PIV data clustering of a buoyant jet in a stratified environment

Three spatial clustering approaches of a high-Reynolds number transient buoyant jet in a linearly stratified environment are applied along with proper orthogonal decomposition to identify similar/consistent regions in the domain of interest. The velocity fields analyzed are obtained from an experimental test with large scale, time-resolved, particle image velocimetry (PIV) measurements. Clustering is performed by the k-means method considering: (a) crosssection velocity profiles, (b) point-wise energy spectra, and (c) point-wise Reynolds stress tensor components. Three metrics are used for the assessment of clustering approaches, namely: (a) within-cluster sum of squares, (b) average silhouette, and (c) within-cluster number of POD modes required to resolve prescribed levels of total variance/energy. Results are promising and lay the foundation for an in depth analysis of local features of complex flows as well as the formulation of efficient reduced order models

Estudo das características e propriedades da permeação in vitro de micropartículas de CMC/quitosana como sitema de liberação cutânea para vitamina E

Micropartículas de carboximetilcelulose (CMC)/quitosana contendo vitamina E foram preparadas pelo método de coacervação complexa e seu uso potencial como um sistema de liberação tópico foi avaliado. Estudos da morfologia, da distribuição do tamanho de partículas, da eficiência de encapsulação, da estabilidade física e química e da liberação e permeação cutânea in vitro foram realizados. As análises por Microscopia Eletrônica de Varredura mostraram que as partículas são esféricas, possuem uma superfície homogênea e ausência de agregados, com diâmetros na faixa de 2,7 a 7,6 µm. A eficiência de encapsulação da vitamina E foi 81%. Os estudos de estabilidade química mostraram proteção da vitamina E encapsulada, sendo que a diferença em relação à quantidade de ativo remanescente na emulsão O/A foi de 8,1% e na A/O, de 10,8%, após armazenamento a 45 °C por um período de 60 dias. O ensaio de liberação in vitro mostrou que 48% da vitamina E encapsulada, quantificada por CLAE, foram liberadas em 24 horas de experimento. Nos estudos de retenção e permeação in vitro observou-se que a emulsão A/O proporcionou maior penetração da vitamina E tanto da forma livre como encapsulada.Os sistemas avaliados parecem ser promissores para veiculação de ativos em preparações de uso tópico.Carboxymethylcellulose (CMC)/chitosan microparticles containing vitamin E were prepared by a complex coacervation method and their potential use as a topical delivery system was evaluated. Morphology, particle size distribution, encapsulation yield, physical and chemical stability, in vitro release and permeation through skin were studied. The microparticles appeared to be spherical, with a homogeneous surface and were not aggregated. Mean diameters ranged from 2.7 to 7.6 µm and the encapsulation yield was 81%. Chemical stability studies indicated a protection of encapsulated vitamin E, of 8.1% for O/W and of 10.83% for W/O emulsions, following storage at 45 °C for 60 days. Forty-eight% of vitamin E, determined by HPLC, were released within 24 hours. In vitro permeation and retention studies showed a higher penetration rate of vitamin E in the free and encapsulated forms, from the W/O emulsion. The carriers studied seem to be promising systems for topical administration

Outcomes from elective colorectal cancer surgery during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic

This study aimed to describe the change in surgical practice and the impact of SARS-CoV-2 on mortality after surgical resection of colorectal cancer during the initial phases of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic

Feedback Stabilization of a Thermal Fluid System with Mixed Boundary Control

We consider the problem of local exponential stabilization of the nonlinear Boussinesq equations with control acting on portion of the boundary. In particular, given a steady state solution on an bounded and connected domain Ω Ϲ R2, we show that a finite number of controls acting on a part of the boundary through Neumann/Robin boundary conditions is sufficient to stabilize the full nonlinear equations in a neighborhood of this steady state solution. Dirichlet boundary conditions are imposed on the rest of the boundary. We prove that a stabilizing feedback control law can be obtained by solving a Linear Quadratic Regulator (LQR) problem for the linearized Boussinesq equations. Numerical result are provided for a 2D problem to illustrate the ideas

Active surveillance and genetic evolution of avian influenza viruses in Egypt, 2016–2018

ABSTRACTEgypt is a hotspot for avian influenza virus (AIV) due to the endemicity of H5N1 and H9N2 viruses. AIVs were isolated from 329 samples collected in 2016–2018; 48% were H9N2, 37.1% were H5N8, 7.6% were H5N1, and 7.3% were co-infections with 2 of the 3 subtypes. The 32 hemagglutinin (HA) sequences of the H5N1 viruses formed a well-defined lineage within clade 2.2.1.2. The 10 HA sequences of the H5N8 viruses belonged to a subclade within 2.3.4.4. The 11 HA of H9N2 isolates showed high sequence homology with other Egyptian G1-like H9N2 viruses. The prevalence of H5N8 viruses in ducks (2.4%) was higher than in chickens (0.94%). Genetic reassortment was detected in H9N2 viruses. Antigenic analysis showed that H9N2 viruses are homogenous, antigenic drift was detected among H5N1 viruses. AI H5N8 showed higher replication rate followed by H9N2 and H5N1, respectively. H5N8 was more common in Southern Egypt, H9N2 in the Nile Delta, and H5N1 in both areas. Ducks and chickens played a significant role in transmission of H5N1 viruses. The endemicity and co-circulation of H5N1, H5N8, and H9N2 AIV coupled with the lack of a clear control strategy continues to provide avenues for further virus evolution in Egypt