Experimental analysis of 2D-unsteady temperature field by using Mach-Zehnder interferogram images

A measurement method for an unsteady temperature field by using a Mach-Zehnder interferometer and image processing technique is presented. In this study, the results measured by this method were compared with the calculated results under Reynolds numbers (Re = UL/v) ranging to less than 350 in the steady-state. The unsteady characteristics of the local Nusselt numbers (Nu_x = α_xL/λ) around an elastically vibrating plate were investigated under the conditions that the reduced frequency (N = 1/Ro) ranged from 4.8 to 8.6 and the amplitude of vibration was kept small relative to the plate length. In this study it was clarified that the distributions of the Local Nusselt numbers were observed flutteringly, and that the phase of the time-averaged Nusselt number is delayed compared to the phase of the velocity at the trailing edge. These results indicate that the enhancement of the time-averaged heat transfer coefficient around the vibrating plate depended on the Rossby number. © 1997 Scripta Technica. Inc. Heat Trans Jpn Res. 25 (2): 88–102, 1996     

Inflammation Regulates Haematopoietic Stem Cells and Their Niche

Haematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) reside in the bone marrow and are supported by the specialised microenvironment, a niche to maintain HSC quiescence. To deal with haematopoietic equilibrium disrupted during inflammation, HSCs are activated from quiescence directly and indirectly to generate more mature immune cells, especially the myeloid lineage cells. In the process of proliferation and differentiation, HSCs gradually lose their self-renewal potential. The extensive inflammation might cause HSC exhaustion/senescence and malignant transformation. Here, we summarise the current understanding of how HSC functions are maintained, damaged, or exhausted during acute, prolonged, and pathological inflammatory conditions. We also highlight the inflammation-altered HSC niche and its impact on escalating the insults on HSCs.     

Graft copolymerization onto cellulose by ceric ion initiator system: Effects of kind of acid and irradiation with ultraviolet light

The effects of kind of acid and irradiation of ultraviolet light on the graft copolymerization of methyl methacrylate onto cellulose with adsorbed ceric ion were investigated. Irrespective of ultraviolet light irradiation, the amount of reduced ceric ion in the reaction systems was increased in the order HCl > HClO₄ > HNO₃ > H₂SO₄, and the number of grafts formed was increased in the order HClO₄ > HNO₃ > HCl > H₂SO₄. Thus, it was definitely observed that the graft copolymerization is affected by the kind of acid. Ultraviolet light remarkably accelerated the reduction of ceric ion adsorbed on cellulose in the various acid mediums, but decreased the efficiency of graft formation. The most favorable results for the formation of grafts were obtained in the system in which HClO₄ and ultraviolet irradiation was employed. A combination of H₂SO₄ and ultraviolet irradiation resulted in the lowest per cent grafting and average molecular weight of grafts. It was found that H₂SO₄ characteristically dissolves out ceric ion adsorbed into an aqueous solution and accelerates the formation of homopolymer.     

Heat transfer enhancement of turbulent duct flow by vortex generators attached to a large eddy break-up manipulator

An experimental study was conducted to investigate the characteristics of wall heat transfer and momentum loss for turbulent duct flow disturbed by insertion of a complicated body composed of a Large Eddy Break-Up (LEBU) plate and winglet-type vortex generators. It was found that the LEBU plate reduces the wall heat transfer in the region downstream of the insertion position and that this suppression of heat transfer could be recovered by attaching vortex generators to the LEBU plate, i.e., conspicuous heat transfer enhancement was achieved over a large streamwise distance. The spatial distribution of the heat transfer coefficient obtained shows the same features as that observed in a previous study of a flat plate turbulent boundary layer. Therefore, the flow and thermal field structure of the turbulent duct flow downstream of the inserted body should be basically the same as those in the same region of the turbulent boundary layer. The effect of a notch, open in the LEBU plate behind the vortex generator, on heat transfer and pressure drop was also examined. The notch simulates the hole of the LEBU plate to be produced in a practical application when a vortex generator is produced by punching from the original plain LEBU plate. It was found that a vortex generator with an open notch works best in augmenting the wall heat transfer and also in suppressing the increase of momentum loss. © 1999 Scripta Technica, Heat Trans Asian Res, 28(3): 189–200, 1999     

Recent activities in the field of Nuclear Operational Management and Nuclear Safety Engineering

Recent activities in the field of Nuclear Operational Management and Nuclear Safety Engineering, the studies related to risk analysis methodology, design, and operational management, physical phenomena, and emergency preparedness and nuclear security, have been progressed. Especially, ‘risk analysis methodology’ and ‘design and operational management’ are the main categories of the field, in which more than half of published articles on Journal of Nuclear Science and Technology are related to these categories.     

Regio- and stereoselective synthesis of carbocyclic 2'',3''-dideoxy-3''-fluoro nucleosides as potential antiviral agents

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of the symptom of urinary incontinence during athletic endeavors among a group of nulliparous, elite college varsity female athletes. METHODS: All women currently participating in varsity athletics at a large state university were asked to fill out a questionnaire about the occurrence of urinary incontinence while participating in their sport and during activities of daily life. One hundred forty-four of 156 eligible women (92%) responded. RESULTS: The mean age was 19.9 years, and all women were nulliparous. Overall, 40 athletes (28%) reported urine loss while participating in their sport. The proportions in different sports were: gymnastics 67%, basketball 66%, tennis 50%, field hockey 42%, track 29%, swimming 10%, volleyball 9%, softball 6%, and golf 0%. Two-thirds of the women who noted urine loss during athletics were incontinent more often than rarely. There were no statistically significant relations between incontinence and amenorrhea, weight, hormonal therapy, or duration of athletic activity. Activities most likely to provoke incontinence included jumping, high-impact landings, and running. Forty percent and 17% of the women first noted incontinence during their sport while in high school and junior high school, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Incontinence during physical stresses is common in young, highly fit, nulliparous women. This suggests that there is a continence threshold which, when exceeded, can result in urine loss, even in the absence of known risk factors for incontinence.     

Graft copolymerization to cellulose. Effect of sodium thiosulfate on hydrogen peroxide initiator system

The effect of sodium thiosulfate on the graft copolymerization of methyl methacrylate to cellulose in the hydrogen peroxide initiator system was investigated. The addition of sodium thiosulfate in general was effective for decreasing the per cent grafting and the average molecular weight of grafts and increasing the formation of homopolymer, and the effects became pronounced with increasing hydrogen peroxide concentration. Moreover, the addition of sodium thiosulfate slightly suppressed the formation of grafts at a hydrogen peroxide concentration of 3 mmole/l., but greatly promoted it at 20 mmole/l. Traces of metallic ions present in cellulose could not be eliminated sufficiently by treatment with 3N hydrochloric acid. Such ions were found to interact with hydrogen peroxide and thus participate directly in the initiation and termination of the polymerization reaction. EDTA, the chelating agent, was highly effective for suppressing such participation of metallic ions. In the hydrogen peroxide initiator system applied to the EDTA-treated samples, sodium thiosulfate caused an effective initiation of graft formation.     

Cellulose peroxides derived from carbonylated cellulose and hydrogen peroxide

Cellulose peroxides derived from hydrogen peroxide and cellulose derivative into which a ketone group is introduced by reaction with methyl vinyl ketone were investigated. The amount of peroxide formed on the cellulose substrate increased linearly with increasing carbonyl content of the sample, and sulfuric acid activated the formation of peroxide. The cellulose peroxide was gradually decomposed at 60°C in aqueous medium, and the decomposition was accelerated by addition of ferrous salt or irradiation with light of λ > 300nm. Grafting was initiated by adding methyl methacrylate to the thermal decomposition system under nitrogen. The formation, stability, thermal decomposition, and structure of the cellulose peroxide were discussed in comparison with one derived from aldehyde cellulose and hydrogen peroxide.     

Docosahexaenoic Acid Esters of Hydroxy Fatty Acid Is a Novel Activator of NRF2

Fatty acid esters of hydroxy fatty acids (FAHFAs) are a new class of endogenous lipids with interesting physiological functions in mammals. Despite their structural diversity and links with nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) biosynthesis, FAHFAs are less explored as NRF2 activators. Herein, we examined for the first time the synthetic docosahexaenoic acid esters of 12-hydroxy stearic acid (12-DHAHSA) or oleic acid (12-DHAHOA) against NRF2 activation in cultured human hepatoma-derived cells (C3A). The effect of DHA-derived FAHFAs on lipid metabolism was explored by the nontargeted lipidomic analysis using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Furthermore, their action on lipid droplet (LD) oxidation was investigated by the fluorescence imaging technique. The DHA-derived FAHFAs showed less cytotoxicity compared to their native fatty acids and activated the NRF2 in a dose-dependent pattern. Treatment of 12-DHAHOA with C3A cells upregulated the cellular triacylglycerol levels by 17-fold compared to the untreated group. Fluorescence imaging analysis also revealed the suppression of the degree of LDs oxidation upon treatment with 12-DHAHSA. Overall, these results suggest that DHA-derived FAHFAs as novel and potent activators of NRF2 with plausible antioxidant function.