Automated CFD for Generation of Airfoil Performance Tables

A method of automated computational fluid dynamics (CFD) has been invented for the generation of performance tables for an object subject to fluid flow. The method is applicable to the generation of tables that summarize the effects of two-dimensional flows about airfoils and that are in a format known in the art as C81. (A C81 airfoil performance table is a text file that lists coefficients of lift, drag, and pitching moment of an airfoil as functions of angle of attack for a range of Mach numbers.) The method makes it possible to efficiently generate and tabulate data from simulations of flows for parameter values spanning all operational ranges of actual or potential interest. In so doing, the method also enables filling of gaps and resolution of inconsistencies in C81 tables generated previously from incomplete experimental data or from theoretical calculations that involved questionable assumptions

Complementarity of a Low Energy Photon Collider and LHC Physics

We discuss the complementarity between the LHC and a low energy photon collider. We mostly consider the scenario, where the first linear collider is a photon collider based on dual beam technology like CLIC.Comment: 29 pages, 37 figure, LP-200

Episodic memory function is associated with multiple measures of white matter integrity in cognitive aging

Previous neuroimaging research indicates that white matter injury and integrity, measured respectively by white matter hyperintensities (WMH) and fractional anisotropy (FA) obtained from diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), differ with aging and cerebrovascular disease (CVD) and are associated with episodic memory deficits in cognitively normal older adults. However, knowledge about tract-specific relationships between WMH, FA, and episodic memory in aging remains limited. We hypothesized that white matter connections between frontal cortex and subcortical structures as well as connections between frontal and temporo-parietal cortex would be most affected. In the current study, we examined relationships between WMH, FA and episodic memory in 15 young adults, 13 elders with minimal WMH and 15 elders with extensive WMH, using an episodic recognition memory test for object-color associations. Voxel-based statistics were used to identify voxel clusters where white matter measures were specifically associated with variations in episodic memory performance, and white matter tracts intersecting these clusters were analyzed to examine white matter-memory relationships. White matter injury and integrity measures were significantly associated with episodic memory in extensive regions of white matter, located predominantly in frontal, parietal, and subcortical regions. Template based tractography indicated that white matter injury, as measured by WMH, in the uncinate and inferior longitudinal fasciculi were significantly negatively associated with episodic memory performance. Other tracts such as thalamo-frontal projections, superior longitudinal fasciculus, and dorsal cingulum bundle demonstrated strong negative associations as well. The results suggest that white matter injury to multiple pathways, including connections of frontal and temporal cortex and frontal-subcortical white matter tracts, plays a critical role in memory differences seen in older individuals

Sites of vulnerability in HCV E1E2 identified by comprehensive functional screening

The E1 and E2 envelope proteins of hepatitis C virus (HCV) form a heterodimer that drives virus-host membrane fusion. Here, we analyze the role of each amino acid in E1E2 function, expressing 545 individual alanine mutants of E1E2 in human cells, incorporating them into infectious viral pseudoparticles, and testing them against 37 different monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) to ascertain full-length translation, folding, heterodimer assembly, CD81 binding, viral pseudoparticle incorporation, and infectivity. We propose a model describing the role of each critical residue in E1E2 functionality and use it to examine how MAbs neutralize infection by exploiting functionally critical sites of vulnerability on E1E2. Our results suggest that E1E2 is a surprisingly fragile protein complex where even a single alanine mutation at 92% of positions disrupts its function. The amino-acid-level targets identified are highly conserved and functionally critical and can be exploited for improved therapies and vaccines

Mean platelet volume could be a promising biomarker to monitor dietary compliance in celiac disease

Background. Celiac disease (CD) is an autoimmune disease that develops in patients with a genetic predisposition, incurring a susceptibility to gluten-containing foods such as barley, wheat, and rye. The elimination of gluten from the diet is the main therapeutic approach and usually leads to clinical and laboratory improvement. There are no ideal markers that objectively assess dietary compliance in CD patients. Materials and methods. Sixty newly diagnosed CD patients (male/female: 43/17) and 40 healthy subjects (male/female: 23/17) were enrolled in this study. The diagnosis of CD was established by both histological findings of duodenum biopsy (total villous atrophy and lymphocytic infiltration) and positive antibodies against endomysium or gliadin. Results. A significantly higher mean platelet volume (MPV) was observed in the CD group compared with healthy subjects (8.45 +/- 0.96 fL versus 7.93 +/- 0.63 fL; p = 0.004). After introduction of a gluten-free diet, the MPV of CD patients in the dietary adherent group was significantly lower than that of the non-adherent group (8.09 +/- 0.6 fL versus 8.9 +/- 1.08 fL; p = 0.001). Overall dietary adherence rate was 71.6% (43/60 CD patients). In the dietary compliant group, initiation of gluten-free diet was associated with a significant decrease in MPV from base-line values (8.56 fL versus 8.25 fL; p = 0.008). In the non-adherent group, MPV on 3-month follow-up was higher than at base-line (8.05 fL versus 8.91 fL; p = 0.001). Conclusion. MPV could be a promising and easily available biomarker for monitoring of dietary adherence in CD patients at a low cost in comparison with other modalities.WoSScopu

Sensibilidad in vitro de cepas cubanas de Aspergillus spp. de origen clínico y ambiental

Introduction: The behavior of antifungal susceptibility of Aspergillus spp. in Cuba remains unknown. The antifungals recommended to treat aspergillosis are amphotericin B, itraconazole, voriconazole and echinocandins. The influence of the environment may set off the emergence of drug-resistance in these microorganisms.Objective: To evaluate in vitro susceptibility of Aspergillus spp. strains to amphotericin B, itraconazole and voriconazol, and the relationship between susceptibility patterns and their origin.Materials and methods: Minimum inhibitory concentrations of amphotericin B, itraconazole and voriconazole were determined for 60 Aspergillus spp. strains of clinical and environmental origin using the M38-A2 method of the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute.Results: We found 21 amphotericin B resistant strains (mainly from clinical samples and hospital environments), as well as three itraconazole resistant strains (from non-hospital outdoor and indoor environments). No voriconazole resistance was found. No relationship was found between strain origin and susceptibility.Conclusions: Results suggest the possible existence of environmental factors or interactions with resistant genotypes which may give rise to resistant phenotypes in our country. This is the first report of in vitro  Aspergillus spp. resistant strains in Cuba. These studies should be broadened and include molecular and phylogenetic analyses.Introducción. En Cuba se desconoce el comportamiento de la sensibilidad de Aspergillus spp. a los antifúngicos recomendados para el tratamiento de la aspergilosis: la anfotericina B, el itraconazol, el voriconazol y las equinocandinas. La influencia del ambiente puede condicionar la aparición de resistencia en estos microorganismos.Objetivo. Evaluar la sensibilidad in vitro de cepas de Aspergillus spp. a la anfotericina B, el itraconazol y el voriconazol, y la relación de los patrones de sensibilidad con su origen.Materiales y métodos. Se determinaron las concentraciones inhibitorias mínimas de la anfotericina B, el itraconazol y el voriconazol para 60 cepas de Aspergillus spp. de origen clínico y ambiental mediante el método M38-A2 del Clinical and Laboratory Standard Institute.Resultados. Se encontraron 21 cepas resistentes a la anfotericina B (principalmente en muestras clínicas y ambientes hospitalarios) y tres cepas resistentes al itraconazol (en ambientes interiores y exteriores no hospitalarios). No se hallaron cepas resistentes al voriconazol. No se encontró relación entre el origen de las cepas y su sensibilidad.Conclusiones. Se sugiere la posible existencia de factores ambientales o interacciones con genotipos resistentes que pueden dar origen a fenotipos resistentes en Cuba. Este es el primer reporte del país de cepas de Aspergillus spp. resistentes in vitro. Los resultados ameritan ampliar el estudio para incluir análisis moleculares y filogenéticos

Photon-Photon and Electron-Photon Colliders with Energies Below a TeV

We investigate the potential for detecting and studying Higgs bosons in $\gamma\gamma$ and $e\gamma$ collisions at future linear colliders with energies below a TeV. Our study incorporates realistic $\gamma\gamma$ spectra based on available laser technology, and NLC and CLIC acceleration techniques. Results include detector simulations. We study the cases of: a) a SM-like Higgs boson based on a devoted low energy machine with $\sqrt{s_{ee}}\le 200$ GeV; b) the heavy MSSM Higgs bosons; and c) charged Higgs bosons in $e\gamma$ collisions.We investigate the potential for detecting and studying Higgs bosons in $\gamma\gamma$ and $e\gamma$ collisions at future linear colliders with energies below a TeV. Our study incorporates realistic $\gamma\gamma$ spectra based on available laser technology, and NLC and CLIC acceleration techniques. Results include detector simulations. We study the cases of: a) a SM-like Higgs boson based on a devoted low energy machine with $\sqrt{s_{ee}}\le 200$ GeV; b) the heavy MSSM Higgs bosons; and c) charged Higgs bosons in $e\gamma$ collisions

Flatback airfoil wind tunnel experiment.

A computational fluid dynamics study of thick wind turbine section shapes in the test section of the UC Davis wind tunnel at a chord Reynolds number of one million is presented. The goals of this study are to validate standard wind tunnel wall corrections for high solid blockage conditions and to reaffirm the favorable effect of a blunt trailing edge or flatback on the performance characteristics of a representative thick airfoil shape prior to building the wind tunnel models and conducting the experiment. The numerical simulations prove the standard wind tunnel corrections to be largely valid for the proposed test of 40% maximum thickness to chord ratio airfoils at a solid blockage ratio of 10%. Comparison of the computed lift characteristics of a sharp trailing edge baseline airfoil and derived flatback airfoils reaffirms the earlier observed trend of reduced sensitivity to surface contamination with increasing trailing edge thickness