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Cavitation in Centrifugal Pumps
No full textCavitation occurs in centrifugal pumps, and with this occurrence it can impair the performance, efficiency, and damage the pump\u27s components. Researching this phenomena is crucial in mitigating damages and optimizing pump design and operations. This research will utilize Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) models to analyze cavitation. With a CFD approach to simulate various boundary conditions such as different inlet pressures, velocity, or flow rate, to see pressure drops and fluid flow. Utilizing basic fluid principles such Bernoulli’s equation, comparing like researches online, and comparing experimentally will be methods of validation of the developed models. The CFD models do indicate that with high rotational turbine speeds and increasing inlet flow rates, there are significant pressure drops at the blades of the turbine. With the increased pressure drops about the fins, the static pressure drops far enough to vaporize water, forming cavitation bubbles, and when pressure needed to collapse the bubble is met about the turbine it causes them to implode causing small microcracks at the blades
Melin: Academic Reference Manager
Full text linkEnterprise level applications are notoriously complex to design, implement, and maintain, oftentimes burdened by the intricate nature of enterprise architecture. This project investigated the applicability of enterprise design patterns, drawn from Martin Fowler’s Patterns of Enterprise Application Architecture, within a simulated enterprise environment, focusing on their impact on complexity and maintainability for a single-person development team. The project, Melin , a full-stack web application enabling students and faculty to manage academic references (import/export, DOI/ISBN search, manual creation, cloud storage, citation/bibliography generation), was developed over 14 weeks using an iterative Scrum/Kanban approach with 3-week sprint cycles. While implementing the Repository and Unit of Work patterns presented unnecessary complexity, patterns such as the Service Layer, Data Transfer Objects (DTOs), and Model-View-Controller (MVC) demonstrably improved code maintainability and reduced coupling between modules. This project found that while Repository and Unit of Work patterns have their uses in specific situations the modern web application framework oftentimes includes a layer of abstraction that implements one or both of these patterns. Meanwhile other patterns provided significant advantages in terms of code organization and maintainability, even within a solo-development context. These findings suggest that even when enterprise scale solutions are performed by smaller teams, they can still be used to reduce the overall complexity of the application, thus making the longevity of the project longer
Bridging the Cybersecurity Gap: Governance Challenges and Solutions for Caribbean Boards
Full text linkAs cyber threats become increasingly frequent and sophisticated, boards play a crucial role in ensuring that their organizations are both protected and prepared to respond to cyber incidents. This paper assesses the level of readiness of Caribbean boards to oversee cybersecurity, identifying challenges such as limited resources, shortage of expertise, and a narrow perception of cybersecurity as an IT issue. Using a mixed-methods approach combining survey data and secondary research, the study reveals significant gaps in board awareness, strategic prioritization, and resilience-building capabilities. Findings underscore a pressing need for greater board engagement, with an emphasis on integrating cybersecurity into corporate governance frameworks. The paper also offers actionable recommendations to address these challenges. By contributing to corporate governance scholarship in emerging markets, this research provides practical strategies to strengthen cybersecurity oversight and resilience among Caribbean boards, equipping them to navigate the complex and evolving cyber risk landscape
A Plane, a Plaque, and a Prize: J.R.R. Tolkien and Peter Medawar
No full textOn May 4, 1941, a military plane crashed near Tolkien\u27s home. This article ties together his family\u27s experience, the impact it had on the Oxford community, and a Nobel Prize, whose winner Tolkien later shared air raid warden duty with
Platelet-Rich Plasma vs. Corticosteroid Injections for Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy: A Literature Review
No full textObjective: This literature review aims to compare the efficacy of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and corticosteroid (CS) injections for treatment of rotator cuff tendinopathy (RCT). The primary outcomes of interest include changes in pain and shoulder function following injection therapy.
Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted using Google Scholar, PubMed, and EBSCOhost via Valparaiso University’s library system. Keywords included: plasma, PRP, platelet-rich plasma, platelets, steroids, corticosteroids, injection, therapy, intervention, treatment, rotator cuff, rotator cuff tendinopathy, rotator cuff disease, rotator cuff injury, rotator cuff tendinitis, and impingement syndrome. The search yielded 5,300 results on Google Scholar, 27 on PubMed, and 13 on EBSCOhost. Studies were included if published in English from 2019 to the present and evaluated PRP or corticosteroid injections in individuals of any age or gender with RCT, measuring outcomes related to pain and/or shoulder function. Studies were excluded if they involved full-thickness rotator cuff tears, compared PRP or corticosteroids to unrelated interventions, were published prior to 2019, were not in English, or did not report pain or functional outcomes.
Results: Four of the five selected studies demonstrated that PRP injections were associated with improved pain and shoulder function in individuals with RCT. However, the comparative effectiveness of PRP versus corticosteroid injections was inconclusive, with no consistent evidence favoring one treatment over the other.
Conclusion: PRP appears effective in managing rotator cuff tendinopathy symptoms, but evidence remains unclear on its superiority compared to corticosteroids.
Keywords: platelet-rich plasma, corticosteroids, rotator cuff tendinopathy, injection therapy, shoulder function, pain managemen
The Impact of Metabolic Syndrome on Dementia and Cognitive Decline
No full textObjective: This literature review explores the relationship between metabolic syndrome (MetS) and neurocognitive decline. It assesses both the individual effects of components such as insulin resistance, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and obesity, as well as their combined impact on cognitive function. The goal is to inform clinical strategies aimed at early intervention and reducing the risk of dementia and cognitive impairment.
Methods: A literature search using PubMed and Google Scholar was conducted to examine associations between MetS and neurocognitive decline. PubMed searches for “(metabolic syndrome) AND (dementia)” and “(diabetes) AND (dementia)” returned 59 and 587 results since 2019. Google Scholar searches using terms like “Alzheimer’s and obesity” and “metabolic syndrome and dementia” yielded 16,700 to 23,300 hits. Inclusion criteria were human studies in English published since 2019, with full-text access and focus on at least one MetS component: obesity, hypertension, low HDL, high triglycerides, or elevated glucose. Studies were excluded if they were published before 2019, lacked full-text access, or focused solely on metabolically healthy individuals.
Results: Findings indicate that MetS and several of its components are associated with increased risk of neurocognitive decline. Hyperglycemia, hypertension, and low HDL cholesterol showed the strongest links. Evidence regarding triglycerides and central obesity was mixed. The presence of more than three MetS components appeared to compound the risk.
Conclusion: MetS as a unified diagnosis is consistently linked to cognitive decline. Insulin resistance, hypertension, and low HDL emerged as key risk factors. These findings emphasize the importance of addressing metabolic dysfunction in preventive cognitive health strategies
Comparing Monophasic vs. Biphasic Hyaluronic Acid Filler for Facial Enhancement
No full textThis capstone project aims to compare the efficacy, patient satisfaction, side effects, and longevity of results between monophasic and biphasic hyaluronic acid fillers over a 12-month period. A systematic literature review was conducted using three databases: Google Scholar, PubMed, and the library of Valparaiso University. Keywords included “comparison between hyaluronic acid fillers” and “monophasic and biphasic hyaluronic acid filler.” The search returned approximately 30,300 results on Google Scholar, 2 results on PubMed, and 365 results from Valpo’s database, with results filtered to include studies published in English since 2019 and with full-text availability. Exclusion criteria included studies involving participants under the age of 18, those focused on body or non-facial medical enhancements, or studies older than five years. Studies were evaluated based on outcomes related to filler longevity, patient satisfaction, and side effects, with an emphasis on safety and efficacy. Findings suggest that monophasic hyaluronic acid fillers (MHA) are associated with more consistent and durable volume enhancement, greater long-term patient satisfaction, and fewer reported side effects. In contrast, biphasic hyaluronic acid fillers (BHA) tend to provide more immediate volume restoration but show a reduction in efficacy and satisfaction over time. Monophasic hyaluronic acid fillers may offer superior long-term outcomes in terms of patient satisfaction, safety, and filler longevity when compared to biphasic fillers. These findings inform clinical decisions in aesthetic practice and support individualized treatment planning based on patient goals and preferences