4,146 research outputs found

    Development and demonstration of flueric sounding rocket motor ignition

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    An analytical and experimental program is described which established a flueric rocket motor ignition system concept incorporating a pneumatic match with a simple hand pump as the only energy source. An evaluation was made of this concept to determine the margins of the operating range and capabilities of every component of the system. This evaluation included a determination of power supply requirements, ignitor geometry and alinement, ignitor/propellant interfacing and materials and the effects of ambient temperatures and pressure. It was demonstrated that an operator using a simple hand pump for 30 seconds could ignite BKNO3 at a standoff distance of 100 m (330 ft) with the only connection to the ignitor being a piece of plastic pneumatic tubing

    Ignition of sounding rocket motors with hand-pumped air

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    Method demonstrates inexpensive, safe, and foolproof concept for solid propellant rocket motors, using simple handpump to deliver air. Flueric ignition was accomplished using system without stored energy and with complete absence of electrical energy and wiring

    Meshless Numerical Solution of Boundary Integral Equations based on Non Uniform Rational Basis-Splines

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    Determinants associated with obesity and physical activity in the public and private schools of the city of palermo

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    Introduction: Obesity is a medical condition associated with premature death and it is a risk factor for many chronic diseases. In this context, performing a regular physical activity promotes a healthy lifestyle, with significant health benefits. The aim of the study was to investigate behaviors that increase the risk of obesity and the determinants that encourage physical activity among adolescents. Materials and methods: The HBSC (Health Behavior in School-aged Children) questionnaire was administered to students in Palermo's private and public schools. For the sampling of public schools the protocol of the HBSC Surveillance System was followed; for the private ones it was opportunistic. Results: Private school students are more likely to exercise more than 3 days per week (OR 1.58) and are more likely to exercise more than 2 times a week (OR 2.08). Obese students in private schools in Palermo are more likely to perform physical activity for less than 3 days a week (OR 3.52) and a higher risk of not having breakfast (OR 10.11) and a snack between main meals (OR 3.82) every day. For all the schools examined, it emerged that obese subjects are more likely not to consume fruit (OR 3.13), to stay more than 6 hours a day in front of PCs and video games (OR 3.24) and more than 2 hours a day in front of TV (OR 3.79). Male students are more likely to perform physical activity for more than 3 days per week (OR 1.48) and intense physical activity at least 2 times per week (OR 1.76) Conclusions: It is necessary to intervene early with training on school and family in order to promote correct and responsible food choices and increase the level of physical activity among students. Therefore prevention interventions must be an integral part of coherent strategies based on tests of agreed effectiveness in order to minimize the risk linked to the development of diseases

    Monitoring the Agung (Indonesia) ash plume of November 2017 by means of infrared Himawari 8 data

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    The Agung volcano (Bali; Indonesia) erupted in later November 2017 after several years of quiescence. Because of ash emissions, hundreds of flights were cancelled, causing an important air traffic disruption in Indonesia. We investigate those ash emissions from space by applying the RSTASH algorithm for the first time to Himawari-8 data and using an ad hoc implementation scheme to reduce the time of the elaboration processes. Himawari-8 is a new generation Japanese geostationary meteorological satellite, whose AHI (Advanced Himawari Imager) sensor offers improved features, in terms of spectral, spatial and temporal resolution, in comparison with the previous imagers of the MTSAT (Multi-Functional Transport Satellite) series. Those features should guarantee further improvements in monitoring rapidly evolving weather/environmental phenomena. Results of this work show that RSTASH was capable of successfully detecting and tracking the Agung ash plume, despite some limitations (e.g., underestimation of ash coverage under certain conditions; generation of residual artefacts). Moreover, estimates of ash cloud-top height indicate that the monitored plume extended up to an altitude of about 9.3 km above sea level during the period 25 November at 21:10 UTC-26 November at 00:50 UTC. The study demonstrates that RSTASH may give a useful contribution for the operational monitoring of ash clouds over East Asia and the Western Pacific region, well exploiting the 10 min temporal resolution and the spectral features of the Himawari-8 data

    TRACHEOSTOMY MECHANICAL VENTILATION IN PATIENTS WITH AMYOTROPHIC LATERAL SCLEROSIS: CLINICAL FEATURES AND SURVIVAL ANALYSIS.

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    Background: Tracheostomy mechanical ventilation (TMV) is performed in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients with a respiratory failure or when the non-invasive ventilation (NIV) is no longer effective. We evaluated the clinical characteristics and survival of a cohort of tracheostomized ALS patients, followed in a single ALS Clinical Center. Methods: Between 2001 and 2010, 87 out of 279 ALS patients were submitted to TMV. Onset was spinal in 62 and bulbar in 25. After tracheostomy, most patients were followed up through telephone interviews to caregivers. A complete survival analysis could be performed in fifty-two TMV patients. Results: 31.3% ALS patients underwent tracheostomy, with a male prevalence (M/F=1.69) and a median age of 61 years (interquartile range=47–66). After tracheostomy, nearly all patients were under home care. TMV ALS patients were more likely than non-tracheostomized (NT) patients to be implanted with a PEG device, although the bulbar-/spinal-onset ratio did not differ between the two groups. Kaplan–Meyer analysis showed that tracheostomy increases median survival (TMV, 47 months vs NT, 31 months, p=0.008), with the greatest effect in patients younger than 60 at onset (TMV≤60 years, 57.5 months vs NT≤60 years, 38.5 months, p=0.002). Conclusions: TMV is increasingly performed in ALS patients. Nearly all TMV patients live at home and most of them are fed through a PEG device. Survival after tracheostomy is generally increased, with the stronger effect in patients younger than 60. This survival advantage is apparently lost when TMV is performed in patients older than 60. The results of this study might be useful for the decision-making process of patients and their families about this advanced palliative care

    Additive manufacturing for neurosurgery: Digital light processing of individualized patient-specific cerebral aneurysms

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    This study aims at demonstrating the feasibility of reproducing individualized patient-specific three-dimensional models of cerebral aneurysms by using the direct light processing (DLP) 3D printing technique in a low-time and inexpensive way. Such models were used to help neurosurgeons understand the anatomy of the aneurysms together with the surrounding vessels and their relationships, providing, therefore, a tangible supporting tool with which to train and plan surgical operations. The starting 3D models were obtained by processing the computed tomography angiographies and the digital subtraction angiographies of three patients. Then, a 3D DLP printer was used to print the models, and, if acceptable, on the basis of the neurosurgeon's opinion, they were used for the planning of the neurosurgery operation and patient information. All the models were printed within three hours, providing a comprehensive representation of the cerebral aneurysms and the surrounding structures and improving the understanding of their anatomy and simplifying the planning of the surgical operation

    24. In Closing

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    https://crossworks.holycross.edu/poetry2021/1023/thumbnail.jp

    MUNIZ FREIRE E O DESENVOLVIMENTO GEOGRÁFICO DESIGUAL NO ESPÍRITO SANTO A CONSTRUÇÃO DE UMA HERANÇA POLÍTICO-IDEOLÓGICA NO TERRITÓRIO CAPIXABA

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    A presente dissertação versará sobre a Geo-História do Espírito Santo e a influência que José de Melo Carvalho Muniz Freire, Presidente do Estado por dois mandatos (1892-1896 e 1900-1904), teve na inserção deste território em uma lógica de Desenvolvimento Geográfico Desigual. Tendo em vista as prerrogativas ainda hoje observáveis de um franco desequilíbrio político-econômico entre a capital e o restante do Espírito Santo, a investigação aqui proposta buscará identificar o ponto de inflexão nesta organização territorial, na qual a capitalidade política de Vitória também adquire ares culturais e econômicos, centralizando todos os poderes nesta cidade e relegando as demais áreas a meros coadjuvantes: territórios integrados e subservientes à Cidade Presépio. Para tanto, serão utilizados conceitos e teorias de geógrafos como David Harvey, Neil Smith e Milton Santos para justificar as hipóteses propostas, além de trabalhos acadêmicos (dissertações e teses) e obras de autores clássicos e recentes da historiografia capixaba, servindo como base para os relatos que aqui serão traçados. Em assim sendo, visando construir tais relatos para mais tarde analisá-los, realizar-se-á uma retomada da história local, partindo desde a chegada dos portugueses e se pontuando os fatos e eventos considerados mais relevantes na conformação do espaço capixaba até o limiar da Primeira República: uma espécie de tentativa de se registrar parte da herança a qual teriam acesso os primeiros governantes deste novo período no Espírito Santo. Ao se alcançar o início do republicanismo estadual serão observados o contexto aqui existente, como sua economia, estrutura produtiva, aspectos sociais, dentre outros temas considerados chave à compreensão de como era o Estado na virada dos séculos XIX para o XX. Dalí em diante serão observados os dois mandatos de Muniz Freire a frente do território capixaba e seus principais feitos, destacadamente a confecção do Projeto do Novo Arrabalde e a estruturação de uma nova lógica de circulação e transportes baseada no setor ferroviário e na reforma, expansão e aparelhamento do Porto de Vitória. Desse modo, crê-se que, a partir da análise do papel que este governante teve para o Estado, sendo considerado por muitos uma das principais figuras políticas capixabas, bem como a partir da análise de seu ideal positivista consubstanciado em discursos de cunho modernizante e obras deveras pretensiosas para a época, se poderá observar com clareza as mudanças na Divisão Territorial do Trabalho capixaba, antes regida pelos extremos do território, Cachoeiro de Itapemirim ao Sul e São Mateus ao Norte, para a capital, somando-se ainda o estreito vínculo criado entre esta cidade e o Estado vizinho à Oeste, Minas Gerais. Em suma, o que se pretende demonstrar neste trabalho é o caminhar da história local e sua mudança de rota pautada em ideais político-econômicos de um personagem que sintetizava os ideais da época e os anseios da elite local, mesmo que, para isso, tenha mergulhado o Espírito Santo em uma estrutura pautada no Desenvolvimento Geográfico Desigual
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