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Introduction: Tactile acuity and proprioceptive disturbances lead to incongruent information between sensory system and movement in chronic neck pain (CNP). 1 This process ultimately results in pain and recovery is correlated with reduced disturbances in proprioception and tactile acuity.2,3 The aim is to compare the proprioceptive training (PT) or tactile acuity training (TAT) effects on pain in CNP. Methods: After identifying the pressure pain thresholds twice with a 30 s interval, temporal summation (TS) and conditioned pain modulation (CPM) will be assessed on the more painful upper trapezius and dominant side tibialis anterior muscle in a random order. Participants will be divided into two groups as PT and TAT groups. All participants will receive classical physiotherapy (CP) during the first two weeks in addition to PT or TAT. Then, one group will continue to receive PT and the other group will receive TAT for four weeks. Results: There is a difference between CP + PT and CP+ TAT in patients with CNP in terms of the pain parameters. Process evaluation: We can not directly compare trainings at the beginning of the study. Patients may feel pain and dizziness during PT that include eye and neck movement. To prevent this, CP will be added for all participants for two weeks. Then a three days interval will be added to avoid the summation effect of CP and then try to specifically compare the trainings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SUMMARY A novel nonreflecting boundary condition, which converges to the specified time-dependent boundary condition within any degree of accuracy, is introduced for the numerical simulation of hyperbolic systems and validated against the solution of two fundamental boundary value problems in fluids. First, transonic nozzle flow with backward acoustic disturbance is considered. Using high-order aeroacoustic numerical schemes, the proposed nonreflecting boundary condition yields results that are in excellent agreement with those obtained using conventional nonreflecting boundary conditions based on the method of characteristics as well as with the results of the exact solution. The novel nonreflecting boundary condition, implemented into a semi-analytical solution algorithm of unsteady bubbly cavitating nozzle flows, is also validated against results obtained using a Lagrangian finite volume scheme. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work deals with the effect of Mn or Fe addition on the NO x storage–reduction properties of a Pt/Ba/Al2O3 model catalyst. NO x storage capacity, SO2 poisoning and regeneration and NO x removal efficiency under rich/lean cycling conditions are studied. Fe addition to Pt/Ba/Al2O3 leads only to a small increase of NO x storage capacity, and more interestingly, to a better sulfur removal due to the inhibition of bulk barium sulfate formation. Unfortunately, the NO x storage property cannot be fully recovered. Moreover, Fe addition results in a decrease in the NO x removal efficiency. Mn addition also improves the NO x storage capacity, but no significant influence on the sulfur elimination is observed. Mn-doped catalyst does not improve the NO x removal efficiency, but NH3 selectivity is found to drastically decrease at 400 °C, from 20 to 3%. In addition, the NO x conversion can be improved at higher H2 concentration in the rich pulse, always keeping NH3 selectivity at low level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quasi-1D unsteady bubbly cavitating nozzle flows are considered by employing a homogeneous bubbly liquid flow model, where the non-linear dynamics of cavitating bubbles is described by a modified Rayleigh–Plesset equation. The various damping mechanisms are considered by a single damping coefficient lumping them together in the form of viscous dissipation and by assuming a polytropic law for the expansion and compression of the gas. The complete system of equations, by appropriate uncoupling, are then reduced to two evolution equations, one for the flow speed and the other for the bubble radius when all damping mechanisms are considered by a single damping coefficient. The evolution equations for the bubble radius and flow speed are then perturbed with respect to flow unsteadiness resulting in a coupled system of linear partial differential equations (PDEs) for the radius and flow speed perturbations. This system of coupled linear PDEs is then cast into an eigenvalue problem and the exact solution of the eigenvalue problem is found by normal mode analysis in the inlet region of the nozzle. Results show that the steady-state cavitating nozzle flow solutions are stable only for perturbations with very small wave numbers. The stable regions of the stability diagram for the inlet region of the nozzle are seen to be broadened by the effect of turbulent wall shear stress. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Background. Dermatophytes are the major responsible organisms in onychomycosis. Although recent antifungal agents have high success rates in treating this condition, lack of clinical response may occur in 20%. Antifungal drug resistance may be one of the causes of treatment failure. The need for in vitro antifungal drug resistance in daily practice is still under discussion. Objective. We aimed to determine the in vitro susceptibility patterns of dermatophytes causing onychomycosis, against the traditionally available systemic antifungal agents terbinafine, itraconazole and fluconazole. Methods. In total, 100 otherwise healthy patients with suspected onychomycosis were included. Nail clippings were cultured on Sabouraud dexrose agar, mycobiotic agar and dermatophyte test medium. Antifungal susceptibility tests were carried out, mainly following The National Committee for Clinical and Laboratory Standards (M38-P) protocol standard for filamentous fungi. Different concentrations of terbinafine (0.008–8 µg/mL), itraconazole (0.015–16 µg/mL) and fluconazole (0.06–64 µg/mL) were tested. Minimum inhibitory concentration end-point determination was chosen as 100% growth inhibition for terbinafine and 80% for azoles. Results. Of the 100 nail samples, 43% grew dermatophytes. The main causative organism was Trichophyton rubrum (91%) followed by Trichophyton mentagrophytes (9%). Terbinafine had the lowest minimum inhibitory concentration (0.008 µg/mL) followed by itraconazole. Fluconazole showed the greatest variation in minimum inhibitory concentration (0.03–2 µg/mL) and had different susceptibility patterns for the two species. Conclusions. Of the three antifungals tested, terbinafine had the most potent in vitro antifungal activity against dermatophytes . Antifungal susceptibility tests would be useful to screen antifungal-resistant dermatophyte strains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The interaction and reactivity of model sulfur compounds with gasoline sulfur reduction additives based on Zn-, Na-, and F-doped γ-Al2O3 have been investigated by in situ and operando infrared spectroscopy and microactivity tests. While gasoline sulfur reduction additives selectively crack tetrahydrothiophene (THT) into H2S and butadiene they are inactive toward thiophene. When blended with a fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) catalyst, gasoline sulfur reduction additives do reduce (alkyl)thiophene contents in gasoline. There is a synergy between the FCC catalyst and the gasoline sulfur reduction additive leading to sulfur reduction. Under actual FCC conditions, Al2O3-based gasoline sulfur reduction additives reduce thiophenic compounds by decomposing (alkyl)THT formed via hydrogen transfer on the FCC catalyst. A balance between acid and base properties is required for an optimum activity of the additive, suggesting that THT cracking occurs on Lewis acid–base pairs through successive E2 eliminations. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A small test model superconducting helical undulator for the production of 20 MeV photons has been constructed and tested. The undulator has a period of 14 mm, a bore of approximately 4 mm and produces a magnetic flux density on-axis of 0.8 T as required by the TESLA facility. Work is now underway to modify this design to meet the requirements of the ILC positron source and to manufacture a full scale prototype. This paper details the design, construction and measurements of the small test model and the modeling work necessary to extend that design for use in the ILC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quasi-one-dimensional steady-state cavitating nozzle flows with homogeneous bubble nucleation and nonlinear bubble dynamics are considered using a continuum bubbly liquid flow model. The onset of cavitation is modeled using an improved version of the classical theory of homogeneous nucleation, and the nonlinear dynamics of cavitating bubbles is described by the classical Rayleigh-Plesset equation. Using a polytropic law for the partial gas pressure within the bubble and accounting for the classical damping mechanisms, in a crude manner, by an effective viscosity, stable steady-state solutions with stationary shock waves as well as unstable flashing flow solutions were obtained, similar to the homogeneous bubbly flow solutions given by Wang and Brennen [J. Fluids Eng., 120, 166-170, 1998] and by Delale, Schnerr, and Sauer [J. Fluid Mech., 427, 167-204, 2001]. In particular, reductions in the maximum bubble radius and bubble collapse periods are observed for stable nucleating nozzle flows as compared to the nonnucleating stable solution of Wang and Brennen under similar conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A bubble fission model that takes into account energy dissipation during violent collapses of cavitation bubbles is introduced by assuming volume conservation and continuity of the gas pressure during instantaneous breakup, invoking either Rayleigh–Taylor instability or high speed microjet formation. In particular, a modified Rayleigh–Plesset equation is derived for the volumetric motion of the fission fragments in rebound. Results obtained under a pressure signal typical for cavitation bubbles confirm the scaling law of Brennen [C. E. Brennen, “Fission of collapsing cavitation bubbles,” J. Fluid Mech. 472, 153 (2002)] and the observations in experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Self-supporting molybdenum sulfide samples with high surface area were prepared by in situ thermal decomposition in vacuum of ammonium thiomolybdate. BET specific surface area of the resulting material has its highest values of about 120 m2/g for samples treated in situ at 473 K and decreases on further heating, while the composition of samples treated at 423–473 K is close to MoS3, and after heating up to 573 K corresponds to MoS2. FTIR spectra show that precursor decomposition is almost completed already after treatment at 423 K, although the sample still contains admixed ammonium ions. After 473 K most of contaminations are gone. Spectra of adsorbed NH3, ND3, CO, SO2, CO2, COS and CH3SH adsorbed on samples pretreated at 423–473 K are very close to those obtained for air-contacted MoS2 powder. However higher band intensities and the use of labeled compound enabled us to identify the bands of coordinately bonded NH3 molecules and to point to the existence of acidic sites capable to protonate ammonia. Molecularly adsorbed CH3SH could be distinguished from its dissociative form; this reveals the existence of acid–base pair sites on bulk molybdenum sulfide. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Presents information on a study which investigated the stabilizing effects of thermal damping on flow instabilities. Thermal conduction through a spherical vapor-gas bubble; Model equations for thermal damping in quasi-one-dimensional cavitating nozzle flows; Discussion on normalized equations for energy balance of a spherical vapor-gas bubble.

Supercritical normal shock waves in fully choked nozzle flows with nonequilibrium condensation are considered. The continuous subcritical nozzle flow solution is supplemented by the normal shock jump conditions to account for the frozen, gas dynamic, normal shock wave embedded in the droplet growth zone caused by supercritical heat addition from condensation. The location of the normal shock wave is then determined by employing Barschdorff's [Forsch. Ingenieurwes. 37, 146 (1971)] shock fitting technique, which in this work is converted into a noniterative analytical framework. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The compressible nozzle flow of a mixture of a condensible vapor and an inert carrier gas with nonequilibrium condensation is considered. An asymptotic method is used with respect to two disparate parameters appearing in the nonequilibrium condensation rate equation. A high activation limit and another limit consideration that signify a large nucleation time followed by a small droplet growth time are employed. Under the limits, the coupled integral rate equation is so controlled by the activation function of homogeneous nucleation over its six zones that there appears to be a one-to-one correspondence between these zones and the six characteristic condensation zones of the nozzle flow itself. The six zones are the initial growth of condensate, further growth, rapid growth, onset, nucleation with growth, and droplet growth zone. The last zone can be greatly simplified if terms that imply a reasonably sizable order of error are neglected. This results in the rectilinear, one-dimensional flow equations of a normal shock wave structured or resisted by droplet growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]