18 research outputs found
Theoretical open-loop model of respiratory mechanics in the extremely preterm infant
Non-invasive ventilation is increasingly used for respiratory support in
preterm infants, and is associated with a lower risk of chronic lung disease.
However, this mode is often not successful in the extremely preterm infant in
part due to their markedly increased chest wall compliance that does not
provide enough structure against which the forces of inhalation can generate
sufficient pressure. To address the continued challenge of studying treatments
in this fragile population, we developed a nonlinear lumped-parameter model of
respiratory system mechanics of the extremely preterm infant that incorporates
nonlinear lung and chest wall compliances and lung volume parameters tuned to
this population. In particular we developed a novel empirical representation of
progressive volume loss based on compensatory alveolar pressure increase
resulting from collapsed alveoli. The model demonstrates increased rate of
volume loss related to high chest wall compliance, and simulates laryngeal
braking for elevation of end-expiratory lung volume and constant positive
airway pressure (CPAP). The model predicts that low chest wall compliance
(chest stiffening) in addition to laryngeal braking and CPAP enhance breathing
and delay lung volume loss. These results motivate future data collection
strategies and investigation into treatments for chest wall stiffening.Comment: 22 pages, 5 figure
Improving Student Knowledge Transfer between Mathematics and Engineering Courses through Structured Cross-disciplinary Collaboration: A SUMMIT-P Initiative
Student learning across STEM disciplines has been shown to increase with greater integration of applications in mathematics courses. One challenge of this effort is that identical constructs are often presented differently in the partner disciplines than in the mathematics courses. This leads to student confusion and an inability to transfer critical knowledge in their disciplinary courses, even for students who have mastered the mathematical paradigms. An interdisciplinary team at VCU consisting of mathematics and engineering faculty has worked to improve the knowledge transfer required for the integration of applications in the Differential Equations curriculum. This work is part of the multi-institutional SUMMIT-P initiative which aims to transform first- and second-year mathematics through collaboration with partner disciplines. The collaborative efforts have uncovered a variety of differently presented but identical constructs in categories ranging from notation up through higher-level interpretation. We provide some specific examples and analyses of these constructs and the implications for knowledge transfer and pedagogical concerns. Conversations around mathematics and disciplinary imperatives served to create a holistic view of the role mathematics and partner discipline professors have in improving learning outcomes
Influence of image segmentation on one-dimensional fluid dynamics predictions in the mouse pulmonary arteries
Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models are emerging as tools for assisting
in diagnostic assessment of cardiovascular disease. Recent advances in image
segmentation has made subject-specific modelling of the cardiovascular system a
feasible task, which is particularly important in the case of pulmonary
hypertension (PH), which requires a combination of invasive and non-invasive
procedures for diagnosis. Uncertainty in image segmentation can easily
propagate to CFD model predictions, making uncertainty quantification crucial
for subject-specific models. This study quantifies the variability of
one-dimensional (1D) CFD predictions by propagating the uncertainty of network
geometry and connectivity to blood pressure and flow predictions. We analyse
multiple segmentations of an image of an excised mouse lung using different
pre-segmentation parameters. A custom algorithm extracts vessel length, vessel
radii, and network connectivity for each segmented pulmonary network. We
quantify uncertainty in geometric features by constructing probability
densities for vessel radius and length, and then sample from these
distributions and propagate uncertainties of haemodynamic predictions using a
1D CFD model. Results show that variation in network connectivity is a larger
contributor to haemodynamic uncertainty than vessel radius and length
Lung, chest wall, and total respiratory system compliance curves for high <i>C</i><sub><i>w</i></sub> (left) and low <i>C</i><sub><i>w</i></sub> (right).
<p>Curves are described by Eqs <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0198425#pone.0198425.e016" target="_blank">(9)</a> and <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0198425#pone.0198425.e017" target="_blank">(10)</a> and parameterized using the procedures described in <b>Parameterization</b>. Tidal breathing loops with normal <i>R</i><sub><i>u</i></sub> (grey) and increased <i>R</i><sub><i>u</i></sub> (black) are superimposed for each condition over the lung compliance curve and larger in each inset to display hysteresis.</p