Boundary-layer transition measurements in hypervelocity flows in a shock tunnel

Experiments to investigate the transition process in hypervelocity boundary layers were performed in the T4 free-piston shock tunnel. An array of thin-film heat-transfer gauges was used to detect the location and extent of the transitional region on a 1500 mm long x 120 turn wide flat plate, which formed one of the walls of a duct. The experiments were performed in a Mach 6 flow of air with 6- and 12-MJ/kg nozzle-supply enthalpies at unit Reynolds numbers ranging from 1.6 x 10(6) to 4.9 x 10(6) m(-1). The results show that the characteristics typical of transition taking place through the initiation, growth, and merger of turbulent spots are evident in the heat-transfer signals. A 2-mm-high excrescence located 440 turn from the leading edge was found to be capable of generating a turbulent wedge within an otherwise laminar boundary layer at a unit Reynolds number of 2.6 x 10(6) m(-1) at the 6-MJ/kg condition. A tripping strip, located 100 mm from the leading edge and consisting of a line 37 teeth of 2 rum height equally spaced and spanning the test surface, was also found to be capable of advancing the transition location at the same condition and at the higher enthalpy condition.

Avian paramyxoviruses and influenza viruses isolated from mallard ducks (Anas platyrhynchos) in New Zealand

A comprehensive study using virological and serological approaches was carried out to determine the status of live healthy mallard ducks (Anas platyrhynchos) in New Zealand for infections with avian paramyxoviruses (APMV) and influenza viruses (AIV). Thirty-three viruses isolated from 321 tracheal and cloacal swabs were characterized as: 6 AIV (two H5N2 and four H4N6), 10 APMV-1 and 17 APMV-4. Of 335 sera samples tested for AIV antibodies, 109 (32.5%) sera were positive by nucleoprotein-blocking ELISA (NP-B-ELISA). Serum samples (315) were examined for antibody to APMV-1, -2, -3, -4, -6, -7, -8, -9 by the haemagglutination inhibition test. The largest number of reactions, with titres up to greater than or equal to 1/64, was to APMV-1 (93.1%), followed by APMV-6 (85.1%), APMV-8 (56%), APMV-4 (51.7%), APMV-7 (47%), APMV-9 (15.9%), APMV-2 (13.3%) and APMV-3 (6.0%). All of the H5N2 isolates of AIV and the APMV-1 isolates from this and earlier New Zealand studies had low pathogenicity indices assessed by the Intravenous Pathogenicity Index (IVPI) with the result 0.00 and Intracerebral Pathogenicity Index (ICPI) with results 0.00-0.16. Partial genomic and antigenic analyses were also consistent with the isolates being non-pathogenic. Phylogenetic analysis of the 10 APMV-1 isolates showed 9 to be most similar to the reference APMV-1 strain D26/76 originally isolated in Japan and also to the Que/66 strain, which was isolated in Australia. The other isolate was very similar to a virus (MC 110/77) obtained from a shelduck in France.

Control of ovulation with a GnRH agonist after superstimulation of follicular growth in buffalo: fertilization and embryo recovery

The potential to use a GnRH agonist bioimplant and injection of exogenous LH to control the time of ovulation in a multiple ovulation and embryo transfer (MOET) protocol was examined in buffalo. Mixed-parity buffalo (Bubalus bubalis; 4-15-year-old; 529 13 kg LW) were randomly assigned to one of five groups (n = 6): Group 1, conventional MOET protocol; Group 2, conventional MOET with 12 It delay in injection of PGF(2alpha); Group 3, implanted with GnRH agonist to block the pre-ovulatory surge release of LH; Group 4, implanted with GnRH agonist and injected with exogenous LH (Lutropin(R), 25 mg) 24 h after 4 days of superstimulation with FSH; Group 5, implanted with GnRH agonist and injected with LH 36 h after superstimulation with FSH. Ovarian follicular growth in all buffaloes was stimulated by treatment with FSH (Folltropin-V(R), 200 mg) administered over 4 days, and was monitored by ovarian ultrasonography. At the time of estrus, the number of follicles greater than or equal to8 mm. was greater (P < 0.05) for buffaloes in Group 2 (12.8) than for buffaloes in Groups 1 (8.5), 3 (7.3), 4 (6.1) and 5 (6.8), which did not differ. All buffaloes were mated by AI after spontaneous (Groups 1-3) or induced (Groups 4 and 5) ovulation. The respective number of buffalo that ovulated, number of corpora lutea, ovulation rate (%), and embryos + oocytes recovered were: Group 1 (2, 1.8 +/- 1.6, 18.0 +/- 13.6, 0.2 +/- 0.2); Group 2 (4, 6.1 +/- 2.9, 40.5 +/- 17.5, 3.7 +/- 2.1); Group 3 (0, 0, 0, 0); Group 4 (6, 4.3 +/- 1.2, 69.3 +/- 14.2, 2.0 +/- 0.9); and Group 5 (1, 2.5 +/- 2.5, 15.5 +/- 15.5, 2.1 +/- 2.1). All buffaloes in Group 4 ovulated after injection of LH and had a relatively high ovulation rate (69%) and embryo recovery (46%). It has been shown that the GnRH agonist-LH protocol can be used to improve the efficiency of MOET in buffalo. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.

Heat transfer and flow behind a step in high enthalpy superorbital flow

Heat transfer levels have been investigated behind a rearward-facing step in a superorbital expansion tube. The heat transfer was measured along a flat plate and behind 2 and 3mm steps with the same length to step height ratio. Results were obtained with air as the test gas at speeds of 6.76kms(-1) and 9-60kms(-1) corresponding to stagnation enthalpies of 26MJ/kg and 48MJ/kg respectively. A laminar boundary layer was established on the flat plate and measured heat transfer levels were consistent with classical empirical correlations. In the case of flow behind a step, the measurements showed a gradual rise in heat transfer from the rear of the step to a plateau several step heights downstream for both flow conditions. Reattachment distance was estimated to be approximately 1.6 step heights downstream of the 2mm step at the low enthalpy condition through the use of flow visualisation.

Ozothamnus diosmifolius (Vent.) DC flower and leaf essential oils

Essential oils of rice flower, Ozothamnus diosmifolius, were analyzed by capillary gas chromatograplay-mass spectrometry. Flower oil contained beta-pinene (28.4%) and 1,8-cineole (28.2%), while the leaf oil contained a-pinene (26.0%), beta-pinene (11.6%) and 1,8-cineole (22.2%). Both oils had small amounts of spathulenol (4.1% and 5.2%, respectively).

Patients with early diabetic heart disease demonstrate a normal myocardial response to dobutamine

OBJECTIVES We sought to use quantitative markers of the regional left ventricular (LV) response to stress to infer whether diabetic cardiomyopathy is associated with ischemia. BACKGROUND Diabetic cardiomyopathy has been identified in clinical and experimental studies, but its cause remains unclear. METHODS We studied 41 diabetic patients with normal resting LV function and a normal dobutamine echo and 41 control subjects with a low probability of coronary disease. Peak myocardial systolic velocity (Sm) and early diastolic velocity (Em) in each segment were averaged, and mean Sm and Em were compared between diabetic patients and controls and among different stages of dobutamine stress. RESULTS Both Sm and Em progressively increased from rest to peak dobutamine stress. In the diabetic group, Sm was significantly lower than in control subjects at baseline (4.2 +/- 0.9 cm/s vs. 4.7 +/- 0.9 cm/s, p = 0.012). However, Sin at a low dose (6.0 +/- 1.3), before peak (8.4 +/- 1.8), and at peak stress (8.9 +/- 1.8) in diabetic patients was not significantly different from that of controls (6.3 +/- 1.4, 8.9 +/- 1.6, and 9.6 +/- 2.1 cm/s, respectively). The Em (cm/s) in the diabetic group (rest: 4.2 +/- 1.2; low dose: 5.0 +/- 1.4; pre-peak: 5.3 +/- 1.1; peak: 5.9 +/- 1.5) was significantly lower than that of controls (rest: 5.8 +/- 1.5; low dose: 6.6 +/- 1.5; pre-peak: 6.9 +/- 1.3; peak: 7.3 +/- 1.7; all p < 0.001). However, the absolute and relative increases in Sm or Em from rest to peak stress were similar in diabetic and control groups. CONCLUSIONS Subtle LV dysfunction is present in diabetic patients without overt cardiac disease. The normal response to stress suggests that ischemia due to small-vessel disease may not be important in early diabetic heart muscle disease. (C) 2003 by the American College of Cardiology Foundation.

Effects of herbicides diuron and atrazine on corals of the Great Barrier Reef, Australia

In response to recent reports of contamination of the nearshore marine environment along the Queensland coast by herbicides (including areas inside the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park), an ecotoxicological assessment was conducted of the impact of the herbicides diuron and atrazine on scleractinian corals. Pulse-amplitude modulated (PAM) chlorophyll fluorescence techniques were used to assess the herbicide effects on the symbiotic dinoflagellates within the tissues (in hospite) of 4 species of coral (Acropora formosa, Montipora digitata, Porites cylindrica, Seriatopora hystrix) in static toxicity tests, and in freshly isolated symbiotic dinoflagellates from Stylophora pistillata. Using change in the effective quantum yield (DeltaF/F-m') as an effect criterion, diuron (no observable effect concentration, NOEC = 0.3 mug 1(-1); lowest observable effect concentration, LOEC = 1 mug 1(-1); median effective concentration, EC50 4 to 6 mug 1(-1)) was found to be more toxic than atrazine (NOEC = 1 mug 1(-1), LOEC = 3 mug 1(-1), EC50 40 to 90 mug 1(-1)) in short-term (10 h) toxicity tests. In the tests with isolated algae, significant reductions in DeltaF/F-m' were recorded as low as 0.25 mug 1(-1) diuron (LOEC, EC50 = 5 mug 1(-1)). Time-course experiments indicated that the effects of diuron were rapid and reversible. At 10 mug 1(-1) diuron, DeltaF/F-m' was reduced by 25% in 20 to 30 min, and by 50% in 60 to 90 min. Recovery of DeltaF/F-m' in corals exposed to 10 mug 1(-1) diuron and then transferred to running seawater was slower, returning to within 10% of control values inside 1 to 7 h. The effect of a reduction in salinity (35 to 27%) on diuron toxicity (at 1 and 3 mug 1(-1) diuron) was tested to examine the potential consequences of contaminated coastal flood plumes inundating inshore reefs. DeltaF/F-m' was reduced in the diuron-exposed corals, but there was no significant interaction between diuron and reduced salinity seawater within the 10 h duration of the test. Exposure to higher (100 and 1000 mug 1(-1)) diuron concentrations for 96 h caused a reduction in DeltaF/F-m' the ratio variable to maximal fluorescence (F,1F.), significant loss of symbiotic dinoflagellates and pronounced tissue retraction, causing the corals to pale or bleach. The significance of the results in relation to diuron contamination of the coastal marine environment from terrestrial sources (mainly agricultural) and marine sources (antifouling paints) are discussed.

Comparative study of the radiation-induced grafting of styrene onto poly(tetrafluoroethylene-co-perfluoropropylvinyl ether) and polypropylene substrates. I: Kinetics and structural investigation

A comparative study has been made of the radiation grafting of styrene onto poly(tetrafluoroethylene-co-perfluoropropyl vinyl ether) (PFA) and polypropylene (PP) substrates, using the simultaneous irradiation method. Effects of grafting conditions such as monomer concentrations, type of solvent, dose rate and irradiation dose on the grafting yield were investigated. Under the same grafting conditions it was found that a higher degree of grafting of styrene was obtained using a mixture of dichloromethane/methanol solvents for PFA and methanol for PP and the degree of grafting was higher in PP than in PFA at all doses. However, the micro-Raman spectroscopy analysis of the graft revealed that, for the same degree of grafting, the penetration depth of the grafted polystyrene into the substrate was higher in PFA than in PP substrates. In both polymers the crystallinity was hardly affected by the grafting process and the degree of crystallinity decreased slightly with grafting dose. The dependence of the initial rate of grafting on the dose rate and the monomer concentration was found to be 0.6 and 1.4 order for PFA and 0.15 and 2.2 for PP, respectively. The degree of grafting increased with increasing radiation dose in both polymers. However, the grafting yield decreased with an increase in the dose rate. The increase in the overall grafting yield for PFA and PP was accompanied by a proportional increase in the penetration depth of the graft into the substrates. (C) 2003 Society of Chemical Industry.

Efeito de dezesseis semanas de treinamento de resistência aeróbia na função vascular de jovens sedentários

Introdução: Muito embora os estudos apontem para um efeito positivo do exercício físico, em especial o treinamento com exercício aeróbio, sobre a pressão arterial e a distensibilidade arterial, pouco se sabe sobre os efeitos do treinamento com exercício de resistência aeróbia sobre a complacência vascular de indivíduos jovens saudáveis. Objetivos: Avaliar o efeito de 16 semanas de treinamento de resistência aeróbia sobre a função vascular e a pressão arterial de indivíduos jovens sedentários. Métodos: Foram avaliados 56 voluntários (de ambos os sexos, na faixa etária de 18 à 29 anos) antes e após 16 semanas de treinamento com corrida 3 vezes por semana. As medidas de pressão arterial foram realizadas de acordo com a VI Diretrizes Brasileiras de Hipertensão e a velocidade de onda de pulso (VOP) foi realizada com a utilização de um gravador automático computadorizado e os resultados foram analisados pelo programa Complior®. Resultados: Dos 56 indivíduos que participaram do presente estudo, 44 eram do sexo masculino (78,5%) e 12 do sexo feminino (21,5 %). Eles apresentaram idade de 22 ± 3 anos, estatura de 1,75 ± 0,07 metros, circunferência de cintura de 79,6 ± 7,8 cm e PAM de 79 ± 6,4 mmHg. O treinamento promoveu redução da FC repouso (69 ± 7,0 vs. 61 ± 7,1; p<0,05) e aumento do VO2pico (43,3 ± 7,3 vs. 50,1 ± 7,2; p<0,05). Entretanto, pressão arterial sistólica (107 ± 9,4 vs. 110 ± 10), pressão arterial diastólica (63 ± 5,7 vs. 62 ± 5,5), pressão de pulso (44 ± 7,0 vs. 48 ± 7,0) e VOP (6,5 ± 1,1 vs. 6,5 ± 1,1) não apresentaram alteração após o treinamento físico (p>0,05). Conclusões: Podemos concluir que 16 semanas de treinamento de resistência aeróbia foram capazes de aumentar a aptidão cardiorrespiratória, porém não provocaram alterações sobre a velocidade de onda de pulso e pressão arterial em voluntários saudáveis e sedentários. Sugere-se que a ausência de adaptações vasculares após o treinamento seja devido às características da amostra – indivíduos jovens e saudáveis.

Shape and size of jatropha beans (Jatropha curcas L.) during drying at different temperatures

This study was carried out to study the physical properties of the jatropha beans over the drying under six air conditions, based on measurements of roundness, sphericity, volume, superficial area, projected area and surface/volume ratio. Jatropha beans with moisture content around 0.61 (decimal d.b.) were subjected to thin-layer drying in oven with forced-air circulation under six temperature conditions (36, 45, 60, 75, 90 and 105 °C) and relative humidity of 31.7; 19.6; 9.4; 4.8; 2.6 and 1.5% respectively, until reaching the moisture content of 0.11 ± 0.006 (decimal d. b.). The results showed that the necessary time for jatropha beans to reach the moisture content of 0.11 ± 0.006 (decimal d.b.) were 1.5; 2.25; 3.0; 4.75; 6.75 and 12.0 h for the drying temperatures of 105, 90, 75, 60, 45 and 36 °C, respectively; and the reduction in the moisture content as well as the drying conditions promoted changes in the shape and reduced the size of the jatropha beans.

Efeito de liberadores de óxido nítrico na qualidade fisiológica de sementes de repolho sob salinidade

RESUMO Estudos realizados com Brassica sp. demonstram que o estresse salino afeta a qualidade fisiológica e o vigor das sementes. Assim, a busca por substâncias que minimizem os efeitos provocados pelo estresse salino durante a germinação são de grande importância. Objetivou-se com este trabalho avaliar a ação de substâncias liberadoras de óxido nítrico durante a germinação de sementes de repolho cultivado sob condições de salinidade. As sementes foram pré-embebidas em soluções de nitrato de potássio (KNO3) e nitroprus siato de sódio (SNP) nas concentrações de zero (controle), 0,01, 0,10, 1,00 e 10,00 mmol L-1, por 30 minutos. Posteriormente, distribuídas sobre papel germitest em placas de Petri, umedecido com solução salina de NaCl nos potenciais de zero, -0,6 e -1,2 MPa. Foram avaliados a germinação, primeira contagem de germinação, índice de velocidade de germinação, tempo médio de germinação, comprimento de parte aérea, comprimento de raiz e massa seca das plântulas. Não houve germinação no potencial osmótico de -1,2 MPa. O potencial de -0,6 MPa reduz a germinação e o desenvolvimento das plântulas de repolho. Os resultados sugerem que houve ação positiva do KNO3 e do SNP na concentração de 0,01 mmol L-1, revertendo o estresse provocado pela salinidade (-0,6 MPa de NaCl).

Hipovitaminose "A": níveis séricos de vitamina "A" e caroteno em populações litorâneas do Estado de São Paulo, Brasil

Verificou-se que a deficiência de vitamina A em populações do Vale do Ribeira, no Estado de São Paulo, Brasil, constitui um problema de saúde pública. Além da dosagem de vitamina A e caroteno no sôro, foram utilizados os dados colhidos num levantamento nutricional realizado na cidade de Iguape, e nas vilas de Icapara e Pontal do Ribeira, em 1969, pelo Departamento de Nutrição da Faculdade de Saúde Pública da USP. Os resultados dos inquéritos alimentar, clínico-nutricional e bioquímico foram discutidos, concluindo-se que a hipovitaminose "A" constitui um problema de saúde pública nas localidades mencionadas.

Diafanização de esfregaços de fezes

Nas mesmas condições de turbidez (transmitância = 50%), as médias das quantidades de fezes por unidade de área de esfregaço sofrem acréscimos quando, ao invés de água, usam-se diluentes de índices de refração mais elevados. Calculados como fatores, esses acréscimos foram, em média, 3,17 para a solução de sacarose a 54% (n = 1,438), 1,95 para a solução de glicerina a 50% (n = 1,411) e 1,50 para a solução de sacarose a 30% (n = 1,385). A absorciometria fatoelétrica mostrou-se adequada à avaliação do rendimento do processo de diafanização de esfregaços de fezes.

Os níveis de saúde na região Taquari-Antas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil

Os níveis de saúde foram estudados através de uma série histórica (1956-1965), para a Região Taquari-Antas, composta de 50 municípios, com uma população aproximada de 1.300.000 habitantes e cerca de 20% da população do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. A diminuição do coeficiente de mortalidade geral observada e o aumento da mortalidade proporcional, sugere uma melhora do nível de saúde e isto se observou para as três áreas comparadas (Região Taquari-Antas, Estado do Rio Grande do Sul e Pôrto Alegre, capital do Estado). A curva de mortalidade proporcional - curva de NELSON DE MORAES - apresentou a forma de um "J" normal, caracterizando um nível de saúde regular. Observou-se queda da natalidade para o período de estudo, fato que se deve levar em consideração no planejamento da assistência materno-infantil. A mortalidade infantil apresentou decréscimo considerável somente no período 1959-1960 e, a partir desse ano, até 1965, houve flutuações, não se observando, entretanto, queda ou melhora significativa. As principais causas de óbitos foram as doenças do aparelho circulatório, dos sistemas nervoso, respiratório e digestivo. A proporção de 35% de óbitos classificados como mal definidos, reflete a precariedade da assistência médica na Região. Do total de óbitos, 3,3% foram por moléstias transmissíveis, sendo que a tuberculose foi responsável por aproximadamente 50% das mortes por estas causas. A menor proporção de óbitos por moléstias transmissíveis na Região, quando comparada com a de Porto Alegre, município mais rico do Estado, pode ser explicada, em parte, pela grande proporção de óbitos mal definidos e pela migração de pacientes, uma vez que os recursos sanitários disponíveis na região são bastante inferiores aos da Capital do Estado.