On control of transport in Brownian ratchet mechanisms

Engineered transport of material at the nano/micro scale is essential for the manufacturing platforms of the future. Unlike conventional transport systems, at the nano/micro scale, transport has to be achieved in the presence of fundamental sources of uncertainty such as thermal noise. Remarkably, it is possible to extract useful work by rectifying noise using an asymmetric potential; a principle used by Brownian ratchets. In this article a systematic methodology for designing open-loop Brownian ratchet mechanisms that optimize velocity and efficiency is developed. In the case where the particle position is available as a measured variable, closed loop methodologies are studied. Here, it is shown that methods that strive to optimize velocity of transport may compromise efficiency. A dynamic programming based approach is presented which yields up to three times improvement in efficiency over optimized open loop designs and 35% better efficiency over reported closed loop strategies that focus on optimizing velocities.     

Equilibrium,kinetics and thermodynamic studies for the removal of organophosphorus pesticide using Amberlyst-15 resin: Quantitative analysis by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry

In the present paper, Amberlyst-15 resin was used for the removal of malathion. Various experimental parameters such as effect of pH, contact time, resin dose, initial malathion concentration and temperature were studied to find the optimum conditions for malathion removal. The removal rate of malathion by Amberlyst-15 was rapid and equilibrium was established within 30 min. Kinetic studies showed better applicability for pseudo-second-order model and equilibrium data was best fitted to Freundlich isotherm model. The thermodynamic parameters showed that the adsorption of malathion was feasible, endothermic and spontaneous. The concentration of malathion was determined using ultra-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry.     

Nanostructured Guidance for Peripheral Nerve Injuries: A Review with a Perspective in the Oral and Maxillofacial Area

Injury to peripheral nerves can occur as a result of various surgical procedures, including oral and maxillofacial surgery. In the case of nerve transaction, the gold standard treatment is the end-to-end reconnection of the two nerve stumps. When it cannot be performed, the actual strategies consist of the positioning of a nerve graft between the two stumps. Guided nerve regeneration using nano-structured scaffolds is a promising strategy to promote axon regeneration. Biodegradable electrospun conduits composed of aligned nanofibers is a new class of devices used to improve neurite extension and axon outgrowth. Self assembled peptide nanofibrous scaffolds (SAPNSs) demonstrated promising results in animal models for central nervous system injuries, and, more recently, for peripheral nerve injury. Aims of this work are (1) to review electrospun and self-assembled nanofibrous scaffolds use in vitro and in vivo for peripheral nerve regeneration; and (2) its application in peripheral nerve injuries treatment. The review focused on nanofibrous scaffolds with a diameter of less than approximately 250 nm. The conjugation in a nano scale of a natural bioactive factor with a resorbable synthetic or natural material may represent the best compromise providing both biological and mechanical cues for guided nerve regeneration. Injured peripheral nerves, such as trigeminal and facial, may benefit from these treatments.     

Molecular subtypes of Campylobacter spp., Salmonella enterica, and Escherichia coli O157:H7 isolated from faecal and surface water samples in the Oldman River watershed, Alberta, Canada

Campylobacter spp., Salmonella enterica, and Escherichia coli O157:H7 isolated from 898 faecal, 43 sewage, and 342 surface water samples from the Oldman River were characterized using bacterial subtyping methods in order to investigate potential sources of contamination of the watershed. Among these pathogens, Campylobacter spp. were the most frequently isolated from faecal, sewage, and surface water samples (266/895, 11/43, and 91/342, respectively), followed by Salmonella (67/898, 8/43, and 29/342, respectively), and E. coli O157:H7 (16/898, 2/43, and 8/342, respectively). Salmonella Rubislaw was the most common serovar isolated from water. This serovar was also isolated from two wild bird species. Most other serovars isolated from water were either not isolated from animals or were isolated from multiple species. E. coli O157:H7 was predominantly isolated from cattle. The most common phage-types of this pathogen from cattle were also the most common among water isolates, and there were exact pulsed field gel electrophoresis and comparative genomic fingerprint matches between cattle, sewage, and water isolates. Campylobacters were commonly isolated from surface waters and faeces from most animal species. Restriction fragment length polymorphism of the Campylobacter flaA gene identified several location and host species-specific (cattle, goose, pig) fingerprints. Molecular subtyping of these bacterial pathogens shows considerable promise as a tool for determining the sources of faecal pollution of water.     

A novel approach of accurately evaluating residual stress and microstructure of welded electrical steels

In the present research work the determination of residual stress distribution in welded non-oriented electrical steel samples is discussed. Tungsten inert gas was used for the welding method. Residual stress was directly determined through deformation measurements and appropriate math calculations. Two methods were used: the magnetic, non-destructive method of Barkhausen noise and the semi-destructive method of X-ray diffraction. In order to evaluate the accuracy and reliability of the magnetic method applied, the steel samples were subjected to both compressive and tensile stresses and the magnetic noise values were correlated to residual stress values through an appropriate calibration curve. The results were then verified by the XRD method and were further evaluated by examining the microstructure and the mechanical properties of the as received and welded samples through scanning electron microscopy and hardness measurements, respectively. It was found that the deviation between the two methods was within acceptable limits, thus implying potential applicability of the MBN method in non-destructive testing of materials.     

A simplified UTV hand tool featuring 2.25 MHz transducers to measure the BMD of calcaneus—tested on acrylic blocks padded with fresh porcine tissue

The quantitative use of UTV (Ultrasound Transmission Velocity) on the calcaneus (i.e., the heel bone) to assess osteoporosis has been widely used in clinical practice and investigation. However, most existing commercial instruments are bulky and the measurement is largely under the assumption that the thickness of the heel bone is fixed. Moreover, present measuring techniques are unable to cope with the effects of covering soft tissue, thus are incapable of producing accurate results. This study proposes a simplified UTV hand tool. We mount two 2.25 MHz ultrasonic transducers on an industrial vernier caliper and test it on some acrylic testing blocks padded with fresh porcine tissue to simulate the human heel. From the responses obtained, we develop a way to eliminate the influences made by the accompanying soft tissue. Thus, more accurate UTV hand tool for the acrylic block, or the heel bone, can be derived. In our final tests, the error of UTV measurement drops to 1.98%.     

Test of piezo-ceramic motor technology in ITER relevant high magnetic fields

In the framework of a Fusion for Energy (F4E) grant, a test campaign started in 2012 in order to assess the performance of the in-vessel viewing system (IVVS) probe concept and to verify its compatibility when exposed to ITER typical working conditions. ENEA laboratories went through with several tests simulating high magnetic fields, high temperature, high vacuum, gamma radiation and neutron radiation.A customized motor has been adopted to study the performances of ultrasonic piezo motors technology in high magnetic field conditions. This paper reports on the testing activity performed on the motor in a multi Tesla magnetic field. The job was carried out in a test facility of ENEA laboratories able to achieve 14 T. A maximum field of 10 T, fully compliant with ITER requirements (8 T), was applied. A specific mechanical assembly has been designed and manufactured to hold the motor in the region with high homogeneity of the field. Results obtained so far indicate that the motor is compatible with high magnetic fields, and are presented in the paper.