An economic model for the appraisal and selection of energy supply system

Economic evaluation of different energy supply systems (district or local heating by natural gas) in Serbia is considered in this paper. According to variety of Serbian settlements (in density, size and layout of buildings) model which has ability to represent their different characteristics is formed. Model is based on identification of smaller urban areas with identical or similar characteristics and their representations with one of predefined nominal urban areas. For various nominal urban areas preferred type of energy supply system was selected. Obtained results formed matrix of preferred type of energy supply system (district or local heating) for different urban structures. This models’ matrix could be simple and useful tool for initial decision about energy supply system.     

Experimental investigation and thermodynamic prediction of the Bi–Sb–Zn phase diagram

Phase diagram of the ternary Bi–Sb–Zn system was investigated experimentally by DTA and SEM-EDS methods and analytically by CALPHAD method. The liquidus projection, invariant equilibria, several vertical sections and isothermal section at 300 °C were predicted using COST 531 thermodynamic database. Phase transition temperatures of alloys along three predicted vertical sections of the Bi–Sb–Zn ternary system with molar ratio Bi:Sb = 1, Bi:Zn = 1 and Sb:Zn = 1, were measured by differential thermal analysis (DTA). Predicted isothermal section at 300 °C was compared with the results of the scanning electron microscope (SEM) with energy dispersive spectrometry (EDS) analysis from this work.     

Correction of a Piezoresistive Pressure Sensor Using a Microcontroller

A smart piezoresistive pressure sensor using a microcontroller is described. The microcontroller ensures temperature compensation and linearization of the sensor, as well as the data exchange. To compensate for the sensor's imperfection, approximation of the sensor inverse response function by a second-order polynomial in terms of pressure and temperature is used. The maximum measurement error with respect to the full measurement range lies within ±0.1% compared to the ideal sensor response function within the temperature range of 0–70°C.     

Alterations in Protein Expression of Arabidopsis thaliana Cell Cultures During Hyper- and Simulated Micro-Gravity

Callus cell cultures of Arabidopsis thaliana exposed to hypergravity (8×g), 2D clinorotation and random positioning exhibit changes in gene expression (Martzivanou et al., Protoplasma 229:155–162, 2006). In a recent investigation we could show that after 2 h of exposure also the protein complement shows treatment-related changes which are indicative for reactive oxygen species being involved in the perception of/response to changes in the gravitational field. In the present study we have extended these investigations for a period of up to 16 h of exposure. We report on changes in abundance of 28 proteins which have been identified by nano HPLC-ESI-MS/MS, and which were altered in amount after 2 h of treatment. According to changes between 2 and 16 h we could distinguish four groups of proteins which either declined, increased from down-regulated to control levels, showed a transient decline or a transient increase. With regard to function, our data indicate stress relief or adaptation to a new gravitational steady state under prolonged exposure. The latter assumption is supported by the appearance of a new set of 19 proteins which is changed in abundance after 8 h of hypergravity. A comparative analysis of the different treatments showed some similarities in response between 8×g centrifugation and 2D clinorotation, while random positioning showed the least responses.     

Combined single domain and subdomain BEM for 3D laminar viscous flow

A subdomain boundary element method (BEM) using a continuous quadratic interpolation of function and discontinuous linear interpolation of flux is presented for the solution of the vorticity transport equation and the kinematics equation in 3D. By employing compatibility conditions between subdomains an over-determined system of linear equations is obtained, which is solved in a least squares manner. The method, combined with the single domain BEM, is used to solve laminar viscous flows using the velocity vorticity formulation of Navier–Stokes equations. The versatility and accuracy of the method are proven using the 3D lid driven cavity test case.     

Three-dimensional numerical simulation of the exhaust stroke of a single-cylinder four-stroke ICE

In this paper an extensive CFD simulation of the exhaust stroke of a single-cylinder fourstroke ICE, including the entire exhaust manifold is described. Guidelines for the implementation of the full threedimensional model of the discussed process are included. The simulation involves the time-dependent flow of exhaust gases through the exhaust valve and the flow dynamics within the 2.2-m-long, straight exhaust pipe during the period when the valve is closed. Also the intake port with the intake valve is being coupled during the valves’ overlap period. The model geometry corresponds exactly to the actual engine geometry. The movement of the mesh follows the measured kinematics of the piston and the valves. The data obtained from the experimental environment was used for both the initialization and the validation of the computations. It was found that the phenomena affecting the dynamics of the exhaust flow are extremely three-dimensional and should be treated as such. In particular, the flow through the exhaust valve and the heat transfer along the exhaust pipe were influenced greatly by the effects of cold, fresh air breaking into the exhaust pipe in the period after the EVC. The presented study is the basis for future three-dimensional investigations of the entropy-generation rate along the exhaust system, including the exhaust valve.     

Cobalt Ferrite Magnetic Nanoparticles for Tracing Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Tissue: A Preliminary Study

Therapy with mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) is promising in many diseases. Evaluation of their efficacy depends on adequate follow-up of MSCs after transplantation. Several studies have shown that MSCs can be labeled and subsequently visualized with magnetic nanoparticles (NPs). We investigated the homing of MSCs labeled with magnetic cobalt ferrite NPs in experimentally induced acute kidney injury in mice. To explore the homing of MSCs after systemic infusion into mice, we developed a pre-infusion strategy for optimal tracing and identification of MSCs with polyacrylic acid-coated cobalt ferrite (CoFe₂O₄) NPs by light and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) in various organs of mice with cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury and control mice. By correlative microscopy, we detected MSCs labeled with NPs in the lungs, spleen, kidney, and intestine of cisplatin-treated mice and in the lungs and spleen of control mice. Our results confirm that labeling MSCs with metal NPs did not affect the ultrastructure of MSCs and their ability to settle in various organs. This study demonstrates the usefulness of cobalt ferrite NPs in ex vivo visualization of MSCs and offers correlative microscopy as a useful method in routine histopathology laboratories for tracing MSCs in paraffin-embedded tissue.     

Reorganization of the Brain Extracellular Matrix in Hippocampal Sclerosis

The extracellular matrix (ECM) is an important regulator of excitability and synaptic plasticity, especially in its highly condensed form, the perineuronal nets (PNN). In patients with drug-resistant mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE), hippocampal sclerosis type 1 (HS1) is the most common histopathological finding. This study aimed to evaluate the ECM profile of HS1 in surgically treated drug-resistant patients with MTLE in correlation to clinical findings. Hippocampal sections were immunohistochemically stained for aggrecan, neurocan, versican, chondroitin-sulfate (CS56), fibronectin, Wisteria floribunda agglutinin (WFA), a nuclear neuronal marker (NeuN), parvalbumin (PV), and glial-fibrillary-acidic-protein (GFAP). In HS1, besides the reduced number of neurons and astrogliosis, we found a significantly changed expression pattern of versican, neurocan, aggrecan, WFA-specific glycosylation, and a reduced number of PNNs. Patients with a lower number of epileptic episodes had a less intense diffuse WFA staining in Cornu Ammonis (CA) fields. Our findings suggest that PNN reduction, changed ECM protein, and glycosylation expression pattern in HS1 might be involved in the pathogenesis and persistence of drug-resistant MTLE by contributing to the increase of CA pyramidal neurons’ excitability. This research corroborates the validity of ECM molecules and their modulators as a potential target for the development of new therapeutic approaches to drug-resistant epilepsy.     

Concept of energy efficient technological system: Machine tool – cutting tool – workpiece

This study deals with the concept of increasing energy efficiency by means of decreasing the energetic losses by using advanced composite machine tool components and interfaces characterized by low friction, and high wear resistance. Moreover, this study provides experimental results of damping property measurements and characteristic time domain curves of the fibre, particle, and sandwich composites, underlining the advantages of such composite types in terms of dynamic loading. Furthermore, it provides an analysis on the usage of thin films (coatings) and energy consumption in terms of cutting conditions. The study analyses the cutting tool geometry and shape of cutting edge that positively affect the cutting forces and chip flow direction, and avoid the energy-intensive restricted cutting effect. Respecting the results of the analyses of mentioned effects contributes to increasing the energy efficiency of the machine tool-cutting tool-workpiece system.