A new ultrasonic signal amplification method for detection bacteria

A new method is presented that increases the sensitivity of ultrasound-based techniques for detection of bacteria. The technique was developed for the detection of catalase-positive microorganisms. It uses a bubble trapping medium containing hydrogen peroxide that is mixed with the sample for microbiological evaluation. The enzyme catalase is present in catalase-positive bacteria, which induces a rapid hydrolysis of hydrogen peroxide, forming bubbles which remain in the medium. This reaction results in the amplification of the mechanical changes that the microorganisms produce in the medium. The effect can be detected by means of ultrasonic wave amplitude continuous measurement since the bubbles increase the ultrasonic attenuation significantly. It is shown that microorganism concentrations of the order of 105 cells ml−1 can be detected using this method. This allows an improvement of three orders of magnitude in the ultrasonic detection threshold of microorganisms in conventional culture media, and is competitive with modern rapid microbiological methods. It can also be used for the characterization of the enzymatic activity.

Axisymmetric shock wave interaction with a cone: a benchmark test

Results of the benchmark test are presented of comparing numerical schemes solving shock wave of M-s = 2.38 in nitrogen and argon interacting with a 43 degrees semi-apex angle cone and corresponding experiments. The benchmark test was announced in Shock Waves Vol. 12, No. 4, in which we tried to clarify the effects of viscosity and heat conductivity on shock reflection in conical flows. This paper summarizes results of ten numerical and two experimental applications. State of the art in studies regarding the shock/cone interaction is clarified.

Evaluation of Two Ultrasonic Systems for Analysis of Porosity in Ceramic

The Ultrasound Laboratory of the Nuclear Engineering Institute (LABUS / IEN) has developed an ultrasonic technique to measure porosity in nuclear fuel pellets (UO2). By difficulties related to the handling of UO2 pellets, Alumina (Al2O3) pellets have been used in preliminary tests, until a methodology for tests with pellets of UO2 could be defined. In a previous work, in which a contact ultrasonic technique was used, good results were obtained to measure the porosity of Alumina pellets. In the current studies, it was found that the frequency spectrum of an ultrasonic pulse is very sensitive to the porosity of the medium in which it propagates. In order to define the most appropriate experimental apparatus for using immersion technique in future tests, two ultrasonic systems, available in LABUS, which permit to work with the ultrasonic pulse in the frequency domain were evaluated . One system was the Explorer II (Matec INSTRUMENTS) and the other the ultrasonic pulse generator Epoch 4 Plus (Panametrics) coupled with an oscilloscope TDS 3032B (Tektronix). For this evaluation, several frequency spectra were obtained with the two equipment, by the passage of the ultrasonic wave in the same pellet of Alumina. This procedure was performed on four different days, on each day 12 ultrasonic signals were acquired, one signal every 10 minutes, with each apparatus. The results were compared and analyzed as regard the repeatability of the frequency spectra obtained.

Analysis of Ultrasonic Techniques for the Characterization of Microfiltration Polymeric Membranes

The use of polymeric membranes is extremely important in several industries such as nuclear, biotechnology, chemical and pharmaceutical. In the nuclear area, for instance, systems based on membrane separation technologies are currently being used in the treatment of radioactive liquid effluent, and new technologies using membranes are being developed at a great rate. The knowledge of the physical characteristics of these membranes, such as, pore size and the pore size distribution, is very important to the membranes separation processes. Only after these characteristics are known is it possible to determine the type and to choose a particular membrane for a specific application. In this work, two ultrasonic non destructive techniques were used to determine the porosity of membranes: pulse echo and transmission. A 25 MHz immersion transducer was used. Ultrasonic signals were acquired, for both techniques, after the ultrasonic waves passed through a microfiltration polymeric membrane of pore size of 0.45 μm and thickness of 180 μm. After the emitted ultrasonic signal crossed the membrane, the received signal brought several information on the influence of the membrane porosity in the standard signal of the ultrasonic wave. The ultrasonic signals were acquired in the time domain and changed to the frequency domain by application of the Fourier Fast Transform (FFT), thus generating the material frequency spectrum. For the pulse echo technique, the ultrasonic spectrum frequency changed after the ultrasonic wave crossed the membrane. With the transmission technique there was only a displacement of the ultrasonic signal at the time domain.

A systems approach to cardiovascular health and disease with a focus on aortic wave dynamics

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) have reached an epidemic proportion in the US and worldwide with serious consequences in terms of human suffering and economic impact. More than one third of American adults are suffering from CVDs. The total direct and indirect costs of CVDs are more than $500 billion per year. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop noninvasive diagnostics methods, to design minimally invasive assist devices, and to develop economical and easy-to-use monitoring systems for cardiovascular diseases. In order to achieve these goals, it is necessary to gain a better understanding of the subsystems that constitute the cardiovascular system. The aorta is one of these subsystems whose role in cardiovascular functioning has been underestimated. Traditionally, the aorta and its branches have been viewed as resistive conduits connected to an active pump (left ventricle of the heart). However, this perception fails to explain many observed physiological results. My goal in this thesis is to demonstrate the subtle but important role of the aorta as a system, with focus on the wave dynamics in the aorta.

The operation of a healthy heart is based on an optimized balance between its pumping characteristics and the hemodynamics of the aorta and vascular branches. The delicate balance between the aorta and heart can be impaired due to aging, smoking, or disease. The heart generates pulsatile flow that produces pressure and flow waves as it enters into the compliant aorta. These aortic waves propagate and reflect from reflection sites (bifurcations and tapering). They can act constructively and assist the blood circulation. However, they may act destructively, promoting diseases or initiating sudden cardiac death. These waves also carry information about the diseases of the heart, vascular disease, and coupling of heart and aorta. In order to elucidate the role of the aorta as a dynamic system, the interplay between the dominant wave dynamic parameters is investigated in this study. These parameters are heart rate, aortic compliance (wave speed), and locations of reflection sites. Both computational and experimental approaches have been used in this research. In some cases, the results are further explained using theoretical models.

The main findings of this study are as follows: (i) developing a physiologically realistic outflow boundary condition for blood flow modeling in a compliant vasculature; (ii) demonstrating that pulse pressure as a single index cannot predict the true level of pulsatile workload on the left ventricle; (iii) proving that there is an optimum heart rate in which the pulsatile workload of the heart is minimized and that the optimum heart rate shifts to a higher value as aortic rigidity increases; (iv) introducing a simple bio-inspired device for correction and optimization of aortic wave reflection that reduces the workload on the heart; (v) deriving a non-dimensional number that can predict the optimum wave dynamic state in a mammalian cardiovascular system; (vi) demonstrating that waves can create a pumping effect in the aorta; (vii) introducing a system parameter and a new medical index, Intrinsic Frequency, that can be used for noninvasive diagnosis of heart and vascular diseases; and (viii) proposing a new medical hypothesis for sudden cardiac death in young athletes.

Vascular dilatory function and cardiovascular risk factors in women with a history of pre-eclampsia

Women with a history of pre-eclampsia have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease in later life. The mechanisms which mediate this heightened risk are poorly understood; it was long believed that pre-eclampsia was a separate disease without any connection to other pathologies. The present study was undertaken to investigate the cardiovascular risk milieu, vascular dilatory function and cardiovascular risk factors, in women with pre-eclampsia, 5 6 years after index pregnancy. The aim was to understand better the cardiovascular risks associated with pre-eclampsia and add tools to the evaluation of cardiovascular risk in women. --- The study involved 30 women with previous severe pre-eclampsia and 21 controls. The 2-day study protocol included venous occlusion plethysmography and pulse wave analysis for assessment of vascular dilatory function and central pulse wave reflection, respectively, office and ambulatory blood pressure measurements, assessment of insulin sensitivity, using a minimal model technique, and tests regarding renal function, lipid metabolism, sympathetic activity and inflammation. Vasodilatory function was impaired in women with a history of pre-eclampsia; this was seen in both endothelium-dependent and endothelium-independent vasodilatation. Proteinuria during pre-eclampsia did not predict changes in vasodilatation, and renal function was similar in the two groups. Insulin sensitivity was related to vasodilatation and features of metabolic syndrome, but only in the patient group, despite similar insulin sensitivity in the control group. Arterial pressure was higher in the patient group than in the controls and correlated with endothelin-1 levels in the patient group, whilst the overall difference between the groups was diminished in 24 hour arterial pressure measurements. Additionally, women with previous pre-eclampsia were characterized by increased sympathetic activity. Impaired vasodilatory function at the vascular smooth muscle level seems to characterize clinically healthy women with a history of pre-eclampsia. These vascular changes and the features of metabolic syndrome may be related to the increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Furthermore, increased blood pressure in combination with enhanced sympathetic activity may be additive as regards this risk. These women should be informed about their potential cardiovascular risk profile and the possibilities to minimize it via their own actions. Medical cardiovascular risk assessment in women should include obstetric history.

Arterial stiffness and cardiovascular risk factors

Background: As the human body ages, the arteries gradually lose their elasticity and become stiffer. Although inevitable, this process is influenced by hereditary and environmental factors. Interestingly, many classic cardiovascular risk factors affect the arterial stiffness. During the last decade, accelerated arterial stiffening has been recognized as an important cardiovascular risk factor associated with increased mortality as well as with several chronic disorders. Objectives: This thesis examines the role of arterial stiffness in relation to variations in a physiological feature in healthy individuals. In addition, the effect on arterial stiffness of an acute transitory disease and the effect of a chronic disease are studied. Furthermore, the thesis analyzes the prognostic value of a marker of arterial stiffness in individuals with chronic disease. Finally, a potential method of reducing arterial stiffness is evaluated. Material and study design: The first study examines pulse wave reflection and pulse wave velocity in relation to muscle fibre distribution in healthy middle-aged men. In the second study, pulse wave reflection in women with current or previous preeclampsia is compared to a healthy control group. The effect of aging on the different blood pressure indices in patients with type 1 diabetes is examined in the third study, whereas the fourth paper studies the relation between these blood pressure indices and mortality in type 2 diabetes. The fifth study evaluates how intake of a fermented milk product containing bioactive peptides affects pulse wave reflection in individuals with mild hypertension. Results and conclusions: Muscle fibre type distribution is not an independent determinant of arterial stiffness in middle-aged males. Pulse wave reflection is increased in pregnant women with preeclampsia, but not in previously preeclamptic non-pregnant women. Patients with type 1 diabetes have a higher and more rapidly increasing pulse pressure, which suggests accelerated arterial stiffening. In elderly type 2 diabetic patients, very high and very low levels of pulse pressure are associated with higher mortality. Intake of milk-derived bioactive peptides reduces pulse wave reflection in hypertensive males but not in hypertensive females.

Influence of crack parameters on wavelet energy correlated damage index

This paper illustrates a Wavelet Coefficient based approach using experiments to understand the sensitivity of ultrasonic signals due to parametric variation of a crack configuration in a metal plate. A PZT patch sensor/actuator system integrated to a metal plate with through-thickness crack is used. The proposed approach uses piezoelectric patches, which can be used to both actuate and sense the ultrasonic signals. While this approach leads to more flexibility and reduced cost for larger scalability of the sensor/actuator network, the complexity of the signals increases as compared to what is encountered in conventional ultrasonic NDE problems using selective wave modes. A Damage Index (DI) has been introduced, which is function of wavelet coefficient. Experiments have been carried out for various crack sizes, crack orientations and band-limited tone-burst signal through FIR filter. For a 1 cm long crack interrogated with 20 kHz tone-burst signal, the Damage Index (DI) for the horizontal crack orientation increases by about 70% with respect to that for 135 degrees oriented crack and it increases by about 33% with respect to the vertically oriented crack. The detailed results reported in this paper is a step forward to developing computational schemes for parametric identification of damage using sensor/actuator network and ultrasonic wave.

Forward-Running Detonation Drivers for High-Enthalpy Shock Tunnels

To improve the quality of driving flows generated with detonation-driven shock tunnels operated in the forward-running mode, various detonation drivers with specially designed sections were examined. Four configurations of the specially designed section, three with different converging angles and one with a cavity ring, were simulated by solving the Euler equations implemented with a pseudo kinetic reaction model. From the first three cases, it is observed that the reflection of detonation fronts at the converging wall results in an upstream-traveling shock wave that can increase the flow pressure that has decreased due to expansion waves, which leads to improvement of the driving flow. The configuration with a cavity ring is found to be more promising because the upstream-traveling shock wave appears stronger and the detonation front is less overdriven. Although pressure fluctuations due to shock wave focusing and shock wave reflection are observable in these detonation-drivers, they attenuate very rapidly to an acceptable level as the detonation wave propagates downstream. Based on the numerical observations, a new detonation-driven shock tunnel with a cavity ring is designed and installed for experimental investigation. Experimental results confirm the conclusion drawn from numerical simulations. The generated driving flow in this shock tunnel could maintain uniformity for as long as 4 ms. Feasibility of the proposed detonation driver for high-enthalpy shock tunnels is well demonstrated.

Simulations of oil spread on a water surface

Numerical simulation of an oil slick spreading on still and wavy surfaces is described in this paper. The so-called sigma transformation is used to transform the time-varying physical domain into a fixed calculation domain for the water wave motions and, at the same time, the continuity equation is changed into an advection equation of wave elevation. This evolution equation is discretized by the forward time and central space scheme, and the momentum equations by the projection method. A damping zone is set up in front of the outlet boundary coupled with a Sommerfeld-Orlanski condition at that boundary to minimize the wave reflection. The equations for the oil slick are depth-averaged and coupled with the water motions when solving numerically. As examples, sinusoidal and solitary water waves, the oil spread on a smooth plane and on still and wavy water surfaces are calculated to examine the accuracy of simulating water waves by Navier-Stokes equations, the effect of damping zone on wave reflection and the precise structures of oil spread on waves.

Shocked Flows Induced by Supersonic Projectiles Moving in Tubes

A numerical study on shocked flows induced by a supersonic projectile moving in tubes is described in this paper. The dispersion-controlled scheme was adopted to solve the Euler equations implemented with moving boundary conditions. Four test cases were carried out in the present study: the first two cases are for validation of numerical algorithms and verification of moving boundary conditions, and the last two cases are for investigation into wave dynamic processes induced by the projectile moving at Mach numbers of M-p = 2.0 and 2.4, respectively, in a short time duration after the projectile was released from a shock tube into a big chamber. It was found that complex shock phenomena exist in the shocked flow, resulting from shock-wave/projectile interaction, shock-wave focusing, shock-wave reflection and shock-wave/contact-surface interactions, from which turbulence and vortices may be generated. This is a fundamental study on complex shock phenomena, and is also a useful investigation for understanding on shocked flows in the ram accelerator that may provide a highly efficient facility for launching hypersonic projectiles.

Microstructure, deformation and failure of polymer bonded explosives

Polymer bonded explosives (PBXs) are highly particle filled composite materials comprised of explosive crystals and a polymeric binder (ca. 5-10% by weight). The microstructure and mechanical properties of two pressed PBXs with different binder systems were studied in this paper. The initial microstructure of the pressed PBXs and its evolution under different mechanical aggressions were studied, including quasi-static tension and compression, ultrasonic wave stressing and long-pulse low-velocity impact. Real-time microscopic observation of the PBXs under tension was conducted by using a scanning electron microscope equipped with a loading stage. The mechanical properties under tensile creep, quasi-static tension and compression were studied. The Brazilian test, or diametrical compression, was used to study the tensile properties. The influences of pressing pressures and temperatures, and strain rates on the mechanical properties of PBXs were analyzed. The mesoscale damage modes in initial pressed samples and the samples insulted by different mechanical aggressions, and the corresponding failure mechanisms of the PBXs under different loading conditions were analyzed.

New Numerical Algorithms in SUPER CE/SE and Their Applications in Explosion Mechanics

The new numerical algorithms in SUPER/CESE and their applications in explosion mechanics are studied. The researched algorithms and models include an improved CE/SE (space-time Conservation Element and Solution Element) method, a local hybrid particle level set method, three chemical reaction models and a two-fluid model. Problems of shock wave reflection over wedges, explosive welding, cellular structure of gaseous detonations and two-phase detonations in the gas-droplet system are simulated by using the above-mentioned algorithms and models. The numerical results reveal that the adopted algorithms have many advantages such as high numerical accuracy, wide application field and good compatibility. The numerical algorithms presented in this paper may be applied to the numerical research of explosion mechanics.

Estudo da função vascular em hipertensos com diabetes tipo 2 em uso de losartana ou anlodipino

As doenças cardiovasculares permanecem como a principal causa de morte no mundo, e têm a hipertensão arterial sistêmica (HAS) e o diabetes mellitus tipo 2 (DM2) como uns dos seus principais fatores de risco. Sabidamente, a HAS e o DM2 são doenças frequentemente associadas. A escolha dos fármacos anti-hipertensivos a serem utilizados no tratamento de pacientes hipertensos diabéticos tem como objetivo o controle da pressão arterial, a redução da morbimortalidade das complicações macro e microvasculares. Alterações na função endotelial precedem as alterações morfológicas do vaso e contribuem para o desenvolvimento das complicações macrovasculares. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a associação de alterações vasculares funcionais com o uso de losartana ou anlodipino em pacientes hipertensos e diabéticos tipo 2. Foi realizado um estudo transversal com coleta de dados prospectiva. Os pacientes incluídos foram randomizados e divididos em dois grupos, sendo avaliados na sexta semana da utilização de losartana 100 mg/dia ou anlodipino 5 mg/dia, com aferição da PA, realização de monitorização ambulatorial da pressão arterial e testes para avaliação de parâmetros vasculares como tonometria de aplanação, velocidade de onda de pulso (VOP) e dilatação mediada por fluxo (DMF) da artéria braquial. Foram incluídos 42 pacientes, 21 em cada grupo. A distribuição da amostra demonstrou uma predominância do sexo feminino (71%) nos dois grupos e uma semelhança na idade média dos pacientes (54,06,9 anos, no grupo losartana e 54,94,5 anos, no grupo anlodipino). A média dos valores de pressão arterial na sexta semana foram 15319/909 mmHg no grupo losartana e 14514/848 mmHg no grupo anlodipino, não havendo diferença estatística entre os grupos. O augmentation index (AIx; 309% vs. 368%, p=0,025), assim como a augmentation pressure (166 mmHg vs. 208 mmHg, p=0,045) foram menores no grupo anlodipino do que no grupo losartana. Os valores obtidos para VOP e DMF foram semelhantes nos dois grupos. Em pacientes hipertensos e diabéticos tipo 2, o tratamento com anlodipino em dose média comparado com losartana em dose máxima associou-se a menores níveis de pressão arterial casual. Menores valores de AIx foram observados no grupo anlodipino, com um padrão de reflexão da onda de pulso mais favorável neste grupo. Os valores da VOP e DMF encontrados foram semelhantes nos dois grupos podendo sugerir influências da losartana sobre os parâmetros vasculares independentes do efeito pressórico.

Determinação por ultrassom de constantes elásticas de pastilhas de alumina utilizadas em varetas combustíveis de reatores nucleares.

Pastilhas de dióxido de urânio (UO2) são empregadas como combustível nos reatores nucleares de potência, onde as condições operacionais introduzem elevados gradientes térmicos nas pastilhas. Potências elevadas propiciam a fusão da parte central das pastilhas. O inchamento das pastilhas de dióxido de urânio (UO2), decorrente dos produtos de fissão, pode causar o trincamento do material, em função disso, o estudo do seu comportamento mecânico é importante. Esse trabalho avaliou a aplicação de método ultrassônico na obtenção de constantes elásticas. Em função das dificuldades no manuseio do material nuclear, optou-se por um estudo comparativo em pastilhas de alumina (Al2O3). Foram fabricados e usados dois conjuntos de 10 pastilhas de Al2O3 com densidades de 92% e 96%. Foi desenvolvida técnica ultrassônica por transmissão obtendo medidas do tempo de percurso de ondas ultrassônicas, longitudinais e transversais, usadas para a determinação das constantes elásticas do material. Equações relacionando a velocidade da onda ultrassônica ao módulo de elasticidade, módulo de cisalhamento e coeficiente de Poisson, permitiram obter essas constantes elásticas, que apresentaram excelente concordância com a literatura disponível para o Al2O3.