Polyphenols bioaccessibility and bioavailability assessment in ipecac infusion using a combined assay of simulated in vitro digestion and Caco-2 cell model

In this report, we investigated for the first time the total polyphenols content (TPC) and antioxidant activity before and after digestion of Carapichea ipecacuanha root infusion, better known as ipecac, prepared at different concentrations. An in vitro digestion system coupled to a Caco-2 cell model was applied to study the bioavailability of antioxidant compounds. The ability of ipecac bioaccessible fractions to inhibit reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation at cellular level was also evaluated. The findings revealed that water volume of 50 mL g⁻¹ of sample provided the maximum yield of extraction of TPC and antioxidant activity. Polyphenols increased in content and activity after digestion and they were highly bioavailable (75% of intestinal absorption). Polyphenols were also present in the residual parts which indicate a possible local activity. Results also suggest that ipecac infusion could represent a promising source of effective bioavailable antioxidants to be exploited in functional foods field.     

Methodology for predicting spray quenching of thick-walled metal alloy tubes

This paper explores the parametric influences of spray quenching for thick-walled metal alloy tubes. Using the point-source depiction of a spray, an analytical model is derived to determine the shape and size of the spray impact zone, as well as the distribution of volumetric flux across the same zone. This distribution is incorporated into heat transfer correlations for all spray boiling regimes to generate a complete boiling curve for every location across the impact zone. By setting boundary conditions for both the sprayed and unsprayed portions of the tube surface, a heat diffusion model is constructed for a unit cell of the tube for both aluminum alloy and steel. This model is used to construct spray quench curves for every point along the sprayed surface and within the wall. Increasing nozzle pressure drop or decreasing orifice-to-surface distance are shown to increase the magnitude of volumetric flux, which hastens the onset of the rapid cooling stages of the quench as well as improves overall cooling effectiveness. The sprayed surface is characterized by fast thermal response to the spray, while regions within the wall display more gradual response due to heat diffusion delays. With their superior thermal diffusivity, aluminum alloy tubes transmit the cooling effect through the wall faster than steel tubes. For steel, the cooling effect is more concentrated near the sprayed surface, causing the sprayed surface to cool much faster and locations within the wall much slower than for aluminum alloy. The predictive approach presented in this paper facilitates the determination of surface temperature gradients in the quenched part to guard against stress concentration. Also, when combined with metallurgical transformation models for the alloy, it may be possible to predict material properties such as hardness and strength.     

Analytical and computational methodology for modeling spray quenching of solid alloy cylinders

Heat-treating of solid alloy cylinders is an important practical problem for which no optimal production methods have been developed, especially in terms of the most crucial quenching stage. This study explores the use of spray quenching as an alternative to the commonly used bath quenching, which is known to yield relatively slow quench rates and provide few options for spatial optimization of cooling rate. A carefully configured spray cooling system is examined, which provides maximum coverage of the surface of a solid alloy cylinder with full-cone pressure sprays. A new analytical model is derived to determine the shape and size of the spray impact zone, as well as the distribution of volumetric flux across the curved surface of the cylinder. This distribution is combined with heat transfer correlations for all spray boiling regimes to generate a local boiling curve for every location across the impact surface. Using these boiling curves as boundary conditions, a transient analysis is conducted for aluminum alloy and steel cylinders. Increasing the nozzle pressure drop or decreasing the orifice-to-surface distance are shown to hasten the exit from the poor film boiling regime to the more efficient transition boiling regime, resulting in a quicker quench. Relatively high thermal diffusivity causes faster transmission of the spray cooling effect through the cylinder and milder temperature gradients in aluminum compared to steel. This also causes the outer surface to cool earlier but deeper points much slower for steel. Large temperature gradients are encountered on the surface during the quench because of different boiling regimes occurring at different locations exposed to the spray. This study highlights several practical advantages of spray quenching compared with bath quenching, including the ability to achieve a wide range of fast quench rates, uniformity and predictability of quench rate, and the ability to predict and guard against imperfections caused by thermal stresses.     

Leakage Current Phenomena in Irradiated SOS Devices

A detailed study of ionizing radiation effects on SOS devices has been performed with emphasis placed on determining the mechanisms of back-channel leakage current phenomena. Behavior for n-channel transistors fabricated with both wet and dry gate oxides is compared and differences in radiation response are attributed to a larger density of hole traps in the sapphire for dry-oxide devices. It is observed that reduction of radiation-induced leakage current to very near its preirradiation value can be readily accomplished by continuing to irradiate a device under a condition of zero drain bias. Studies with low-energy electrons (6 - 45 keV) from a scanning electron microscope reveal that energy must be deposited in the sapphire in order to increase the leakage current and that energy deposition in the sapphire bulk is unimportant in terms of leakage current production. For the present devices, the region which is effective in producing such current extends into the sapphire a distance on the order of 2 ?m from the Si-Al2O3 interface. If hole traps are spatially distributed, then the dominant mechanism for reducing leakage current is shown to be injection of electrons from Si into Al2O3 where they neutralize trapped holes. A model for radiation-induced production and reduction of leakage current in SOS devices is described.     

Single-phase and two-phase cooling using hybrid micro-channel/slot-jet module

This paper explores the single-phase and two-phase cooling performance of a hybrid micro-channel/slot-jet module using HFE-7100 as working fluid. Three-dimensional numerical simulation using the k–ε turbulent model is used to both assess the single-phase performance and seek a geometry that enhances heat removal capability and surface temperature uniformity while decreasing mean surface temperature. This geometry is then tested experimentally to validate the numerical findings and aid in the development of correlations for both the single-phase and two-phase heat transfer coefficients. The hybrid module is shown to maintain surface temperature gradients below 2 °C for heat fluxes up to 50 W/cm². Even without phase change, the hybrid module is capable of dissipating heat fluxes as high as 305.9 W/cm². Highly accurate single-phase correlations are developed using a superpositioning technique that consists of assigning a different heat transfer coefficient for each portion of the heat transfer area based on the dominant heat transfer mechanism for that portion. Increasing subcooling and/or flow rate is shown to delay the onset of nucleate boiling to a higher heat flux and higher surface temperature, as well as enhance critical heat flux (CHF). A correlation previously developed for hybrid micro-channel/micro-circular-jet module is deemed equally effective at predicting two-phase heat transfer data for the present hybrid module.     

Fluid flow and heat transfer characteristics of low temperature two-phase micro-channel heat sinks – Part 1: Experimental methods and flow visualization results

A new cooling scheme is proposed where the primary working fluid flowing through a micro-channel heat sink is pre-cooled to low temperature using an indirect refrigeration cooling system. Cooling performance was explored using HFE 7100 as working fluid and four different micro-channel sizes. High-speed video imaging was employed to help explain the complex interrelated influences of hydraulic diameter, micro-channel width, mass velocity and subcooling on cooling performance. Unlike most prior two-phase micro-channel heat sink studies, which involved annular film evaporation due high void fraction, the low coolant temperatures used in this study produced subcooled flow boiling conditions. Decreasing coolant temperature delayed the onset of boiling, reduced bubble size and coalescence effects, and enhanced CHF. Heat fluxes in excess of 700 W/cm² could be managed without burnout. Premature CHF occurred at low mass velocities and was caused by vapor flow reversal toward the inlet plenum. This form of CHF was eliminated by decreasing coolant temperature and/or increasing flow rate.     

Theory and experimental validation of cross-flow micro-channel heat exchanger module with reference to high Mach aircraft gas turbine engines

This study explores the design, analysis, and performance assessment of a new class of heat exchangers intended for high Mach aircraft gas turbine engines. Because the compressor air that is used to cool turbine blades and other components in a high Mach engine is itself too hot, aircraft fuel is needed to precool the compressor air, cooling is achieved with a new heat exchanger. The heat exchanger consists of a large number of miniature, closely-spaced modules. Within each module, the fuel flows through a series of parallel micro-channels, while the air flows externally over rows of short, straight fins perpendicular to the direction of fuel flow. A theoretical model was developed to predict the thermal performance of the module for various operating conditions. To confirm the accuracy of the model, a single module was constructed and tested using water to simulate the aircraft fuel. The theoretical model was used to predict the air temperature drop, water temperature rise, and heat transfer rate for each fluid stream. Comparisons between theory and experiment show good overall agreement in exit temperatures and heat transfer rates. This study shows the theoretical model is a reliable tool for predicting the performance of heat exchanger modules under actual fuel and air turbine engine conditions and for the design of aircraft heat exchangers of different sizes and design envelopes.     

Improvement of thermal stability of new heteroaromatic poly(azomethine urethane)s

New poly(azomethine urethane)s were synthesized in the conventional literature manner by reacting a new bisphenol‐containing azomethine group, N,N′‐bis(4‐hydroxyl‐3‐methoxy benzylidine)‐2,6‐diaminopyridine (I) with various diisocyanates, such as hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI) (a), methylene‐4,4′‐diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) (b), and toluene‐2,4‐diisocyanate (TDI) (c). The resulting polymers I(a–c) were confirmed by ¹H‐NMR, FTIR, UV, and CHN analyses. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) revealed that the polymers have high thermal stability. A semicrystalline behavior was noticed for polymers by wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction (WAXD) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 100: 1198–1204, 2006