"Does god play dice with corrugations?": environmental effects on growth

Corrugation growth has perplexed many researchers for several decades with remaining challenges including its reliable prediction in the field. In the present paper, the effect of environmental variations on corrugation growth is investigated using field measurements and mechanics-based modelling. Statistically significant relationships between average daily rainfall, humidity and the growth of rail corrugation were investigated using meterological and railway site field monitoring of a metropolitan network test site with a recurring rail corrugation of about 95mm wavelength. Corrugation growth rate (G) was determined by systematically measuring the longitudinal rail profile with a Corrugation Analysis Trolley (CAT) on the 240m radius, narrow gauge, concrete-sleepered curve. Both roughness generated and weld initiated profile growths were investigated. The weather data was obtained from records held by the Bureau of Meteorology. The modelling is developed to provide insight and mechanics based analysis of the field corrugation growth under changes in environmental conditions and vehicle speed variability. Results show a strong correlation between variations in rainfall and corrugation growth that is consistent with changes in steady state wear. Changes in contact patch geometry and the damage mechanism as the corrugation amplitude grows are shown to have substantial but slower effects on growth. The results are used to explain observed changes in corrugation growth rate under variable speed control at the same site

Tetrodotoxin as a Tool to Elucidate Sensory Transduction Mechanisms: The Case for the Arterial Chemoreceptors of the Carotid Body

Carotid bodies (CBs) are secondary sensory receptors in which the sensing elements, chemoreceptor cells, are activated by decreases in arterial PO2 (hypoxic hypoxia). Upon activation, chemoreceptor cells (also known as Type I and glomus cells) increase their rate of release of neurotransmitters that drive the sensory activity in the carotid sinus nerve (CSN) which ends in the brain stem where reflex responses are coordinated. When challenged with hypoxic hypoxia, the physiopathologically most relevant stimulus to the CBs, they are activated and initiate ventilatory and cardiocirculatory reflexes. Reflex increase in minute volume ventilation promotes CO2 removal from alveoli and a decrease in alveolar PCO2 ensues. Reduced alveolar PCO2 makes possible alveolar and arterial PO2 to increase minimizing the intensity of hypoxia. The ventilatory effect, in conjunction the cardiocirculatory components of the CB chemoreflex, tend to maintain an adequate supply of oxygen to the tissues. The CB has been the focus of attention since the discovery of its nature as a sensory organ by de Castro (1928) and the discovery of its function as the origin of ventilatory reflexes by Heymans group (1930). A great deal of effort has been focused on the study of the mechanisms involved in O2 detection. This review is devoted to this topic, mechanisms of oxygen sensing. Starting from a summary of the main theories evolving through the years, we will emphasize the nature and significance of the findings obtained with veratridine and tetrodotoxin (TTX) in the genesis of current models of O2-sensing

015. 09-20-1985 Psalm 22

Chapel Sermon by L. Hemplemann on Friday, September 20, 1985