Hot Air Dryer with Closed – Loop Oscillating Heat Pipe with Check Valves for Reducing Energy in Drying Process

AbstractThis research was studied to saving energy of hot air dryer with closed-loop oscillating heat pipe (CLOHP/CV). The CLOHP/CV made from a copper tube with inner diameter of 2mm. The evaporator and condenser lengths were 18cm. The adiabatic length was 20cm. Distilled water with 50% by total volume of tube was filled into CLOHP/CV. The number of meanderings was 40. The temperature for testing was 50, 60, 70, 80 and 90 oC. The hot air flow rate was 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 m/s. The results of the normal hot air dryer and the hot air dryer with CLOHP/CV, it was found that the hot air dryer with CLOHP/CV can save thermal energy more than the normal hot air dryer. Moreover if determine in saving electrical energy, the hot air dryer with CLOHP/CV can save energy more than the normal hot air dryer by average of 28.13%

An integrated microring circuit design for optoelectronic transformer applications

The on-chip scale circuit of the optoelectronic transformer is designed and manipulated using the microring resonator system. By using the monochromatic input light source, the electro-optic signals can be generated and functioned as the step up and down conversion by mean of the on-chip optoelectronic transformer. The step up and down of the electro-optic related power conversions can be obtained via the input and drop port connections. The results obtained have shown that the flexible up and down electro-optic conversion ratios of 1: 5 and 10:1 for the step up and down conversions, respectively. The uses light source wavelength source was centered at 800 nm, where the conversion stability of 1600 fs is noted. The linearity trend of the conversion stability is confirmed

Plasmonic Op-Amp Circuit Model using the Inline Successive Microring Pumping Technique

The electro-optic power pumping system model using the inline successive technique within the modified add-drop filter is proposed. A pumping system consists of a closed loop panda ring resonator, from which the optical power is coupled inline into the system. By controlling the two side phase modulators, the whispering gallery mode (WGM) is generated by the amplitude-squeezed light within the modified add-drop filter. By using the proposed circuits, the low current can be applied into the system via a gold layer connection, from which the amplified output current can be obtained at the throughput port, which can be functioned as the electronic operational amplifier (Op-amp). In application, the WGM output is the amplified signal that can be used for the up (down) link in free space communication network called light fidelity (LiFi). The electro-optic signals conversion can be performed by the stacked layers of silicon-graphene-gold materials. The results obtained have shown that large gain is obtained at the WGM output, which is ~5×10-6cm².(V.sW)-1, when the pumping saturation time is ~2 fs. It concludes the suitability of our proposed model for light fidelity, LiFi up-down link conversion

In-situ 3D Micro-sensor Model using Embedded Plasmonic Island for Biosensors

The design of the microsensor system for biosensors using the plasmonic island is proposed. The sensor head is formed by the stacked layers of silicon-graphene-gold materials. The dual-mode operations of the sensor can be performed using the relationship of the changes between the electron mobility and optical phase, where the exciting environment can be light intensity (phase), electrical transient, heat, pressure, flavour and smoke, The change in light phase (intensity) in silicon and conductivity (mobility) in gold layers cause change in the output measurands. The design and simulation interpretation of the sensor is presented. The sensor manipulation using the MCM arrangement is simulated and interpreted for biosensor applications 3D imaging can also be applied to the MCM function, where the 3D in situ sensor function is possible. The sensor sensitivity of 2.0 × 10−21 cm2 V−1 s−1 (mW)−1 via simulation is obtained

The uses of Chrysomya megacephala (Fabricius, 1794)(Diptera: Calliphoridae) in forensic entomology:

Chrysomya megacephala (Fabricius, 1794) occurs on every continent and is closely associated with carrion and decaying material in human environments. Its abilities to find dead bodies and carry pathogens give it a prominence in human affairs that may involve prosecution or litigation, and therefore forensic entomologists. The identification, geographical distribution and biology of the species are reviewed to provide a background for approaches that four branches of forensic entomology (urban, stored-product, medico-criminal and environmental) might take to investigations involving this fly

Ultrastructure of adhesive device in fly in families Calliphoridae, Muscidae and Sarcophagidae, and their implication as mechanical carriers of pathogens

Abstract The ultrastructure of adhesive device or the pulvilli, pad-like structure between the tarsal claws of the legs, is presented in the blowfly (Calliphoridae), housefly and relatives (Muscidae), and flesh fly (Sarcophagidae) through scanning electron microscopy. The blowfly species were Chrysomya chani, Chrysomya nigripes, Chrysomya pinguis, and Chrysomya villeneuvi; while those of the housefly and relatives were Musca domestica and Hydrotaea chalcogaster, respectively. Fresh fly species included Boettcherisca peregrina and Liosarcophaga dux. Numerous tenent setae were observed on the ventral side of the pulvilli. Two features of the tip of the tenent setae were found as a spatula-like (in C. chani, C. pinguis, C. nigripes, M. domestica, H. chalcogaster, B. peregrina, and L. dux) and spoon-like tip (in C. villeneuvi). Transmission electron microscopy of the tenent setae in M. domestica revealed the electron-lucent centrally located, suggesting an adhesive substance. These results provided anatomical information that allow us to not only understand the successful attachment of flies to smooth surfaces but also clarify their role as a mechanical carrier of microorganisms

Long-term efficacy of intensive cycle ergometer exercise training program for advanced COPD patients

Chaicharn Pothirat, Warawut Chaiwong, Nittaya Phetsuk, Chalerm Liwsrisakun, Chaiwat Bumroongkit, Athavudh Deesomchok, Theerakorn Theerakittikul, Atikun Limsukon Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Allergy, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand Background: Exercise training has been incorporated into the international guidelines for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, the long-term efficacy of the training program for patients with advanced COPD has never been evaluated in Thailand. Purpose: To determine the long-term efficacy of intensive cycle ergometer exercise program on various clinical parameters of patients with advanced COPD. Materials and methods: The patients with advanced COPD were separated into two groups: the intensive ergometer exercise program group and the control group. The clinical parameters of all the patients were assessed at baseline, every month for the first 3 months, and then every 3 months until they had completed the 24-month follow-up. Mann–Whitney U test was used to compare baseline mean differences between the groups. Repeated measure analysis was applied to determine the progress in all parameters during the entire follow-up period. Mean incase imputation method was applied to estimate the parameters of dropout cases. Results: A total of 41 patients were enrolled: 27 in the intensive ergometer exercise program group and 14 in the control group. The intensive cycle ergometer exercise program group showed statistically significant improvements in muscle strength (from month 1 till the end of the study, month 24), endurance time (from month 1 till the end of measurement, month 12) and clinically significant improvements in 6-minute walk distance (from month 2 until month 9), dyspnea severity by transitional dyspnea index (from month 1 till the end of the study, month 24), and quality of life (from month 1 till the end of the study, month 24). There was no significant difference in survival rates between the groups. Conclusion: The intensive ergometer exercise training program revealed meaningful long-term improvements in various clinical parameters for up to 2 years. These promising results should encourage health care professionals to promote exercise training for patients with advanced COPD who have limited daily activities despite optimal medication control. Keywords: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pulmonary rehabilitation, ergometer training, physical endurance, strength trainin

Dialectal influence on chronic pulmonary disease assessment test: the reliability and validity study

Chaicharn Pothirat, Warawut Chaiwong, Nittaya Phetsuk, Chalerm Liwsrisakun, Chaiwat Bumroongkit, Athavudh Deesomchok, Theerakorn Theerakittikul, Atikun Limsukon Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Allergy, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients living in many countries are familiar with local dialects rather than the official language. We, therefore, compare the reliability and validity of the COPD assessment test (CAT) in Thai and northern Thai dialect versions, in stable COPD patients living in the northern part of Thailand.Methods: A total of 160 COPD patients were randomly selected for the evaluation of each dialect version of CAT (n=80). The internal consistency of all eight items and test–retest reliability were investigated by using Cronbach’s alpha coefficient and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICCC), respectively. The validity was evaluated by the degree of correlation with St George’s Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) using Pearson’s correlation. The correlations of CAT with clinical parameters such as forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1), modified Medical Research Council scale (mMRC) dyspnea score, and 6-minute walk distance (6-MWD) were also evaluated.Results: The two versions of CAT showed high internal consistency reliability (Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of 0.82 and 0.76) as well as a high test–retest reliability (ICCC of 0.82 and 0.84) for Thai and northern Thai dialect versions, respectively. The test results revealed that the northern Thai dialect version had good correlation with SGRQ whereas the Thai version correlated only moderately.Conclusion: The two Thai versions of CAT were proven to be good clinical tools with high reliability and acceptable validity for assessing the quality of life of Thai COPD patients. However, the northern Thai dialect version is more suitable for evaluating COPD patients living in the northern part of Thailand. Keywords: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, COPD assessment test, quality of life, validation, reliabilit

Detection of acute deterioration in health status visit among COPD patients by monitoring COPD assessment test score

Chaicharn Pothirat, Warawut Chaiwong, Atikun Limsukon, Athavudh Deesomchok, Chalerm Liwsrisakun, Chaiwat Bumroongkit, Theerakorn Theerakittikul, Nittaya PhetsukDivision of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Allergy, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, ThailandBackground: The Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Assessment Test (CAT) could play a role in detecting acute deterioration in health status during monitoring visits in routine clinical practice.Objective: To evaluate the discriminative property of a change in CAT score from a stable baseline visit for detecting acute deterioration in health status visits of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients.Methods: The CAT questionnaire was administered to stable COPD patients routinely attending the chest clinic of Chiang Mai University Hospital who were monitored using the CAT score every 1–3 months for 15 months. Acute deterioration in health status was defined as worsening or exacerbation. CAT scores at baseline, and subsequent visits with acute deterioration in health status were analyzed using the t-test. The receiver operating characteristic curve was performed to evaluate the discriminative property of change in CAT score for detecting acute deterioration during a health status visit.Results: A total of 354 follow-up visits were made by 140 patients, aged 71.1±8.4 years, with a forced expiratory volume in 1 second of 47.49%±18.2% predicted, who were monitored for 15 months. The mean CAT score change between stable baseline visits, by patients’ and physicians’ global assessments, were 0.05 (95% confidence interval [CI], -0.37–0.46) and 0.18 (95% CI, -0.23–0.60), respectively. At worsening visits, as assessed by patients, there was significant increase in CAT score (6.07; 95% CI, 4.95–7.19). There were also significant increases in CAT scores at visits with mild and moderate exacerbation (5.51 [95% CI, 4.39–6.63] and 8.84 [95% CI, 6.29–11.39], respectively), as assessed by physicians. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of CAT score change for the detection of acute deterioration in health status was 0.89 (95% CI, 0.84–0.94), and the optimum cut-off point score was at 4, with a sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of 76.8%, 83.6%, and 82.4%, respectively.Conclusions: Change in CAT score during monitoring visits is useful for detecting acute deterioration in health status, and a change of 4 units could make a moderate prediction of acute deterioration in health status.Keywords: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, health status, questionnair