DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF A PROTOTYPE SOLAR UPDRAFT CHIMNEY IN ASWAN/EGYPT

This work is part of a joint project funded by the Science and Technology Development Fund (STDF) of the Arab republic of Egypt and the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) of the Federal Republic of Germany. Continuation of the use of fossil fuels in electricity production systems causes many problems such as: global warming, other environmental concerns, the depletion of fossil fuels reserves and continuing rise in the price of fuels. One of the most promising paths to solve the energy crisis is utilizing the renewable energy resources. In Egypt, high insolation and more than 90 percent available desert lands are two main factors that encourage the full development of solar power plants for thermal and electrical energy production. With an average temperature of about 40 °C for more than half of the year and average annual sunshine of about 3200 hours, which is close to the theoretical maximum annual sunshine hours, Aswan is one of the hottest and sunniest cities in the world. This climatic condition makes the city an ideal place for implementing solar energy harvesting projects from solar updraft tower. Therefore, a Solar Chimney Power Plant (SCPP) is being installed at Aswan City. The chimney height is 20.0 m, its diameter is 1.0m and the collector is a four-sided pyramid, which has a side length of 28.5 m. A mathematical model is used to predict its performance. The model shows that the plant can produce a maximum theoretical power of 2 kW. Moreover, a CFD code is used to analyse the temperature and velocity distribution inside the collector, turbine and chimney at different operating conditions. Static calculations, including dead weight and wind forces on the solar updraft chimney and its solar collector, have been performed for the prototype. Mechanical loading and ambient impact on highly used industrial structures such as chimneys and masts cause lifetime-related deteriorations. Structural degradations occur not only from rare extreme loading events, but often as a result of the ensemble of load effects during the life-time of the structure. A Structural Health Monitoring (SHM), framework for continuous monitoring, is implemented on the solar tower. For the ongoing case study, the types of impacts, the development of the strategic sensor positioning concept, examples of the initially obtained results and further prospects are discussed. Additional wind tunnel tests have been performed to investigate the flow situation underneath the solar collector and inside the transition section. The flow situation in and around the SCPP has been simulated by a combination of the wind tunnel flow and a second flow inside the solar tower. Different wind tunnel velocities and volume flow rates have been measured respectively. Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) measurements give some indication of the flow situation on the in- and outside of the solar tower and underneath the collector roof. Numerical simulations have been performed with the ANSYS Fluent to validate the experimental tests

IMECE2002-34587 NUMERICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL STUDY OF IMPELLER DIFFUSER INTERACTION

ABSTRACT The unsteadiness of the flow at the leading edge of a vaned diffuser represents a source of low efficiency and instability in a centrifugal turbomachine. Furthermore, the internal flow of the impeller can be affected by asymmetric downstream conditions, which results in extra flow unsteadiness and instabilities. Numerical and experimental data are obtained. The simulation of impeller diffuser interaction is performed using CFXTascflow. A frozen rotor simulation is used for the steady calculation and a rotor-stator simulation is used for the unsteady calculation using the steady results as an initial guess. The unsteady simulation is done not only for one impeller and diffuser blades, but also for the whole impeller and diffuser blades using Unix workstation. For the experimental work, a transparent fan is design and tested at The Turbomachinery Laboratory of SJTU. The test rig consists of a centrifugal, shrouded impeller, diffuser and volute casing all made of plexiglass. A particle image velocimeter (PIV) is used to measure the 2-D instantaneous velocity in the interaction region between impeller, vaned. A series of performance measurements were carried out at different speeds. The first trial of measuring the instantaneous flow field in a part of the impeller and vaned diffuser together at different relative locations between them is presented in this work at different flow rates. Obtaining detailed measurements in the interaction region between the impeller and diffuser can help in understanding the complex flow phenomena and improving centrifugal fan and compressor performance. Finally, the comparison between the unsteady measurements and unsteady calculations showed that the Rotor/Stator Model can predict the basic characteristics of unsteady flow in centrifugal fan but still need improvement to satisfy the true transient simulation for unsteady impeller diffuser interaction INTRODUCTION The improvement of machine performances can only be achieved if there is a progress in the comprehension of the nature of the complex flow that develops at the gap between rotor and stator. During the design of a turbomachine, the flow is considered steady and uniform at the entry of each element. For a centrifugal fan with a vaned diffuser, satisfying this assumption requires a large interface between the rotor and the stator so that the mixing process of the flow leaving the impeller can take place. Otherwise, the unsteady flow that enters the diffuser represents a source of low efficiency. Furthermore, the internal flow of the impeller can be affected by asymmetric downstream conditions, which results in extra flow unsteadiness and instabilities. A number of authors have treated the problem of the interaction of the impeller and its surroundings. Inoue and Cumpsty [1], Sideris [2] and Arnd

Brief Report: Safety and Antitumor Activity of Alectinib Plus Atezolizumab From a Phase 1b Study in Advanced ALK-Positive NSCLC

INTRODUCTION: Alectinib is a preferred first-line treatment option for advanced ALK-positive NSCLC. Combination regimens of alectinib with immune checkpoint inhibitors are being evaluated for synergistic effects. METHODS: Adults with treatment-naive, stage IIIB/IV, or recurrent ALK-positive NSCLC were enrolled into a two-stage phase 1b study. Patients received alectinib 600 mg (twice daily during cycle 1 and throughout each 21-d cycle thereafter) plus atezolizumab 1200 mg (d8 of cycle 1 and then d1 of each 21-d cycle). Primary objectives were to evaluate safety and tolerability of alectinib plus atezolizumab. Secondary objectives included assessments of antitumor activity. RESULTS: In total, 21 patients received more than or equal to 1 dose of alectinib or atezolizumab. As no dose-limiting toxicities were observed in stage 1 (n = 7), the starting dose and schedule were continued into stage 2 (n = 14). Median duration of follow-up was 29 months (range: 1-39). Grade 3 treatment-related adverse events occurred in 57% of the patients, most often rash (19%). No grade 4 or 5 treatment-related adverse events were reported. Confirmed objective response rate was 86% (18 of 21; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 64-97). Median progression-free survival was not estimable (NE) (95% CI: 13 mo-NE), neither was median overall survival (95% CI: 33 mo-NE). CONCLUSIONS: The combination of alectinib and atezolizumab is feasible, but increased toxicity was found compared with the individual agents. With small sample sizes and relatively short follow-up, definitive conclusions regarding antitumor activity cannot be made

Small Vessel Ischemic Disease of the Brain and Brain Metastases in Lung Cancer Patients

Brain metastases occur commonly in patients with lung cancer. Small vessel ischemic disease is frequently found when imaging the brain to detect metastases. We aimed to determine if the presence of small vessel ischemic disease (SVID) of the brain is protective against the development of brain metastases in lung cancer patients.A retrospective cohort of 523 patients with biopsy confirmed lung cancer who had received magnetic resonance imaging of the brain as part of their standard initial staging evaluation was reviewed. Information collected included demographics, comorbidities, details of the lung cancer, and the presence of SVID of the brain. A portion of the cohort had the degree of SVID graded. The primary outcome measure was the portion of study subjects with and without SVID of the brain who had evidence of brain metastases at the time of initial staging of their lung cancer.109 patients (20.8%) had evidence of brain metastases at presentation and 345 (66.0%) had evidence of SVID. 13.9% of those with SVID and 34.3% of those without SVID presented with brain metastases (p<0.0001). In a model including age, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and tobacco use, SVID of the brain was found to be the only protective factor against the development of brain metastases, with an OR of 0.31 (0.20, 0.48; p<0.001). The grade of SVID was higher in those without brain metastases.These findings suggest that vascular changes in the brain are protective against the development of brain metastases in lung cancer patients

Abstract C237: A phase I study of the alternating administration of ixabepilone and vinflunine every three weeks in patients with advanced cancer

Abstract Background: Vinflunine (VFL) is a new microtubule inhibitor of the vinca alkaloid class. VFL inhibits tubulin polymerization. Ixabepilone (IXA), a microtubule inhibitor, binds directly to -tubulin subunits, leading to suppression of microtubule dynamics. These agents have complementary mechanisms of action and relatively non-overlapping toxicities. This study was conducted to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and dose limiting toxicity (DLT) of an alternating regimen of VFL and IXA in patients (pts) with advanced cancer and to recommend a Phase 2 dose. Materials and Methods: This was an open-label Phase 1 doseescalation study of IXA and VFL in pts with advanced cancer. IXA was administered as a 3-hour infusion alternating every 3 weeks (wks) with VFL administered as a 20-minute infusion. A cycle was defined as 6 wks (42 days), with DLT assessment during Cycle 1. Doses started at 30 mg/m2 IXA and 250 mg/m2 VFL (IXA30+VFL250). VFL doses were first escalated to a maximum of 320 mg/m2. Once an intolerable dose or the maximum dose of VFL was reached, IXA was to be escalated with a maximum dose level of IXA 40 mg/m2. A standard 3+3 escalation design was used. The MTD was defined as the dose level below which ≥2/6 pts experienced a DLT. Results: This was the first clinical study to evaluate vinflunine and ixabepilone as an alternating regimen. Nine pts were enrolled and treated; 3 each at IXA30+VFL250, IXA30+VFL280, and IXA30+VFL320. Further enrollment and dose escalation was stopped when the study was closed due to termination of VFL development at BMS. The treated pts consisted of 8 males / 1 female, 3 with SCLC, 4 with NSCLC, and 2 with sarcomas. The majority of pts were white (8 of 9). Median Age was 63 years (range 38–85). ECOG performance status was 0 (n=1) or 1 (n=8). Adverse events were summarized by treatment. Of interest, 3 pts experienced grade 1 peripheral neuropathy (1 IXA, 2 VFL); 5 pts with grade 3/4 neutropenia (2 IXA, 2 VFL, 1 IXA/VFL); 2 pts with grade 2 constipation (2 VFL). Serious adverse events (SAEs) were reported in 3 of 9 treated pts. The SAEs of pyrexia grade 2, neutropenia grade 2, and leucopenia grade 3 were considered related to study drug in 1 patient. None of the SAEs or non-serious AEs led to discontinuation of study treatment. Two pts experienced progression of disease which resulted in death. Antitumor activity (as defined by RECIST and assessed by the investigator) was observed: confirmed partial response in 1 pt with NSCLC (IXA30+VFL320 dose level) and stable disease lasting from 2.5 to 9 months in 3 pts (2 with SCLC in IXA30+VFL250 and 1 with NSCLC in IXA30+VFL280). Conclusions: There were no DLTs observed in the dose levels examined and the MTD was not reached due to termination of study. The toxicity of the alternating regimen was manageable. Antitumor activity was observed in all dose cohorts. The alternating regimen of vinflunine and ixabepilone may warrant further investigation. Citation Information: Mol Cancer Ther 2009;8(12 Suppl):C237

Healthcare resource utilization in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer: post hoc analysis of the randomized phase 3 REVEL study.

PurposeIn REVEL, patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (aNSCLC) and patients with increased tumor aggressiveness (rapid disease progression (RDP), platinum-refractory disease (PRD), and high symptom burden (HSB)) benefited from second-line treatment with ramucirumab plus docetaxel over placebo plus docetaxel. This post hoc analysis describes healthcare resource utilization (HCRU) associated with the treatment.MethodsaNSCLC patients who had progressed during or after first-line platinum-based chemotherapy were randomized to receive docetaxel and either ramucirumab or placebo until disease progression, unacceptable toxicity, withdrawal, or death. HCRU included hospitalizations, transfusions, and concomitant medications. Categorical variables (counts and percentages) were compared using Fisher's exact test. Continuous variables (mean, standard deviation (SD), median, minimum, and maximum) were compared using the Wilcoxon rank sum test.ResultsPatient characteristics were largely similar between treatment arms. Within the intent-to-treat (ITT) population (n = 1253), the mean treatment duration was 19.7 and 16.9&nbsp;weeks in the&nbsp;ramucirumab and control&nbsp;arms, respectively; 51.0% versus 54.9% of patients received subsequent anticancer therapy, respectively. Hospitalization rates were 41.9% versus 42.6% (p = 0.863), mean length of hospital stay was 14.5&nbsp;days versus 11.3&nbsp;days (p = 0.066), transfusion rates were 9.9% versus 12.3% (p = 0.206), and use of granulocyte colony-stimulating factors was 41.8% versus 36.6% (p = 0.063), respectively. No significant difference was observed in HCRU between treatment arms in both ITT population and in aggressive disease subgroups including RDP (n = 209), PRD (n = 360), and HSB (n = 497).ConclusionIn REVEL, the addition of ramucirumab to docetaxel did not increase HCRU among patients with aggressive aNSCLC disease. These results may help inform economic evaluation of treatment for patients with aNSCLC