Starvation Model Research Articles

Starvation in Dynamically Loaded Flexible Short Journal Bearings

A starvation model is incorporated in a previously presented numerical method for calculating film thicknesses inflexible short journal bearings under dynamic load. The system of elastohydrodynamic integro-differential equations is now coupled with continuity equations for the lubricant, considering central circumferential oil grooves and a constant supply pressure. An important application of this method is the connecting rod bearing in medium speed combustion engines. Results for several groove geometries are compared with those for a fully flooded bearing.

Effect of acute nutritional deprivation on host defenses against Listeria monocytogenes--macrophage function.

Acute nutritional deprivation or starvation occurs frequently in the United States during such conditions as chemotherapy for malignancy and surgery. Despite this, the effect of starvation on host defense mechanisms has largely been ignored. In a previous study (1), we established a model of acute starvation in mice and used Listeria monocytogenes as an immunologic probe to investigate host defenses. Paradoxically, starved mice were resistant to normally lethal doses of Listeria. The protective mechanism in starved mice was not defined, although the tumoristatic capacity of macrophages from starved mice was increased. In the experiments described here, the effect of starvation on macrophage function was studied in detail as a possible mechanism for the increased resistance to Listeria.

Effects of starvation in infancy (pyloric stenosis) on subsequent learning abilities

The model of starvation in this study was the medical condition of congenital hypertrophic pyloric stenosis. Pyloric stenosis involves a period of brief starvation in early infancy, is unrelated to socioeconomic conditions, and is easily correctable. A number of specific learning abilities together with the general adjustment of 50 subjects, 5 to 14 years old, who had PS were studied and compared to those of 44 siblings and 50 matched controls. Learning ability was negatively correlated with the degree of severity of the starvation. Starvation resulting in reduction of more than 10% of the expected body weight in infancy was associated with poorer learning abilities, especially those involving short-term memory and attention.