Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling of grain-water suspensions in tube

In this study of solid-liquid flow, rice and cassava starch particles were used as the dispersed media and water was used as the carrier fluid. Experiments were carried out on slurries with solid concentrations of 5%, 10% and 15% w/w which flowed in a 13mm ID and 3 m long tube –in - tube heat exchanger. Steam was used as the heating medium. Calculated convective film to particle heat transfer coefficient (hfp) values ranged from 11 to 32 kW m -2 K -1 for cassava and rice particles with uncertainty of ± 2 kW m -2 K -1. A decrease in heat transfer coefficient values was found as a result of short residence time at the higher flow rates. To investigate the solid-liquid two-phase flow Eulerian multiphase model was adopted in simple axisymmetric geometry. Velocity profiles of the liquid and solid phases with different particle fractions were estimated from the simulated results. The respective velocities of both phases were higher in the upper part of the tube than in the lower portion because of settling caused by gravity. The slip velocity of particles was estimated from the simulations and it ranged from 6.68 cm/s to 9.80 cm/s for the cassava particles and 13.83 cm/s to 19.38 cm/s for the rice particles. The rice grains always lagged the liquid phase where as the cassava starch globules moved faster than the carrier liquid in the central region and very close to the wall. The particle volume concentration profile was also investigated and it was observed that a high particle concentration formed a core around tube centreline

Reading Fictional Worlds of Technology with Ursula Franklin: Fail Safe and Constructed Realities

This working paper takes up Ursula Franklin’s concept of constructed reality, mentioned in her Massey Lectures, and expands upon her engagements with themes of power and technology as represented in literature, film, and other imaginative works. We consider what Ursula Franklin might have said about the power of fiction to shape our understanding of technology as practice, and take as our case study the 1962 novel and 1964 film Fail Safe, a Cold War-era dramatization of technological systems that threaten to cause an accidental nuclear war between the U.S.A. and the U.S.S.R. We begin by analyzing Franklin’s (mostly passing) references to works of fiction, then turn to a close reading of Fail Safe through the lens of Franklin’s ideas, and conclude with a discussion of Cold War (techno)science-fiction as it relates to Franklin’s concerns about technology and militarism

Enterovesical Herniation: A Rare Complication After Transurethral Resection of Bladder Tumor

Enterovesical herniation through an acquired bladder wall defect after transurethral resection is an exceedingly rare complication. Small bladder perforations may go unrecognized after transurethral resection as adherent bowel loops seal the defect. We present a very rare case of internal herniation of both small bowel and sigmoid colon into the urinary bladder following transurethral resection of a bladder tumor. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed herniation of bowel loops into the lumen of the urinary bladder through a defect in the dome. On exploratory laparotomy, internal herniation of the ileum and sigmoid colon through a defect in the superior wall of the urinary bladder was found

Assessment of dimensional stability, biodegradability, and fracture energy of bio composites reinforced with novel pine cone

In this investigation, biodegradable composites were fabricated with polycaprolactone (PCL) matrix reinforced with pine cone powder (15%, 30%, and 45% by weight) and compatibilized with graphite powder (0%, 5%, 10%, and 15% by weight) in polycaprolactone matrix by compression molding technique. The samples were prepared as per ASTM standard and tested for dimensional stability, biodegradability, and fracture energy with scanning electron micrographs. Water-absorption and thickness-swelling were performed to examine the dimensional stability and tests were performed at 23 °C and 50% humidity. Results revealed that the composites with 15 wt % of pine cone powder (PCP) have shown higher dimensional stability as compared to other composites. Bio-composites containing 15–45 wt % of PCP with low graphite content have shown higher disintegration rate than neat PCL. Fracture energy for crack initiation in bio-composites was increased by 68% with 30% PCP. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of the composites have shown evenly-distributed PCP particles throughout PCL-matrix at significantly high-degrees or quantities of reinforcing

Technical recommendations for clinical translation of renal MRI: a consensus project of the Cooperation in Science and Technology Action PARENCHIMA.

PURPOSE: The potential of renal MRI biomarkers has been increasingly recognised, but clinical translation requires more standardisation. The PARENCHIMA consensus project aims to develop and apply a process for generating technical recommendations on renal MRI. METHODS: A task force was formed in July 2018 focused on five methods. A draft process for attaining consensus was distributed publicly for consultation and finalised at an open meeting (Prague, October 2018). Four expert panels completed surveys between October 2018 and March 2019, discussed results and refined the surveys at a face-to-face meeting (Aarhus, March 2019) and completed a second round (May 2019). RESULTS: A seven-stage process was defined: (1) formation of expert panels; (2) definition of the context of use; (3) literature review; (4) collection and comparison of MRI protocols; (5) consensus generation by an approximate Delphi method; (6) reporting of results in vendor-neutral and vendor-specific terms; (7) ongoing review and updating. Application of the process resulted in 166 consensus statements. CONCLUSION: The process generated meaningful technical recommendations across very different MRI methods, while allowing for improvement and refinement as open issues are resolved. The results are likely to be widely supported by the renal MRI community and thereby promote more harmonisation

Consensus-based technical recommendations for clinical translation of renal ASL MRI

Objectives: To develop technical recommendations for the acquisition, processing and analysis of renal ASL data in the human kidney at 1.5T and 3T field strengths that can promote standardization of renal perfusion measurements and facilitate the comparability of results across scanners and in multi-center clinical studies.Methods: An international panel of 23 renal ASL experts followed a modified Delphi process, including on-line surveys and two in-person meetings, to formulate a series of consensus statements regarding patient preparation, hardware, acquisition protocol, analysis steps and data reporting.Results: Fifty-nine statements achieved consensus, while agreement could not be reached on two statements related to patient preparation. As a default protocol, the panel recommends pseudo-continuous (PCASL) or flow-sensitive alternating inversion recovery (FAIR) labeling with a single-slice spin-echo EPI readout with background suppression, and a simple but robust quantification model.Discussion: This approach is considered robust and reproducible and can provide renal perfusion images of adequate quality and SNR for most applications. If extended kidney coverage is desirable, a 2D multislice readout is recommended. These recommendations are based on current available evidence and expert opinion. Nonetheless they are expected to be updated as more data becomes available, since the renal ASL literature is rapidly expanding

Technical recommendations for clinical translation of renal MRI: a consensus project of the Cooperation in Science and Technology Action PARENCHIMA

Purpose The potential of renal MRI biomarkers has been increasingly recognised, but clinical translation requires more standardisation. The PARENCHIMA consensus project aims to develop and apply a process for generating technical recommendations on renal MRI. Methods A task force was formed in July 2018 focused on fve methods. A draft process for attaining consensus was distributed publicly for consultation and fnalised at an open meeting (Prague, October 2018). Four expert panels completed surveys between October 2018 and March 2019, discussed results and refned the surveys at a face-to-face meeting (Aarhus, March 2019) and completed a second round (May 2019). Results A seven-stage process was defned: (1) formation of expert panels; (2) defnition of the context of use; (3) literature review; (4) collection and comparison of MRI protocols; (5) consensus generation by an approximate Delphi method; (6) reporting of results in vendor-neutral and vendor-specifc terms; (7) ongoing review and updating. Application of the process resulted in 166 consensus statements. Conclusion The process generated meaningful technical recommendations across very diferent MRI methods, while allowing for improvement and refnement as open issues are resolved. The results are likely to be widely supported by the renal MRI community and thereby promote more harmonisation