Wind tunnel testing of a high aspect ratio wing model

There is much current interest in the development of High Aspect Ratio Wing (HARW) designs for improved aircraft performance. However, there are a lack of relevant data sets available to validate aeroelastic modelling approaches for highly flexible wings. The design and manufacture of a highly flexible 2.4m semi-span wing is described. A series of low speed wind tunnel tests were performed to generate displacement, acceleration, strain gauge, aerodynamic pressure and six component balance measurements for a range of airspeeds and wing root angles of attack. Numerous static and dynamic measurements were made. Preliminary results are shown for the static and dynamic, structural and aerodynamic behaviour over a range of different airspeeds and wing root angles of attack.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

HNF1B Genetic Testing In a Turkish Cypriot Population with a High Incidence of Familial Kidney Disease

This article is freely available via Open Access. Click on the 'Additional Link' above to access the full-text via the publisher's site.Published

Enhancing pantograph-catenary dynamic performance using an inertance-integrated damping system

For modern electrical rail systems, the pantograph-catenary dynamic performance is one of the most critical challenges. Too much fluctuation in contact forces leads to either accelerated wear of the contacting components or losses of contact and, consequently, arcing. In this work, inertance-integrated pantograph damping systems are investigated with the objective of reducing the contact force standard deviation. Firstly, a multibody pantograph model is developed with its accuracy compared with experimental data. The model is improved through the calibration of the pantograph head suspension parameters and the introduction of both non-ideal joint and flexibility effects. Using the calibrated model, beneficial inertance-integrated damping systems are identified for the pantograph suspension. The results show that the configuration with one inerter provides the best performance among other candidate layouts and contends a 40% reduction of the maximum standard deviation of the contact force over the whole operating speed range in the numerical modelling scenario analysed. Considering the identified configuration, time-domain analysis and modal analysis are investigated. It has been shown that the achieved improvement is due to the fact that with the beneficial inertance-integrated damping system, the first resonance frequency of the pantograph system coincides with the natural frequency of the catenary system.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Renal outcome in adults with renal insufficiency and irregular asymmetric kidneys

BACKGROUND: The commonest cause of end-stage renal failure (ESRF) in children and young adults is congenital malformation of the kidney and urinary tract. In this retrospective review, we examine whether progression to ESRF can be predicted and whether treatment with angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) can delay or prevent this. METHODS: We reviewed 78 patients with asymmetric irregular kidneys as a consequence of either primary vesico-ureteric reflux or renal dysplasia (Group 1, n = 44), or abnormal bladder function (Group 2, n = 34). Patients (median age 24 years) had an estimated GFR (eGFR) < 60 ml/min/1.73 m(2 )with at least 5 years of follow up (median 143 months). 48 patients received ACEI. We explored potential prognostic factors that affect the time to ESRF using Cox-regression analyses. RESULTS: At start, mean (SE) creatinine was 189 (8) μmol/l, mean eGFR 41 (1) ml/min 1.73 m(2), mean proteinuria 144 (14) mg/mmol creatinine (1.7 g/24 hrs). Of 78 patients, 36 (46%) developed ESRF, but none of 19 with proteinuria less than 50 mg/mmol and only two of 18 patients with eGFR above 50 ml/min did so. Renal outcome between Groups 1 and 2 appeared similar with no evidence for a difference. A benefit in favour of treatment with ACEI was observed above an eGFR of 40 ml/min (p = 0.024). CONCLUSION: The similar outcome of the two groups supports the nephrological nature of progressive renal failure in young men born with abnormal bladders. There is a watershed GFR of 40–50 ml/min at which ACEI treatment can be successful at improving renal outcome