ANALYSIS OF EXPERIMENTAL AND NUMERICAL RESULTS OF A TURBULENT SWIRLING FLOW IN A TUBE

In many applications swirling flow is used to enhance heat and mass transfer. One of the problems of modelling a turbulent swirling flow is the choice of the turbulent closure model which is acceptable for engineering purposes. To evaluate which model performs best, numerical results are compared with experimental data. Local velocity measurements are carried out on a swirling flow in a circular tube. The measurement method is hot-wire anemometry combined with visualization techniques. The numerical analysis is carried out using the k-ε model and the Algebraic Stress Model. In the experiment a symmetrical swirl was observed, Comparing the experimental data with the numerical results shows that the Algebraic Stress Model represents the experimental data quite well, whereas the k-ε model fails.     

Trp82 and Tyr332 are involved in two quaternary ammonium binding domains of human butyrylcholinesterase as revealed by photoaffinity labeling with [3H]DDF

Purified butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) was photolabeled by [3H]-p-N, N-dimethylamino benzene diazonium ([3H]DDF) to identify the quaternary ammonium binding sites on this protein [Ehret-Sabatier, L. , Schalk, I., Goeldner, M., and Hirth, C. (1992) Eur. J. Biochem. 203, 475-481]. The covalent photoincorporation occurs with a stoichiometry of one mole of probe per mole of inactivated site and could be fully prevented by several cholinergic inhibitors such as tacrine or tetramethylammonium. After complete deglycosylation of the enzyme using N-glycosidase F, the alkylated protein was trypsinolyzed and the digests were analyzed by HPLC coupled to ES-MS. A direct comparison of tryptic fragments from labeled and unlabeled BuChE allowed us to identify the tryptic peptide Tyr61-Lys103 as carrying the probe. Purification of the labeled peptides by anion-exchange chromatography gave a major radioactive peak which was further fractionated by reversed-phase HPLC leading to three, well-resolved, radioactive peaks. Microsequencing revealed that two of these peaks contained an overlapping sequence starting at Tyr61, while the third peak contained a sequence extending from Thr315. Radioactive signals could be unambiguously attributed to positions corresponding to residues Trp82 and Tyr332. This labeling study establishes the existence of two different binding domains for quaternary ammonium in BuChE and exemplifies additional cation/pi interactions in cholinergic proteins. This work strongly supports the existence of a peripheral anionic site in BuChE, implying residue Tyr332 as a key element.     

All-trans beta-carotene is absorbed preferentially to 9-cis beta-carotene, but the latter accumulates in the tissues of domestic ferrets (Mustela putorius puro)

The algae Dunaliella bardawil and Dunaliella salina naturally contain large concentrations of all-trans and 9-cis beta-carotene (betaC). The purpose of this study was to compare the relative serum and tissue accumulation of all-trans and 9-cis betaC in ferrets fed different ratios of all-trans/9-cis betaC derived from two commercial sources, D. bardawil or D. salina (Betatene). Male ferrets (7 wk old) were fed carotene-free, pelleted diets for 27 d. Beginning on d 18, groups of ferrets (n = 6 or 7) received daily, one of six oral supplements varying in ratios of 9-cis and all-trans betaC mixed with approximately 1.0mL of Ensure. Four supplements containing 5.2-8.3 micromol total betaC were prepared from a 20% Betatene preparation, D. bardawil, a high-cis Betatene preparation, and Betatene further enriched in 9-cis betaC with all-trans betaC/9-cis betaC ratios of 2.2, 1.5, 0.6 and 0.4, respectively. Two control supplements, high and low betaC, were prepared from commercial betaC beadlets. The high control supplement had an all-trans/9-cis ratio of 19.0, whereas 9-cis betaC was not detected in the low supplement. On d 27, serum and tissues were obtained for HPLC analysis of betaC and its isomers. Analysis of livers showed that all-trans betaC was the primary isomer present, but 9-cis and other isomers were also detected in all groups. The hepatic all-trans/9-cis ratios were 5.9, 4.9, 2.5, 1.4, 52.2 and47.5, respectively, for the groups listed above. Lower amounts of all-trans and 9-cis betaC were found in kidneys compared with the liver, but ratios of all-trans/9-cis were not different among groups. Only trace amounts of 9-cis betaC were found in serum. These results demonstrate that the algae D. bardawil and D. salina provide a bioavailable source of betaC isomers, but, as in humans, absorption of 9-cis betaC is poor and any 9-cis betaC absorbed is apparently cleared by the liver.     

Tailored versus realistic geometry in the inverse problem ofelectrocardiography

The stability and applicability of a previously developed inverse procedure for the noninvasive determination of the activation sequence of the human heart has been evaluated. In particular, the possibility of using a standard geometrical configuration representing the heart and the inhomogeneous volume conductor in this procedure has been tested. Results show that in order to obtain reliable inverse solutions, true "tailored" geometry should be used.     

Noise and dynamic range optimization of SAW transversal filters

A model for surface acoustic wave (SAW) transversal filters with special attention to the system and circuit designer's point of view is summarized. In the ideal situation the SAW transversal filter is driven with a voltage and the short-circuit current is sensed, which results in a minimization of the triple transit echo distortion. The aperture (width) of the SAW device is the only parameter that is not determined by the frequency dependence of the transfer and therefore it can be used to optimize the SAW device in relation to the electronic circuitry. Noise and dynamic range calculations on an amplifier-filter-amplifier configuration, are performed. It is shown that for a low noise floor at the input of the SAW device, the aperture of this device should be chosen large. However, the dynamic range of the amplifier-filter-amplifier configuration can be maximized by choosing a small aperture.     

Hygienic aspects of porcine gullets

In an attempt to elaborate good manufacturing practices, including the collection, processing and storage of porcine gullets, their bacterial condition immediately after collection (100 samples), as well as that of deep frozen gullets just before incorporation into meat products (40 samples), was assessed. Fresh gullets were found to be contaminated to a high degree: poured plate colony count at 30°C (PPCC) approximately 10(6) to 10(7) and Enterobacteriaceae approximately 10(3) to 10(4) cfu g(-1). Deep frozen gullets showed even higher counts: PPCC approximately 10(7) to 10(8) and Enterobacteriaceae approximately 10(4) to 10(5) cfu g(-1). Hygiene during collection was visually assessed in six abattoirs and found to be satisfactory in two, moderate in three and poor in one. The effects of processing, by cleaning or removal of the mucus membrane, on bacterial condition, pH, colour and odour were assessed before and during storage at 4°C and 20°C. Both cleaning and removal of the mucus membrane resulted in up to approximately a tenfold reduction of colony counts. After 7 days' storage at 4°C these were significantly lower than those of unprocessed gullets (P < 0·01). Processed gullets stored at 4°C were no longer fit for consumption after 4 days' storage. It being impossible to achieve a marked improvement in the bacteriological condition of gullets, the incorporation of these products into sausages should be discouraged and their use in petfoods only allowed under reasonable conditions of hygiene and chilling.     

Improved corrosion protection of aluminum alloys by electrodeposited silanes

Organofunctional silanes recently have emerged as outstanding, environmentally friendly corrosion protectors for metal substrates, compared with conventional chromate treatments. A simple immersion technique is typically used to coat the metal surface with silane films. However, the thickness and uniformity of the films are uncontrolled in this process. This paper proposes a new deposition technique for the silane films on the metal surface, i.e., by electrodeposition. Hydrolyzed silanes are water-soluble, ionized molecules, so they can be deposited on metals by electrodeposition. Various combinations of silane mixtures were tested at different voltages, pH values, bath concentrations, and exposure times on panels of alloy aluminum and mirror-polished ferro-plate. The surface structure was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and ellipsometry. The resistance of the film to corrosion was investigated by direct current (DC) polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) techniques. Electrodeposition results in a more organized and uniform film with fewer pores, compared with immersed or dipped films. This paper was presented at the 2nd International Surface Engineering Congress sponsored by ASM International, on September 15–17, 2003, in Indianapolis, Indiana, and appears on pp. 320–26 of the Proceedings.