Optimisation techniques to compare various selected drying schedules for larch timber

The paper deals with an investigation of the influence of the method used to assembly a drying schedule for larch (Larix) timber on kiln performance and quality of drying. Ten drying schedules were analysed (six from literature and four from industry) using a simulation tool, which was experimentally validated for larch. First, the methods were compared using various criteria, namely drying rate, drying cost, energy consumption and quality of drying. Second, a multi-criteria analysis was performed using one-factor multilevel-categoric design. The results of this study showed that the kiln performance and the drying quality are influenced by the method applied to assembly the schedule. Currently, none of the analysed methods can completely fulfill the industrial requirements (short time, low cost and high quality). According to a cluster analysis, the results showed that the analysed methods can be grouped into three clusters based on their similarities regarding the kiln performance and quality of drying.     

Influence of vitamin B6 supplementation on polyunsaturated fatty acids concentration in serum and liver of rats fed a diet restricted in protein

The influence of vitamin B6 on fatty acids content in serum and liver of rats receiving low protein diets was studied. Addition of B6 decreased linoleic acid (LA) and increased alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in serum of rats fed a protein-deficient diet (9% energy from proteins) for 3 months. Further restriction of dietary protein (4.5% of energy from protein) caused an increase of the DHA concentration and sum of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). In the liver of undernourished rats significant changes of PUFA composition were noticed, although without any significant influence of vitamin B6.     

Thermal energy savings in buildings with PCM-enhanced envelope: Influence of occupancy pattern and ventilation

Integration of building materials incorporating PCMs into the building envelope can result in increased efficiency of the built environment. A PCM-enhanced wall system is proposed in this paper and a simplified model for the heat exchange between the indoor environment and ambient was developed. The objective of the study was to assess the effect of occupancy pattern and ventilation on the energy savings potential of the wall system. It was found that (1) the occupancy pattern influences the value of the PCM melting point for which maximum energy savings value was reached and (2) the ventilation and its pattern reduces the relative value of the energy savings.     

Small-Scale Test Protocol for Firefighting Foams DEF(AUST)5706: Effect of Bubble Size Distribution and Expansion Ratio

The experimental program described in this paper sought to assess the suitability of the small scale DEF(AUST)5706 standard for measuring the suppression and burnback performance of Class B foams on pool fires. DEF(AUST)5706 is an Australian Defence standard mandatory for use by the Australian Navy, Army and Air Force. The test protocol required the measurement of the 3/4 control, extinguishment and 1/3 burnback times for a circular pan of aviation gasoline (AVGAS 100/130), 0.28 m² in surface area. The test program involved compressed-air foams (CAF) and aspirated foams of two expansion ratios, and employed two AFFF formulations: a 6% telomer concentrate and, to obtain base-line measurements, 3% PFOS FC-600 concentrate which was manufactured by the 3 M company prior to the PFOS phase out. At lower expansion (7:1), the aspirated and compressed-air foams demonstrated similar fire control performance, whilst more expanded (9:1) CAF was generally more efficient at extinguishing, but less efficient in controlling the fire. CAF formed a better seal over the fuel surface and at the hot pan walls, and these foams performed noticeably better than aspirated foam against fuel re-ignition. The paper links these observations with the underlying distributions of bubble sizes, which were measured and fitted to modified Rosin/Rammler cumulative volume distribution functions. We propose that a modified version of DEF(AUST)5706 be adopted as a universal small-scale test protocol.     

Observational aspects of sunspot oscillations

Oscillatory phenomena observed in sunspot umbrae and penumbrae are reviewed and critically discussed. A natural interplay between the thermal atmospheric stratification and the ordered collimation imposed by the intense magnetic field leads naturally to the characteristic properties of the umbral chromospheric and photospheric oscillations and their interpretation as low-beta (beta = 8pip/B2) slow magneto-acoustic-gravity waves guided along the ambient magnetic field.     

Preparation of highly porous hydroxyapatite from cuttlefish bone

Hydroxyapatite structures for tissue engineering applications have been produced by hydrothermal (HT) treatment of aragonite in the form of cuttlefish bone at 200°C. Aragonite (CaCO₃) monoliths were completely transformed into hydroxyapatite after 48 h of HT treatment. The substitution of CO₃ ²⁻ groups predominantly into the PO₄ ³⁻ sites of the Ca₁₀(PO₄)₆(OH)₂ structure was suggested by FT-IR spectroscopy and Rietveld structure refinement. The intensity of the ν₃PO₄ ³⁻ bands increase, while the intensity of the ν₂CO₃ ²⁻ bands decrease with the duration of HT treatment resulting in the formation of carbonate incorporating hydroxyapatite. The SEM micrographs have shown that the interconnected hollow structure with pillars connecting parallel lamellae in cuttlefish bone is maintained after conversion. Specific surface area (S _BET) and total pore volume increased and mean pore size decreased by HT treatment.     

Modeling and Optimization of β-Galactosidase Entrapping in Polydimethylsiloxane-Modified Silica Composites

Protein entrapment has multiple applications in enzymatic hydrolysis, drug delivery, etc. Here, we report the studies that successfully utilized the Box–Behnken design to model and optimize the parameters of β-galactosidase entrapment in sol–gel-derived silica composites. We have also demonstrated the influence of polymer–polydimethylsiloxane as a composite modifying agent on the activity of entrapped enzymes. We have determined how different sol-gel process parameters influence the activity of entrapped enzymes. The highest impact on β-galactosidase activity was exerted by the water:tetramethoxysilane ratio, followed by polydimethylsiloxane content. Optimized synthesis parameters have been utilized to obtain a composite with maximum β-galactosidase activity. Performed porosity studies have shown that the addition of polydimethylsiloxane increased the pore diameter. Microscopy studies demonstrated that polydimethylsiloxane-modified composites are softer and less rough. Studies of β-galactosidase activity using the o-NPG test showed statistically significant shifts in the enzyme temperature and pH profiles compared to the soluble form. An improvement in the reusability of the enzyme and a significant increase in the thermal stability was also observed. When lactose was used, a strong correlation was observed between the substrate concentration and the type of the catalyzed reaction. Moreover, we have demonstrated that the yields and rates of both lactose hydrolysis and galactooligosaccharides formation were correlated with reaction temperature and with the presence of polydimethylsiloxane. All these findings provide the opportunity for industrial use of optimized PDMS-modified silica composites in lactose elimination from dairy products, e.g., milk or whey.     

First-principles quantum molecular dynamics study of TixZr1−xN(111)/SiNy heterostructures and comparison with experimental results

The heterostructures of five monolayers B1–Ti_xZr_1−xN(111), x = 1.0, 0.6, 0.4 and 0.0 (where B1 is a NaCl-type structure) with one monolayer of a Si₃N₄-like Si₂N₃ interfacial layer were investigated by means of first-principles quantum molecular dynamics and a structure optimization procedure using the Quantum ESPRESSO code. Slabs consisting of stoichiometric TiN and ZrN and random, as well as segregated, B1–Ti_xZr_1−xN(111) solutions were considered. The calculations of the B1–Ti_xZr_1−xN solid solutions, as well as of the heterostructures, showed that the pseudo-binary TiN–ZrN system exhibits a miscibility gap. The segregated heterostructures in which Zr atoms surround the Si_yN_z interface were found to be the most stable. For the Zr-rich heterostructures, the total energy of the random solid solution was lower compared to that of the segregated one, whereas for the Ti-rich heterostructures the opposite tendency was observed. Hard and super hard Zr–Ti–Si–N coatings with thicknesses from 2.8 to 3.5 μm were obtained using a vacuum arc source with high frequency stimulation. The samples were annealed in a vacuum and in air at 1200 °C. Experimental investigations of Zr–Ti–N, Zr–Ti–Si–N and Ti–Si–N coatings with different Zr, Ti and Si concentrations were carried out for comparison with results obtained from Ti_xZr_1−xN(111)/SiN_y systems. During annealing, the hardness of the best series samples was increased from (39.6 ± 1.4) to 53.6 GPa, which seemed to indicate that a spinodal segregation along grain interfaces was finished. A maximum hardness of 40.8 GPa before and 55 GPa after annealing in air at 500 °C was observed for coatings with a concentration of elements of Si≽ (7–8) at.%, Ti ≽ 22 at.% and Zr ⩽ 70 at.%.     

Inclusion Body Myositis and Neoplasia: A Narrative Review

Inclusion body myositis (IBM) is an acquired, late-onset inflammatory myopathy, with both inflammatory and degenerative pathogenesis. Although idiopathic inflammatory myopathies may be associated with malignancies, IBM is generally not considered paraneoplastic. Many studies of malignancy in inflammatory myopathies did not include IBM patients. Indeed, IBM is often diagnosed only after around 5 years from onset, while paraneoplastic myositis is generally defined as the co-occurrence of malignancy and myopathy within 1 to 3 years of each other. Nevertheless, a significant association with large granular lymphocyte leukemia has been recently described in IBM, and there are reports of cancer-associated IBM. We review the pathogenic mechanisms supposed to be involved in IBM and outline the common mechanisms in IBM and malignancy, as well as the therapeutic perspectives. The terminally differentiated, CD8+ highly cytotoxic T cells expressing NK features are central in the pathogenesis of IBM and, paradoxically, play a role in some cancers as well. Interferon gamma plays a central role, mostly during the early stages of the disease. The secondary mitochondrial dysfunction, the autophagy and cell cycle dysregulation, and the crosstalk between metabolic and mitogenic pathways could be shared by IBM and cancer. There are intermingled subcellular mechanisms in IBM and neoplasia, and probably their co-existence is underestimated. The link between IBM and cancers deserves further interest, in order to search for efficient therapies in IBM and to improve muscle function, life quality, and survival in both diseases.