Quantitative Flow Analysis Research Articles

Ex vivo visualization of human ciliated epithelium and quantitative analysis of induced flow dynamics by using optical coherence tomography

Cilia-driven mucociliary clearance is an important self-defense mechanism of great clinical importance in pulmonary research. Conventional light microscopy possesses the capability to visualize individual cilia and its beating pattern but lacks the throughput to assess the global ciliary activities and flow dynamics. Optical coherence tomography (OCT), which provides depth-resolved cross-sectional images, was recently introduced to this area. Fourteen de-identified human tracheobronchial tissues are directly imaged by two OCT systems: one system centered at 1,300 nm with 6.5 μm axial resolution and 15 μm lateral resolution, and the other centered at 800 nm with 2.72 μm axial resolution and 5.52 μm lateral resolution. Speckle variance images are obtained in both cross-sectional and volumetric modes. After imaging, sample blocks are sliced along the registered OCT imaging plane and processed with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) stain for comparison. Quantitative flow analysis is performed by tracking the path-lines of microspheres in a fixed cross-section. Both the flow rate and flow direction are characterized. The speckle variance images successfully segment the ciliated epithelial tissue from its cilia-denuded counterpart, and the results are validated by corresponding H&E stained sections. A further temporal frequency analysis is performed to extract the ciliary beat frequency (CBF) at cilia cites. By adding polyester microspheres as contrast agents, we demonstrate ex vivo imaging of the flow induced by cilia activities of human tracheobronchial samples. This manuscript presents an ex vivo study on human tracheobronchial ciliated epithelium and its induced mucous flow by using OCT. Within OCT images, intact ciliated epithelium is effectively distinguished from cilia-denuded counterpart, which serves as a negative control, by examining the speckle variance images. The cilia beat frequency is extracted by temporal frequency analysis. The flow rate, flow direction, and particle throughput are obtained through particle tracking. The availability of these quantitative parameters provides us with a powerful tool that will be useful for studying the physiology, pathophysiology and the effectiveness of therapies on epithelial cilia function, as well as serve as a diagnostic tool for diseases associated with ciliary dysmotility. Lasers Surg. Med. 49:270-279, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Phase-Contrast MRI CSF Flow Measurements for the Diagnosis of Normal-Pressure Hydrocephalus: Observer Agreement of Velocity Versus Volume Parameters.

Manual segmentation of the aqueduct for CSF flow analysis may induce measurement variability. The aim of our study was to assess observer agreement of manual segmentation and to compare the repeatability and accuracy of different flow parameters in differentiating normal-pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) from brain atrophy. Thirty-two subjects were included and were divided into three groups: control, NPH, and brain atrophy. Subjects underwent phase-contrast MRI. Quantitative analysis of aqueductal CSF flow using manual ROI placement was performed by two independent readers. Reader 1 repeated measurements 3 months after the first session to assess interobserver and intraobserver agreement. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs), within-subject SD, and repeatability were calculated. Peak systolic velocity (PSV), peak mean velocity, and aqueductal CSF stroke volume, which we refer to as "stroke volume," were recorded and compared between the three patient groups. The ROC curves of diagnostic accuracy for NPH were compared. PSV was ROI-independent, so only one measurement was obtained. The NPH group had significantly higher PSV, peak mean velocity, and stroke volume values in all readings than both the control and brain atrophy groups. The accuracy of PSV for the diagnosis of NPH was 82.7%, and the accuracy of peak mean velocity was 92.5-93.3% for the three readings. Stroke volume had perfect accuracy of 100% for the three readings. The stroke volume had higher ICCs (0.97 and 0.98) than the peak mean velocity (0.88). The intraobserver repeatability and interobserver repeatability of peak mean velocity were 1.9 cm/s, and the intraobserver repeatability and interobserver repeatability of stroke volume were 27.4 and 19.6 µL/cycle, respectively. Stroke volume had better agreement and repeatability and was more accurate than peak mean velocity for the diagnosis of NPH. PSV lacks variability but was the least accurate.

Intravenous infusion of mesenchymal stem cells inhibits intracranial hemorrhage after recombinant tissue plasminogen activator therapy for transient middle cerebral artery occlusion in rats.

OBJECTIVE Reperfusion therapy with intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rtPA) is the standard of care for acute ischemic stroke. However, hemorrhagic complications can result. Intravenous infusion of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) reduces stroke volume and improves behavioral function in experimental stroke models. One suggested therapeutic mechanism is inhibition of vascular endothelial dysfunction. The objective of this study was to determine whether MSCs suppress hemorrhagic events after rtPA therapy in the acute phase of transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO) in rats. METHODS After induction of tMCAO, 4 groups were studied: 1) normal saline [NS]+vehicle, 2) rtPA+vehicle, 3) NS+MSCs, and 4) rtPA+MSCs. The incidence rate of intracerebral hemorrhage, both hemorrhagic and ischemic volume, and behavioral performance were examined. Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) levels in the brain were assessed with zymography. Quantitative analysis of regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) was performed to assess hemodynamic change in the ischemic lesion. RESULTS The MSC-treated groups (Groups 3 and 4) experienced a greater reduction in the incidence rate of intracerebral hemorrhage and hemorrhagic volume 1 day after tMCAO even if rtPA was received. The application of rtPA enhanced activation of MMP-9, but MSCs inhibited MMP-9 activation. Behavioral testing indicated that both MSC-infused groups had greater improvement than non-MSC groups had, but rtPA+MSCs provided greater improvement than MSCs alone. The rCBF ratio of rtPA groups (Groups 2 and 4) was similar at 2 hours after reperfusion of tMCAO, but both were greater than that in non-rtPA groups. CONCLUSIONS Infused MSCs may inhibit endothelial dysfunction to suppress hemorrhagic events and facilitate functional outcome. Combined therapy of infused MSCs after rtPA therapy facilitated early behavioral recovery.

A New High Pulse-Repetition Frequency Ultrafast Sliding Compound Doppler Imaging: Fully Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis of Blood Flow

A New High Pulse-Repetition Frequency Ultrafast Sliding Compound Doppler Imaging: Fully Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis of Blood Flow

Отношения в треугольнике США-РФ-КНР: соблюдается ли формула лидерства Г. Киссинджера?

The relationship in the United States-Russia-China triangle was one of the most important factors of international relations during the Cold War and remains so in the post-bipolar period. Its relevance has increased even more after the victory of Donald Trump in the presidential elections in the United States, who as a candidate repeatedly advocated closer relations with the Russian Federation and revised cooperation with China.This article appraises bilateral relations between these three countries in 2014 by conducting quantitative analysis of both flows (trade and investment, migration and others) and events (reciprocal visits), as well as cooperation in multilateral organizations (United Nations, Shanghai Cooperation Organisation) and in the format of the club diplomacy (the Group of 20; the BRICS group of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa).The authors stared out using the Global Database of Events, Language and Tone to assess existing events according to the Goldstein scale. However, this event-analysis method could not estimate relations within the triangle accurately because of language factor (news in Russian and Chinese is underrepresented). Thus U.S.-Russia-China relations were examined through a quantitative analysis of specific series in four spheres - economic, political, humanitarian and military - in 2014. Each index was evaluated with points. Summaries reveal which countries in the triangle have the most successful connections and in which spheres.The study concluded that China and the United States had the most effective cooperation in 2014: the partnership developed more intensively in the economic and humanitarian spheres. Overall, U.S.-China and China-Russia relations are comparable to each other - the Russia-U.S. partnership cannot rival them. The U.S.-China and China-Russia couples cooperate the most effectively in two spheres. According to Henry Kissinger, cooperation between the United States and its partners must be more effective than the partners’ relations with each other. The United States thus remains stay the leader in international relations. The authors conclude that this the U.S. leadership formula applies, because the value of U.S.-China and U.S.-Russia bilateral relations in sum is more powerful than the partnership of China and Russia.

Quantitative flow measurement after placing a flow diverter for a distal internal carotid artery aneurysm

ObjectivesTo evaluate the differences in arterial flow after flow diverter placement using quantitative flow measurements based on digital subtraction angiography (DSA).MethodsBetween November 2013 and November 2015, all patients who had...

Colonization of xenograft tumors by oncolytic vaccinia virus (VACV) results in enhanced tumor killing due to the involvement of myeloid cells.

BackgroundThe mechanisms by which vaccinia virus (VACV) interacts with the innate immune components are complex and involve different mechanisms. iNOS-mediated NO production by myeloid cells is one of the central antiviral mechanisms and this study aims to investigate specifically whether iNOS-mediated NO production by myeloid cells, is involved in tumor eradication following the virus treatment.MethodsHuman colon adenocarcinoma (HCT-116) xenograft tumors were infected by VACV. Infiltration of iNOS+ myeloid cell population into the tumor, and virus titer was monitored following the treatment. Single-cell suspensions were stained for qualitative and quantitative flow analysis. The effect of different myeloid cell subsets on tumor growth and colonization were investigated by depletion studies. Finally, in vitro culture experiments were carried out to study NO production and tumor cell killing. Student’s t test was used for comparison between groups in all of the experiments.ResultsInfection of human colon adenocarcinoma (HCT-116) xenograft tumors by VACV has led to recruitment of many CD11b+ ly6G+ myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), with enhanced iNOS expression in the tumors, and to an increased intratumoral virus titer between days 7 and 10 post-VACV therapy. In parallel, both single and multiple rounds of iNOS-producing cell depletions caused very rapid tumor growth within the same period after virus injection, indicating that VACV-induced iNOS+ MDSCs could be an important antitumor effector component. A continuous blockade of iNOS by its specific inhibitor, L-NIL, showed similar tumor growth enhancement 7–10 days post-infection. Finally, spleen-derived iNOS+ MDSCs isolated from virus-injected tumor bearing mice produced higher amounts of NO and effectively killed HCT-116 cells in in vitro transwell experiments.ConclusionsWe initially hypothesized that NO could be one of the factors that limits active spreading of the virus in the cancerous tissue. In contrast to our initial hypothesis, we observed that PMN-MDSCs were the main producer of NO through iNOS and NO provided a beneficial antitumor effect, The results strongly support an important novel role for VACV infection in the tumor microenvironment. VACV convert tumor-promoting MDSCs into tumor-killing cells by inducing higher NO production.

Three-Dimensional Constructive Interference in Steady State Sequences and Phase-Contrast Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Arrested Hydrocephalus

To evaluate the role of three-dimensional constructive interference in steady state (3D-CISS) sequences and phase-contrast magnetic resonance imaging (PC-MRI) in patients with arrested hydrocephalus. A prospective study of 20 patients with arrested hydrocephalus was carried out. All patients underwent PC-MRI and 3D-CISS for assessment of the aqueduct. Axial (through-plane), sagittal (in-plane) PC-MRI, and sagittal 3D-CISS were applied to assess the cerebral aqueduct and the spontaneous third ventriculostomy if present. Aqueductal patency was graded using 3D-CISS and PC-MRI. Quantitative analysis of flow through the aqueduct was performed using PC-MRI. The causes of obstruction were aqueductal obstruction in 75% (n= 15), third ventricular obstruction in 5% (n= 1), and fourth ventricular obstruction in 20% (n= 4). The cause of arrest of hydrocephalus was spontaneous third ventriculostomy in 65% (n= 13), endoscopic third ventriculostomy in 10% (n= 2), and ventriculoperitoneal shunt in 5% (n= 1), and no cause could be detected in 20% of patients (n= 4). There is a positive correlation (r= 0.80) and moderate agreement (κ= 0.509) of grading with PC-MRI and 3D-CISS sequences. The mean peak systolic velocity of cerebrospinal fluid was 1.86 ± 2.48 cm/second, the stroke volume was 6.43 ± 13.81 μL/cycle, and the mean flow was 0.21 ± 0.32 mL/minute. We concluded that 3D-CISS and PC-MRI are noninvasive sequences for diagnosis of the level and cause of arrested hydrocephalus.

Substance flow analysis and environmental releases of PBDEs in life cycle of automobiles

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), a class of brominated flame retardants, have been widely used in many applications in industry such as automobiles, textiles, and electronics. This study focused on a quantitative substance flow analysis (SFA) of PBDEs in automobiles in order to identify their flow by life cycle and treatment pathways of PBDEs-containing materials in end-of-life vehicles (ELVs) in Korea. In addition, this study has estimated environmental releases of PBDEs in automobiles by life cycle in Korea. During this study, PBDEs were analyzed for the samples collected from several ELVs treatment facilities using X-ray fluorescence and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) methods. The system boundary for SFA of PBDEs ranged from manufacturing/trade to disposal stage of automobiles by life cycle. Based on the result of the SFA, it was found that the amount of PBDEs in automobiles were the highest in use stage (7748ton/year), followed by production stage (1743ton/year) in 2014. In disposal stage, automobile shredded residues (ASR) and seat fabrics were the main components with relatively high levels of PBDEs in ELVs. The major treatment methods of such components included incineration (84%), energy recovery (9%), and landfilling (6%). This research indicates that PBDEs were emitted the highest amount from interior components during the use stage of automobiles, followed by recycling processes such as dismantling and shredding. This study suggests that PBDEs in ASR and seat fabrics should be properly managed to prevent the widespread dispersion in the environment.

Quantitative analysis of normal fetal medulla oblongata volume and flow by three-dimensional power Doppler ultrasound

ObjectiveAssessment of the fetal medulla oblongata volume (MOV) and blood flow might be important in the evaluation of fetal brain growth. We used three-dimensional power Doppler ultrasound (3DPDUS) to assess the fetal MOV and blood flow index in normal gestation. The relationships between these parameters were further analyzed. MethodsWe assessed the total volume and blood flow index of the fetal MO in normal pregnancies using a 3DPDUS (Voluson 730 Expert). The true sagittal plane over the fetal occipital area was measured by a 3D transabdominal probe to scan the fetal MO under the power Doppler mode. Then, we quantitatively assessed the total volume of the fetal MOV, mean gray area (MG), vascularization index (VI), and flow index (FI). ResultsA total of 106 fetuses, ranging from 19 weeks to 39 weeks of gestation, were involved in our study. The volume of the fetal MO was highly positively correlated with gestational age [correlation coefficient (r) = 0.686, p < 0.0001]. The MG was negatively correlated with gestational age [r = −0.544, p < 0.0001). VI and FI showed no significant correlation with gestational age (p = 0.123 and p = 0.219, respectively). Conclusion3DPDUS can be used to assess the fetal MOV and blood flow development quantitatively. Our study indicated that fetal MOV and blood flow correlated significantly with the advancement of gestational age. This information may serve as reference data for further studies of the fetal brain and blood flow under abnormal conditions.

Optimal design of hydraulic capsule pipelines transporting spherical capsules

AbstractThe scarcity of fossil fuels affects the efficiency of established modes of cargo transport within the transportation industry. Extensive research is being carried out on improving the efficiency of existing modes of cargo transport, as well as developing alternative means of transporting goods. One such alternative method is using energy contained within fluid flowing in pipelines to transfer goods from one place to another. The present study focuses on the use of advanced numerical modelling tools to simulate the flow within hydraulic capsule pipelines (HCPs) transporting spherical capsules with an aim of developing design equations. “Hydraulic capsule pipeline” refers to the transport of goods in hollow containers (“capsules”), typically spherical or cylindrical in shape, which are carried along the pipeline by water. HCPs are used in mineral industries and have potential for use in oil and gas sectors. A novel modelling technique was employed to investigate various geometric and flow conditions within HCPs. Both qualitative and quantitative flow analyses were carried out on the flow of spherical capsules in an HCP for both onshore and offshore applications. Furthermore, based on the least‐cost principle, an optimization methodology was developed for the design of single‐stage HCPs. The input to the optimization model is the solid throughput required from the system, and the outputs are the optimal diameter of the HCPs and the pumping requirements for the capsule transporting system.

Novel Software-Assisted Hemodynamic Evaluation of Pelvic Flow During Chemoperfusion of Pelvic Arteries for Bladder Cancer: Double- Versus Single-Balloon Technique.

PurposeApproximately 83 % of patients with bladder cancer have achieved a complete response after undergoing a novel bladder preservation therapy involving balloon-occluded intra-arterial infusion chemotherapy (BOAI) using a four-lumen double-balloon catheter, known as the Osaka Medical College regimen. This study aimed to show the quantitative difference in hemodynamics of the bladder arteries using syngo iFlow (Siemens Healthcare, Erlangen, Germany), which provides an automatic tool for quantitative blood flow analysis between double BOAI (D-BOAI) and conventional single BOAI (S-BOAI).Materials and MethodsFifty patients were included. The catheters were introduced into both posterior trunks of the internal iliac arteries via contralateral femoral artery access. A side hole between the distal and proximal balloons was placed at the origin of each bladder artery to allow clear visualization of angiographic flow of the injected agent into the urinary bladder. Digital subtraction angiography was used during analysis with the syngo iFlow to evaluate the hemodynamics of the contrast medium in the pelvic arteries during BOAI. The comparative change in the amount of contrast medium in the bladder arteries between D-BOAI and S-BOAI was assessed using syngo iFlow.ResultsOne-hundred pelvic sides were analyzed. The amount of contrast medium in the bladder arteries using D-BOAI was more than twice that using S-BOAI (right, 3.03-fold; left, 2.81-fold).ConclusionThe amount of contrast medium in the bladder arteries using D-BOAI was higher than that using conventional S-BOAI. This may increase the anticancer drug concentration in the affected bladder, leading to a good clinical response.

Quantitative Analysis of Material Flow of Used Mobile Phones in Japan

Since Japan is importing most of natural resources, reducing amount of material usage is an emerging problem. Plus, reducing environmental impact of product lifecycle is also important. This paper first, illustrated a material flow of used mobile phones with quantitative information. Then, a sensitivity analysis was applied to clarify important factors in reducing material consumption and environmental impact. Result showed that transportation length has a big influence on environmental impact. Thus, an efficient logistics can be a key in reducing environmental impact. The material flow showed that a big portion of used phones are stored in homes. To collect such stored mobile phones, official network called MRN (mobile phone network) is the best strategy in reducing material consumption and avoiding problems regarding outflow. Finally, the paper concluded that sensitivity analysis of material flow is a useful method in determining proper strategy of treatment of used products.

Time-SLIP Reveals Intramedullary Flow in Syringomyelia

Case Presentation Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using a time-spatial labeling inversion pulse (Time-SLIP) method permits visualization of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) dynamics noninvasively. Time-SLIP enables quantitative and qualitative CSF flow analysis without any limitations in flow velocity or direction. An 85-year-old old male: Syringomyelia (C7-T12) Conventional MRI revealed syringomyelia with multiple syrinx cavities. Time SLIP can detect the CSF flow dynamics in both the intra- and peri-spinal cord simultaneously. The basic CSF flow pattern in the syringomyelia cavity was pulsatile motion in the Cranio-caudal direction and harmonious with the flow in subarachnoid space (Figure 1). Time-SLIP also detected over flow through septum or web. The unique flow across the intramedullary compartments indicated several paths throughout the septum of syrinx (Figure 2). These findings may improve our understanding of disease pathology of syringomyelia and be useful in surgical planning MRI imaging technique 1.5-T MR imager with quadrature-detected phased-array coils Sphygmographic gated single-shot half Fourier fast spin-echo (FSE) sequence. Representative imaging parameters TR: 12−13P−P intervals, TE: 80 msec, BBTI: 1500-4400 msec (100 msec interval), Tag pulse thickness: 30 mm, ETS 6.5 msec, MTX: 256 × 288, FOV: 25 × 25 cm, Slice thickness 5 mm.

Quantitative Information Flow for Scheduler-Dependent Systems

Quantitative information flow analyses measure how much information on secrets is leaked by publicly observable outputs. One area of interest is to quantify and estimate the information leakage of composed systems. Prior work has focused on running disjoint component systems in parallel and reasoning about the leakage compositionally, but has not explored how the component systems are run in parallel or how the leakage of composed systems can be minimised. In this paper we consider the manner in which parallel systems can be combined or scheduled. This considers the effects of scheduling channels where resources may be shared, or whether the outputs may be incrementally observed. We also generalise the attacker's capability, of observing outputs of the system, to consider attackers who may be imperfect in their observations, e.g. when outputs may be confused with one another, or when assessing the time taken for an output to appear. Our main contribution is to present how scheduling and observation effect information leakage properties. In particular, that scheduling can hide some leaked information from perfect observers, while some scheduling may reveal secret information that is hidden to imperfect observers. In addition we present an algorithm to construct a scheduler that minimises the min-entropy leakage and min-capacity in the presence of any observer.

Quantitative flow analysis of swimming dynamics with coherent Lagrangian vortices.

Undulatory swimmers flex their bodies to displace water, and in turn, the flow feeds back into the dynamics of the swimmer. At moderate Reynolds number, the resulting flow structures are characterized by unsteady separation and alternating vortices in the wake. We use the flow field from simulations of a two-dimensional, incompressible viscous flow of an undulatory, self-propelled swimmer and detect the coherent Lagrangian vortices in the wake to dissect the driving momentum transfer mechanisms. The detected material vortex boundary encloses a Lagrangian control volume that serves to track back the vortex fluid and record its circulation and momentum history. We consider two swimming modes: the C-start escape and steady anguilliform swimming. The backward advection of the coherent Lagrangian vortices elucidates the geometry of the vorticity field and allows for monitoring the gain and decay of circulation and momentum transfer in the flow field. For steady swimming, momentum oscillations of the fish can largely be attributed to the momentum exchange with the vortex fluid. For the C-start, an additionally defined jet fluid region turns out to balance the high momentum change of the fish during the rapid start.

Quantitative Analysis of Carbon Flow into Photosynthetic Products Functioning as Carbon Storage in the Marine Coccolithophore, Emiliania huxleyi

The bloom-forming coccolithophore Emiliania huxleyi (Haptophyta) is a dominant marine phytoplankton, cells of which are covered with calcareous plates (coccoliths). E. huxleyi produces unique lipids of C37–C40 long-chain ketones (alkenones) with two to four trans-unsaturated bonds, β-glucan (but not α-glucan) and acid polysaccharide (AP) associated with the morphogenesis of CaCO3 crystals in coccoliths. Despite such unique features, there is no detailed information on the patterns of carbon allocation into these compounds. Therefore, we performed quantitative estimation of carbon flow into various macromolecular products by conducting 14C-radiotracer experiments using NaH14CO3 as a substrate. Photosynthetic 14C incorporation into low molecular-mass compounds (LMC), extracellular AP, alkenones, and total lipids except alkenones was estimated to be 35, 13, 17, and 25 % of total 14C fixation in logarithmic growth phase cells and 33, 19, 18, and 18 % in stationary growth phase cells, respectively. However, less than 1 % of 14C was incorporated into β-glucan in both cells. 14C-mannitol occupied ca. 5 % of total fixed 14C as the most dominant LMC product. Levels of all 14C compounds decreased in the dark. Therefore, alkenones and LMC (including mannitol), but not β-glucan, function in carbon/energy storage in E. huxleyi, irrespective of the growth phase. Compared with other algae, the low carbon flux into β-glucan is a unique feature of carbon metabolism in E. huxelyi.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s10126-015-9632-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

1:09 PM, Abstract No. 38 - Effectiveness of flow reduction is related to aneurysm geometry based on quantitative DSA flow analysis in 13 flow diverter-treated aneurysms

1:09 PM, Abstract No. 38 - Effectiveness of flow reduction is related to aneurysm geometry based on quantitative DSA flow analysis in 13 flow diverter-treated aneurysms

Static and dynamic flow analysis of PBDEs in plastics from used and end-of-life TVs and computer monitors by life cycle in Korea

This study focused on a quantitative substance flow analysis (SFA) of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in plastics from obsolete TVs and computer monitors that often contain large amounts of the flame retardants. According to the results of the static SFA study, 1.87tons and 0.28tons of PBDEs from newly manufactured TVs and computer monitors were introduced into households in 2011 in Korea, respectively. There were approximately 924tons and 90.3tons of PBDEs present in TVs and computer monitors in households during product use, respectively. The results of the dynamic SFA study indicated that in 2017 the amount of PBDEs from TVs and computer monitors in the recycling stage is expected to be 2.63tons and 0.1tons, respectively. Large fractions of PBDEs from used TVs are present in recycled plastics, while PBDE-containing computer monitors are exported to Southeast Asian countries. This research indicates that PBDEs were emitted the most from recycled plastic pellet processes upon recycling. Further study may be warranted to focus the flow of PBDEs in recycled plastic products in order to determine the final destination and disposal of these chemicals in the environment.

Effects of fractal surface roughness and lithology on single and multiphase flow in a single fracture: An experimental investigation

This paper presents qualitative and quantitative analysis of single and multiphase flow in a single fracture based on experimental results and demonstrates relationships between the roughness and fluid movement and distribution.Experiments were conducted on seven perfectly-matching and tightly-closed rough model fractures reproduced from the single fractures of lithologically different seven rock blocks that were jointed artificially through laboratory indirect tensile tests. Transparent upper and opaque lower walls of these models facilitated the visualization of the flow experiments. Rough surfaces of the model fractures were first digitized. Then, using the gathered data in variogram analysis, surface roughness was quantified by fractal dimension. Another roughness quantification parameter was also handled as the ratio between total fracture surface area and planar surface area. Experimental measurements of flow were quantitatively correlated to surface roughness under different normal loading (aperture) conditions. Also, constant rate immiscible displacement experiments were performed to assess the roughness effect represented by seven different lithologies and wettability effect controlled by the material used in manufacturing the fracture samples on the residual saturation development.