INDOOR SIMULATION OF A BASIN-TYPE SOLAR STILL

In this paper we develop an applied general equilibrium framework for assessing socio-economic impacts of alternative renewable energy policies and apply it to the bioenergy sector. The policy scenarios are assessed in a comparative static analysis. The numerical simulation results allow us to assess and compare welfare and distributional impacts of alternative renewable energy policies. Our empirical findings suggest that the bioenergy sector in Poland would benefit most from an indirect tax reduction. According to our simulation results, reducing the fossil energy sectors’ subsidies would be the second best policy option.     

Effect of pulsation on the near flow field of a submerged water jet

The current study investigates the effect of pulsation frequency on the near field characteristics of a submerged water jet using the technique of dye visualization. Flow visualization was performed in water over the range: Reynolds number 540–1540, Strouhal number 0.16–1.75, and at constant amplitude of pulsation of 18%. The results show that the mixing and entrainment process at lower Reynolds number occurs due to diffusion process owing to relatively stable shear layer for the case of a steady jet, whereas the external pulsation promotes an early instability in the shear layer where irregular structures promotes mixing between the jet and surrounding fluids. Images of streaklines show that initial mixing and entrainment processes in the potential core of the jet is due to the development of large vortical structures. While beyond the potential core, mixing and entrainment are governed by the small-scale structures. Further results show that the initiation and growth of vortices in the shear layer depends on the pulse frequency. For a given Reynolds number and amplitude, the number of vortical structures and their size changes with frequency. With an increase in the pulsation frequency, there is an increase in the spreading of the jet along with stretching of the vortical structures. An optimum pulsating frequency at which the effect of pulsation on the flow is maximum occurs at St = 0.44, independent of Reynolds number. These results should eventually lead to a better understanding of the physical phenomena responsible for enhanced mixing and entrainment processes in the presence of pulsating jets.     

Assessment of molecular events during in vitro re-epithelialization under honey-alginate matrix ambience

Re-epithelialization is one of the most important stages of cutaneous regeneration and its success requires supportive micro-ambience which may be provided with suitable bio-matrix. Biocompatibility and efficacy of such bio-matrix in re-epithelialization could be explored by multimodal analysis of structural and functional attributes of in vitro wound healing model including evaluation of prime molecular expressions of the epithelial cells during repair. Present study examines the influence of honey-alginate and alginate matrices on re-epithelialization in keratinocyte (HaCaT) population in a 2-D wound model. Cellular viability, proliferation and cell–cell adhesion status were assessed during wound closure using live/dead cell assay and by evaluating expressions of Ki67, p63 and E-cadherin along-with % change in cellular electrical impedance. Efficacy of honey-alginate matrix in comparison to only alginate one was demonstrated by a quicker reduction in wound gap, improved cellular viability, enhanced expressions of Ki67, p63 and its isoforms (TAp63, ΔNp63) as well as E-cadherin. Faster restoration of electrical attribute (% of impedance change) after wounding also indicated better impact of honey-alginate matrix in re-epithelialization.     

Cold test of cylindrical open resonator for 42 GHz, 200 kW gyrotron

This paper presents experimental results for cold testing of a gyrotron open resonator. Experiments were carried out to measure resonant frequency and their particular quality factor for TE mode at the frequency 42 GHz. The perturbation technique was used to determine the axial, radial and azimuthal electric field profile for identification of TE₀₃₁ mode at operating frequency 42 GHz. The good agreement between experimental results and theoretical studies was found. The results verify the design and fabrication of the specific gyrotron cavity.     

Rigidity‐Patterned Polyelectrolyte Films to Control Myoblast Cell Adhesion and Spatial Organization

In vivo, cells are sensitive to the stiffness of their microenvironment and to the spatial organization of the stiffness. In vitro studies of this phenomenon can help to better understand the mechanisms of the cell response to spatial variations of the matrix stiffness. Here, polelyelectrolyte multilayer films made of poly(L ‐lysine) and a photoreactive hyaluronan derivative are designed. These films can be photo‐crosslinked through a photomask to create spatial patterns of rigidity. Quartz substrates incorporating a chromium mask are prepared to expose selectively the film to UV light (in a physiological buffer), without any direct contact between the photomask and the soft film. It is shown that these micropatterns are chemically homogeneous and flat, without any preferential adsorption of adhesive proteins. Three groups of pattern geometries differing by their shape (circles or lines), size (from 2 to 100 μm), or interspacing distance between the motifs are used to study the adhesion and spatial organization of myoblast cells. The results pave the way for the study of the different steps of myoblast fusion in response to matrix rigidity in well‐defined geometrical conditions.     

Cell‐death assessment by fluorescent and nonfluorescent cytosolic and nuclear staining techniques

Apoptosis, a genetically programmed cellular event leads to biochemical and morphological changes in cells. Alterations in DNA caused by several factors affect nucleus and ultimately the entire cell leading to compromised function of the organ and organism. DNA, a master regulator of the cellular events, is an important biomolecule with regards to cell growth, cell death, cell migration and cell differentiation. It is therefore imperative to develop the staining techniques that may lead to visualize the changes in nucleus where DNA is housed, to comprehend the cellular pathophysiology. Over the years a number of nuclear staining techniques such as propidium iodide, Hoechst‐33342, 4’, 6‐diamidino‐2‐phenylindole (DAPI), Acridine orange–Ethidium bromide staining, among others have been developed to assess the changes in DNA. Some nonnuclear staining techniques such as Annexin‐V staining, which although does not stain DNA, but helps to identify the events that result from DNA alteration and leads to initiation of apoptotic cell death. In this review, we have briefly discussed some of the most commonly used fluorescent and nonfluorescent staining techniques that identify apoptotic changes in cell, DNA and the nucleus. These techniques help in differentiating several cellular and nuclear phenotypes that result from DNA damage and have been identified as specific to necrosis or early and late apoptosis as well as scores of other nuclear deformities occurring inside the cells.     

Influence of Filler Content on Thermo-Physical Properties of Hollow Glass Microsphere- Silicone Matrix Composite

Silicon - Thermo-physical properties of hollow glass microsphere (HGM) filled silicone resin are analyzed by various mathematical models to optimize the formulation for a low-density...     

Very Important Publication: Hypoiodite‐Catalyzed Regioselective Oxidation of Alkenes: An Expeditious Access to Aldehydes in Aqueous Micellar Media

A highly anti‐Markovnikov selective oxidation of alkenes based on in situ generated hypoiodite catalysis in aqueous micellar media under mild conditions has been described. This novel catalytic system realizes an efficient synthesis of aldehydes from alkenes in an economically viable and environmentally safe fashion. The preliminary mechanistic studies suggest that the reaction proceeds via tandem iodofunctionalization/1,2‐aryl or alkyl migration. The scope and limitations of this tandem process are demonstrated with various mono‐ and disubstituted (terminal and internal) olefins.