Effect of connected and autonomous vehicles on traffic flow at a bidirectional road

The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of connected and autonomous vehicles (CAVs) on traffic flow under various parameters. For this purpose, we propose a mixed CAV and conventional vehicle (CV) model to investigate a bidirectional two-lane traffic flow under the periodic boundary condition. The traffic flux and the phase diagrams of the system in the ([Formula: see text]) area are constructed in both cases: with and without CAVs. The overtaking frequency is also calculated. The simulation findings show that the traffic capacity is greatly enhanced with the increase in the CAV penetration ratio. Owing to the cooperative driving strategy, with the increase in penetration ratio of the CAV, the portion of smooth overtaking is boosted. Furthermore, it is found that the traffic throughput is positively correlated to the speed limit of the fast vehicle where the flux increases as [Formula: see text] increases. Also, even if there is a low rate of slow moving vehicles in the system, it will have an appreciable and a significant negative influence.

Sustainable ground improvement method using encapsulated polypropylene (PP) column reinforcement

This study investigates the effectiveness of encapsulated polypropylene (PP) column in enhancing the undrained shear strength of kaolin (soft clay). The usage of PP in treating problematic soil is a more sustainable and cost-effective alternative compared to other materials. The installation of granular column can be done by using vibro-replacement method. Several geotechnical tests to determine the properties of materials were conducted. The shear strength of treated kaolin sample was examined by using Unconfined Compression Test (UCT). There are seven (7) batches of soil sample in total which included a control sample, three (3) batches of 14 mm and three (3) batches of 20 mm diameter PP column. Different diameters of PP column were examined with 60 mm, 80 mm and 100 mm height, respectively with soil sample of 50 mm in diameter and 100 mm in height. The shear strength improvement of kaolin is 33.82%, 46.51%, and 49.88% when implanted with a PP column with a 7.84 area replacement ratio and 0.6, 0.8 and 1.0 penetration ratio. The soft soil treated using 16.00 area replacement ratio with 0.6, 0.8 and 1.0 penetration ratio has a shear strength increment of 25.22%, 33.39% and 37.59% respectively. In short, the shear strength improvement of the kaolin clay depends on the parameter of the PP column used to reinforce the sample.

Penetration of Isavuconazole in Ascites Fluid of Critically Ill Patients

Fungal peritonitis is a life-threatening condition which is not only difficult to diagnose, but also to treat. Following recent guidelines, echinocandins and azoles are the recommended antimycotics for the management of intra-abdominal Candida spp. infections, with a favor for echinocandins in critically ill patients. However, the new extended spectrum triazole isavuconazole also has a broad spectrum against Candida spp. Data on its target-site penetration are sparse. Therefore, we assessed isavuconazole concentrations and penetration ratios in ascites fluid of critically ill patients. Obtaining of Isavuconazole plasma and ascites fluid levels as well penetration ratios using paracentesis in critically ill patients. Isavuconazole concentrations were quantified in human plasma and ascites by a liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method. Isavuconazole concentrations in plasma and ascites fluid were measured in sixteen critically ill patients. Isavuconazol levels in ascites fluid (1.06 µg/mL) were lower than plasma levels (3.08 µg/mL). Penetration ratio was 36%. In two out of sixteen patients, Candida spp., in detail C. glabrata and C. tropicalis, could be isolated. Cmax/MIC Ratio in plasma of 560 for C. glabrata and 2166 for C. tropicalis could be observed. Following our results, isavuconazole penetrates into ascites. Successful treatment in Candida spp. peritonitis depends on pathogen susceptibility.

Penetration of Hydrogen into Polymer Electrolyte Membrane for Fuel Cells by Quantum and Molecular Dynamics Simulations

The advent of the Hydrogen Society created great interest around hydrogen-based energy a decade ago, with several types of vehicles based on hydrogen fuel cells already being produced in the automotive sector. For highly efficient fuel cell systems, the control of hydrogen inside a polymer-based electrolyte membrane is crucial. In this study, we investigated the molecular behavior of hydrogen inside a polymer-based proton-exchange membrane, using quantum and molecular dynamics simulations. In particular, this study focused on the structural difference of the pendent-like side chain polymer, resulting in the penetration ratio of hydrogen into the membrane deriving from the penetration depth of the membrane’s thickness while keeping the simulation time constant. The results reveal that the penetration ratio of the polymer with a shorter side chain was higher than that with the longer side chain. This was justified via two perspectives; electrostatic and van der Waals molecular interactions, and the structural difference of the polymers resulting in the free volume and different behavior of the side chain. In conclusion, we found that a longer side chain is more trembling and acts as an obstruction, dominating the penetration of hydrogen inside the polymer membrane.

Effectiveness of Chin Tuck on Laryngeal Penetration: Quantitative Assessment

The effectiveness of the chin tuck maneuver is still controversial, despite being widely used in clinical practice. The chin tuck maneuver has been shown to be able to reduce or eliminate aspiration in a group of patients with a number of favorable conditions, but its effectiveness in preventing or managing penetration remains unclear. This study was designed to investigate whether the chin tuck maneuver is effective in reducing penetration. Images from a videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS) taken from 76 patients with penetration were collected and reviewed retrospectively. The severity of penetration was assessed by the penetration ratio (ratio of the penetration depth to the length of the epiglottis) measured and calculated from the images in which the deepest penetration was observed. The penetration ratio was significantly decreased in the chin tuck posture compared with the ratio in the neutral position (p = 0.001). Significant reducing effect was observed in 26 (34.2%) out of 76 patients. When comparing other parameters of VFSS, residues in the vallecular and pyriformis sinuses were less severe in the effective group. Chin tuck significantly decreased residues in both effective and ineffective group. The results demonstrate that the chin tuck maneuver can reduce penetration, but its effectiveness is limited.

Revising Transient-Pressure Solution for Vertical Well Intersected by a Partially Penetrating Fracture with Non-Darcy Flow Effect

The principle purpose of this work is to formulate an accurate mathematical model to evaluate the transient pressure behavior of a well intercepted by a partially penetrating vertical fracture (PPVF) with non-Darcy flow effect. Fracture conductivity is taken into account by coupling the three-dimensional flow in reservoir and the two-dimensional flow within fracture; the Barree-Conway model is incorporated into the model to analyze non-Darcy flow behavior in fracture, which leads to the nonlinearity of the governing equations. A high-effective iterative algorithm using a combined technique of fracture-panel discretization and dimension transform is developed to render the nonlinear equations amenable to analytical linear treatment. On the basis of the solutions, the pressure response and its derivative type curves were generated to identify the evolution of flow regimes with time. Furthermore, the influences of fracture conductivity, penetration ratio, and non-Darcy characteristic parameters on pressure response are investigated. The results show that PPVF exhibits five typical flow regimes, and analytical solutions for each flow regime are similar to that for a fully penetrating vertical fracture (FPVF) that can be correlated with the penetration ratio and apparent conductivity. The non-Darcy flow effect is found to have more significant effect on the low and moderate conductivity, especially in early-stage flow regimes. When the penetration ratio is smaller than 0.5, the pressure behavior exhibit a more remarkable variation with penetration ratio. This study provides a better insight into understanding the influence of non-Darcy flow on flow regime identification.

Pharmacokinetics of Benznidazole in Experimental Chronic Chagas Disease Using the Swiss mouse-Berenice-78 Trypanosoma cruzi Strain Model

Chronic Chagas disease might have an impact on benznidazole pharmacokinetics with potential alterations in the therapeutic dosing regimen. The study aims to investigate the influence of chronic T. cruzi infection on the pharmacokinetics and biodistribution of benznidazole in mice. Healthy (n = 40) and chronically T. cruzi (Berenice-78 strain) infected (n = 40) Swiss female 10-month old mice received a single oral dose of 100 mg/kg benznidazole. Serial blood, heart, colon and brain samples were collected up to 12 h after benznidazole administration. The serum and tissues samples were analyzed using a High Performance Liquid Chromatography instrument coupled to a diode array detector. The chronic infection by T. cruzi increased the following pharmacokinetic parameter values Ka (3.92 vs 1.82 h−1), Vd/F (0.089 vs 0.036 L) and CL/F (0.030 vs 0.011 liters/h), and reduced the values of Tmax (0.67 vs 1.17 h) and t 1/2a (0.18 vs 0.38 h). The tissue exposure (AUC0-t,tissue) was longer and higher in the chronic infected mice in colon (8.15 vs 21.21 μg h/g) and heart (5.72 vs 13.58 μg h/g). The chronic infection also increased 1.6; 3.25 and 3 times of the benznidazole tissue penetration ratio (AUC0-t, tissue/AUC0-t, serum) of brain, colon and heart, respectively. The experimental chronic Chagas disease inflammation-mediated changes in the regulation of membrane transporters, probably influence the benznidazole pharmacokinetics and extent benznidazole exposure in the tissues. These results advise for potential alterations in benznidazole pharmacokinetics in chronic Chagas disease patients with possibilities of changes in the standard dosing regimen.

Simulation and Optimization of Dynamic Fracture Parameters for an Inverted Square Nine-Spot Well Pattern in Tight Fractured Oil Reservoirs

Dynamic fractures are a geological attribute of water flooding development in tight fractured oil reservoirs. However, previous studies have mainly focused on the opening mechanism of dynamic fractures and the influence of dynamic fractures on development. Few attempts have been made to investigate the optimization of the dynamic fracture parameter. In this study, the inverted square nine-spot well pattern model is established by taking fractured reservoir’s heterogeneity and its threshold pressure gradients into account. This simulation model optimizes the various parameters in a tight fractured oil reservoir with dynamic fractures, that is, the intersection angle between the dynamic fractures and the well array, the number of dynamic fractures, the penetration ratio, and the conductivity of the oil well’s hydraulic fractures. The results of this optimization are used to investigate the oil displacement mechanism of dynamic fractures and to discuss a mechanism to enhance oil recovery using an inverted square nine-spot well pattern. The simulation results indicate that a 45° intersection angle can effectively restrain the increase in the water cut. A single dynamic fracture can effectively control the displacement direction of the injected water and improve the oil displacement efficiency. Moreover, the optimal penetration ratio and the conductivity of the hydraulic fracture are 0.6 and 40 D-cm, respectively.