8,195 research outputs found
The mechanical properties of inconel 718 sheet alloy at 800 deg, 1000 deg, and 1200 deg f
Mechanical properties of Inconel sheet superalloy at very high temperatures for supersonic transpor
Towards validation of a new computerised test of goal neglect: preliminary evidence from clinical and neuroimaging pilot studies
Objective:
Goal neglect is a significant problem following brain injury, and is a target for rehabilitation. It is not yet known how neural activation might change to reflect rehabilitation gains. We developed a computerised multiple elements test (CMET), suitable for use in neuroimaging paradigms.
Design:
Pilot correlational study and event-related fMRI study.
Methods:
In Study 1, 18 adults with acquired brain injury were assessed using the CMET, other tests of goal neglect (Hotel Test; Modified Six Elements Test) and tests of reasoning. In Study 2, 12 healthy adults underwent fMRI, during which the CMET was administered under two conditions: self-generated switching and experimenter-prompted switching.
Results:
Among the clinical sample, CMET performance was positively correlated with both the Hotel Test (r = 0.675, p = 0.003) and the Modified Six Elements Test (r = 0.568, p = 0.014), but not with other clinical or demographic measures. In the healthy sample, fMRI demonstrated significant activation in rostro-lateral prefrontal cortex in the self-generated condition compared with the prompted condition (peak 40, 44, 4; ZE = 4.25, p(FWEcorr) = 0.026).
Conclusions:
These pilot studies provide preliminary evidence towards the validation of the CMET as a measure of goal neglect. Future studies will aim to further establish its psychometric properties, and determine optimum pre- and post-rehabilitation fMRI paradigms
Trace-metaldynamics in response of increase CO<sub>2</sub> and iron availability in a coastal mesocosm experiment
A mesocosm experiment was performed in the Raunefjord (Norway) to study changes in dissolved Cu (dCu) and Fe (dFe), and in the elemental composition of particles during an Emiliania huxleyi dominated bloom. The CO2 treatments consisted of present (LC; 390 ppmV) and predicted levels (HC; 900 ppmV) and iron conditions were created with the addition of the siderophore desferoxamine B (DFB). Our results showed the DFB addition enhanced the solubility of Fe in this fjord environment. Initially, dFe was comparable among treatments but after the addition, the HC and/or +DFB treatments presented higher levels and finally, the only ones maintaining high dFe were the +DFB treatments. Unlike dCu presented indistinguishable levels in all mesocosms over time. Particulate metals were normalised to P and Al to evaluate the relative influence of biotic and abiotic sources. The Fe:P ratios decreased with time and compared to published phytoplankton ratios suggest Fe storage. On the other hand, Fe:Al ratios were relatively closer to the crustal ratios suggesting that the abiotic source was more important for this metal. Trends for other metals will be discussed.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional AndalucÃa Tech
Solid rocket booster internal flow analysis by highly accurate adaptive computational methods
The primary objective of this project was to develop an adaptive finite element flow solver for simulating internal flows in the solid rocket booster. Described here is a unique flow simulator code for analyzing highly complex flow phenomena in the solid rocket booster. New methodologies and features incorporated into this analysis tool are described
Performing smart sexual selves: A sexual scripting analysis of youth talk about internet pornography
CAUL read and publish agreement 2023In this article, we explore young New Zealanders’ use of sexual scripts in talk about Internet pornography (IP) to perform ‘smart’ sexual selves. Using sexual scripting theory, as developed by feminist discursive psychologists, our analysis of interview data generated with 10 youth (aged 16–18 years) highlights two commonly constructed sexual identities across youth talk; (i) the proficient Internet pornography user, and (ii) the astute Internet pornography viewer. The way these young people talk about portrayals of sexuality and gender in IP – and their ability to discern its artifice – suggests they are savvy consumers who are capable of using IP as a cultural resource (e.g. for learning, entertainment) while at the same time acknowledging it as a flawed representation of sex and sexuality. We discuss the implications of our findings for strengths-based sexuality education that supports sexual agency, proposing a justice-orientated approach grounded in the notion of ethical sexual citizenship.fals
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Quality of life of adult congenital heart disease patients: a systematic review of the literature
Aims This review explores the quality of life of adult congenital heart disease patients and the relationship between disease severity and quality of life. METHODS: We searched seven electronic databases and the bibliography of articles. The 31 selected studies fulfilled the following criteria: adult population; quantitative; assessment of quality of life and/or impact of disease severity on quality of life using validated measures; English language. Data extraction forms were used to summarise the results. RESULTS: There are evident methodological limitations within the reviewed studies such as heterogeneous populations, designs, and quality of life conceptualisations and measurements. Despite these problems, findings suggest that the quality of life of adult congenital heart disease patients is compromised in the physical domain compared with their healthy counterparts, whereas no differences were found in relation to the psychosocial and environmental/occupational domain. Some severity variables appear to be significant correlates of quality of life and could be considered in a future standardised classification of disease severity. Conclusion The methodological limitations of past research in relation to the definition and measurement of quality of life, the study designs, and disease severity classifications need to be addressed in future studies in order to provide robust evidence and valid conclusions in this area of study. This will enable the development of targeted interventions for the improvement of quality of life in the adult population of congenital heart disease patients
The effects of ocean acidification and siderophore additions on trace-metal dynamics during an Emiliania Huxleyi- dominated bloom in a coastal mesocosm experiment
The combined impacts of high CO2 and changes in trace metal availability on plankton remain largely unknown. A 22 days mesocosm experiment was carried out in the Raunefjord, off Bergen, Norway (June 2012) to investigate the interactive effects of increased CO2 and changes in iron availability in the pelagic community. Twelve mesocosms covered by PAR and UVR transparent lids were used. The CO2 treatments consisted of present (LC; 390 ppmV) and predicted levels for year 2100 (HC; 900 ppmV). On day 7, half of the mesocoms were amended with the siderophore desferoxamine B (DFB) at 70 nM (final concentration). We studied changes in dissolved Cu (dCu) and Fe (dFe), and in the elemental composition of particles. Dissolved Fe and dCu were measured by chemiluminescence flow injection analysis, while particulate metals were determined by high-resolution inductively coupled mass spectrometry. The metals were normalised to P and Al to evaluate the relative influence of biotic and abiotic sources. Samples were taken throughout a bloom of the coccolithophore E. huxleyi. Further details will be discussed.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional AndalucÃa Tec
Use of the short-term inflammatory response in the mouse peritoneal cavity to assess the biological activity of leached vitreous fibers.
We used a special-purpose glass microfiber sample, Johns-Manville Code 100/475, to study the effects of various acid and alkali treatments on biological activity as assessed by inflammation in the mouse peritoneal cavity, the leaching of Si, and the phase contrast optical microscopy (PCOM) fiber number. We used mild and medium treatments with oxalic acid and Tris buffer and harsh treatment with concentrated HCl and NaOH. Mild oxalic acid and Tris treatment for 2 weeks had no effect on any of the end-points, but prolonging the mild oxalic acid treatment time to 2 months reduced the biological activity and the fiber number. Medium oxalic acid treatment reduced the biological activity and the fiber number and caused a loss of Si. Medium Tris alkali treatment reduced the PCOM-countable fibers and the biological activity but did not cause a substantial loss of Si. Harsh treatment with strong HCl did not affect the fiber number or cause leaching but the biological activity was reduced; strong NaOH reduced the fiber number and biological activity, and caused marked leaching of Si. The medium oxalic acid conditions (pH 1.4) were more acid than those found in lung cells but produced the same effects (reduction in fiber number and biological activity) as the more physiological mild treatment (pH 4.0), when prolonged. This study suggests that medium oxalic acid treatment can be used as a short-term assay to compare loss of Si, reduction in fiber number, and change in biological activity of vitreous fibers.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS
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