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Studies showed that integrating coating or valve into Peripherally Inserted Central (PICC) can prevent related complications. However, data regarding efficiency were controversial. Therefore, a systematic review was needed to analyse the effect of PICC materials and designs on reduction of PICC‐related complications. We searched PubMed, Cochrane library, EMbase, grey literature and referent literature from inception to 5 August 2022. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and case–control study were included. Two authors extracted data independently, using a predesigned Excel form, and assessed the quality of included RCTs according to the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews (V5.1.0), case–control study was assessed by the Newcastle‐Ottawa Scale. Data were analysed using Review Manager (v5.3.0). A total of 10 RCTs and one case–control study were included. Meta‐analysis results showed that PICC designs reduce the incidence of obstruction, and at the critical value of PICC‐associated bloodstream infection, but may have no effects on other complications. Based on the literature reviewed, we can only say PICC new materials did not reflect significant reduction on complications, what's more, the result needs more multicentre, large RCTs to support. We suggested clinicians combine descriptive research and cost‐effect analysis to select appropriate PICC materials and designs for patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study proposes a new design of mechanical filter to suit the recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) as a high-efficiency alternative filter to the conventional swirl separator (CSS). The new filter is considered the developed version of CSS; thus, it is called thereafter as the swirl-vertical drum filter (SVDF) which is provided with a rotating vertical micro-screen drum equipped with a fixed vertical brush as a self-cleaning tool instead of the conventional backwash system. The performance of SVDF was evaluated under different drum rotational speeds, and drum rotation times using sinking and floating fish feed pellets and magnetic field device, and then, it was compared to CSS in terms of water quality and filtration efficiency under the same operational conditions. Experimental results showed better values of water quality including Dissolved oxygen (DO), pH and unionized ammonia (NH3). Also, the lowest value of COD was found to be 18.33 mg/L by using SVDF with floating feed pellets, whilst the highest value of 100.73 mg/L was found in the case of using the CSS with sinking pellets. Meanwhile, the magnetic field device had no effect on the filtration process. The lowest surface area of the vertical micro-screen drum of 0.217 ± 0.013 m2 was obtained at the drum's rotational speed of 20 rpm (0.39 m/s), rotation time of 150 min with floating feed pellets. Experimentally, it is found that the new SVDF has higher filtration efficiency than the CSS by about 57.57% under the same operational conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The choice of design and operational parameters of vortex dust collectors (VDC) influences energy costs for ensuring the required dust collection efficiency at a given volumetric cleaned gas productivity. Data on the most expedient VDC design parameters are presented. Based on analytical relationships and computer simulation data, a method for calculating hydraulic resistance of the newly designed VDC and its separating capacity has been developed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to find a new design for basic Balinese dance techniques for blind children. So far, the basic techniques of Balinese dance are difficult for blind children to learn. In this regard, a new design for the basic technique of Balinese dance has emerged for beginners in a special category. The problems are: 1) how to form a new draught of basic Balinese dance techniques for blind children?; 2) what are the benefits of the new design of basic Balinese dance techniques in a special category for blind children?. This new design of basic Balinese dance techniques for blind children was researched using the R&D method. All data was obtained through field studies and literature studies on blind children. All data were analysed qualitatively using aesthetic theory and deconstruction theory from the perspective of art studies. The design of basic Balinese dance techniques for beginners for this special category was constructed after basic research was completed with the help of deconstruction theory. The results of the study show that : 1) the new design of the basic techniques of Balinese dancing for beginners is a body exercise technique for blind children; and 2) the benefits of the new design of the basic Balinese dancing techniques can train breathing, balance, and flexibility of joint muscles to strengthen stamina, memory, and movement power of blind children in Balinese dancing.

Kiyomi Sadamoto,1– 3 Mikio Murata,2,4 Masaho Hayashi,2,4 Hiroyuki Ura,1 Kiyoshi Kubota2,4 1Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Shonan University of Medical Science, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan; 2MECSION, General Incorporated Association, Hiratsuka, Kanagawa, Japan; 3Sadamoto Clinic, Ninomiya, Kanagawa, Japan; 4Department of Clinical Pharmacy Yokohama University of Pharmacy, Yokohama, Kanagawa, JapanCorrespondence: Kiyomi Sadamoto, Tel +81-45-921-0111Fax +81-45-821-0116Email kiyomi.sadamoto@gmail.comBackground: Blister packs with paperboard backing, which is useful for displaying instructions and information, are the most popular type of packaging for osteoporosis drugs in Japan. However, the main users of drugs are the aged, who often find blister packs difficult to open or drop their pills during opening. In this study, we compared different types of blister packs in terms of usability and handling.Methods: We conducted a subjective and objective study to compare commonly used blister packs with newly designed ones that have a jagged notch designed to hold a pill temporarily and a perforated line that enables the pack to be held easily in one hand. Regarding subjective data, packaging and sensory tests were performed. The participants in the sensory test were healthy older adults and patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We also measured the pinch power of all participants.Results: A comparison of several items, including opening status, prevention of pill dropping, and understanding of the instructions, using a numerical rating scale revealed no significant differences between ordinary (type A) and newly designed (type B) packaging. However, the scores for type B were the same or better than those for type A for every evaluation item. In addition, more than 85% of the participants reported preferring to use type B. More than 80% of the participants in both groups reported dropping pills using type A, which seemed to be related to their preference for type B. In the evaluation by the examiner (objective study), all participants could successfully remove their pills without dropping using type B, including those in the RA group who had difficulty handling packages.Conclusion: These findings suggest that the new type of blister pack assessed in this study (type B) is preferable among older and shows promise for a universal design.Keywords: drug packaging, paperboard backing, older adults, new design, rheumatoid arthritis, universal design

Abstract Background Isolated degenerative joint disease and/or Freiberg’s infraction of the lesser metatarsophalangeal joint, although not frequent may become debilitating in the younger individual. Currently, once conservative management fails, the mainstay of treatment is debridement and excision-interposition arthroplasty. Replacement arthroplasty has been ineffective in the long term as the joints are subject to severe repetitive fatigue loading over small articulating surfaces through a wide range of motion. This is an in vitro and cadaver study of a new design replacement arthroplasty developed by the senior author. The aim of this study is to evaluate this novel replacement arthroplasty of the lesser metatarsophalangeal joint in a laboratory setting and cadaver implantation. Methods This three-component mobile bearing device is made of titanium and high density polyethylene which evolved over 4 years. It was subjected to 5,000,000 cycles in a laboratory under physiological and excessive forces to assess resistance to fatigue failure and wear pattern of the polyethylene liner. Following these tests, it was implanted in 15 fresh frozen cadavers at various stages of its development, during which the surgical technique was perfected. Range of motion and stability was tested using custom made instrumentation in four cadavers. The implant was inserted in a further two cadavers by an independent foot and ankle surgeon to check reproducibility. Results The device showed almost no signs of wear or surface deformation under physiological forces. The surgical technique was found to be simple and reproducible in the cadaver trial. The average dorsiflexion was 28.5° and 28.9° pre- and post-implant respectively. The average plantar flexion was 33.8° and 20.8° pre- and post- implant respectively. The joints were stable both pre- and post-operatively. Post-operative stability was objectively assessed for dorsal displacement and dorsiflexion using a 5 kgf (49 N) and was found to be excellent. Conclusion This novel lesser metatarsophalangeal joint replacement arthroplasty has been developed as an option in the surgical treatment of symptomatic degenerative joint disease and/or Freiberg’s infraction resistant to conservative treatment. The implant was found to be durable and resistant to wear in the laboratory testing. The cadaver studies have shown it to require minimal specialized instrumentation with good surgical reproducibility. This proof of concept study is the basis for clinical trials.

• A new design of the solar still of rhombus shaped is studied using new model. • Decreasing the solar still declination angle rises the solar still performance. • Energy loss decreases with decreasing the inclination angle. • Maximum daily SS freshwater yield is 2.9 kg/m2.day in winter, 4.8 kg/m2.day in spring, and 5.4 kg/m2.day in summer. • Maximum solar still efficiency is 29% in winter, 42% in spring, and 47% in summer. A theoretical study on the performance of new design solar still of rhombus shape is presented. The rhombus solar still shape is composed of two glass cover walls of Λ shape while the still basin is of V shape including wood fibers porous material saturated with saline water. A complete new theoretical model is presented for the solar still including still basin and walls and humid air region. The radiation exchange between still walls is considered in the theoretical model. The study is performed under different climate conditions of Upper Egypt in summer, winter, and spring at different inclination angles of the still basin with the horizontal of 70°, 45o, and 30°. The theoretical model is validated with an experimental work and shows a good agreement between the theoretical and experimental results. The findings show that the solar still performance (solar still temperatures, freshwater production, and solar still efficiency) rises with decreasing the inclination angle of the solar still while the energy loss decreases with decreasing the inclination angle. The radiation exchange between the glass walls and the basin surfaces is negligible compared to the radiation exchange between the glass walls and their faced basin surfaces. The maximum daily solar still freshwater yield is 2.9 kg/m2.day in winter, 4.8 kg/m2.day in spring, and 5.4 kg/m2.day in summer while, the maximum solar still efficiency is 29% in winter, 42% in spring, and 47% in summer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Isolated degenerative joint disease and/or Freiberg's infraction of the lesser metatarsophalangeal joint, although not frequent may become debilitating in the younger individual. Currently, once conservative management fails, the mainstay of treatment is debridement and excision-interposition arthroplasty. Replacement arthroplasty has been ineffective in the long term as the joints are subject to severe repetitive fatigue loading over small articulating surfaces through a wide range of motion. This is an in vitro and cadaver study of a new design replacement arthroplasty developed by the senior author. The aim of this study is to evaluate this novel replacement arthroplasty of the lesser metatarsophalangeal joint in a laboratory setting and cadaver implantation.Methods: This three-component mobile bearing device is made of titanium and high density polyethylene which evolved over 4 years. It was subjected to 5,000,000 cycles in a laboratory under physiological and excessive forces to assess resistance to fatigue failure and wear pattern of the polyethylene liner. Following these tests, it was implanted in 15 fresh frozen cadavers at various stages of its development, during which the surgical technique was perfected. Range of motion and stability was tested using custom made instrumentation in four cadavers. The implant was inserted in a further two cadavers by an independent foot and ankle surgeon to check reproducibility.Results: The device showed almost no signs of wear or surface deformation under physiological forces. The surgical technique was found to be simple and reproducible in the cadaver trial. The average dorsiflexion was 28.5° and 28.9° pre- and post-implant respectively. The average plantar flexion was 33.8° and 20.8° pre- and post- implant respectively. The joints were stable both pre- and post-operatively. Post-operative stability was objectively assessed for dorsal displacement and dorsiflexion using a 5 kgf (49 N) and was found to be excellent.Conclusion: This novel lesser metatarsophalangeal joint replacement arthroplasty has been developed as an option in the surgical treatment of symptomatic degenerative joint disease and/or Freiberg's infraction resistant to conservative treatment. The implant was found to be durable and resistant to wear in the laboratory testing. The cadaver studies have shown it to require minimal specialized instrumentation with good surgical reproducibility. This proof of concept study is the basis for clinical trials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The results of experimental studies of hydraulic resistance, heat and mass transfer characteristics of a prismatic lattice polymer regular packing for various options of its installation in space are presented. Based on the conducted experimental studies, the most rational design of packing installation was determined (taking into account the decrease in hydraulic resistance and the increase in the efficiency of heat and mass transfer processes), for which the geometric characteristics are given and empirical dependences are obtained, which make it possible to determine the value of the hydraulic resistance of the dry and irrigated packing, the values of the volumetric coefficients of mass transfer and heat transfer. The results of the study can be used in enterprises where different types of cooling towers or devices for conducting heat and (or) mass transfer processes, such as absorption, are used, as well as in the development of packed scrubbers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The solar chimney power plant has a promising future in the world. Α new design of solar chimney is offered including both PV panels with solar chimney plant for electricity generation. Two experimental models of a hybrid solar chimney were built and designed (systems A&B). System (A) had a collector glass roof cover and a PV panel as an absorber with a chimney of 2 m height while system (B) is similar to system (A) but with PV panel as collector roof cover and plywood as an absorber in the base of the chimney. Two similar experimental models were built to achieve the performance of these new designs. Practical tests were conducted in Kirkuk (35° 28' latitude and 44° 24' longitude), northern Iraq. The results showed that system (A) had higher thermal gain than system B while the daily average of electrical power in system (B) was (75.6 W) higher than system (A) (79 W). This is because the high thermal gain raised the operating temperature of the PV panel which led to a decrease in its power output. The results also presented that system (A) converted thermal power to kinetic power with daily average (0.008 W) because of the great thermal gain which made air less dense in turn increased its velocity more than system (B) (0.006 W) which had lower kinetic power. The total useful power produced by the system (B) is greater than the useful power produced from the system (A).

Soccer balls have undergone dramatic changes in their surface structure that can affect their aerodynamics. The properties of the soccer ball surface such as the panel shape, panel orientation, seam characteristics, and surface roughness have a significant impact on its aerodynamics and flight trajectory. In this study, we performed wind-tunnel tests to investigate how the introduction of grooves on the surface of a soccer ball affects the flight stability and aerodynamic forces on the ball. Our results show that for soccer balls without grooves, changing the panel orientation of the ball causes a significant change in the drag coefficient. Soccer balls with grooves exhibited a smaller change in air resistance (Cd) in the supercritical region (20 to 30 m/s; 3.0 × 105 ≤ Re ≤ 4.7 × 105), compared to the ungrooved ball where only the panel orientation was changed. Furthermore, at power-shot speeds (25 m/s), the grooved ball exhibited smaller variations in lift force and side force than the ungrooved ball. These results suggest that a long groove structure on the surface of the soccer ball has a significant impact on the air flow around the ball in the supercritical region, and has the effect of keeping the air flow separation line constant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is well known that sports mouthguards(MG)are useful for the oral protection of contact sports participants. Soft-tissue injuries, broken teeth, bone fractures and brain concussions are all reduced in wearers of mouthguards participating in sports that involve impacts between players and/or sporting implements. For such purposes, the most important physical properties of the materials of sports mouthguards are the shock absorption characteristics for impact force. Sometimes, however, the designs of sports mouthguards can also be effective for avoiding oral injuries. A newly designed air-space type mouthguard(air MG)was developed for this purpose. Three types of air MG with air-spaces of 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0mm were designed, and seven specimens of each were made. A handmade steel ball-drop test apparatus was used to measure the shock absorption capacity. The best performance in reducing impact force was shown by the 3.0mm air-space specimen. The next experiment evaluated the efficacy of airducts of different diameters. Both the 1.0mm and 2.0mm air-spaces with a 5.0mm diameter air-duct showed good performance in reducing impact force (Tukey-Kramer test, p< 0.05). The results of these tests suggested that the air MG may be useful for reducing impact force. However, further study is needed for clinical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The solar chimney power plant (SCPP) is a solution to convert solar radiation into electrical energy. The optimization of the SCPP setup is essential to obtain a good ratio between the cost of the installation and the generated power. This paper presents a new design of a solar chimney power plant which is characterized by a combination of a convergent collector output and a divergent chimney bottom. This technical solution favors the overall performance and boosts the produced power of the SCPP. Comparing the proposed designs with a conventional prototype, the generated power could be raised by 32%. Indeed, this paper presents the performance of the solar chimney power plant while varying the chimney diameter. For each configuration, the features of the air flow characteristics such as the air temperature, the air velocity are illustrated and disputed. Results showed that the diameter of the chimney is an influential parameter in the optimization of the SCPP, since the diameter of the collector is restraint by the allowed space. Computational findings are confirmed by the use of experimental measurements which were recorded in South Tunisia, North Africa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An empirical and theoretical investigation was achieved on a cylindrical storage collector. It was suggested in this work for a cylinder to be cut at an inclined cutting plane. The tests were achieved for both summer and winter climate conditions with and without hot water removal. The hourly system performance parameters were investigated systematically for different experiments. These included the average storage temperature, velocity distribution, and temperature distribution. In the cylindrical collector, the ultimate magnitude of the average storage temperature was 25 °C, while the maximum temperature at the tip of the cylindrical collector was 58 °C for a typical spring day. Meanwhile, the rectangular collector can warm up the stored water to a temperature of 23 °C, when the inlet water temperature was 12 °C. The performance of the new solar collector was, in general, similar to the performance of the conventional thermosyphon flat plate solar water heaters. The Fluent program was used to confirm the experimental results. The free convection in the cylindrical collector was investigated based on the method of control volume. From the Fluent data and analysis of the collector, the temperature and velocity distributions throughout the day were obtained. The Fluent program data was well compatible with the experimental results.

Purpose: The objectives of this study were to determine the radiological outcome of a new personalized total knee arthroplasty (TKA) design and also to analyze the radiological reproducibility of the surgical technique.Patients and Methods: A total of 100 consecutive TKAs performed in 99 patients using Persona knee system were recruited. Weight-bearing standing anteroposterior and lateral radiographs were done in all the patients, both pre-operatively as well as post-operatively, and various radiological parameters were analyzed and compared.Results: The full correction of the limb mechanical axis was achieved in 97% of patients, and the radiological parameters of coronal and sagittal alignment of femoral and tibial components showed good results. There were no substantial differences between the mean pre-operative and post-operative patellar height indices, and data were in the normal range. Posterior condylar offset (PCO) and posterior condylar offset ratio (PCOR) had increased as expected after TKA. The coverage of tibia was optimal with data in the normal range.Conclusions: Radiological assessment of the new personalized knee system design showed excellent results with various parameters restored to the normal values. Therefore, the prosthesis can be considered anatomic, and the surgical technique is reproducible allowing the prosthesis to be implanted easily and with high precision. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • New design of a solar refrigerator is proposed. • A good agreement between experiments and simulation was noticed. • Experiments show that the improvements had a good impact on the thermal performance of the solar refrigerator. • The mass of the load inside the storage box has a great influence on the performance of the refrigerator. • The initial mass of refrigerant inside the evaporator is also an important parameter to study. Abstract This work deals with a new design of a solar driven adsorption-refrigerator. The solar refrigerator uses a single bed adsorber-collector and works with silica gel/water as a sorption pair. The novelty of this work is in the use of low cost and effective techniques that permitted to palliate to the problem of days with low solar radiation. In addition to that, a model with a minimum of constraining hypothesis was proposed. The model was implemented in a MATLAB-program and showed a good prediction accuracy during several tests with different operating conditions. This paper aims to put into evidence the impact of an enhancement with four external reflectors. The influence of the mass of the load as well as the influence of the initial mass of the refrigerant are also highlighted. Tests that were effectuated in the region of Sfax-Tunisia, resulted in a maximal COP solar valuing 0.078 and a maximal cooling capacity of 777.96 kJ. The proposed refrigerator was also able to make the temperature of a 9 kg water-load decrease to reach 0 °C during a partially cloudy day. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soccer balls have undergone dramatic changes in their surface structure that can affect their aerodynamics. The properties of the soccer ball surface such as the panel shape, panel orientation, seam characteristics, and surface roughness have a significant impact on its aerodynamics and flight trajectory. In this study, we performed wind-tunnel tests to investigate how the introduction of grooves on the surface of a soccer ball affects the flight stability and aerodynamic forces on the ball. Our results show that for soccer balls without grooves, changing the panel orientation of the ball causes a significant change in the drag coefficient. Soccer balls with grooves exhibited a smaller change in air resistance (Cd) in the supercritical region (20 to 30 m/s; 3.0 × 105 ≤ Re ≤ 4.7 × 105), compared to the ungrooved ball where only the panel orientation was changed. Furthermore, at power-shot speeds (25 m/s), the grooved ball exhibited smaller variations in lift force and side force than the ungrooved ball. These results suggest that a long groove structure on the surface of the soccer ball has a significant impact on the air flow around the ball in the supercritical region, and has the effect of keeping the air flow separation line constant.

Inconel 601 is one material of choice for intermediate- to high-temperature protective coatings for spark plugs’ ground electrodes. Production of ground electrodes of spark plugs implies the following operations: the tamping of the copper core in an Inconel 601 cup, cold-forming of the assembly, annealing, welding, and bending of the final spark plug. On the production line, the use of Inconel 601 as a protective coating for ground electrodes leads to possible cracking in the welded area after bending. In the present paper, possible causes of cracking are analyzed. It is clearly shown that a combination of Copper –Inconel interface oxidation, Inconel yielding during the heat treatment, and micro-movements during bending lead to cracks in the welded area of the ground electrode. First, the detrimental effect of gaps, between Copper and Inconel 601, is shown experimentally. Second, a thermo-mechanical analysis combined with SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy) observations identified the annealing treatment and interface oxidation as the main cause of gaps. Third, bending simulations show the relation between these gaps and cracking. Finally, a new ground electrode design, preventing cracks, is suggested.

Abstract: All available conventional ports share a common design, including catheter, locking nut, and port body, and all share two sites of structural weakness. One site is the junction between the locking nut and the proximal end of the catheter. The other site is the catheter fixation site between the locking nut and the protruding stud of the connecting tube. To overcome these shortcomings, we designed a new type of intravenous port which combines the connecting tube into one piece. The aims of this study were to test the mechanical characteristics of the new design and assess its safety in animal study. The prototype of the preattached port was manufactured from biocompatible materials, including PEEK, silicone and polyurethane. All components were assembled with biocompatible glue and mechanical and safety tests were performed to determine the mechanical strength, and tissue reaction of surrounding soft tissue and entry vessels. The mechanical tests showed the new design would not lead to catheter fracture in the oscillation test. The traction test showed significant peak load (18.75 ± 3.29 vs. 26.61 ± 1.75 N; p = 0.036) because of the difference in catheter extension capacity (26.57 ± 4.28 vs. 47.93 ± 2.45 mm; p = 0.012). Significantly smaller endurable injection pressure was identified in the prototype. (90 ± 20 vs. 177.5± 9.48 psi; p = 0.01) The safety test showed good tolerance in beagle dogs and led to no intravascular thrombus and minimal reaction in surrounding tissues. The new prototype preattached port showed good mechanical strength and overcame two potential structural weakness points. The integrated fixation design not only reduced the dimensions of the port device but also provided a greater injection area compared to current designs. It did not cause intravascular thrombosis and produced minimal tissue reaction in surrounding soft tissue, as identified by autopsy. The new design of the fixation device could serve as the basis for the next generation of intravenous ports. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 106B: 1017–1027, 2018. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, two different plasma jet designs (typical design and with geometrical modification) operating in argon are used to examine the influence of the additional plate on the created hydrophilic polyethylene terephthalate (PET) region. The surface analyses techniques (contact angle measurements and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy [XPS]) clearly show that the introduction of an additional plate in the plasma jet set-up only has a significant impact on the hydrophilic footprint when using a small capillary-sample distance of 2 mm. Comsol Multiphysics is used to explain the effect of the plasma jet design modification on the hydrophilic footprint. The simulations reveal a completely different gas flow pattern for the set-up with the modified geometry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this article is to briefly describe the main systems of quick coupling for attaching accessories used by construction equipment and their operating principles. We aim to emphasize the advantages and disadvantages of using these systems and finally we will try to find a new system solution that is completely different from current mechanisms. The reason for making this proposal is the desire to provide users of such kind of equipment a new and modern quick coupling system, which provide all the advantages and benefits of conventional systems and eliminate their drawbacks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel single cathode chamber and multiple anode chamber microbial fuel cell design (MAC-MFC) was developed by incorporating multiple anode chambers into a single unit and its performance was checked. During 60 days of operation, performance of MAC-MFC was assessed and compared with standard single anode/cathode chamber microbial fuel cell (SC-MFC). The tests showed that MAC-MFC generated stable and higher power outputs compared with SC-MFC and each anode chamber contributed efficiently. Further, MAC-MFCs were incorporated with different wastewaters in different anode chambers and their behavior in MFC performance was observed. MAC-MFC efficiently treated multiple wastewaters simultaneously at low cost and small space, which claims its candidature for future possible scale-up applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A stepped capillary tube is a new design that consist of two serial-connected capillary tubes with different diameter as an alternative in order to reduce the manufacturing cost of the typical assembly of two capillary tubes and a by-pass check valve widely used to achieve different mass flow rates in residential heat pump systems. One-dimensional numerical modelling of fluid-flow inside stepped capillary tubes was performed, and successfully validated against experimental data. Governing equations (continuity, momentum, energy, and entropy) for describing the fluid flow have been solved by using a fully implicit step-by-step method. A numerical treatment has been codified for considering thermodynamic and flow transitions (subcooled liquid region, metastable liquid region, metastable two-phase region and equilibrium two-phase region). Sudden contraction and enlargement were also considered. These results demonstrate a robust application of the model developed to predict reliably the mass flow rate through stepped capillary tubes, which enable this tool to be reliably used for the design of this kind of systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microbial fuel cell (MFC) is lauded for its capacity to valorize organic substrates in wastes, providing a solution to environmental pollution and energy crisis. While different types of organic substrates affect removal efficiency and current output, most MFCs are designed to only be able to utilize one type of wastewater. However, many real wastewater treatment sites generate more than one type of wastewater which hinders the installation of most MFCs. This study aimed to investigate the performance of the novel-designed multi-anode shared cathode MFC (MASC-MFC) compared with a standard single anode/cathode MFC (SAC-MFC) and the simultaneous treatment of different types of real wastewaters (sewage, slaughterhouse, and hospital) in one MFC unit. The MASC-MFC (9025 mW/m2 at 23.332 mA/m2) produced 1.7 times and 1.6 times higher in power density and current density and 2.2 times lower in internal resistance than the standard single anode/cathode MFC (SAC-MFC). A maximum COD removal efficiency of 62.7% was achieved with synthetic wastewater. Feeding the MASC-MFC with multiple real wastewaters decreased maximum power density 3.5 (2599 mW/m2) times and increased internal resistance 2.7 times. Stable current generation 1.575 mA was achieved over 300 h despite the different and complex wastewater physio-chemical compositions. The MASC-MFC achieved over 40% and approximately 30% coulombic efficiency independently in all the anode chambers irrespective of the type of real wastewater used, demonstrating the MASC-MFC's capacity to treat different real wastewaters with the added benefit of electricity production. [Display omitted] • Different types of real wastewaters operated in one MFC unit, reduces cost. • Single shared cathode with large a surface area and cathodic volume completed the circuit for multiple anodes. • Novel MFC: 9025 mW/m2, 60 ± 2.7% COD removal and 42 ± 2% CE operating synthetic wastewater. • Novel MFC: 30–50% COD removal and 20.5–33.2% CE treating different types of real wastewaters in each anode chamber. • Stable current generation, high power density 2599 mW/m2 despite different wastewater physio-chemical compositions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The thermo-hydraulic performance of cold plates is strongly influenced by the channel profiles and fin shapes. First, a shape optimization of U-turn type liquid cold plates is performed employing a discrete adjoint method in this work. The better uniformity of flow rate in minichannel cold plates is obtained by applying the optimized design of structures for entrance and baffle regions. Compared with the baseline design, the standard deviation of the flow rate for the optimal design decreases by 82.76%. The temperature uniformity of liquid cold plates can be further improved by using an asymmetric design of the double flow paths. The standard deviation of the temperature of the heating wall surface in the optimal design decreased by 20.75% compared with that of the conventional design. Furthermore, the roles of fin shape (rectangular, discontinuous, and wavy), fin thickness, and amplitude, wavelength and phase difference of sinusoidal wavy fin on the thermal performance of liquid cold plates having the asymmetric design with the curved baffle proposed are evaluated in detail. The results reveal that the larger amplitude, the smaller wavelength, the greater phase difference of wavy units may contribute to the greater heat transfer performance and the better temperature uniformity of cold plates. The heat transfer augmentation is attributed to the formation of vortices in the channel caused by the wavy fins and the increase of heat transfer surface area caused by the corrugated walls. As a result, two novel designs of minichannel cold plate were presented. New design of minichannel cold plate with wavy fins exhibits better heat transfer performance, while the other design with hybrid fins has more advantages to enhance temperature uniformity. The obtained results demonstrate that the new designs proposed have better temperature uniformity than the initial design of cold plates having straight rectangular minichannels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Self-supported nickel antimonides/Ni architectured electrodes were prepared by solid state reaction from Ni thin film, Ni foam and Ni nanorods. This specific design is expected to optimize both NiSb x /Ni-current collector and NiSb x /electrolyte interfaces of the electrode in the Li ion battery. This new electrode preparation process is based on solid state reaction of antimony with the nickel architectured substrate. Preliminary electrochemical tests of the as-obtained self supported antimonide electrodes show improvement in the capacity retention of the NiSb x active material. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Summary: Background: The Mcfarlane flap or dorsal pedicled flap has become the standard model for pedicled rat skin flap study but its reliability has been called to question. In the past, there were possible confounding variable with the McFarlane flap and various methods were used to adjust these variables. We have developed a new model for studying skin flap necrosis and its prevention that eliminates these confounding variables. Methods: The flap is a significant modification of the McFarlane flap where we form a blind ended pedicled tube using a 3cm×9cm dorsal flap. Survival area is measured using digital photography and computer assisted analysis. This new flap is compared with the standard McFarlane flap with n =25 in each group. Results: The mean survival area of the new flap (15.673cm2 +SD3.37) is comparable with the McFarlane flap (18.904cm2 +SD3.79). The relative merit lies in the elimination of the confounding variable of the graft bed influence on our flap without a significant reduction in the survival area. Conclusion: A new rat model is presented that may be used in studying the effect of various treatment modalities on pedicled skin flaps. This model has the benefit of eliminating graft bed effect without the risk of flap and wound infection or desiccation that have been encountered using other models. The new flap also has better demarcation of necrosis area in this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The Supercritical Water Cooled Reactor (SCWR) was chosen as one of the Generation IV reactors by GIF. At the moment, a number of concepts exist, such as the American SCWR, the Canadian CANDU–SCWR, the European HPLWR (High Performance Light Water Reactor), the Japanese Super LWR and the Korean SCWR. The driving force behind the developments is the fact that the fossil fired power plants are continuously increasing their efficiency by use of higher pressures and temperatures. The SCWR has numerous advantages over today''s wide-spread Light Water Reactors. On the other hand, the scientific community must cope with various challenges before the first power plants of this type can be built. The European and the Japanese concepts are the most promising, although the complicated water flow path repeatedly sets newer challenges. Simplicity is always a good choice in reactor design, thus the authors went back to the basic once-through cycle, significantly improving it. With the combination of zirconium-hydride as extra moderator, axially varying fuel enrichment and moderation, longer active length and smaller core diameter (resulting in thinner walls for the reactor pressure vessel), a new and simpler design is proposed in this paper. This design is called Simplified Supercritical Water-Cooled Reactor (SSCWR) and adapts better for the different operating conditions and burn-up, therefore it is inherently safer and more reliable. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper presented a comparison of flow structures in a newly designed circulating-turbulent fluidized bed (C-TFB), which has a high solids holdup and solids flux, with two commonly used fluidized beds reactors (circulating fluidized bed (CFB) and turbulent fluidized bed (TFB)). Experimental results included instantaneous solids concentration and particle velocity, and local solids flux. Results indicated that the flow behavior in the C-TFB possessed both similarities and differences with the TFB and high-density CFB. Many distinct advantages of the C-TFB flows were found. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The article presents the results of a study which examined and tested circulating-turbulent fluidized bed (C-TFB) featured by high solids holdup and high gross solids circulation. C-TBB design allows for the integration of conventional circulating and turbulent fluidized beds into a unique high-density fluidization system, thereby improving the efficiency of gas-sold contact and reducing solids backmixing. The hydrodynamic characteristics of C-TFB were analyzed, including differential pressure, solids concentration, particle velocity and local solids flux distributions.

Overhead rigid conductor arrangements for current collection for railway traction have some advantages compared to other, more conventional, energy supply systems. They are simple, robust and easily maintained, not to mention their flexibility as to the required height for installation, which makes them particularly suitable for use in subway infrastructures. Nevertheless, due to the increasing speeds of new vehicles running on modern subway lines, a more efficient design is required for this kind of system. In this paper, the authors present a dynamic analysis of overhead conductor rail systems focused on the design of a new conductor profile with a dynamic behaviour superior to that of the system currently in use. This means that either an increase in running speed can be attained, which at present does not exceed 110 km/h, or an increase in the distance between the rigid catenary supports with the ensuing saving in installation costs. This study has been carried out using simulation techniques. The ANSYS programme has been used for the finite element modelling and the SIMPACK programme for the elastic multibody systems analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]