m. abolhasani

micromixer with a circular pit at the junction with a 1.7 MHz ultrasonic (US) transducer. A CFD simulation is conducted on the micromixer under varying fluid flow rates. Initially, the simulation is performed without US waves, and subsequently, the US waves are applied. The influence of US waves on flow behavior, mass transfer coefficient (KLa), and extraction efficiency (E) is assessed and contrasts with the same in the scenario where no ultrasound is applied. The simulation outcomes exhibit strong agreement with the experimental findings of a reliable reference. The findings indicate that the flow pattern for both aqueous and organic phases is parallel within the micromixer when ultrasound is absent. However, applying the US waves alters the flow pattern and enhances the mixing. Under the US field, the interface between the two phases is completely disrupted and the contact between them increases. It is concluded that applying US waves into the liquid medium enhances turbulence, mixing, and the mass transfer rate inside the micromixer. The influence of the flow rate of the aqueous phase at different US powers on KLa and E was investigated. The decreasing trend of KLa is observed. The effect of the power of ultrasound (P=3.5, 5.25, and 7W) on KLa and E is investigated and results show that P= 7 W has the more ability to enhance the mass transfer rate. The maximum error that is obtained for KLa is 5.43 %, which shows the high accuracy of the CFD model.

Hearing loss is the most frequent sensory disorder affecting 1 in 500 neonates with more than 50% of inherited cases. This trait is a very heterogeneous disorder and happens due to genetic or environmental causes or both. More than 46 genes may be involved in non-syndromic hearing loss. Recently, DFNB59 gene has been shown to cause deafness in some Iranian populations. The aim of this study was to determine the role of DFNB59 gene mutations causing deafness in a group of 130 deaf pupils in Fars province.

This descriptive-laboratory based study investigated the frequency of DFNB59 gene mutations using PCR-SSCP/HA strategy.

Two different DFNB59 polymorphism including 874G>A and 793C>G were found in 1 and 9 of 130 patients studied respectively. However, no DFNB59 mutation was identified.

The results of this study shows that the association of DFNB59 mutations with deafness in Fars province is very low.