Analysis and correlation of the test data from an advanced technology rotor system

Comparisons were made of the performance and blade vibratory loads characteristics for an advanced rotor system as predicted by analysis and as measured in a 1/5 scale model wind tunnel test, a full scale model wind tunnel test and flight test. The accuracy with which the various tools available at the various stages in the design/development process (analysis, model test etc.) could predict final characteristics as measured on the aircraft was determined. The accuracy of the analyses in predicting the effects of systematic tip planform variations investigated in the full scale wind tunnel test was evaluated

Spatiotemporal patterns and agro-ecological risk factors for cutaneous and renal glomerular vasculopathy (Alabama Rot) in dogs in the UK

Seasonal outbreaks of cutaneous and renal glomerular vasculopathy (CRGV) have been reported annually in UK dogs since 2012, yet the aetiology of the disease remains unknown. The objectives of this study were to explore whether any breeds had an increased or decreased risk of being diagnosed with CRGV, and to report on age and sex distributions of CRGV cases occurring in the UK. Multivariable logistic regression was used to compare 101 dogs diagnosed with CRGV between November 2012 and May 2017 with a denominator population of 446,453 dogs from the VetCompass database. Two Kennel Club breed groups—hounds (odds ratio (OR) 10.68) and gun dogs (OR 9.69)—had the highest risk of being diagnosed with CRGV compared with terriers, while toy dogs were absent from among CRGV cases. Females were more likely to be diagnosed with CRGV (OR 1.51) as were neutered dogs (OR 3.36). As well as helping veterinarians develop an index of suspicion for the disease, better understanding of the signalment risk factors may assist in the development of causal models for CRGV and help identify the aetiology of the disease

Signalment risk factors for cutaneous and renal glomerular vasculopathy (Alabama rot) in dogs in the UK

Seasonal outbreaks of cutaneous and renal glomerular vasculopathy (CRGV) have been reported annually in UK dogs since 2012, yet the aetiology of the disease remains unknown. The objectives of this study were to explore whether any breeds had an increased or decreased risk of being diagnosed with CRGV, and to report on age and sex distributions of CRGV cases occurring in the UK. Multivariable logistic regression was used to compare 101 dogs diagnosed with CRGV between November 2012 and May 2017 with a denominator population of 446,453 dogs from the VetCompass database. Two Kennel Club breed groups—hounds (odds ratio (OR) 10.68) and gun dogs (OR 9.69)—had the highest risk of being diagnosed with CRGV compared with terriers, while toy dogs were absent from among CRGV cases. Females were more likely to be diagnosed with CRGV (OR 1.51) as were neutered dogs (OR 3.36). As well as helping veterinarians develop an index of suspicion for the disease, better understanding of the signalment risk factors may assist in the development of causal models for CRGV and help identify the aetiology of the disease

Electronic structure and magnetism in doped semiconducting half-Heusler compounds

We have studied in details the electronic structure and magnetism in M (Mn and Cr) doped semiconducting half-Heusler compounds FeVSb, CoTiSb and NiTiSn (XM$_{x}$Y$_{1-x}$Z) in a wide concentration range using local-spin density functional method in the framework of tight-binding linearized muffin tin orbital method(TB-LMTO) and supercell approach. Our calculations indicate that some of these compounds are not only ferromagnetic but also half-metallic and may be useful for spintronics applications. The electronic structure of the doped systems is analyzed with the aid of a simple model where we have considered the interaction between the dopant transition metal (M) and the valence band X-Z hybrid. We have shown that the strong X-d - M-d interaction places the M-d states close to the Fermi level with the M-t$_{2g}$ states lying higher in energy in comparison to the M-e$_{g}$ states. Depending on the number of available d-electrons, ferromagnetism is realized provided the d-manifold is partially occupied. The tendencies toward ferromagnetic(FM) or antiferromagnetic(AFM) behavior are discussed within Anderson-Hasegawa models of super-exchange and double-exchange. In our calculations for Mn doped NiTiSn, the strong preference for FM over AFM ordering suggests a possible high Curie temperature for these systems.Comment: 14 pages, 6 figure

Hypertension, retinopathy, and acute kidney injury in dogs: A prospective study

Background Systemic hypertension (SH) is a potential complication of acute kidney injury (AKI) in dogs. Objective To describe the prevalence of SH and hypertensive retinopathy in dogs with AKI, to investigate the relationship between SH and severity of AKI and to assess possible factors associated with SH. Animals Fifty‐two dogs with AKI. Methods Prospective observational study of dogs presenting to a tertiary referral center that fulfilled the International Renal Interest Society (IRIS) guidelines for the diagnosis of AKI. Systolic blood pressure measurement, urine protein/creatinine ratio (UPCR), urine output, presence of hypertensive retinopathy and fluid overload (FO), survival to discharge and duration of hospitalization were subsequently assessed. The prevalence of SH was calculated and the relationship between SH and recorded factors was examined by nonparametric statistics. Results The prevalence of SH (≥160 mm Hg) on admission or during hospitalization was 75% (39/52) and in 56% (22/39) of cases this was severe (≥180 mm Hg). Sixteen percent (7/43) of dogs had evidence of hypertensive retinopathy and 77% (24/31) dogs had UPCR >0.5. Forty‐two percent (22/52) dogs had FO on admission or during hospitalization. There was no association between SH and IRIS AKI grade, oligo/anuria, survival to discharge, duration of hospitalization or proteinuria. Dogs with FO on presentation were more likely to be hypertensive at admission compared to dogs without FO (P = .02). Dogs that did not survive to discharge were more likely to have FO (P = .007). Conclusions and Clinical Importance Systemic hypertension is common in dogs with AKI. Systemic hypertension might be associated with FO, which itself is associated with nonsurvival. Monitoring for SH and FO is therefore warranted in dogs with AKI

Assessing exposure, uptake and toxicity of silver and cerium dioxide nanoparticles from contaminated environments

The aim of this project was to compare cerium oxide and silver particles of different sizes for their potential for uptake by aquatic species, human exposure via ingestion of contaminated food sources and to assess their resultant toxicity. The results demonstrate the potential for uptake of nano and larger particles by fish via the gastrointestinal tract, and by human intestinal epithelial cells, therefore suggesting that ingestion is a viable route of uptake into different organism types. A consistency was also shown in the sensitivity of aquatic, fish cell and human cell models to Ag and CeO2 particles of different sizes; with the observed sensitivity sequence from highest to lowest as: nano-Ag > micro Ag > nano CeO2 = micro CeO2. Such consistency suggests that further studies might allow extrapolation of results between different models and species

Impaired Pre-Motor Circuit Activity and Movement in a Drosophila Model of KCNMA1-Linked Dyskinesia

BACKGROUND: Paroxysmal dyskinesias (PxDs) are characterized by involuntary movements and altered pre-motor circuit activity. Causative mutations provide a means to understand the molecular basis of PxDs. Yet in many cases, animal models harboring corresponding mutations are lacking. Here we utilize the fruit fly, Drosophila, to study a PxD linked to a gain-of-function (GOF) mutation in the KCNMA1/hSlo1 BK potassium channel. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to recreate the equivalent BK (big potassium) channel mutation in Drosophila. We sought to determine how this mutation altered action potentials (APs) and synaptic release in vivo; to test whether this mutation disrupted pre-motor circuit function and locomotion; and to define neural circuits involved in locomotor disruption. METHODS: We generated a knock-in Drosophila model using homologous recombination. We used electrophysiological recordings and calcium-imaging to assess AP shape, neurotransmission, and the activity of the larval pre-motor central pattern generator (CPG). We used video-tracking and automated systems to measure movement, and developed a genetic method to limit BK channel expression to defined circuits. RESULTS: Neuronal APs exhibited reduced width and an enhanced afterhyperpolarization in the PxD model. We identified calcium-dependent reductions in neurotransmitter release, dysfunction of the CPG, and corresponding alterations in movement, in model larvae. Finally, we observed aberrant locomotion and dyskinesia-like movements in adult model flies, and partially mapped the impact of GOF BK channels on movement to cholinergic neurons. CONCLUSION: Our model supports a link between BK channel GOF and hyperkinetic movements, and provides a platform to dissect the mechanistic basis of PxDs. © 2021 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society

Using MODIS to detect cropping frequency variation in mechanized agriculture in Amazonia.

Policy makers concerned with managing rapidly developing agriculture on the Amazon frontier currently have no Basin-wide spatial and temporal information on exactly when and how soubean and other mechanized annual cropping have developed in the region. To address this, we present a reliminary evaluation of the use of moderate resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) 250 m vegetation index (VI) time-series data to detect croppping frequency in two municipalities, Vilhena, Rondônia, and Santarém, Pará