Development of a speech autocuer

A wearable, visually based prosthesis for the deaf based upon the proven method for removing lipreading ambiguity known as cued speech was fabricated and tested. Both software and hardware developments are described, including a microcomputer, display, and speech preprocessor

A physics-based life prediction methodology for thermal barrier coating systems

A novel mechanistic approach is proposed for the prediction of the life of thermal barrier coating (TBC) systems. The life prediction methodology is based on a criterion linked directly to the dominant failure mechanism. It relies on a statistical treatment of the TBC's morphological characteristics, non-destructive stress measurements and on a continuum mechanics framework to quantify the stresses that promote the nucleation and growth of microcracks within the TBC. The last of these accounts for the effects of TBC constituents' elasto-visco-plastic properties, the stiffening of the ceramic due to sintering and the oxidation at the interface between the thermally insulating yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ) layer and the metallic bond coat. The mechanistic approach is used to investigate the effects on TBC life of the properties and morphology of the top YSZ coating, metallic low-pressure plasma sprayed bond coat and the thermally grown oxide. Its calibration is based on TBC damage inferred from non-destructive fluorescence measurements using piezo-spectroscopy and on the numerically predicted local TBC stresses responsible for the initiation of such damage. The potential applicability of the methodology to other types of TBC coatings and thermal loading conditions is also discussed

An evaluation of the Goddard Space Flight Center Library

The character and degree of coincidence between the current and future missions, programs, and projects of the Goddard Space Flight Center and the current and future collection, services, and facilities of its library were determined from structured interviews and discussions with various classes of facility personnel. In addition to the tabulation and interpretation of the data from the structured interview survey, five types of statistical analyses were performed to corroborate (or contradict) the survey results and to produce useful information not readily attainable through survey material. Conclusions reached regarding compatability between needs and holdings, services and buildings, library hours of operation, methods of early detection and anticipation of changing holdings requirements, and the impact of near future programs are presented along with a list of statistics needing collection, organization, and interpretation on a continuing or longitudinal basis

Applications of aerospace technology in biology and medicine

Utilization of National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) technology in medicine is discussed. The objective is best obtained by stimulation of the introduction of new or improved commercially available medical products incorporating aerospace technology. A bipolar donor/recipient model of medical technology transfer is presented to provide a basis for the team's methodology. That methodology is designed to: (1) identify medical problems and NASA technology that, in combination, constitute opportunities for successful medical products; (2) obtain the early participation of industry in the transfer process; and (3) obtain acceptance by the medical community of new medical products based on NASA technology. Two commercial transfers were completed: the Stowaway, a lightweight wheelchair that provides mobility for the disabled and elderly in the cabin of commercial aircraft, and Micromed, a portable medication infusion pump for the reliable, continuous infusion of medications such as heparin or insulin. The marketing and manufacturing factors critical to the commercialization of the lightweight walker incorporating composite materials were studied. Progress was made in the development and commercialization of each of the 18 currently active projects

Caracterización de grietas de delaminación en laminados 0/90 simétricos

IV CONGRESO NACIONAL DE MATERIALES COMPUESTOS. Celebrado en Gijón, los días 21,22 y 23 de Noviembre de 2001La presencia en un laminado de láminas a 90° con respecto a la dirección preferente de la carga origina la aparición casi inmediata de grietas transversales (paralelas a las fibras) en la lámina a 90º,que alcanzan la interfase con la lámina vecina, presumiblemente a 0º. Esto puede originar la bifurcación de la grieta, que se propaga ahora en forma de delaminación entre las dos láminas. El objetivo de este estudio es el caracterizar el estado tensional en el fondo de la grieta de delaminación para diferentes longitudes de la misma. Ello es el primer paso para establecer los criterios de Mecánica de la Fractura que deben ser aplicados en la predicción de la aparición y propagación de este tipo de daño.The presence in a laminate of laminas oriented 90 degrees with respect to the preferent direction of load generates almost immediately the appearance in these laminas of cracks transversal to the load (parallel to the fibres in the lamina). These cracks reach the interface with the neighbour lamina, which is usually oriented 0 degrees. This can originate the bifurcation of the crack, which appears now propagating as a delamination crack between the two laminas. The objective of this study is to characterize the stress state at the tip crack of the delamination crack for different lengths of the crack. This is the first step to establish appropriate criteria based on Fracture Mechanics to predict the appearance and growth of this type of damage

A look at ‘fishy drag’ and androgynous fashion: Exploring the border spaces beyond gender-normative deviance for the straight, cisgendered woman

This article seeks to re-explore and critique the current trend of androgyny in fashion and popular culture and the potential it may hold for gender-deviant dress and politics. In order to do this, it will discuss the way in which a popular version of male drag has monopolized a vision of gender subversion that has marginalized ‘straight’ cisgendered women’s transgressive challenge to gender norms. Although not misogynistic in itself, RuPaul’s Drag Race (Logo 2009–2017) brings to the surface the misogyny inherent in femininity – the performance underscores deeper asymmetrical power imbalances which are embedded in women’s daily lives. Recent unisex fashion collections with their subsequent campaigns have sought to address this imbalance; however, this is not a problem with an easy fix. This article looks at the way in which particular performers such as Grace Jones and Harnaam Kaur have ad(dressed) their gender resistance without camouflaging and thus losing sight of a feminist history of gender inequality which still strongly resonates

Reflection on remote teaching and learning of a final-year BPharm clinical training module during a pandemic

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Endoscopic Management of Cavernous Carotid Surgical Complications: Evaluation of a Simulated Perfusion Model

Objective—Endoscopic surgical treatment of pituitary tumors, lateral invading tumors, or aneurysms requires surgeons to operate adjacent to the cavernous sinus. During these endoscopic endonasal procedures, the carotid artery is vulnerable to surgical injury at its genu. The objective of this simulation model was to evaluate trainees regarding management of a potentially lifethreatening vascular injury. Methods—Cadaveric heads were prepared in accordance with the Oregon Health & Science University body donation program. An endoscopic endonasal approach was used, and a perfusion pump with a catheter was placed in the ipsilateral common carotid artery at its origin in the neck. Learners used a muscle graft to establish vascular control and were evaluated over 3 training sessions. Simulation assessment, blood loss during sessions, and performance metric data were collected for learners. Results—Vascular control was obtained at a mean arterial pressure of 65 mm Hg using a muscle graft correctly positioned at the arteriotomy site. Learners improved over the course of training, with senior residents (n = 4) performing better across all simulation categories (situation awareness, decision making, communications and teamwork, and leadership); the largest mean difference was in communication and teamwork. Additionally, learner performance concerning blood loss improved between sessions (t = 3.667, P \u3c 0.01). Conclusions—In this pilot endoscopic endonasal simulation study, we successfully demonstrate a vascular complication perfusion model. Learners were able to gain direct applicable expertise in endoscopic endonasal techniques, instrumentation use, and teamwork required to optimize the technique. Learners gained skills of vascular complication management that transcend this model

Factors influencing the inspirational effect of major sports events on audience sport participation behaviour

The purpose of this paper is to elucidate the factors that determine the extent to which spectators attending one-off sports events feel inspired to increase their own participation in sport. The research considers both the socio-demographic and sport participation profile of the audience as well as the characteristics of an event as predictors of inspiration. The methodological approach involved secondary analysis of data collected from audiences across 10 events held in England since 2010. The findings are based on an aggregate sample of 7458 respondents. The statistical method used to analyse the data was multinomial logistic regression. The results show that the majority of respondents were inspired by the event that they attended, but the strength of the inspiration effect varied significantly according to their age; place of residence; ethnic origin; sport participation profile; and whether or not they had been exposed to information about opportunities to undertake sport. Moreover, events featuring team sports, non-age restricted events and elite events incorporating a mass participation component were also found to be positively related to inspiration. Several policy implications are identified for event organizers and public funders of both elite and community sport

An evaluation of the capability of data conversion of impression creep test

High temperature power plant components are now working far beyond their operative designed life. Establishing their in-service material properties has become a matter of significant concern for power generation companies. Advantages for the assessment of creep material properties may come from miniature specimen creep testing techniques, like impression creep testing method, which can be treated as a quasistatic non-destructive technique and requires a small volume of material that can be scooped from in-service critical components, and can produce reliable secondary creep data. This paper presents an overview of impression creep testing method to highlight the capability in determining the minimum creep strain rate data by use of conversion relationships that relates uniaxial creep test data and impression creep test data. Stepped-load and stepped-temperature impression creep tests are also briefly described. Furthermore, the paper presents some new impression creep test data and their correlation with uniaxial data, obtained from P91, P92 and ½CrMoV steels at different stresses and temperatures. The presented data, in terms of creep strain rate against the reference uniaxial stress, are useful for calibration of impression creep testing technique and provide further comparative results for the evaluation of the reliability of the method in determining secondary creep properties