The concept of the local approach is applied to investigate different damage mechanisms of structural steels by micromechanical material models. Static and dynamic fracture resistance curves for a neutron-embrittled weld material are derived from tensile and Charpy-type specimens with the modified Gurson model. The behaviour of a test piece with a crack in the fenitic base material beneath an a...

Sustained nitroglycerin (GTN) therapy impairs endothelial function in healthy volunteers and patients with cardiovascular disease, caused by an increase in vascular oxidative stress. This study aims to estimate the effect of rosiglitazone on vascular endothelial function in healthy volunteers continuously dosed to transdermal GTN (0.6mg/hr) for 7 days. To assess endothelial function, forearm bl...

The present work addresses the micromechanical modeling and simulation of crack initiation propagation in ductile materials failing by void nucleation, growth coalescence. A cohesive–volumetric approach is used overall material behavior characterized both a hardening bulk constitutive law softening surface traction–separation embedded between each mesh finite element discretization. sums up acr...

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Nitric oxide donors are candidate treatments for acute stroke, potentially through hemodynamic, reperfusion, and neuroprotectant effects, especially if given early. Although the large Efficacy of Nitric Oxide in Stroke (ENOS) trial of transdermal glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) was neutral, a prespecified subgroup suggested that GTN improved functional outcome if administered e...

A unified experimental-computational study on ductile fracture initiation and propagation during small punch testing is presented. Tests are carried out at room temperature with unnotched disks of different thicknesses where large-scale yielding prevails. In thinner specimens, the fracture occurs with severe necking under membrane tension, whereas for thicker ones a through thickness shearing m...

OBJECTIVES This study was designed to assess the effect of oral L-arginine on the development of tolerance during continuous transdermal nitroglycerin (TD-GTN) therapy. BACKGROUND Continuous TD-GTN therapy leads to complete tolerance within 24 to 48 h. The mechanism(s) responsible for nitrate tolerance are unclear, but there is increasing evidence that nitroglycerin (GTN) leads to superoxide ...

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The practicalities of doing ambulance-based trials where paramedics perform all aspects of a clinical trial involving patients with ultra-acute stroke have not been assessed. METHODS We performed a randomized controlled trial with screening, consent, randomization, and treatment performed by paramedics prior to hospitalization. Patients with probable ultra-acute stroke ...