scholarly journals Parameter sensitivity analysis of a lumped-parameter model of a chain of lymphangions in series

2013 ◽  
Vol 305 (12) ◽  
pp. H1709-H1717 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samira Jamalian ◽  
Christopher D. Bertram ◽  
William J. Richardson ◽  
James E. Moore

Any disruption of the lymphatic system due to trauma or injury can lead to edema. There is no effective cure for lymphedema, partly because predictive knowledge of lymphatic system reactions to interventions is lacking. A well-developed model of the system could greatly improve our understanding of its function. Lymphangions, defined as the vessel segment between two valves, are the individual pumping units. Based on our previous lumped-parameter model of a chain of lymphangions, this study aimed to identify the parameters that affect the system output the most using a sensitivity analysis. The system was highly sensitive to minimum valve resistance, such that variations in this parameter caused an order-of-magnitude change in time-average flow rate for certain values of imposed pressure difference. Average flow rate doubled when contraction frequency was increased within its physiological range. Optimum lymphangion length was found to be some 13–14.5 diameters. A peak of time-average flow rate occurred when transmural pressure was such that the pressure-diameter loop for active contractions was centered near maximum passive vessel compliance. Increasing the number of lymphangions in the chain improved the pumping in the presence of larger adverse pressure differences. For a given pressure difference, the optimal number of lymphangions increased with the total vessel length. These results indicate that further experiments to estimate valve resistance more accurately are necessary. The existence of an optimal value of transmural pressure may provide additional guidelines for increasing pumping in areas affected by edema.

Author(s):  
Samira Jamalian ◽  
James E. Moore ◽  
Christopher D. Bertram ◽  
Will Richardson

The lymphatic system is responsible for vital functions in the human body. In particular, it plays an important role in the immune system mechanism whereby undesirable elements are destroyed in the lymph nodes. But cancer cells also spread via the lymphatic system. The system maintains fluid and protein balance by gathering approximately 4 L/day of interstitial fluid and returning it to the venous system. Lymphedema, an ailment of the system for which there is no known cure, primarily affects cancer patients who have undergone lymph node dissection [1]. To understand how to treat such pathologies of the lymphatic system, it is first necessary to examine its fluid flow and pumping mechanisms quantitatively.


Author(s):  
Corine Meuleman ◽  
Frank Willems ◽  
Rick de Lange ◽  
Bram de Jager

Surge is measured in a low-speed radial compressor with a vaned diffuser. For this system, the flow coefficient at surge is determined. This coefficient is a measure for the inducer inlet flow angle and is found to increase with increasing rotational speed. Moreover, the frequency and amplitude of the pressure oscillations during fully-developed surge are compared with results obtained with the Greitzer lumped parameter model. The measured surge frequency increases when the compressor mass flow is throttled to a smaller flow rate. Simulations show that the Greitzer model describes this relation reasonably well except for low rotational speeds. The predicted amplitude of the pressure rise oscillations is approximately two times too small when deep surge is met in the simulations. For classic surge, the agreement is worse. The amplitude is found to depend strongly on the shape of the compressor and throttle characteristic, which are not accurately known.


1987 ◽  
Vol 109 (2) ◽  
pp. 150-155 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. P. Malkin ◽  
S. A. Klein ◽  
J. A. Duffie ◽  
A. B. Copsey

A modification to the f-Chart method has been developed to predict monthly and annual performance of thermosyphon solar domestic hot water systems. Stratification in the storage tank is accounted for through use of a modified collector loss coefficient. The varying flow rate throughout the day and year in a thermosyphon system is accounted for through use of a fixed monthly “equivalent average” flow rate. The “equivalent average” flow rate is that which balances the thermosyphon buoyancy driving force with the frictional losses in the flow circuit on a monthly average basis. Comparison between the annual solar fraction predited by the modified design method and TRNSYS simulations for a wide range of thermosyphon systems shows an RMS error of 2.6 percent.


2014 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. 169064 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefano Mauro ◽  
Stefano Pastorelli ◽  
Tharek Mohtar

This paper reports how a numerical controlled machine axis was studied through a lumped parameter model. Firstly, a linear model was derived in order to apply a modal analysis, which estimated the first mechanical frequency of the system as well as its damping coefficients. Subsequently, a nonlinear system was developed by adding friction through experimentation. Results were validated through the comparison with a commercial servoaxis equipped with a Siemens controller. The model was then used to evaluate the effect of the stiffness of the structural parts of the axis on its first natural frequency. It was further used to analyse precision, energy consumption, and axis promptness. Finally a cost function was generated in order to find an optimal value for the main proportional gain of the position loop.


1983 ◽  
Vol 245 (4) ◽  
pp. H553-H559
Author(s):  
M. B. Maron

The possibility that histamine may cause the fluid and protein content of lymph to be altered during passage through the lymph node was evaluated using the canine perfused popliteal lymph node preparation. This preparation enables nodal perfusion via an afferent lymphatic (all other afferents are ligated) with artificial lymph of known composition and collection of the total efferent effluent for analysis of potential changes in volume and composition. In 11 dogs, the node was perfused at an average flow rate of 0.229 ml/min with artificial lymph containing 3.71 g/100 ml albumin. Under base-line conditions, there was no significant modification of the lymph as it passed through the node. The addition of histamine to the infusate (2-4 micrograms base/ml) caused the efferent lymph flow to increase to 0.295 ml/min (35.3% increases, P less than 0.05), the efferent protein concentration to increase to 4.32 g/100 ml (15.2% increases, P less than 0.05), and the efferent protein flux to increase from 8.40 to 12.86 mg/min (58.0% increases, P less than 0.05). The appearance of Evans blue dye-tagged protein and plasma protein fractions, not originally present in the lymph, in the efferent lymph at this time further indicated that the source of the added fluid and protein was the nodal vasculature. Mass balance calculations indicated that the addition of a fluid with a protein concentration of approximately 90% that of plasma to the lymph could account for the observed increases in efferent lymph flow and protein concentration.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


1980 ◽  
Vol 58 (11) ◽  
pp. 1295-1318 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert G. Sheath ◽  
Beverly J. Hymes

Ten taxa of freshwater red algae have been observed in a survey of 62 streams and rivers within southern Ontario, Canada, over a period of 3 years. Five species are additions to the flora of Canada, Chroodactylon ramosum, Boldia erythrosiphon, Sirodotia tenuissima, Batrachospermum densum, and B. ectocarpum. In addition to these algae, Audouinella violacea, Sirodotia suecia, and Tuomeya fluviatilis are new observations within Ontario.Most of the Ontario red algae are restricted to streams or rivers with a minimum average flow rate of 10 m min−1. Audouinella violacea, B. moniliforme, and Lemanea fucina occur in a large number of streams which have a wide pH and conductivity range whereas S. tenuissima and B. ectocarpum are confined to one of the sites examined.Ultrastructural findings are reported concerning the cell organization of Boldia as well as the relationship between Batrachospermum plants and the "chantransia" stage. A key to the 10 taxa is included plus descriptions and a list of epiphytes of each alga are presented.


1986 ◽  
Vol 108 (1) ◽  
pp. 77-82 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. N. Abdel-Hamid

Experimental investigation of the dynamic response of a centrifugal blower to periodic flow rate modulations was carried out at different blower operating conditions. For modulation frequencies in the range of 0.0085–0.085 of the shaft rotation frequency, the fluctuating pressures at inlet, discharge, and across a flow orifice were simultaneously measured and analyzed in the time and frequency domains. Measurements of the amplitude and phase of the transfer function between the blower static pressure rise and the discharge flow rate fluctuations indicated that the quasi-steady approximation should be limited to frequencies lower than 0.02 of the shaft rotation frequency. For the same average flow rate, the static pressure rise progressively lagged the discharge flow rate fluctuations as the frequency was increased. The trend was similar to that of the inertia effects of a fluctuating flow in a pipe. For the same frequency these inertia effects increased as the average flow rate through the blower was decreased. Applications of the results to on-line measurements of the slope of the characteristic curve and improved dynamic modeling of centrifugal compressors and blowers are discussed.


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