On the effects of straight extremities on low-density lipoprotein transport in the concentration boundary layer of curved arteries

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to analyze the influence of curvature on the transport of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) through a curved artery and concentration boundary layer characteristics numerically. Design/methodology/approach By using a projection method based on the second-order central difference discretization, the authors solve the set of governing equations, which consists of Navier–Stokes, continuity and species transport. The effects of initial straight length, as well as the curvature and wall shear stress (WSS) on LDL transport in a curved artery are established in this paper. Findings The obtained numerical results imply that the LDL concentration boundary layer thickness decreases in the outer part of the curved artery and increases in the inner part for both with or without initial straight length. The effect of Reynolds number on the concentration distribution in a curved artery with initial straight length is more pronounced than that on a fully curved artery, although an opposite trend was seen for the curvature ratio. The maximum surface LDL concentration is related to the regions with minimum WSS in the inner part of the curved artery, which has more potential the formation of atherosclerosis. Originality/value The authors present a comprehensive concentration distribution of LDL in the concentration boundary layer of the curved artery. The authors also characterize and predict the influence of curvature on the formation and development of atherosclerosis within the arterial wall.

Effects of Bubble Location on Pore Shape in Solid

The shapes of a pore resulting from an entrapped bubble by a solidification front for different locations of the bubble below the free surface are predicted in this work. Bubble location is an important factor affecting temperature gradient in liquid, solute gas dissipated into the ambient, heterogeneous nucleation of the bubble and shape of the bubble cap, and subsequent entrapment and the pore shape in solid. The shapes of pores in solid influence not only material properties, but also contemporary issues of engineering, biology, medical technology and science, etc. This study takes into account solute transport across a coupling shape of the pore cap determined by the Young-Laplace equation governing balance of liquid, gas and capillary pressures. The results find that increases in depthwise location of a bubble increase pore radius and time for bubble entrapment as solute transport is from the pore across cap emerged through a concentration boundary layer along the solidification front into surrounding liquid in the early stage. On the other hand, the bubble cannot be entrapped, provided that solute transport in opposite directions across the cap submerged in a concentration boundary layer along the solidification front. The predicted growth and entrapment of a tiny bubble as a pore in solid agree with experimental data. Understanding and controlling of the pore shape via controlling bubble location is of interest and challenging.