60 research outputs found
Flow Diagnostics and the Acoustic Behavior of a Fan-and-Coil Assembly
Project 84 concentrated on understanding the noise generating mechanisms of axial-flow
fans with the intent of proposing methods of component design and system assembly by
which noise generation is reduced or minimized. The project focused on the fan-coil unit
typical to room air conditioners and many split-system applications.
This report presents the accomplishments of the project, including the design,
construction, and qualification of an anechoic chamber, the acquisition of acoustic, flow,
and pressure data within a fan-coil unit over a typical operating range, and the
development of an understanding of the flow-structure interactions responsible for noise
generation in the fan-coil unit.
This report focuses on the investigation of a method for measuring the dynamic axial
force generated by a fan operating in a steady but spatially non-uniform flow field.
Several variations of a measurement system that uses a cantilever beam were tested.
Experimental results indicated, in all designs, that the measurement system introduced
additional sources of axial motion, occurring at the frequencies of interest and at
amplitudes much larger than the one to be measured. Recommendations for future work
are given.Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Project 8
Emergent Magnetic Order and Correlated Disorder in Formate Metal-organic Frameworks
Magnetic materials with strong local interactions but lacking long-range order have long been a curiosity of physicists. Probing their magnetic interactions is crucial for understanding the unique properties they can exhibit. Metal-organic frameworks have recently gathered more attention as they can produce more exotic structures, allowing for controlled design of magnetic properties not found in conventional metal-oxide materials. Historically, magnetic diffuse scattering in such materials have been overlooked but has attracted greater attention recently, with advances in techniques. In this study we investigate the magnetic structure of metal-organic formate frameworks, using heat capacity, magnetic susceptibility and neutron diffraction. In Tb(DCO2)3 we observe emergent magnetic order at temperatures below 1.2 K, consisting of two k-vectors. Ho(DCO2)3 shows diffuse scattering above 1.6 K, consistent with ferromagnetic chains packed in a frustrated antiferromagnetic triangular lattice, also observed in Tb(DCO2)3 above 1.2 K. The other lanthanides show no short or long-range order down to 1.6 K. The results suggest an Ising-like 1D magnetic order associated with frustration is responsible for the magnetocaloric properties, of some members in this family, improving at higher temperatures
NaIrO3 - A pentavalent post-perovskite
Sodium iridium(V) oxide, NaIrO3, was synthesized by a high pressure solid
state method and recovered to ambient conditions. It is found to be
isostructural with CaIrO3, the much-studied structural analogue of the
high-pressure post-perovskite phase of MgSiO3. Among the oxide
post-perovskites, NaIrO3 is the first example with a pentavalent cation. The
structure consists of layers of corner- and edge-sharing IrO6 octahedra
separated by layers of NaO8 bicapped trigonal prisms. NaIrO3 shows no magnetic
ordering and resistivity measurements show non-metallic behavior. The crystal
structure, electrical and magnetic properties are discussed and compared to
known post-perovskites and pentavalent perovskite metal oxides.Comment: 22 pages, 5 figures. Submitted to Journal of Solid State Chemistr
Divergent effects of static disorder and hole doping in geometrically frustrated b-CaCr2O4
The gallium substituted and calcium deficient variants of geometrically
frustrated b-CaCr2O4, b-CaCr2-2xGa2xO4 (0.02<= x<= 0.25) and b-Ca1-yCr2O4
(0.075<= y<= 0.15), have been investigated by x-ray powder diffraction,
magnetization and specific heat measurements. This allows for a direct
comparison of the effects, in a geometrically frustrated magnet, of the static
disorder that arises from non-magnetic substitution and the dynamic disorder
that arises from hole doping. In both cases, disturbing the Cr3+ lattice
results in a reduction in the degree of magnetic frustration. On substitution
of Ga, which introduces disorder without creating holes, a gradual release of
spins from ordered antiferromagnetic states is observed. In contrast, in the
calcium deficient compounds the introduction of holes induces static
ferrimagnetic ordering and much stronger perturbations of the b-CaCr2O4 host.Comment: 23 pages, 10 figure
Making things happen : a model of proactive motivation
Being proactive is about making things happen, anticipating and preventing problems, and seizing opportunities. It involves self-initiated efforts to bring about change in the work environment and/or oneself to achieve a different future. The authors develop existing perspectives on this topic by identifying proactivity as a goal-driven process involving both the setting of a proactive goal (proactive goal generation) and striving to achieve that proactive goal (proactive goal striving). The authors identify a range of proactive goals that individuals can pursue in organizations. These vary on two dimensions: the future they aim to bring about (achieving a better personal fit within one’s work environment, improving the organization’s internal functioning, or enhancing the organization’s strategic fit with its environment) and whether the self or situation is being changed. The authors then identify “can do,” “reason to,” and “energized to” motivational states that prompt proactive goal generation and sustain goal striving. Can do motivation arises from perceptions of self-efficacy, control, and (low) cost. Reason to motivation relates to why someone is proactive, including reasons flowing from intrinsic, integrated, and identified motivation. Energized to motivation refers to activated positive affective states that prompt proactive goal processes. The authors suggest more distal antecedents, including individual differences (e.g., personality, values, knowledge and ability) as well as contextual variations in leadership, work design, and interpersonal climate, that influence the proactive motivational states and thereby boost or inhibit proactive goal processes. Finally, the authors summarize priorities for future researc
Anti-tumour necrosis factor therapy for early-stage Dupuytren's disease (RIDD): a phase 2b, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
Background
Dupuytren's disease is a common fibrotic condition that causes the fingers to flex irreversibly into the palm. Treatments for late-stage disease all have limitations, and there is no approved treatment for early-stage disease. We identified tumour necrosis factor as a therapeutic target in Dupuytren's disease, and in a dose ranging trial found 40 mg adalimumab in 0·4 mL to be most efficacious. Here we aimed to assess the effects of intranodular injection of adalimumab in early-stage disease.
Methods
In this phase 2b, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial adults with early-stage Dupuytren's disease and an established clinically distinct nodule with a clear history of progression in the preceding 6 months were recruited from two clinical centres in the UK and were randomly assigned 1:1 to receive four injections of adalimumab or saline every 3 months. Participants and assessors were masked. The primary outcome was nodule hardness measured with a durometer at 12 months. Data were analysed by linear mixed effects regression models in the intention-to-treat population with multiple imputation for missing primary outcome data. The trial is registered at the ISRCTN registry, ISRCTN 27786905 and is complete.
Findings
Between Feb 17, 2017, and Jan 11, 2019, 284 participants were screened in the UK and 140 were enrolled. 47 (34%) participants were female and 93 (66%) were male. Mean age of participants was 59·7 years (SD 10·0). Primary outcome data were available from 113 participants. Nodule hardness was lower (−4·6 AU [95% CI −7·1 to −2·2], p=0·0002) in the adalimumab compared with the saline group at 12 months. There were no related serious adverse events; the most common adverse events were minor injection site reactions.
Interpretation
Intranodular injections of adalimumab in participants with early-stage Dupuytren's disease resulted in softening and reduction in size of the nodules. Longer follow-up would be required to assess the effect of tumour necrosis factor inhibition on disease progression, extension deficit and hand function.
Funding
Health Innovation Challenge Fund (Wellcome Trust, Department of Health) and 180 Life Sciences
The state of the Martian climate
60°N was +2.0°C, relative to the 1981–2010 average value (Fig. 5.1). This marks a new high for the record. The average annual surface air temperature (SAT) anomaly for 2016 for land stations north of starting in 1900, and is a significant increase over the previous highest value of +1.2°C, which was observed in 2007, 2011, and 2015. Average global annual temperatures also showed record values in 2015 and 2016. Currently, the Arctic is warming at more than twice the rate of lower latitudes
Translating Marine Animal Tracking Data into Conservation Policy and Management
There have been efforts around the globe to track individuals of many marine species and assess their movements and distribution with the putative goal of supporting their conservation and management. Determining whether, and how, tracking data have been successfully applied to address real-world conservation issues is however difficult. Here, we compile a broad range of case studies from diverse marine taxa to show how tracking data have helped inform conservation policy and management, including reductions in fisheries bycatch and vessel strikes, and the design and administration of marine protected areas and important habitats. Using these examples, we highlight pathways through which the past and future investment in collecting animal tracking data might be better used to achieve tangible conservation benefits
Controlling the net: European approaches to content and access regulation
This article has been accepted for publication in the journal, Journal of Information Science [© CILIP] and the final (edited, revised and typeset) version of this paper will be published in Journal of Information Science, by SAGE Publications Ltd, All rights reserved. © CILIP. For more information please visit: http://jis.sagepub.co.uk
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