In Silico Study to Enhance Delivery Efficiency of Charged Nanoscale Nasal Spray Aerosols to the Olfactory Region Using External Magnetic Fields

Various factors and challenges are involved in efficiently delivering drugs using nasal sprays to the olfactory region to treat central nervous system diseases. In this study, computational fluid dynamics was used to simulate nasal drug delivery to (1) examine effects on drug deposition when various external magnetic fields are applied to charged particles, (2) comprehensively study effects of multiple parameters (i.e., particle aerodynamic diameter; injection velocity magnitude, angle, and position; magnetic force strength and direction), and (3) determine how to achieve the optimal delivery efficiency to the olfactory epithelium. The Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes equations governed airflow, with a realistic inhalation waveform implemented at the nostrils. Particle trajectories were modeled using the one-way coupled Euler–Lagrange model. A current-carrying wire generated a magnetic field to apply force on charged particles and direct them to the olfactory region. Once drug particles reached the olfactory region, their diffusion through mucus to the epithelium was calculated analytically. Particle aerodynamic diameter, injection position, and magnetic field strength were found to be interconnected in their effects on delivery efficiency. Specific combinations of these parameters achieved over 65-fold higher drug delivery efficiency compared with uniform injections with no magnetic fields. The insight gained suggests how to integrate these factors to achieve the optimal efficiency.

Effect of outlet impeller diameter on performance prediction of centrifugal pump under single-phase and cavitation flow conditions

In this current study, the transient numerical calculations using CFD code are carried out under different outlet impeller diameters for the flow field within a centrifugal pump under single-phase and cavitation conditions. Both qualitative and quantitative analyses are carried out on all of these results in order to better understand the flow structure within a centrifugal pump. Also, the investigations using different outlet impeller diameters configurations relating to the static pressure, velocity magnitude, vapour volume fraction variations, as well as pressure fluctuations in both time and frequency domain at the impeller and volute of the pump are analysed. Velocity and static pressure variations of the pump under different outlet impeller diameters range (200, 210 and 220 mm) are investigated. Reliable model is developed and validated, at various pump operating conditions, to analyse the characteristics of pressure fluctuations in both time and frequency domain. Cavitation occurrence, under different outlet impeller diameters and flow rates, are detected and correlated, using a CFD model (volume fraction distributions). Based on the developed model’s findings, at the set operating conditions ranges, the distribution and impact (cavitation and head-wises) of both the pressure and velocity are analysed. The average pressure fluctuation in the volute for do = 210 mm is higher than for do = 200 mm by about 6.74%, also the maximum pressure fluctuation for do = 220 mm is higher than for do = 210 mm by around 7.4%. Furthermore, the maximum pressure fluctuation in the impeller for do = 210 mm is higher than for do = 200 mm by 12.48%, also for do = 220 mm is higher than for do = 210 mm by 10.8%. The developed CFD models are proved valuable tools in identifying and optimizing the pump performance and characterization. The head for when do = 220 mm is higher than for when do = 200 mm under both single-phase and cavitation conditions by around 14.13% and 14.69%. The maximum pressure fluctuation for do = 200 mm is lower than for do = 210 mm by 41.58%. Furthermore, the maximum pressure fluctuation at the impeller for do = 220 mm is higher than the two models. There is a small clearance between the impeller and the volute for this model, leading to the pressure fluctuation amplitudes being higher than the other above models.

Motion Analysis of Triangular Fibrocartilage Complex by Using Ultrasonography Images: Preliminary Analysis

The triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) is a significant stabilizer of the distal radioulnar joint. Diagnosing TFCC injury is currently difficult, but ultrasonography (US) has emerged as a low-cost, minimally invasive diagnostic tool. We aimed to quantitatively analyze TFCC by performing motion analysis by using US. Twelve healthy volunteers, comprising 24 wrists (control group), and 15 patients with TFCC Palmer type 1B injuries (injury group) participated. The US transducer was positioned between the ulnar styloid process and triquetrum and was tilted ulnarly 30° from the vertical line. The wrist was then actively moved from 10° of radial deviation to 20° of ulnar deviation in a 60-rounds-per-minute rhythm that was paced by a metronome. The articular disc displacement velocity magnitude was analyzed by using particle image velocimetry fluid measurement software. The mean area of the articular discs was larger on ulnar deviation in the control group. The mean articular disc area on radial deviation was larger in the injury group. The average articular disc velocity magnitude for the injury group was significantly higher than that for the control group. The results suggest that patients with TFCC injury lose articular disc cushioning and static stability, and subsequent abnormal motion can be analyzed by using US.

Statistical Analysis of Flow Parameters for the Graphical Simulation Outputs

System dynamics simulation software, in general, depicts graphical interpretations. The values of the parameters, on the other hand, are required for prediction. The goal of this research is to develop a novel multivariate model that can predict flow parameters while simulating flow under various scenarios. The project involves looking for variations in the streamline and constructing a new multivariate model for each elliptic cylinder system's velocity magnitude. Furthermore, the flow zones were split into three groups based on streamline behavior. As a result, utilizing simulation outputs, new models for flow zones are developed using linear and semiparametric regression. The best fitted model for each flow region was determined using mean square error (MSE), root of mean square error (RMSE), and mean absolute percentage error (MAPE). Based on the fitted smoothing curve of the velocity magnitude, a summary statistic and variability may be assessed. The presented models can be used to predict magnitude in any point of fluid flow using these models.

High Resolution 3-D Simulations of Venting in 18650 Lithium-Ion Cells

High temperature gases released through the safety vent of a lithium-ion cell during a thermal runaway event contain flammable components that, if ignited, can increase the risk of thermal runaway propagation to other cells in a multi-cell pack configuration. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations of flow through detailed geometric models of four vent-activated commercial 18650 lithium-ion cell caps were conducted using two turbulence modeling approaches: Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) and scale-resolving simulations (SRS). The RANS method was compared with independent experiments of discharge coefficient through the cap across a range of pressure ratios and then used to investigate the ensemble-averaged flow field for the four caps. At high pressure ratios, choked flow occurs either at the current collector plate when flow through the current collector plate is more restrictive or the positive terminal vent holes when flow through the current collector plate is less restrictive. Turbulent mixing occurred within the vent cap assembly, in the jets emerging from the vent holes, and in recirculating zones directly above the vent cap assembly. The global maximum turbulent viscosity ratio (μT/μ) of the MTI, LG MJ1, K2, and LG M36 caps at pressure ratio of P1/P2 = 7 were 4,575, 3,360, 3,855, and 2,993, respectively. SRS and RANS simulations showed that both velocity magnitude and fluctuating velocity magnitude were lower for vent holes which are obstructed by the burst disk. SRS showed high levels of fluctuating velocity in the jets, up to 48.5% of the global maximum velocity. The present CFD models and the resulting insights provide the groundwork for future studies to investigate how jet structure and turbulence levels influence combustion and heat transfer in propagating thermal runaway scenarios.

Analysis of Geometric and Hemodynamic Profiles in Rat Arteriovenous Fistula Following PDE5A Inhibition

Arteriovenous fistula (AVF) is essential for chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients on hemodialysis, but treatment for AVF maturation failure remains an unmet clinical need. Successful AVF remodeling occurs through sufficient lumen expansion to increase AVF blood flow and lumen area. Aberrant blood flow is thought to impair AVF remodeling, but previous literature has largely focused on hemodynamics averaged over the entire AVF or at a single location. We hypothesized that hemodynamics is heterogeneous, and thus any treatment’s effect size is heterogeneous in the AVF. To test our hypothesis, we used the PDE5A inhibitor sildenafil to treat AVFs in a rat model and performed magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) based computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to generate a detailed spatial profile of hemodynamics in AVFs. 90 mg/kg of sildenafil was administered to rats in their drinking water for 14 days. On day 14 femoral AVFs were created in rats and sildenafil treatment continued for another 21 days. 21 days post-AVF creation, rats underwent non-contrast MRI for CFD and geometrical analysis. Lumen cross-sectional area (CSA) and flow rate were used to quantify AVF remodeling. Parameters used to describe aberrant blood flow include velocity magnitude, wall shear stress (WSS), oscillatory shear index (OSI), and vorticity. Geometrical parameters include arterial-venous (A-V) distance, anastomosis angle, tortuosity, and nonplanarity angle magnitude. When averaged across the entire AVF, sildenafil treated rats had significantly higher CSA, flow rate, velocity, WSS, OSI, and vorticity than control rats. To analyze heterogeneity, the vein was separated into zones: 0–5, 5–10, 10–15, and 15–20 mm from the anastomosis. In both groups: 1) CSA increased from the 0–5 to 15–20 zone; 2) velocity, WSS, and vorticity were highest in the 0–5 zone and dropped significantly thereafter; and 3) OSI increased at the 5–10 zone and then decreased gradually. Thus, the effect size of sildenafil on AVF remodeling and the relationship between hemodynamics and AVF remodeling depend on location. There was no significant difference between control and sildenafil groups for the other geometric parameters. Rats tolerated sildenafil treatment well, and our results suggest that sildenafil may be a safe and effective therapy for AVF maturation.

Study of the Effect of a Plug with Torsion Channels on the Mixing Time in a Continuous Casting Ladle Water Model

The use of porous plugs in injecting gas through the bottom of a ladle forms vertical plumes in a very similar way to a truncated cone. The gas plume when exiting the plug has a smaller diameter compared to that formed in the upper zone of the ladle because inertial forces predominate over buoyancy forces in this zone. In addition, the magnitude of the plume velocity is concentrated in an upward direction, which increases the likelihood of low velocity zones forming near the bottom of the ladle, especially in lower corners. In this work, a plug with spiral-shaped channels with different torsion angles is proposed, with the objective that the gas, when passing through them, has a tangential velocity gain or that the velocity magnitude is distributed in the three axes and does not just focus on the upward direction, helping to decrease low velocity zones near the bottom of the ladle for better mixing times. For the experimentation, we worked in a continuous casting ladle water model with two configuration injections, which in previous works were reported as the most efficient in mixing the steel in this ladle. The results obtained using the PIV technique (particle image velocimetry) and conductimetry technique indicate that the plugs with the torsion channels at angles of 60° and 120° improve the mixing times for the two injection configurations.

Spatiotemporal droplet dispersion measurements demonstrate face masks reduce risks from singing

COVID-19 has restricted singing in communal worship. We sought to understand variations in droplet transmission and the impact of wearing face masks. Using rapid laser planar imaging, we measured droplets while participants exhaled, said ‘hello’ or ‘snake’, sang a note or ‘Happy Birthday’, with and without surgical face masks. We measured mean velocity magnitude (MVM), time averaged droplet number (TADN) and maximum droplet number (MDN). Multilevel regression models were used. In 20 participants, sound intensity was 71 dB for speaking and 85 dB for singing (p < 0.001). MVM was similar for all tasks with no clear hierarchy between vocal tasks or people and > 85% reduction wearing face masks. Droplet transmission varied widely, particularly for singing. Masks decreased TADN by 99% (p < 0.001) and MDN by 98% (p < 0.001) for singing and 86–97% for other tasks. Masks reduced variance by up to 48%. When wearing a mask, neither singing task transmitted more droplets than exhaling. In conclusion, wide variation exists for droplet production. This significantly reduced when wearing face masks. Singing during religious worship wearing a face mask appears as safe as exhaling or talking. This has implications for UK public health guidance during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Velocity Flow Field Characteristic on Nozzle Cavity using Central Composite Design of Computational Method for Dry Ice Blasting System

In the development of dry ice blasting nozzle geometry, the critical process parameters depend on particle jet velocity. However, very few researchers have attempted sensitivity on the velocity flow area of specific nozzle geometric parameters. A numerical simulation approach was performed in this paper using Ansys Fluent to investigate different nozzle parameters on the velocity flow field. A two-dimensional model is solved iteratively using averaged Navier-Stokes under Eulerian flow description. It was found that the velocity value increases that reach 550 m/s with an increment of the nozzle area ratio of up to 20 without influencing convergent angle and the velocity magnitude drop linearly from 525 m/s to 505 m/s in with the rise of divergent length that swell up to 700 mm and with constant convergent angle and convergent length.

Modeling and Simulation of Low Current Atmospheric and High-Pressure Helium Plasma Discharges

A plasma discharge in a Helium gas reactor at different pressures and at low currents (0.25–0.45 A) has been investigated by Computational Fluid Dynamic modeling coupled with the Maxwell’s equations. The results show different discharge dynamics across the pressure range (0.1–8 MPa), with an arc discharge obtained at high pressure and a low current arc discharge observed at atmospheric pressure. A large density gradient at higher pressure causes a strong natural convection effect in the reactor. This density gradient affects drastically the discharge shape and the velocity field at high pressures while at atmospheric pressure, a lower density gradient was observed resulting in a low velocity magnitude. It has been observed that the velocity magnitude is not affected by the electric current. The discharge electric potential has been calculated by considering the electrical characterization of the electrodes and numerical results have been compared with experimental results. The comparison shows a good agreement between the measured and calculated discharge electric potential at lower pressures. These devices can be used as plasma sources for wastewater treatment.