When the term Fluid Mechanics is used throughout science and engineering many people often think of pipes, pumps, airplanes, and materials. What people don’t realize is that fluid mechanics plays and important role not only outside the human body, but inside as well. The flow of blood through arteries, veins, and organs can all be studied using fluid mechanics. There are many different variables that can influence these studies such as heart rate, blood pressure, and buildup along the surfaces that the blood travels. Air is also another fluid that flows throughout the human body. Air, like water, is quite the phenomenon as it enters the body with one chemical composition and leaves altered. Along with expelling mixtures of air and carbon dioxide, the human body also forces out germs and bacterial when the flow is disrupted with a hiccup such as a cough or sneeze. When a person is anticipating a cough or sneeze it is common courtesy to cover one’s mouth to prevent the spread of germs throughout the air. In April 2014 a study done by Massachusetts Institute of Technology researchers revealed shocking information that showed just covering a cough or sneeze is not nearly enough to prevent the transmission of infectious particles from one human to another. The study disclosed that the droplets expelled during a cough or sneeze can travel up to 200 times further than previously thought. Chances are many Americans can say they have experienced a time in public when they have felt the particles of another person’s sneeze land on their skin. The very scary issue here is the invisible gas cloud that accompanies these particles which can be re-suspended and carried into ventilation systems throughout hospitals, transportation systems, and ... ... middle of paper ... ...eezing, but far more experimentation and research still needs to be done to learn exactly how to prevent the problem. While it may be necessary to take into consideration the transportation of a potentially infectious disease, it is also necessary to determine if the particle is still potent and even harmful after staying in the air for so long and going through multiple ventilation systems. Overall recent the studies on the cough and sneeze researched and published in The Journal of Fluid Mechanics are an extraordinary display of the many aspects of life that fluid mechanics can be applied to. Fluid mechanics is not just the plumbing through a home, the aerodynamics of a jetliner, or the drag and lift forces on different structure, it encompasses far more than imaginable including the inner workings of humans, animals, and even bacteria invisible to the human eye.
...s membrane helps to keep dust particles out of our bodies. There is also an extensive network of blood vessels and normally appears pinkish, (Shier, Butler, Lewis, 2010). So now we wait for the patient to sneeze. Chances our once she sneezes us out, we are going to come out covered in mucous! GROSS!!!
With additional bodily fluid and less cilia to dispose it, patients build up an endless hack that raises sputum, a blend of bodily fluid and cell debris. Stagnant bodily fluid in the respiratory tract gives a development medium to microorganisms. This can prompt disease and bronchial aggravation, with side effects that incorporate dyspnea, hypoxia, cyanosis, slight fever, chills, and assaults of hacking (Saladin, 2010). In addition, bronchitis can cause shortness of breath, wheezing, chest pain, and tickle of the
The thermometer, containers, and iron ball were secured of any possible contaminants. The stopwatch was calibrated and checked to be correctly measuring the time in seconds and milliseconds, by comparison with other stopwatches. The thermometer was checked to be accurately measuring the temperature of lukewarm water, and was al...
which make up the sweat glands in the skin and the mucus also lines the passageway inside the lungs,
...evaporated into the air and remains suspended for a period of time (Georgia Pacific). It also occurs with dust particles that contain infectious agents (Georgia Pacific). Once again, if working in close contact of someone that is infected, cover the eyes, nose and mouth if possible to prevent the transmission of infection. Common-vehicle transmission refers to contaminated items such as food, water, medications, devices, and equipment that would transmit the microorganism (Georgia Pacific). Methods of preventing nosocomial infections and breaking the chain of transmission include: observing aseptic technique, frequent hand washing especially between patients, careful handling and disinfection of fomites, use of disposable items, patient isolation, institutional methods such as air filtration within the hospital, and an active oversight within the hospital (Abedon).
The influenza virus is transmitted from human to human mainly by droplet, although there are cases of animal to human transmission. The incubation amount is approximately 3 days, although nasal shedding can peak about 24-48 hours once onset of symptoms. Viral shedding starts at intervals 24 hours before the onset of symptoms and continues for up to five days in healthy adults and a number of weeks in immunocompromised patients (Duncan, 2013). It has been shown that both influenza A and influenza B viruses can survive for 24-48 hours on nonporous surfaces like chrome steel. They can survive for 8-12 hours on products like tissues. Prevention should focus on: hand-washing, avoidance of touching eyes and different mucous membranes, cleaning commonly used surfaces, and by covering the mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing (Duncan, 2013).
Rautemaa, R., Nordberg, A., Wuolijoki-Saaristo, K., & Meurman, J. (2006). Bacterial Aerosols in Dental Practice - a Potential Hospital Infection Problem? Journal of Hospital Infection, 64(1), 67-81.
Person, A. & Mintz, M., (2006), Anatomy and Physiology of the Respiratory Tract, Disorders of the Respiratory Tract, pp. 11-17, New Jersey: Human Press Inc.
While quiet breathing, external intercostal muscles contract, which causes the ribcage to expand and move up. The diaphragm then contracts and moves down. The volume of the chest cavity increases, the lungs expand and the pressure inside the lungs decreases. Air then flows into the lungs in response to the pressure gradient. Inspiration (inhalation or breathing in) is accomplished by increasing the space, therefore decreasing the
Thermodynamics is the branch of science concerned with the nature of heat and its conversion to any form of energy. In thermodynamics, both the thermodynamic system and its environment are considered. A thermodynamic system, in general, is defined by its volume, pressure, temperature, and chemical make-up. In general, the environment will contain heat sources with unlimited heat capacity allowing it to give and receive heat without changing its temperature. Whenever the conditions change, the thermodynamic system will respond by changing its state; the temperature, volume, pressure, or chemical make-up will adjust accordingly in order to reach its original state of equilibrium. There are three laws of thermodynamics in which the changing system can follow in order to return to equilibrium.
causes many respiratory diseases (http://www.thetruth.com/issues/tbtc/behind.cfm).
of the air spaces and drops the air pressure in the lungs so that air
everyone working in the school are breathing in mildew. This could lead to allergies, asthma, and
Breath is a vital element of movement and survival. Breath is what initiates movement and supports our movement. Breath is a connecting factor which connects our body to the movement. If we don’t initiate our movements with breath there will be no fluidity or connectivity and injuries can occur (Longstaff 2007). For optimal body movement one needs to breathe optimally. To be able to breath optimally one needs to breathe three dimensionally. Three dimensional breathing is when inhaling the rib cage expands and the diaphragm moves downwards as an automatic control and exhaling the diaphragm passively moves back into position which pushes the air out a...
The science of fluid mechanics is neither new nor biblical; however, most of the progress in this field was made in the 20th century. Therefore it is appropriate to open this text with a brief history of the discipline, with only a very few names mentioned.