Model reduction by the Modal Identification Method in forced convection: Application to a heated flow over a backward-facing step

This numerical study focuses on the use of the Modal Identification Method to build reduced models for problems of heat convection and diffusion. The principle is to minimize a cost function based on the difference between the outputs (velocity and/or temperature) of a detailed model and the outputs of a reduced one. The reduced model structure is defined from the partial differential equations governing fluid mechanics and heat transfer in the physical system. In this paper, an advection–diffusion problem is studied: forced heat convection is considered with an incompressible, stationary, laminar 2D flow. Physical properties of the fluid are temperature independent, hence velocity is independent of temperature. The system under consideration is a channel flow over a backward-facing step with a time-varying heat flux density applied upstream of the step. Three types of reduced models have been investigated: steady fluid mechanics only, unsteady heat transfer for a given constant Reynolds number, and unsteady heat transfer for any constant Reynolds number within the range [100:800]. In this last case, the thermal reduced model is weakly coupled to the fluid reduced one. Results show that reduced models fit very well with detailed ones, and allow a large decrease of computing time.     

Zinc and cadmium accumulation among and within populations of the pseudometalophytic species Arrhenatherum elatius: implications for phytoextraction

The purpose of this study was to investigate, under standard conditions, the bioaccumulation of zinc and cadmium in Arrhenatherum elatius, a perennial grass with a high biomass production. Nine populations of three different origins were tested: three metallicolous populations (mpop); three non-metallicolous populations (nmpop) and three populations developing on soils moderately metal polluted (medpop). We have found that bioaccumulation differs among these populations, with nmpop accumulating significantly more zinc (p<0.0001) and cadmium (p<0.0001) than mpop. Indeed, we have observed a concentration of 325 mg kg(-1) of zinc and 52 mg kg(-1) of cadmium in A. elatius shoots from mpop, whereas in nmpop, the concentration reached on average 524 mg kg(-1) zinc and 83 mg kg(-1) cadmium. In the same way, medpop accumulated as much zinc but more cadmium than nmpop. Moreover, the standard deviation of medpop was larger than the one for mpop and nmpop. Indeed, some A. elatius samples from medpop presented a high metal content whereas, others presented low concentrations in their shoots (ranging from 60 to 210 mg kg(-1) cadmium). Hence, these medpop exhibited a large variability among and within populations in accumulating zinc and cadmium in their shoots. Based on these results, the possibility of selecting A. elatius plants with the best accumulating capacity from medpop was proposed. We concluded that if the accumulation capacity is genetically controlled in A. elatius, this species fulfils this necessary condition for efficiently increasing species bioaccumulation by crossbreeding A. elatius plants with the higher accumulation capacity.     

An alpha-tectorin gene defect causes a newly identified autosomal recessive form of sensorineural pre-lingual non-syndromic deafness, DFNB21

In our efforts to identify new loci responsible for non-syndromic autosomal recessive forms of deafness, DFNB loci, we have pursued the analysis of large consanguineous affected families living in geographically isolated areas. Here, we report on the study of a Lebanese family comprising nine members presenting with a pre-lingual severe to profound sensorineural isolated form of deafness. Linkage analysis led to the characterization of a new locus, DFNB21, which was assigned to chromosome 11q23-25. Already mapped to this chromosomal region was TECTA. This gene encodes alpha-tectorin, a 2155 amino acid protein which is a component of the tectorial membrane. This gene recently has been shown to be responsible for a dominant form of deafness, DFNA8/12. Sequence analysis of the TECTA gene in the DFNB21-affected family revealed a G to A transition in the donor splice site (GT) of intron 9, predicted to lead to a truncated protein of 971 amino acids. This establishes that alpha-tectorin mutations can be responsible for both dominant and recessive forms of deafness. Comparison of the phenotype of the DFNB21 heterozygous carriers with that of DFNA8/12-affected individuals supports the hypothesis that the TECTA mutations which cause the dominant form of deafness have a dominant-negative effect. The present results provide genetic evidence for alpha-tectorin forming homo- or heteromeric structures.     

Otogelin: a glycoprotein specific to the acellular membranes of the inner ear

Efforts to identify the specific components of the mammalian inner ear have been hampered by the small number of neuroepithelial cells and the variety of supporting cells. To circumvent these difficulties, we used a PCR-based subtractive method on cDNA from 2-day-old mouse cochlea. A cDNA encoding a predicted 2910-amino acid protein related to mucin has been isolated. Several lines of evidence indicate, however, that this protein does not undergo the O-glycosylation characteristic to mucins. As confirmed by immunocytochemistry and biochemical experiments, this protein is specific to the inner ear. Immunohistofluorescence labeling showed that this protein is a component of all the acellular membranes of the inner ear: i.e., the tectorial membrane of the cochlea, the otoconial and accessory membranes of the utricule and saccule, the cupula of the semicircular canals, and a previously undescribed acellular material covering the otoconia of the saccule. The protein has been named otogelin with reference to its localization. A variety of nonsensory cells located underneath these membranes could be identified as synthesizing otogelin. Finally, this study revealed a maturation process of the tectorial membrane, as evidenced by the progressive organization of otogelin labeling into thick and spaced radial fiber-like structures.     

Crystallization of Supramolecular Complexes as an Alternative Route for the Separation of Racemic p‐X‐phenylethanol

A partial chiral discrimination of racemic p‐halogenated derivatives of phenylethanol is observed during the crystallization in water of host‐guest supramolecular compounds with permethylated β‐cyclodextrin. Enantioenrichment with this chiral host is however highly sensitive to crystallization durations and to the chemical nature of the halogenated substituent of the guest. Structural determinations performed for the complexes formed with (R) and (S) p‐bromo‐phenylethanol indicate that stereodifferenciation for this guest is associated to distinct inclusion features. The understanding of the underlying chiral recognition mechanisms, the careful design of suitable crystallization conditions, and the use of a procedure involving successive crystallizations allows to envisage a complete resolution of racemic mixtures by means of supramolecular complexations.     

Microstructure of quenched and annealed films of isotactic polypropylene

The Microstructure of quenched and annealed iPP films was investigated by means of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), density measurements, wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD) and dynamic mechanical spectrometry (DMS). It was found that quenched iPP can be described as a biphasic material constituted of an amorphous phase strongly cross-linked by many crystalline entities exhibiting both small size and very low degree of perfection. Such microcrystallites act as true physical ties of the amorphous phase. On increasing the annealing temperature from 20 °C (quenched film) to 160 °C, the crystallinity ratio first remained constant for annealing temperatures between 20 and 93 °C and then it increased. Subsequently, both size and degree of perfection of crystalline entities progressively increased and tended towards the characteristics of the monoclinic phase. This resulted in a progressive decrease in the physical cross-linking degree of the amorphous phase, even for the samples exhibiting the highest crystallinity ratio.     

Experimental study of the kinetic interactions in the low-temperature autoignition of hydrocarbon binary mixtures and a surrogate fuel

The oxidation and autoignition of five undiluted stoichiometric mixtures, n-heptane/toluene, isooctane/toluene, isooctane/1-hexene, 1-hexene/toluene, and isooctane/1-hexene/toluene, has been studied in a rapid compression machine below 900 K. Ignition delay times of two- and one-stage autoignition have been measured and compared to those for pure hydrocarbons. The largest influence of mixing is in the region of the negative temperature coefficient. Intermediate products have been analyzed. The main reaction paths of low-temperature co-oxidation are discussed according to current knowledge of the oxidation paths of pure hydrocarbons. The influence of toluene on the temperature coefficient of the first stage of ignition of isooctane cannot be accounted for by the current theories of low-temperature autoignition. Each hydrocarbon generates a pool of radicals whose reactivity and selectivity toward further attack changes with temperature and with the family of hydrocarbons. The overall behavior of mixtures may result from changing competition for HO₂ and OH as temperature increases during the delay time. Termination reactions between stable radicals seem to have a minor impact at low temperature.     

Electrochemically Stimulated Release from Liposomes Embedded in a Polyelectrolyte Multilayer

Triggered release of an entrapped dye from vesicles embedded in a polyelectrolyte multilayer (PEM), as a consequence of the electrochemically induced local pH change in the vicinity of the electrode, is reported. The PEM was deposited on an indium tin oxide (ITO) electrode wherein lipid vesicles filled with a fluorescent dye were embedded. The use of vesicles with a strong negative charge and the polyelectrolyte species of the PEM matrix with a polycation as topmost layer enabled the generation of a stable layer of liposomes in the PEM.     

Tacrine efficacy in Lewy body dementia

BACKGROUND: Response to tacrine varies among patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Lewy body dementia (LBD) could be a high responder subtype of AD. The aim of the study was to compare the effects of tacrine in LBD and AD. METHODS: Seventy-five consecutive outpatients with mild or moderate AD were screened. Tacrine was given at a dose of 40 mg/day during 6 weeks. During the next 6 weeks, the patients were treated with 80 mg/day and afterwards with 120 mg/day. Patients were assessed at baseline and treated with a dose of 120 mg/day tacrine for 2 weeks. RESULTS: Analysis was performed on 39 patients (AD, N = 20; LBD, N = 19). Eight patients were lost to follow-up, eight patients manifested with side-effects, six suffered from an intercurrent somatic disease during the study and 14 patients had poor compliance or were treated with incompatible drugs. Twenty-two patients (11 AD/11 LBD) increased their cognitive performances with tacrine. Among the 22 patients, the improvement differed between the AD and the LBD groups. In AD, conceptualization improved; in LBD, the improvements occurred in verbal initiation and digit span. CONCLUSION: This study emphasizes the importance of using appropriate tests to determine the positive effects of pharmacological treatments.     

Thionitrites as potent donors of nitric oxide: example of S-nitroso- and S,S'-dinitroso-dihydrolipoic acids

Until recently, nitric oxide (NO.) was considered as a toxic radical, but it appears now as an essential messenger implicated in a wide range of biological processes, including immune system, cardiovascular system, and nervous system. An aspect of NO. metabolism in vivo is the formation of a variety of high and low molecular weight nitrosothiols. S-nitrosocysteine and S-nitrosoglutathione are among the biologically derived S-nitrosothiols that are postulated to be carriers of NO.. Although most of the S-nitrosothiols are unstable and spontaneously break down to produce NO. and a disulfide, some of them, including protein thiols, can show significant stability. These molecules are able to convey nitric oxide, that is, to keep, to carry, and then to generate NO. in physiological media, and might display pharmacological effects as potential vasodilators or neuroprotectors. Here, we present the development of new thionitrites R-S-NO having intrinsic antioxidant properties. We report the preparation, the characterization, and the stability studies in aqueous solutions of S-nitroso derivatives of dihydro-alpha-lipoic acid, known for its antioxidant properties.