Peristaltic transport of a visco-elastic fluid in a tube of non-uniform cross section

Role of segmental contraction in the small intestinal digestion: A computational approach to study the physics behind the luminal mixing and transport

Segmentation is well known to digest the food rich in proteins, starch, and lipids; however, the mechanism leading to the digestion remains unclear. In this study, a theoretical model for segmental contractions of the small intestine is developed using lubrication method to explore the mechanisms involved. Here, the nonlinear partial differential equations governing the fluid flow were normalized in viscous regime and solved semi-analytically for a power law fluid under long wavelength approximation on a Matlab^TM platform. Study indicates that shearing is highest at the 1st and 4th mid-occlusion in comparison to 2nd and 3rd mid-occlusion. Parametric study indicates that the flow is sensitive to - the span of segmentation or wavelength of the wave, occlusion of the wave and frequency of the contraction; with shearing being highest for dilatants. Shearing is more prominent at higher occlusion (>50 %) and frequency (>6Hz). Further, mixing is more prominent at the steep regions of the wave; having intensity of mixing highest for the outer waves in comparison to waves at mid-region of the segmentation. The power demand is found to be greater in segmentation and has the following precedence - frequency, wavelength, flow behavior index, and occlusion (up to 80 %). Further, multiplicity of the wave gives rise to multiple zones of mixing which increases the rate of mixing of the contents. Suggesting that, the segmentation primarily serves the purpose of mixing. The study will be useful to explore novel therapeutic strategies of managing patients suffering from various motility-associated disorders of the small intestine.

Biophysical optimization of preimplantation embryo culture: what mechanics can offer ART

Owing to the rise of ART and mounting reports of epigenetic modification associated with them, an understanding of optimal embryo culture conditions and reliable indicators of embryo quality are highly sought after. There is a growing body of evidence that mechanical biomarkers can rival embryo morphology as an early indicator of developmental potential and that biomimetic mechanical cues can promote healthy development in preimplantation embryos. This review will summarize studies that investigate the role of mechanics as both indicators and promoters of mammalian preimplantation embryo development and evaluate their potential for improving future embryo culture systems.

Peristaltic transport of pseudoplastic fluid in a curved channel with wall properties and slip conditions

Effects of wall properties and slip condition on the peristaltic flow of an incompressible pseudoplastic fluid in a curved channel are studied. Series solution of the governing problem is obtained after applying long wavelength and low Reynolds number approximations. The results are validated with the numerical solutions through the built-in routine for solving nonlinear boundary value problems via software Mathematica. The variations of different parameters on axial velocity are carefully analyzed. Behaviors of embedding parameters on the dimensionless stream function are also discussed. It is noted that the axial velocity and size of trapped bolus increases with an increase in slip parameter. It is also observed that the profiles of axial velocity are not symmetric about the central line of the curved channel which is different from the case of planar channel.

PERISTALTIC TRANSPORT OF A MAXWELL FLUID IN A CHANNEL OF VARYING CROSS SECTION INDUCED BY ASYMMETRIC WAVES: APPLICATION TO EMBRYO TRANSPORT WITHIN UTERINE CAVITY

This is an attempt to analyze the peristaltic flow of a Maxwell fluid in a tapered channel. Peristaltic wave trains with different amplitudes and phases are considered to propagate along the two walls of the channel producing asymmetric wall movements. A perturbation technique is employed to solve the problem by giving due consideration to the non-linear convective acceleration terms in the analysis. The effects of the non-Newtonian parameters relaxation time, angle of inclination between channel walls, and phase difference on the mean flow velocity are analyzed. It is found that the mean axial velocity decreases with relaxation time, phase difference, and the angle between the channel walls. Moreover, the value of the mean axial velocity is found to be less with asymmetric waves as compared with symmetric waves.