Development of a Non-Iterative Balance Load Prediction Algorithm for the NASA Ames Unitary Plan Wind Tunnel

A non-iterative load prediction algorithm for strain-gage balances was developed for the NASA Ames Unitary Plan Wind Tunnels that computes balance loads from the electrical outputs of the balance bridges and a set of state variables. A state variable could be, for example, a balance temperature difference or the bellows pressure of a flow-through balance. The algorithm directly uses regression models of the balance loads for the load prediction that were obtained by applying global regression analysis to balance calibration data. This choice greatly simplifies both implementation and use of the load prediction process for complex balance configurations as no load iteration needs to be performed. The regression model of a balance load is constructed by using terms from a total of nine term groups. Four term groups are derived from a Taylor Series expansion of the relationship between the load, gage outputs, and state variables. The remaining five term groups are defined by using absolute values of the gage outputs and state variables. Terms from these groups should only be included in the regression model if calibration data from a balance with known bi-directional outputs is analyzed. It is illustrated in detail how global regression analysis may be applied to obtain the coefficients of the chosen regression model of a load component assuming that no linear or massive near-linear dependencies between the regression model terms exist. Data from the machine calibration of a six-component force balance is used to illustrate both application and accuracy of the non-iterative load prediction process

Influence of Strain-Gage Balance Characteristics on the Precision Error of the Drag Coefficient

Improvements and results of a new method are presented that computes a pre-test estimate of the precision error of the drag coefficient of a wind tunnel model. The error estimate is defined as the part of the drag coefficient's precision error that is primarily associated with the precision error of the angle of attack measurement and physical characteristics of the chosen strain-gage balance. The method indirectly describes the precision error of the angle of attack measurement by using an assumed balance gage output variation of one microV/V. The physical characteristics of the balance, on the other hand, are described by partial derivatives of the axial and normal forces with respect to the strain-gage outputs. These derivatives can directly be obtained from the data reduction matrix of the balance. The precision error estimate itself is calculated by applying a simple explicit equation that uses the model reference area, the dynamic pressure, the angle of attack, the coefficients of the linear terms of the data reduction matrix, and the electrical output variation of one microvolt per volt as input. Precision errors at constant angle of attack may be visualized as contour plots by plotting them, for example, versus the Mach number and the total pressure. Characteristics of NASA's MC60E balance are used in combination with the reference area of a generic wind tunnel model in order to demonstrate that error estimates are independent of both the balance load format and the units chosen for the description of balance loads, model reference area, and the dynamic pressure. Finally, experimental data from a wind tunnel test of the Ames Check Standard Model in the NASA Ames 11-foot Transonic Wind Tunnel illustrates the application of the method to real-world test data

Interact Here Designing & implementing Interactive Video into corporate communications and learnings

In order to compete with the market, new practices and methods must be utilized for the purpose of adaptation and company growth. This text looks at utilizing the methods of Service Design and its core practices to map out, construct, and implement the service of Interactive video into the company Datafisher. The interactive video demo process will go hand in hand with the Service Design principles reflecting a real life situation. The contents provided follow the process of creating the Interactive Video Demo: From idea creation, to production, and then all the way to the prospective client presentation

Racial/Ethnic Patterns in Prostate Cancer Outcomes in an Active Surveillance Cohort

Introduction. Concern regarding overtreatment of prostate cancer (CaP) is leading to increased attention on active surveillance (AS). This study examined CaP survivors on AS and compared secondary treatment patterns and overall survival by race/ethnicity. Methods. The study population consisted of CaP patients self-classified as black or white followed on AS in the Center for Prostate Disease Research (CPDR) multicenter national database between 1989 and 2008. Secondary treatment included radical prostatectomy (RP), external beam radiation therapy or brachytherapy (EBRT-Br), and hormone therapy (HT). Secondary treatment patterns and overall survival were compared by race/ethnicity. Results. Among 886 eligible patients, 21% were black. Despite racial differences in risk characteristics and secondary treatment patterns, overall survival was comparable across race. RP following AS was associated with the longest overall survival. Conclusion. Racial disparity in overall survival was not observed in this military health care beneficiary cohort with an equal access to health care

Visual recovery in a patient with total hyphema, neovascular glaucoma, long-standing retinal detachment and no light perception vision: a case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>We report the case of a patient with total hyphema, neovascular glaucoma, long-standing retinal detachment and no light perception vision, who regained counting fingers vision with complete regression of neovascularization following anterior chamber washout, intravitreal bevacizumab, pars plana vitrectomy, and silicone oil placement. This represents a rare case in which a patient with no light perception vision was able to regain functional vision.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>A 63-year-old Caucasian man with a 55-year history of long-standing retinal detachment after trauma presented to our facility with pain and redness, a total hyphema, no light perception vision and an intraocular pressure of 60 mmHg (right eye). He had a history of diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease. Following anterior chamber washout, he was found to have neovascular glaucoma, for which intravitreal bevacizumab was administered. After washout and intraocular pressure control, his visual acuity improved to light perception. He subsequently underwent vitrectomy, membrane peeling, endolaser and silicone oil placement to reattach his retina, and then a second retinal reattachment procedure. Following these procedures, he had visual recovery to counting fingers vision in his right eye at five metres, complete regression of neovascularization, and intraocular pressure of 10 to 12 mmHg on one antiglaucoma medication.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Functional vision can be regained despite long-standing retinal detachment.</p

Contextually appropriate communication strategies for COVID-19 prevention in Kenya border regions: evidence from a mixed methods observational study in Busia and Mandera counties

Kenya has long and porous borders with its neighbouring countries. These regions, predominantly inhabited by highly mobile rural communities with strong cross-border cultural ties, present major challenges in managing movement of people and COVID-19 preventive measures. Our study sought to assess knowledge of COVID-19 prevention behaviours, how these varied by socioeconomic (SEC) factors and the challenges of engagement and implementation, in two border counties of Kenya. We conducted a mixed methods study using a household e-survey (Busia, N=294; Mandera, N=288; 57% females, 43% males), and qualitative telephone interviews (N=73: Busia 55; Mandera 18) with policy actors, healthcare workers, truckers and traders, and community members. Interviews were transcribed, English translated and analysed using the framework method. Associations between SEC (wealth quintiles, educational level) and knowledge of COVID-19 preventive behaviours were explored using Poisson regression. Participants were mostly educated to primary school level (54.4% Busia, 61.6% Mandera). Knowledge of COVID-19 prevention varied by behaviour: hand washing-86.5%, use of hand sanitiser-74.8%, wearing a face mask-63.1%, covering the mouth when sneezing or coughing-56.3% and social distancing-40.1%. Differences in knowledge by area, educational level and the wealth index were marked, greatest for Mandera, the less educated and the poor. Interviews with stakeholders revealed challenges in health messaging, psychosocial and socioeconomic factors, lack of preparedness for truck border crossings, language barrier, denial and livelihood insecurity as key challenges to engagement with and implementation of COVID-19 prevention behaviours in the border regions. The influence of SEC disparities and border dynamics on knowledge and engagement with COVID-19 prevention behaviours calls for contextually appropriate risk communication strategies that are cognisant of community needs and local patterns of information flow. Coordinating response measures across border points is crucial in winning communities' trust and maintaining essential economic and social activities. [Abstract copyright: © Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2023. Re-use permitted under CC BY. Published by BMJ.

Oxygen in the Tropical Pacific POSTRE II First Tracer Survey, Cruise No. M135, March 01 - April 08, 2017, Valparaiso (Chile) - Callao (Peru) POSTRE-III

Cruise M135 was a contribution to the DFG Collaborative Research Project (SFB) 754: “Climate-Biogeochemistry Interactions in the Tropical Ocean” with the main goal to better understand the the role of diffusive and advective pathways connecting water within the bottom boundary layer (i.e. the water directly affected by sediment processes) to the pelagic and surface ocean. To achieve this, we have injected a conservative tracer (CF3SF5) within the bottom boundary layer at three different sites along the Peruvian coast at a depth of about 300 m in October 2015 that was mapped during M135. Tracer sampling was carried out by measuring water samples from the CTD-rosette water bottles. In total 144 CTD casts were carried out. From 132 CTD profiles 2828 samples for CF3CF5 investigations were gained and on most stations the tracer could be found. In addition 48 trace metal CTD’s were recorded and trace metal and chemical samples taken from the rosette bottles. On 166 of the CTD profiles oxygen samples were taken and on 94 CTD profiles nutrient samples were collected. Microstructure measurements were made on 24 stations and 2 gliders were deployed. For geological investigations at 5 locations multicorer and long gravity cores were taken. Continuous underway measurements of CO2,N2O and CO as well as continuous ADCP and thermosalinograph recording was made on 37 days. The cruise M135 was very successful; most systems on METEOR worked well and all planned objectives were reached

Sustained receptor activation and hyperproliferation in response to granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) in mice with a severe congenital neutropenia/acute myeloid leukemia-derived mutation in the G-CSF receptor gene

In approximately 20% of cases of severe congenital neutropenia (SCN), mutations are found in the gene encoding the granulocyte colony-stimulating factor receptor (G-CSF-R). These mutations introduce premature stop codons, which result in truncation of 82-98 COOH-terminal amino acids of the receptor. SCN patients who develop secondary myelodysplastic syndrome and acute myeloid leukemia almost invariably acquired a GCSFR mutation, suggesting that this genetic alteration represents a key step in leukemogenesis. Here we show that an equivalent mutation targeted in mice (gcsfr-Delta715) results in the selective expansion of the G-CSF- responsive progenitor (G-CFC) compartment in the bone marrow. In addition, in vivo treatment of gcsfr-Delta715 mice with G-CSF results in increased production of neutrophils leading to a sustained neutrophilia. This hyperproliferative response to G-CSF is accompanied by prolonged activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) complexes and extended cell surface expression of mutant receptors due to defective internalization. In view of the continuous G-CSF treatment of SCN patients, these data provide insight into why progenitor cells expressing truncated receptors clonally expand in vivo, and why these cells may be targets for additional genetic events leading to leukemia

Haemostatics in surgery and our experience in the enucleoresection of renal cell carcinoma

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>30 patients, with T1 renal cell carcinomas (RCC) who underwent open enucleoresection of the tumour, were randomized to the use of a topical haemostatic agent (Floseal) or to an infrared-sapphire coagulator (ISC), to compare their efficacy in achieving haemostasis. Methods: Successful intra-operative haemostasis, intra- and post-operative bleeding, operative time, hospital discharge were evaluated.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Statistically higher rates of successful haemostasis and shorter time-to-haemostasis (8,1 vs 12,9 min) were observed in the FloSeal group (p < 0.001 both). Patients operative time was not different between Group 1 vs 2 (58.7 ± 12 vs 62.4 ± 15; p > 0.05). The average blood loss during surgery was less (60 +/- 25.5 mL) for the FloSeal group than for the ISC group (85 +/- 40.5 mL) (p < 0.05). Postoperative blood loss was 25 +/- 5 mL and 40 +/- 45 mL for Floseal and ISC respectively, (p < 0.05). Length of the postoperative hospital discharge was 2.5 +/- 1.2 days for FloSeal group and 3.5 +/- 1.3 for the Group 2 (p < 0.05). No major immediate or delayed complications were observed in either Groups.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The use of Floseal and ISC offer a safe and efficacy haemostasis in the enucleoresection of RCC. Moreover, our results show a less intra-operative and post-operative blood loss as well as a shorter time to haemostasis of Floseal in respect to ISC.</p

An integrative approach to identifying cancer chemoresistance-associated pathways

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Resistance to chemotherapy severely limits the effectiveness of chemotherapy drugs in treating cancer. Still, the mechanisms and critical pathways that contribute to chemotherapy resistance are relatively unknown. This study elucidates the chemoresistance-associated pathways retrieved from the integrated biological interaction networks and identifies signature genes relevant for chemotherapy resistance.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>An integrated network was constructed by collecting multiple metabolic interactions from public databases and the k-shortest path algorithm was implemented to identify chemoresistant related pathways. The identified pathways were then scored using differential expression values from microarray data in chemosensitive and chemoresistant ovarian and lung cancers. Finally, another pathway database, Reactome, was used to evaluate the significance of genes within each filtered pathway based on topological characteristics.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>By this method, we discovered pathways specific to chemoresistance. Many of these pathways were consistent with or supported by known involvement in chemotherapy. Experimental results also indicated that integration of pathway structure information with gene differential expression analysis can identify dissimilar modes of gene reactions between chemosensitivity and chemoresistance. Several identified pathways can increase the development of chemotherapeutic resistance and the predicted signature genes are involved in drug resistant during chemotherapy. In particular, we observed that some genes were key factors for joining two or more metabolic pathways and passing down signals, which may be potential key targets for treatment.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>This study is expected to identify targets for chemoresistant issues and highlights the interconnectivity of chemoresistant mechanisms. The experimental results not only offer insights into the mode of biological action of drug resistance but also provide information on potential key targets (new biological hypothesis) for further drug-development efforts.</p