Motion of buoyant particles and coarsening of solid-liquid mixtures in a random acceleration field

Flow induced by a random acceleration field (g-jitter) is considered in two related situations that are of interest for microgravity fluid experiments: the random motion of an isolated buoyant particle and coarsening of a solid-liquid mixture. We start by analyzing in detail actual accelerometer data gathered during a recent microgravity mission, and obtain the values of the parameters defining a previously introduced stochastic model of this acceleration field. We then study the motion of a solid particle suspended in an incompressible fluid that is subjected to such random accelerations. The displacement of the particle is shown to have a diffusive component if the correlation time of the stochastic acceleration is finite or zero, and mean squared velocities and effective diffusion coefficients are obtained explicitly. Finally, the effect of g-jitter on coarsening of a solid-liquid mixture is considered. Corrections due to the induced fluid motion are calculated, and estimates are given for coarsening of Sn-rich particles in a Sn-Pb eutectic fluid, experiment to be conducted in microgravity in the near future.Comment: 25 pages, 4 figures (included). Also at http://www.scri.fsu.edu/~vinals/ross2.p

An Embodied Spiritual Inquiry into the Nature of Human Boundaries: Outcomes of a Participatory Approach to Transpersonal Education and Research

Embodied spiritual inquiry (ESI) is a radical approach to integral and transpersonal education and research offered as a graduate course at the California Institute of Integral Studies (CIIS). Inspired by elements of participatory research and cooperative inquiry, ESI applies interactive embodied meditations to access multiple ways of knowing (e.g., somatic, vital, emotional, mental, contemplative) and mindfully inquire into collaboratively decided questions. This article presents the learning outcomes of an inquiry into the nature of human boundaries within and between co-inquirers, providing an example of how ESI is implemented in the classroom and can be used to study transpersonal subject matter. In particular, the study found that boundaries were experienced in terms of their dynamic effects rather than as static qualities, with a relationship between dissociation and overly firm boundaries, as well as a relationship between integration/merging and more varied combinations of firm and permeable boundaries. Other notable inquiry outcomes include the identification of (a) experiential qualities of the states of dissociation, merging, and integration; (b) a recursive relationship between fear and trust in the modulation of optimal interpersonal boundaries; and (c) the phenomenon of shared emergent experience between practitioners, which suggests the existence of an intersubjective transpersonal field

Fluid Physics in a Fluctuating Acceleration Environment

We summarize several aspects of an ongoing investigation of the effects that stochastic residual accelerations (g-jitter) onboard spacecraft can have on experiments conducted in a microgravity environment. The residual acceleration field is modeled as a narrow band noise, characterized by three independent parameters: intensity (g(exp 2)), dominant angular frequency Omega, and characteristic correlation time tau. Realistic values for these parameters are obtained from an analysis of acceleration data corresponding to the SL-J mission, as recorded by the SAMS instruments. We then use the model to address the random motion of a solid particle suspended in an incompressible fluid subjected to such random accelerations. As an extension, the effect of jitter on coarsening of a solid-liquid mixture is briefly discussed, and corrections to diffusion controlled coarsening evaluated. We conclude that jitter will not be significant in the experiment 'Coarsening of solid-liquid mixtures' to be conducted in microgravity. Finally, modifications to the location of onset of instability in systems driven by a random force are discussed by extending the standard reduction to the center manifold to the stochastic case. Results pertaining to time-modulated oscillatory convection are briefly discussed

An Embodied Spiritual Inquiry into the Nature of Human Boundaries: Outcomes of a Participatory Approach to Transpersonal Education and Research

Embodied spiritual inquiry (ESI) is a radical approach to integral and transpersonal education and research offered as a graduate course at the California Institute of Integral Studies (CIIS). Inspired by elements of participatory research and cooperative inquiry, ESI applies interactive embodied meditations to access multiple ways of knowing (e.g., somatic, vital, emotional, mental, contemplative) and mindfully inquire into collaboratively decided questions. This article presents the learning outcomes of an inquiry into the nature of human boundaries within and between co-inquirers, providing an example of how ESI is implemented in the classroom and can be used to study transpersonal subject matter. In particular, the study found that boundaries were experienced in terms of their dynamic effects rather than as static qualities, with a relationship between dissociation and overly firm boundaries, as well as a relationship between integration/merging and more varied combinations of firm and permeable boundaries. Other notable inquiry outcomes include the identification of (a) experiential qualities of the states of dissociation, merging, and integration; (b) a recursive relationship between fear and trust in the modulation of optimal interpersonal boundaries; and (c) the phenomenon of shared emergent experience between practitioners, which suggests the existence of an intersubjective transpersonal field

Influencia en los factores de riesgos cardiovascular y psicosocial en transportistas de vehículos de carga pesada, caso de estudio Compañía Reconstransport.

Este documento contiene archivo en PDF.Se realiza un estudio de tipo cuantitativo de nivel aplicativo, para identificar, el número de casos de factores predisponentes para enfermedades cardiovasculares y trastornos psicosociales, en los conductores de vehículos de carga pesada de la empresa Repcontransport S.A localizada en el norte de la ciudad de Guayaquil, en el Km 17.5 vía Perimetral. El total de conductores estudiados fueron cuarenta, todos de sexo masculino, comprendidos entre los 19 a 63 años de edad, en el periodo 2014-2015. Se encontró casos de enfermedades cardiovasculares en un 85% del total de la población en estudio, con un incremento de casos en conductores de entre los 21 a 40 años de edad, con dieciséis casos (47.5%), llegando a cifras superiores al 50% entre los mayores de cuarenta y uno, con diecisiete de los casos. Entre los factores de riesgo, para la aparición de enfermedades cardiovasculares, tenemos el colesterol total elevado, con el 33 de los casos de la población, equivalente al 82.5%, seguido de obesidad general con 33 de los casos, equivalente al 82.5%, seguido de los triglicéridos elevados con 28 de los casos, equivalente al 78%, seguido de la obesidad abdominal con 18 de los casos, equivalente al 45%, seguido de hipertensión arterial con 11 casos equivalente al 27.5%, seguido de 7 casos con alteración del electrocardiograma, equivalente al 17,5%. En cuanto al hábito de fumar, el 72% de los conductores son fumadores, y la mayoría de ellos, 85% están sometidos al estrés propio de esta profesión. En cuanto a la identificación de los factores de riesgo psicosocial se aplicó el test fpsico versión 3.0, del Instituto Nacional de Seguridad e Higiene en el Trabajo (INSHT), en la cual se encontró valores elevados en los factores de riesgo de tiempo de trabajo y participación supervisión con un 40%, con una media del 26.30 y de un 60%, con una media de 38.35 respectivamente.Quantitative study level application is made to identify the number of cases of predisposing factors for cardiovascular diseases and psychosocial disorders, drivers of heavy vehicles Repcontransport SA Company located in the north of the city of Guayaquil at Km 17.5 Perimeter road. The total of forty drivers tested was all male, between the ages of 19-63 years old, in the period 2014-2015. cases of cardiovascular disease was found in 85% of the study population, an increase of cases in drivers between 21-40 years of age, with sixteen cases (47.5%), reaching figures above 50% among those aged forty-one, seventeen cases. Among the risk factors for cardiovascular diseases, I have elevated total cholesterol, with 33 cases of the population, equal to 82.5%, followed by general obesity with 33 cases, equivalent to 82.5%, followed of triglycerides with 28 cases, equivalent to 78%, followed by abdominal obesity with 18 cases, equivalent to 45% followed by arterial hypertension with 11 cases reached 27.5%, followed by 7 cases with altered electrocardiogram, equivalent to 17.5%. As to smoking, 72% of drivers are smokers, and most of them, 85% are subject to the stress of the profession itself. As for the identification of psychosocial risk factors the fpsico test version 3.0, the National Institute for Safety and Health at Work (INSHT), in which higher values was found in the risk factors of working time was applied and monitoring participation with 40%, with a mean of 26.30 and 60%, with an average of 38.35 respectively

KINESIOLOGÍA Y ENFERMEDAD PULMONAR OBSTRUCTIVA CRÓNICA

RESUMENLos pacientes con Enfermedad Pulmonar Obstructiva Crónica (EPOC) junto con desarrollar las alteraciones respiratorias propias de la patología desarrollan también alteraciones multisistémicas que repercuten principalmente en la musculatura respiratoria y periférica, reduciendo la capacidad de tolerancia física del paciente a las actividades diarias.Junto al tratamiento médico, la kinesiología representa una importante herramienta terapéutica, ya que se orienta a mantener las capacidades físicas del paciente, tanto en sus condicionantes respiratorias como motoras.El objetivo de este artículo es mostrar la importancia de la kinesiología en este grupo de pacientes, tanto durante su periodo de hospitalización como en el período de rehabilitación después del alta.SUMMARYThe majority of patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) develop the classic respiratory alterations, as well as systemic dysfunctions, by which contribute to the deterioration of the respiratory and the skeletal muscles. Consequently, all of this muscle dysfunction reduce the physical capacity in the COPD patients to develop their diary activities.The physical therapy as a complementary treatment of the medical management, is an important therapeutic tool to maintain the physical abilities of the COPD patients as much in the respiratory function as in the motor area.This paper attempts to review the importance of the physical therapy in the COPD patients, such as in the hospitalization time and in the consecutive rehabilitation time

Study adherence in a tDCS longitudinal clinical trial with people with spinal cord injury

Study design Secondary analysis of a clinical trial.Objectives To analyze adherence to 1-year transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) clinical trial in people with chronic pain due to spinal cord injury (SCI). We also explore the association between dropout and several baseline variables such as age, depression levels, pain severity, number of days with pain in the last 7 days, walking ability, sleep, work, relationship with others, and enjoyment with life.Setting Boston, USA.Methods Forty-six participants were enrolled in this trial, and 33 participants were randomized to receive either active or sham tDCS.Results Using the full intention-to-treat (ITT) criteria, only 8 participants (24%) finished the study. The median time to dropout was seven (IQR:6,19) sessions (i.e., immediately after the first follow-up), regardless of the type of stimulation that participants received (active vs. sham tDCS) (chi(2) = 0.025, p = 0.875). An exploratory analysis suggested that only the number of days with pain in the last 7 days was moderately associated with dropout, with people experiencing less pain being more prone to dropout from the study.Conclusions Despite all the measures to improve study adherence (such as providing parking, flexibility to schedule sessions, follow-up with participants by phone), it seems that long follow-up periods may increase the likelihood of dropout. Given the need to understand long-term effects of interventions, longitudinal trials need to consider alternative designs or methods of treatment (for instance home treatment or home assessment) to decrease attrition rate.This project was supported by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR grant numbers H133N110010 and 90SI5021-01-00). SC and JL are supported by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology PTDC/MHC-PCN/3950/2014; SC is also funded by the following FCT grant IF/00091/2015

Feasibility of remotely-supervised tDCS in a person with neuropathic pain due to spinal cord injury

[Excerpt] Nearly 40% of people with spinal cord injury (SCI) report neuropathic pain that is often refractory to medications.1,2 Substantial research has shown that anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) over the motor cortex can induce clinically significant pain relief in chronic pain.3–6 However, these clinical trials often require multiple study visits per trial and are associated to poor adherence to the study protocol. For instance, in our recent tDCS study in SCI, only 7 participants from the initial 46 that were enrolled completed the study.7 In fact, despite all attempts to improve adherence, such as flexibility to schedule sessions, free parking and follow-ups by the phone, most participants ended up dropping out from the study. Since many people with SCI have limited mobility, alternatives for home-based care are needed. Here we report the feasibility of supervised home-based tDCS application in a 57-year old woman with tetraplegia and sublesional neuropathic pain secondary to SCI since 2012. At time of enrollment, she self-reported pain as being 9 out of 10 in a visual analogue scale. [...]This project was supported by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR grant numbers 90DP0035 and H133N110010)