Results of transonic tests in the NASA/MSFC 14-inch trisonic wind tunnel on a 0.004-scale model (74-OTS) space shuttle launch vehicle (FA25)

The primary objective of the test was to determine the aerodynamic increments due to the attach structure. Secondary objectives were to determine the effects of: (1) orbiter nose mold line changes; (2) wire bundle fairings on data measurements; and (3) flow angularity. The scale model was tested over the Mach range from 0.60 to 1.25 at angles of attack and sideslip from -8 to +8 deg. The total pressure was 22 psia for all runs. Six-component orbiter data were obtained from a balance in the orbiter which was sting supported. The external tank was attached to the solid rocket booster, each of which was sting supported. An alternate two sting/two balance arrangement was also tested with a single sting and balance in the external tank measuring combined ET/SRB aero data replacing the two stings in the SRB's. Two runs were also made at Mach number 4.96 with the two SRB's removed. The aerodynamic coefficients obtained are tabulated as a function of angle of attack or sideslip for each Mach number value

An assessment of gully pot sediment scour behaviour under current and potential future rainfall conditions

Gully pots actively trap sediments transported by urban runoff to prevent in-pipe blockages and surface flooding. However, due to poor maintenance (resulting in sediment build-up) and increasingly extreme wet weather events, the scour of previously-deposited sediments from gully pots is identified as a potential contributor to EU Water Framework Directive failure. While basal sediment scour deterministic models have been developed and validated using laboratory and field gully pot data sets, the ability of these models to predict behaviour at sites other than those for which they were established has not been addressed. Nor has the impact of future rainfall predictions on the role of gully pots as sediment sources been systematically examined. As a contribution to addressing these knowledge gaps, the performance of two gully pot basal sediment scour models of distinct complexity levels are evaluated under current and future rainfall conditions. The output from Model One suggests that the scour-induced total suspended solids in gully pot discharge can be kept well below 25 mg/L if the gully pot fullness level is maintained at under 60%. Results identify the opportunity to incorporate the actual/targeted ecological status of recipients in scheduling gully pot maintenance operations and that proactive gully pots maintenance will reduce the impacts of increased rainfall intensity/duration on the magnitude of sediment scour. Results from Model Two suggest that fine sediments are particularly susceptible to in-pot scour. For example, sediment with a specific gravity of 1.1 and diameter of >63 μm accounts for 50% of scour-induced total suspended solids in gully pot discharge. The effluent suspended solids concentrations predicted by the two models differ by up to two orders of magnitude. However, without further empirical field data pertaining to their respective competences/applications, neither model could be discounted at this stage. For example, the use of Model One is more appropriate in the establishment of gully pot maintenance schedules, with Model Two more suited to the dimensioning of gully pots based on performance requirements. This application, however, relies on the development and adoption of a more stringent regulation on gully pots discharge

Factors influencing the infiltration of pharmaceuticals through soils

Pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) are emerging environmental contaminants but studies of their environmental fate have focused on their behaviour during wastewater treatment processes. Little is known about the behaviour of PPCPs in soils and this is important to provide an understanding of how these compounds will be distributed during the infiltration processes which occur both naturally and under a number of treatment procedures. In this study four PPCP compounds (bezafibrate, carbamazepine, chloramphenicol and diclofenac) have been selected for investigation to determine their mobility and leaching behaviour in two types of soils. Under experimental conditions, chloramphenicol showed the highest potential to leach through the soils followed by carbamazepine, bezafibrate and diclofenac, which mirrors the order of their increasing organic carbon adsorption coefficients (Koc). The results suggest that ionic strength, pH and soil organic matter (SOM) are notable factors affecting the sorption and therefore the overall fate of pharmaceutical compounds in the soil environment

Effect of Health Education on Foot Exercise in Patients with Type II Diabetes Mellitus at Grati Family Clinic, Pasuruan, East Java

Background: Diabetes is a major public health problem that is approaching epidemic proportions globally. Worldwide, the prevalence of chronic, non-communicable diseases such as diabetes is increasing at an alarming rate. About 18 million people die every year from cardiovascular disease, for which diabetes is a major predisposing factor. Gymnastics can help improve blood circulation and strengthen the small muscles of the foot so as to prevent foot deformities. Gymnastics overcome the limitations of joint movement that is often experienced by clients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (type 2 DM). Health education motivates a person to receive health information and do according to the information so that they become more knowledgeable and healthier. This study aimed to analyze the effect of health education on the practice of foot exercise in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Subjects and Method: This was a randomized controlled trial conducted at Grati Family Clinic, Pasuruan, East Java, from January to March 2015. A sample of 60 patients with type 2 DM was randomized into two groups: (1) 30 patients received health education of foot exercise; (2) 30 patients did not receive health education of foot exercise. The dependent variable was foot exercise. The independent variable was education about foot exercise. The data were collected by questionnaire and observation. Percent difference of patients practicing foot exercise in the two groups was tested by Chi-square. Results: After health education, the percentage of type 2 DM patients who practice the foot exercise in the health education group (n=17; 56.7%) was higher than the non health education group (n=4; 13.3%), and it was stasticallly significant (p<0.001). Type 2 DM patients who participated in the health education session were eight times more likely to practice foot exercise than patients who did not participate (OR=8.50; p<0.001). Conclusion: Health education session is effective in increasing the number of type 2 DM patients to practice foot exercise. Keywords: health education, foot exercise, type 2 diabetes mellitu

Folic acid prescription in pregnancy.

We resolved to prescribe folic acid supplements for all women who attended this practice during the first twelve weeks of pregnancy. Six months after this decision a prescription was recorded in only 13% of cases: this compared with 18% during the two months immediately following the decision. It was resolved to improve this performance and observations six months later revealed a prescription recorded in 63% of cases. Subsequently a new form for recording an antenatal consultation was devised and six months after its implementation, 100% recording of folate prescription for appropriate cases was observed. It was concluded that these simple audit exercises prompted changes in practice which helped to improve standards of patient care

Effects of LL-37 on Gingival Fibroblasts: A Role in Periodontal Tissue Remodeling?

Mounting evidence suggests that the host defence peptide, LL-37, plays a role in both inflammation and in wound healing; however, the role of this peptide in the remodeling and maintenance of oral tissues is not yet fully understood. Fibroblasts are the most abundant cell type within the periodontal tissues, and gingival fibroblasts play an important role in maintaining and repairing the gingival tissues which are constantly exposed to external insults. In this study we examined the direct effects of LL-37 treatment on gingival fibroblasts and found that LL-37 significantly increased secretion of both interleukin 8 (IL-8) and IL-6 from these cells. LL-37 tended to decrease matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity in gingival fibroblasts, but this decrease did not reach statistical significance. LL-37 significantly increased tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) production by gingival fibroblasts, but had no significant effect on TIMP-2 levels. LL-37 was also shown to significantly increase production of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), and keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) in gingival fibroblasts. Taken together, these results suggest an important role for the host defence peptide, LL-37, in modulating the fibroblast response to remodeling in periodontal tissues