Effect of high permeability on the accurate determination of permittivity for Mn-Zn ferrite cores

This work presents a field-circuit-coupled method to investigate differences between intrinsic and measured permittivities for a Mn-Zn ferrite. Electric and magnetic fields in a flat cylindrical ferrite, which is used here to construct a ferrite capacitor, are solved analytically. Then, complex power supplied to the capacitor is calculated. On the basis of the complex power, parameters in an equivalent circuit for the ferrite capacitor are extracted. The paper examines the validity of the developed mathematical model. Numerical results show that for a ferrite with high permeabilities, measured permittivities follow intrinsic values well at low frequency but fail to embody the intrinsic values when the frequency runs above several hundred kilohertz. Numerical results also demonstrate that the dimensions of the sample under investigation play a role in measurement errors. The larger the radius of the cylindrical ferrite is, the higher the errors are. Correction curves are generated, from which the measured permittivities can be corrected to reflect the intrinsic values.     

2-Iminopyrrolidines as potent and selective inhibitors of human inducible nitric oxide synthase

A series of substituted 2-iminopyrrolidines has been prepared and shown to be potent and selective inhibitors of the human inducible nitric oxide synthase (hiNOS) isoform versus the human endothelial nitric oxide synthase (heNOS) and the human neuronal nitric oxide synthase (hnNOS). Simple substitutions at the 3-, 4-, or 5-position afforded more potent analogues than the parent 2-iminopyrrolidine 1. The effect of ring substitutions on both potency and selectivity for the different NOS isoforms is described. Substitution at the 4- and 5-positions of the 2-iminopyrrolidine yielded both potent and selective inhibitors of hiNOS. In particular, (+)-cis-4-methyl-5-pentylpyrrolidin-2-imine, monohydrochloride (20), displayed potent inhibition of hiNOS (IC50 = 0.25 microM) and selectivities of 897 (heNOS IC50/hiNOS IC50) and 13 (hnNOS IC50/hiNOS IC50). Example 20 was shown to be an efficacious inhibitor of NO production in the mouse endotoxin assay. Furthermore, 20 displayed in vivo selectivity, versus heNOS isoform, by not elevating blood pressure at multiples of the effective dose in the mouse.     

Nebulisation of surfactants in an animal model of neonatal respiratory distress

AIMS: To evaluate pulmonary deposition and gas exchange following nebulisation of two surfactants by either a jet or an ultrasonic nebuliser. METHOD: After bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), 19 rabbits were ventilated in four groups. Group A1 (n = 5) and A2 (n = 6) received Technetium-99m labelled Exosurf, and groups B1 (n = 4) and B2 (n = 4) received radiolabelled Survanta. Groups A1 and B1 received jet nebuliser therapy, whereas groups A2 and B2 received ultrasonic nebuliser. Pulmonary deposition, distribution, and blood gases were determined. RESULTS: Pulmonary deposition as per cent of initial dose and mg lipid) was 0.28(0.10)% or 0.59(0.21) mg in group A1, 1.05(0.23)% or 2.21(0.48) mg in group A2, 0.08(0.02)% or 0.30(0.08) mg in group B1, and 0.09(0.02)% or 0.34(0.08) mg in group B2. Deposition in group A2 was greater than in other groups (p = 0.001). Group A2 showed a small improvement in blood gases. CONCLUSIONS: Even the highest deposition--ultrasonic nebuliser with Exosurf--achieved limited clinical effect. The aerosol route is currently not effective for surfactant treatment.     

Space-frequency sampling criteria for electromagnetic scattering of a finite object

The sampling criteria in the wavenumber space for generating the spatial impulse response of a finite target is described. A proper choice of canonical confinement for the target in space can greatly reduce the number of samples required to sufficiently characterize the target's spatial impulse response. Though a sampling lattice may be more efficient in the sense of a reduced number of measurement points per unit volume of hyperspace, it may be less effective when digital processing is involved. Specifically, the time-consuming interpolating step is required to put data presented in other types of sampling lattice into the proper type for the computer. Two-dimensional impulse responses reconstructed from cubic sampled data are compared with those using Mensa et al.'s method. The responses obtained also indicate good potential for image reconstruction via the spatial impulse response.     

Numerical Investigation of Phase Change Material-Based Heat Storage Unit on Cooling of Mobile Phone

This article presents the cooling of mobile phones using phase change material stored in a heat storage unit (HSU). In this study, the cooling performances of three HSU models at different power levels are examined using numerical simulation. Results show that for the same magnitude of heat source power, the melting start time and charging times can be extended if the heat sources and HSUs are distributed. Dimensional analysis shows that the melt fraction can be plotted against the product of Fourier and Stefan numbers to produce some generalized results for cases with low heat source power. At higher power, the Rayleigh number has to be included to take into account the effect of convection. The article also compares the heat source temperatures between plastic and aluminum enclosures.     

Determination of coefficients of the crack tip asymptotic field by fractal hybrid finite elements

This paper applies the fractal finite element method (FFEM) together with 9-node Lagrangian hybrid elements to the calculation of linear elastic crack tip fields. An explicit stabilization scheme is employed to suppress the spurious kinematic modes of the sub-integrated Lagrangian element. An extensive convergence study has been conducted to examine the effects of the similarity ratio, reduced integration and the type of elements on the accuracy and stability of the numerical solutions. It is concluded that (i) a similarity ratio close to unity should be used to construct the fractal mesh, (ii) sub-integrated Lagrangian elements with occasionally unstable behaviour should not be used, and (iii) the good accuracy (with differences less than 0.5% with existing available solutions) and stability over a wide range of numerical tests support the use of fractal hybrid finite elements for determining crack tip asymptotic fields.     

Abnormal thyroid and adrenocortical function test results in intensive care patients

A prospective, cohort study of 75 consecutive patients requiring management in the medical intensive care unit (MICU) of the Singapore General Hospital was carried out over a five-month period to determine thyroid and adrenocortical profiles and evaluate their use in predicting patient outcome. Up to 88% of patients had at least one abnormal thyroid function and 77% had abnormal adrenocortical function test results. There were significantly lower triiodothyronine, thyroxine and free thyroxine, but not thyrotropin levels, and higher cortisol levels in non-survivors compared to survivors (all P < 0.01). Of the endocrine parameters, triiodothyronine and cortisol concentrations were independent predictors of outcome. The overall predictive accuracy of combining these two variables on admission into the MICU was 74%. The APACHE II (acute physiology and chronic health evaluation II) score alone predicted outcome with 71% accuracy, and in combination with triiodothyronine and cortisol levels improved accuracy to 84%. The use of dopamine alone predicted outcome with 74% accuracy, and in combination with triiodothyronine and cortisol levels, improved accuracy to 84%. Measurements of total triiodothyronine and cortisol concentrations on admission to the MICU, and consideration of the use of dopamine improve on the APACHE II score in outcome prediction.     

Postoperative analgesia reduces mortality and morbidity after esophagectomy

INTRODUCTION: Recently, a visually driven neck reflex was identified as causing head tilt toward the horizon during VMC flight. If this is the case, then pilots orient about a fixed rather than moving horizon, implying current attitude instruments inaccurately present spatial information. The purpose of this study was to determine if the opto-kinetic cervical neck reflex has an effect dependent on passive (autopilot) or active control of the aircraft. Further, findings could help determine if the opto-kinetic cervical reflex is characteristic of other flight crewmembers. METHODS: There were 16 military pilots who flew two 13-min VMC low-level routes in a large dome flight simulator. Head position in relation to aircraft bank angle was recorded by a head tracker device. During one low-level route, the pilot had a supervisory role as the autopilot flew the aircraft (passive). The other route was flow manually by the pilot (active). RESULTS: Pilots consistently tilted the head to maintain alignment with the horizon. Similar head tilt angles were found in both the active and passive flight phases. However, head tilt had a faster onset rate in the passive condition. CONCLUSION: Results indicate the opto-kinetic cervical reflex affects pilots while actively flying or in a supervisory role as the autopilot flies. The consistent head tilt angles in both conditions should be considered in attitude indicator, HUD, and HMD designs. Further, results seem to indicate that non-pilot flight crewmembers are affected by the opto-kinetic cervical reflex which should be considered in spatial disorientation and airsickness discussions.     

Graphite thermal expansion relationship for different temperature ranges

For practical reasons, the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) has to be measured over a particular temperature range, for example 20-120 °C, 20-400 °C or 500-700 °C. However, in many cases, engineers or scientists involved in the assessment of graphite components such as nuclear reactor moderator bricks, electrodes or moulds require CTE over temperature ranges other than that of the original measurement. This paper compares three different techniques used to convert CTE from one temperature range to another. The method used by the UK nuclear industry is compared with techniques proposed by two international companies. There was close agreement between two of the methods. However there was some divergence in the case of the third method. This may be related to the type of graphite (fine-grain) for which the third method was developed.     

The design of school furniture for Hong Kong schoolchildren. An anthropometric case study

Anthropometric data of Hong Kong schoolchildren have been collected and analysed in order to develop recommendations for the design of chairs and tables for use in Hong Kong Government coeducational schools. The anthropometric data for Hong Kong have been compared with data from a Western population (United Kingdom) and another Asian population (Japan). Five sizes of chair and table combinations have been proposed to accommodate six primary and seven secondary forms (pupils aged from 6 to 18 years). The recommended design dimensions, based on the anthropometric characteristics of the Hong Kong target populations, are discussed in relation to recommendations from previous research in this area.