Averaging analysis of periodically forced fluid networks

For a lumped parameter model of a flow network driven by a periodic generator, we apply averaging to find an approximate solution and analyze its stability. The approximate solution has three parts: mean flow due to the resistive effects of branches, a time-periodic part due to “inductive” effects, and a mean flow average correction due to the interaction of nonlinear and time varying effects. We present an example that may explain the scenario leading to venous diseases. It is shown that the widening of a branch in a venous network leads to an increase in the AC flow and a decrease in the DC flow through that branch, thus increasing the stress on venous valves, and consequently leading to a further increase in the effective width of the vein.     

Effect of hybrid polymer coating of Bioglass® foams on mechanical response during tensile loading

A simplified two-dimensional finite elements model was created for a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) coated Bioglass^® strut undergoing tensile stresses (loading mode I). The strengthening contributions due to the infiltration of coating into surface cracks and coating's stiffness were evaluated in terms of stress intensity factor K_I and tensile stresses σ_yy in the proximity of the crack tip. The infiltration of the coating until the crack tip resulted as the most effective criterion for the struts strengthening. Bioglass^® based scaffolds were dip coated into PVA and PVA/microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) aqueous solutions and tested in tensile load. Coated samples exhibited remarkably higher tensile strength than non-coated ones, which further raised with the increased amount of MFC. Contact angle θ and linear viscosity η measurements of PVA/MFC solutions showed that MFC caused a reduction in θ and a drastic increase in η, indicating that a balance between these two effects must be achieved.     

Influence of Annealing on the Properties of Explosively Welded Titanium Grade 1—AW7075 Aluminum Alloy Bimetals

Explosive welding of titanium Grade 1 to AW7075 aluminum alloy arranged in parallel setup was performed. The annealing of produced bimetals at the temperatures of 450, 500 and 550 °C for times ranging from 20 to 100 h was carried out after explosive welding. The produced bimetal was characteristic by its wavy interface typical for that bonding process. Increase in the microhardness at the interface was recorded due to work hardening. Delamination of titanium Grade 1 flyer sheet was firstly observed when annealing temperature of 500 °C for 40 h was carried out. Annealing at 550 °C also resulted in delamination of upper sheet. The intermetallic compound (IMC) layer was observed at the interface after annealing of bimetals. The higher the annealing temperature and time, the higher the thickness of continuous IMC layer. The maximum measured thickness of IMC layer averaged 13 µm. Energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and x-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses revealed that the interface layer is consisted of Al₁₈Ti₂Mg₃ IMC. Microhardness at the interface increased dramatically up to 439 HV0.1 after annealing of bimetal due to the presence of above-mentioned IMC.     

Novel design approach for the creation of 3D geometrical model of personalized bone scaffold

Bone scaffolds provide a structural support for tissue development. Existing bone scaffolds are mainly characterized by complex porous designs whose shortcomings are a low level of permeability for growing tissue, and a difficult design customization. Scaffolds with nucleuses (rods or lattices) as basic elements should improve bone regeneration and enable higher design flexibility. In this paper, we present two new methods for building 3D geometrical models of personalized scaffolds, which are based on method of anatomical features. Methods are demonstrated in the case of scaffold for the mandible bone. This approach greatly reduces the designer effort and time, while enabling easy personalization of scaffolds’ shape and geometry.     

Study of the growth and structural properties of InMnAs dots grown on high-index surfaces by MOVPE

The growth of InMnAs quantum dots by low pressure MOVPE technique on patterned (1 0 0) GaAs substrates was studied. The patterning in the form of ridges with sidewalls having (2 1 1) and (3 1 1) facets was prepared by wet chemical etching via a GaAs/AlAs sacrificial etching mask structure. AFM studies showed that the dots formation and distribution were very similar for both types of facets under study. InMnAs dot density on the (3 1 1) plane is about 5–7 times lower in comparison to that on the (1 0 0) planar substrate. The dots on sidewalls are larger in comparison to average dots formatted on planar GaAs (1 0 0) substrate. The lateral dimensions of these dots are in the interval 100–180 nm. In addition, dot distribution along the sidewall (from top to bottom) is not uniform. A higher dot concentration was observed close to the intersection of (3 1 1) facets with concave bottom part of the valleys between ridges. Finally, no dots were grown on the (1 0 0) plane created by self-faceting on the top of the triangular ridges. This is probably a consequence of the high quality of the (1 0 0) facet formed by lateral overgrowth.     

Influence of Rare-Earth Dopants on Barium Titanate Ceramics Microstructure and Corresponding Electrical Properties

In this article, ytterbium and erbium oxides are used as doping materials for barium titanate (BaTiO₃) materials. The amphoteric behavior of these rare-earth ions leads to the increase of dielectric permittivity and decrease of dielectric losses. BaTiO₃ ceramics doped with 0.01–0.5 wt% of Yb₂O₃ and Er₂O₃ were prepared by conventional solid-state procedure and sintered at 1320°C for 4 h. In BaTiO₃ doped with a low content of rare-earth ions (0.01 wt%) the grain size ranged between 10 and 25 μm. With the higher dopant concentration of 0.5 wt%, the abnormal grain growth is inhibited and the grain size ranged between 2 and 10 μm. The measurements of capacitance and dielectric losses as a function of frequency and temperature have been carried out in order to correlate the microstructure and dielectric properties of doped BaTiO₃ ceramics. The temperature dependence of the dielectric constant as a function of dopant amount has been investigated.     

Trace metals in Phragmites australis and Phalaris arundinacea growing in constructed and natural wetlands

Constructed wetlands with horizontal subsurface flow (HF CWs) designed for treatment of municipal sewage have been monitored extensively with respect to removal of organics, suspended solids, nitrogen, phosphorus and bacteria. However, the information on the removal of various metals and metalloids in these systems is very limited. During the period 2002-2004 aboveground and belowground biomass of Phragmites australis (common reed) and Phalaris arundinacea (reed canarygrass) were sampled in three HF CWs in the Czech Republic. Concentrations of monitored elements in both aboveground and belowground plant tissues were similar to those found in plants growing in natural stands. The concentrations were much lower as compared to those found in plants growing in wetlands receiving acid mine drainage waters, waters from smelters or highway runoff. Concentrations decrease in the order of roots>rhizomes>leaves>stems. The leaf:stem concentration ratios were quite similar for all monitored elements ranging between 1.0 and 1.9. The root:leaf concentration ratio varied widely between 1.5 (Cu) and 54 (Cr) with a mean value of 20.0. Belowground/aboveground plant tissue concentration ratios varied from 2.2 (Cu) to 32 (Cr) with the average value of 9.9.     

Antioxidant activity of sweetgrass (Hierochloë odorata Wahlnb.) extract in lard and rapeseed oil emulsions

The antioxidant activities of sweetgrass (Hierochlo? odorata) and sage (Salvia officinalis) extracts were studied in emulsions of lard and rapeseed oil using soy lecithin as an emulsifier, and addition of cupric acetate as an oxidation catalyst. The antioxidant activity was about the same in the two substrates. The stability against autoxidation was substantially increased by both sweetgrass and sage extracts and their combination. The stability was particularly high, if citric acid and/or ascorbyl palmitate were added to plant extracts.     

Utilization of Lactobacillus sp. for steroid glycoalkaloids degradation by lactic acid fermentation

The degradation fo steroid glycoalkaloids (SGAs) has been studied in model solutions. The number of colony forming units (CFU) was determined using a nondirect (cultivation) method during all stages of fermentation. The changes in SGAs content were observed by HPLC on the Supelcosil LC-NH2 column. The changes in alpha-tomatine concentration added to fermented Lactobacillus MRS broth have been studied. A mathematical model of steroid glycoalkaloids degradation during lactic fermentation was proposed. The mathematical model was based on the experimental data of SGA and glucose concentration and should be used for study and prediction of SGA concentration changes of fermented samples. The ratio of SGA degradation rate by fermentation and by lactic acid hydrolysis was calculated. The experimental data evaluated by proposed mathematical model for the selected strain of Lactobacillus plantarum 976H show real feasibility for SGA degradation by lactic acid fermentation.