Comparison of tracheal aspirates before and after high-speed treadmill exercise in racehorses

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether percentages of neutrophils in tracheal aspirate (TA) samples collected from racehorses are increased after exercise and whether interpretation of results from TA samples taken before and after exercise agree. DESIGN: Case series of 40 young Thoroughbred and Standardbred racehorses in race training presented for evaluation of poor performance. PROCEDURE: TA samples were collected endoscopically from racehorses presented for poor performance 24 h before and 1 to 2 h after high speed treadmill exercise testing. Aliquots of the retrieved fluid were cytocentrifuged and smears were stained with Diff-Quik. Mean neutrophil counts were expressed as percentages of the total number of inflammatory cells counted and subsequently were categorised as either above or below an accepted cut-off of 20%. Comparisons between percentages of neutrophils before and after exercise were made. RESULTS: Percentage of neutrophils from TA samples obtained from racehorses after exercise was significantly higher than neutrophil percentages from TA samples collected from the same horse before exercise. In horses with TA specimens that were categorised as having < or = 20% neutrophils before treadmill exercise, the percentage of neutrophils in their TA specimens after exercise was, on average, significantly higher and was greater than the cut-off value of 20%. CONCLUSION: Recent strenuous exercise may change the proportion of neutrophils in lower airways of racehorses and practitioners should be aware of this when collecting and interpreting the results from TA samples. The most practical time for collection of a TA sample to obtain the most diagnostically useful information might be after a suitable washout period of at least 1 to 2 h post-exercise.     

EFFECT OF HIGH LOADS IN THE BRIDGE LOAD SPECTRUM ON FATIGUE CRACK GROWTH OF 16 Mn STEEL

This paper studies an effect of high loads in Rayleigh distribution random load-ing on fatigue crack growth wi th 16 Mn steel compact tenion specimen,The results show that thehigh loads in the load spectrum close to service load of steel bridges accelerate crack growth and re-duce crack growth life,Lives predicted with constant amplitude da/dn data and equivalent loads arequite in agreement with test lives.     

THE STUDY OF STRAIN FATIGUE CRACK PROPAGATION BEHAVOURS OF VANADIUM BEARING HSLA STEEL

In this paper, the strain fatigue: crack propagation rates of vanadium bearing HSLA steel with different micro-structures are measured under constant load conditions, and the relationship between the crack propagation rate and the microstructures of steel is also studied.     

Approaches to enhance power density of gearboxes for wind turbines

Based on pitting strength, some approaches to enhance power density of gearboxes for wind turbines are discussed. The calculation load is greatly reduced by power division. Allowable stress numbers are effectively increased by improving property of quality materials, precision heat treatment or shot peening. Load capacities can be also obviously enhanced by improving the tooth shape of morphology optimization of tooth root, tooth correction or superfinishing of tooth surface. The center distance is effectively decreased by minishing minimum allowable safety factor or enlarging face width. The power density of gearbox can be further improved by means of structure optimization of planet carrier or uniform load of planetary gear transmission.     

基于有限元技术的疲劳寿命分析

叙述了有限元技术在疲劳寿命预测中的应用和一般的分析过程;着重介绍了疲劳载荷历程的合成规则和表面节点应力状态的判断方法;归纳评述了常用的多轴疲劳损伤模型;针对结构中普遍存在的焊缝焊点给出了具体的疲劳寿命分析方法;最后给出驱动桥壳疲劳寿命分析实例,计算结果和试验数据基本一致,说明基于有限元法的疲劳寿命预测是切实可行的,可以降低成本,缩短研发周期。     

LabVIEW在V带疲劳寿命试验台上的应用

介绍了在V带疲劳试验台上数据采集及控制的自动测量系统。该系统基于LabVIEW平台编写了控制程序,人机界面统一采用了Windows风格的单元,醒目方便;使用精度高、便于自动控制的变频电机驱动、电涡流测功机加载;用计算机完成整个试验台的自动化控制,操作简单、准确度高。     

机动车驾驶员疲劳状态的仿真分析研究

通过对驾驶员的驾驶操纵过程进行分析,应用传递函数这一经典控制理论工具,构建了驾驶员的行为操纵模型,并在MATLAB/Simulink仿真环境下实现,通过对机动车驾驶员的正常状态和疲劳状态进行仿真比较分析,表明驾驶员在疲劳状态时比正常状态时需要更长的操纵时间才能跟随着道路环境的变化,其果断性和灵敏性、实时性均下降很多,为进一步研究机动车驾驶员的疲劳状态奠定了理论基础。