Powder metallurgy Rene 95 rotating turbine engine parts, volume 2

A Rene 95 alloy as-HIP high pressure turbine aft shaft in the CF6-50 engine and a HIP plus forged Rene 95 compressor disk in the CFM56 engine were tested. The CF6-50 engine test was conducted for 1000 C cycles and the CFM56 test for 2000 C cycles. Post test evaluation and analysis of the CF6-50 shaft and the CFM56 compressor disk included visual, fluorescent penetrant, and dimensional inspections. No defects or otherwise discrepant conditions were found. These parts were judged to have performed satisfactorily

Contaminant Transport in Hydrogeologic Systems

Contaminant transport in hydrogeologic systems requires knowledge of transmissivity, storage coefficient, and dispersivity. Techniques for evaluating transmissivity and storage coefficient under field conditions are well known. However, the evaluation of dispersivity under field conditions is a costly and time consuming job. The process of transporting a specific conservative ion species in an aquifer is analogous to the transport of heat in the system. Because of this analogy, the original objective of this research project was to evaluate the use of low-grade thermal water to measure aquifer dispersivity. However, available thermal models of groundwater aquifers proved difficult to use for evaluating the thermal properties (and dispersivity) of an aquifer. Therefore, additional objectives were developed to (1) derive analytical solutions describing the steady and unsteady temperature distribution around a well with a finite caprock thickness and (2) establish a technique for determining the thermal properties (including thermal dispersivity) of an aquifer using field measurements of temperature distribution within the aquifer. Analytical models of hot water injection into groundwater aquifers were developed in this study. Available analytical models of this problem assume that the caprock overlying the aquifer is of infinite thickness. However, many groundwater aquifers have caprock thicknesses of only a few meters. This paper shows two mathematical models which were developed to examine the influence of a caprock with finite thickness on the thermal response of an aquifer. In both models, the horizontal heat conduction and heat convection in the aquifer plus the vertical heat conduction in the caprock are considered. The first model (Model I) assumed that the vertical temperature gradient in the caprock is linear, which can be approached in a caprock with a relatively small thickness. The second model (Model II) removed this restriction and allowed the vertical temperature gradient in the caprock to be nonlinear. For Model I, a steady state and an unsteady state solution for the water temperature distribution surrounding an injection well were obtained. For Model II, a steady state and two unsteady state solutions for the water temperature distribution surrounding an injection well were obtained. One of the two unsteady state solutions is for a short-time period and the other one is for a long-time period. A graphical technique was developed for determining four pertinent aquifer thermal properties: (1) the horizontal thermal conductivity of the aquifer (thermal dispersivity), (2) the thermal capacity of the aquifer, (3) the vertical thermal conductivity of the caprock, and (4) the thermal capacity of the caprock. Dimensionless type curves are constructed from the steady state solution and the unsteady state solution for short time periods in Model II, respectively. Using field data, one curve is constructed using long-term temperature observations (approaching steady state) from several observation wells, and a second curve is constructed using short-time temperature observations from any one of the observation wells. These curves are then matched with the dimensionless type curves, respectively, and values of the four aquifer thermal properties evaluated. Since the steady state condition is difficult to attain in the field, an approximate graphical technique for evaluating the thermal parameters is developed without using the steady state field date. In this approximate method, the vertical thermal conductivity of the caprock is assumed equal to the horizontal thermal conductivity of the aquifer, and the thermal capacity of the caprock is assumed equal to the thermal capacity of the aquifer

Racial-ethnic related clinical and neurocognitive differences in adults with gambling disorder.

Recent epidemiological data suggest that the lifetime prevalence of gambling problems differs depending on race-ethnicity. Understanding variations in disease presentation in blacks and whites, and relationships with biological and sociocultural factors, may have implications for selecting appropriate prevention strategies. 62 non-treatment seeking volunteers (18-29 years, n=18 [29.0%] female) with gambling disorder were recruited from the general community. Black (n=36) and White (n=26) participants were compared on demographic, clinical and cognitive measures. Young black adults with gambling disorder reported more symptoms of gambling disorder and greater scores on a measure of compulsivity. In addition they exhibited significantly higher total errors on a set-shifting task, less risk adjustment on a gambling task, greater delay aversion on a gambling task, and more total errors on a working memory task. These findings suggest that the clinical and neurocognitive presentation of gambling disorder different between racial-ethnic groups.This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from Elsevier via http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2016.05.03

COMT genotype, gambling activity, and cognition.

Neuropsychological studies of adults with problem gambling indicate impairments across multiple cognitive domains. Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) plays a unique role in the regulation of dopamine in the prefrontal cortex, and has been implicated in the cognitive dysfunction evident in problem gambling. This study examined adults with varying levels of gambling behavior to determine whether COMT genotype was associated with differences in gambling symptoms and cognitive functioning. 260 non-treatment-seeking adults aged 18-29 years with varying degrees of gambling behavior provided saliva samples for genotyping COMT val158met (rs4680). All subjects underwent clinical evaluations and neurocognitive assessment of decision-making, working memory, and impulsivity. The Val/Val COMT genotype was associated with the largest percentage of subjects with gambling disorder (31.8%), a rate significantly different from the Val/Met (13.2%) group (p = 0.001). The Val/Val COMT group was also associated with significantly more gambling disorder diagnostic criteria being met, greater frequency of gambling behavior, and significantly worse cognitive performance on the Cambridge Gamble Task (risk adjustment and delay aversion) and the Spatial Working Memory task (total errors). This study adds to the growing literature on the role of COMT in impulsive behaviors by showing that the Val/Val genotype was associated with specific clinical and cognitive elements among young adults who gamble, in the absence of differences on demographic measures and other cognitive domains. Future work should consider using genotyping to explore whether certain polymorphisms predict subsequent development of impulsive behaviors including gambling disorder, and treatment outcomes.This research was supported by a Center for Excellence in Gambling Research grant by the National Center for Responsible Gaming (Dr. Grant) and a research grant from the Trichotillomania Learning Center (to Mr. Odlaug).This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from Elsevier via http://dx.doi.org

Intervention planning and modification of the BUMP intervention: a digital intervention for the early detection of raised blood pressure in pregnancy

Background: Hypertensive disorders in pregnancy, particularly pre-eclampsia, pose a substantial health risk for both maternal and foetal outcomes. The BUMP (Blood Pressure Self-Monitoring in Pregnancy) interventions are being tested in a trial. They aim to facilitate the early detection of raised blood pressure through self-monitoring. This article outlines how the self-monitoring interventions in the BUMP trial were developed and modified using the person-based approach to promote engagement and adherence. Methods: Key behavioural challenges associated with blood pressure self-monitoring in pregnancy were identified through synthesising qualitative pilot data and existing evidence, which informed guiding principles for the development process. Social cognitive theory was identified as an appropriate theoretical framework. A testable logic model was developed to illustrate the hypothesised processes of change associated with the intervention. Iterative qualitative feedback from women and staff informed modifications to the participant materials. Results: The evidence synthesis suggested women face challenges integrating self-monitoring into their lives and that adherence is challenging at certain time points in pregnancy (for example, starting maternity leave). Intervention modification included strategies to address adherence but also focussed on modifying outcome expectancies, by providing messages explaining pre-eclampsia and outlining the potential benefits of self-monitoring. Conclusions: With an in-depth understanding of the target population, several methods and approaches to plan and develop interventions specifically relevant to pregnant women were successfully integrated, to address barriers to behaviour change while ensuring they are easy to engage with, persuasive and acceptable

Psychosocial dysfunction associated with skin picking disorder and trichotillomania.

Skin picking disorder (SPD) and trichotillomania (TTM) are common and oftentimes disabling disorders. 125 Participants with SPD and 152 with TTM undertook clinical and neurocognitive evaluation, and were grouped according to mild, moderate, or severe levels of psychosocial dysfunction. Relationships between functional impairment and other variables were explored using linear regression and categorical analyses. Greater functional impairment was associated with worse disease severity in both groups, and by later symptom onset and lower quality of life in TTM subjects. These results indicate that levels of self-reported psychosocial dysfunction have a strong association with specific clinical aspects of SPD and TTM.Dr. Grant has received research grants from NIMH, National Center for Responsible Gaming, and Forest and Roche Pharmaceuticals. Dr. Grant receives yearly compensation from Springer Publishing for acting as Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Gambling Studies and has received royalties from Oxford University Press, American Psychiatric Publishing, Inc., Norton Press, and McGraw Hill. Dr. Chamberlain consults for 9 Cambridge Cognition. Dr. Odlaug has received a research grant from the Trichotillomania Learning Center, has consulted for and is currently employed by H. Lundbeck A/S, and has received royalties from Oxford University Press. Dr. Odlaug’s involvement in this paper occurred prior to his employ by H. Lundbeck A/S. Ms. Redden and Mr. Leppink have no conflicts to report.This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from Elsevier via https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2016.03.00

Improved Water and Nutrient Management Through HighFrequency Irrigation

High frequency irrigation implies the uniform, frequent application of water to crops. The fequency may range from several irrigations per week to daily irrigation to even several irrigations per day in greenhouse and nursery settings. Most of the high frequency irrigation in the United States is through necessity; i.e., the limited water holding capacity of the soils or a limited water supply make irrigation application of more than a few centimeters impractical. Irrigation of field crops in sandy soils (such as in the Nebraska Sand Hills) with traveling or outer pivot sprinkler systems is a classic example of high frequency irrigation dictated by a limited water holding capacity. Another widespread use of high frequency irrigation is found in the various low pressure systems such as drip, trickle, bi-well, and bubbler. These systems deliver relatively small amounts of water to the root zone as a consequence of factors such as limited water, shallow soils, limited water holding capacity, and high erosion potential. The increased frequency of irrigation is not commonly a goal in itself, but several advantages of high frequency irrigation have been identified (Rawlins and Raats, 1975; Howell, et. al., 1976). These include: 1. Improved plant internal water balance, 2. Decreased drainage from the root zone, 3. Decreased runoff from the crop, 4. Decreased importance of soil hydraulic characteristics, 5. Improved salinity control, 6. Increased enhancement of rainfall utilization, 7. Reduction of high temperature stress, and 8. Reduction of nutrient leaching The results of these advantages are usually increased crop yield or quality, decreased water use, and decreased pollution from drainage and runoff. The yield expected under high frequency irrigation may not be signsficantly increased over well-managed conventional irrigation, but increased efficiency of water, energy, fertilizer, and labor make even modest yield increases important. Nutrient management is critical with high frequency irrigation. Nitrogen in particular is susceptible to loss from the root zone by leaching, so high frequency irrigation systems require frequent, light nitrogen applications. This is facilitated by distribution of nutrients through the irrigation system. Other chemicals such as soil fumigents for nematode control, systemic insecticides, and herbicides can also be injected into the irrigation system and applied very uniformly to the crop. This research was directed toward defining the best management practices for irrigation timing and fertilizer applications under high frequency irrigation. The specific objectives were to: 1. quantitatively determine plant nutrient requirements for specific crops grown under high frequency irrigation, under optimum soil-water metric potential, and 2. evaluate the impact of high frequency irrigation on water quality and water and energy consumption

Sensory specific satiety: More than ‘just’ habituation?

AbstractSensory specific satiety (SSS) describes the decline in pleasantness associated with a food as it is eaten relative to a food that has not been eaten (the ‘eaten’ and ‘uneaten’ foods, respectively). The prevailing view is that SSS is governed by habituation. Nevertheless, the extent to which SSS results solely from this ‘low-level’ process remains unclear. Three experiments were conducted to explore the hypothesis that ‘top-down’ cognitive activity affects the expression of SSS; specifically, we manipulated participants' expectations about whether or not they would have access to alternative test foods (uneaten foods) after consuming a test meal (eaten food). This manipulation was motivated by ‘Commodity Theory,’ which describes the relative increase in value of a commodity when it becomes unavailable. We tested the hypothesis that a decline in the pleasantness and desire to eat the eaten food is exaggerated when uneaten foods are unavailable to participants. None of our findings supported this proposition – we found no evidence that SSS is dependent on top-down processes associated with the availability of other uneaten test foods