Low-speed aerodynamic characteristics of a 13.1-percent-thick, high-lift airfoil

Low speed sectional characteristics of a high lift airfoil are studied and a comparison is made of those characteristics with the predictions of the theoretical methods used in the airfoil's design. The 13.1 percent-thick, UI-1720 airfoil was found to achieve the predicted maximum lift coefficient of nearly 2.0. No upper-surface, flow separation was found below the stall angle of attack of 16 degrees; it appeared that stall was due to an abrupt leading edge flow separation

Upgrading Reliability of Water Distribution Networks Recognizing Valve Locations

AbstractAn iterative procedure for upgrading water distribution network reliability is proposed by recognizing valve locations. In each iteration, three types of alternatives: (1) an addition of a valve(s) to pipe(s) without a valve; (2) an addition of a parallel pipe to an existing pipe; and (3) an increase in size of newly added pipes, are compared and the best is implemented. The iterative method is continued until no further improvement in reliability is possible, or a desired level of reliability is reached. This method is illustrated through an example taken from literature

Segment-based Reliability/Supply Short Fall Analysis of Water Distribution Networks

AbstractPipe failure is a major parameter affecting the reliability of a water distribution network (WDN). A WDN consists of isolation valves which are closed to isolate a failed pipe for repairs. Depending up on the location of valves, a group of pipes termed as a segment gets isolated. Herein, reliability is estimated based on supply shortfall considering isolation of an appropriate segment on failure of a pipe. Supply shortfall is obtained using node flow analysis. An existing water main system is chosen as an example to compare the reliability values obtained by considering the actual location of valves and valves in each pipes on either end

Propeller study. Part 3: Experimental determination of thrust and torque on the YO-3A aircraft

Instrumentation and procedures for obtaining in-flight measurements of the torque and thrust of a propeller mounted on a YO-3A aircraft are described. Problems encountered in the study are discussed and methods for eliminating these difficulties are suggested

\u3cem\u3eWater Expert\u3c/em\u3e: A Conceptualized Framework for Development of a Rule-Based Decision Support System for Distribution System Decontamination

Significant drinking water contamination events pose a serious threat to public and environmental health. Water utilities often must make timely, critical decisions without evaluating all facets of the incident. The data needed to enact informed decisions are inevitably dispersant and disparate, originating from policy, science, and heuristic contributors. Water Expert is a functioning hybrid decision support system (DSS) and expert system framework that emphasizes the meshing of parallel data structures in order to expedite and optimize the decision pathway. Delivered as a thin-client application through the user\u27s web browser, Water Expert\u27s extensive knowledgebase is a product of inter-university collaboration that methodically pieced together system decontamination procedures. Decontamination procedures are investigated through consultation with subject matter experts, literature review, and prototyping with stakeholders. This paper discusses the development of Water Expert, analyzing the development process underlying the DSS and the system\u27s existing architecture specifications. Water Expert constitutes the first system to employ a combination of deterministic and heuristic models which provide decontamination solutions for water distribution systems. Results indicate that the decision making process following a contamination event is a multi-disciplinary effort. This contortion of multiple inputs and objectives limit the ability of the decision maker to find optimum solutions without technological intervention

Reactive and responsive functionalized membranes

Surface functionalization of traditional NF, RO, and UF membranes to reduce fouling has been widely reported in the literature. On the other hand, pore functionalization of MF membranes through in-situ polymerization or attachment of macromolecules brings in new opportunities through pore conformation change and creation of high density active sites. These approaches dramatically enhance the applications of membranes in water and bio-nano field. The development of responsive, multifunctional materials and membranes for environmental applications requires a high level of control of both the characteristics of the base polymeric or inorganic support layer, as well as, its corresponding surface properties. Synthesis of membranes functionalized with appropriate macromolecules or reactive groups or enzymes and nano-catalytic particles can indeed provide applications ranging from tunable flux and separations, high-capacity metal capture, to toxic organic degradation by nanoparticles or enzymes. The use of macromolecules, such as, poly-acrylic acid (PAA), poly-glutamic acid (PLGA) provides pH responsive behavior pH modulations, whereas poly-N-isopropylacrylamide (pNIPAAm) provides temperature responsive behavior. The dependence of conformation properties of polyelectrolytes provides tunable separation and membrane flux control by pH or temperature based stimuli responsive properties. Layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly technique, most commonly conducted by intercalation of positive and negative polyelectrolytes or polypeptides, is a powerful, versatile and simple method for assembling supramolecular structures where enzymes or precise porin channels can be incorporated. The presentation will include: (1) synthesis and pore functionalization approaches, and direct polymerization of acrylic acid in membrane pores (lab-scale to full-scale), (2) pH and temperature responsive behavior, and catalytic nanoparticle synthesis in pores for environmentally important reductive and oxidative reactions, (3) pore functionalized (LbL approach) membranes for enzymatic (glucose oxidase and laccase), and environmentally important reactions,(4) porin channels for selective separations, (5) combination NF-Functionalized membrane process for practical applications in energy industries. The authors acknowledge the support of NSF KY EPSCoR program, NIH-NIEHS-SRC program, Southern services Co, Chevron Corporation, and Nanostone Membranes for full-scale membrane development work. The authors also acknowledge the highly significant research contributions of Drs. Li, Lewis, Ritchie, Hestekin, Meeks, and Gui

A pilot study comparing the metabolic profiles of elite-level athletes from different sporting disciplines

Background: The outstanding performance of an elite athlete might be associated with changes in their blood metabolic profile. The aims of this study were to compare the blood metabolic profiles between moderate- and high-power and endurance elite athletes and to identify the potential metabolic pathways underlying these differences. Methods: Metabolic profiling of serum samples from 191 elite athletes from different sports disciplines (121 high- and 70 moderate-endurance athletes, including 44 high- and 144 moderate-power athletes), who participated in national or international sports events and tested negative for doping abuse at anti-doping laboratories, was performed using non-targeted metabolomics-based mass spectroscopy combined with ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography. Multivariate analysis was conducted using orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis. Differences in metabolic levels between high- and moderate-power and endurance sports were assessed by univariate linear models. Results: Out of 743 analyzed metabolites, gamma-glutamyl amino acids were significantly reduced in both high-power and high-endurance athletes compared to moderate counterparts, indicating active glutathione cycle. High-endurance athletes exhibited significant increases in the levels of several sex hormone steroids involved in testosterone and progesterone synthesis, but decreases in diacylglycerols and ecosanoids. High-power athletes had increased levels of phospholipids and xanthine metabolites compared to moderate-power counterparts. Conclusions: This pilot data provides evidence that high-power and high-endurance athletes exhibit a distinct metabolic profile that reflects steroid biosynthesis, fatty acid metabolism, oxidative stress, and energy-related metabolites. Replication studies are warranted to confirm differences in the metabolic profiles associated with athletes’ elite performance in independent data sets, aiming ultimately for deeper understanding of the underlying biochemical processes that could be utilized as biomarkers with potential therapeutic implications

Changes in body composition and performance with supplemental HMB-FA+ATP (Manuscript Clarification)

Additional co-authors: Matthew D. Vukovich, Colin Wilborn, and Darryn S. Willoughb

Effects of whey protein alone or as part of a multi-ingredient formulation on strength, fat-free mass, or lean body mass in resistance-trained individuals: A meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Even though the positive effects of whey protein-containing supplements for optimizing the anabolic responses and adaptations process in resistance-trained individuals have been supported by several investigations, their use continues to be controversial. Additionally, the administration of different multi-ingredient formulations where whey proteins are combined with carbohydrates, other protein sources, creatine, and amino acids or derivatives, has been extensively proposed as an effective strategy to maximize strength and muscle mass gains in athletes. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to systematically summarize and quantify whether whey protein-containing supplements, administered alone or as a part of a multi-ingredient, could improve the effects of resistance training on fat-free mass or lean body mass, and strength in resistance-trained individuals when compared with other iso-energetic supplements containing carbohydrates or other sources of proteins. METHODS: A structured literature search was conducted on PubMed, Science Direct, Web of Science, Cochrane Libraries, US National Institutes of Health clinicaltrials.gov, SPORTDiscus, and Google Scholar databases. Main inclusion criteria comprised randomized controlled trial study design, adults (aged 18 years and over), resistance-trained individuals, interventions (a resistance training program for a period of 6 weeks or longer, combined with whey protein supplementation administered alone or as a part of a multi-ingredient), and a calorie equivalent contrast supplement from carbohydrates or other non-whey protein sources. Continuous data on fat-free mass and lean body mass, and maximal strength were pooled using a random-effects model. RESULTS: Data from nine randomized controlled trials were included, involving 11 treatments and 192 participants. Overall, with respect to the ingestion of contrast supplements, whey protein supplementation, administered alone or as part of a multi-ingredient, in combination with resistance training, was associated with small extra gains in fat-free mass or lean body mass, resulting in an effect size of g = 0.301, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.032-0.571. Subgroup analyses showed less clear positive trends resulting in small to moderate effect size g = 0.217 (95% CI -0.113 to 0.547) and g = 0.468 (95% CI 0.003-0.934) in favor of whey and multi-ingredient, respectively. Additionally, a positive overall extra effect was also observed to maximize lower (g = 0.316, 95% CI 0.045-0.588) and upper body maximal strength (g = 0.458, 95% CI 0.161-0.755). Subgroup analyses showed smaller superiority to maximize strength gains with respect to the contrast groups for lower body (whey protein: g = 0.343, 95% CI -0.016 to 0.702, multi-ingredient: g = 0.281, 95% CI -0.135 to 0.697) while in the upper body, multi-ingredient (g = 0.612, 95% CI 0.157-1.068) seemed to produce more clear effects than whey protein alone (g = 0.343, 95% CI -0.048 to 0.735). LIMITATIONS: Studies involving interventions of more than 6 weeks on resistance-training individuals are scarce and account for a small number of participants. Furthermore, no studies with an intervention longer than 12 weeks have been found. The variation regarding the supplementation protocol, namely the different doses criteria or timing of ingestion also add some concerns to the studies comparison. CONCLUSIONS: Whey protein alone or as a part of a multi-ingredient appears to maximize lean body mass or fat-free mass gain, as well as upper and lower body strength improvement with respect to the ingestion of an iso-energetic equivalent carbohydrate or non-whey protein supplement in resistance-training individuals. This enhancement effect seems to be more evident when whey proteins are consumed within a multi-ingredient containing creatine