Thermal characteristics of packed bed storage system

The thermal behaviour of a packed bed storage system charged with hot air is modelled using two partial differential equations representing the energy conservation in the air and solid phases constituting the bed. These two equations are coupled through the heat exchange process between the two phases. A fully implicit numerical scheme based on forward, upwind and central differencing for the time, first and second space derivatives, respectively, is used to solve the modelling equations. Marching technique is used for the air equation and a tri-diagonal matrix solver is employed to solve the solid equation. The solution yields the thermal structure of the bed, namely the air and solid temperature distribution inside the bed at any particular time, and the variation of total energy stored in the bed with time. The effect of bed length, solid diameter and void fraction on the thermal characteristics of the packed bed is studied. Further, the performance of the bed under variable inlet air temperature and mass flow rate is investigated.     

A network analyzer-based tissue characterization system

A novel ultrasound tissue characterization system is described which utilizes a network analyzer, S-parameter test set, 180° hybrid junction, and a mock transducer circuit to exploit the wide-band potential of a commercial piezoelectric polymer transducer. The relatively short round-trip pulselength achieved using the system (70 ns in water) is compared to that obtained using a high-frequency pulser/receiver and the same transducer (130 ns in water). Finally, the in vitro acoustic response of a section of neonate porcine carotid artery obtained using the network analyzer-based system is reported, along with histologic results for the same vessel     

Coupling techniques in boundary-combined methods for solving elliptic problems with singularities

Three coupling strategies in matching the Ritz-Galerkin method and the finite element method are introduced for general elliptic equations, and useful numerical techniques are provided. Numerical experiments have been carried out for solving the typical, singular Motz problem, which shows that optimal convergence rates of numerical solutions can be achieved by using the combined methods and techniques provided in this paper.     

Prognostic factors of primary liver cancer

To investigate the prognostic factors of primary liver cancer (PLC) and improve the long-term results, 1,248 cases of PLC were analysed. Univariate analysis demonstrated that discovery approach, staging of PLC, original gamma-GPT, resection, radical resection, original AFP, tumor size, tumor number, and tumor capsule have very significant effects on prognosis of PLC (all P < 0.001); cirrhosis, HBsAg, local resection, and tumor embolus in portal vein were also significant difference (all P < 0.05); age, sex, original AFP, hepatitis, and differentiation of PLC cells were no significant difference (all P > 0.05). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that original gamma-GPT, radical resection, tumor size, and tumor number were the most significant prognostic factors (all P < 0.001). Some aspects improving long-term survival were discussed.     

Fibrocystic disease of breast and pituitary-thyroid axis function

The aim this study was to report findings on the concentrations of mean triiodothyroxine (T3), thyroxin (T4), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and prolactin (Prl) in patients with benign mastopathy and in control group. All of the examined subjects were clinically euthyroid. The mean T4 concentrations in women with mastopathy (78.25 +/- 15.27 ng/ml) were significantly lower than in control group 88.73 +/- 15.27). The mean TSH and PRL concentration in women with mastopathy were higher, but not significantly, than in control women. This results indicate, that benign mastopathy seems to be connected with thyroid functions.     

Fluid-bed microencapsulation of ascorbic acid

Epidemiological studies suggest the prevalence of asthma is increasing, though some remain sceptical as to the magnitude or indeed the presence of an increase. However, despite improved diagnosis and the availability of the potent drugs now available there remains considerable respiratory morbidity associated with asthma. It is clear from a number of studies that failure to deliver drugs to the lungs when using inhaler devices is a factor contributing to this high level of morbidity. Failure of drug delivery may result from the prescribing of inappropriate devices, failure to use devices appropriately or failure to comply with a treatment regimen. For most of the currently available forms of asthma therapy there are significant advantages to be gained from administering them in aerosol form. The benefits to be derived from administering these drugs as an aerosol include a rapid onset of action for drugs such as beta-agonists and a low incidence of systemic effects from drugs such as beta-agonists and corticosteroids. Over the past 25 years our understanding of the nature of asthma has changed. Though this has been reflected in the emphasis on inhaled corticosteroid therapy in recent guidelines, it has not been reflected in the range of inhaler devices available. Manufacturers continue to place drugs such as corticosteroids in the same devices as short acting beta-agonists even though the requirements for these different drug classes are very different. It is likely that this contributes to suboptimal therapeutic responses with inhaled corticosteroids. However, the variability associated with current delivery systems is relatively small compared with the variability introduced by poor compliance. There is no work currently available to indicate how the use of cheap disposable devises which do not incorporate any form of positive feedback influence compliance with inhaled steroids. Optimising aerosolised drug delivery in childhood involves consideration of the class of drugs, the particular drug within a class but more importantly, the age and abilities of the child. Devices must be selected to suit a particular child's needs and abilities. Devices utilising tidal breathing are generally used such as spacing chambers or, less commonly these days, nebulisers. A screaming or struggling child, or failure to use a closely fitting mask, reduces drug delivery to the lungs enormously. Failure to respond to inhaled therapy in early childhood may be attributable to failure of drug delivery. Drug delivery in early childhood using current devices remains more an art than a science.