An accelerated flow around a sphere

AbstractA solution for the initial laminar boundary-layer flow around a sphere which suddenly starts to move with the velocity U = U0 + U1t + U2t2 has been developed in powers of the time from the start of the motion. The time series is valid past the time when separation occurs and a number of characteristic flow properties can be calculated to third order

Formation of the sural nerve in foetal cadavers

The purpose of this study was to provide a morphologic description and assessmenton the formation level of the sural nerve (SN) and its components. Alsowe aimed to reveal histological features of the SN components. An anatomicalstudy of the formation of the SN was carried out on 100 limbs from 50 embalmedfoetuses. The results showed that the SN was formed by the union ofthe medial sural cutaneous nerve (MSCN) and the peroneal communicatingbranch (PCB) in 71% of the cases (Type A); the MSCN and PCB are branches ofthe tibial and common peroneal nerve (CPN) or lateral sural cutaneous nerves(LSCN), respectively. Formation level of the SN was at the distal third of the legin 43% of the cases, at the middle third of the leg in 46% of the cases, and atthe upper third of the leg in 11% of the cases. The PCB originated in the CPN in68% and the PCB originated in the LSCN in 3% of the cases. The SN wasformed only by the MSCN in 20% of the cases (Type B). Type C was divided intofour subgroups: in the first group the PCB and fibres of the posterior femoralcutaneous nerve joined the MSCN in 4% of cases; in the second group theMSCN, PCB, and sciatic nerve did not unite and coursed separately in 1% ofcases; in the third group the SN arose directly from the sciatic nerve alone andthe MSCN made a little contribution in 2% of cases; and in the fourth groupthe PCB, fibres of the sciatic nerve, and the MSCN formed the SN in 1% of thecases. The SN was formed only by the PCB in 1% of the cases (Type D). Distancesof the formation level of the SN to the intercondylar line and the lateralmalleolus were measured and also noted. A detailed knowledge of the anatomyof the SN and its contributing nerves are important in many interventionalprocedures

Multi-sulfonated ligands on gold nanoparticles as virucidal antiviral for Dengue virus

Dengue virus (DENV) causes 390 million infections per year. Infections can be asymptomatic or range from mild fever to severe haemorrhagic fever and shock syndrome. Currently, no effective antivirals or safe universal vaccine is available. In the present work we tested different gold nanoparticles (AuNP) coated with ligands ω-terminated with sugars bearing multiple sulfonate groups. We aimed to identify compounds with antiviral properties due to irreversible (virucidal) rather than reversible (virustatic) inhibition. The ligands varied in length, in number of sulfonated groups as well as their spatial orientation induced by the sugar head groups. We identified two candidates, a glucose- and a lactose-based ligand showing a low EC50 (effective concentration that inhibit 50% of the viral activity) for DENV-2 inhibition, moderate toxicity and a virucidal effect in hepatocytes with titre reduction of Median Tissue Culture Infectious Dose log10TCID50 2.5 and 3.1. Molecular docking simulations complemented the experimental findings suggesting a molecular rationale behind the binding between sulfonated head groups and DENV-2 envelope protein

High origin of a testicular artery: a case report and review of the literature

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>Although variations in the origin of the testicular artery are not uncommon, few reports about a high origin from the abdominal aorta exist in the literature. We discuss the case of a high origin of the testicular artery, its embryology, classification systems, and its clinical significance.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>We report a very rare case of high origin of the left testicular artery in a 68-year-old Caucasian male cadaver. The artery originated from the anterolateral aspect of the abdominal aorta, 2 cm cranially to the ipsilateral renal artery. Approximately 1 cm after its origin, it branched off into the inferior suprarenal artery. During its course, the artery crossed anterior to the left renal artery.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>A knowledge of the variant origin of the testicular artery is important during renal and testicular surgery. The origin and course must be carefully identified in order to preserve normal blood circulation and prevent testicular atrophy. A reduction in gonadal blood flow may lead to varicocele under circumstances. A knowledge of this variant anatomy may be of interest to radiologists and helpful in avoiding diagnostic errors.</p

Investigating the prevalence of Salmonella in dogs within the Midlands region of the United Kingdom

Background - The intimate relationship between dogs and their owners has the potential to increase the risk of human exposure to bacterial pathogens. Over the past 40 years, there have been several reports on transmission of salmonellae from dogs to humans. This study therefore aimed to determine the prevalence of Salmonella in the faeces of dogs from the Midlands region of the United Kingdom to assess exposure risk and potential for zoonotic transmission. Results - A total of 436 apparently healthy dogs without diarrhoea from households (n = 126), rescue centres (n = 96), boarding kennels (n = 43), retired greyhound kennels (n = 39) and a pet nutrition facility (n = 132) were investigated for Salmonella shedding. Faecal samples were processed by an enrichment culture based method. The faeces from one dog (0.23 %; 95 % confidence limit 0.006 %, 1.27 %) was positive for Salmonella. The species was S. enterica subspecies arizonae. Conclusion - This study showed that the prevalence of Salmonella from faeces from apparently healthy dogs from a variety of housing conditions is low; however, Salmonella shedding was still identified

Free surface flow simulation with application to bluff body flow control

To better understand the interaction of a free surface wave motion with moving bluff bodies, a two-dimensional numerical study of the forced streamwise oscillation of a circular cylinder beneath a free surface is conducted based on a two-fluid model. Computations are carried out at a Reynolds number of R = 200, a fixed displacement amplitude, A = 0.13 and the forcing frequency-to-natural shedding frequency ratios, f/f0 = 1.5,2.5,3.5. Finite volume discretization of the special integral form of two-dimensional continuity and unsteady Navier-Stokes equations (when a solid body is present) are performed on a fixed Cartesian grid. Improved volume-of-fluid method is used to discretize the free surface. The laminar asymmetric flow regimes in the near wake region and the fluid forces are analyzed at a fixed Froude number of Fr = 0.4 and for submergence depths at h = 0.25,0.5,0.75. A comparison of the present results with the case in the absence of a free surface is also included to illustrate the effects of inclusion of a free surface. The code validation in special cases shows good comparisons with previous numerical and experimental results. Flow regime analyses include free surface physics-based analysis, and results confirm findings of a recent work of Brøns et al. [25]

The relationship between social support and loneliness in Turkish patients with cancer

PubMed ID: 20500326Aims and objectives: The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between family social support and loneliness in Turkish patients with cancer. Background: Loneliness is a major problem affecting about 50% of adult cancer patients. Adequate social support may cause a reduced cancer-related mortality in patients with cancer. Design: A cross-sectional, descriptive and correlational design was used. Method: Cancer patients undergoing treatment in the outpatient chemotherapy unit at a university hospital between January-April 2007 were enrolled. After inclusion and exclusion processes, a total of 144 patients with solid cancer comprised the final sample of the study. The Perceived Social Support from Family Scale, the Revised University of California, Los Angeles-Loneliness Scale and a demographic data form were used. Data were analysed by using descriptive statistics, student t-test, one-way variance analysis and Pearson's correlation test. Results: The mean age was 51·76 (SD 12·14). Ninety-two patients (63·9%) were female and most were married. The mean social support score and the mean loneliness score were 15·92 (SD 3·22) and 33·09 (SD 0·17), respectively. There were significant differences between the mean scores for the marital status (p < 0·01) and living style (p < 0·001) characteristics. There was a moderately significant negative correlation between the mean social support scores and the loneliness scores (r = -0·492, p < 0·001). The loneliness level of the patients was reduced by increasing social support. Conclusions: The results suggest that the Turkish cancer patients have experienced a relatively low level of loneliness and there is a significant negative correlation between their loneliness scores and their social support scores. Loneliness can be reduced by increasing social support from family members. Relevance to clinical practice: In planning patients' care, nurses should evaluate physiological, psychological and socio-demographic statuses of patients to increase the patients' social support and to decrease their loneliness. Determining and improving family social support of cancer patients should be an essential part of nursing practice. To prevent cancer patients' social isolation, nurses may also encourage family members to enlarge their social support networks. © 2010 The Authors. Journal compilation © 2010 Blackwell Publishing Ltd