Effects of Rare Phytocannabinoids on the Endocannabinoid System of Human Keratinocytes

The decriminalization and legalization of cannabis has paved the way for investigations into the potential of the use of phytocannabinoids (pCBs) as natural therapeutics for the treatment of human diseases. This growing interest has recently focused on rare (less abundant) pCBs that are non-psychotropic compounds, such as cannabigerol (CBG), cannabichromene (CBC), Δ⁹-tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV) and cannabigerolic acid (CBGA). Notably, pCBs can act via the endocannabinoid system (ECS), which is involved in the regulation of key pathophysiological processes, and also in the skin. In this study, we used human keratinocytes (HaCaT cells) as an in vitro model that expresses all major ECS elements in order to systematically investigate the effects of CBG, CBC, THCV and CBGA. To this end, we analyzed the gene and protein expression of ECS components (receptors: CB₁, CB₂, GPR55, TRPV1 and PPARα/γ/δ; enzymes: NAPE-PLD, FAAH, DAGLα/β and MAGL) using qRT-PCR and Western blotting, along with assessments of their functionality using radioligand binding and activity assays. In addition, we quantified the content of endocannabinoid(-like) compounds (AEA, 2-AG, PEA, etc.) using UHPLC-MS/MS. Our results demonstrated that rare pCBs modulate the gene and protein expression of distinct ECS elements differently, as well as the content of endocannabinoid(-like) compounds. Notably, they all increased CB_1/2 binding, TRPV1 channel stimulation and FAAH and MAGL catalytic activity. These unprecedented observations should be considered when exploring the therapeutic potential of cannabis extracts for the treatment of human skin diseases.     

Experimental Investigation of Surface Integrity and Multi-Objective Optimization of End Milling for Hybrid Al7075 Matrix Composites

Silicon - Cost effective machining of hybrid metal matrix composites (HMMC’s) with required surface integrity and without surface flaws is a challenging task for modern industries. This...     

Experimental performance of cooling photovoltaic panels using geothermal energy in an arid climate

In this study, an experimental prototype was built to examine the use of an underground water tank as a heat exchange medium with the soil to reduce photovoltaic (PV) panel operation temperatures and simultaneously improve PV efficiency. Three PV systems were evaluated: a benchmark PV panel without cooling (panel A); a PV panel with water spray cooling (panel B); and a PV panel with evaporative cooling (panel C). The cooling techniques in modules (B) and (C) were used to investigate the effects of underground water on the performance of PV panels in arid conditions. Four cases were devised as follows: spray panel back cooling (I), spray front and back cooling (II), spray front and back cooling using an Arduino controller (III), and repeating case III with different water flow rates (IV). Readings were taken from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm  from May to August. The experimental results showed that the use of underground water spray cooling led to reductions in the temperature of PV panel B, 14°C, 17.6°C, 18.8°C, and 22.7°C for cases I, II, III, and IV, respectively, when compared with the uncooled panel, and efficiency improved by 3.5%, 4.8%, 18%, and 23.1%, respectively.     

Experimental investigation and COMSOL modeling for different geometrical configurations of extended surfaces

The current work presents and analyzes an experimental and three-dimensional COMSOL simulation to address and quantify the influence of different geometric cross-sectional shapes and types of materials (ie, brass and stainless steel) on the thermal performance of extended surfaces. Three cross-sectional shapes (ie, circular, square, and hexagonal) were examined under various base temperatures (ie, 40°C, 50°C, 60°C, and 70°C). Additionally, two types of fin materials, brass and stainless steel, were investigated to address the impact of thermal conductivity on the temperature distribution, local heat transfer coefficient, heat dissipation rate, efficiency, and effectiveness of extended surfaces. The experimental results showed a significant increase in the heat transfer coefficient and heat dissipation rates for hexagonal brass fins over other shapes and stainless steel fins. The simulation results were validated with the experimental temperature distributions for different geometries and materials under differing operating conditions (ie, different base temperatures, with and without an insulated fin tip). The validation and evaluation of the current COMSOL simulation indicated that the simulated results had high accuracy, with less than a 6% deviation, compared with the experimental data. The current validated COMSOL model can serve as a useful tool to facilitate the design and optimization of fins under various design and operating parameters.     

Numerical simulation of the effect of LPG blending on the characteristics of a diesel engine

The present work aims to investigate numerically the effect of LPG blending on the characteristics of diesel engines subjected to variable compression ratio, injection timing, and engine speed. Three blends of LPG are used, which are 10% LPG + 90% diesel, 20% LPG + 80% diesel, and 30% LPG + 70% diesel. The numerical investigation is carried out using the simulation software Diesel-RK. Increasing the percentage of LPG in diesel starts combustion early where the lowest delay period is recorded for a blend of 30% LPG + 70% diesel 6.36 deg. The combustion pressure and heat release are decreased due to the difference in the heating values of blended fuels. Although the peak energy release for diesel is 0.05458 (1/deg.) at 375 deg. BTDC, it was 0.0542, 0.05424, and 0.0537 (1/deg.) at 375 deg. BTDC for 10%, 20%, 30% LPG, respectively. Diesel with 30% LPG has a higher spray penetration followed by 20% LPG then 10% LPG and diesel come last. The diesel with 10% LPG gives a 5.35% reduction in NOx, while diesel with 20% and 30% LPG emit less NOx emission by 9.05% and 16.5%, respectively. Increasing the percentage of LPG in diesel yields to reduce soot concentration because LPG has lower carbon to hydrogen ratio. The lowest ability to emit smoke is detected for fuel with 30% LPG where a 7.4% reduction is obtained. It is worth noting that blending LPG with diesel can fight the trade-off relation between Soot-NOx as a reduction in both of them is obtained. Based on the results obtained, the blending ratio is 30% LPG. The obtained results are validated with the results of other researchers.     

Three-dimensional numerical analysis of individual geotextile-encased sand columns with surrounding loose sand

Use of geotextile-encased sand columns (GESC) to improve weak soils is an emerging technology that has great promise for field applications. This paper contains the results of a numerical study with the goal of quantifying the benefits of geotextile encasement under different conditions. A three-dimensional finite difference method implemented in FLAC3D 5.01 was used to evaluate the performance of a vertically loaded individual GESC installed in loose sand. The numerical model was first verified using the results of experimental tests performed on 150-mm diameter GESC installed in loose sand. The influence of various parameters was investigated in this study, including GESC diameter and length, soil thickness, geotextile encasement length, geotextile stiffness, and friction angle and dilation angle of the infill material. The results of the numerical model showed that vertically loaded GESC of smaller diameter experienced less settlement and lateral expansion than those of larger diameter. The geotextile material with higher stiffness had a substantial influence on the performance of GESC. The maximum effective geotextile encasement length depended on the load on the column head or the compressibility of the column.     

Thermal sensors based on p-Pb0.925Yb0.075Te:Te and n-Pb0.925Yb0.075Se0.2Te0.8 thin films grown using thermal evaporation method

We utilize p-Pb_0.925Yb_0.075Te:Te and n-Pb_0.925Yb_0.075Se_0.2Te_0.8 ingots in a standard solid-state microwave synthesis route to fabricate thermally evaporated thin films. The nanostructure and composition of the films were studied through X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). The Seebeck coefficient and electrical conductivity were measured at a temperature range of 298–523 K. The micro-thermoelectric devices were composed of 20 pairs and 10 pairs of p-Pb_0.925Yb_0.075Te:Te and n-Pb_0.925Yb_0.075Se_0.2Te_0.8 thin films on glass substrates, respectively. The dimensions of the thin films thermoelectric generators which comprised of 10-pair were 12 mm × 10 mm, whereas, 20-pair were 23 mm × 20 mm, respectively of legs connected through aluminum electrodes. The serial 20-pair p–n thermocouples generated a maximum output open-circuit voltage of 275.3 mV and a maximum output power of 54.37 nW at a temperature difference of ΔT = 162 K; the values are 109.4 mV and 16.68 nW at ΔT = 162 K for the 10-pair thermocouples, respectively.