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  • About
  • The Global ETD Search service is a free service for researchers to find electronic theses and dissertations. This service is provided by the Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations.
    Our metadata is collected from universities around the world. If you manage a university/consortium/country archive and want to be added, details can be found on the NDLTD website.
91

Modelo conceitual de fluxo do Aquitarde Serra Geral e do Sistema Aquífero Guarani na região de Ribeirão Preto, SP / Conceptual flow model for the Serra Geral aquitard and the Guarani Aquifer system in Ribeirão Preto, SP

Ingo Daniel Wahnfried 23 June 2010 (has links)
O presente trabalho teve como principais objetivos testar a existência de drenança através do aquífero fraturado Serra Geral (ASG) para o Sistema Aquífero Guarani (SAG), estabelecer o modelo conceitual de fluxo destes aquíferos, e determinar seus parâmetros hidráulicos, em local onde o ASG possui ao redor de 100 m de espessura. O local escolhido fica aproximadamente 9 km a sul da cidade de Ribeirão Preto, SP. O estudo fez parte de um projeto de pesquisa mais amplo denominado FRATASG, do Instituto Geológico (Secretaria do Meio Ambiente do Estado de São Paulo). Os métodos geofísicos de superfície caminhamento elétrico (CE), sondagem elétrica vertical (SEV) e levantamento áudio-magnetotelúrico de fonte controlada (CSAMT) foram usados com o intuito de localizar zonas hidraulicamente ativas no basalto, e determinar a espessura e profundidade das camadas geológicas, para a locação de três poços perfurados no ASG. Ao lado de um poço de produção já existente no SAG (Poço Esmeralda - PE), foram construídos dois piezômetros com aberturas no ASG e SAG. Descontinuidades planares verticais no basalto, associados a lineamentos, foram detectadas em metade dos CEs e das seções realizadas com o método CSAMT, sendo que uma destas seções indicou continuidade de duas fraturas entre SAG e ASG. Para realizar testes hidráulicos e coletar amostras em profundidades discretas no ASG, foram construídos obturadores pneumáticos, baseados em modelos produzidos pelo Serviço Geológico Americano (USGS), que foram adaptados a equipamentos existentes no Brasil. Neste trabalho é feita descrição dos equipamentos, de suas aplicações, dos levantamentos prévios necessários para seu uso, os procedimentos de campo e as interpretações de alguns tipos de ensaio e coletas de amostras. Com o intuito de calcular os parâmetros hidráulicos do SAG e do ASG, foram realizados um teste de bombeamento de 171 horas no poço de produção do SAG, com monitoramento nos piezômetros, e testes hidráulicos em intervalos discretos em um poço do ASG (Poço Limeira - PL), isolados com os obturadores pneumáticos. Durante todos os ensaios de bombeamento, e em mais dois poços já existentes, abertos no ASG, foram coletadas amostras para análise hidroquímicas e, em amostras selecionadas, dos isótopos ³H, ²H, \'ANTPOT.18 O\', \'ANTPOT.13 C\' e \'ANTPOT.14 C\'. No SAG, o rebaixamento registrado nos dois piezômetros permitiu identificar a existência de anisotropia neste aquífero, com relação entre transmissividade máxima (\'T IND.máx\' = \'T IND.x\' =160 m²/d) e mínima (\'T IND.mín.\' = \'T IND.y\' = 103 m²/d) é de 1,55, sua condutividade hidráulica (K = 4,6x\'10 POT.-1\' m/d e 7,0x\'10 POR.-1\' m/d), e armazenamento (S = 1,6x\'10 POT.-3\' e 8,4x\'10 POT.-4\', sempre para os piezômetros PPE-1G e PPE-2G respectivamente, localizados em direções distintas em relação ao PE). A anisotropia provavelmente é causada pelos planos de sedimentação das dunas eólicas da Formação Botucatu. Também foram realizados dois testes com traçadores no PE, com injeção no SAG e no ASG e coleta no SAG, que permitiu a obtenção da porosidade efetiva do SAG no local, entre 18,8 e 20,3%. No ASG, os testes hidráulicos permitiram a identificação das zonas mais transmissivas, sempre formadas por fraturas sub-horizontais. A transmissividade (T) de intervalos reduzidos variou entre 5x\'10 POT.-2\' a 3x\'10 POT.-1\' m2/d, e a existência de comportamento análogo ao de dupla porosidade no basalto, causado pela presença de vesículas e fraturas sub-verticais associadas às fraturas subhorizontais. As análises químicas mostram uma evolução com a profundidade, com o aumento de Na+K. Isto permitiu uma clara diferenciação entre as amostras coletadas em profundidades rasa, de 16 m, intermediária, de 25 m, e profunda, coletada a 55 m. O mesmo agrupamento é encontrado nos isótopos estáveis, e os radioativos indicam idade maior nas águas mais profundas do ASG. As amostras do SAG se assemelham mais às águas rasas do ASG, hidroquimica- e isotopicamente. Os resultados mostram pouca ou nenhuma conectividade entre SAG e ASG, e uma circulação preferencial rasa e horizontal dentro do ASG. / The main objectives of the present thesis were to test the existence of leakage through the fractured Serra Geral Aquifer (SGA) to the Guarani Aquifer System (GAS), create a conceptual flow model for both aquifers, and obtain their hydraulic parameters, at a location where the SGA-forming basalt has 100 m thickness. The chosen area is 9 km to the south of Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo State, Brazil. The study is part of a research project called FRATASG, from the Geological Institute (São Paulo Environmental Secretariat). Surface geophysical methods (vertical electrical sounding, electric resistivity survey and controlled source audiomagnetotelluric survey - CSAMT) were used to locate fractures in the basalt that are possibly hydraulically active, and also to determine the contact depths between overburden, basalt, and the eolian sandstones that form the GAS. Vertical low electric-resistivity planar features were identified in the basalt, at locations were lineaments were described, in half of the electric resistivity and CSAMT surveys, and one of the latter showed continuity of the feature down to the GAS. This was interpreted as possible water bearing fractures, and was used to define the location of three wells in the SGA. Two piezometers were also drilled, open to both SGA and GAS, close to an existing production well in the GAS (Esmeralda Well - PE). To collect discrete depth samples in the SGA, a pneumatic packer system was built, based on models used by the USGS, adapting equipment that is available in Brazil. The system, as well as other equipment used, the procedures and interpretation of the hydraulic tests and sample collection at discrete depths, are described. A 171 hour long pumping test was executed in the GAS, where anisotropy was identified, probably caused by the sedimentary layering present in the eolic dunes in the sandstone. The highest transmissivity, \'T IND.max\' = \'T IND.x\', is 160 m²/d, and the lowest transmissivity, \'T IND.min\' = \'T IND.y\', is 103 m²/d. The correlation between Tmax / Tmin is 1,55. Hydraulic conductivity (K) is 4,6x\'10 POT.-1\' m/d and 7,0x\'10 POT.-1\' m/d, and storativity (S) is 1,6x\'10 POT.-3\' and 8,4x\'10 POT.-4\', determined respectively at piezometers PPE-1G and PPE-2G, located at different directions from PE. Dye-tracer tests were also conducted, with injection in GAS and SGA, and collection in the GAS. The effective porosity was determined, ranging from 18,8 to 20,3%. Several hydraulic tests were done in discrete depths in the SGA, in one well. The transmissivity (T) of small intervals ranges between 5x\'10 POT.-2\' and 3x\'10 POT.-1\' m²/d. The highest T of individual features is always associated to sub-horizontal fractures. The drawdown curve showed double porosity behavior in the basalt, caused by vesicules and sub-vertical fractures connected to the sub-horizontal ones. Water samples were collected during all pumping tests, in the GAS, in two open wells in the SGA and in discrete zones in this aquifer, for hydrochemical analysis. Stable and radioactive isotope analysis (³H, ²H, \' ANTPOT.18 O\', \'ANTPOT.13 C\' and \' ANTPOT.14 C\') were done with selected samples, both from GAS and ASG. The fractured aquifer shows and hydrochemical evolution with depth, with Na+K increase. Samples can thus be grouped as shallow (around 16 m depth), intermediate (around 25 m) and deep (around 55 m). The same groups are found in the stable isotope results, whereas the radioactive show an age increase with depth. Samples from GAS are isotopically and hydrochemically closer to the shallow waters from the SGA. It can thus be concluded that the connection between both aquifers is very limited, or not present, and water flow in the SGA is mostly horizontal and shallow.
92

Planejamento da expansão do sistema de transmissão com dispositivos FACTS e links CC empregando metodologia Branch-and-Bound adaptada

Klas, Juliana January 2013 (has links)
Este trabalho apresenta proposta de modelo matemático para o problema de expansão do sistema de transmissão baseado no fluxo de carga CC considerando a utilização de links CC e FACTS resolvido através de metodologia de solução que considera a primeira e a segunda lei de Kirchhoff em processo enumerativo de branch-and-bound adaptado. A abordagem possui dois pontos em destaque: i) apresenta uma proposta de modelo matemático com possibilidade da utilização direta em problemas de expansão de linhas de transmissão que possuem tanto linhas de transmissão CA, transformadores, links CC e dispositivos FACTS e ii) é um método exato de solução do problema que garante a otimalidade da resposta e traz uma contribuição ao tradicional método branch-and-bound por incluir relaxações adicionais. O método aplicado aos sistemas de 6 barras de Garver e sistema Sul sudeste Brasileiro de 46 barras apresenta respostas adequadas e o modelo matemático testado em um sistema Garver modificado apresenta novas configurações possíveis com redução do custo total do investimento. / This work proposes a mathematical model to the transmission expansion system problem based on the DC power flow model considering the use of DC links and FACTS that is solved using a solution method considering the first and second Kirchhoff’s Law in an enumerative adapted branch-and-bound process. It is possible to highlight two key aspects of the proposed approach: i) presents a mathematical model that can be directly used on expansion transmission systems problems that have AC transmission lines, transformers, DC links and FACTS and ii) is an exact solution method that guarantees the optimum problems’s solutions and contributes to the traditional branch-and-bound method bringing additional relaxations. The solution method applied to Garver’s six-bus network and southeast Brazilian 46 bus network provides correct answers and the mathematical model tested on a modified Garver’s six-bus network presents new possible configurations that enables overall cost reduction to the problem.
93

Modelo de estimação de Brand Equity

Oliveira, Marta Olívia Rovedder de January 2013 (has links)
Embora haja um consenso sobre a importância do valor da marca, um modelo de estimação único e uniformemente aceito ainda não surgiu, nem na perspectiva baseada no cliente ou consumidor nem na perspectiva da firma ou financeira. Assim, os profissionais de marketing ainda são desafiados a estimar o valor da marca. Além disso, é importante para a construção de um modelo de estimativa de valor da marca detectar as percepções dos consumidores e também apresentar uma estimativa monetária do valor da marca, satisfazendo às exigências de financistas, contabilistas e acionistas empresariais. A maioria dos modelos de valor da marca baseado no consumidor existentes não oferece uma estimativa monetária do valor da marca e muitos modelos de valor da marca baseado na firma não observam as percepções dos consumidores. A maioria deles não avalia o desempenho das marcas em futuros períodos de tempo. Esta pesquisa desenvolveu um modelo que permite estimar o valor da marca observando as probabilidades de escolha (manutenção ou troca) de marca pelos consumidores, com a aplicação da Matriz de Troca Markov. A matriz de troca de marca foi estimada por um estudo transversal, utilizando um modelo de escolha logit, analisando todas as marcas competidoras no mercado. Esta pesquisa também investigou o valor monetário da marca, utilizando o mecanismo de fluxo de caixa descontado. O modelo permite o cálculo do valor da marca de um produto, em particular, bem como o cálculo do valor da marca da empresa. Além disso, o modelo possibilita o estabelecimento da relação entre o mindset do cliente e a avaliação do desempenho de marca no mercado, comparando a marca de seus concorrentes. A integração entre valor da marca baseado no consumidor e valor da marca baseado na firma permite estimar o retorno financeiro das ações de marketing, verificando a contribuição de cada um dos condutores (consciência de marca, qualidade percebida, lealdade à marca, valor percebido, personalidade da marca e associações organizacionais) ao valor marca. / Although there is a consensus about brand equity importance, a single, uniformly accepted estimation model has not yet emerged, neither from consumer-based brand equity or firm or financial-based brand equity perspectives. Hence, marketing professionals are still challenged to estimate the value of the brand. Furthermore, it is important to build a brand equity estimation model, which detects the consumers’ perceptions and also presents a monetary estimation of brand equity, satisfying shareholders’ requirements. Most of the existent consumer-based brand equity models do not offer a monetary estimation of brand equity and many firm-based brand equity models do not observe consumers’ perceptions. Most of them do not evaluate the brands’ performance in future periods of time. This research developed a model that permits estimation of brand equity observing the consumers’ brand choices probabilities (purchase maintenance and brand-switching), by applying the Markov Matrix. The brand-switching matrix was estimated by a cross-sectional survey, using a logit choice model, analyzing all competing brand. This research also investigated the monetary value of the brand, using the discounted cash flow mechanism. Our model allows the calculation of the value of the brand of a product, in particular, as well as the calculation of the company's brand. Our model enables the establishment of the link between customer mindset and evaluating the performance of brand in market, comparing the brand to its competitors. The integration between consumer-based brand equity and firm or financial-based brand equity allows the estimation of the financial return of marketing actions, checking the contribution of each of the drivers (brand awareness, perceived quality, brand loyalty, perceived value, brand personality and organizational associations) in brand equity.
94

Assessment to support the planning of sustainable data centers with high availability

CALLOU, Gustavo Rau de Almeida 12 November 2013 (has links)
The advent of services such as cloud computing, social networks and e-commerce has led to an increased demand for computer resources from data centers. Prominent issues for data center designers are sustainability, cost, and dependability, which are significantly affected by the redundant architectures required to support these services. Within this context, models are important tools for designers when attempting to quantify these issues before implementing the final architecture. This thesis proposes a set of models for the integrated quantification of the sustainability impact, cost, and dependability of data center power and cooling infrastructures. This is achieved with the support of an evaluation environment which is composed of ASTRO, Mercury and Optimization tools. The approach taken to perform the system dependability evaluation employs a hybrid modeling strategy which recognizes the advantages of both stochastic Petri nets and reliability block diagrams. Besides that, a model is proposed to verify that the energy flow does not exceed the maximum power capacity that each component can provide (considering electrical devices) or extract (assuming cooling equipment). Additionally, an optimization method is proposed for improving the results obtained by Reliability Block Diagrams, Stochastic Petri nets and Energy Flow models through the automatic selection of the appropriate devices from a list of candidate components. This list corresponds to a set of alternative components that may compose the data center architecture. Several case studies are presented that analyze the environmental impact and dependability metrics as well as the operational energy cost of real-world data center power and cooling architectures. / Submitted by João Arthur Martins (joao.arthur@ufpe.br) on 2015-03-12T18:54:10Z No. of bitstreams: 2 Tese Gustavo Callou.pdf: 4626749 bytes, checksum: 336a34ffc39f6ac623fa1144de2a66bf (MD5) license_rdf: 1232 bytes, checksum: 66e71c371cc565284e70f40736c94386 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2015-03-12T18:54:10Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 Tese Gustavo Callou.pdf: 4626749 bytes, checksum: 336a34ffc39f6ac623fa1144de2a66bf (MD5) license_rdf: 1232 bytes, checksum: 66e71c371cc565284e70f40736c94386 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-11-12 / O surgimento de servi¸cos como computa¸c˜ao nas nuvens, redes sociais e com´ercio eletrˆonico tem aumentado a demanda por recursos computacionais dos data centers. Preocupa¸c˜oes decorrentes para os projetistas de data center s˜ao sustentabilidade, custo, e dependabilidade, os quais s˜ao significativamente afetados pelas arquiteturas redundantes requeridas para suportar tais servi¸cos. Nesse contexto, modelos s˜ao ferramentas importantes para projetistas quanto a tentativa de quantificar esses problemas antes mesmo de implementar a arquitetura final. Nessa tese, um conjunto de modelos ´e proposto para a quantifica¸c˜ao integrada do impacto na sustentabilidade, custo e dependabilidade das infraestruturas de refrigeramento e potˆencia de data centers. Isso ´e obtido com o suporte do ambiente de avalia¸c˜ao que ´e composto pelas ferramentas ASTRO, Mercury e o m´odulo de otimiza¸c˜ao. A avalia¸c˜ao de dependabilidade faz uso de uma estrat´egia de modelagem h´ıbrida que usa as vantagens tanto das redes de Petri estoc´asticas como dos diagramas de blocos de confiabilidade. Al´em disso, um modelo ´e proposto para realizar a verifica¸c˜ao se fluxo de energia n˜ao excede a capacidade m´axima de potˆencia que cada equipamento pode prover (considerando dispositivos el´etricos) ou extrair (assumindo equipamentos de refrigera¸c˜ao). Adicionalmente, um m´etodo de otimiza¸c˜ao ´e proposto para melhorar os resultados obtidos atrav´es dos diagramas de blocos de confiabilidade, das redes de Petri estoc´asticas e do modelo de fluxo de energia pela sele¸c˜ao autom´atica dos dispositivos apropriados a partir da lista de componentes candidatos. Essa lista corrresponde a um conjunto de componentes que podem ser utilizados para compor a arquitetura de data center. V´arios estudos de casos s˜ao apresentados para analisar o impacto ambiental, a dependabilidade e o custo operacional de energia el´etrica de arquiteturas reais de potˆencia e refrigera¸c˜ao de data centers.
95

Sur la maîtrise de l'étanchéité par segments au sein d'une turbine à gaz / On mastery of sealing by piston rings in a gas turbine

Hallouin, Baptiste 14 March 2013 (has links)
Au sein des parties statiques d’une turbine à gaz, l’étanchéité du système d’air derefroidissement est couramment assurée par un montage de segments. De par sa rigiditéélevée, ce type de joint s’adapte mal aux pièces avec lesquelles il entre en contact. Uneméthodologie, associant métrologie et calcul éléments finis, a effectivement montré quel’ouverture, à l’interface entre un segment et sa piste, est très supérieure à celle qui caractériseun contact simplement rugueux. Une analyse en ordres de grandeur a révélé que lesmécanismes d’écoulement du gaz, sur un champ d’ouverture typique de l’interface entre la pisteet le segment, sont conditionnés par deux nombres adimensionnels. Trois régimes peuvent êtredistingués en fonction des valeurs prises par ces nombres. L’un d’eux, le régime laminairecompressible inertiel, est particulièrement intéressant car il est présent dans les zones de laturbine où l’étanchéité est cruciale. Un modèle quasi analytique a été développé pour décrire cerégime. En l’associant à un modèle de déformation, on aboutit à un outil prédictif du débit degaz induit par un segment. Des essais sur banc partiel ont permis de le valider et de démontrersa précision. L’outil développé fournit le moyen de quantifier l’impact du champ de température,du champ de pression et des écarts géométriques, propres à un stator de turbine, sur lesperformances de l’étanchéité. Ce travail a débouché sur des règles de dimensionnement et deconception qui portent notamment sur l’obturation du jeu inter-extrémités, sur le choix dunombre de segments et du sens de serrage. / The sealing of gas turbine static parts is usually performed using piston rings.Because of its high stiffness, this type of gasket does not adapt itself to the parts with which it isdue to be in contact. A method involving metrology and a FEM actually revealed that the ringboreor ring-piston contact aperture is far larger than the one within a rough contact. Using ascale analysis, we showed that gas flow mechanisms, through the aperture field of the contactbetween the ring and the inner or outer part (i.e. the piston or the bore), depend on twodimensionless numbers. Three regimes can be distinguished depending on the values of thesenumbers. One of them, the compressible inertial laminar regime, is of particular interestbecause of its relevance in turbine areas where sealing is strongly critical. A quasi analyticalmodel was developed to describe this regime. By a coupling with a strain model, it wasupgraded to a predictive tool of leakage through a piston-ring or bore-ring contact. Acomparison with measurements carried out on a partial test rig allowed to prove its accuracy.This tool made it possible to quantify the influence of temperature field, pressure field andgeometrical defects, which are typical of a turbine stator, on sealing performance. This worklead us to propose design rules concerning, in particular, the ring gap type, number of rings tobe mounted and choice of tightening direction.
96

Control concepts for image-based structure tracking with ultrafast electron beam X-ray tomography

Windisch, Dominic, Bieberle, Martina, Bieberle, André, Hampel, Uwe 12 August 2020 (has links)
In this paper, a novel approach for tracking moving structures in multiphase flows over larger axial ranges is presented, which at the same time allows imaging the tracked structures and their environment. For this purpose, ultrafast electron beam X-ray computed tomography (UFXCT) is being extended by an image-based position control. Application is scanning and tracking of, for example, bubbles, particles, waves and other features of multiphase flows within vessels and pipes. Therefore, the scanner has to be automatically traversed with the moving structure basing on real-time scanning, image reconstruction and image data processing. In this paper, requirements and different strategies for reliable object tracking in dual image plane imaging mode are discussed. Promising tracking strategies have been numerically implemented and evaluated.
97

The applicability of the mass-flow-model according to iso 6358 with the parameter critical conductance c and critical pressure ratio b for gases in high-pressure range up to 300 bar

Pasieka, Lucian 25 June 2020 (has links)
Mass flow models for gaseous media describe the relationship between gas flow through throttle elements depending on pressure, temperature and type of medium. These models are used to calculate pneumatic components, to simulate pneumatic systems or to plan facilities. The known flow models are verified for ideal gases, such those as according to ISO 6358-1 (International Standard ISO 6358- 1: pneumatic fluid power – Determination of flow-rate characteristics of components using compressible fluids: General rules and test methods for steady-state flow, 2013). But they fail with real gases, especially at higher pressures. The objective of this contribution is to recommend a simple-touse model for the mass flow calculation of real gases. The advantage of the C and b model is the use of only two parameters. A testbench for high pressure up to 300 bar was used for model verification with air and hydrogen. The Library for standard dry air and hydrogen up to 1000 bar was used for the state variables of the real gases. The parameters C and b are obtained, applied and verified in the state space of real gas. With the C and b parameter it is possible to simulate not only the single component (valve, throttle, nozzle and so on) but also the whole system with a complete system simulation, like such as hydrogen filling stations.
98

DEVELOPING IN-VITRO SYNTHETIC BLOOD CLOT MODELS FOR TESTING THROMBOLYTIC DRUGS

Ziqian Zeng (12441402) 21 April 2022 (has links)
<p>  </p> <p>Thrombosis is the pathological formation of a blood clot in the body that blocks blood circulation, leading to high morbidity and mortality rates. Thrombolytic drugs that offer rapid clot dissolution are promising treatments yet current drugs are often associated with limited efficacy and high bleeding risks. While numerous animal thrombosis models have been developed for drug screening, the translation of therapeutic agents into and through clinical trials remains limited. This is largely due to animal models’ poor reproducibility and distinctive physiology to that of humans. <em>In-vitro</em> flow models that utilize both human blood components and physiologically relevant flow conditions can provide for a more representative testing environment to screen thrombolytic drugs. Developing better <em>in-vitro</em> models may not eliminate the need for preclinical animal testing but can help exclude inefficient agents earlier in the drug development pipeline to expedite the drug evaluation process. Existing <em>in-vitro</em> thrombolysis flow models are not ideal as they either adopt over-simplified clot substrates or utilize small-length-scale geometries that insufficiently mimic native hemodynamics. Thus, we propose to first develop a static fluorescently labeled clot lysis assay for an initial high throughput screening of thrombolytic drugs, and ultimately engineer a highly reproducible, physiological scale, flowing clot lysis model for more human relevant drug efficacy evaluation. Developing the static clot lysis assay not only helps to understand the mechanism of how diversified clotting conditions affect clot properties but also offer a chance to well-characterize fluorescence conjugations to fibrins. The ultimate flow model combines an <em>in-vivo</em>-like fluorescence incorporated synthetic clot (FISC) and a human-relevant flow system. Guided by results from static clotting experiments diversified FISCs are fluorescently optimized and fabricated dynamically using a Chandler loop setup at various conditions. The flow system is a tubing-based structure that comprises of a peristaltic pump, and a well-controlled flow chamber to provide for physiological shear and pulsatile levels. Therefore, the proposed synthetic clot model is a versatile platform that can mimic a variety of thrombosis conditions and offer representative drug testing and dosing results across numerous thrombolytic agents.</p>
99

Development of an in vitro blood flow model to evaluate antimicrobial coatings for blood-contacting devices

Valtin, Juliane 28 February 2023 (has links)
Pre-clinical evaluation of novel antimicrobial coatings for blood-contacting devices commonly relies on the performance of animal studies since alternative in vitro models do not adequately represent the interactions between blood, bacteria, and material surfaces as they occur in vivo. To reduce the need of these cost-intensive and controversial animal tests, this project was dedicated to the development of a new model setup that overcomes this limitation and allows in vitro evaluation under in vivo-like conditions. This newly developed model was intended to be directly applied to evaluate recently in-house developed antimicrobial coatings, so-called anchor polymers. Therefore, the project was divided into two parts. The first part of the project focused on the evaluation of the anchor polymer coatings concerning their applicability in blood-contacting devices. For this purpose, the PEGylated styrene-maleic acid copolymers were intensively studied using established laboratory tests. These examinations showed very promising results regarding adsorption and stability on relevant polymer substrates, antimicrobial efficacy, and biological safety of the coatings, thus revealing their great potential for future applications in medical devices. Moreover, this basic characterization was meant to allow a subsequent comparison of the new in vitro model with state-of-the-art in vitro tests. The second part of the thesis focused on the development of the realistic in vitro model. Here, a single-pass flow system realized the implementation of adjustable flow conditions. Furthermore, incubation with freshly drawn human blood provided a physiological nutrient environment and included the influence of an immune response. Staphylococcus aureus were chosen as representative microorganisms, as they are responsible for a majority of device-related blood stream infections. The resulting blood flow model was validated with one anti-adhesive and one contact-killing anchor polymer coating, confirming the model’s ability to differentiate the investigated surfaces. Inflammatory and coagulant blood activation correlated slightly with bacterial coverage, which in turn was strongly dependent on the investigated material surface. Incubation with varying flow conditions demonstrated the model’s capability to reflect the well-documented dependence of bacterial colonization and occurring flow conditions. In contrast to the state-of-the-art in vitro tests, the simultaneous incubation of test surface, bacteria and whole blood allowed the analysis of mutual interactions of the three parameters. Thus, the model represents an excellent method for pre-clinical evaluation of novel antimicrobial coatings for blood-contacting devices.
100

Theoretical and numerical aspects of advection-pressure splitting for 1D blood flow models

Spilimbergo, Alessandra 19 April 2024 (has links)
In this Thesis we explore, both theoretically and numerically, splitting strategies for a hyperbolic system of one-dimensional (1D) blood flow equations with a passive scalar transport equation. Our analysis involves a two-step framework that includes splitting at the level of partial differential equations (PDEs) and numerical methods for discretizing the ensuing problems. This study is inspired by the original flux splitting approach of Toro and Vázquez-Cendón (2012) originally developed for the conservative Euler equations of compressible gas dynamics. In this approach the flux vector in the conservative case, and the system matrix in the non-conservative one, are split into advection and pressure terms: in this way, two systems of partial differential equations are obtained, the advection system and the pressure system. From the mathematical as well as numerical point of view, a basic problem to be solved is the special Cauchy problem called the Riemann problem. This latter provides an analytical solution to evaluate the performance of the numerical methods and, in our approach, it is of primary importance to build the presented numerical schemes. In the first part of the Thesis a detailed theoretical analysis is presented, involving the exact solution of the Riemann problem for the 1D blood flow equations, depicted for a general constant momentum correction coefficient and a tube law that allows to describe both arteries and veins with continuous or discontinuous mechanical and geometrical properties and an advection equation for a passive scalar transport. In literature, this topic has been already studied only for a momentum correction coefficient equal to one, that is related to the prescribed velocity profile and in this case corresponds to a flat one, i.e. an inviscid fluid. In the case of discontinuous properties, only the subsonic regime is considered. In addition we propose a procedure to compute the obtained exact solution and finally we validate it numerically, by comparing exact solutions to those obtained with well-known, numerical schemes on a carefully designed set of test problems. Furthermore, an analogous theoretical analysis and resolution algorithm are presented for the advection system and the pressure system arising from the splitting at the level of PDEs of the complete system of 1D blood flow equations. It is worth noting that the pressure system, in case of veins, presents a loss of genuine non-linearity resulting in the formation of rarefactions, shocks and compound waves, these latter being a composition of rarefactions and shocks. In the second part of the Thesis we present novel finite volume-type, flux splitting-based, numerical schemes for the conservative 1D blood flow equations and splitting-based numerical schemes for the non-conservative 1D blood flow equations that incorporate an advection equation for a passive scalar transport, considering tube laws that allow to model blood flow in arteries and veins and take into account a general constant momentum correction coefficient. A detailed efficiency analysis is performed in order to showcase the advantages of the proposed methodologies in comparison to standard approaches.

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