Search results for "Valves"
showing 10 items of 62 documents
Freshwater mussels (Anodonta anatina) reduce transmission of a common fish trematode (eye fluke, Diplostomum pseudospathaceum)
2017
SUMMARYRecent results suggest that bivalves can play an important role in restraining the spread of various aquatic infections. However, the ability of mussels to remove free-living stages of macroparasites and reduce their transmission is still understudied, especially for freshwater ecosystems. We investigated the influence of the common freshwater mussel (Anodonta anatina) on the transmission of a trematode (eye fluke, Diplostomum pseudospathaceum), which frequently infects fish in farms and natural habitats. In our experiments, mussels caused a significant decrease (P < 0·001) in the abundance of trematode free-living stages, from 6520 to 1770 cercariae L−1 on average (about 4-fold i…
The conservation status of the world's freshwater molluscs
2021
With the biodiversity crisis continuing unchecked, we need to establish levels and drivers of extinction risk, and reassessments over time, to effectively allocate conservation resources and track progress towards global conservation targets. Given that threat appears particularly high in freshwaters, we assessed the extinction risk of 1428 randomly selected freshwater molluscs using the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria, as part of the Sampled Red List Index project. We show that close to one-third of species in our sample are estimated to be threatened with extinction, with highest levels of threat in the Nearctic, Palearctic and Australasia and among gastropods. Threat levels were hi…
A Self-Contained Electro-Hydraulic Cylinder with Passive Load-Holding Capability
2019
Self-contained electro-hydraulic cylinders have the potential to replace both conventional hydraulic systems and the electro-mechanical counterparts enhancing energy efficiency, plug-and-play installation, and reduced maintenance. Current commercial solutions of this technology are limited and typically tailor-made, whereas the research emphasis is primarily on cost efficiency and power applications below five [kW]. Therefore, there is the need of developing more flexible systems adaptable to multiple applications. This research paper offers a contribution in this regard. It presents an electro-hydraulic self-contained single-rod cylinder with passive load-holding capability, sealed tank, c…
A Comparison Study of a Novel Self-Contained Electro-Hydraulic Cylinder versus a Conventional Valve-Controlled Actuator—Part 2: Energy Efficiency
2019
This research paper presents the second part of a comparative analysis of a novel self-contained electro-hydraulic cylinder with passive load-holding capability against a state of the art, valve-controlled hydraulic system that is typically used in load-carrying applications. After addressing the control design and motion performance in the first part of the study, the comparison is now focused on the systems&rsquo
A Novel Solution for the Elimination of Mode Switching in Pump-Controlled Single-Rod Cylinders
2020
This paper concerns the stability issue of pump-controlled single-rod cylinders, known as mode switching. First, a review of the topic is provided. Thereafter, the most recently proposed solution for the elimination of mode switching is investigated and shown to result in unstable behavior under certain operating conditions. A theoretical analysis is provided demonstrating the underlying mechanisms of this behavior. Based on the analysis, a novel control strategy is proposed and investigated numerically. Proper operation and stability are demonstrated for a wide range of operating conditions, including situations under which the most recently proposed solution results in unstable behavior a…
A Comparison Study of a Novel Self-Contained Electro-Hydraulic Cylinder versus a Conventional Valve-Controlled Actuator—Part 1: Motion Control
2019
This research paper presents the first part of a comparative analysis of a novel self-contained electro-hydraulic cylinder with passive load-holding capability against a state of the art, valve-controlled actuation system that is typically used in load-carrying applications. The study is carried out on a single-boom crane with focus on the control design and motion performance analysis. First, a model-based design approach is carried out to derive the control parameters for both actuation systems using experimentally validated models. The linear analysis shows that the new drive system has higher gain margin, allowing a considerably more aggressive closed-loop position controller. Several b…
The shell of the invasive bivalve species Dreissena polymorpha: biochemical, elemental and textural Investigations.
2016
28 pages; International audience; The zebra mussel Dreissena polymorpha is a well-established invasive model organism. Although extensively used in environmental sciences, virtually nothing is known of the molecular process of its shell calcification. By describing the microstructure, geochemistry and biochemistry/proteomics of the shell, the present study aims at promoting this species as a model organism in biomineralization studies, in order to establish a bridge with ecotoxicology, while sketching evolutionary conclusions. The shell of D. polymorpha exhibits the classical crossed-lamellar/complex crossed lamellar combination found in several heterodont bivalves, in addition to an extern…
Long-term storage in liquid nitrogen does not affect cell viability in cardiac valve allografts
2007
Liquid nitrogen is the most common medium used by tissue banks for the storage of cryopreserved heart valves. This study evaluates the effect of the length of storage on human cryopreserved heart valves. Human tissues (14 aortic and 13 pulmonary) were frozen in a controlled-rate freezer (1 degrees C/min) and stored in the liquid phase of a nitrogen tank for 9.1+/-1.6 years. The preservative solution was medium M199 containing 5% human serum albumin and 10% Me(2)SO. After thawing in a water bath at 42 degrees C, the cryoprotectant was removed. Then, fragments from vascular wall and leaflet were dissected. Explant cultures and histological studies were performed in order to assess cell viabil…
Incidence of thromboembolic complications in patients with mechanical heart valves with a subtherapeutic international normalized ratio.
2008
Objective Subtherapeutic international normalized ratios are frequently encountered in clinical practice, and patients with mechanical heart valves with inadequate anticoagulation may be exposed to an increased risk of thromboembolic events. There are no data on thromboembolic event risk for these patients. Methods We assessed the current practice patterns in the management of patients with mechanical heart valves with subtherapeutic international normalized ratios and assessed the risk of thromboembolic complications in this setting. The charts of patients with mechanical heart valves followed up in two anticoagulation clinics were reviewed. Patients with a history of stable, therapeutic a…
Clinical and morphological characteristics in Streptococcus bovis endocarditis: a comparison with other causative microorganisms in 177 cases
1999
Aim—To compare the clinical and morphological characteristics of patients with Streptococcus bovis endocarditis with those of patients with endocarditis caused by other microorganisms. Methods—177 consecutive patients (Streptococcus bovis, 22; other streptococci, 94; staphylococci, 44; other, 17) with definite infective endocarditis according to the Duke criteria were included. All patients underwent transthoracic and transoesophageal echocardiography. In 88 patients, findings from surgery/necropsy were obtained. Results—S bovis endocarditis was associated with older patients, with a higher mortality (p = 0.04), and with a higher rate of cardiac surgery (p < 0.001) than other microorganisms…