The distribution over an impacting T-junction of two-phase R32 under heat pump conditions

This experimental work studies the distribution of a two-phase refrigerant flow over a horizontal impacting T-junction. A setup was built which consists of two parts: a flow conditioner and a test section. The flow conditioner creates a two-phase mixtures (R32) at a saturation temperature between 10 °C and 20 °C with a mass flux of 150 to 700 kg/(m².s) and a vapour quality between 0 and 1. In the test section, the two-phase flow is distributed over two identical parallel sections using an impacting T-junction. The backpressure and heat input of each parallel section can be regulated. The mass flow rates and vapour qualities are measured before and after the T-junction. Further, the pressure gradient over the T-junction is measured and the void fraction is determined before the T-junction using a capacitive void fraction sensor. Using design of experiments, the main effects of superficial vapour velocity, superficial liquid velocity and saturation pressure on the distribution of R32 were studied. For R32, the two phases only distribute uniformly over the T-junction when the mass flow rate through the two outlet branches is equal. Further, the experiments show a decreased tendency of the liquid to exit through the outlet with the lowest mass flow rate with increasing vapour superficial velocity. The influence of the superficial liquid velocity was less pronounced and dependent on the superficial vapour velocity. Finally, no effect of the saturation pressure was found. The obtained results were then compared with the results of water-air mixtures found in literature

The distribution of two-phase R32 over an impacting T-junction

This experimental work studies the distribution of a two-phase refrigerant flow over a horizontal impacting T-junction. A setup was built which consists of two parts: a flow conditioner and a test section. The flow conditioner creates a two-phase mixtures (R32) at a saturation temperature between 10 °C and 20 °C with a mass flux of 150 to 700 kg/(m².s) and a vapour quality between 0 and 1. In the test section, the two-phase flow is distributed over two identical parallel sections using an impacting T-junction. The backpressure and heat input of each parallel section can be regulated. The mass flow rates and vapour qualities are measured before and after the T-junction. Further, the pressure gradient over the T-junction is measured. Also the void fraction before the T-junction is determined using a capacitive void fraction sensor. Using design of experiments, the main effects of superficial vapour velocity, superficial liquid velocity and saturation pressure on the distribution of R32 were studied. For R32, the two phases only distribute uniformly over the T-junction when the mass flow rate through the two outlet branches is equal. Furthermore, the experiments show a decreased tendency of the liquid to exit through the outlet with the lowest mass flow rate with increasing superficial vapour velocity. The opposite is noticed with an increased superficial liquid velocity at a high superficial vapour velocity. Finally, no effect of the saturation pressure was found. The obtained results were then compared with the results of water-air mixtures found in literature

A Review to Massive MIMO Detection Algorithms: Theory and Implementation

Multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) systems entered most major standards in the past decades, including IEEE 802.11n (Wi-Fi) and long-term evolution (LTE). Moreover, MIMO techniques will be used for 5G by increasing the number of antennas at the base station end. MIMO systems enable spatial multiplexing, which has the potential of increasing the capacity of the communication channel linearly with the minimum of the number of antennas installed at both sides without sacrificing any additional bandwidth or power. To handle the space-division multiplexing (SDM), receivers have to implement new algorithms to exploit the spatial information in order to distinguish the transmitted data streams. This chapter provides an overview of the most well-known and promising MIMO detectors, as well as some unusual-yet-interesting ones. We focus on the description of the different paradigms to highlight the different approaches that have been studied. For each paradigm, we describe the mathematical framework and give the underlying philosophy. When hardware implementations are available in the literature, we provide the results reported and give the according references

Expression of VE-Cadherin in Peritubular Endothelial Cells during Acute Rejection after Human Renal Transplantation

Genes involved in acute rejection (AR) after organ transplantation remain to be further elucidated. In a previous work we have demonstrated the under-expression of VE-Cadherin by endothelial cells (EC) in AR following murine and human heart transplantation. Serial sections from 15 human kidney Banff-graded transplant biopsies were examined for the presence of VE-Cadherin and CD34 staining by immunohistochemistry (no AR (n = 5), AR grade IA (n = 5), or AR grade IIA (n = 5)). Quantification of peritubular EC staining were evaluated and results were expressed by the percentage of stained cells per surface analysed. There was no difference in CD34 staining between the 3 groups. VE-Cadherin expression was significantly reduced in AR Grade IIA when compared to no AR (P = .01) and to AR grade IA (P = .02). This study demonstrates a reduced VE-Cadherin expression by EC in AR after renal transplantation. The down-regulation of VE-Cadherin may strongly participate in human AR

A Standardized Workflow Based on the STAVIRO Unbaited Underwater Video System for Monitoring Fish and Habitat Essential Biodiversity Variables in Coastal Areas

Essential Biodiversity Variables (EBV) related to benthic habitats and high trophic levels such as fish communities must be measured at fine scale but monitored and assessed at spatial scales that are relevant for policy and management actions. Local scales are important for assessing anthropogenic impacts, and conservation-related and fisheries management actions, while reporting on the conservation status of biodiversity to formulate national and international policies requires much broader scales. Measurements must account for the fact that coastal habitats and fish communities are heterogeneously distributed locally and at larger scales. Assessments based on in situ monitoring generally suffer from poor spatial replication and limited geographical coverage, which is challenging for area-wide assessments. Requirements for appropriate monitoring comprise cost-efficient and standardized observation protocols and data formats, spatially scalable and versatile data workflows, data that comply with the FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) principles, while minimizing the environmental impact of measurements. This paper describes a standardized workflow based on remote underwater video that aims to assess fishes (at species and community levels) and habitat-related EBVs in coastal areas. This panoramic unbaited video technique was developed in 2007 to survey both fishes and benthic habitats in a cost-efficient manner, and with minimal effect on biodiversity. It can be deployed in areas where low underwater visibility is not a permanent or major limitation. The technique was consolidated and standardized and has been successfully used in varied settings over the last 12 years. We operationalized the EBV workflow by documenting the field protocol, survey design, image post-processing, EBV production and data curation. Applications of the workflow are illustrated here based on some 4,500 observations (fishes and benthic habitats) in the Pacific, Indian and Atlantic Oceans, and Mediterranean Sea. The STAVIRO’s proven track-record of utility and cost-effectiveness indicates that it should be considered by other researchers for future applications.publishedVersio

Intrinsic capacity and its association with mortality over 3 years in nursing homes: Results of the SENIOR cohort

peer reviewe

Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in non‐Hodgkin lymphoma in Switzerland, 30 years of experience: Sooner is better

Abstract Due to relatively high nonrelapse mortality (NRM), allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo‐HSCT) in non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) remains the ultimate line of treatment but the only curable approach in a setting of relapse/refractory disease. Here, we conducted a retrospective, multicenter, registry‐based analysis on patients who underwent allo‐HSCT for NHL in Switzerland, over 30‐year (1985–2020) period. The study included 301 allo‐HSCTs performed for NHL patients in three University Hospitals of Switzerland (Zurich, Basel and Geneva) 09/1985 to 05/2020. We assessed in univariate and multivariable analysis the impact on survivals (overall survival [OS], relapse free survival [RFS], relapse incidence [RI], and non‐treatment related mortality [NRM]). The maximum follow‐up was 25 years with median follow‐up for alive patients of 61 months. The median age at allo‐HSCT was 51 years. Three‐ and ‐year OS was ‐ 59.5% and 55.4%; 3‐ and 5‐year PFS was 50% and 44%; 3‐ and 5‐year NRM was 21.7% and 23.6%. RI at 3 and 5 years was 27.4% and 34.9%. In conclusion, our analysis of the entire Swiss experience of allo‐HSCT in patients with NHL shows promising 5‐ and possibly 10‐year OS and relatively acceptable NRM rates for such population, the majority being not in complete remission (CR) at the time of transplantation