The motion of a neutrally buoyant particle of an elliptic shape in two dimensional shear flow: a numerical study

In this paper, we investigate the motion of a neutrally buoyant cylinder of an elliptic shape freely moving in two dimensional shear flow by direct numerical simulation. An elliptic shape cylinder in shear flow, when initially being placed at the middle between two walls, either keeps rotating or has a stationary inclination angle depending on the particle Reynolds number $Re=G_r r_a^2/\nu$, where $G_r$ is the shear rate, $r_a$ is the semi-long axis of the elliptic cylinder and $\nu$ is the kinetic viscosity of the fluid. The critical particle Reynolds number $Re_{cr}$ for the transition from a rotating motion to a stationary orientation depends on the aspect ratio $AR=r_b/r_a$ and the confined ratio $K=2r_a/H$ where $r_b$ is the semi-short axis of the elliptic cylinder and $H$ is the distance between two walls. Although the increasing of either parameters makes an increase in $Re_{cr}$, the dynamic mechanism is distinct. The $AR$ variation causes the change of geometry shape; however, the $K$ variation influences the wall effect. The stationary inclination angle of non-rotating slender elliptic cylinder with smaller confined ratio seems to depend only on the value of $Re-Re_{cr}$. An expected equilibrium position of the cylinder mass center in shear flow is the centerline between two walls, but when placing the particle away from the centerline initially, it migrates either toward an equilibrium height away from the middle between two walls or back to the middle depending on the confined ratio and particle Reynolds number.Comment: arXiv admin note: substantial text overlap with arXiv:1209.080

Effects of cord pretension and stiffness of the Dynesys system spacer on the biomechanics of spinal decompression- a finite element study

BACKGROUND: The Dynesys system provides stability for destabilized spines while preserving segmental motion. However, clinical studies have demonstrated that the Dynesys system does not prevent adjacent segment disease. Moreover, biomechanical studies have revealed that the stiffness of the Dynesys system is comparable to rigid fixation. Our previous studies showed that adjusting the cord pretension of the Dynesys system alleviates stress on the adjacent level during flexion. We also demonstrated that altering the stiffness of Dynesys system spacers can alleviate stress on the adjacent level during extension of the intact spine. In the present study, we hypothesized that omitting the cord preload and changing the stiffness of the Dynesys system spacers would abate stress shielding on adjacent spinal segments. METHODS: Finite element models were developed for - intact spine (INT), facetectomy and laminectomy at L3-4 (DEC), intact spine with Dynesys system (IntDyWL), decompressed spine with Dynesys system (DecDyWL), decompressed spine with Dynesys system without cord preload (DecDyNL), and decompressed spine with Dynesys system assembled using spacers that were 0.8 times the standard diameter without cord pretension (DecDyNL0.8). These models were subjected to hybrid control for flexion, extension, axial rotation; and lateral bending. RESULTS: The greatest decreases in range of motion (ROM) at the L3-4 level occurred for axial rotation and lateral bending in the IntDyWL model and for flexion and extension in the DecDyWL model. The greatest decreases in disc stress occurred for extension and lateral bending in the IntDyWL model and for flexion in the DecDyWL model. The greatest decreases in facet contact force occurred for extension and lateral bending in the DecDyNL model and for axial rotation in the DecDyWL model. The greatest increases in ROMs at L2-3 level occurred for flexion, axial rotation and lateral bending in IntDyWL model and for extension in the DecDyNL model. The greatest increases in disc stress occurred for flexion, axial rotation and lateral bending in the IntDyWL model and for extension in the DecDyNL model. The greatest increases in facet contact force occurred for extension and lateral bending in the DecDyNL model and for axial rotation in the IntDyWL model. CONCLUSIONS: The results reveals that removing the Dynesys system cord pretension attenuates the ROMs, disc stress, and facet joint contact forces at adjacent levels during flexion and axial rotation. Removing cord pretension together with softening spacers abates stress shielding for adjacent segment during four different moments, and it provides enough security while not jeopardizes the stability of spine during axial rotation

Some Results for a Finite Family of Uniformly -Lipschitzian Mappings in Banach Spaces

The purpose of this paper is to prove a strong convergence theorem for a finite family of uniformly L-Lipschitzian mappings in Banach spaces. The results presented in the paper not only correct some mistakes appeared in the paper by Ofoedu (2006) but also improve and extend some recent results by Chang (2001), Cho et al. (2005), Ofoedu (2006), Schu (1991), and Zeng (2003, 2005)

All-Trans Retinoic Acid Induces DU145 Cell Cycle Arrest through Cdk5 Activation

All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA), the active form of vitamin A, plays an important role in the growth arrest of numerous types of cancer cells. It has been indicated that cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (Cdk5) activity can be affected by ATRA treatment. Our previous results demonstrate the involvement of Cdk5 in the fate of prostate cancer cells. The purpose of this study is to examine whether Cdk5 is involved in ATRA-induced growth arrest of the castration-resistant cancer cell line DU145 through up-regulating Cdk inhibitor protein, p27