MHD flow in a rectangular duct with a perturbed boundary

The unsteady magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) flow of a viscous, incompressible and electrically conducting fluid in a rectangular duct with a perturbed boundary, is investigated. A small boundary perturbation $\epsilon$ is applied on the upper wall of the duct which is encountered in the visualization of the blood flow in constricted arteries. The MHD equations which are coupled in the velocity and the induced magnetic field are solved with no-slip velocity conditions and by taking the side walls as insulated and the Hartmann walls as perfectly conducting. Both the domain boundary element method (DBEM) and the dual reciprocity boundary element method (DRBEM) are used in spatial discretization with a backward finite difference scheme for the time integration. These MHD equations are decoupled first into two transient convection–diffusion equations, and then into two modified Helmholtz equations by using suitable transformations. Then, the DBEM or DRBEM is used to transform these equations into equivalent integral equations by employing the fundamental solution of either steady-state convection–diffusion or modified Helmholtz equations. The DBEM and DRBEM results are presented and compared by equi-velocity and current lines at steady-state for several values of Hartmann number and the boundary perturbation parameter.     

Inactivation efficacy of plasma-activated water: influence of plasma treatment time,exposure time and bacterial species

This study aimed to evaluate the influence of plasma treatment time, bacterial exposure time to PAW and bacterial species on the inactivation efficacy of plasma-activated water (PAW), with additional investigation of the inactivation mechanisms of PAW. Six bacterial species, including Listeria innocua, Staphyloccus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Shewanella putrefaciens and Aeromonas hydrophila were selected as the representative bacteria. The initial bacterial concentration was around 7 log CFU ml⁻¹ after mixing with PAW, and the inactivation efficacy was measured after different exposure times during the 4 °C storage. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images of the bacteria after PAW treatment were carried out to inspect the cell structure damage, and physicochemical properties of PAW, including pH, conductivity and long-living reactive species of H₂O₂, , and , were examined. The results showed that the inactivation efficacy of PAW was positively correlated with plasma treatment time and bacterial exposure time, and for the species examined in this study, the Gram-negative species were more sensitive to PAW than the Gram-positive species. Cell structure damage, including shrinkage, distortion, or holes, was observed after PAW treatment. The pH of PAW was acidified to 2.5–2.9, and conductivity was significantly increased to 518.0 μs cm⁻¹. and H₂O₂ were reduced during the 48 h storage, while an increased concentration was observed for . This study demonstrated that the processing parameters of plasma treatment time, exposure time and characteristics of bacteria can significantly affect the inactivation efficacy of PAW.     

What is a crystal to the new chemical crystallographer,after that first,automated structure analysis?

This educational review postulates the importance of maintaining an adequate level of crystallographic education among structure-dependent scientists whose interests are not primarily in crystallography, at a time when automation and validation have made it possible to obtain high-quality structure analyses in many cases with a minimum of crystallographic background. The topics addressed are intended to form a second round of crystallographic education for a novice user whose first round involved hands-on experience with structure solution and an introduction to elementary concepts. The specific topics, chosen for their relevance as basic knowledge and their lack of emphasis in many formal treatments, are (1) crystallographic reference frames and the utility of the reciprocal cell in geometrical calculations; (2) the relationship between the two concepts that constitute our model of the crystal, namely the unit cell and the lattice; (3) the manner in which an atom is represented in concept and in practice; (4) the importance of interleaved symmetry elements required by the presence of additional symmetry on a lattice; (5) the harnessing of the natural properties of the crystalline state for the potential manipulation of properties of synthetic crystals; and (6) useful terminology for navigating a crystal structure.     

TRACES OF THE TERRITORY IN SPANISH PHOTOGRAPHY SINCE THE 1990s

This paper proposes a reading of the cultural and social aspects associated with sundry notions of territory through Spanish photography at the end of the twentieth century and the beginning of the twenty-first. An analysis of a series of case studies reveals a new awareness of the common space through the concept of trace, being understood beyond the material imprint, as it falls under the influence of the cultural aspects that clarify the account of the conflict and consciousness of the suburbs and peripheries. Contemporary ruins arising from unbridled urban growth, or the invisible wounds associated with certain places, converge in a series of images that have their own tradition in the conceptual experiments of the 70s and the aesthetics of the “non-site” displayed in the 90s. As background, the economic and political avatars of recent years in Spain – also linked to a global crisis – are manifested in a series of photographic musings whose images portray the scenarios of a premature ruin linked to property speculation and the traces of a collective memory.     

Tunable passively Q-switched thulium doped fluoride fibre (TDFF) laser using reduced graphene oxide-silver (rGO-Ag) as saturable absorber

A tunable, passively Q-switched thulium doped fluoride fibre (TDFF) laser using a reduced-graphene oxide-silver (rGO-Ag) thin film as a saturable absorber (SA) for S band operation is proposed and its efficacy demonstrated. Over a pump power range of 91.4?mW up to 158.6?mW, passively generated Q-switched pulses are observed with repetition rates from 20 to 34.5?kHz and pulse widths from 3.1 to 7.1?µs. The highest pulse energy observed is 101.2?nJ with a signal to noise ratio of ～42?dB. The proposed laser has a tuning range ～52?nm from 1458 to 1510?nm with a tunable bandpass filter (TBPF) introduced into the cavity.     

An evaluation of Acacia mearnsii tannin as an aluminum corrosion inhibitor in acid,alkaline, and neutral media

The electrochemical behavior of aluminum in tannin from Acacia mearnsii bark was evaluated by potentiodynamic polarization curves and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) in media under three different pH conditions: acid, alkaline, and neutral. A relationship among pH, polymerization grade (PG), zeta potential, surface, and electrochemical properties was observed in the inhibition performance of the tannin. At high pH, the oligomer structure of the tannin was affected, resulting in a low PG (4) and high zeta potential (−75 mV), and consequently, the inhibition efficiency decreased (68%) in comparison with that in acid (99%) and neutral media (96%). The values obtained indicate a physisorption mechanism for the aluminum corrosion inhibition in the studied conditions.     

Effects of Agaricus bisporus on gel properties of chicken myofibrillar protein

The gel-forming ability of myofibrillar protein (MP) is highly correlated with the characteristics of emulsified meat products. Incorporation of Agaricus bisporus (Ab) powder into MP gels may enhance its gel properties to facilitate the development of a novel and safe meat product. Therefore, this study investigated the effects of Ab powder on gel strength, water holding capacity (WHC), texture, rheological behaviour, LF-NMR spin–spin relaxation (T₂), microstructure and protein secondary structure of the MP gel system. The results indicated that the gel strength, WHC, G' value and G" value were significantly improved when the addition of Ab powder increased from 0% to 6% (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, the T₂ relaxation time was shortened, and free water was transformed into immobilised water. The texture of the gel was improved when 1%–4% Ab powder was added compared to the control. Furthermore, Ab filled in the gel network and promoted the unfolding of MP α-helix and the formation of MP β-sheet during the thermal denaturation of MP, leading to a dense aggregated network structure. The study suggested that Ab could be a promising ingredient in improving chicken MP's gel properties and developing fat-reduced meat products.