Numerical simulations of non-premixed turbulent combustion of CH4–H2 mixtures using the PDF approach

The present work is devoted to the study of non-premixed turbulent combustion with the PDF approach using three turbulence models: k-? model, modified k-? model and RSM model. A detailed kinetic mechanism is used in the numerical simulations. The three turbulence models are compared and evaluated with the experimental data and the numerical results of the literature. The evaluation concludes that the modified k-? is the most appropriate for simulating this kind of flame. A study of the effect of hydrogen addition on methane combustion is performed. Hydrogen addition causes the elevation of combustion temperature, the decreasing of CO and CO₂ mass fractions but leads to the increase of NO mass fraction.     

Engineering of Bio-Adhesive Ligand Containing Recombinant RGD and PHSRN Fibronectin Cell-Binding Domains in Fusion with a Colored Multi Affinity Tag: Simple Approach for Fragment Study from Expression to Adsorption

Engineering of biomimetic motives have emerged as promising approaches to improving cells’ binding properties of biomaterials for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. In this study, a bio-adhesive ligand including cell-binding domains of human fibronectin (FN) was engineered using recombinant protein technology, a major extracellular matrix (ECM) protein that interacts with a variety of integrins cell-surface’s receptors and other ECM proteins through specific binding domains. 9th and 10th fibronectin type III repeat containing Arginine-Glycine-Aspartic acid (RGD) and Pro-His-Ser-Arg-Asn (PHSRN) synergic site (FNIII9-10) were expressed in fusion with a Colored Multi Affinity Tag (CMAT) to develop a simplified production and characterization process. A recombinant fragment was produced in the bacterial system using E. coli with high yield purified protein by double affinity chromatography. Bio-adhesive surfaces were developed by passive coating of produced fragment onto non adhesive surfaces model. The recombinant fusion protein (CMAT-FNIII9/10) demonstrated an accurate monitoring capability during expression purification and adsorption assay. Finally, biological activity of recombinant FNIII9/10 was validated by cellular adhesion assay. Binding to α5β1 integrins were successfully validated using a produced fragment as a ligand. These results are robust supports to the rational development of bioactivation strategies for biomedical and biotechnological applications.     

Quantification of skin penetration of antioxidants of varying lipophilicity

Antioxidants play a vital role in protecting the skin from environmental distress. As the skin is constantly exposed to harmful UV radiation, endogenous antioxidants present in the superficial layers of the skin neutralize reactive oxygen species. Over time, antioxidants become depleted and loss their protective effect on the skin. Therefore, supplementing skin with topical antioxidant can help replenish this loss and fight the oxidative stress. The objective of this study was to deliver antioxidants topically and quantify the amount permeated in the stratum corneum and underlying skin. Polyphenols (catechin, resveratrol and curcumin) and vitamin (retinol) with various lipophilic properties were delivered via porcine ear skin, using propylene glycol as a vehicle. The amount in the stratum corneum and underlying skin was quantified using tape stripping and skin extraction methods, respectively, and samples were analysed via HPLC. All four antioxidants permeated into the skin from the propylene glycol vehicle. The order of the amount of antioxidant in the stratum corneum was catechin > resveratrol~ retinol> curcumin, whereas that in the underlying skin was retinol > catechin~ resveratrol~ curcumin. Of the total amount of polyphenols in the skin, approximately 90% was retained in the stratum corneum whereas 10% was quantified in the underlying skin. In contrast, 10% of retinol was retained in the stratum corneum whereas 90% permeated in the underlying skin. Polyphenols (catechin, resveratrol and curcumin) showed high concentration in the stratum corneum whereas retinol showed high accumulation in the underlying layers of the skin.     

Effect of recombinant human erythropoietin on insulin resistance in hemodialysis patients

Insulin resistance is a characteristic feature of uremia. Insulin resistance and concomitant hyperinsulinemia are present irrespective of the type of renal disease. Treatment with recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) was said to be associated with improvement in insulin sensitivity in uremic patients. The aim of this study was to compare insulin resistance in adult uremic hemodialysis (HD) patients including diabetic patients treated with or without rHuEPO. A total of 59 HD patients were studied, patients were divided into 2 groups of subjects: 30 HD patients on regular rHuEPO treatment (group A), and 29 HD patients not receiving rHuEPO (group B) diabetic patients were not excluded. Full medical history and clinical examination, hematological parameters, lipid profile, serum albumin, parathyroid horomone, Kt/V, fasting glucose, and insulin levels were measured in all subjects. Homeostasis Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA‐IR) was used to compare insulin resistance. The results of this study showed that the mean insulin level of HD patients treated with rHuEPO (group A) (17.5 ± 10.6 μU/mL) was significantly lower than patients without rHuEPO (group B) (28.8 ± 7.7 μU/mL), (P<0.001). Homeostasis Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance levels in group A were significantly lower than in group B (3.8 ± 2.97, 7.98 ± 4.9, respectively, P<0.001). Insulin resistance reflected by HOMA‐IR levels among diabetic patients in group A was significantly lower than among diabetic patients in group B (3.9 ± 3.2, 9.4 ± 7.2, respectively, P<0.001). Also, HOMA‐IR levels among nondiabetic patients in group A were significantly lower than among nondiabetic patients in group B (3.7 ± 2.85, 6.9 ± 1.43, respectively, P<0.01). We found a statistically significant negative correlation between duration of erythropoietin treatment, fasting blood glucose, insulin levels, and insulin resistance (r=?0.62, ?0.71, and ?0.57, P<0.001). Patients treated with rHuEPO showed less insulin resistance compared with patients not treated with rHuEPO in diabetic and nondiabetic patients and, duration of erythropoietin treatment is negatively correlated with insulin levels and insulin resistance in HD patients.     

Field demonstration of coherent transmission system with diode-pumped erbium doped fibre amplifiers

Reports a field demonstration of 622 Mbit/s DPSK and FSK coherent transmission over 200 km of installed single mode fibre. Diode-pumped erbium doped fibre amplifiers were used as both power amplifiers and repeaters. System loss budgets of more than 68 dB were achieved with an intermediate amplifier repeater gain of 16.5 dB. Both systems incorporated fully automated endless polarisation control.<>     

Field demonstration of 565 Mbit/s DPSK coherent transmission systemover 176 km of installed fibre

Reports the results of a 565 Mbit/s coherent system field trial over 176 km of installed SM fibre. Fully automated endless polarisation control was employed using a novel method and error free operation was achieved with BER readings of better than 10^-13     

Face based person recognition mechanism using monogenic Binarized Statistical Image Features

Multimedia Tools and Applications - These days, automated face recognition systems are hugely being applied in diverse applications ranging from personal use to border crossing. Feature...     

Incorporation of n−3 fatty acids of fish oil into tissue and serum lipids of ruminants

This study examines the biohydrogenation and utilization of the C₂₀ and C₂₂ polyenoic fatty acids in ruminants. Eicosapentaenoic (20∶5n−3) and docosahexaenoic (22∶6n−3) acids were not biohydrogenated to any significant extent by rumen microorganisms, whereas C₁₈ polyenoic fatty acids were extensively hydrogenated. The feeding of protected fish oil increased the proportion of 20∶5 from 1% to 13–18% and 22∶6 from 2% to 7–9% in serum lipids and there were reductions in the proportion of stearic (18∶0) and linoleic (18∶2) acids. The proportion of 20∶5 in muscle phospholipids (PL) increased from 1.5% to 14.7% and 22∶6 from 1.0% to 4.2%; these acids were not incorporated into muscle or adipose tissue triacylglycerols (TAG). In the total PL of muscle, the incorporated 20∶5 and 22∶6 substituted primarily for oleic (18∶1) and/or linoleic (18∶2) acid, and there was no consistent change in the porportion of arachidonic (20∶4) acid.     

Small scale flame-spread testing to BS 476 part 7

An apparatus based on the BS 476 Part 7 small scale flame-spread specification, which has evolved over a number of years, is described. Many changes from the original simple gas/air furnace have been introduced, which have led to the development of a very useful flame-spread test apparatus where all known variables are precisely controlled. The work has shown that the radiometers described in the standard do not monitor all the variables which affect flame-spread results, and reported problems of reproducibility and variation on the large scale test, may be due to inadequate control of the furnace. The significance of the results is that the use of gas/air radian panels as the basis for flame-spread tests needs to be re-examined. All parameters should be carefully controlled and the entire procedure, particularly regarding the use of pilot ignition sources, needs to be reconsidered. There is an increasing need for test methods which assess materials at radiation intensities beyond that given by small ignition sources. The type of flame-spread apparatus described in the paper may help fulfil this important requirement.