Review of Non-destructive Testing (NDT) Techniques and their applicability to thick walled composites

A tier 1 automotive supplier has developed a novel and unique kinetic energy recovery storage system for both retro-fitting and OEM application for public transport systems where periodic stop start behaviour is paramount. A major component of the system is a composite flywheel spinning at up to 36,000 rpm (600 Hz). Material soundness is an essential requirement of the flywheel to ensure failure does not occur. The component is particularly thick for a composite being up to 30 mm cross section in some places. The geometry, scale and material make-up pose some challenges for conventional NDT systems. Damage can arise in composite materials during material processing, fabrication of the component or in-service activities among which delamination, cracks and porosity are the most common defects. A number of non-destructive testing (NDT) techniques are effective in testing components for defects without damaging the component. NDT techniques like Ultrasonic Testing, X-Ray, Radiography, Thermography, Eddy current and Acoustic Emission are current techniques for various testing applications. Each of these techniques uses different principles to look into the material for defects. However, the geometry, physical and material properties of the component being tested are important factors in the applicability of a technique. This paper reviews these NDT techniques and compares them in terms of characteristics and applicability to composite parts

Multiorgan MRI findings after hospitalisation with COVID-19 in the UK (C-MORE): a prospective, multicentre, observational cohort study

Introduction: The multiorgan impact of moderate to severe coronavirus infections in the post-acute phase is still poorly understood. We aimed to evaluate the excess burden of multiorgan abnormalities after hospitalisation with COVID-19, evaluate their determinants, and explore associations with patient-related outcome measures. Methods: In a prospective, UK-wide, multicentre MRI follow-up study (C-MORE), adults (aged ≥18 years) discharged from hospital following COVID-19 who were included in Tier 2 of the Post-hospitalisation COVID-19 study (PHOSP-COVID) and contemporary controls with no evidence of previous COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid antibody negative) underwent multiorgan MRI (lungs, heart, brain, liver, and kidneys) with quantitative and qualitative assessment of images and clinical adjudication when relevant. Individuals with end-stage renal failure or contraindications to MRI were excluded. Participants also underwent detailed recording of symptoms, and physiological and biochemical tests. The primary outcome was the excess burden of multiorgan abnormalities (two or more organs) relative to controls, with further adjustments for potential confounders. The C-MORE study is ongoing and is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04510025. Findings: Of 2710 participants in Tier 2 of PHOSP-COVID, 531 were recruited across 13 UK-wide C-MORE sites. After exclusions, 259 C-MORE patients (mean age 57 years [SD 12]; 158 [61%] male and 101 [39%] female) who were discharged from hospital with PCR-confirmed or clinically diagnosed COVID-19 between March 1, 2020, and Nov 1, 2021, and 52 non-COVID-19 controls from the community (mean age 49 years [SD 14]; 30 [58%] male and 22 [42%] female) were included in the analysis. Patients were assessed at a median of 5·0 months (IQR 4·2–6·3) after hospital discharge. Compared with non-COVID-19 controls, patients were older, living with more obesity, and had more comorbidities. Multiorgan abnormalities on MRI were more frequent in patients than in controls (157 [61%] of 259 vs 14 [27%] of 52; p<0·0001) and independently associated with COVID-19 status (odds ratio [OR] 2·9 [95% CI 1·5–5·8]; padjusted=0·0023) after adjusting for relevant confounders. Compared with controls, patients were more likely to have MRI evidence of lung abnormalities (p=0·0001; parenchymal abnormalities), brain abnormalities (p<0·0001; more white matter hyperintensities and regional brain volume reduction), and kidney abnormalities (p=0·014; lower medullary T1 and loss of corticomedullary differentiation), whereas cardiac and liver MRI abnormalities were similar between patients and controls. Patients with multiorgan abnormalities were older (difference in mean age 7 years [95% CI 4–10]; mean age of 59·8 years [SD 11·7] with multiorgan abnormalities vs mean age of 52·8 years [11·9] without multiorgan abnormalities; p<0·0001), more likely to have three or more comorbidities (OR 2·47 [1·32–4·82]; padjusted=0·0059), and more likely to have a more severe acute infection (acute CRP >5mg/L, OR 3·55 [1·23–11·88]; padjusted=0·025) than those without multiorgan abnormalities. Presence of lung MRI abnormalities was associated with a two-fold higher risk of chest tightness, and multiorgan MRI abnormalities were associated with severe and very severe persistent physical and mental health impairment (PHOSP-COVID symptom clusters) after hospitalisation. Interpretation: After hospitalisation for COVID-19, people are at risk of multiorgan abnormalities in the medium term. Our findings emphasise the need for proactive multidisciplinary care pathways, with the potential for imaging to guide surveillance frequency and therapeutic stratification

Critical Inquiry in The Classroom: Creating Opportunities for Deeper Learning and Application

The first year of college is a critical time in the cognitive development of students, a time when students experience measurable gains in learning (Reason, Terenzini, & Domingo, 2006). Through the implementation of a 1-credit hour required Critical Inquiry (CI) course, faculty at one institution are encouraging this development by engaging first semester first-year students in deeper learning that applies critical inquiry knowledge and skills. In this session, the presenters will draw from collective experiences developing and implementing the CI course, and related faculty development to: a) communicate strategies that have been used to get students engaged in the critical inquiry process; b) share examples of student work on activities and assignments that encourage deeper thinking and learning; c) explain the methods used to evaluate critical thinking and inquiry skills through student learning outcomes measurement and a common CI Portfolio; d) present findings related to the authentic portfolio assessment; and e) facilitate a discussion with the audience about how they can adapt activities and assignments in their courses to promote deeper learning

Increasing the Effectiveness of Performance Evaluation through the Design and Development of Realistic Finance Algorithms

This paper examines the current status of business enterprise simulations regarding the question of whether those simulations being used employ a finance algorithm based on modern cost of capital concepts. Having found that most current simulations are based on outmoded market value per share concepts, the authors present a complete finance model based on modern cost of capital and capital structure concepts

Wellbeing After Stroke (WAterS): feasibility testing of a co-developed Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) intervention, to support psychological adjustment after stroke

Objective Feasibility test a co-developed intervention based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to support psychological adjustment post-stroke, delivered by a workforce with community in-reach.Design Observational feasibility study utilising Patient, Carer, Public Involvement (PCPI).Setting Online. UK.Participants Stroke survivors with self-reported psychological distress 4+ months post-strokeInterventions The co-developed Wellbeing After Stroke (WAterS) intervention includes: nine weekly, structured, online, group sessions for stroke survivors, delivered via a training programme to upskill staff without previous ACT experience, under Clinical Psychology supervision.Main measures Feasibility of recruitment and retention; data quality from candidate measures; safety. Clinical and demographic information at baseline; Patient Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) via online surveys (baseline, pre- and post-intervention, 3 and 6 months after intervention end) including Mood (HADS), Wellbeing (ONS4), Health-Related Quality of Life (EQ5D5L), Psychological Flexibility (AAQ-ABI) and Values-Based Living (VQ).Results We trained eight staff and recruited 17 stroke survivors with mild-to-moderate cognitive and communication difficulties. 12/17 (71%) joined three intervention groups with 98% attendance and no related adverse events. PROMS data were well-completed. The HADS is a possible future primary outcome (self-reported depression lower on average by 1.3 points: 8.5 pre-group to 7.1 at 3 month follow up; 95% CI 0.4 to 3.2).Conclusion The WAterS intervention warrants further research evaluation. Staff can be trained and upskilled to deliver. It appears safe and feasible to deliver online to groups, and study recruitment and data collection are feasible. Funding has been secured to further develop the intervention, considering implementation and health equality

Team 3: Total Life Cycle Management: Automated Model Development

from Scythe : Proceedings and Bulletin of the International Data Farming Community, Issue 6 Workshop 18Total Life Cycle Management (TLCM) is the process which enables program managers to make life-cycle decisions across all phases of the acquisitions process. Life-cycle sustainment, operational performance issues and requirements are system dependant. Relevant issues arise from early in the process during the Material Solutions Analysis Phase, all the way through Operations and Support. Adaptive and modular modeling and simulation tools have been developed to address these complex issues throughout the life-cycle the Marine Corps weapons systems

Efficacy of benzydamine hydrochloride, chlorhexidine, and povidone iodine in the treatment of oral mucositis among patients undergoing radiotherapy in head and neck malignancies: A drug trail

Background and Objectives: Oral mucositis is a common and debilitating complication of radiotherapy, which is associated with significant morbidity. It is therefore extremely important that mucositis be prevented, or at least treated to reduce its severity and sequelae. The objective of the study was to manage oral mucositis induced by radiotherapy and to reduce pain by using Benzydamine hydrochloride (0.15%), Chlorhexidine (0.2%), and Povidone iodine (5%). Results: Benzydamine hydrochloride was observed to be effective and delayed the development of severe form of mucositis and appears more efficient in the management of radiation-induced mucositis. Conclusion: Benzydamine hydrochloride (0.15%) is safe, well tolerated, helps not just in delaying the progression of mucositis but also reduces the intensity of pain

Wellbeing After Stroke (WAterS)::feasibility testing of a codeveloped Acceptance and Commitment Therapy intervention to support psychological adjustment after stroke

Objective:Feasibility test a co-developed intervention based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapyto support psychological adjustment post-stroke, delivered by a workforce with community in-reach.Design: Observational feasibility study utilising patient, carer, public involvement.Setting: Online. UK.Participants: Stroke survivors with self-reported psychological distress 4 + months post-stroke.Interventions: The co-developed Wellbeing After Stroke (WAterS) intervention includes: 9-weekly,structured, online, group sessions for stroke survivors, delivered via a training programme to upskillstaff without Acceptance and Commitment Therapy experience, under Clinical Psychology supervision.Main measures: Feasibility of recruitment and retention; data quality from candidate measures; safety.Clinical and demographic information at baseline; patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) via onlinesurveys (baseline, pre- and post-intervention, 3 and 6 months after intervention end) including Mood (hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS)), Wellbeing (ONS4), Health-Related Quality of Life (EQ5D5L),Psychological Flexibility (AAQ-ABI) and Values-Based Living (VQ).Results: We trained eight staff and recruited 17 stroke survivors with mild-to-moderate cognitive andcommunication difficulties. 12/17 (71%) joined three intervention groups with 98% attendance and norelated adverse events. PROMS data were well-completed. The HADS is a possible future primary outcome (self-reported depression lower on average by 1.3 points: 8.5 pre-group to 7.1 at 3-month follow-up; 95% CI 0.4 to 3.2).Conclusion: The WAterS intervention warrants further research evaluation. Staff can be trained andupskilled to deliver. It appears safe and feasible to deliver online to groups, and study recruitment anddata collection are feasible. Funding has been secured to further develop the intervention, consideringimplementation and health equality

Fertility in Kenya and Uganda: a comparative study of trends and determinants.

Between 1980 and 2000 total fertility in Kenya fell by about 40 per cent, from some eight births per woman to around five. During the same period, fertility in Uganda declined by less than 10 per cent. An analysis of the proximate determinants shows that the difference was due primarily to greater contraceptive use in Kenya, though in Uganda there was also a reduction in pathological sterility. The Demographic and Health Surveys show that women in Kenya wanted fewer children than those in Uganda, but that in Uganda there was also a greater unmet need for contraception. We suggest that these differences may be attributed, in part at least, first, to the divergent paths of economic development followed by the two countries after Independence; and, second, to the Kenya Government's active promotion of family planning through the health services, which the Uganda Government did not promote until 1995