Quasi-Static Acoustic Mapping of Helicopter Blade-Vortex Interaction Noise

This research extends the applicability of storage-based noise prediction techniques to slowly maneuvering flight. The quasi-static equivalence between longitudinal decelerating flight and steady-state longitudinal descent flight, and its application to the estimation of BVI noise radiation under slow longitudinal maneuvering flight conditions, is investigated through various orders of flight dynamics modeling. The entire operating state of the helicopter is shown to be similar during equivalent flight conditions at the same flight velocity. This equivalence is also applied to the prediction of control requirements during longitudinal maneuvers. Inverse simulation based flight dynamics models of lower order are seen to capture many important trends associated with slow maneuvers, when compared with higher order modeling. The lower order flight dynamics model is used to design controlled maneuvers that may be practically flown during descent operations or as part of research flight testing. A version of a storage-based acoustic mapping technique, extended to slowly maneuvering longitudinal flight, is implemented for helicopter main rotor Blade-Vortex Interaction (BVI) noise. Various approach trajectories are formulated and analytical estimates of the BVI noise radiation characteristics associated with a full-scale two-bladed rotor are mapped to the ground using this quasi-static mapping approach. Multi-segment decelerating descent approaches are shown to be effective in ground noise abatement. The effects of steady longitudinal winds are investigated on radiated and ground noise. Piloting trim choices are seen to dominate the noise radiation under these flight conditions

Measurement and Characterization of Helicopter Noise in Steady-State and Maneuvering Flight

A special acoustic flight test program was performed on the Bell 206B helicopter outfitted with an in-flight microphone boom/array attached to the helicopter while simultaneous acoustic measurements were made using a linear ground array of microphones arranged to be perpendicular to the flight path. Air and ground noise measurements were made in steady-state longitudinal and steady turning flight, and during selected dynamic maneuvers. Special instrumentation, including direct measurement of the helicopter s longitudinal tip-path-plane (TPP) angle, Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS) and Inertial Navigation Unit (INU) measurements, and a pursuit guidance display were used to measure important noise controlling parameters and to make the task of flying precise operating conditions and flight track easier for the pilot. Special care was also made to test only in very low winds. The resulting acoustic data is of relatively high quality and shows the value of carefully monitoring and controlling the helicopter s performance state. This paper has shown experimentally, that microphones close to the helicopter can be used to estimate the specific noise sources that radiate to the far field, if the microphones are positioned correctly relative to the noise source. Directivity patterns for steady, turning flight were also developed, for the first time, and connected to the turning performance of the helicopter. Some of the acoustic benefits of combining normally separated flight segments (i.e. an accelerated segment and a descending segment) were also demonstrated

Impact of COVID-19 on cardiovascular testing in the United States versus the rest of the world

Objectives: This study sought to quantify and compare the decline in volumes of cardiovascular procedures between the United States and non-US institutions during the early phase of the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the care of many non-COVID-19 illnesses. Reductions in diagnostic cardiovascular testing around the world have led to concerns over the implications of reduced testing for cardiovascular disease (CVD) morbidity and mortality. Methods: Data were submitted to the INCAPS-COVID (International Atomic Energy Agency Non-Invasive Cardiology Protocols Study of COVID-19), a multinational registry comprising 909 institutions in 108 countries (including 155 facilities in 40 U.S. states), assessing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on volumes of diagnostic cardiovascular procedures. Data were obtained for April 2020 and compared with volumes of baseline procedures from March 2019. We compared laboratory characteristics, practices, and procedure volumes between U.S. and non-U.S. facilities and between U.S. geographic regions and identified factors associated with volume reduction in the United States. Results: Reductions in the volumes of procedures in the United States were similar to those in non-U.S. facilities (68% vs. 63%, respectively; p = 0.237), although U.S. facilities reported greater reductions in invasive coronary angiography (69% vs. 53%, respectively; p < 0.001). Significantly more U.S. facilities reported increased use of telehealth and patient screening measures than non-U.S. facilities, such as temperature checks, symptom screenings, and COVID-19 testing. Reductions in volumes of procedures differed between U.S. regions, with larger declines observed in the Northeast (76%) and Midwest (74%) than in the South (62%) and West (44%). Prevalence of COVID-19, staff redeployments, outpatient centers, and urban centers were associated with greater reductions in volume in U.S. facilities in a multivariable analysis. Conclusions: We observed marked reductions in U.S. cardiovascular testing in the early phase of the pandemic and significant variability between U.S. regions. The association between reductions of volumes and COVID-19 prevalence in the United States highlighted the need for proactive efforts to maintain access to cardiovascular testing in areas most affected by outbreaks of COVID-19 infection

Verification of Length Scale Effects on Solution Accuracy of Hybrid RANS-LES Methods

Hybrid RANS-LES methods are gaining popularity for the simulation of the complex bluff body flows at high Reynolds numbers due to their reduced computational cost and good accuracy. A number of such methods have been proposed in the literature. Each of these methods have enjoyed varying degree of success for different applications. One of the most important parameter which determines the switching between near-wall RANS region and off-body LES region is the length scale parameter. This parameter can be grid based or physics based and numerous choices exist for defining this parameter. This study proposes to investigate the effect of this parameter on the size of the RANS and LES regions and also on the solution accuracy. Four test problems are chosen covering attached, mildly separated and massively separated flow regimes. Results will help us to identify length scale definitions to be used for different flow scenarios.</jats:p

Three-dimensional carbon nanotube scaffolds for long-term maintenance and expansion of human mesenchymal stem cells: 3-D CNTS FOR EXPANSION OF HUMAN MSCS

Expansion of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and maintenance of their self-renewal capacity in vitro requires specialized robust cell culture systems. Conventional approaches using animal-derived or artificial matrices and a cocktail of growth factors have limitations such as consistency, scalability, pathogenicity, and loss of MSC phenotype. Herein, we report the use of all-carbon 3-D single- and multiwalled carbon nanotube scaffolds (SWCNTs and MWCNTs) as artificial matrices for long-term maintenance and expansion of human MSCs. Three-dimensional SWCNT and MWCNT scaffolds were fabricated using a novel radical initiated thermal cross-linking method that covalently cross-links CNTs to form 3-D macroporous all-carbon architectures. Adipose-derived human MSCs showed good cell viability, attachment, proliferation, and infiltration in MWCNT and SWCNT scaffolds comparable to poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid (PLGA) scaffolds (baseline control). ADSCs retained stem cell phenotype after 30 days and satisfied the International Society for Cellular Therapy's (ISCT) minimal criteria for MSCs. Post expansion, (1) ADSCs showed in vitro adherence to tissue culture polystyrene (TCPS); (2) MSC surface antigen expression [CD14(−), CD19(−), CD34(−), CD45(−), CD73(+), CD90(+), CD105(+)]; and (3) trilineage differentiation into osteoblasts, adipocytes, and chondrocytes. Results show that cross-linked 3-D MWCNTs and SWCNTs scaffolds are suitable for ex vivo expansion and maintenance of MSCs for therapeutic application