Performance analysis of a novel ejector-assisted condenser outlet split dual-evaporator refrigeration system

Abstract The performance of an ejector-assisted condenser outlet split dual-evaporator cycle is compared with a conventional dual-evaporator cycle albeit consisting a pressure reducing valve. The cycles do not employ any separator due to its inability to efficiently separate the liquid and the vapor phases. The comparison of both the cycles has been made for the same cooling capacity in low-temperature evaporator and unit flow rate of R134a and R1234yf as refrigerants. The impacts of changing the operating temperatures of evaporator and condenser have been examined in the current investigation. The study reveals that with the increase in temperature of the high-temperature evaporator, the cooling capacity of the high-temperature evaporator yields, while that of the low-temperature evaporator plummets in both the cycles. Further, the compressor work is allayed in the ejector-assisted cycle; thus, the COP is enhanced considerably. The percentage COP improvement over the basic cycle is obtained from 14.7 to 17.53% for the refrigerant R1234yf and from 14.45 to 17.32% for R134a; however, the COP of both the cycles with R12134yf is slightly lower than with R134a. The ejector has been modeled assuming a constant pressure theory. The observed trend indicates that the entrainment ratio is improved with the rise in the temperature of low-temperature evaporator, whereas it is decreased with the rise in the temperature of high-temperature evaporator

Multi-level annotation of germline MEN1 variants of synonymous, non-synonymous and uncertain significance in Indian patients with sporadic primary hyperparathyroidism

Primary hyperthyroidism (PHPT) is third most common endocrine disorder characterized by hypercalcemia with elevated or non-suppressed parathyroid hormone levels by parathyroid tumors. Familial PHPT, as part of multiple endocrine type-1, occurs due to the germline mutation in the MEN1 gene. The involvement and the role of germline MEN1 variations in sporadic PHPT of Indian PHPT patients are unknown. Precise classifications of different types of MEN1 variations are fundamental for determining clinical relevance and diagnostic role. This prospective cohort study was performed on 82 patients with PHPT (with no clinical or history of MEN1) who underwent screening for MEN 1 variations through Sanger sequencing. Multilevel computational analysis was performed to determine the structure-function relationship of synonymous, non-synonymous, and variants of uncertain significance. Of the 82 PHPT patients, 42 (51%) had 26 germline MEN1 variants, including 8 non-synonymous, 7 synonymous, 9 Variants of uncertain significance (VUS), one-splice site, and one regulatory variation. Five most common germline variations (c.1838A\u3eG, c.1817C\u3eT, c.1525C\u3eA, c.-35A\u3eT, and c.250T\u3eC) were observed in this study. c.-35A\u3eT(5\u27UTR region) was associated with recurrence of PHPT (OR = 5.4; p = 0.04 and subsequent detection of other endocrine tumors (OR = 13.6, p = 0.035). c.1525C\u3eA was associated with multi glandular parathyroid tumor (OR = 13.6, p = 0.035). Align-GVDV, FATHMM and mutation taster analysis reported the disease-specific potential of VUS and synonymous variations. Significant linkage disequilibrium was observed in c.1785G\u3eA and c.1817C\u3eT (r(2) =0.3859, p= 0.0001), c.1475C\u3eG and c.1525C\u3eA (r(2) =0.385, p= 0.0004) and c.1569T\u3eC and c.1838A\u3eG (r(2) =0.488, p= 0.0001). The detection of MEN1 variations, especially those with disease-specific potential, can prompt early screening for other MEN1-related tumors and disease recurrence