Obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS) is a breathing disorder in sleep developed as a consequence of upper airway anatomical characteristics and sleep-related muscle relaxation. Fluid-structure interaction (FSI) simulation was adopted to explain the mechanism of pharyngeal collapse and snoring. The focus was put on the velopharyngeal region where the greatest level of upper airway compliance was estimated to occur. The velopharyngeal tissue was considered in a way that ensures proper boundary conditions, at the regions where the tissue adheres to the bone structures. The soft palate with uvula was not cut out from the surrounding tissue and considered as an isolated structure. Both, soft palate flutter as well as airway narrowing have been obtained by 3D FSI simulations which can be considered as a step forward to explain snoring and eventual occlusion. It was found out that during the inspiratory phase of breathing, at given elastic properties of the tissue and without taking gravity into consideration, velopharyngeal narrowing due to negative suction pressure occurs. Furthermore, soft palate flutter as the main attribute of snoring was predicted during the expiratory phase of breathing. The evaluated flutter frequency of 17.8 Hz is in close correlation with the frequency of explosive peaks of sound that are produced in palatal snoring in inspiratory phase, as reported in literature.
COBISS.SI-ID: 14295579
The purpose of this work is to predict the effect of impaired red blood cells (RBCs) deformability on blood flow conditions in human carotid artery bifurcation. First, a blood viscosity model is developed that predicts the steady-state blood viscosity as a function of shear rate, plasma viscosity, and mechanical (and geometrical) properties of RBC's. Viscosity model is developed by modifying the well-known Krieger and Dougherty equation for monodisperse suspensions by using the dimensional analysis approach. With the approach, we manage to account for the microscopic properties of RBC's, such as their deformability, in the macroscopic behavior of blood via blood viscosity. In the second part of the paper, the deduced viscosity model is used to numerically predict blood flow conditions in human carotid artery bifurcation. Simulations are performed for different values of RBC's deformability and analyzed by investigating parameters, such as the temporal mean wall shear stress (WSS), oscillatory shear index (OSI), and mean temporal gradient of WSS. The analyses show that the decrease of RBC's deformability decrease the regions of low WSS (i.e., sites known to be prevalent at atherosclerosis-prone regions); increase, in average, the value of WSS along the artery; and decrease the areas of high OSI. These observations provide an insight into the influence of blood's microscopic properties, such as the deformability of RBC's, on hemodynamics in larger arteries and their influence on parameters that are known to play a role in the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis.
COBISS.SI-ID: 15115291
Mini-tablets are gaining great attention as systems capable of being formulated into multiple unit systems providing a specific drug release pattern. Within the presented research a combined, multiple-unit system, based on different coated matrix mini-tablets, has been developed in order to achieve 24-h specific sigmoid extended release of the model drug paliperidone.The mini-tablets were based on different amounts of polyvinyl acetate/polyvinyl pyrolidone mixture as the matrix former, providing extended release, and two different types of pH-dependent, acrylic polymer coatings, providing delay in release onset, and thus achieving the required specific sigmoid release pattern imposed by the original drug on the market. The selected formulation proved to be consistent with pharmacopoeial requirements.It was also in vitro similar (f2) to the original drug and the theoretical linear release profile, as well as robust and reproducible regarding in vitro release in different fasted gastro-intestinal conditions. This is proof of concept that 24-h, specific, and almost linear release profile of drugs with high solubility can be achieved by employing technology of coated matrix mini-tablets.
COBISS.SI-ID: 3847793
Particle concentration in a coating zone of fluid bed coater is important to ensure appro-priate coating uniformity and process yield. A transmissive optical setup at the top of theWurster draft tube was used in a lab scale coater. Measured transmittances were convertedto particle chord average volume fraction distributions using results of Monte Carlo calcu-lations. The ranges of measured transmittances were from 0.002 to 0.285 and the range ofparticle chord average volume fraction was from 1.36% to 5.44%. The effect of gap betweenthe draft tube and distribution plate, fluidizing air flow rate, particle size and load was stud-ied. Comparisons of particle chord average volume fraction results with results of globalparticle volumetric fraction in the draft tube and particle cordal fraction obtained from CFDsimulations are shown. In order to study the dynamics of the system as a function of dif-ferent process parameters frequency analysis of transmittance signals was performed. Fourdistinct frequency responses were identified. Findings indicate presented local light atten-uation method as suitable for assessing particle chord average volume fraction at the top ofWurster draft tube and with a potential for in-line method development.
COBISS.SI-ID: 4025713
Trapped air pockets may cause severe operational problems in hydropower and water supply systems. A locally isolated air pocket creates distinct amplitude, shape and timing of pressure pulses. This paper investigates dynamic behaviour of a single trapped air pocket. The air pocket is incorporated as a boundary condition into the discrete gas cavity model (DGCM). DGCM allows small gas cavities to form at computational sections in the method of characteristics (MOC). The growth of the pocket and gas cavities is described by the water hammer compatibility equation(s), the continuity equation for the cavity volume, and the equation of state of an ideal gas. Isentropic behaviour is assumed for the trapped gas pocket and an isothermal bath for small gas cavities. Experimental investigations have been performed in a laboratory pipeline apparatus. The apparatus consists of an upstream end high-pressure tank, a horizontal steel pipeline (total length 55.37 m, inner diameter 18 mm), four valve units positioned along the pipeline including the end points, and a downstream end tank. A trapped air pocket is captured between two ball valves at the downstream end of the pipeline. The transient event is initiated by rapid opening of the upstream end valve; the downstream end valve stays closed during the event. Predicted and measured results for a few typical cases are compared and discussed.
COBISS.SI-ID: 15149083