Performance deterioration of commercial high-bypass ratio turbofan engines

The results of engine performance deterioration investigations based on historical data, special engine tests, and specific tests to define the influence of flight loads and component clearances on performance are presented. The results of analyses of several damage mechanisms that contribute to performance deterioration such as blade tip rubs, airfoil surface roughness and erosion, and thermal distortion are also included. The significance of these damage mechanisms on component and overall engine performance is discussed

Cannabis in medicine: a national educational needs assessment among Canadian physicians

BACKGROUND: There is increasing global awareness and interest in the use of cannabis for therapeutic purposes (CTP). It is clear that health care professionals need to be involved in these decisions, but often lack the education needed to engage in informed discussions with patients. This study was conducted to determine the educational needs of Canadian physicians regarding CTP. METHODS: A national needs assessment survey was developed based on previous survey tools. The survey was approved by the Research Ethics Board of the McGill University Health Centre Research Institute and was provided online using LimeSurvey®. Several national physician organizations and medical education organizations informed their members of the survey. The target audience was Canadian physicians. We sought to identify and rank using 5-point Likert scales the most common factors involved in decision making about using CTP in the following categories: knowledge, experience, attitudes, and barriers. Preferred educational approaches and physician demographics were collected. Gap analysis was conducted to determine the magnitude and importance of differences between perceived and desired knowledge on all decision factors. RESULTS: Four hundred and twenty six responses were received, and physician responses were distributed across Canada consistent with national physician distribution. The most desired knowledge concerned “potential risks of using CTP” and “safety, warning signs and precautions for patients using CTP”. The largest gap between perceived current and desired knowledge levels was “dosing” and “the development of treatment plans”. CONCLUSIONS: We have identified several key educational needs among Canadian physicians regarding CTP. These data can be used to develop resources and educational programs to support clinicians in this area, as well as to guide further research to inform these gaps

Test Set-Up for the Cooling of Heavy Magnets by Controlled Way Down to 77 K

In the scope of the High Field Magnets work package of the European FP7-EuCARD project, the structure of the future dipole magnet RMC and FRESCA2 has been tested at liquid nitrogen temperature replacing the actual Nb$_{3}$Sn-based coils by aluminium dummy coils. Such test aims at measuring during the cooling the evolution of the mechanical stresses and the temperatures via compensated strain gauges and carbon-ceramic sensors placed at various locations on the structure (shell, rods, yokes, dummy coils). These measurements help assess the thermo-mechanical behaviour of the assembly for different applied pre-stresses and validate the finite element simulation of the magnet cooling before including the definitive brittle Nb$_{3}$Sn coils. For this purpose, a specific cool-down/warm-up nitrogen test station has been built up at CERN in order to control the required maximum temperature gradient in the magnet during both cooling and warming. In this paper, we present in detail the test facility, the instrumentation along with the automatic process control system. An analytical approach computing the expected temperature evolution during a thermal cycle is introduced and the temperature measurements related to the magnets cooling down to 77 K and warm up to room temperature are presented

Dipole model test with one superconducting coil; results analysed

This report is the deliverable report 7.3.1 “Dipole model test with one superconducting coil; results analysed “. The report has four parts: “Design report for the dipole magnet”, “Dipole magnet structure tested in LN2”, “Nb$_{3}$Sn strand procured for one dipole magnet” and “One test double pancake copper coil made”. The 4 report parts show that, although the magnet construction will be only completed by end 2014, all elements are present for a successful completion. Due to the importance of the project for the future of the participants and given the significant investments done by the participants, there is a full commitment to finish the project

Dipole model test with one superconducting coil: results analysed

This report is the deliverable report 7.3.1 “Dipole model test with one superconducting coil; results analysed “. The report has four parts: “Design report for the dipole magnet”, “Dipole magnet structure tested in LN2”, “Nb$_{3}$Sn strand procured for one dipole magnet” and “One test double pancake copper coil made”. The 4 report parts show that, although the magnet construction will be only completed by end 2014, all elements are present for a successful completion. Due to the importance of the project for the future of the participants and given the significant investments done by the participants, there is a full commitment to finish the project