for gas entrainment into full cone sprays. J Fluid Mech 439:353–366Dent JC (1971) A basis for the comparison of various experimental methods for studying spray penetration. SAE Paper 710571Desantes JM, Payri R, Salvador FJ, Gil A (2006a) Deduction and validation of a theoretical model for a free diesel Spray. Fuel 85:910–917Desantes JM, Arrègle J, López JJ, Cronhjort A (2006b) Scaling laws for free turbulent gas jets and Diesel-like sprays. Atomization Spray 16:443–473Desantes JM, Payri R, García JM, Salvador FJ (2007) A contribution to the understanding of isothermal diesel spray dynamics. Fuel 86:1093–1101Dumouchel C (2008) On the experimental investigation on primary atomization of liquid streams. Exp Fluids 45:371–422Heimgärtner C, Leipertz A (2000) of the primary spray break-up close to the nozzle of a common-rail high pressure diesel injection system. SAE Paper 2000-01-1799Hinze JO (1975) Turbulence. McGraw Hill, New YorkHiroyasu H, Arai M (1990) Structures of fuel sprays in diesel engines. SAE Paper 900475Jawad B, Gulari E, Henein NA (1992) Characteristics of intermittent fuel sprays. Combust Flame 88:384–396Lefèbvre AH (1989) Atomization and sprays. Hemisphere, New YorkLeick P, Riedel T, Bittlinger G, Powell CF, Kastengren AL, Wang J (2007) X-Ray measurements of the mass distribution in the dense primary break-up region of the spray from a standard multi-hole common-rail diesel injection system. In: Proc 21st ILASS (Europe)Linne M, Paciaroni M, Hall T, Parker T (2006) Ballistic imaging of the near field in a diesel spray. Exp Fluids 40:836–846Naber J, Siebers DL (1996) Effects of gas density and vaporisation on penetration and dispersion of diesel sprays. SAE Paper 960034Payri F, Bermúdez V, Payri R, Salvador FJ (2004) The influence of cavitation on the internal flow and the Spray characteristics in diesel injection nozzles. Fuel 83:419–431Payri R, García JM, Salvador FJ, Gimeno J (2005) Using spray momentum flux measurements to understand the influence of diesel nozzle geometry on spray characteristics. Fuel 84:551–561Payri R, Tormos B, Salvador FJ, Araneo L (2008) Spray droplet velocity characterization for convergent nozzles with three different diameters. Fuel 87:3176–3182Post S, Iyer V, Abraham J (2000) A study of near-field entrainment in gas jets and sprays under diesel conditions. ASME J Fluids Eng 122:385–395Prasad CMV, Kar S (1976) An investigation on the diffusion of momentum and mass of fuel in a diesel fuel spray. ASME J Eng Power 76-DGP-1:1–11Rajaratnam N (1976) Turbulent jets. Elsevier, AmsterdamRamirez AI, Som S, Aggarwal SK, Kastengren AL, El-Hannouny EM, Longman DE, Powell CF (2009) Quantitative X-ray measurements of high-pressure fuel sprays from a production heavy duty diesel injector. Exp Fluids 47:119–134Reitz RD, Bracco FV (1982) Mechanism of atomisation of a liquid jet. Phys Fluids 25(10):1730–1742Ricou FP, Spalding DB (1961) Measurements of entrainment by axisymmetrical turbulent jets. J Fluid Mech 11:21–32Rife J, Heywood JB (1974) Photographic and performance studies of diesel combustion with a rapid compression machine. SAE Paper 740948Roisman IV, Tropea C (2001) Flux measurements in sprays using phase doppler techniques. Atomization Spray 11:667–699Roisman IV, Araneo L, Tropea C (2007) Effect of ambient pressure on penetration of a diesel spray. Int J Multiphase Flow 33(8):904–920Saliba R, Baz I, Champoussin JC, Lance M, Marié JL (2004) Cavitation effect on the near nozzle spray development in high-pressure diesel injection. In: Proc 19th ILASS (Europe)Schlichting H (1978) Boundary layer theory. McGraw Hill, New YorkSinnamon JF, Lancaster DR, Stiener JC (1980) An experimental and analytical study of engine fuel spray trajectories. SAE Paper 800135Sou A, Hosokawa S, Tomiyama A (2007) Effects of cavitation in a nozzle on liquid jet atomization. Int J Heat Mass Tran 50(17–18):3575–3582Spalding DB (1979) Combustion and mass transfer. Pergamon Press, New YorkSubramaniam S (2001) Statistical modelling of a spray as using the droplet distribution function. Phys Fluids 13(3):624–642Tanner FX, Feigl A, Ciatti SA, Powell CF, Cheong S-K, Liu J, Wang J (2006) Structure of high-velocity dense sprays in the near-nozzle region. Atomization Spray 16:579–597Way RJB (1977) Investigation of interaction between swirl and jets in direct injection diesel engines using a water model. SAE Paper 770412Wu KJ, Santavicca DA, Bracco FV (1984) LDV measurements of drop velocity in diesel-type sprays. AAIA J 22(9):1263–1270Wu KJ, Reitz RD, Bracco FV (1986) Measurements of drop size at the spray edge near the nozzle in atomising liquid jets. Phys Fluids 29(4):941–951Yue Y, Powell CF, Poola R, Wang J, Schaller JK (2001) Quantitative measurements of diesel fuel spray characteristics in the near-nozzle region using X-ray absorption. Atomization Spray 11(4):471–49

Genome wide association study identifies KCNMA1 contributing to human obesity

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Recent genome-wide association (GWA) analyses have identified common single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that are associated with obesity. However, the reported genetic variation in obesity explains only a minor fraction of the total genetic variation expected to be present in the population. Thus many genetic variants controlling obesity remain to be identified. The aim of this study was to use GWA followed by multiple stepwise validations to identify additional genes associated with obesity.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We performed a GWA analysis in 164 morbidly obese subjects (BMI:body mass index > 40 kg/m²) and 163 Swedish subjects (> 45 years) who had always been lean. The 700 SNPs displaying the strongest association with obesity in the GWA were analyzed in a second cohort comprising 460 morbidly obese subjects and 247 consistently lean Swedish adults. 23 SNPs remained significantly associated with obesity (nominal <it>P</it>< 0.05) and were in a step-wise manner followed up in five additional cohorts from Sweden, France, and Germany together comprising 4214 obese and 5417 lean or population-based control individuals. Three samples, n = 4133, were used to investigate the population-based associations with BMI. Gene expression in abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue in relation to obesity was investigated for14 adults.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Potassium channel, calcium activated, large conductance, subfamily M, alpha member <it>(KCNMA1) </it>rs2116830*G and <it>BDNF </it>rs988712*G were associated with obesity in five of six investigated case-control cohorts. In meta-analysis of 4838 obese and 5827 control subjects we obtained genome-wide significant allelic association with obesity for <it>KCNMA1 </it>rs2116830*G with <it>P </it>= 2.82 × 10^-10and an odds ratio (OR) based on cases vs controls of 1.26 [95% C.I. 1.12-1.41] and for <it>BDNF </it>rs988712*G with <it>P </it>= 5.2 × 10^-17and an OR of 1.36 [95% C.I. 1.20-1.55]. <it>KCNMA1 </it>rs2116830*G was not associated with BMI in the population-based samples. Adipose tissue (<it>P </it>= 0.0001) and fat cell (<it>P </it>= 0.04) expression of <it>KCNMA1 </it>was increased in obesity.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>We have identified <it>KCNMA1 </it>as a new susceptibility locus for obesity, and confirmed the association of the <it>BDNF </it>locus at the genome-wide significant level.</p

Determination of the optical depth of a DI diesel spray

The optical depth is responsible of limiting the optical diagnostic using visible wavelength in the sprays. This paper proposes to measure the optical depth directly in a real Diesel spray through line-of-sight laser extinction measurements. This easily reproducible method which does not require expensive or complex optical techniques is detailed and the measurement procedure is presented in this paper. As diesel sprays are mostly optically thick, the measurements in the denser region are not reliable and a fuel concentration model has been used to derive the results to the entire spray. This work provides values of SMD at different distance from the nozzle tip depending on the specific parameters like injection pressure or discharge density. The values extracted from a combined experimental/computational approach have been compared to PDPA measurements under the same testing conditions. The results have shown that the maximum optical depth was higher than 10 and that an increase of the injection pressure led to higher ¿ values. The SMD values appeared to be below the results measured by the PDPA and the droplet diameter showed to be the main responsible of the optical depth of the jet under the tested conditions. © 2011 The Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers and Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.Payri González, F.; Pastor, JV.; Payri, R.; Manin, JL. (2011). Determination of the optical depth of a DI diesel spray. Journal of Mechanical Science and Technology. 25(1):209-219. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12206-010-1024-xS209219251L. Pickett and D. Siebers, Non-sooting, low flame temperature mixing-controlled DI diesel combustion, SAE Paper, 2004-01-1399 (2004).S. Cheng, A. Upatnieks and C. J. Mueller, Investigation of fuel effects on dilute, mixing-controlled combustion in an optical direct-injection diesel engine, Energy & Fuels, 21 (2007) 1989–2002.S. Park, H. 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V. Meglinski and M. A. Linne, Laser light scattering in turbid media Part II: Spatial and temporal analysis of individual scattering orders via Monte Carlo simulation, Optics Express, 17 (2009) 13792–13809.E. Berrocal, Multiple scattering of light in optical diagnostics of dense sprays and other complex turbid media, PhD Thesis Cranfield University (2006).J. Naber and D. Siebers, Effects of gas density and vaporization on penetration and dispersion of diesel sprays, SAE Paper, 960034 (1996).V. Soare, Phase Doppler Measurements in Diesel Dense Sprays: Optimisation of Measurements and Study of the Orifice Geometry Influence over the Spray at Microscopic Level PhD Thesis, Universidad Politécnica de Valencia, (2007).G. Wigley, Measurement techniques and data analyses for direct injection fuel sprays, in Phase Doppler measurements in Ultra-dense sprays, University of Darmstad (2005).J. Koo and J. Kim, Assessment of a Phase Doppler Anemometry Technique in Dense Droplet Laden Jet, KSME International Journal, 17(7) (2003) 1083–1094.J. S. Kim and J. S. Kim, A characterization of the spray evolution by dual-mode phase doppler anemometry in an injector of liquid-propellant thruster, J. Mech. Sci. Technol., 23(6) (2009) 1637–1649.J. Labs and T.E. Parker, Two-dimensional droplet size and volume fraction distributions from the near-injector region of high-pressure diesel sprays, Atomization & Sprays, 16 (2006) 843–855