At present, the fiber optic ducts are connected by a mechanical type of joint. In this method, two ducts cut in the right angle are pushed in from both sides of the joint, and takes approximately one second to joint ducts together. The problem with the existing joint technology is that if there is water inside of the joint, it will be damaged when the water freezes into ice, and then may cause leakage. There is a risk of explosion when compressed air to blow the fiber. Thus, a joint protection device (silicone rubber sleeve) was developed to seal the joint for protection utterly. However, this will cause the larger size of the entire joint and limit the number of single-duct joints next to each other in a multi-duct joint. Fiber optic ducts are made of High-Density Polyethylene, which is the best plastic for remelting and can be welded by using the electro-fusion welding method. Based on the thermoplasticity of this material, this thesis developed a plastic joint with a built-in conductive metal wire inside. The applied voltage will heat the wire, then remelt the duct surfaces to weld them together through the joint. The welding system uses a portable battery operating system, so there is no need to connect it to the grid. To prevent the battery from being damaged by supplying too much current, a capacitor bank is used to store high energy for the preheating joints. The system uses a microcontroller to control and monitor current and voltage to ensure uniform heating of the metal wire. Theemphasisof this thesis isplacedon the implementation of basic experiments to run the welding system. Multiple welding experiments show that the welding system can manually set parameters to control the welding current of different joints, thereby ensuring the welding quality. Using a 2.5Ω joint to weld ducts will approximately consume 120J from the battery, so a fully charged 42V, 4.4AH rechargeable battery can perform almost 5600 times of welding. The suitable range of joint resistance will decrease as the required energy consumption increases/ the welding time decreases.

121 9. Summárý Purpose: This study was designed to evaluate the role of interventional radiology in liver transplantation programme. The aim is to present our experience, technical outcomes and long-term clinical results with chemoembolization of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients before liver transplantation and with percutaneous treatment of vascular and biliary complication after orthotopic liver transplantation. Methods: Twenty five patients (17 men, 8 women, mean age 57.76 years) with HCC were scheduled for TACE prior to liver transplantation from 2008 to 2012. Twenty three procedures were performed, 7 c-TACE in 2008 and 16 DEB TACE in next years. Thirty patients (13 men, 17 women, mean age 46.4 years) with biliary strictures after liver transplantation without endoscopic access possibility were treated with balloon dilatation and biliary duct drainage from 1996 and 2010. Twenty patients (13 men, 7 women, mean age 45.25 years) were treated with PTA/stent due to hepatic artery stenosis after liver transplantation between 1996 and 2011. Stents were placed to the hepatic/celiac artery in 16 PTAs, balloon dilatation alone was performed in 7 stenosis due to tortuosity of the vessel. Results: Liver transplantation was performed to 20 patients after TACE. Only one patient (4.5 %) was excluded from waiting...

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Type II nephronophthisis (NPHP2) is an autosomal recessive renal cystic disorder characterized by mutations in the inversin gene. Humans and mice with mutations in inversin have enlarged cystic kidneys. Increased kidney size in NPHP2 may involve altered cell growth, apoptosis, electrolyte transport and fluid accumulation in the cysts. To test this hypothesis, histology and transcriptome analysis were performed on one-day old wild-type and inv/inv mice to uncover molecular pathways altered in the mutant mice. Histology of inv/inv mice kidneys showed dilated cystic tubules compared to wild type. Pathway analysis of transcriptome data showed that inversin exerts its effects on kidneys, at least in part, through the transcriptional regulation of genes implicated in inflammation, immune response, cellular metabolism, cell cycle and ion transport. Genes involved in inflammation or immune response were upregulated whereas the genes involved in cell cycle progression and ion transport were downregulated. To validate the array findings from inv/inv mice kidneys, functional consequence of inversin loss on transepithelial ion transport was measured by electrophysiological techniques in shRNA mediated inversin-depleted renal cell type isolated from mouse cortical collecting duct (mCCD). Depletion of inversin decreased vasopressin-induced Na+ absorption, but did not alter Cl- secretion in mCCD cells. Addition of amiloride, a specific blocker of the epithelial sodium channel (ENaC), abolished basal ion transport in both inversin knockdown and control cells indicating ENaC involvement. Loss of inversin decreased Na+ absorption and this effect, in part, was mediated by transcriptional and post-translational regulation of ENaC mediators. To better understand inversin function in renal cells, transcriptome analysis was performed in control and inversin-depleted mCCD cells. Pathway analysis showed that inversin-depletion altered the genes represented in cell cycle, cellular assembly and organization, DNA replication, cell proliferation and ion transport in this isolated renal cell type. In concordance with the array data from inv/inv mice kidneys, a decrease in the expression of cell cycle, ion transport and apoptotic genes were observed accompanied by an upregulation of genes implicated in inflammatory or immune response indicating a direct effect of inversin on renal cells. Together, this study utilized a combination of transcriptome and functional analyses to unravel the role of inversin in renal cells. These data demonstrate that loss of inversin can cause a delay in cell cycle progression with a decrease in cell proliferation and apoptosis which in turn can perturb the development of the renal tubule. Also, a decrease in Na+ reabsorption together with differential regulation of other ion transporters can result in altered electrolyte transport contributing to cystogenesis, cyst growth, fluid accumulation and cyst expansion in NPHP2.

An experimental investigation was performed to ascertain the nature of turbulence in a narrow apex angle isosceles triangular duct. The study involved the design and construction of a low noise, low turbulence wind tunnel that had an isosceles triangular test section with an apex angle of 11.5[degrees]. Experiments involved the measurement of velocity fluctuations using hot wire anemometry and wall pressure fluctuations using a condenser microphone. Measurement of the velocity fluctuations reconfirms the coexistence of laminar and turbulent regions at a given cross section for a range of Reynolds numbers. The laminar region is concentrated closer to the apex while the turbulent region is found closer to the base. The point of transition is a function of the Reynolds number and moves closer to the apex as the flow rate is increased. Moreover, it was found in this investigation that traditional scaling of the turbulent statistical quantities do not hold good in this geometry. Although velocity fluctuations showed distinctive flow regimes, no such distinction could be seen in the dynamic wall pressure data. The nature of the dynamic wall pressure was uniform throughout the entire cross section suggesting that wall pressure fluctuations, unlike the velocity fluctuations, are able to travel from the base to the apex, without being damped. This implies that the relationship between the velocity and the pressure fluctuations applicable in the other systems does not hold well in a narrow apex angle isosceles triangular duct. Further, the typical scaling relationships applied to wall pressure spectra of other geometries doesn't apply in this scenario and the ratio of the RMS pressure fluctuation to the mean shear is much higher compared to a flat plate or pipe flow situation.

No description available.

<p dir="ltr">Post-tensioned concrete is a popular structural system in modern bridge design, allowing for longer bridge spans and the construction of curved, spliced, and segmental girders. When designed and constructed properly, post-tensioned concrete can offer improved durability over reinforced concrete as it is more resistant to cracking. However, corrosion of prestressing strands can compromise the integrity of post-tensioned construction. Grouting has been the primary method of providing corrosion protection to the prestressing strands. However, grouting of tendons presents numerous limitations and results in multiple problems in practice. As a result, there has been increased interest in the use of unbonded tendons. Corrosion protection can still be achieved in unbonded tendons through the use of flexible fillers such as grease and microcrystalline wax. Limited research has been conducted on unbonded tendons, and no known research exists regarding the behavior of unbonded tendons subject to torsion. The objective of this research was to investigate the torsional behavior and strength of unbonded post-tensioned bridge girders. The scope of work included testing six specimens to investigate the difference in behavior between bonded and unbonded tendons as well as the influence of internal versus external ducts. The influence of transverse reinforcement was also considered.</p>

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The objective of this doctoral thesis is to study three different innovative noise control techniques in ducts namely: acoustic metamaterials, porous absorbers and microperforates. There has been a lot of research done on all these three topics in the context of duct acoustics. This research will assess the potential of the acoustic metamaterial technique and compare to the use of conventional methods using microperforated plates and/or porous materials.  The objective of the metamaterials part is to develop a physical approach to model and synthesize bulk moduli and densities to feasibly control the wave propagation pattern, creating quiet zones in the targeted fluid domain. This is achieved using an array of locally resonant metallic patches. In addition to this, a novel thin slow sound material is also proposed in the acoustic metamaterial part of this thesis. This slow sound material is a quasi-labyrinthine structure flush mounted to a duct, comprising of coplanar quarter wavelength resonators that aims to slow the speed of sound at selective resonance frequencies. A good agreement between theoretical analysis and experimental measurements is demonstrated. The second technique is based on acoustic porous foam and it is about modeling and characterization of a novel porous metallic foam absorber inside ducts. This material proved to be a similar or better sound absorber compared to the conventional porous absorbers, but with robust and less degradable properties. Material characterization of this porous absorber from a simple transfer matrix measurement is proposed.The last part of this research is focused on impedance of perforates with grazing flow on both sides. Modeling of the double sided grazing flow impedance is done using a modified version of an inverse semi-analytical technique. A minimization scheme is used to find the liner impedance value in the complex plane to match the calculated sound field to the measured one at the microphone positions. / <p>QC 20160923</p>

O escoamento bifásico é muito importante para vários ramos industriais. As misturas bifásicas podem escoar em diversas configurações, as quais são chamadas de padrões de escoamento, e que, ao longo dos anos, receberam diversas classificações. Neste trabalho foi estudado o padrão bolhas dispersas em duto anular. Os trabalhos sobre escoamento bifásico em geometria anular são mais escassos, especialmente quando se trata de dutos anulares de grande dimensão. Dentre os modelos existentes para a modelagem do escoamento bifásico, trabalhamos com o modelo de mistura (Drift Flux), pois, apesar das altas velocidades superficiais, o escoamento em bolhas não possui um comportamento homogêneo, já que a fase gasosa ainda escoa na região central e com uma velocidade maior do que a velocidade da mistura. Foi utilizado o modelo de mistura unidimensional para a modelagem do escoamento bifásico água-ar, pois, além de bastante preciso, é de baixo custo computacional e fácil implementação. Neste trabalho empregamos, a princípio, equações elaboradas para dutos circulares, as quais foram adaptadas para a geometria anular fazendo-se uso do conceito de diâmetro hidráulico. As equações foram implementadas no software Mathematica® e as previsões para o holdup e queda de pressão foram comparadas com dados experimentais próprios. O trabalho experimental foi realizado no laboratório de escoamentos multifásicos do Núcleo de Engenharia Térmica e de Fluidos (NETeF) da EESC-USP, o qual conta com uma instalação experimental em estado operacional para a simulação de escoamentos bifásicos vertical e inclinados em duto anular. Foram colhidas medidas de holdup e queda de pressão bifásica. A concordância entre os dados experimentais e as previsões foi muito satisfatória. / Two-phase flow is present in a wide range of industrial processes. Such flows occur in many geometrical configurations known as flow patterns. In this work is presented a study about bubbly flow in annular duct. Works on two-phase flow in large annular geometry are very scarce. Among the existing models for modeling two-phase flow we chose the drift flux model because the bubbly flow does not behave as a homogeneous mixture, despite of the high superficial velocities, since the gas phase flows faster in the core region in comparison with the mixture velocity. The onedimensional drift flux model besides to be accurate is of low computational cost and easy implementation. The goal of this work is to analyze the prediction of holdup and pressure drop in annular ducts of large diameter. The set of equations used was adapted from those of circular ducts by using the hydraulic diameter concept. The equations were implemented in Mathematica software and holdup and pressure drop prediction were compared with experimental data taken in the experimental facility of the Thermal-fluids Engineering Laboratory of EESC-USP. It was collected measure of holdup and pressure drop. The agreement between experimental data and model predictions is encouraging.

Estudos recentes estimam que a maioria das estenoses benignas é de natureza iatrogênica podendo ser evitada. A incidência de lesões graves dos ductos biliares durante a colecistectomia é de aproximadamente 1/300 a 1/500 procedimentos (0,2 a 0,3%). Estas lesões podem resultar em coleperitôneo, fístula biliar, estenose de via biliar ou associação dessas complicações. O objetivo deste trabalho foi de relatar os casos de lesões de vias biliares tratados no Serviço de Cirurgia da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade Federal de Goiás. Foram estudados retrospectivamente 31 pacientes, de 1990 a 2002, com diagnóstico de lesões de vias biliares pós colecistectomia. 29 pacientes (93,5%) eram do sexo feminino e 2 (6,5%) eram do sexo masculino. A idade variou de 21 a 80 anos com média de 46,6 anos. Pacientes provenientes da capital do Estado de Goiás eram em número de 12 (38,7%) enquanto 19 (61,2%) eram provenientes de outras regiões do país. A colecistectomia foi realizada eletivamente em 24 pacientes (77,4%) enquanto em 7 pacientes (22,5%) foi realizada cirurgia de urgência. A via de acesso através de incisão subcostal foi empregada em 70,9% dos pacientes e a via longitudinal (mediana e paramediana direita) em 29,1%. As principais manifestações clínicas foram icterícia em 87,9% dos pacientes, fístula biliocutânea em 29%, peritonite em 29,0%, colangite em 29% e sepse em 6,4% dos pacientes. A Colangiografia Retrógrada Endoscópica foi o exame mais empregado para o diagnóstico da lesão de via biliar. As lesões dos ductos biliares foram classificadas segundo a classificação proposta por Strasberg. Aproximadamente metade (54,8%) das lesões de vias biliares foram classificadas como Strasberg E3 e E4. A técnica cirúrgica mais utilizada para o tratamento das lesões de vias biliares foi a Hepaticojejunoanastomose, com alça jejunal exclusa em Y de Roux, em 20 (64,5%) pacientes. Os 4 óbitos foram em lesões totais proximais. As lesões parciais evoluíram melhor a longo prazo / Recent studies have estimated that most of the benign biliary stenosis are iatrogenic in nature, and can thus be prevent. The incidence of severe injury to the biliary ducts during a cholecystectomy is of approximately 1/300 to 1/500 procedures (0.2-0.3%). These lesions can result in choleperitoneum, biliary fistula, stenosis of the biliary tract or an association of these complications. The objective of this paper was to report on biliary tract injuries treated at the Surgical Unit of the School of Medicine of the Federal University of Goias. Thirty-one patients with a diagnosis of biliary tract lesions, post cholecistectomy, were studied, retrospectively, from 1990 to 2002. Twenty-nine individuals (93.5%) were female, and two (6.4%), males. Their age ranged from 21 to 80 years (average of 46.6 years).Twelve (38.7%) individuals came from the capital of State of Goias and 19 (61.2%), from other regions. Cholecystectomy was performed as an elective procedure in 24 (77.4%) patients, and 7 (22.5%) underwent emergency surgery. A subcostal incision was used in 70.9% of the cases, while the longitudinal approach was used in 29.1%. The main clinical manifestations were jaundice in 87.9%, cutaneous fistula in 29%, peritonitis in 29%, cholangitis in 29% and sepsis in 6.4% of the patients. The Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiography was the diagnostic test most frequently ordered. Biliary duct injuries were classified according to the criteria proposed by Strasberg. Aproximately half (54.8%) of the injuries were classified as Strasberg E3 and E4. The most common surgical technique used in the treatment of this condition was a Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy in twenty (64.5%). Four patients with proximal injuries died. Long term followup disclosed better results with partial injuries