A modified cross-correlation algorithm for PIV image processing of particle-fluid two-phase flow

PIV (Particle Image Velocimetry) technique for flow field measurement has achieved popular self-identify through over ten years development, and its application range is becoming wider and wider. PIV post-processing techniques have a great influence on the success of particle-fluid two-phase flow field measurement and thus become a hot and difficult topic. In the present study, a Phase Respective Identification Algorithm (PRIA) is introduced to separate low-density solid particles or bubbles and high-density tracer particles from the PIV image of particle-fluid two-phase flow. PTV (Particle Tracking Velocimetry) technique is employed to calculate the velocity fields of low-density solid particles or bubbles. For the velocity fields of high-density solid particles or bubble phase and continuous phase traced by high-density smaller particles, based on the thought of wavelet transform and multi-resolution analysis and the theory of cross-correlation of image, a delaminated processing algorithm (MCCWM) is presented to conquer the limitation of conventional Fourier transform. The algorithm is firstly testified on synthetic two-phase flows, such as uniform steady flow, shearing flow and rotating flow, and the computational results from the simulated particle images are in reasonable agreement with the given simulated data. The algorithm is then applied to images of actual bubble-liquid two-phase flow and jet flow, and the results also confirmed that the algorithm proposed in the present study has good performance and reliability for post-processing PIV images of particle-fluid two-phase flow.     

Quantitative UPLC‐MS/MS analysis of chlorogenic acid derivatives in antioxidant fractionates from dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) root

While qualitative studies have identified chlorogenic acids in antioxidant extracts, particularly ethyl acetate‐derived extracts, of Taraxacum officinale, quantitative analysis of these phenolic compounds remains largely unreported for this species. In this study, bioactivity‐guided fractionation of an antioxidant crude ethyl acetate extract (DPPH = 295.481 ± 0.955 mg TE g^?1 extract) from T. officinale root resulted in a number of reverse‐phase fractions that demonstrated high antioxidant activity (DPPH = 1058.733–1312.136 mg TE g^?1 extract), stronger than that of the synthetic antioxidant Trolox^®. UPLC‐MS/MS screening of these fractions for the presence of selected mono‐ and di‐caffeoylquinic acids revealed large quantities of 1,5‐dicaffeoylquinic acid present in several fractions (853.052–907.324 μg mg^?1), respectively. Due to the antioxidant potency and high levels of 1,5‐dicaffeoylquinic acid observed in these fractions, it was concluded that specifically this chlorogenic acid derivative is a major contributor to the antioxidant efficacy of dandelion root.     

In vivo evaluation of a mucoadhesive polymeric caplet for intravaginal anti-HIV-1 delivery and development of a molecular mechanistic model for thermochemical characterization

Context and objective: The aim of this study was to develop, characterize and evaluate a mucoadhesive caplet resulting from a polymeric blend (polymeric caplet) for intravaginal anti-HIV-1 delivery.

Materials and methods: Poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid, ethylcellulose, poly(vinylalcohol), polyacrylic acid and modified polyamide 6, 10 polymers were blended and compressed to a caplet-shaped device, with and without two model drugs 3′-azido-3′-deoxythymidine (AZT) and polystyrene sulfonate (PSS). Thermal analysis, infrared spectroscopy and microscopic analysis were carried out on the caplets employing temperature-modulated DSC (TMDSC), Fourier transform infra-red (FTIR) spectrometer and scanning electron microscope, respectively. In vitro and in vivo drug release analyses as well as the histopathological toxicity studies were carried out on the drug-loaded caplets. Furthermore, molecular mechanics (MM) simulations were carried out on the drug-loaded caplets to corroborate the experimental findings.

Results and discussion: There was a big deviation between the T_g of the polymeric caplet from the T_g's of the constituent polymers indicating a strong interaction between constituent polymers. FTIR spectroscopy confirmed the presence of specific ionic and non-ionic interactions within the caplet. A controlled near zero-order drug release was obtained for AZT (20 d) and PSS (28 d). In vivo results, i.e. the drug concentration in plasma ranged between 0.012–0.332?mg/mL and 0.009–0.256?mg/mL for AZT and PSS over 1–28 d.

Conclusion: The obtained results, which were corroborated by MM simulations, attested that the developed system has the potential for effective delivery of anti-HIV-agents.     

New anti-ablation candidate for carbon/carbon composites: Preparation,composition and ablation behavior of Y2Hf2O7 coating under an oxyacetylene torch

Y₂Hf₂O₇ possesses low thermal conductivity and high melting point, which make it promising for a new anti-ablation material. For evaluating the thermal stability and the potential applications of Y₂Hf₂O₇ on anti-ablation protection of C/C composites, Y₂Hf₂O₇ ceramic powder was synthesized by solution combustion method and Y₂Hf₂O₇ coating was prepared on the surface of SiC coated C/C composites using SAPS. Results shown that the coating exhibits good ablation resistance under the heat flux of 2.4?MW/m² with the linear and mass ablation rates are 0.16?μm?s^?1 and ?0.028?mg?s^?1, respectively, after ablation for 40?s. With the prolonging of the ablation time, the increasing thermal stress causes the increase of cracks. Moreover, the chemical erosion from SiO₂ and the physical volatilization of low temperature molten products aggravate failure of the Y₂Hf₂O₇ coating.     

Super-oleophilicity Co-doping Co2+/F-/TiO2 one-dimensional nanotubes for photocatalytic denitrification of light oil

In this study, a simple hydrothermal synthesis method was adapted for the preparation of Co-doping Co²⁺/F^-/TiO₂ nanotubes photocatalyst, and the micro-nano structure of catalysts prepared by biomimetic technology which makes the catalyst have super-oleophilicity property. Co²⁺/F^-/TiO₂ revealed improved photocatalytic performance for denitrification of light oil compared to single TiO₂ photocatalysts. The enhance of photocatalytic activity can be attributed to narrowing the band gap, increasing the light response wavelength and exposing more highly active crystal surfaces due to synergistic effects of Co²⁺ and F^? in the photocatalyst.     

Artificial bee colony based algorithm for maximum power point tracking (MPPT) for PV systems operating under partial shaded conditions

Artificial bee colony (ABC) algorithm has several characteristics that make it more attractive than other bio-inspired methods. Particularly, it is simple, it uses fewer control parameters and its convergence is independent of the initial conditions. In this paper, a novel artificial bee colony based maximum power point tracking algorithm (MPPT) is proposed. The developed algorithm, does not allow only overcoming the common drawback of the conventional MPPT methods, but it gives a simple and a robust MPPT scheme. A co-simulation methodology, combining Matlab/Simulink™ and Cadence/Pspice™, is used to verify the effectiveness of the proposed method and compare its performance, under dynamic weather conditions, with that of the Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) based MPPT algorithm. Moreover, a laboratory setup has been realized and used to experimentally validate the proposed ABC-based MPPT algorithm. Simulation and experimental results have shown the satisfactory performance of the proposed approach.     

Catalytic Hydrocracking of a Bitumen‐Derived Asphaltene over NiMo/γ‐Al2O3 at Various Temperatures

Hydrocracking of a bitumen‐derived asphaltene over NiMo/γ‐Al₂O₃ was investigated in a microbatch reactor at varying temperatures. The molar kinetics of asphaltene cracking reaction was examined by fitting the experimental data. Below a defined temperature, the molar reaction showed the first‐order kinetic feature while at higher temperatures secondary reactions such as coke formation became significant, causing deviation of the reaction behavior from the proposed first‐order kinetic model. Selectivity analysis proved that dominant products varied from gases to liquids to gases with increasing temperature, shifting the dominant reaction from C–S bonds cleavage to C–C bonds cleavage.     

Low cycle fatigue behavior of a eutectic 80Au/20Sn solder alloy

The eutectic 80Au/20Sn solder alloy is widely used in high power electronics and optoelectronics packaging. In this study, low cycle fatigue behavior of a eutectic 80Au/20Sn solder alloy is reported. The 80Au/20Sn solder shows a quasi-static fracture characteristic at high strain rates, and then gradually transforms from a transgranular fracture (dominated by fatigue damage) to intergranular fracture (dominated by creep damage) at low strain rates with increasing temperature. Coffin-Manson and Morrow models are proposed to evaluate the low cycle fatigue behavior of the 80Au/20Sn solder. Besides, the 80Au/20Sn solder has enhanced fatigue resistance compared to the 63Sn/37Pb solder.