scholarly journals Design and Development of a Computational Tool for a Dialyzer by Using Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) Model

Membranes ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 916
Author(s):  
Tuba Yaqoob ◽  
Muhammad Ahsan ◽  
Sarah Farrukh ◽  
Iftikhar Ahmad

In order to reduce the hemodialysis cost and duration, an investigation of the effect of dialyzer design and process variables on the solute clearance rate is required. It is not easy to translate the in vivo transfer process with in vitro experiments, as it involves a high cost to produce various designs and membranes for the dialyzer. The primary objective of this study was the design and development of a computational tool for a dialyzer by using a computational fluid dynamic (CFD) model. Due to their complexity, only researchers with expertise in computational analysis can use dialyzer models. Therefore, COMSOL Inc. (Stockholm, Sweden) has made an application on membrane dialysis to study the impact of different design and process parameters on dialyzed liquid concentration. Still, membrane mathematical modeling is not considered in this application. This void hinders an investigation of the impact of membrane characteristics on the solute clearance rate. This study has developed a stand-alone computational tool in COMSOL Multiphysics 5.4 to fill this void. A review of the literature conducted shows that there are no suitable stand-alone computational tools for kidney dialysis. Very little work has been undertaken to validate the stand-alone computational tool. Medical staff in the hospitals require a computational tool that can be installed quickly and provide results with limited knowledge of dialysis. This work aims to construct a user-friendly computational tool to solve this problem. The development of a user-friendly stand-alone computational tool for the dialyzer is described thoroughly. This application simulates a mathematical model with the Finite Element Method using the COMSOL Multiphysics solver. The software tool is converted to a stand-alone version with the COMSOL compiler. The stand-alone computational tool provides the clearance rate of six different toxins and module packing density. Compared with the previous application, the stand-alone computational tool of membrane dialysis enables the user to investigate the impact of membrane characteristics and process parameters on the clearance rate of different solutes. The results are also inconsistent with the literature data, and the differences ranges are 0.09–6.35% and 0.22–2.63% for urea clearance rate and glucose clearance rate, respectively. Statistical analysis of the results is presented as mean with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) and p values 0.9472 and 0.833 of the urea and glucose clearance rates, respectively.

Materials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (11) ◽  
pp. 2784
Author(s):  
Georgios Maliaris ◽  
Christos Gakias ◽  
Michail Malikoutsakis ◽  
Georgios Savaidis

Shot peening is one of the most favored surface treatment processes mostly applied on large-scale engineering components to enhance their fatigue performance. Due to the stochastic nature and the mutual interactions of process parameters and the partially contradictory effects caused on the component’s surface (increase in residual stress, work-hardening, and increase in roughness), there is demand for capable and user-friendly simulation models to support the responsible engineers in developing optimal shot-peening processes. The present paper contains a user-friendly Finite Element Method-based 2D model covering all major process parameters. Its novelty and scientific breakthrough lie in its capability to consider various size distributions and elastoplastic material properties of the shots. Therewith, the model is capable to provide insight into the influence of every individual process parameter and their interactions. Despite certain restrictions arising from its 2D nature, the model can be accurately applied for qualitative or comparative studies and processes’ assessments to select the most promising one(s) for the further experimental investigations. The model is applied to a high-strength steel grade used for automotive leaf springs considering real shot size distributions. The results reveal that the increase in shot velocity and the impact angle increase the extent of the residual stresses but also the surface roughness. The usage of elastoplastic material properties for the shots has been proved crucial to obtain physically reasonable results regarding the component’s behavior.


2017 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 44-49
Author(s):  
Nur Azizah ◽  
Dedeh Supriyanti ◽  
Siti Fairuz Aminah Mustapha ◽  
Holly Yang

In a company, the process of income and expense of money must have a profit-generating goal base. The success of financial management within the company, can be monitored from the ability of the financial management in managing the finances and utilize all the opportunities that exist with as much as possible with the aim to control the company's cash (cash flow) and the impact of generating profits in accordance with expectations. With a web-based online accounting system version 2.0, companies can be given the ease to manage money in and out of the company's cash. It has a user friendly system with navigation that makes it easy for the financial management to use it. Starting from the creation of a company's cash account used as a cash account and corporate bank account on the system, deletion or filing of cash accounts, up to the transfer invoice creation feature, receive and send money. Thus, this system is very effective and efficient in the management of income and corporate cash disbursements.   Keywords:​Accounting Online System, Financial Management, Cash and Bank


Author(s):  
Lion D. Comfort ◽  
Marian C. Neidert ◽  
Oliver Bozinov ◽  
Luca Regli ◽  
Martin N. Stienen

Abstract Background Complications after neurosurgical operations can have severe impact on patient well-being, which is poorly reflected by current grading systems. The objective of this work was to develop and conduct a feasibility study of a new smartphone application that allows for the longitudinal assessment of postoperative well-being and complications. Methods We developed a smartphone application “Post OP Tracker” according to requirements from clinical experience and tested it on simulated patients. Participants received regular notifications through the app, inquiring them about their well-being and complications that had to be answered according to their assigned scenarios. After a 12-week period, subjects answered a questionnaire about the app’s functionality, user-friendliness, and acceptability. Results A total of 13 participants (mean age 34.8, range 24–68 years, 4 (30.8%) female) volunteered in this feasibility study. Most of them had a professional background in either health care or software development. All participants downloaded, installed, and applied the app for an average of 12.9 weeks. On a scale of 1 (worst) to 4 (best), the app was rated on average 3.6 in overall satisfaction and 3.8 in acceptance. The design achieved a somewhat favorable score of 3.1. One participant (7.7%) reported major technical issues. The gathered patient data can be used to graphically display the simulated outcome and assess the impact of postoperative complications. Conclusions This study suggests the feasibility to longitudinally gather postoperative data on subjective well-being through a smartphone application. Among potential patients, our application indicated to be functional, user-friendly, and well accepted. Using this app-based approach, further studies will enable us to classify postoperative complications according to their impact on the patient’s well-being.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Leanne Kosowan ◽  
Alan Katz ◽  
Gayle Halas ◽  
Alexander Singer

Abstract Background Primary care provides an opportunity to introduce prevention strategies and identify risk behaviours. Algorithmic information technology such as the Risk Factor Identification Tool (RFIT) can support primary care counseling. This study explores the integration of the tablet-based RFIT in primary care clinics to support exploration of patient risk factor information. Methods Qualitative study to explore patients’ perspectives of RFIT. RFIT was implemented in two primary care clinics in Manitoba, Canada. There were 207 patients who completed RFIT, offered to them by eight family physicians. We conducted one-on-one patient interviews with 86 patients to capture the patient’s perspective. Responses were coded and categorized into five common themes. Results RFIT had a completion rate of 86%. Clinic staff reported that very few patients declined the use of RFIT or required assistance to use the tablet. Patients reported that the tablet-based RFIT provided a user-friendly interface that enabled self-reflection while in the waiting room. Patients discussed the impact of RFIT on the patient-provider interaction, utility for the clinician, their concerns and suggested improvements for RFIT. Among the patients who used RFIT 12.1% smoked, 21.2% felt their diet could be improved, 9.3% reported high alcohol consumption, 56.4% reported less than 150 min of PA a week, and 8.2% lived in poverty. Conclusion RFIT is a user-friendly tool for the collection of patient risk behaviour information. RFIT is particularly useful for patients lacking continuity in the care they receive. Information technology can promote self-reflection while providing useful information to the primary care clinician. When combined with practical tools and resources RFIT can assist in the reduction of risk behaviours.


Proceedings ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 70 (1) ◽  
pp. 103
Author(s):  
Jin Mark D. G. Pagulayan ◽  
Aprille Suzette V. Mendoza ◽  
Fredelyn S. Gascon ◽  
Jan Carlo C. Aningat ◽  
Abigail S. Rustia ◽  
...  

The study aimed to evaluate the effects of process parameters (time and raw material weight (RMW)) of conventional (boiling for 10–45 min) and microwave-assisted (2–8 min) aqueous extraction on the color quality (i.e., lightness (L*), chroma (C*), and hue (H°) of anthocyanin –based colorants of red and Inubi sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L.) leaves. Using response surface methodology, it was found that RMW and boiling time (BT) and microwave time (MT) generally had a significant (p < 0.05) effect on the color quality of the extract from both extraction methods. The effects were found to vary depending on the extraction method and variety of the leaves used. Both extraction methods produced a brown to brick-red extract from the Inubi variety that turned red-violet to pink when acidified. The red sweet potato leaves produced a deep violet colored extract that also turned red-violet when acidified. It is recommended that the anthocyanin content of the extracts be measured to validate the impact of the methods on the active agent. Nevertheless, the outcomes in this study may serve as baseline data for further studies on the potential of sweet potato leaf colorants (SPLC) as a colorant with functional properties.


Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 1018
Author(s):  
Anna Espekvist ◽  
Tian Li ◽  
Peter Glarborg ◽  
Terese Løvås ◽  
Peter Arendt Jensen

As part of the strive for a carbon neutral energy production, biomass combustion has been widely implemented in retrofitted coal burners. Modeling aids substantially in prediction of biomass flame behavior and thus in boiler chamber conditions. In this work, a simple model for devolatilization of biomass at conditions relevant for suspension firing is presented. It employs Arrhenius parameters in a single first order (SFOR) devolatilization reaction, where the effects of kinetics and heat transfer limitations are lumped together. In this way, a biomass particle can be modeled as a zero dimensional, isothermal particle, facilitating computational fluid dynamic calculations of boiler chambers. The zero dimensional model includes the effects of particle aspect ratio, particle density, maximum gas temperature, and particle radius. It is developed using the multivariate data analysis method, partial least squares regression, and is validated against a more rigorous semi-2D devolatilization model. The model has the capability to predict devolatilization time for conditions in the parameter ranges; radius (39–1569 μμm), density (700–1300 kg/m3), gas temperature (1300–1900 K), aspect ratio (1.01–8). Results show that the particle radius and gas phase temperature have a large influence on the devolatilization rate, and the aspect ratio has a comparatively smaller effect, which, however, cannot be neglected. The impact of aspect ratio levels off as it increases. The model is suitable for use as stand alone or as a submodel for biomass particle devolatilization in CFD models.


2021 ◽  
Vol 217 (1) ◽  
pp. 255-264
Author(s):  
Xiaomeng Zhu ◽  
Xiaolan Cai ◽  
Shuang Zhang ◽  
Lei Wang ◽  
Xudong Cui

RSC Advances ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (15) ◽  
pp. 8970-8985
Author(s):  
Robin Kunkel ◽  
Volkmar M. Schmidt ◽  
Carsten Cremers ◽  
Dominik Müller ◽  
Detlef Schmiedl ◽  
...  

Hydrovanilloin and polyvanillin were synthesized electrochemically investigating the impact of process parameters such as electrode material, charge and current density.


1977 ◽  
Vol 233 (2) ◽  
pp. E80
Author(s):  
R R Wolfe ◽  
J F Burke

The simultaneous primed-constant infusion of [6-3H]- and [U-14C]glucose was used to determine the effect of burn injury on glucose turnover, oxidation, and recycling in guinea pigs. Eleven burned animals survived more than 72 h (survivors), whereas five died between 60 and 72 h postburn. All of the controls (n = 9) survived more than 72 h. At 48 h postburn, glucose turnover in the burned survivors was elevated 40% above that in control animals. A greater portion of the burned survivors' turnover was due to recycling and less was directed towards oxidation. The nonsurvivors had both a significantly depressed rate of appearance of glucose and an increased glucose clearance rate. Consequently, they were profoundly hypoglycemic and had a low rate of glucose oxidation. The alterations in glucose kinetics and oxidation apparent after burn did not reflect an inability of burned animals to oxidize exogenously infused glucose, however, because of 2-h infusion of 55 mumol/kg-min of unlabeled glucose doubled glucose oxidation in the burned survivors and tripled it in the nonsurvivors.


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