Study of large-scale mixing in developing wakes behind streamlined bodies

Heat-tagging and conditional sampling techniques were used to study the large scale mixing process in the developing wake behind a streamlined body. The results were used to understand the manner in which the large eddy length scale evolves from a value appropriate to a boundary layer to that appropriate to the asymptotic far-wake

Counterpropagating surface solitons in two-dimensional photorefractive lattices

We study interaction of counterpropagating beams in truncated two-dimensional photonic lattices induced optically in photorefractive crystals, and demonstrate the existence of counterpropagating surface solitons localized in the lattice corners and at the edges. We display intriguing dynamical properties of such composite optical beams and reveal that the lattice surface provides a strong stabilization effect on the beam propagation. We also observe dynamical instabilities for stronger coupling and longer propagation distances in the form of beam splitting. No such instabilities exist in the single beam surface propagation

Message Latency Characterization of a Distributed Live, Virtual, Constructive Simulation Environment

A distributed test environment incorporating Live, Virtual, Constructive, (LVC) concepts was developed to execute standalone and integrated simulations and flight-tests that support unmanned aircraft research for NASAs Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) in the National Airspace System (NAS) Project. The LVC components form the core infrastructure that supports simulation of UAS operations by integrating live and virtual aircraft in a realistic air traffic environment. This LVC infrastructure enables efficient testing by leveraging the use of existing distributed assets. The LVC concepts used for the UAS in the NAS project include live aircraft, flight simulators, and virtual air traffic control assets operating at facilities distributed across multiple NASA Centers. With a distributed network, however, there is a concern that message latency could impact the realism of a simulation and its data. The latencies associated with sending data among these distributed facilities were, therefore, measured to ensure that they fall within acceptable parameters. Several live and virtual test assets were integrated into the LVC infrastructure including NASA Armstrongs Ikhana MQ-9 unmanned aircraft, NASA Glenns S3-B manned aircraft, and the B747 flight simulator at NASA Ames. Average latencies from 100 to 150 milliseconds were observed between the LVC System running at NASA Ames and each of the participating NASA Centers under a light-to-moderate (fifty aircraft) traffic sample

Monitoring and characterization of bacterial populations of two biological air filters during the start up phase

[Abstract] This study aimed to monitor and characterize bacterial populations of two biological air filters during their start up phase (four months). The main objective of this work was to assess the potentiality of a microbiological approach to better understand the evolution of the bacterial populations within biofilters and therefore help to select biomass carrier media. The two biological filters were operated at full-scale (480 m3), filled with organic materials and dedicated to the removal of ammonia and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). The first step of the work consisted in developing an extraction method for the biomass fixed on the solid supports. The second step investigated biofilters’ microbial ecology using molecular tools: DAPI (4,6-DiAmino-2- PhenylIndole), TVC (Total Viable Counts), FISH (Fluorescent In Situ Hybridization) and SSCP (Single Strand Conformation Polymorphism). The findings of the experiments did not show a significant evolution of total bacterial concentrations in biofilms of both biological filters during their start up phase. However, SSCP data analysis underlined important variations in the composition of bacterial populations. Finally, examination of the results highlighted the interest to inoculate organic media in order to reduce the acclimation time of microbial populations

Developing an Adaptable NextGen Interface for the UAS Ground Control Station

Presently a significant number of unmanned aircraft are not included in the existing National Airspace System surveillance system. This is due to many reasons including an inability to carry Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcast equipment for weight or power consumption deficiencies, legacy equipment usage, and the experimental nature of unmanned aircraft. In addition, pilots on the ground do not have the situation awareness to proximal aircraft pilots in the cockpit have. However, many unmanned aircraft utilize a link between the aircraft and ground control station that includes periodic updates to the aircraft position. Technologies have been developed to provide the existing national surveillance system with the location of the aircraft while at the same time providing the ground pilot a display with aircraft that are in the aircrafts proximity, thus expanding the national surveillance data as well as provide increased pilot situation awareness

Observation of surface states on heavily indium doped SnTe(111), a superconducting topological crystalline insulator

The topological crystalline insulator tin telluride is known to host superconductivity when doped with indium (Sn$_{1-x}$In$_{x}$Te), and for low indium contents ($x=0.04$) it is known that the topological surface states are preserved. Here we present the growth, characterization and angle resolved photoemission spectroscopy analysis of samples with much heavier In doping (up to $x\approx0.4$), a regime where the superconducting temperature is increased nearly fourfold. We demonstrate that despite strong p-type doping, Dirac-like surface states persist

Carbon footprint of non-melanoma skin cancer surgery

Background: Climate change poses a significant global health threat and healthcare, including surgery, contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. Efforts have been made to promote sustainability in surgery, but the literature on sustainability in plastic surgery remains limited. Methods: A life-cycle analysis was used to assess and quantify the environmental emissions associated with three distinct reconstructive methods utilized in non-melanoma skin cancer surgery: direct closure, split-thickness skin graft, and full-thickness skin graft. Analyses were conducted in March 2023 in Morriston Hospital, Swansea, UK. The carbon footprints for non-melanoma skin cancer surgery in England and Wales were then estimated. Results: The mean carbon emissions for non-melanoma skin cancer surgery ranged from 29.82 to 34.31 kgCO₂eq. Theatre energy consumption (4.29–8.76 kgCO₂eq) and consumables (16.87 kgCO₂eq) were significant contributors. Waste produced during non-melanoma skin cancer surgery accounted for 1.31 kgCO₂eq and sterilization of reusable surgical instruments resulted in 1.92 kgCO₂eq of carbon emissions. Meanwhile, transportation, dressings, pharmaceuticals, and laundry accounted for 0.57, 2.65, 1.85, and 0.38 kgCO₂eq respectively. The excision of non-melanoma skin cancer with direct closure (19.29–22.41 kgCO₂eq) resulted in the lowest carbon emissions compared with excision with split-thickness skin graft (43.80–49.06 kgCO₂eq) and full-thickness skin graft (31.58–37.02 kgCO₂eq). In 2021, it was estimated that non-melanoma skin cancer surgery had an annual carbon footprint of 306 775 kgCO₂eq in Wales and 4 402 650 kgCO₂eq in England. It was possible to predict that, by 2035, carbon emissions from non-melanoma skin cancer surgery will account for 388 927 kgCO₂eq in Wales and 5 419 770 kgCO₂eq in England. Conclusion: This study highlights the environmental impact of non-melanoma skin cancer in plastic surgery departments and emphasizes the need for sustainable practices. Collaboration between surgeons and policymakers is essential and further data collection is recommended for better analysis

Sem/Edx and Xrd Characterization of Silver Nanocrystalline Thin Film Prepared from Organometallic Solution Precursor

The Ag nano-structured thin films prepared on flat glass substrates have been studied. The ball-like silver nanoparticles have been synthesized in large quantity by using a modified method of hydrolytic decomposition of silver complexes with amino types ligands formed in ethanol aqueous solution. SEM analysis revealed that Ag nanoparticles are all sphere shaped with bimodal size (40 and 70 nm) distribution. The results of XRD powder pattern examination show that Ag nanoparticles are pure phase, well crystallized. The unit cell dimensions measured on synthesized Ag nano films show small but frequent contraction in comparison to Ag metal standard

A randomised comparison evaluating changes in bone mineral density in advanced prostate cancer: luteinising hormone-releasing hormone agonists versus transdermal oestradiol.

BACKGROUND: Luteinising hormone-releasing hormone agonists (LHRHa), used as androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) in prostate cancer (PCa) management, reduce serum oestradiol as well as testosterone, causing bone mineral density (BMD) loss. Transdermal oestradiol is a potential alternative to LHRHa. OBJECTIVE: To compare BMD change in men receiving either LHRHa or oestradiol patches (OP). DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Men with locally advanced or metastatic PCa participating in the randomised UK Prostate Adenocarcinoma TransCutaneous Hormones (PATCH) trial (allocation ratio of 1:2 for LHRHa:OP, 2006-2011; 1:1, thereafter) were recruited into a BMD study (2006-2012). Dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry scans were performed at baseline, 1 yr, and 2 yr. INTERVENTIONS: LHRHa as per local practice, OP (FemSeven 100μg/24h patches). OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: The primary outcome was 1-yr change in lumbar spine (LS) BMD from baseline compared between randomised arms using analysis of covariance. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: A total of 74 eligible men (LHRHa 28, OP 46) participated from seven centres. Baseline clinical characteristics and 3-mo castration rates (testosterone ≤1.7 nmol/l, LHRHa 96% [26 of 27], OP 96% [43 of 45]) were similar between arms. Mean 1-yr change in LS BMD was -0.021g/cm(3) for patients randomised to the LHRHa arm (mean percentage change -1.4%) and +0.069g/cm(3) for the OP arm (+6.0%; p<0.001). Similar patterns were seen in hip and total body measurements. The largest difference between arms was at 2 yr for those remaining on allocated treatment only: LS BMD mean percentage change LHRHa -3.0% and OP +7.9% (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Transdermal oestradiol as a single agent produces castration levels of testosterone while mitigating BMD loss. These early data provide further supporting evidence for the ongoing phase 3 trial. PATIENT SUMMARY: This study found that prostate cancer patients treated with transdermal oestradiol for hormonal therapy did not experience the loss in bone mineral density seen with luteinising hormone-releasing hormone agonists. Other clinical outcomes for this treatment approach are being evaluated in the ongoing PATCH trial. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ISRCTN70406718, PATCH trial (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00303784)