COMPUTATIONALLY INEXPENSIVE FREE VORTEX METHOD TO OBTAIN VORTEX CORE POSITION IN THE WAKE OF A HORIZONTAL AXIS WIND TURBINE

This work aims to develop a free wake model, allowing quick simulation of flow through a horizontal axis wind turbine. The rapidity of computation is particularly interesting when this aerodynamic model is integrated with complementary mechanical and electrical models in order to study the unsteady behavior of the complete chain of energy transfer in the wind turbine. The proposed model takes into account both the tangential and longitudinal vorticity of the vortex system formed behind the rotor. The employed vortex system replaces the helical wake close to the wind turbine by a series of vortex rings and the far wake by a semi-infinite vortex cylinder. By taking into account the root vortex, the proposed model is used to study the development of the near wake of a horizontal axis wind turbine for different speeds of rotation. The shape of the near wake as well as the position of the trailing vortices are compared with particle image velocimetry experimental results for a low-power wind turbine tested in the wind tunnel of Arts et Métiers-ParisTech. The model shows a good agreement between the calculation and the experience

The Co-Existence of Rheumatoid Arthritis and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Biomarkers: Is It Rhupus?

Background: Rhupus is a rare clinical condition where rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) overlap and is characterized by the presence of erosive arthritis with symptoms and signs of SLE. This study aims to investigate the prevalence of anti-CCP antibodies in SLE patients from CHU BLIDA (Immunology unit) and its association with anti-DNA and Anti Sm, in order to make a diagnosis of rhupus among our patients. Methods: Our retrospective study included 96 patients fulfilling the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) classification criteria for lupus. anti-CCP antibodies, anti-Sm were analyzed by  ELISA, anti-DNA antibodies were determined by both IFI on Crithidia luciliae substrate and  ELISA. The FR by Laser Nephelemetry. Inclusion criteria are the presence of at least one immunological marker of LES with anti-CCP. The sex ratio F / H is equal to 13/1, where the average age is 37 years. Results: Anti-CCP was found in 14 patients  (14.6% ), 56.25% and 39.59%  had positive anti-DNA and antiSm respectively; rheumatoid factors (RF) were positive in 27.08% of cases; anti-CCP / FR combination was found in 7.3% of cases. Besides, the combination of anti-CCP and anti-DNA was found in 12.5%. These two autoantibodies were simultaneously absent in 49.92% of cases. Arthritis was found in 80 patients. Our results concerning the prevalence of immunological and clinical markers of RA such as anti-CCP, RF and arthritis in our lupus patients corroborate with those of the literature. Conclusion: Based on the presence of shared clinical features of RA and SLE along with the presence of anti-DNA and anti-CCP antibodies in our patients, our findings strongly support the contention that rhupus is a true overlap between RA and SLE. Despite being a rare entity, it is important to know the clinical and humoral elements that allow its early diagnosis, making it easier to start treatment in a timely manner and reduce its possible complications

Evaluation of non-inferiority of intradermal versus adjuvanted seasonal influenza vaccine using two serological techniques: a randomised comparative study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Although seasonal influenza vaccine is effective in the elderly, immune responses to vaccination are lower in the elderly than in younger adults. Strategies to optimise responses to vaccination in the elderly include using an adjuvanted vaccine or using an intradermal vaccination route. The immunogenicity of an intradermal seasonal influenza vaccine was compared with that of an adjuvanted vaccine in the elderly.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Elderly volunteers (age ≥ 65 years) were randomised to receive a single dose of trivalent seasonal influenza vaccine: either a split-virion vaccine containing 15 μg haemagglutinin [HA]/strain/0.1-ml dose administered intradermally, or a subunit vaccine (15 μg HA/strain/0.5-ml dose) adjuvanted with MF59C.1 and administered intramuscularly. Blood samples were taken before and 21 ± 3 days post-vaccination. Anti-HA antibody titres were assessed using haemagglutination inhibition (HI) and single radial haemolysis (SRH) methods. We aimed to show that the intradermal vaccine was non-inferior to the adjuvanted vaccine.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A total of 795 participants were enrolled (intradermal vaccine n = 398; adjuvanted vaccine n = 397). Non-inferiority of the intradermal vaccine was demonstrated for the A/H1N1 and B strains, but not for the A/H3N2 strain (upper bound of the 95% CI = 1.53) using the HI method, and for all three strains by the SRH method. A <it>post-hoc </it>analysis of covariance to adjust for baseline antibody titres demonstrated the non-inferiority of the intradermal vaccine by HI and SRH methods for all three strains. Both vaccines were, in general, well tolerated; the incidence of injection-site reactions was higher for the intradermal (70.1%) than the adjuvanted vaccine (33.8%) but these reactions were mild and of short duration.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The immunogenicity and safety of the intradermal seasonal influenza vaccine in the elderly was comparable with that of the adjuvanted vaccine. Intradermal vaccination to target the immune properties of the skin appears to be an appropriate strategy to address the challenge of declining immune responses in the elderly.</p> <p>Trial registration</p> <p>ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT00554333.</p

[Detection of anti-collagen type I and II antibodies by an immunoenzymatic technique (ELISA): results in rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus and leprosy (author's transl)]

International audienceAn attempt was made to detect antibodies against type I and/or II collagen in sera from patients with rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and leprae. This study was performed with an immunoenzymatic technique: ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay). The following steps were performed: bovine collagen type I or II was adsorbed on glass beads; possible free sites were saturated by incubating the beads with sheep serum; then, the antibodies specifically bound to collagen were detected by a peroxidase-labelled anti-immunoglobulin; the immune complexes at the surface of the beads were revealed by a substrate specific for peroxidase and of great stability: Trinder's reactive. Using conditions previously shown to be optimal, the prevalence of anti-collagen antibodies was as follows. In patients with lepromatous leprae the percentages of positive sera against collagen type I and II were 40% and 44%, respectively; in patients with tuberculoid leprae the percentages were lower: 10% and 30%, respectively. Ten per cent of the SLE patients had antibodies against collagen type I, half of the prevalence noted for anti-collagen type II antibodies (20%). Finally, 13.6% of the patients with rheumatoid arthritis had antibodies against collagen type I, a percentage very similar to that of the patients with anti-collagen type II antibodies (14.6%).An attempt was made to detect antibodies against type I and/or II collagen in sera from patients with rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and leprae. This study was performed with an immunoenzymatic technique: ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay). The following steps were performed: bovine collagen type I or II was adsorbed on glass beads; possible free sites were saturated by incubating the beads with sheep serum; then, the antibodies specifically bound to collagen were detected by a peroxidase-labelled anti-immunoglobulin; the immune complexes at the surface of the beads were revealed by a substrate specific for peroxidase and of great stability: Trinder's reactive. Using conditions previously shown to be optimal, the prevalence of anti-collagen antibodies was as follows. In patients with lepromatous leprae the percentages of positive sera against collagen type I and II were 40% and 44%, respectively; in patients with tuberculoid leprae the percentages were lower: 10% and 30%, respectively. Ten per cent of the SLE patients had antibodies against collagen type I, half of the prevalence noted for anti-collagen type II antibodies (20%). Finally, 13.6% of the patients with rheumatoid arthritis had antibodies against collagen type I, a percentage very similar to that of the patients with anti-collagen type II antibodies (14.6%)