Analytical and experimental studies of shock interference heating in hypersonic flows

An analytical and experimental study is presented of the aerodynamic heating resulting from six types of shock interference patterns encountered in high speed flow. Centerline measurements of pressure and heat transfer distributions on basic bodies were obtained in four wind tunnels for Mach numbers from 6 to 20, specific heat ratios from 1.27 to 1.67, and free stream Reynolds numbers from 3 million to 25.6 million per meter. Peak heating and peak pressures up to 17 and 7.5 times stagnation values, respectively, were measured. In general, results obtained from semiempirical methods developed for each of the six types of interference agreed with the experimental peaks

Community Reaction towards Social Innovation: A Discussion of Rogers’ Diffusion of Innovations Theory in Consideration of Community Emotional Response

While originally utilized within the natural and agricultural sciences, the diffusion of innovation theory has been applied across numerous contexts. As we continue to apply this model within Extension education, international development, and other community education contexts around the world, it not only becomes pertinent to examine how it applies towards social innovations–innovations that improve the social good –but also to understand howcommunities reactwhenadoptingsocial innovations. Within this article, researchers propose an Emotional-Behavioral Influence Modelto deepen theunderstanding as to how communities respond, emotionally and behaviorally, towards social innovationsthroughout the adoption process. They then overlay the model onto twoexamples, one urban and one rural, showcasing its application to communitiesworldwide. Finally, researchers discuss implications for extension professionals as they preflect on implementing social innovations in communities globall

What is Hydrospatial ?

The Oceans, coastal waters, including rivers and lakes, navigable or not, cover about 70% of our Planet... The definition of Hydrography varies from: “…the science of surveying and charting bodies of waters, such as oceans, seas, lakes and rivers”; and a variation of definitions, to the definition from the International Organization (IHO) in February 2020. In the last decades we have been progressing from “GRAPHIC”… to “DIGITAL”…and SPATIAL. This Article suggests that a new word be adopted to distinguish the past analog hydrographic production chain from the present digital hydrographic data centricity, and especially for the future expansion of the role of hydrography in the world. *NB This Article reflects only the opinion of the Author and H2i

Analysis and Calibration of Loran-C Signals in the Lower St. Lawrence Area Using GPS

Loran-C signals along and in the Lower St. Lawrence River, namely between Québec City and the Gaspesia Peninsula on the south shore, between Québec City and Havre-Saint-Pierre on the North Shore, and between Québec City and Anticosti Island in the river, were analyzed using a mobile Loran-C coverage validation and calibration system consisting of analog and digital Loran-C receivers, differential GPS and data logging systems. The road measurements were made successively during February-March and July-August 1991 to analyse seasonal effects. The signals received from the East Coast Canada Chain (5930M, X, Y, Z) and the Northeast U.S. Chain (9960M, W, X) are discussed herein. The Field Strength and Signal to Noise Ratio measurements are compared with predicted values using various models for conductivity and atmospheric noise. The Time Difference (TD) measurements are first compared between forward and reverse runs along the road profiles to ascertain the quality and reliability of the system utilized. The differences between Winter and Summer TD measurements are then analyzed. A relatively small but significant seasonal effect is found. The GPS-derived TD distortions are compared with those derived using various models for the combined effect of the primary, secondary and additional secondary phase lags. The differences between measured and modeled distortions reaches several jis. The effect of these differences on Loran-C positions is found to reach several hundred metres in many cases. Conclusions related to the results presented herein are made, together with recommendations pertaining to the use of these results and future investigations

Hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) pathway activation by quercetin in human lens epithelial cells

Quercetin is a dietary bioflavonoid which has been shown to inhibit lens opacification in a number of models of cataract. The objectives of this study were to determine gene expression changes in human lens epithelial cells in response to quercetin and to investigate in detail the mechanisms underlying the responses. FHL-124 cells were treated with quercetin (10 µM) and changes in gene expression were measured by microarray. It was found that 65% of the genes with increased expression were regulated by the hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) pathway. Quercetin (10 and 30 µM) induced a time-dependent increase in HIF-1a protein levels. Quercetin (30 µM) was also responsible for a rapid and long-lasting translocation of HIF-1a from the cytoplasm to the nucleus. Activation of HIF-1 signaling by quercetin was confirmed by qRT–PCR which showed upregulation of the HIF-1 regulated genes EPO, VEGF, PGK1 and BNIP3. Analysis of medium taken from FHL-124 cells showed a sustained dose-dependent increase in VEGF secretion following quercetin treatment. The quercetin-induced increase and nuclear translocation of HIF-1a was reversed by addition of excess iron (100 µM). These results demonstrate that quercetin activates the HIF-1 signaling pathway in human lens epithelial cells

Neuroinflammation, Mast Cells, and Glia: Dangerous Liaisons

The perspective of neuroinflammation as an epiphenomenon following neuron damage is being replaced by the awareness of glia and their importance in neural functions and disorders. Systemic inflammation generates signals that communicate with the brain and leads to changes in metabolism and behavior, with microglia assuming a pro-inflammatory phenotype. Identification of potential peripheral-to-central cellular links is thus a critical step in designing effective therapeutics. Mast cells may fulfill such a role. These resident immune cells are found close to and within peripheral nerves and in brain parenchyma/meninges, where they exercise a key role in orchestrating the inflammatory process from initiation through chronic activation. Mast cells and glia engage in crosstalk that contributes to accelerate disease progression; such interactions become exaggerated with aging and increased cell sensitivity to stress. Emerging evidence for oligodendrocytes, independent of myelin and support of axonal integrity, points to their having strong immune functions, innate immune receptor expression, and production/response to chemokines and cytokines that modulate immune responses in the central nervous system while engaging in crosstalk with microglia and astrocytes. In this review, we summarize the findings related to our understanding of the biology and cellular signaling mechanisms of neuroinflammation, with emphasis on mast cell-glia interactions

Deletion of Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor 2 from the Peri-Wolffian Duct Stroma Leads to Ureteric Induction Abnormalities and Vesicoureteral Reflux

Purpose: Pax3cre-mediated deletion of fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 (Fgfr2) broadly in renal and urinary tract mesenchyme led to ureteric bud (UB) induction defects and vesicoureteral reflux (VUR), although the mechanisms were unclear. Here, we investigated whether Fgfr2 acts specifically in peri-Wolffian duct stroma (ST) to regulate UB induction and development of VUR and the mechanisms of Fgfr2 activity. Methods: We conditionally deleted Fgfr2 in ST (Fgfr2 ST-/- ) using Tbx18cre mice. To look for ureteric bud induction defects in young embryos, we assessed length and apoptosis of common nephric ducts (CNDs). We performed 3D reconstructions and histological analyses of urinary tracts of embryos and postnatal mice and cystograms in postnatal mice to test for VUR. We performed in situ hybridization and real-time PCR in young embryos to determine mechanisms underlying UB induction defects. Results: We confirmed that Fgfr2 is expressed in ST and that Fgfr2 was efficiently deleted in this tissue in Fgfr2 ST-/- mice at embryonic day (E) 10.5. E11.5 Fgfr2 ST-/- mice had randomized UB induction sites with approximately 1/3 arising too high and 1/3 too low from the Wolffian duct; however, apoptosis was unaltered in E12.5 mutant CNDs. While ureters were histologically normal, E15.5 Fgfr2 ST-/- mice exhibit improper ureteral insertion sites into the bladder, consistent with the ureteric induction defects. While ureter and bladder histology appeared normal, postnatal day (P) 1 mutants had high rates of VUR versus controls (75% versus 3%, p = 0.001) and occasionally other defects including renal hypoplasia and duplex systems. P1 mutant mice also had improper ureteral bladder insertion sites and shortened intravesicular tunnel lengths that correlated with VUR. E10.5 Fgfr2 ST-/- mice had decreases in Bmp4 mRNA in stromal tissues, suggesting a mechanism underlying the ureteric induction and VUR phenotypes. Conclusion: Mutations in FGFR2 could possibly cause VUR in humans. © 2013 Walker et al

The confidence cult(ure)

In this paper we explore how confidence has become a technology of self that invites girls and women to work on themselves. The discussion demonstrates the extensiveness of what we call the ‘cult(ure) of confidence’ across different areas of social life, and examines the continuities in the way that exponents of the confidence cult(ure) name, diagnose and propose solutions to archetypal feminist questions about labour, value and the body. Our analysis focuses on two broad areas of social life in which the notion of confidence has taken hold powerfully in the last few years: popular discussions about gender and work, and consumer body culture. Examining the incitements to self-confidence in these realms, we show how an emergent technology of confidence, systematically re-signifies feminist accounts, by turning away from structural inequalities and collectivist critiques of male domination into heightened modes of self-work and self-regulation, and by repudiating the injuries inflicted by the structures of inequality. We conclude by situating the ‘confidence cult(ure)’ in relation to wider debates about feminism, postfeminism and neoliberalism

The Effects of Hypertension on Cognitive Function in Children and Adolescents

Hypertension (HTN) is found in about 3-4% of the pediatric population with long-term risks of end organ damage if untreated or poorly controlled. Although children with HTN are being more frequently screened for end organ damage (i.e., LVH), the cognitive effects of HTN and methods to screen for cognitive dysfunction have not been extensively explored. In recent years, there have been a small number of studies that have provided important insights that can guide future research in this area. These studies show that HTN can be associated with headaches, restlessness, sleep disturbance, anxiety, depression, decreased attention, and also poor executive functioning. By increasing the utilization of cognitive tests in hypertensive children and adolescents, important cognitive defects secondary to HTN may be detected. More research is needed in the area, and the results of future studies could have far reaching implications for long-term outcomes in hypertensive children and adolescents