New System for the Acceleration of the Airflow in Wind Turbines

Background: This patent is based on the wind industry technology called Diffuser Augmented Wind Turbines (DAWTs). This technology consists of a horizontal axis wind turbine, which is housed inside a duct with diverging section in the direction of the free air stream. In this paper, a review of preceding patents related to this technology is carried out. Objective: This paper presents an innovative patent to improve the performance of horizontal axis wind turbines. In particular, this system is aimed at improving the performance of those turbines that otherwise might not be installed due to the low wind resource existing at certain locations. Methods: The most innovative elements of this patent are: (1) the semi-spherical grooves, which are mechanized on the surface of the two diffusers in order to guarantee a more energetic boundary layer; (2) the coaxial diffuser, which is located downwind following the first diffuser in order to increase the suction effect on the air mass close to the inlet; (3) the coaxial rings located around the first diffuser outlet, which are used to deflect the external airflow toward the turbine wake; and (4), the selforientating system to orientate the system by the prevailing wind direction. Results: An application of the patent for increasing the power generated by a horizontal axis wind turbine with three blades is presented. The patent is designed and its performance is evaluated by using a Computational Fluid Dynamics code. The numerical results show that this system rises the airflow going through the rotor of the turbine. Conclusion: The patented device is an original contribution aimed at enabling a more profitable installation of wind turbines in places where the wind resource is insufficient because of the wind shear caused both by the proximity of the earth and the obstacles on the earth surface.This work was supported by the OASIS Research Project that was cofinanced by CDTI (Spanish Science and Innovation Ministry) and developed with the Spanish companies: Iridium, OHL Concesiones, Abertis, Sice, Indra, Dragados, OHL, Geocisa, GMV, Asfaltos Augusta, Hidrofersa, Eipsa, PyG, CPS, AEC and Torre de Comares Arquitectos S.L and 16 research centres. The authors also acknowledge the partial funding with FEDER funds under the Research Project FC-15-GRUPIN14-004. Finally, we also thank Swanson Analysis Inc. for the use of ANSYS University Research programs as well as the Workbench simulation environment

New Findings in a Global Approach to Dissect the Whole Phenotype of PLA2G6 Gene Mutations.

Mutations in PLA2G6 gene have variable phenotypic outcome including infantile neuroaxonal dystrophy, atypical neuroaxonal dystrophy, idiopathic neurodegeneration with brain iron accumulation and Karak syndrome. The cause of this phenotypic variation is so far unknown which impairs both genetic diagnosis and appropriate family counseling. We report detailed clinical, electrophysiological, neuroimaging, histologic, biochemical and genetic characterization of 11 patients, from 6 consanguineous families, who were followed for a period of up to 17 years. Cerebellar atrophy was constant and the earliest feature of the disease preceding brain iron accumulation, leading to the provisional diagnosis of a recessive progressive ataxia in these patients. Ultrastructural characterization of patients' muscle biopsies revealed focal accumulation of granular and membranous material possibly resulting from defective membrane homeostasis caused by disrupted PLA2G6 function. Enzyme studies in one of these muscle biopsies provided evidence for a relatively low mitochondrial content, which is compatible with the structural mitochondrial alterations seen by electron microscopy. Genetic characterization of 11 patients led to the identification of six underlying PLA2G6 gene mutations, five of which are novel. Importantly, by combining clinical and genetic data we have observed that while the phenotype of neurodegeneration associated with PLA2G6 mutations is variable in this cohort of patients belonging to the same ethnic background, it is partially influenced by the genotype, considering the age at onset and the functional disability criteria. Molecular testing for PLA2G6 mutations is, therefore, indicated in childhood-onset ataxia syndromes, if neuroimaging shows cerebellar atrophy with or without evidence of iron accumulation

Pharmacokinetics and Bioequivalence Estimation of Two Formulations of Alfuzosin Extended‐Release Tablets

Alfuzosin is a medication approved by the US Food and Drug Administration to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia symptoms. Bioequivalence studies are demanded by regulatory authorities to evaluate the expected in vivo biological similarity of 2 formulations of a medication. The aim of this study is to assess the bioavailability of the generic (test) and branded (reference) formulations of 10‐mg alfuzosin extended‐release tablets after oral administration to healthy adults under fed conditions. The study used a comparative randomized, single‐dose, 2‐way crossover open‐label study design. Thirty‐three participants were recruited and completed the clinical assessment. The pharmacokinetic parameters maximum plasma concentration (Cmax), area under the plasma concentration–time curve (AUC0‐t), AUC extrapolated to infinity (AUC0‐∞), time to maximum concentration, and elimination half‐life were estimated to prove bioequivalence. The confidence intervals for the log‐transformed test/reference ratios for alfuzosin 110.7% (98.0–124.9) and 112.0% (101.9–123.1) for Cmax and AUC0‐t respectively, which are within the allowed limits specified by the regulatory authorities (80–125% for Cmax and AUC0‐t). The test formulation can therefore be prescribed as an alternative to the reference for symptomatic treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia

Pharmacokinetics and Bioequivalence Estimation of Two Formulations of Alfuzosin Extended‐Release Tablets

Alfuzosin is a medication approved by the US Food and Drug Administration to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia symptoms. Bioequivalence studies are demanded by regulatory authorities to evaluate the expected in vivo biological similarity of 2 formulations of a medication. The aim of this study is to assess the bioavailability of the generic (test) and branded (reference) formulations of 10‐mg alfuzosin extended‐release tablets after oral administration to healthy adults under fed conditions. The study used a comparative randomized, single‐dose, 2‐way crossover open‐label study design. Thirty‐three participants were recruited and completed the clinical assessment. The pharmacokinetic parameters maximum plasma concentration (Cmax), area under the plasma concentration–time curve (AUC0‐t), AUC extrapolated to infinity (AUC0‐∞), time to maximum concentration, and elimination half‐life were estimated to prove bioequivalence. The confidence intervals for the log‐transformed test/reference ratios for alfuzosin 110.7% (98.0–124.9) and 112.0% (101.9–123.1) for Cmax and AUC0‐t respectively, which are within the allowed limits specified by the regulatory authorities (80–125% for Cmax and AUC0‐t). The test formulation can therefore be prescribed as an alternative to the reference for symptomatic treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia