Comprehensive numerical investigations on the thermal performance of heat recirculating micro combustor with pin fins for micro-thermal voltaic system applications

Aiming at improving the relatively low energy output and energy conversion efficiency of the micro-thermal voltaic (MTPV) system, an innovative heat recirculating micro combustor with pin fins is designed. The effects of pin fins arrangement, hydrogen/air equivalent ratio on the energy output and performance of CHMC, HMCP and HMCI are compared and investigated. The result shows that when the V_in is 6 m/s and Φ is 1.0, the emitter power of CHMC is 72.76W, and that of HCMP and HCMI micro combustor are 75.99W and 76.35W. and the emitter efficiency of CHMC, HCMP and HCMI is 41.93%, 43.26% and 44.01%. HMCI has better energy output capability compared with CHMC and HMCP. Even though, HMCI brings a higher pressure drop, it is within the acceptable range. When the V_in is 6 m/s, the pressure drop from the pin fins only accounts for 26.4% of the total pressure drop for HMCI. Through the study of equivalent ratio, it is found that HMCI has good adaptability in different equivalent ratio range. This work provides new ideas for the development of MTPV system in the future.     

Changes in the content and antioxidative activity of β-carotene and its metabolite vitamin A during gastrointestinal digestion and absorption and optimisation of HPLC-based detection

The β-Carotene (BC), an important precursor of vitamin A (VA), possesses antioxidant activity but is fat-soluble and has low bioavailability. In previous in-vitro assays evaluating antioxidant and 2,2′-azobis(2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride (AAPH) free radical scavenging, both BC and VA showed a strong ability to scavenge radicals and protected cells from oxidative stress. Here, we used artificially simulated gastrointestinal digestion and Caco-2 cell absorption models to evaluate the bioavailability of the BC during gastrointestinal digestion and absorption using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis. We observed high absorptive and transfer rates of BC and detected retinol metabolites (Vitamin A). Therefore, BC can be detected in the acidic gastrointestinal environment using HPLC. Optimised method provided better separation of BC and VA in the column, improving the accuracy of the test results.     

Syntheses,structures and properties of cobalt and manganese complexes based on pyridine-2,3,5,6-tetracarboxylic acid

Two new complexes based on pyridine-2,3,5,6-tetracarboxylic acid(H₄pdtc) as ligand, {[Co₂(pdtc)(H₂O)₄] · H₂O}_n (1) and {Mn₂(pdtc)(H₂O)₄}_n (2), have been obtained by hydrothermal syntheses and characterized by IR, elemental analysis, X-ray diffraction single crystal structure analysis, PXRD, thermal gravimetric analysis, and magnetic measurements. Complex 1 is 3D coordination polymer and complex 2 belongs to 2D grid structure by covalent bonds. In 1 and 2, the metal ions show antiferromagnetic interactions.     

Multiplex PCR system to track authorized and unauthorized genetically modified soybean events in food and feed

A diverse range of genetic elements has been used to develop genetically modified organisms (GMOs) over the last 18 years. Screening methods that target few elements, such as the Cauliflower Mosaic Virus 35S promoter (P-35S) and Agrobacterium tumefaciens nopaline terminator (T-nos), are not sufficient to screen GMOs. In the present study, a multiplex PCR system for all globally commercialized GM soybean events was developed to easily trace the events. For this purpose, screening elements of 24 GM soybean events were investigated and 9 screening targets were selected and divided into three individual triplex PCR systems: P-35S, ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase small subunit promoter of Arabidopsis thaliana, T-nos, T-35S, pea E9 terminator, open reading frame 23 terminator of A. tumefaciens, proteinase inhibitor II terminator of potato, acetohydroxy acid synthase large subunit terminator of A. thaliana, and the revealed 3′ flanking sequences of DP-305423-1. The specificity of the assays was confirmed using thirteen GM soybean events as the respective positive/negative controls. The limit of detection of each multiplex set, as determined using certified reference materials of specific GM events, ranged from 0.03 to 0.5%, depending upon target. Furthermore, 26 food samples that contained soybean ingredients, which were purchased from the USA, China, Japan, and Korea, were analyzed, 17 of which contained one or more GM soybean events. These results suggest that the developed screening method can be used to efficiently track and identify 24 GM soybean events in food and feed.     

Review of pulsed thermal NDT: Physical principles,theory and data processing

This paper summarizes the basics of pulsed thermal nondestructive testing (TNDT) including theoretical solutions, data processing algorithms and practical implementation. Typical defects are discussed along with 1D analytical and multi-dimensional numerical solutions. Special emphasis is focused on defect characterization by the use of inverse solutions. A list of TNDT terms is provided. Applications of active TNDT, mainly in the aerospace industry, are discussed briefly, and some trends in the further development of this technique are described.     

Effect of substituent carboxylic group on the self-assembly of cadmium coordination polymers: Syntheses,topological analyses and photoluminescence properties

Two coordination polymers, formulated as {[Cd(1,4-BDC)(ppene)]·CH₃CN}_n (1) and [Cd(H₂O)(1,2,4-HBTC)(ppene)_0.5]_n (2) have been synthesized through the solvothermal reactions between Cd(NO₃)₂·4H₂O and 4-pyr-poly-2-ene (ppene) in the presence of 1,4-benzenedicarboxylic acid (1,4-H₂BDC) or its derivative 1,2,4-benzenetricarboxylic acid (1,2,4-H₃BTC). These two compounds were structurally characterized by infrared spectroscopy, elemental analysis, single crystal X-ray diffraction and powder X-ray diffraction. Compound 1 exhibits a three-dimensional two-fold interpenetrating 4¹²6³-pcu network. The coordination network of 2 shows a three-dimensional (4,5)-connected framework with rare (4⁴6²)(4⁴6⁶) tcs topology. Owing to the linkage of hydrogen bonding interactions between protonated carboxylic groups, 2 further displays a three-dimensional (5,5)-connected supramolecular network with an unprecedented Schläfli symbol (4⁸6²)(4⁶6⁴). Thermal stability and photoluminescence properties of 1 and 2 were also investigated.     

Prevalence,enumeration, and characterization of Salmonella isolated from aquatic food products from retail markets in China

This study aimed to estimate the extent and level of Salmonella contamination of aquatic food products in China, and to determine serotype, virulotype, and the antimicrobial resistance profiles of recovered Salmonella isolates. Out of 554 samples collected from July 2011 to May 2014, 86 (15.5%) tested positive for Salmonella. The highest contamination rate occurred in oysters (23.1%, 6/26), followed by freshwater fish (18.6%, 43/231), shrimp (13.0%, 13/100), and saltwater fish (12.2%, 24/197). The contamination levels generally corresponded to a most probable number (MPN)/g of 0.3–10, although one sample exceeded 110 MPN/g. Among the 103 isolates, S. Typhimurium, S. Wandsworth, S. Thompson, and S. Derby were the most prevalent serovars. Sixty-eight isolates (66.0%) were resistant to at least one antimicrobial, and 35 (34.0%) were resistant to more than three. High rates of resistance were observed for tetracycline (35.9%), ampicillin (28.2%), nalidixic acid (26.2%), trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (25.2%), chloramphenicol (20.4%) and streptomycin (18.4%). Of note, S. Thompson isolates exhibited resistance to multiple extended-spectrum cephalosporins, ciprofloxacin, and other antimicrobials. PCR analysis of 15 virulence genes showed that ssaQ, mgtC, siiD, sopB, and bcfC were present in all 103 isolates, whereas the remaining loci were variably distributed. S. Typhimurium, S. Enteritidis, and S. Weltevreden isolates exhibited a wider range of pathogenicity determinants compared with the other strains. Our study provides a comprehensive surveillance on prevalence of Salmonella in aquatic food products from China and indicates its potential risk to public health. These data are valuable for epidemiological studies, risk management, and public health strategies.     

Water reuse in a shrimp processing line: Safety considerations using a HACCP approach

The large consumption of water involved in food manufacturing is prompting food processors to optimise the use. Treating and reusing or recycling water within the food plant results in substantial reduction of water use and wastewater production and discharge. If implemented, water reuse should be integrated into existing HACCP programs, and HACCP plans specifically addressed to the actual reuse should be elaborated. This paper evaluates the microbiological safety issues associated with water recycling during the production of shrimps (Pandalus borealis) in brine, and it indicates how the hazards may be effectively controlled using a HACCP approach. Following these procedures, process water recovered from peeling during shrimp processing and treated by means of reverse osmosis could be recycled within the same food unit operation.     

Study on combustion characteristics of blended coals

Power plants in China have to burn blended coal instead of one specific coal for a variety of reasons. So it is of great necessity to investigate the combustion of blended coals. Using a test rig with a capacity of 640 MJ/h with an absolute milling system and flue gas online analysis system, characteristics such as burnout, slag, and pollution of some blended coals were investigated. The ratio of coke and slag as a method of distinguishing coal slagging characteristic was introduced. The results show that the blending of coal has some effect on NO _x but there is no obvious rule. SO _x emission can be reduced by blending low sulfur coal. Translated from Proceedings of the CSEE, 2005, 25(18): 97–103 [译自: 中国电机工程学报]