Typescript (photocopy). / Digitized by Kansas Correctional Industries

Typescript (photocopy). / Digitized by Kansas Correctional Industries

Thesis (M. A.)--University of Hong Kong, 2007. / Title proper from title frame. Also available in printed format.

In this study the phenomenon of compressible flow and heat transfer in a porous media is modeled based on fundamental principles. The conservation equations for the two phases are transformed by the method of volume averaging which is an analytic method used to unite the microscale and macroscale effects characteristic to porous media flows. Unique to this analysis is that the model is valid for oscillatory, cryogenic flows such as that occurring in a regenerative cryogenic refrigerator such as a Pulse Tube Cryocooler (PTC.) In a PTC the forced flow drive oscillations in the regenerator create Reynolds numbers high enough such that microscale inertial effects dominate the momentum equation. This phenomenon, known as the Forchheimer Effect, can be predicted and modeled based solely on fundamental principles and the method of volume averaging. The coefficients that characterize the Forchheimer momentum equation are determined experimentally. In addition to pressure gradients, heat transfer within a porous media occurs due to temperature gradients. Conduction within the solid and fluid phases is made evident by volume averaging, but the determination of the conductivity coefficients requires numerical experiments and is unique to the geometry and conductivities of the two phases. Convection between the two phases is the dominant mode of heat transfer within the porous media. Determination of the convective heat transfer coefficient for a porous media requires physical experiments. Heat transfer and pressure gradients in the porous media are always competing effects leading to a model which requires coupling of the momentum and energy equations. These competing effects are united with the concept of entropy generation which relies on the second law of thermodynamics. All real processes generate entropy, and the most efficient processes which balance pressure gradients and heat transfer generate minimum entropy. This concept of minimum entropy generation is unique. As a result, minimum entropy generation should always be used as the criteria for thermodynamic optimization of thermohydraulic systems.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 1999. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 93-99). Available also in a digital version from Dissertation Abstracts.

Thesis (M. Phil.)--Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, 2003. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 89-90). Also available in electronic version. Access restricted to campus users.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Electrical and Computer Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, 2004. / Dr. Bonnie S. Heck, Committee Chair; David G. Taylor, Committee Member; Thomas. G. Habetler, Committee Member; Linda M. Wills, Committee Member; Eric Johnson, Committee Member. Includes bibliography.

Background: Isolation of respiratory viruses routinely requires a panel of cell lines. Management of these cell lines is usually considered complex, cumbersome, long turnaround time and high cost. In order to improve the detection rate and cost, there is a need to evaluate any other cell line that could be as sensitive as the routine cell line for the detection of respiratory viruses. The human colon adeno-carcinoma (Caco-2) cell line has been shown to support the growth of enteroviruses, enteric viruses, and influenza A virus, and ability to grow coronavirus NL63 and SARS from culture isolates. In the present study, the isolation rate of respiratory viruses in Caco-2 from clinical specimens was studied and compared with the conventional panel of cell lines for the diagnosis of respiratory virus disease. Material and methods: The study was performed in two stages. In the first stage, one hundred and eighty-nine nasopharyngeal aspirates confirmed positive by direct immunofluorescence were used to inoculate onto Caco-2, and HEp-2, A549, MDCK, LLC-MK2 cell lines at the same time. In the second stage, fifty-six nasopharyngeal aspirates were randomly selected and cultured on Caco-2, HEp-2, A549, MDCK and LLC-MK2. Infected cells were examined daily for cytopathic effect for up to 10 days. Virus was further identified by performing direct immunofluorescence test for detection of eight common respiratory viruses (respiratory syncytial virus, influenza A and B viruses, parainfluenza type 1, 2, 3, 4 viruses and adenovirus). Results: Caco-2 (84%) was found to be the most efficient cell line to propagate the respiratory viruses from nasopharyngeal aspirate when compared with any positive by these conventional panel cells (78%) or individual cell line MDCK (38%), HEp-2 (21%), LLC-MK2 (27%) and A549 (37%). The latter differences were statistically significant (p = <0.000001). Furthermore, Caco-2 recovered 86% (36/42) viruses of conventional panel cells negative samples, while conventional panel cells recovered 80% (24/30) viruses of Caco-2 cells negative samples. Conclusion: Caco-2 is sensitive to a wide range of virus and can greatly simplify routine cell culture service for isolation of respiratory viruses. / published_or_final_version / Microbiology / Master / Master of Medical Sciences

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