Acoustic emission analysis of the effect of a 2D wedge shaped blade on the compact bone cutting process

Surgeons may use a number of cutting instruments such as osteotomes and chisels to cut bone during an operative procedure. The initial loading of cortical bone during the cutting process results in the formation of microcracks in the vicinity of the cutting zone with main crack propagation to failure occuring with continued loading. When a material cracks, energy is emitted in the form of Acoustic Emission (AE) signals that spread in all directions, therefore, AE transducers can be used to monitor the occurrence and development of microcracking and crack propagation in cortical bone. In this research, number of AE signals (hits) and related parameters including amplitude, duration and absolute energy (abs-energy) were recorded during the indentation cutting process by a wedge blade on cortical bone specimens. The cutting force was also measured to correlate between load-displacement curves and the output from the AE sensor. The results from experiments show AE signals increase substantially during the loading just prior to fracture between 90% and 100% of maximum fracture load. Furthermore, an amplitude threshold value of 64dB (with approximate abs-energy of 1500 aJ) was established to saparate AE signals associated with microcracking (41 – 64dB) from fracture related signals (65 – 98dB). The results also demonstrated that the complete fracture event which had the highest duration value can be distinguished from other growing macrocracks which did not lead to catastrophic fracture. It was observed that the main crack initiation may be detected by capturing a high amplitude signal at a mean load value of 87% of maximum load and unsteady crack propagation may occur just prior to final fracture event at a mean load value of 96% of maximum load. The author concludes that the AE method is useful in understanding the crack initiation and fracture during the indentation cutting process.

The physiology of plants; a treatise upon the metabolism and sources of energy in plants, by Dr. W. Pfeffer ... 2d fully rev. ed., translated and edited by Alfred J. Ewart.

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The physiology of plants; a treatise upon the metabolism and sources of energy in plants, by Dr. W. Pfeffer ... 2d fully rev. ed., translated and edited by Alfred J. Ewart.

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The physiology of plants; a treatise upon the metabolism and sources of energy in plants, by Dr. W. Pfeffer ... 2d fully rev. ed., translated and edited by Alfred J. Ewart.

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Comparação entre a ecocardiografia 2D e 3D na avaliação do remodelamento reverso após a TRC

FUNDAMENTO: A ecocardiografia consiste em método muito útil para seleção e avaliação de resposta à terapia de ressincronização cardíaca (TRC). O eco 3D já tem seu papel estabelecido na avaliação dos volumes ventriculares e fração de ejeção ventricular esquerda (FEVE) com excelente correlação de resultados quando comparado à RNM. OBJETIVO: Comparar a avaliação dos volumes ventriculares (VDVE, VSVE), FEVE e massa do VE antes e após a TRC pela ecocardiografia bi (Eco 2D) e tridimensional (Eco 3D). MÉTODOS: Foram avaliados 24 pacientes com IC CFIII ou IV (NYHA), ritmo sinusal QRS > 150 ms, em vigência de terapêutica otimizada para IC submetidos a TRC. Foram realizados eletrocardiograma (ECG), avaliação clínica, Eco 2D e 3D antes, três e seis meses após a TRC. A comparação entre as técnicas foi realizada utilizando-se a correlação de Pearson (r). RESULTADOS: No momento basal, a correlação entre os métodos foi de 0,96 para avaliação do VDVE, 0,95 para avaliação do VSVE, 0,87 para FEVE, e 0,72 para massa do VE. Após três meses da TRC, a correlação entre os métodos para análise do VDVE foi de 0,96, 0,95 para VSVE, 0,95 para FEVE, e 0,77 para massa do VE. Após seis meses da TRC, a correlação entre o Eco 2D e 3D para análise do VDVE foi de 0,98, 0,91 para VSVE, 0,96 para FEVE, e 0,85 para massa do VE. CONCLUSÃO: Neste estudo foi observada redução dos VDVE,VSVE, além de melhora da FEVE após a TRC. Houve excelente correlação entre o Eco 2D e o 3D para avaliação dos volumes ventriculares e FEVE, e boa correlação entre os métodos para avaliação da massa ventricular esquerda antes e após a TRC.

Experimental and model-based analysis of the steady-state and dynamic operating behaviour of the direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC)

Direct methanol fuel cell, DMFC, model, mass transport, Maxwell-Stefan, Flory-Huggins, crossover, polymer electrolyte membrane, Nafion

Stabilized finite element methods applied to transient convection-diffusion-reaction and population balance equations

Magdeburg, Univ., Fak. für Mathematik, Diss., 2011

Numerical approximations of population balance equations in particulate systems

Magdeburg, Univ., Fak. für Mathematik, Diss., 2006

Extraction of topological structures in 2D and 3D vector fields

feature extraction, feature tracking, vector field visualization

Sex-Specific Equations to Estimate Maximum Oxygen Uptake in Cycle Ergometry

AbstractBackground:Aerobic fitness, assessed by measuring VO2max in maximum cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPX) or by estimating VO2max through the use of equations in exercise testing, is a predictor of mortality. However, the error resulting from this estimate in a given individual can be high, affecting clinical decisions.Objective:To determine the error of estimate of VO2max in cycle ergometry in a population attending clinical exercise testing laboratories, and to propose sex-specific equations to minimize that error.Methods:This study assessed 1715 adults (18 to 91 years, 68% men) undertaking maximum CPX in a lower limbs cycle ergometer (LLCE) with ramp protocol. The percentage error (E%) between measured VO2max and that estimated from the modified ACSM equation (Lang et al. MSSE, 1992) was calculated. Then, estimation equations were developed: 1) for all the population tested (C-GENERAL); and 2) separately by sex (C-MEN and C-WOMEN).Results:Measured VO2max was higher in men than in WOMEN: -29.4 ± 10.5 and 24.2 ± 9.2 mL.(kg.min)-1 (p < 0.01). The equations for estimating VO2max [in mL.(kg.min)-1] were: C-GENERAL = [final workload (W)/body weight (kg)] x 10.483 + 7; C-MEN = [final workload (W)/body weight (kg)] x 10.791 + 7; and C-WOMEN = [final workload (W)/body weight (kg)] x 9.820 + 7. The E% for MEN was: -3.4 ± 13.4% (modified ACSM); 1.2 ± 13.2% (C-GENERAL); and -0.9 ± 13.4% (C-MEN) (p < 0.01). For WOMEN: -14.7 ± 17.4% (modified ACSM); -6.3 ± 16.5% (C-GENERAL); and -1.7 ± 16.2% (C-WOMEN) (p < 0.01).Conclusion:The error of estimate of VO2max by use of sex-specific equations was reduced, but not eliminated, in exercise tests on LLCE.

Methodological Gaps in Left Atrial Function Assessment by 2D Speckle Tracking Echocardiography

Abstract The assessment of left atrial (LA) function is used in various cardiovascular diseases. LA plays a complementary role in cardiac performance by modulating left ventricular (LV) function. Transthoracic two-dimensional (2D) phasic volumes and Doppler echocardiography can measure LA function non‑invasively. However, evaluation of LA deformation derived from 2D speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) is a new feasible and promising approach for assessment of LA mechanics. These parameters are able to detect subclinical LA dysfunction in different pathological condition. Normal ranges for LA deformation and cut-off values to diagnose LA dysfunction with different diseases have been reported, but data are still conflicting, probably because of some methodological and technical issues. This review highlights the importance of an unique standardized technique to assess the LA phasic functions by STE, and discusses recent studies on the most important clinical applications of this technique.

Simulations for modelling of population balance equations of particulate processes using the discrete particle model (DPM)

Magdeburg, Univ., Fak. für Mathematik, Diss., 2009