Numerical Simulation of Mixing Process in a Splitting-and-Recombination Microreactor

The mixing process between miscible fluids in a splitting-and-recombination microreactor is analyzed numerically by solving the Navier–Stokes equation and species transfer equation. The commercial microreactor combines rectangular channels with comb-shaped inserts to achieve the splitting-and-recombination effect. The results show that the microreactor with three-layer standard inserts have the highest mixing rate as well as good mixing efficiency within a wide range of Reynolds numbers from 0.1 to 160. The size parameters of the inserts, both the ratio of the width of comb tooth (marked as l) and the spacing distance (marked as s) between two comb teeth, and the ratio of the vertical distance (marked as V) of comb teeth and the horizontal distance (marked as H) are essential for influencing the liquid–liquid mixing process at low Reynolds numbers (e.g., Re ≤ 2). With the increase of s/l from 1 to 4, the mixing efficiency drops from 0.99 to 0.45 at Re = 0.2. Similarly, the increase in V/H is not beneficial to promote the mixing between fluids. When the ratio of V/H changes from 10:10 to 10:4, the splitting and recombination cycles reduce so that the uniform mixing between different fluids can be hardly achieved. The width of comb tooth (marked as l) is 1 mm and the spacing distance (marked as s) between two comb teeth is 2 mm. The vertical distance (marked as V) of comb teeth and the horizontal distance (marked as H) are both 10 mm.

Analysis of Turbulent Flow Structure with Its Fluvial Processes around Mid-Channel Bar

Researchers have recognized that the successive growth of mid-channel bar deposits can be entertained as the raison d’être for the initiation of the braiding process, which is closely interlinked with the growth, decay, and vertical distribution of fluvial turbulent kinetic energy (TKE). Thus, focused analysis on the underlying mechanics of turbulent flow structures in the proximity of a bar deposit occurring in the middle of the channel can afford crucial scientific clues for insight into the initiating fluvial processes that give rise to braiding. In the study reported herein, a physical model of a mid-channel bar is constructed in an experimental flume to analyze the turbulence parameters in a region close to the bar. Notably, the flow velocity plays an important role in understanding the flow behavior in the scour-hole location in the upstream flow divergence zone as well as near the downstream zone of flow convergence in a mid-channel bar. Therefore, the fluctuating components of turbulent flow velocity are herein discussed and analyzed for the regions located close to the bar. In the present study, the impact of the mid-channel bar, as well as its growth in turbulent flow, on higher-order velocity fluctuation moments are investigated. For near-bed locations, the results show the dominance of ejection events in upstream zones and the dominance of sweep events at locations downstream of the mid-channel bar. In scour-hole sections, the negative value of the stream-wise flux of turbulent kinetic energy and the positive value of the vertical flux of turbulent kinetic energy indicate energy transport in downward and forward directions, respectively. The downward and forward energy transport processes lead to scouring at these locations. The maximum turbulent production rate occurs in the wake region of the bar. The high rate of turbulence production has occurred in that region, which can be ascribed to the process of shedding turbulent vortices. The results show that the impact of the presence of the bar is mainly restricted to the lower layers of flow. The turbulent dissipation rate monotonically decreases with an increase in the vertical distance from the bed. The turbulent production rate first increases and then decreases with successive increases in the vertical distance from the bed. The paper concludes with suggestions for the future potential use of the present research for the practical purpose of examining braid bar occurrences in alluvial rivers to develop an appropriate response through training measures.

A Synthesis of Six Recent Studies on Numerosity Abilities in an Ant

Working on the numerosity ability of the ant Myrmica sabuleti, we have already summarized for the readers’ convenience our previous papers in two successive publications. Since that time, we have produced six more papers on the subject, and we thought it was time to present a summary of them. These studies deal with the ants’ ability in expecting the following element in an arithmetic or a geometric sequence, as well as with the required similarity between visual cues and the maximum horizontal and vertical distance between such cues enabling the ants to mentally add them up. The experimental methods that were used in these studies are here only briefly reported and their most important results are concisely related, as the extended information can be found in these six papers here summarized. We present novel tables and figures for illustrating this synthesis.

Correlation between the Mandibular Lingula Position and Some Anatomical Landmarks in Cone Beam CT

Background: the position of the mandibular lingula (Li) affects the success rate of the inferior alveolar nerve block (IANB) and ramus osteotomies. This study evaluated the position of the Li, to investigate the anatomical relationship between the Li and some anatomical measurements using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). Methods: 201 hemimandibular CBCTs of 111 patients (43 males and 68 females; 18 to 88 years old) were retrospectively evaluated. The Li location was determined from the lingula tip to: the occlusal plane, the anterior and posterior borders of the mandibular ramus, the lower border of the mandible, the distal surface of the mandibular second molar, and the mandibular notch. We evaluated the correlations between the Li and the anteroposterior diameter of the mandibular ramus; the vertical distance between condyle and mandibular angle; the mesial–distal diameter of the first, second, and third mandibular molar, the intercanine distance, the intermolar distances among the first, second, and third mandibular molars; the distance between the intermolar line of the first molar and midline, and the length of the mandibular body. Results: the vertical distance of the Li from the occlusal plane was 11.22 ± 4.27 mm. Some parameters significantly correlated with the anatomical measurements taken into consideration. Conclusions: the present study provides new information concerning the Li and mandibular anatomy in the Italian population. Moreover, by correlating some anatomic measurements to the Li position, the localization of the Li is made possible, indirectly through the measurement of some distances between anatomical landmarks.

Digital analysis of external fixation area of proximal humerus fractures in elderly patients

Introduction The purpose is based on anatomical basis, combined with three-dimensional measurement, to guide the clinical repositioning of proximal humeral fractures, select the appropriate pin entry point and angle, and simulate surgery. Methods 11 fresh cadaveric specimens were collected, the distance of the marked points around the shoulder joint was measured anatomically, and the vertical distance between the inferior border of the acromion and the superior border of the axillary nerve, the vertical distance between the apex of the humeral head and the superior border of the axillary nerve, the vertical distance between the inferior border of the acromion and the superior border of the anterior rotator humeral artery, and the vertical distance between the apex of the humeral head and the superior border of the anterior rotator humeral artery were marked on the 3D model based on the anatomical data to find the relative safety zone for pin placement. Results Contralateral data can be used to guide the repositioning and fixation of that side of the proximal humerus fracture, and uniform data cannot be used between male and female patients. For lateral pining, the distance of the inferior border of the acromion from the axillary nerve (5.90 ± 0.43) cm, range (5.3-6.9) cm, was selected for pining along the medial axis of the humeral head, close to the medial cervical cortex, and the pining angle was measured in the coronal plane (42.84 ± 2.45)°, range (37.02° ~ 46.31°), and in the sagittal plane (28.24 ± 2.25)°, range (19.22° ~ 28.51°). The pin was advanced laterally in front of the same level of the lateral approach point to form a cross-fixed support with the lateral pin, and the pin angle was measured in the coronal plane (36.14 ± 1.75)°, range (30.32° ~ 39.61°), and in the sagittal plane (28.64 ± 1.37)°, range (22.82° ~ 32.11°). Two pins were taken at the greater humeral tuberosity for fixation, with the proximal pin at an angle (159.26 ± 1.98) to the coronal surface of the humeral stem, range (155.79° ~ 165.08°), and the sagittal angle (161.76 ± 2.15)°, with the pin end between the superior surface of the humeral talus and the inferior surface of the humeral talus. The distal needle of the greater humeral tuberosity was parallel to the proximal approach trajectory, and the needle end was on the inferior surface of the humeral talus. Conclusion Based on the anatomical data, we can accurately identify the corresponding bony structures of the proximal humerus and mark the location of the pin on the 3D model for pin placement, which is simple and practical to meet the relevant individual parameters.

The Influence of Acetabular Morphologic Variations on the Cup Position in Total Hip Arthroplasty for Crowe type III Dysplastic Hip

Background: We aimed to (1) evaluate the acetabular morphologic variations of Crowe III hips; (2) study the influence of different morphologies on the cup position in total hip arthroplasty.Methods: From November 2008 to February 2019, we retrospectively evaluated 101 patients (110 hips) with Crowe III developmental dysplasia of the hip. We classified Crowe III hips into two subtypes, the IIIA when the acetabular roof was extensively deficient and the junction between the false and the true acetabulum was indistinct, and the IIIB when there is a significant crest between the false and the true acetabulum. Based on the radiographs, we measured the morphological characteristic of the acetabulum and the postoperative cup position.Results: The false acetabulum of IIIB hips had larger Tonnis angle and smaller center-edge angle than the IIIA hips. The width of true acetabular roof in the IIIB hips was thicker than the IIIA group. Fifty-one (100%) IIIA hips and 48 (81.4%) IIIB hips were reconstructed using high hip center while 11 (18.6%) IIIB hips were reconstructed anatomically. The mean vertical distance of center of rotation in the IIIA group was 33.5±4.5 mm while it was 31.2±6.3 mm in the IIIB group (p=0.040). The vertical distance of the hip center was positively correlated with the height of dislocation in the IIIA group (r=0.493, p<0.001). According to the four-zone system, in the IIIA group, 5 hips were located in the inferomedial zone, 23 hips in the superomedial zone, 22 hips in the superolateral zone and 1 hip in the inferolateral zone. In the IIIB group, the corresponding numbers were respectively 15, 17, 1 and 5. Compared with the IIIA group, there were more IIIB hips located in the inferomedial zone (p=0.008) and less in the superolateral zone (p=0.033).Conclusions: There are distinct morphologic subtypes based on the relationship between the false and the true acetabulum. More bone stock located in the superior wall of the true acetabulum can bring more possibilities for anatomical reconstruction, and lower the height of center of rotation when using high hip center.

Implications of virtual CBCT-based immediate implant planning for maxillary and mandibular first molars

The purpose of his study was to investigate the projected ridge-implant dimensions derived from virtual superimposition of implants on intact first molars mimicking immediate implantation in the mandible (Md1) and maxilla (Mx1) using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). The CBCT records of 41 patients (19 males and 22 females) with Md1 or Mx1 were collected. 10 mm-long cylindrical implants with different diameters were virtually positioned at prosthetically ideal angles into interradicular septum using CBCT software. Radiographic alveolar ridge height (ARH), alveolar ridge width (ARW), gap distance, and vertical distance from the implant platform to the alveolar crest were measured. Twenty Mx1s (48.8%) and 21 Md1s (51.2%) were included. The mean ARH values were 7.13 ± 4.32 mm and 15.64 ± 1.80 mm for Mx1 and Md1, respectively. 87.8% of mesiobuccal sites had gap distance &gt; 2 mm when 6 mm diameter implants were used. Increasing implant diameter from 6 mm to 9 mm decreased the percentage of sites with ARW &gt; 2 mm from 80.5% to 41.5% buccally and from 86.4% to 26.8% lingually. The mean vertical distance from the implant platform to the alveolar crest was 1.41 ± 1.09 mm buccally and 1.11 ± 1.10 mm lingually. Immediate implant placement of first molars, especially in the maxilla, requires stringent presurgical evaluation. Implants no wider than 6 mm placed into the interradicular septum may meet acceptable running room and alveolar plate thickness criteria if the jumping distance is grafted and further clinical trials are needed to confirm these findings in this virtual study

Three-dimensional reduction method with a modified C2 isthmus screw in irreducible atlantoaxial dislocation: a technical note

Background Three-dimensional reduction plays a vital role in surgical reduction of irreversible atlantoaxial dislocation (IAAD). However, the most commonly used combination of C1 pedicle screw (PS) or lateral mass screw (LMS) and C2 PS or isthmus screw often fails to achieve satisfactory reduction at one time. The difficulty is usually caused by short anteroposterior and vertical distance between heads of C1 and C2 screws, which lack enough space for reduction operation. The objective of this study is to describe a three-dimensional reduction method with a modified C2 isthmus screw and to illustrate its advantage and effectiveness for IAAD. Methods Twelve patients with IAAD underwent reduction and fixation with modified C2 isthmus screw combined with C1 PS or LMS, fusion with autologous bone graft. The insertion point was lateral to the intersection of caudal edge of C2 lamina and lateral mass, with a trajectory towards C2 isthmus, via lateral mass. The three-dimensional reduction was achieved through pulling and distracting. Radiographic evaluation included anteroposterior and direct distance between different insertion points, the occipitoaxial angle (O-C2A), clivus-canal angle (CCA) and cervicomedullary angle (CMA). Clinical outcomes evaluation included the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score, Visual analog scale (VAS) and Neck Disability Index (NDI). Results All the patients maintained effective reduction during the follow-up. The anteroposterior and direct distance was significantly higher in modified C2 isthmus screw than C2 PS whether combined with C1 PS or LMS (P < 0.05). The degree of O-C2A, CCA and CMA, JOA score, NDI, and VAS were significantly improved after the surgery (P < 0.05). Conclusions Three-dimensional reduction method with a modified C2 isthmus screw is effective and safe in managing IAAD. It can increase the anteroposterior and vertical distance between the heads of C1 and C2 screws, which is benefit for the three-dimensional reduction operation of IAAD.

Performing Fourier Transform on a Velocity Profile From Atmospheric Turbulence Studies

Atmospheric Turbulence poses a challenge to land-based observatories operated by the United States Air Force (USAF) tasked with space situational awareness. By developing new methods for quantifying Turbulence, we intend to provide increased USAF capability in this domain. Current models for quantifying atmospheric Turbulence include Kolmogorov and Non-Kolmogorov methods. Through the nature of Fourier Transform, sinusoidal function, it is possible to determine the frequency at which velocities occur in a specified vertical distance and eventually determine eddy size in a control volume. First, an ANSYS Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) model will be created to simulate atmospheric Turbulence in a defined control volume. The simulation will include a one-dimensional flow over a flat plate. The data we acquired from the simulation were used to derive an equation relating the velocity to the vertical distance (velocity profile). We will perform a regression analysis to fit data from Large-Eddy Simulations (LES) and apply Fourier transformation from a time domain to a frequency domain. The objective is to use Fourier transform analysis to determine eddy size distribution and turbulent cascade dissipation in a control volume by analyzing the frequency of velocities. By calculating such eddy size distribution, we may quantify Turbulence in said control volume and compare results with the traditional Kolmogorov method.

Digital Analysis of External Fixation Area of Proximal Humerus Fractures in Elderly Patients

Background:The purpose is based on anatomical basis, combined with three-dimensional measurement, to guide the clinical repositioning of proximal humeral fractures, select the appropriate nail entry point and angle, and simulate surgery.Methods: 11 fresh cadaveric specimens were collected, the distance of the marked points around the shoulder joint was measured anatomically, and the vertical distance between the inferior border of the acromion and the superior border of the axillary nerve, the vertical distance between the apex of the humeral head and the superior border of the axillary nerve, the vertical distance between the inferior border of the acromion and the superior border of the anterior rotator humeral artery, and the vertical distance between the apex of the humeral head and the superior border of the anterior rotator humeral artery were marked on the 3D model based on the anatomical data to find the relative safety zone for nail placement.Results:Contralateral data can be used to guide the repositioning and fixation of that side of the proximal humerus fracture, and uniform data cannot be used between male and female patients. For lateral nailing, the distance of the inferior border of the acromion from the axillary nerve (5.90±0.43) cm, range (5.3-6.9) cm, was selected for nailing along the medial axis of the humeral head, close to the medial cervical cortex, and the nailing angle was measured in the coronal plane (42.84±2.45)°, range (37.02°~46.31°), and in the sagittal plane (28.24±2.25)°, range ( 19.22°~28.51°). The nail was advanced laterally in front of the same level of the lateral approach point to form a cross-fixed support with the lateral nail, and the nail angle was measured in the coronal plane (36.14±1.75)°, range (30.32°~39.61°), and in the sagittal plane (28.64±1.37)°, range (22.82°~32.11°). Two pins were taken at the greater humeral tuberosity for fixation, with the proximal pin at an angle (159.26±1.98) to the coronal surface of the humeral stem, range (155.79°~165.08°), and the sagittal angle (161.76±2.15)°, with the pin end between the superior surface of the humeral talus and the inferior surface of the humeral talus. The distal needle of the greater humeral tuberosity was parallel to the proximal approach trajectory, and the needle end was on the inferior surface of the humeral talus.Conclusion: Based on the anatomical data, we can accurately identify the corresponding bony structures of the proximal humerus and mark the location of the nail on the 3D model for nail placement, which is simple and practical to meet the relevant individual parameters.