Heat generation mechanisms of DBD plasma actuators

During the last twenty years DBD plasma actuators have been known by their ability for boundary layer flow control applications. However, their usefulness is not limited to this application field, they also present great utility for applications within the field of heat transfer, such as a way to improve the aerodynamic efficiency of film cooling of gas turbine blades, or de-icing and ice formation prevention. Nevertheless, there is a relative lack of information about DBD’s thermal characteristics and its heat generation mechanisms. This happens due to the extremely high electric fields in the plasma region and consequent impossibility of applying intrusive measurement techniques. Against this background, this work describes the physical mechanisms behind the generation of heat associated to the DBD plasma actuators operation. An experimental technique, based on calorimetric principles, was devised in order to quantify the heat energy generated during the plasma actuators operation. The influence of the dielectric thickness, as well as the dielectric material, were also evaluated during this work. The results were exposed and discussed with the purpose of a better understanding of the heat generation mechanisms behind the operation of DBD plasma actuators

Clinical and functional impairment after nonoperative treatment of distal biceps ruptures

© 2018 Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery Board of Trustees Background: Clinical and functional impairment after nonoperative treatment of distal biceps ruptures is not well understood. The goal of this study was to measure patients’ perceived disability, kinematic adjustment, and forearm supination power after nonoperative treatment of distal biceps ruptures. Methods: Fourteen individuals after nonoperative treatment of distal biceps ruptures were matched to a control group of 18 uninjured volunteers. Both groups prospectively completed the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH), Single Assessment Numerical Evaluation (SANE), and Biceps Disability Questionnaire. Both performed a new timed isotonic supination test that was designed to simulate activities of daily life. The isotonic torque dynamometer measures the supination arc, center of supination arc, torque, angular velocity, and power. Motion analysis quantifies forearm and shoulder contributions to the arc of supination. Results: The nonoperative treated group\u27s DASH (23.2 ± 10.3) and SANE (59.6 ± 16.2) scores demonstrated a clinical meaningful impairment. The control group showed no significant differences in kinematic values between dominant and nondominant arms (P =.854). The nonoperative biceps ruptured arms, compared with their uninjured arms, changed supination motion by decreasing the supination arc (P ≤.036), shifting the center of supination arc to a more pronated position (P ≤.030), and increasing the shoulder contribution to rotation (P ≤.001); despite this adaptation, their average corrected power of supination decreased by 47% (P =.001). Conclusion: Patients should understand that nonoperative treatment for distal biceps ruptures will result in varying degrees of functional loss as measured by the DASH, SANE, and Biceps Disability Questionnaire, change their supination kinematics during repetitive tasks, and that they will lose 47% of their supination power

RETRACTED: Clinical and functional impairment after nonoperative treatment of distal biceps ruptures (Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery (2019) 28(4) (757–764), (S1058274618307079), (10.1016/j.jse.2018.09.017))

© 2019 Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery Board of Trustees This article has been retracted: please see Elsevier Policy on Article Withdrawal (https://www.elsevier.com/about/our-business/policies/article-withdrawal). This article has been retracted at the request of the corresponding author and the Human Research Protection Office of the University of Pittsburgh, in conjunction with the policies of their Institutional Review Board (IRB), because IRB Number PR 013110590 had not been granted at the University of Pittsburgh