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Single-cycle and fatigue strengths of adhesively bonded lap joints

This study considers a composite-to-steel tubular lap joint in which failure typically occurs when the adhesive debonds from the steel adherend. The same basic joint was subjected to compressive and tensile axial loads (single-cycle) as well as bending loads (fatigue). The purpose of these tests was to determine whether failure is more dependent on the plastic strain or the peel stress that develops in the adhesive. For the same joint, compressive and tensile loads of the same magnitude will produce similar plastic strains but peel stresses of opposite signs in the adhesive. In the axial tests, the tensile strengths were much greater than the compressive strengths - indicating that the peel stress is key to predicting the single-cycle strengths. To determine the key parameter(s) for predicting high-cycle fatigue strengths, a test technique capable of subjecting a specimen to several million cycles per day was developed. In these bending tests, the initial adhesive debonding always occurred on the compressive side. This result is consistent with the single-cycle tests, although not as conclusive due to the limited number of tests. Nevertheless, a fatigue test method has been established and future tests are planned

Alzheimer\u27s Disease and the Impact of Music Therapy: A Systematic Literature Review

Although a cure for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) has yet to be discovered, several non-pharmacological treatments can improve patients’ quality of life and provide temporary relief from the disabling symptoms. One of these treatments is music therapy. This systematic literature review evaluates the existing research on the relationship between Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and music therapy, with a narrowed focus on familiar music therapy, the potential mechanisms of action that explain the efficacy of this intervention, and the resulting nursing implications that may be utilized in practice. A search of the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) database returned 13 articles, which were analyzed and compared based on their level of evidence (LOE), sample size, intervention, outcome measures, results, and limitations. The results of the literature review affirm a clear relationship between music therapy and improved memory and cognition

Using Calcaneal Heel Ultrasounds to Screen for Osteoporosis at Alaska Health Fairs

Osteoporosis is a major health problem. The Alaska Department of Health and Social Services reports national rates of osteoporosis at 13-18% of women and 3-6% of men over age 50, but current evidence suggests that osteoporosis rates in Alaska are more equal between sexes. Known risk factors for osteoporosis that are very common among Alaskans include arthritis and low vitamin D and calcium levels. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scans of the hip and lumbar spine as the gold standard of screening for osteoporosis; however, DXA scans are expensive, not portable, and not practical for screening small populations. Calcaneal heel ultrasound (CHU) scans are a USPSTF-recognized alternative to the DXA scan and can reach these small populations. Guided by the PRECEDE-PROCEED model, this project sought to evaluate the effectiveness of offering CHU scans at health fairs in Alaska. The de-identified data from the CHU dataset (N = 494) were analyzed to determine any differences in bone health based on sex and age. Alaskans over 50 years of age were significantly more likely to have osteopenia or osteoporosis (X2 = 28.2, df =4) than those \u3c 50 years old. No significant difference in bone health as determined by T-scores was noted between men and women, suggesting that Alaskan men should also be screened. Educational materials on bone health were readily available at the health fairs for anyone interested. Health fair attendees are routinely asked for feedback and their responses related to the CHU scan were summarized and were unanimously positive. This project contributes to positive social change by increasing awareness of osteoporosis in Alaskans

Fluid-structure interaction modelling of a patient-specific arteriovenous access fistula

This research forms part of an interdisciplinary project that aims to improve the detailed understanding of the haemodynamics and vascular mechanics in arteriovenous shunts that are required for haemodialysis treatments. A combination of new PCMRA imaging and computational modelling of in vivo blood flow aims to determine the haemodynamic conditions that may lead to the high failure rate of vascular access in these circumstances. This thesis focuses on developing a patient-specific fluid-structure interaction (FSI) model of a PC-MRA imaged arteriovenous fistula. The numerical FSI model is developed and simulated within the commercial multiphysics simulation package ANSYS® Academic Research, Release 16. The blood flow is modelled as a Newtonian fluid with the finite-volume method solver ANSYS® Fluent®. A pulsatile mass-flow boundary condition is applied at the artery inlet and a three-element Windkessel model at the artery and vein outlets. ANSYS® Mechanical™, a finite element method solver, is used to model the nonlinear behaviour of the vessel walls. The artery and vein walls are assumed to follow a third-order Yeoh model, and are differentiated by thickness and by material strength characteristics. The staggered FSI model is configured and executed in ANSYS® Workbench™, forming a semi-implicit coupling of the blood flow and vessel wall models. This work shows the effectiveness of combining a number of stabilisation techniques to simultaneously overcome the added-mass effect and optimise the efficiency of the overall model. The PC-MRA data, fluid model, and FSI model show almost identical flow features in the fistula; this applies in particular to a flow recirculation region in the vein that could potentially lead to fistula failure

5 Questions

I know it before I even open my eyes, something is wrong. The air is cool and fresh, it feels like the calm before the storm. What happened to me? The last thing I remember is seeing the headlights of that truck coming at me, and...I bolt upright and wince with pain. My head is pounding, and my body is aching all over. That truck, I realize once the pain dies down, it wasn’t just coming at me: it hit me head-on. Then I notice I’m not in my car, nor am I in a hospital. I’m in a white room. I stand up, look around, and realize there are no windows or doors. It’s just a plain white room. Suddenly, a chill runs down my spine

Mini-rack testbed evaluation

The goal was to characterize the Health Maintenance Facility (HMF)-like mini-racks and drawers onboard the KC-135 as a test bed for the Space Station Freedom HMF racks. An additional goal was to evaluate the attachments, mounting points, and inner drawer assemblies of the mini-racks for various medical equipment and supplies. Results and recommendations are given

Educators’ Perceptions of Implementation and Outcomes of Trauma-Informed Care Training in Three Appalachian Elementary Schools

The purpose of this study is to gain insight into the perceptions of the impact of trauma-informed care training in three Appalachian elementary schools. Childhood adversity can negatively affect a student’s experience in the classroom (van der Kolk, 2014; Ogata, 2019) with findings showing an estimate of one half to two-thirds of children experiencing at least one traumatic event before the age of 18 (CDC, 2016; Finkelhor, 2015; McInerney & McKlindon, 2021). Trauma, an event or occurrence that causes great distress by exposure to physical or psychological abuse, violence, crime, has been linked to academic failure, various illnesses, both physical and mental, substance abuse, and criminal behavior, and may impact concentration, memory, language skills and organization, which are considered necessary traits to achieve academic success (Center for Treatment of Anxiety and Mood Disorder, n.d.; Liberman et al., 2011; Ogata, 2012). Trauma can also affect social, self-regulation, and relational skills as well as cognitive abilities (National Child Traumatic Stress Network, 2016). As reported by O’Neill et al. (2010), these situations should be addressed through proper trauma education and training which include intervention strategies. The trauma-informed care (TIC) approach is a strengths-based framework based on the awareness of the impact of trauma that takes a universal precaution approach, emphasizing safety and reestablish control (Huckshor & LeBel, 2013)

Alzheimer’s disease and the impact of music therapy a systematic literature review

Currently ranked as the sixth leading cause of death in the United States, Alzheimer’s disease (AD) has become the most prevalent form of dementia, a term commonly associated with memory loss and other progressive cognitive deficits that compromise patients’ lives. What may begin as a mindlessly misplaced object or momentary inability to recall newly learned information will eventually advance to a loss of personal identity, forgotten loved ones, and utter misperception of reality. Although a cure for AD has yet to be discovered, there are several non-pharmacological treatments that can improve patients’ quality of life and provide temporary relief from the disabling manifestations, one of which is music therapy, the topic of this literature review. Music can be deeply connected with emotional processing and memory recall, and, when utilized as an interventional therapy for AD patients, can yield numerous cognitive and behavioral symptomatic benefits. The purpose of this project is to conduct a systematic literature review that evaluates the therapeutic relationship between AD and music therapy with a narrowed focus on familiar music therapy, the potential mechanisms of action that explain the efficacy of this intervention, and the resulting nursing implications that may be utilized in practice

Exemplary Nonvocational Ministry Leadership Practices in Predominantly Black Southeastern Connecticut Churches: A Quantitative Study

The purpose of this quantitative study was to determine how nonvocational (unpaid) ministry leaders demonstrated exemplary leadership practices while ministering in predominantly Black Southeastern Connecticut churches. The study also showed how much theological training nonvocational ministry leaders received. Volunteer leadership is a critical resource for the church. Purposive nonprobability sampling produced a sample from an unknown population of nonvocational ministry leaders serving predominantly Black Southeastern Connecticut churches. Surveys distribution was via U.S. mail to pastors at 20 churches identified from e-mail distribution lists and social media posts. Sixty-eight participants completed the survey, which incorporated a demographic questionnaire and the Leadership Practices Inventory. Researchers use the Leadership Practices Inventory to measure 5 leadership practices: model the way, inspire a shared vision, challenge the process, enable others to act, and encourage the heart. Exploratory data analysis and descriptive statistics showed that most nonvocational leaders demonstrated encourage the heart leadership (M = 8.78), with challenge the process the least reported (M = 7.98). Spearman’s correlations measured the correlations between theological training (years of experience and education) and leadership practices. The findings showed significant, inverse correlations between years of experience on challenge the process and enable others to act. None of the Spearman’s correlations was significant between level of education and leadership practices