An Investigation of a Latent Heat Storage Porous Bed and Condensing Flow Through it,”

In this work the transient analysis of the behavior of a packed bed of encapsulated phase change material (PCM) and the condensing flow through it is Introduction Packed bed heat storage units have been used extensively in a wide variety of applications. Packed beds as storage media are attractive, for they offer a compact structure due to their relatively greater heat storage capacity as compared to systems that utilize energy transporting fluid as the storage medium. Also due to the large surface area offered by packed beds for heat transfer between the energy transporting fluid and the bed particles, the process of energy transfer and storage becomes very efficient. The earlier forms of packed bed energy storage units relied solely on the sensible heat capacity of solid bed particles for storing thermal energy. This form has been satisfactorily employed for various applications. However, certain applications may impose a limitation on the size and weight of the packed bed system utilized. For instance, in the case of a heat rejection system in pulsed space power supplies that incorporates packed beds, the reduction of mass and volume is of utmost importance. In such cases utilization of only the sensible heat capacity of a certain material for energy storage may not be efficient. The remedy to this can be found in the utilization of latent heat in the process of energy storage. Recently, encapsulated phase-change materials (PCM) have received considerable attention as energy storage materials. The use of an encapsulated PCM is very appealing since it makes the utilization of latent heat storage capacity possible. This is achieved by using a PCM that has a melting temperature within the temperature range of operation of the system incorporating the packed bed. The principal advantage of PCMs in packed beds is that the energy storage density of the bed is increased significantly and thus, the size and mass of the storage system required for a particular application are reduced proportionally. Different PCMs have been considered for use in packed bed energy storage units in different applications. For applications over 450°C, significant consideration has been given to salt

Selection of the best location for solar plants in Turkey

The unique properties of solar energy have led to increasing demands in various countries. In order to use solar energy effectively, environmental and geographical circumstances related to solar intensity must be considered. Different factors may affect the selection of suitable locations for solar plants. These factors must be considered concurrently for optimum location identification. This article presents an approach for the location of solar plants by data envelopment analysis (DEA). Efficiency scores over a twelve month period were evaluated by using a modified similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) method. This approach was applied to 30 different cities in different regions of Turkey

Assembly of embryonic and extraembryonic stem cells to mimic embryogenesis in vitro

Mammalian embryogenesis requires intricate interactions between embryonic and extraembryonic tissues to orchestrate and coordinate morphogenesis with changes in developmental potential. Here, we combined mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and extraembryonic trophoblast stem cells (TSCs) in a three-dimensional scaffold to generate structures whose morphogenesis is markedly similar to that of natural embryos. By using genetically modified stem cells and specific inhibitors, we show that embryogenesis of ESC- and TSC-derived embryos—ETS-embryos—depends on cross-talk involving Nodal signaling. When ETS-embryos develop, they spontaneously initiate expression of mesoderm and primordial germ cell markers asymmetrically on the embryonic and extraembryonic border, in response to Wnt and BMP signaling. Our study demonstrates the ability of distinct stem cell types to self-assemble in vitro to generate embryos whose morphogenesis, architecture, and constituent cell types resemble those of natural embryos.We are grateful to the Wellcome Trust and ERC for supporting this work. S.E.H. and C.K. are both supported by Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council doctoral training partnership studentships. B.S. is supported by the International Research Fellowship Program 2214/A from Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey, and M.Z.-G. by the Wellcome Trust. S.E.H. served as an intern in the Cambridge, UK, office of Science/AAAS

Scrotal metastases from colorectal carcinoma: a case report

A 72-year-old man presented with a two month history of rectal bleeding. Colonoscopy demonstrated synchronous lesions at 3 cm and 40 cm with histological analysis confirming synchronous adenocarcinomata. He developed bilobar hepatic metastases while undergoing neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy. Treatment was complicated by Fournier's gangrene of the right hemiscrotum which required surgical debridement. Eight months later he re-presented with an ulcerating lesion on the right hemiscrotum. An en-bloc resection of the ulcerating scrotal lesion and underlying testis was performed. Immunohistological analysis revealed metastatic adenocarcinoma of large bowel origin. Colorectal metastasis to the urogenital tract is rare and here we report a case of rectal carcinoma metastasizing to scrotal skin

Self-assembly of embryonic and two extra-embryonic stem cell types into gastrulating embryo-like structures.

Embryonic stem cells can be incorporated into the developing embryo and its germ line, but, when cultured alone, their ability to generate embryonic structures is restricted. They can interact with trophoblast stem cells to generate structures that break symmetry and specify mesoderm, but their development is limited as the epithelial-mesenchymal transition of gastrulation cannot occur. Here, we describe a system that allows assembly of mouse embryonic, trophoblast and extra-embryonic endoderm stem cells into structures that acquire the embryo's architecture with all distinct embryonic and extra-embryonic compartments. Strikingly, such embryo-like structures develop to undertake the epithelial-mesenchymal transition, leading to mesoderm and then definitive endoderm specification. Spatial transcriptomic analyses demonstrate that these morphological transformations are underpinned by gene expression patterns characteristic of gastrulating embryos. This demonstrates the remarkable ability of three stem cell types to self-assemble in vitro into gastrulating embryo-like structures undertaking spatio-temporal events of the gastrulating mammalian embryo.European Research Council (669198) Wellcome Trust (098287/Z/12/Z)

Self-Organization of Mouse Stem Cells into an Extended Potential Blastoid

Mammalian blastocysts comprise three distinct cell lineages essential for development beyond implantation: the pluripotent epiblast, which generates the future embryo, and surrounding it the extra-embryonic primitive endoderm and the trophectoderm tissues. Embryonic stem cells can reintegrate into embryogenesis but contribute primarily to epiblast lineages. Here, we show that mouse embryonic stem cells cultured under extended pluripotent conditions (EPSCs) can be partnered with trophoblast stem cells to self-organize into blastocyst-like structures with all three embryonic and extra-embryonic lineages. Morphogenetic and transcriptome profiling analyses reveal that these blastocyst-like structures show distinct embryonic-abembryonic axes and primitive endoderm differentiation and can initiate the transition from the pre- to post-implantation egg cylinder morphology in vitro

Successful Treatment for Hepatic Encephalopathy Aggravated by Portal Vein Thrombosis with Balloon-Occluded Retrograde Transvenous Obliteration

This report presents the case of a 78-year-old female with hepatic encephalopathy due to an inferior mesenteric venous-inferior vena cava shunt. She developed hepatocellular carcinoma affected by hepatitis C virus-related cirrhosis and underwent posterior sectionectomy. Portal vein thrombosis developed and the portal trunk was narrowed after hepatectomy. Portal vein thrombosis resulted in high portal pressure and increased blood flow in an inferior mesenteric venous-inferior vena cava shunt, and hepatic encephalopathy with hyperammonemia was aggravated. The hepatic encephalopathy aggravated by portal vein thrombosis was successfully treated by balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration via a right transjugular venous approach without the development of other collateral vessels

Вплив трьох спортивних ігор з фізичного виховання на фізичну підготовленість студентів чоловічої статі

Background and Study Aim. Few controlled studies have been conducted on the effect of sports games as a physical education (PE) course on the health-related fitness of university students. The aim of the study was to determine whether three sports in a PE course will help improve the health-related fitness of male university students. Material and Methods. Students from two universities participated in the study, with one university acting as a control group. There were two PE courses which students registered for: a football and volleyball (FVG, n=169) course and a badminton (BG, n=97) course. The students received basic training drills and competed with one another. The duration of the activities was 50 minutes sessions for eight weeks. The following tests were taken before and after eight weeks: Cooper test, sit-and-reach test, 60-s curl test, standing long jump test, and body mass index. Paired t-tests were used to compare the baseline and post data of each group. The Welch t-test, ANCOVA, and analysis of gains scores were used to compare each of the PE groups to the control group. ANCOVA was used to account for baseline differences, while analysis of gains scores was used whenever ANCOVA could not be used. The Vargha-Delaney Effect Size (VD) and the Common Language Effect Size (CLES) were used to determine the effect sizes for the Welch t-tests and ANCOVA, respectively. Significant changes were set at p ≤ 0.05 and VD ≤ 42% or VD ≥ 58%, or if p ≤ 0.05 and CLES ≥ 58 %. Results.  Both PE groups showed significant improvements in all the measured fitness parameters except body composition. Moreover, the measured parameters of the control group reduced after eight weeks. Conclusion. The study shows evidence that PE courses can serve male universities in improving their health-related fitness. Moreover, students who do not participate in a PE course may be at risk of losing their fitness.Предпосылки и цель исследования. Было проведено мало контролируемых исследований о влиянии спортивных игр в качестве курса по физическому воспитанию (PE) на состояние здоровья студентов университетов. Цель исследования состояла в том, чтобы определить, помогут ли три вида спорта на курсе физического воспитания улучшить состояние здоровья студентов мужского пола.Материал и методы. В исследовании приняли участие студенты из двух университетов, один из которых выступал в качестве контрольной группы. Были два курса физическоого воспитания, на которые зарегистрировались студенты: курс по футболу и волейболу (FVG, n = 169) и курс по бадминтону (BG, n = 97). Студенты проходили базовые тренировки и соревновались друг с другом. Продолжительность занятий составляла 50 минут сеансов по восемь недель. Следующие тесты были взяты до и после восьми недель: тест Купера, тест гибкости, 60-секундный тест сгибания, тест прыжка в длину с места и индекс массы тела. Парные t-тесты использовались для сравнения базовых и пост-данных каждой группы. Для сравнения каждой из групп PE с контрольной группой использовались t-критерий Уэлча, ANCOVA и анализ результатов. ANCOVA использовалась для учета базовых различий, в то время как анализ показателей выигрышей использовался всякий раз, когда ANCOVA нельзя было использовать. Размер эффекта Варга-Делани (VD) и Размер эффекта общего языка (CLES) использовались для определения размеров эффекта для t-тестов Уэлча и ANCOVA, соответственно. Значительные изменения были установлены при p ≤ 0,05 и VD ≤ 42% или VD ≥ 58%, или если p ≤ 0,05 и CLES ≥ 58%.Результаты. Обе группы PE показали значительное улучшение всех измеренных параметров физической формы, кроме состава тела. Более того, измеренные параметры контрольной группы снизились через восемь недель.Выводы. Исследование показывает, что курсы PE могут помочь студентам улучшить свою физическую форму. Кроме того, студенты, которые не участвуют в курсе PE, могут подвергаться риску потерять свою физическую форму.Передумови та мета дослідження. Було проведено мало контрольованих досліджень про вплив спортивних ігор в якості курсу з фізичного виховання (PE) на стан здоров'я студентів університетів. Мета дослідження полягала в тому, щоб визначити, чи допоможуть три види спорту на курсі фізічного виховання поліпшити стан здоров'я студентів чоловічої статі.Матеріал і методи. У дослідженні взяли участь студенти з двох університетів, один з яких виступав в якості контрольної групи. Були два курси фізічного виховання, на які зареєструвалися студенти: курс по футболу і волейболу (FVG, n = 169) і курс з бадмінтону (BG, n = 97). Студенти проходили базові тренування і змагалися один з одним. Тривалість занять складала 50 хвилин сеансів по вісім тижнів. Наступні тести були взяті до і після восьми тижнів: тест Купера, тест гнучкості, 60-секундний тест згинання, тест стрибка в довжину з місця та індекс маси тіла. Парні t-тести використовувалися для порівняння базових і пост-даних кожної групи. Для порівняння кожної з груп PE з контрольною групою використовувалися t-критерій Уелча, ANCOVA і аналіз результатів. ANCOVA використовувалася для обліку базових відмінностей, в той час як аналіз показників виграшів використовувався щоразу, коли ANCOVA не можна було використовувати. Розмір ефекту Варга-Делані (VD) і розмір ефекту спільної мови (CLES) використовувалися для визначення розмірів ефекту для t-тестів Уелча і ANCOVA, відповідно. Значні зміни були встановлені при p ≤ 0,05 і VD ≤ 42% або VD ≥ 58%, або якщо p ≤ 0,05 і CLES ≥ 58%.Результати. Обидві групи PE показали значне поліпшення всіх виміряних параметрів фізичної форми, крім складу тіла. Більш того, виміряні параметри контрольної групи знизилися через вісім тижнів.Висновки. Дослідження показує, що курси PE можуть допомогти студентам покращити свою фізичну форму. Крім того, студенти, які не беруть участі в курсі PE, можуть піддаватися ризику втратити свою фізичну форму