Toward numerical simulations of fluid–structure interactions for investigation of obstructive sleep apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a medical condition characterized by repetitive partial or complete occlusion of the airway during sleep. The soft tissues in the airway of OSA patients are prone to collapse under the low-pressure loads incurred during breathing. This paper describes efforts toward the development of a numerical tool for simulation of air–tissue interactions in the upper airway of patients with sleep apnea. A procedure by which patient-specific airway geometries are segmented and processed from dental cone-beam CT scans into signed distance fields is presented. A sharp-interface embedded boundary method based on the signed distance field is used on Cartesian grids for resolving the airflow in the airway geometries. For simulation of structure mechanics with large expected displacements, a cut-cell finite element method with nonlinear Green strains is used. The fluid and structure solvers are strongly coupled with a partitioned iterative algorithm. Preliminary results are shown for flow simulation inside the three-dimensional rigid upper airway of patients with obstructive sleep apnea. Two validation cases for the fluid–structure coupling problem are also presented.     

Modeling force-induced bio-polymer unfolding

We study the conformations of polymer chains in a poor solvent, with and without bending rigidity, by means of a simple statistical mechanics model. This model can be exactly solved for chains of length up to N = 55 using exact enumeration techniques. We analyze in detail the differences between the constant force and constant distance ensembles for large but finite N. At low temperatures, and in the constant force ensemble, the force–extension curve shows multiple plateaus (intermediate states), in contrast with the abrupt transition to an extended state prevailing in the N → ∞ limit. In the constant distance ensemble, the same curve provides a unified response to pulling and compressing forces, and agrees qualitatively with recent experimental results. We identify a cross-over length, proportional to N, below which the critical force of unfolding decreases with temperature, while above, it increases with temperature. Finally, the force–extension curve for stiff chains exhibits “saw-tooth” like behavior, as observed in protein unfolding experiments.     

Tetrabutylammonium bromide (TBAB): a neutral and efficient catalyst for the synthesis of biscoumarin and 3,4-dihydropyrano[c]chromene derivatives in water and solvent-free conditions

A simple, efficient and ecofriendly procedure has been developed using tetrabutylammonium bromide as catalyst for the synthesis of biscoumarin and dihydropyrano[c]chromene derivatives in water and solvent-free neat conditions. The present methodology offers several advantages such as excellent yields, short reaction time and environmentally benign milder reaction conditions.     

LC-DAD Determination of Fleroxacin in Bulk and Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms

Fleroxacin is a third generation fluoroquinolone with broad spectrum antibacterial activity. In this work an LC-DAD method for the analysis of fleroxacin was developed and validated using UV detection at 286 nm. The method was validated for linearity, precision, robustness, LOD, LOQ, specificity and accuracy at concentrations of 0.2–20.0 μg mL⁻¹ and r ² = 1. The LOD and LOQ were 0.059 and 0.197 μg, respectively, the recoveries were 99.92–102.0% and the CV was less than 2.0%. The LC-DAD validated method provided analytical sensitivity, specificity and reproducibility suitable for quality control analysis.     

Revisiting the shelf life constrained multi-product manufacturing problem

A multi-product manufacturing problem generally consists of the total cost minimization. In case where the shelf life constraint is imposed, various options to deal with the situation are widely discussed in the literature. These options include a reduction in the production rate and cycle time separately, and the simultaneous reduction of production rate and cycle time. When the production rate is decreased, the unit manufacturing cost increases and because of this the inventory holding costs need modification. In the existing literature, this has been ignored in the computation of cost and therefore a revisit to the problem has been justified. The present paper modifies the holding cost and this problem has been reformulated for the basic case. This has also been extended for an inclusion of shortages that are backordered completely or partially.     

Quadrature Based Optimal Iterative Methods with Applications in High-Precision Computing

We present a simple yet effective and applicable scheme, based on quadrature, for constructing optimal iterative methods. According to the, still unproved, Kung-Traub conjecture an optimal iterative method based on $n+1$ evaluations could achieve a maximum convergence order of $2^n$. Through quadrature, we develop optimal iterative methods of orders four and eight. The scheme can further be applied to develop iterative methods of even higher orders. Computational results demonstrate that the developed methods are efficient as compared with many well known methods.     

Solid–state diffusion–controlled growth of the phases in the Au–Sn system

The solid state diffusion-controlled growth of the phases is studied for the Au–Sn system in the range of room temperature to 200 °C using bulk and electroplated diffusion couples. The number of product phases in the interdiffusion zone decreases with the decrease in annealing temperature. These phases grow with significantly high rates even at the room temperature. The growth rate of the AuSn₄ phase is observed to be higher in the case of electroplated diffusion couple because of the relatively small grains and hence high contribution of the grain boundary diffusion when compared to the bulk diffusion couple. The diffraction pattern analysis indicates the same equilibrium crystal structure of the phases in these two types of diffusion couples. The analysis in the AuSn₄ phase relating the estimated tracer diffusion coefficients with grain size, crystal structure, the homologous temperature of experiments and the concept of the sublattice diffusion mechanism in the intermetallic compounds indicate that Au diffuses mainly via the grain boundaries, whereas Sn diffuses via both the grain boundaries and the lattice.     

Protective effect of Rubia cordifolia on reserpine-induced orofacial dyskinesia

In this study, the neuroprotective potential and in vivo antioxidant status of extract of roots and rhizomes of Rubia cordifolia L (MERC) in reserpine-induced orofacial dyskinesia was studied. Reserpine (1 mg/kg, s.c.) on day 1, 3 and 5 was used to induce orofacial dyskinesia. At the end of treatment schedule, MERC significantly inhibited reserpine-induced vacuous chewing movements, tongue protrusions, orofacial bursts, catalepsy. MERC significantly increased locomotion and rearing in open field test. MERC exhibited significant elevation in the levels of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione reductase and inhibition of lipid peroxidation in forebrain region, compared with the reserpine treated group. It significantly elevated dopamine levels in the forebrain region. GCMS revealed the presence of anthraquinones, having strong antioxidant activity. It is concluded that oxidative stress might play an important role in reserpine-induced abnormal oral movements and MERC significantly protected animals against reserpine-induced orofacial dyskinesia and has great potential in treatment of neuroleptic induced orofacial dyskinesia.     

Ethanolic extract of Rubia peregrina L. (Rubiaceae) inhibits haloperidol-induced catalepsy and reserpine-induced orofacial dyskinesia

In the traditional Sardinian system of medicine, Rubia peregrina L. (Rubiaceae) is reported as an aphrodisiac herb. Since the aphrodisiacs may also have antioxidant and dopaminergic activities, the aim of this study was to study the effect of ethanolic extract of aerial parts of R. peregrina for the scavenging of free DPPH radicals and the inhibition of haloperidol-induced catalepsy in mice and reserpine-induced orofacial dyskinesia in rats. The extract exhibited significant antioxidant activity in a free radical DPPH assay with IC(50)?=?55.6?μg?mL(-1), which was very close to IC(50) of ascorbic acid. The extract of R. peregrina (100 and 200?mg?kg(-1) intraperitoneally, i.p.) significantly inhibited haloperidol (1?mg?kg(-1) i.p.) - induced catalepsy in mice (p?相似文献   

Preconcentration and detection of chlorinated organic compounds and benzene

Remote and automated detection of organic compounds in subsurface aquifers is crucial to superfund monitoring and environmental remediation. Current monitoring techniques use expensive laboratory instruments and trained personnel. The use of a filled tubular preconcentrator combined with a chemicapacitive detector array presents an attractive option for the unattended monitoring of these compounds. Five preconcentrator materials were exposed to common target compounds of subsurface remediation projects (1,1,2-trichloroethane, trichloroethylene, t-1,2-dichloroethylene, benzene, and perchloroethylene). Rapid heating of the tube caused the collected, concentrated effluent to pass over the surface of a chemicapacitive detector array coated with four different sorbent polymers. A system containing a porous ladder polymer and the sensor array was subsequently used to sample the analytes injected onto sand in a laboratory test, simulating a subsurface environment. With extended collection times, effective detection limits of 5 ± 3 ppbV for 1,1,2-trichloroethane and 145 ± 60 ppbV for benzene were achieved. Effects of the preconcentrator material structure, the collection time, and sensor material on the system performance were observed. The resultant system presents a solution for remote, periodic monitoring of chlorinated organic compounds and other volatile organic compounds in a soil matrix.