Shear Stress (shear + stress)

Distribution by Scientific Domains

Kinds of Shear Stress

  • Reynold shear stress
  • fluid shear stress
  • high shear stress
  • interfacial shear stress
  • wall shear stress

  • Terms modified by Shear Stress

  • shear stress component
  • shear stress distribution
  • shear stress level

  • Selected Abstracts


    Reactive Oxygen Species Are Necessary for High Flow (Shear Stress)-induced Diameter Enlargement of Rat Resistance Arteries

    MICROCIRCULATION, Issue 5 2009
    ERIC J. BELIN DE CHANTEMČLE
    ABSTRACT Objectives: Chronic increases in blood flow induce remodeling associated with increases in diameter and endothelium-mediated dilation. Remodeling requires cell growth and migration, which may involve reactive oxygen species (ROS). Nevertheless, the role of ROS in flow-mediated remodeling in resistance arteries is not known. Materials and Methods: Rat mesenteric resistance arteries (MRAs) were exposed to high flow (HF) by sequentially ligating second-order MRAs in vivo. After three weeks, arteries were collected for structural, pharmacological, and biochemical analysis. Results: In HF arteries, luminal diameter (431±12 to 553±14 ,m; n=10), endothelium (acetylcholine)-mediated vasodilatation (61±6 to 77±6% relaxation) and NAD(P)H subunit (gp91phox and p67phox) expression levels, and ROS (dihydroethydine microphotography) and peroxynitrite (3-nitro-tyrosine) production were higher than in normal flow arteries. Acute ROS scavenging with tempol improved acetylcholine-dependent relaxation (92±4% relaxation), confirming that ROS are produced in HF arteries. Chronic treatment with tempol prevented the increase in diameter, reduced ROS and peroxynitrite production, and improved endothelium-mediated relaxation in HF arteries. Thus, ROS and NO were involved in HF-induced diameter enlargement, possibly through the formation of peroxynitrite, while ROS reduced the increase in endothelium-dependent relaxation. Conclusions: ROS production is necessary for flow-mediated diameter enlargement of resistance arteries. However, ROS counteract, in part, the associated improvement in endothelium-mediated relaxation. [source]


    Role of ,4,1 Integrins in Chemokine-Induced Monocyte Arrest under Conditions of Shear Stress

    MICROCIRCULATION, Issue 1 2009
    SHARON J. HYDUK
    ABSTRACT Monocyte recruitment or emigration to tissues is an essential component of host defense in both acute and chronic inflammatory responses. Sequential molecular interactions mediate a cascade of tethering, rolling, arrest, stable adhesion, and intravascular crawling that culminates in monocyte diapedesis across the vascular endothelium and migration through the basement membrane of postcapillary venules. Integrins are complex adhesion and signaling molecules. Dynamic alterations in their conformation and distribution on the monocyte cell surface are required for many steps of monocyte emigration. Intracellular signaling initiated by chemokine receptors induces conformational changes in integrins that upregulate their affinity for ligands, and this is essential for monocyte arrest. This review focuses on the activation of monocyte ,4,1 integrins by endothelial chemokines, which is required for the arrest of monocytes rolling on vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 under shear flow. Using soluble ligand-binding assays and adhesion assays in parallel-plate flow chambers, critical signaling mediators in chemokine-induced ,4,1 integrin affinity upregulation and monocyte arrest have been identified, including phospholipase C, calcium, and calmodulin. [source]


    Decreased Arteriolar Sensitivity to Shear Stress in Adult Rats is Reversed by Chronic Exercise Activity

    MICROCIRCULATION, Issue 2 2002
    Dong Sun M.D., Ph.D.
    Objective: We tested the hypothesis that the decline in endothelium-dependent arteriolar dilation in adult rats is reversed by chronic exercise activity. Methods: Rats were divided into young (8,10 weeks)-sedentary (SEDY), adult (29,32 weeks)-sedentary (SEDA), and adult-exercised (EXA, treadmill exercise for 18,20 weeks) groups. Responses of isolated arterioles (,50 µm at 80 mm Hg) of gracilis muscle were assessed to increases in perfusate flow and vasoactive agents. Results: With no differences in basal tone, maximal flow-induced dilations were not different between arterioles of SEDY and SEDA rats (71 ± 2 and 72 ± 2% of passive diameter, respectively), yet the sensitivity of arterioles to shear stress (WSS50) was significantly less in SEDA than in SEDY rats (35 ± 4 vs. 23 ± 3 dyne/cm2, respectively). In vessels of EXA rats, maximal flow-induced dilation was significantly augmented (88 ± 2% of passive diameter) and WSS50 (15 ± 1 dyn/cm2) was significantly reduced. Dilation to acetylcholine was enhanced in arterioles of EXA, whereas dilation to sodium nitroprusside was not different in vessels of the three groups. Conclusion: Chronic exercise activity reverses age related reduction in sensitivity of arterioles to increases in wall shear stress. [source]


    In Vitro and Computational Thrombosis on Artificial Surfaces With Shear Stress

    ARTIFICIAL ORGANS, Issue 7 2010
    Scott C. Corbett
    Abstract Implantable devices in direct contact with flowing blood are associated with the risk of thromboembolic events. This study addresses the need to improve our understanding of the thrombosis mechanism and to identify areas on artificial surfaces susceptible to thrombus deposition. Thrombus deposits on artificial blood step transitions are quantified experimentally and compared with shear stress and shear rate distributions using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models. Larger steps, and negative (expanding) steps result in larger thrombus deposits. Fitting CFD results to experimental deposit locations reveals a specific shear stress threshold of 0.41 Pa or a shear rate threshold of 54 s,1 using a shear thinning blood viscosity model. Thrombosis will occur below this threshold, which is specific to solvent-polished polycarbonate surfaces under in vitro coagulation conditions with activated clotting time levels of 200,220 s. The experimental and computational models are valuable tools for thrombosis prediction and assessment that may be used before proceeding to clinical trials and to better understand existing clinical problems with thrombosis. [source]


    Oxidative Burst in Suspension Culture of Taxus cuspidataInduced by a Laminar Shear Stress in Short-Term

    BIOTECHNOLOGY PROGRESS, Issue 2 2004
    Rong-Bin Han
    Generation of active oxidative species induced by shear stress in suspension cultures of Taxus cuspidata was investigated in a Couette-type shear reactor. It was found that T. cuspidata cells respond to a shear rate of 95 s,1 with oxidative bursts. Their triphasic characteristics in 6 h were similar in both intracellular H2O2 production and extracellular O2,, production. Additionally, inhibition studies with diphenylene iodonium and azide suggested that the key enzyme responsible for oxidative bursts under the shear rate of 95 s,1 is primarily NADPH oxidase and the contribution of peroxidase for oxidative bursts was less. Investigation of the relationship between active oxidative species and defense responses induced by the shear stress indicated that the O2,, burst may account for the change of membrane permeability, and the H2O2 burst plays an important role in inducing secondary metabolites such as the activation of phenylalanine ammonia lyase enzyme and phenolic accumulation. Furthermore, oxidative bursts elicited by the shear rate of 95 s,1 were suppressed by treatment with suramin, nifedipine, and neomycin prior to the shear stress treatment, suggesting that G-protein, Ca2+ channel, and phospholipase C are involved in the signal pathway for oxidative bursts induced by the shear stress. A model is proposed to explain the oxidative burst in cultured T. cuspidata cells challenged with the shear stress. [source]


    The Influence of Shear Stress on Crystallization in an Ultrasound Levitator

    CHEMICAL ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY (CET), Issue 10 2007
    S. Sacher
    Abstract Industrial precipitation processes often use chemical agents to influence crystal morphology and size distribution. This experimental study deals with the investigation of physical parameters including an alternative method to affect crystal growth, thus, avoiding the presence of additives as intrinsic impurities. The influence of shear stress acting on growing crystals within a droplet is investigated in an ultrasound levitator. An ultrasound levitator enables the suspension of a single droplet against gravity and the study of containerless precipitation with specific mechanical forces acting on crystals. The levitator is used as a three-phase reactor with precipitation from the gas and liquid, and as a reactor for precipitation from two different solutions. Calcium carbonate is used as a model system. The variation of temperature and the amount of applied shear stress leads to different amounts of calcium carbonate morphologies. An increase in the shear stress results in more rounded or spherical crystals. The intensity of the shear stress also influences the particle size distributions of the precipitated crystals, i.e., with increasing shear stress, particle size distributions are shifted to smaller sizes. [source]


    Characterization of the in vitro adherence behavior of ultrasound responsive double-shelled microspheres targeted to cellular adhesion molecules

    CONTRAST MEDIA & MOLECULAR IMAGING, Issue 6 2006
    Susanne Ottoboni
    Abstract We have developed novel adhesion molecule-targeted double-shelled microspheres which encapsulate nitrogen. We report in vitro targeting studies utilizing these microspheres conjugated to target-specific antibodies directed towards ICAM-1 and VCAM-1. In static adherence experiments, the adherence patterns of microspheres conjugated to three different monoclonal antibodies (two targeted to ICAM-1 and one to VCAM-1) to their target surfaces were very different. Maximum microsphere adherence at the lowest target and/or ligand densities was observed with the VCAM-1 system. Differences in target-specific adherence were also observed between anti-ICAM-1 and anti-VCAM-1 microsphere conjugates in flow adherence studies. Equilibrium binding studies of the target proteins in solution to the microsphere-bound ligands showed that the affinity constants of two microsphere-bound monoclonal antibodies for their target proteins are similar. Thus, ligand,target affinity is not the only determinant of microsphere adherence to the target surface in our systems. Shear stress was found to have an effect on the mean diameter of adhered microspheres; a decrease in the mean diameter with increasing shear was observed. The magnitude of this effect was dependent on both microsphere-bound ligand and target surface densities, with a more pronounced change at lower densities. Adhered microspheres were readily detectable using ultrasound at the lowest tested surface density of 40,mm,2. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


    Work-hardening characteristics of Zn-Ti alloy single crystals

    CRYSTAL RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY, Issue 2 2010
    G. Boczkal
    Abstract Shear stress , shear strain curves of 0.14 at.%Ti alloyed Zn single crystals were measured in compression at different temperatures and shear strain rates. The work-hardening coefficient for basal slip increases with decreasing temperature and increasing shear strain rate. The work-hardening characteristics are compared with those reported for Zn single crystals with different constituents and purities. It is discussed with respect to the interaction of dislocations with dislocations, vacancies, vacancy agglomerates and solute atoms. (© 2010 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source]


    The effect of high pressure treatment on rheological characteristics and colour of mango pulp

    INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY, Issue 8 2005
    Jasim Ahmed
    Summary The effect of high-pressure (HP) treatment (100,400 MPa for 15 or 30 min at 20 °C) on the rheological characteristics and colour of fresh and canned mango pulps was evaluated. Differences were observed in the rheological behaviour of fresh and canned mango pulps treated with HP. Shear stress,shear rate data of pulps were well described by the Herschel,Bulkley model. The consistency index (K) of fresh pulp increased with pressure level from 100 to 200 MPa while a steady decrease was noticed for canned pulp. For fresh pulp the flow behaviour index decreased with pressure treatment whereas an increasing trend was observed with canned pulp. Storage and loss moduli of treated fresh pulp with HP increased linearly with angular frequency up to 200 MPa for a treatment time of 30 min while a steady decreasing trend was found for processed pulp. No significant variation in colour was observed during pressure treatment. [source]


    Colon cancer cell adhesion in response to Src kinase activation and actin-cytoskeleton by non-laminar shear stress,

    JOURNAL OF CELLULAR BIOCHEMISTRY, Issue 2 2004
    Vijayalakshmi Thamilselvan
    Abstract Malignant cells shed from tumors during surgical resection or spontaneous metastasis experience physical forces such as shear stress and turbulence within the peritoneal cavity during irrigation, laparoscopic air insufflation, or surgical manipulation, and within the venous or lymphatic system. Since physical forces can activate intracellular signals that modulate the biology of various cell types in vitro, we hypothesized that shear stress and turbulence might increase colon cancer cell adhesion to extracellular matrix, potentiating metastatic implantation. Primary human malignant colon cancer cells isolated from resected tumors and SW620 were subjected to shear stress and turbulence by stirring cells in suspension at 600 rpm for 10 min. Shear stress for 10 min increased subsequent SW620 colon cancer cell adhesion by 40.0,±,3.0% (n,=,3; P,<,0.001) and primary cancer cells by 41.0,±,3.0% to collagen I when compared to control cells. In vitro kinase assay (1.5,±,0.13 fold) and Western analysis (1.34,±,0.04 fold) demonstrated a significant increase in Src kinase activity in cells exposed shear stress. Src kinase inhibitors PP1 (0.1 µM), PP2 (20 µM), and actin-cytoskeleton stabilizer phalloidin (10 µM) prevented the shear stress stimulated cell adhesion to collagen I. Furthermore, PP2 inhibited basal (50.0,±,2.8%) and prevented shear stress induced src activation but phalloidin pretreatment did not. These results raise the possibility that shear stress and turbulence may stimulate the adhesion of malignant cells shed from colon cancers by a mechanism that requires both actin-cytoskeletal reorganization an independent physical force activation of Src kinase. Blocking this pathway might reduce tumor metastasis during surgical resection. Published 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


    Physicochemical Changes in Alaska Pollock Surimi and Surimi Gel as Affected by Electron Beam

    JOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE, Issue 1 2004
    J. JACZYNSKI
    ABSTRACT: Alaska pollock surimi and surimi gels (cooked) were subjected to various doses of electron beam (e-beam). Shear stress of surimi gels increased as the dose increased up to 6 to 8 kGy and then decreased. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) showed gradual degradation of myosin heavy chain as the dose increased. The degradation was slower for frozen samples. The integrity of actin was slightly affected by high doses (25 kGy). The amount of sulfhydryl groups and the level of surface hydrophobicity of Alaska pollock surimi decreased as the dose increased, suggesting formation of disulfide bonds and hydrophobic interactions. The sulfhydryl groups and hydrophobicity of surimi gels increased as the dose increased up to 6 kGy and then decreased. [source]


    Viscoelasticity of Hyaluronan and Nonhyaluronan Based Vocal Fold Injectables: Implications for Mucosal Versus Muscle Use,

    THE LARYNGOSCOPE, Issue 3 2007
    Trace Caton BS
    Abstract Objectives: The purpose of this study was to measure and compare biomechanical properties of commonly used vocal fold injectates Cymetra, Radiesse, Restylane, Hylaform, and one investigational injectate, Carbylan-GSX 5%, to determine suitability for mucosal injection. Study Design: Rheologic investigation. Methods: Oscillatory shear stress was applied to five samples of each injectate using a parallel plate controlled stress rheometer. Shear stress, shear strain, and strain rate associated with the oscillatory shear deformation were computed from the prescribed torque and measured angular velocity; viscoelastic data were obtained on the basis of these functions. Values calculated included elastic shear moduli, viscous moduli, and dynamic viscosity as a function of oscillatory frequency (0.01,150 Hz). Results: Elastic moduli for all samples increased as the frequency increased. Hyaluronan based materials were all comparable with each other and at least an order of magnitude lower than the stiffer and more viscous Cymetra and Radiesse. Carbylan-GSX 5% was found to have almost identical values to Hylaform with the exception of its mean viscosity, which was noticeably lower. Conclusions: Hyaluronan based biomaterials offer less resistance to flow and stiffness and may be better suited for injections into the mucosa, whereas Cymetra and Radiesse appear to be appropriate for injections into muscle. Viscoelastic properties of Hylaform and Carbylan-GSX 5% were found to most resemble that of the human vocal fold mucosa. [source]


    Textural Characterization of Cheeses Using Vane Rheometry and Torsion Analysis

    JOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE, Issue 5 2001
    V.D. Truong
    ABSTRACT Vane rheometry was applied to textural characterization of cheeses and compared with torsion analysis. A Haake VT 550 viscotester was used for both vane and torsion tests at strain rates of 0.003 to 0.524 s -1. Angular deformation and shear stress in the vane test increased with increasing low strain rate and was rate independent at higher rates. This shear rate dependency of stress and deformation varied with cheese types. Shear stresses from the vane method were lower than torsion shear stresses. Similar texture maps of cheeses were generated by plotting stress and strain or angular deformation values from the 2 testing methods. The findings indicate the vane technique can be used for rapid textural characterization of cheeses. [source]


    The effect of mixer properties and fill level on granular flow in a bladed mixer

    AICHE JOURNAL, Issue 2 2010
    Brenda Remy
    Abstract The discrete element method was used to study the effect of mixer properties and fill level on the granular flow of monodisperse, cohesionless spheres in a bladed mixer. For fill levels just covering the span of the blades, a three-dimensional (3-D) recirculation zone develops in front of the blades, which promotes vertical and radial mixing. Increasing fill level reduces the size of the recirculation zone, decreases bed dilation and hinders particle diffusivities. However, above a critical fill level, the behavior of the particles within the span of the blade is found to be invariant of fill level. At low-fill levels, the pressure within the particle bed varies linearly with bed height and can be approximated by hydrostatics. At higher fill levels, a constant pressure region develops within the span of the blades due to the angled pitch of the blades. Cylinder wall friction is shown to significantly influence granular behavior in bladed mixers. At low-wall friction, the 3-D recirculation zone observed for high-wall friction conditions does not develop. High-wall friction leads to an increase in convective and diffusive particle mixing. Shear stresses are shown to be a function of wall friction. Blade position along the vertical axis is shown to influence flow patterns, granular temperature and stress. The effect of increasing the mixer diameter at a constant particle diameter was also studied. When the mixer diameter is larger than a critical size such that wall effects are minimized, the observed granular behavior follows simple scaling relations. Particle velocities and diffusivities scale linearly with mixer size and blade speed. Normal and shear stress profiles are found to scale linearly with the total weight of the particle bed. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2010 [source]


    Stress distribution in the temporomandibular joint affected by anterior disc displacement: a three-dimensional analytic approach with the finite-element method

    JOURNAL OF ORAL REHABILITATION, Issue 9 2000
    Tanaka E.
    The purpose of this study was to investigate the influences of anterior disc displacement on TMJ loading during maximum clenching by use of finite-element analysis. Based on a young human dry skull, an analytic model of the mandible including the TMJ was developed. In addition to the standard model with normal disc,condyle relation, two models were designed to simulate various degrees of anterior disc displacement. In the standard model, compressive stresses were induced in the anterior, middle and lateral areas on the condyle and glenoid fossa, whereas tensile stresses were observed in the posterior and medial regions. In the models with anterior disc displacement, compressive stresses were recognized in all the areas of TMJ components excluding the bilaminar zone. Shear stresses in the articular disc and bilaminar zone significantly increased in most areas. In conclusion, stress distributions in the TMJ with a normal disc position was substantially different from those with anterior disc displacement, suggesting that the progress in disc displacement may have some association with the nature of stress distributions in the TMJ, in the articular disc in particular. [source]


    A computerized procedure for long-life fatigue assessment under complex multiaxial loading

    FATIGUE & FRACTURE OF ENGINEERING MATERIALS AND STRUCTURES, Issue 3 2001
    B. Li
    A computerized procedure is presented and evaluated for application examples of long-life fatigue analyses of metallic materials under complex multiaxial loading. The method is based on the stress invariants and uses the minimum circumscribed ellipse approach for evaluating the effective shear stress amplitude under complex multiaxial loading. The applicability of the procedure for handling non-proportional loading is examined through typical examples such as combined normal/shear stresses and combined bi-axial normal stresses with complex stress time histories. The effects of phase shift angles, frequency ratios and waveforms on fatigue endurance were re-analysed and compared with available experimental results from the literature. The comparison shows that the presented procedure based on stress invariants is a potential conservative engineering approach, very suitable for fast fatigue evaluation in the integrated computer aided fatigue design. [source]


    The effects of acute and chronic exercise on the vasculature

    ACTA PHYSIOLOGICA, Issue 4 2010
    J. J. Whyte
    Abstract Regular physical activity (endurance training, ET) has a strong positive link with cardiovascular health. The aim of this review is to draw together the current knowledge on gene expression in different cell types comprising the vessels of the circulatory system, with special emphasis on the endothelium, and how these gene products interact to influence vascular health. The effect beneficial effects of ET on the endothelium are believed to result from increased vascular shear stress during ET bouts. A number of mechanosensory mechanisms have been elucidated that may contribute to the effects of ET on vascular function, but there are questions regarding interactions among molecular pathways. For instance, increases in flow brought on by ET can reduce circulating levels of viscosity and haemostatic and inflammatory variables that may interact with increased shear stress, releasing vasoactive substances such as nitric oxide and prostacyclin, decreasing permeability to plasma lipoproteins as well as the adhesion of leucocytes. At this time the optimal rate-of-flow and rate-of-change in flow for determining whether anti-atherogenic or pro-atherogenic processes proceed remain unknown. In addition, the impact of haemodynamic variables differs with vessel size and tissue type in which arteries are located. While the hurdles to understanding the mechanism responsible for ET-induced alterations in vascular cell gene expression are significant, they in no way undermine the established benefits of regular physical activity to the cardiovascular system and to general overall health. This review summarizes current understanding of control of vascular cell gene expression by exercise and how these processes lead to improved cardiovascular health. [source]


    Role of shear stress on nitrite and NOS protein content in different size conduit arteries of swine

    ACTA PHYSIOLOGICA, Issue 2 2009
    X. Guo
    Abstract Aim:, Inherent fundamental difference exists among arteries of different sizes. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relation between regional difference of wall shear stress (WSS) in various sizes arteries and contents of nitrite and NO synthase (NOS) isoforms. Methods:, Five different conduit arteries in a wide range of diameter (1,8 mm) were examined in the hind limbs of 13 pigs. Blood flow rate and outer diameter were measured in vivo to determine WSS. Arterial tissues were harvested for the measurement of nitrite and NOS protein contents. The concentration of nitrite, a product of NO synthesis, was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography method. Western blot analysis was used to assess the protein contents of endothelial NOS (eNOS), inducible NOS (iNOS) and neuronal NOS (nNOS). Results:, Our data show that WSS increases with a decrease in artery diameter. Nitrite level increases with increasing WSS and hence decreases with artery diameter. The eNOS protein contents decrease with an increase in diameter. No significant difference for iNOS and nNOS protein contents was found with different artery diameter. A significant positive correlation between tissue nitrite and eNOS protein contents was also observed. Finally, the WSS-normalized eNOS is not significantly different in various size vessels. Conclusion:, Regional difference in blood flow has no effect on iNOS and nNOS protein contents in these conduit arteries. Regional difference in eNOS expression and nitrite contents may be related to the WSS-induced NO by the endothelium under normal physiological conditions. [source]


    Dynamics of Dislocations in a 2D Plasma Crystal

    CONTRIBUTIONS TO PLASMA PHYSICS, Issue 4-5 2009
    V. Nosenko
    Abstract Recent experimental results on the dislocation dynamics in a two-dimensional plasma crystal are reviewed. A single layer of micron-size microspheres was suspended in the sheath of a capacitively coupled rf discharge. The particles self-organized in a triangular lattice. Edge dislocations were created in pairs in this plasma crystal when the internal shear stress built up above a threshold, due to the crystal's slow differential rotation. Basic stages of dislocation nucleation were identified and studied, from gradual pile-up of shear strain in the crystal to eventual escape of free dislocations. After nucleation, dislocations moved supersonically with respect to the shear waves and generated shear-wave Mach cones (© 2009 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source]


    Dislocation cell structures in melt-grown semiconductor compound crystals

    CRYSTAL RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY, Issue 1-2 2005
    P. Rudolph
    Abstract The phenomenon of dislocation patterning during melt growth of III-V, II-VI and IV-VI semiconductor crystals is discussed. The paper is focused on the formation of cellular structures driven by the growth inherent thermo-mechanical stress. Of particular interest is the scaling of relations between cells size, dislocation density and acting shear stress. Among the materials there are characteristic similarities but also significant variations of the cell genesis. After the related compound specifics are discussed possible measures for retardation of cell patterning during growth are demonstrated. (© 2005 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source]


    Slit-flow ektacytometry: Laser diffraction in a slit rheometer

    CYTOMETRY, Issue 1 2005
    Sehyun Shin
    Abstract Background Deformability of red blood cells (RBCs) is a determinant of blood flow resistance as RBCs pass through small capillaries of the microcirculation. Available techniques for measuring RBC deformability often require a washing process after each measurement, which is not optimal for day-to-day clinical use. Methods A laser diffraction technique has been combined with slit-flow rheometry, which shows significant advances in ektacytometric design, operation, and data analysis. The essential features of this design are its simplicity (ease of operation and no moving parts) and a disposable element that is in contact with the blood sample. Results With slit ektacytometry, the deformation of RBCs subjected to continuously decreasing shear stress in a slit flow can be quickly measured with extremely small quantities of blood. The measurements with the slit ektacytometer were compared with those of LORCA and a strong correlation was apparent. The deformability of the hardened RBCs was markedly lower than that of the normal RBCs. In addition, the young cells showed higher values of the elongation index than did the old cells. Conclusions The newly developed slit ektacytometer can measure RBC deformability with ease and accuracy. In addition, the slit ektacytometer can be easily used in a clinical setting owing to the incorporation of a disposable element that holds the blood sample. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


    Monocilia on chicken embryonic endocardium in low shear stress areas

    DEVELOPMENTAL DYNAMICS, Issue 1 2006
    Kim Van der Heiden
    Abstract During cardiovascular development, fluid shear stress patterns change dramatically due to extensive remodeling. This biomechanical force has been shown to drive gene expression in endothelial cells and, consequently, is considered to play a role in cardiovascular development. The mechanism by which endothelial cells sense shear stress is still unidentified. In this study, we postulate that primary cilia function as fluid shear stress sensors of endothelial cells. Such a function already has been attributed to primary cilia on epithelial cells of the adult kidney and of Hensen's node in the embryo where they transduce mechanical signals into an intracellular Ca2+ signaling response. Recently, primary cilia were observed on human umbilical vein endothelial cells. These primary cilia disassembled when subjected to high shear stress levels. Whereas endocardial,endothelial cells have been reported to be more shear responsive than endothelial cells, cilia are not detected, thus far, on endocardial cells. In the present study, we use field emission scanning electron microscopy to show shear stress-related regional differences in cell protrusions within the cardiovasculature of the developing chicken. Furthermore, we identify one of these cell protrusions as a monocilium with monoclonal antibodies against acetylated and detyrosinated alpha-tubulin. The distribution pattern of the monocilia was compared to the chicken embryonic expression pattern of the high shear stress marker Krüppel-like factor-2. We demonstrate the presence of monocilia on endocardial,endothelial cells in areas of low shear stress and postulate that they are immotile primary cilia, which function as fluid shear stress sensors. Developmental Dynamics 235:19,28, 2006. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


    Lithological and fluvial controls on the geomorphology of tropical montane stream channels in Puerto Rico

    EARTH SURFACE PROCESSES AND LANDFORMS, Issue 12 2010
    Andrew S. Pike
    Abstract An extensive survey and topographic analysis of five watersheds draining the Luquillo Mountains in north-eastern Puerto Rico was conducted to decouple the relative influences of lithologic and hydraulic forces in shaping the morphology of tropical montane stream channels. The Luquillo Mountains are a steep landscape composed of volcaniclastic and igneous rocks that exert a localized lithologic influence on the stream channels. However, the stream channels also experience strong hydraulic forcing due to high unit discharge in the humid rainforest environment. GIS-based topographic analysis was used to examine channel profiles, and survey data were used to analyze downstream changes in channel geometry, grain sizes, stream power, and shear stresses. Results indicate that the longitudinal profiles are generally well graded but have concavities that reflect the influence of multiple rock types and colluvial-alluvial transitions. Non-fluvial processes, such as landslides, deliver coarse boulder-sized sediment to the channels and may locally determine channel gradient and geometry. Median grain size is strongly related to drainage area and slope, and coarsens in the headwaters before fining in the downstream reaches; a pattern associated with a mid-basin transition between colluvial and fluvial processes. Downstream hydraulic geometry relationships between discharge, width and velocity (although not depth) are well developed for all watersheds. Stream power displays a mid-basin maximum in all basins, although the ratio of stream power to coarse grain size (indicative of hydraulic forcing) increases downstream. Excess dimensionless shear stress at bankfull flow wavers around the threshold for sediment mobility of the median grain size, and does not vary systematically with bankfull discharge; a common characteristic in self-forming ,threshold' alluvial channels. The results suggest that although there is apparent bedrock and lithologic control on local reach-scale channel morphology, strong fluvial forces acting over time have been sufficient to override boundary resistance and give rise to systematic basin-scale patterns. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley and Sons, Ltd. [source]


    Evaluating a general sediment transport model for linear incisions under field conditions

    EARTH SURFACE PROCESSES AND LANDFORMS, Issue 14 2009
    T. Vanwalleghem
    Abstract Prediction of sediment transport in concentrated overland flow remains a fundamental challenge in soil erosion assessment. Sediment transport is often modelled as a non-linear function of shear stress. These relations are mostly derived from river channels or flume experiments. Here, new data of active incisions that occurred as a response to a single runoff event is presented. This allowed to complement and revisit a field-based sediment transport-shear stress equation. The results demonstrate the general applicability of the proposed relation for predicting sediment transport in linear incisions, ranging from rills to gullies, in field conditions. These findings have important implications for erosion modelling. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


    Reduced-complexity flow routing models for sinuous single-thread channels: intercomparison with a physically-based shallow-water equation model

    EARTH SURFACE PROCESSES AND LANDFORMS, Issue 5 2009
    A. P. Nicholas
    Abstract Reduced-complexity models of fluvial processes use simple rules that neglect much of the underlying governing physics. This approach is justified by the potential to use these models to investigate long-term and/or fundamental river behaviour. However, little attention has been given to the validity or realism of reduced-complexity process parameterizations, despite the fact that the assumptions inherent in these approaches may limit the potential for elucidating the behaviour of natural rivers. This study presents two new reduced-complexity flow routing schemes developed specifically for application in single-thread rivers. Output from both schemes is compared with that from a more sophisticated model that solves the depth-averaged shallow water equations. This comparison provides the first demonstration of the potential for deriving realistic predictions of in-channel flow depth, unit discharge, energy slope and unit stream power using simple flow routing schemes. It also highlights the inadequacy of modelling unit stream power, shear stress or sediment transport capacity as a function of local bed slope, as has been common practice in a number of previous reduced-complexity models. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


    Concentrated flow erosion rates reduced through biological geotextiles

    EARTH SURFACE PROCESSES AND LANDFORMS, Issue 4 2009
    T. Smets
    Abstract Soil erosion by concentrated flow can cause serious environmental damage. Erosion-control geotextiles have considerable potential for reducing concentrated flow erosion. However, limited data are available on the erosion-reducing potential of geotextiles. In this study, the effectiveness of three biological geotextiles in reducing soil losses during concentrated flow is investigated. Hereto, runoff was simulated in a concentrated flow flume, filled with an erodible sandy loam on three slope gradients (13·5, 27·0 and 41·5%). Treatments included three biological geotextiles (borassus, buriti and bamboo) and one bare soil surface. Darcy,Weisbach friction coefficients ranged from 0·01 to 2·84. The highest values are observed for borassus covered soil surfaces, followed by buriti, bamboo and bare soil, respectively. The friction coefficients are linearly correlated with geotextile thickness. For the specific experimental conditions of this study, borassus geotextiles reduced soil detachment rate on average to 56%, buriti geotextiles to 59% and bamboo geotextiles to 66% of the soil detachment rate for bare soil surfaces. Total flow shear stress was the hydraulic parameter best predicting soil detachment rate for bare and geotextile covered surfaces (R2 = 0·75,0·84, p <0·001, n = 12,15). The highest resistance against soil detachment was observed for the borassus covered soil surfaces, followed by buriti, bamboo and bare soil surfaces, respectively. Overall, biological geotextiles are less effective in controlling concentrated flow erosion compared with interrill erosion. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


    Relation between flow, surface-layer armoring and sediment transport in gravel-bed rivers

    EARTH SURFACE PROCESSES AND LANDFORMS, Issue 8 2008
    John Pitlick
    Abstract This study investigates trends in bed surface and substrate grain sizes in relation to reach-scale hydraulics using data from more than 100 gravel-bed stream reaches in Colorado and Utah. Collocated measurements of surface and substrate sediment, bankfull channel geometry and channel slope are used to examine relations between reach-average shear stress and bed sediment grain size. Slopes at the study sites range from 0·0003 to 0·07; bankfull depths range from 0·2 to 5 m and bankfull widths range from 2 to 200 m. The data show that there is much less variation in the median grain size of the substrate, D50s, than there is in the median grain size of the surface, D50; the ratio of D50 to D50s thus decreases from about four in headwater reaches with high shear stress to less than two in downstream reaches with low shear stress. Similar trends are observed in an independent data set obtained from measurements in gravel-bed streams in Idaho. A conceptual quantitative model is developed on the basis of these observations to track differences in bed load transport through an idealized stream system. The results of the transport model suggest that downstream trends in total bed load flux may vary appreciably, depending on the assumed relation between surface and substrate grain sizes. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


    Experimental study of rill bank collapse

    EARTH SURFACE PROCESSES AND LANDFORMS, Issue 2 2007
    Jovan R. Stefanovic
    Abstract Rill bank collapse is an important component in the adjustment of channel morphology to changes in discharge and sediment flux. Sediment inputs from bank collapse cause abrupt changes in flow resistance, flow patterns and downstream sediment concentrations. Generally, bank retreat involves gradual lateral erosion, caused by flow shear stress, and sudden bank collapse, triggered by complex interactions between channel flow and bank and soil water conditions. Collapse occurs when bank height exceeds the critical height where gravitational forces overcome soil shear strength. An experimental study examined conditions for collapse in eroding rill channels. Experiments with and without a deep water table were carried out on a meandering rill channel in a loamy sand and sandy loam in a laboratory flume under simulated rainfall and controlled runon. Different discharges were used to initiate knickpoint and rill incision. Soil water dynamics were monitored using microstandpipes, tensiometers and time domain reflectometer probes (TDR probes). Bank collapse occurred with newly developed or rising pre-existing water tables near rill banks, associated with knickpoint migration. Knickpoint scour increased effective bank height, caused positive pore water pressure in the bank toe and reduced negative pore pressures in the unsaturated zone to near zero. Matric tension in unsaturated parts of the bank and a surface seal on the ,interrill' zone behind the bank enhanced stability, while increased effective bank height and positive pore water pressure at the bank toe caused instability. With soil water contents >35 per cent (sandy loam) and >23 per cent (loamy sand), critical bank heights were 0·11,0·12 m and 0·06,0·07 m, respectively. Bank toe undercutting at the outside of the rill bends also triggered instability. Bank displacement was quite different on the two soils. On the loamy sand, the failed block slid to the channel bed, revealing only the upper half of the failure plane, while on the sandy loam the failed block toppled forwards, exposing the failure plane for the complete bank height. This study has shown that it is possible to predict location, frequency and magnitude of the rill bank collapse, providing a basis for incorporation into predictive models for hillslope soil loss or rill network development. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


    Evolution of channel morphology and hydrologic response in an urbanizing drainage basin

    EARTH SURFACE PROCESSES AND LANDFORMS, Issue 9 2006
    Peter A. Nelson
    Abstract The Dead Run catchment in Baltimore County, Maryland, has undergone intense urbanization since the late 1950s. Reconstruction of the channel planform from topographic maps dating back to the 1890s and aerial photographs dating back to the 1930s indicates that the channel has remained stable in planform since at least the 1930s. The relative stability of Dead Run contrasts with the alterations in channel morphology reported for other urbanizing streams in the Piedmont physiographic province of the eastern United States. Trend analyses of discharge records in Dead Run show that urban development and stormwater control measures have had significant impacts on the hydrologic response of the catchment. The flood hydraulics of the Dead Run catchment are examined for the event that occurred on 22 June 1972 in association with Hurricane Agnes. A two-dimensional hydraulic model, TELEMAC-2D, was used with a finite-element mesh constructed from a combination of high-resolution LiDAR topographic data and detailed field survey data to analyse the distribution of boundary shear stress and unit stream power along the channel and floodplain during flooding from Hurricane Agnes. The spatial and temporal distributions of these parameters, relative to channel gradient and channel/valley bottom geometry, provide valuable insights on the stability of the Dean Run channel. The stability of Dead Run's channel planform, in spite of extreme flooding and decades of urban development, is most likely linked to geological controls of channel and floodplain morphology. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


    Modelling the hysteresis in the velocity pattern of slow-moving earth flows: the role of excess pore pressure

    EARTH SURFACE PROCESSES AND LANDFORMS, Issue 4 2005
    T. W. J. van Asch
    Abstract This paper describes the velocity pattern of a slow-moving earth flow containing a viscous shear band and a more or less rigid landslide body on top. In the case of small groundwater fluctuations, Bingham's law may describe the velocity of these slow-moving landslides, with velocity as a linear function of excess shear stress. Many authors have stated that in most cases a non-linear version of Bingham's law best describes the moving pattern of these earth flows. However, such an exponential relationship fails to describe the hysteresis loop of the velocity, which was found by some authors. These authors showed that the velocity of the investigated earth flows proved to be higher during the rising limb of the groundwater than during the falling limb. To explain the hysteris loop in the velocity pattern, this paper considers the role of excess pore pressure in the rheological behaviour of earth flows by means of a mechanistic model. It describes changes in lateral internal stresses due to a change in the velocity of the earth flow, which generates excess pore pressure followed by pore pressure dissipation. Model results are compared with a hysteresis in the velocity pattern, which was measured on the Valette landslide complex (French Alps). Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]