Kinetic modeling of pyrolysis of three Iranian waste oils in a micro-fluidized bed

Different approaches have been used to convert the waste materials into a clean syngas or other chemicals such as methanol. Among them, pyrolysis is a good candidate to produce the synthesis gas and volatile matters for industrial and refinery applications. In this work, we studied the kinetic and chemical behavior of three Iranian waste oils through a kinetic model and an experimental study. The experiments carried out in a micro-FB reactor, which is a good option for low emissions. Results showed that the reaction temperature and reaction rate are two of the most important factors for maximum conversion level of fuel. Results also showed an optimum value for reaction rate. The modeling results validated against the experimental measurements and found to be in good agreements.     

Design considerations for an automotive magnetorheological brake

In this paper, design considerations for building an automotive magnetorheological (MR) brake are discussed. The proposed brake consists of multiple rotating disks immersed in a MR fluid and an enclosed electromagnet. When current is applied to the electromagnet, the MR fluid solidifies as its yield stress varies as a function of the magnetic field applied. This controllable yield stress produces shear friction on the rotating disks, generating the braking torque. In this work, practical design criteria such as material selection, sealing, working surface area, viscous torque generation, applied current density, and MR fluid selection are considered to select a basic automotive MR brake configuration. Then, a finite element analysis is performed to analyze the resulting magnetic circuit and heat distribution within the MR brake configuration. This is followed by a multidisciplinary design optimization (MDO) procedure to obtain optimal design parameters that can generate the maximum braking torque in the brake. A prototype MR brake is then built and tested and the experimental results show a good correlation with the finite element simulation predictions. However, the braking torque generated is still far less than that of a conventional hydraulic brake, which indicates that a radical change in the basic brake configuration is required to build a feasible automotive MR brake.     

Survey of antibodies against various infectious disease agents in racing camels in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

1. The roles of both Ca2+ and adenosine 3':5'-cyclic monophosphate (cyclic AMP) in carbachol and K(+)-stimulated [3H]-noradrenaline release from SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells were examined. 2. Both carbachol and K+ caused a time- and dose-related stimulation of [3H]-noradrenaline release. The release event in perfused cells was monophasic. Half-maximum stimulation measured in statically incubated (3 min) cells was 38 +/- 4 microM and 63 +/- 4 mM respectively. K+ (100 mM, added)-evoked release was greater than that produced by carbachol (1 mM). 3. Both carbachol and K+ caused a time- and dose (measured at 3 min)-related stimulation of cyclic AMP formation with half-maximum stimulation occurring at 5 +/- 1 microM and 49 +/- 2 mM respectively. In contrast to its effects on release, carbachol produced a greater stimulation of cyclic AMP formation than K+. 4. K(+)-stimulated [3H]-noradrenaline release was entirely dependent on Ca2+ entry as 2.5 mM Ni2+ abolished release. However, carbachol-evoked (1 mM) release appeared to be unaffected by Ni2+ pretreatment. 5. These data suggest that in SH-SY5Y cells, elevated cyclic AMP levels are not directly involved in [3H]-noradrenaline release. In addition, carbachol-stimulated release is largely independent of extracellular Ca2+ possibly implying a role for intracellular stored Ca2+ in the release process.     

Fluorescent lipids of bovine brain white matter

Two fluorescent lipids were isolated from a chloroform-methanol (2∶1 v/v) extract of bovine brain white matter by two-step preparative thin layer chromatography on Silica Gel G. The first step was performed with chloroform-diethyl ether-acetic acid (70∶30∶1 v/v) as developing solvent and revealed a single fluorescent band below the solvent front. The band was scraped off, and the lipid was eluted in chloroform and reapplied to Silica Gel G plates. In the second step, benzene-methanol-ethyl acetate (85∶10∶5 v/v) as developing solvent revealed two fluoresent bands (A and B) with R_f values of 0.72 and 0.65. The lipids were eluted and the UV and visible absorption spectra were measured in heptane, as were the excitation and fluorescence spectra. Sulfuric acid absorption spectra (2 and 24 hr treatment at 22 C) as well as the resulting excitation and fluorescence spectra were also determined. The fluorescent lipids reacted positively in a number of nonspecific color tests for steroids, but the chemical nature of these minor components of the neutral lipid fraction remains to be established.     

Wild type mumps viruses circulating in China establish a new genotype

By analysing the nucleotide sequence of the SH genes of five mumps virus strains derived from the clinical specimens collected during the 1995/96 mumps epidemic in China a new genotype has been established. The circulating viruses showed divergence ranging from 0.8-4.5% at the nucleotide level and 3.5-12.3% at the amino acid level. In addition, a more rational approach has been taken in proposing genotype groupings to MuV strains.     

Comparison of Bougainvillea spectabilis and Bougainvillea glabra species inhibited in Pakistan based on microscopic studies: Light microscope and scanning electron microscope

The anatomical variations of two plants from the Nyctaginaceae family, Bougainvillea spectabilis and Bougainvillea glabra, were studied using light and scanning electron microscopy methods in this work. Bougainvillea is a dicotyledonous with defensive traits that can withstand extreme (hot and dry) settings; according to the findings, crystal inclusions in cells, woody spines, and an abnormal development pattern are all features that help them survive against predators and are unique to this species. The Bougainvillea plant's leaves are arranged in simple pattern, alternate to each other along stem having an undulate leaves edge and an oval form. The xylem and phloem, palisade, parenchyma midrib, spongy mesophyll, raphide crystal bundles, and trichomes were all visible when bracts and leaves were transversally sectioned and dyed with toluidine blue O (TBO). The presence of crystals was confirmed by a detailed examination of the transverse leaves by using bright-field and cross-polarizing microscopy. Dissecting microscopic examination showed that all the leaves revealed leaves venation pattern that had midvein, lateral veins areoles, and trichomes. Although trichomes have been identified on both sides, a closer look at a cleaned leaf dyed with TBO showed multicellular abundant trichomes on adaxial surface. Stomata complexes were typically found on the abaxial surface of the leaf according to epidermal peels. Present studies also showed that on adaxial side, stomata were lesser in number or were absent and also showed that the morphologies of the pavement cells on the adaxial and abaxial sides of the leaf differed.     

Non-blind Arnold scrambled hybrid image watermarking in YCbCr color space

Microsystem Technologies - Due to fast technological development, human beings generally depend upon computer and other digital equipments in different areas of concern/applications. Therefore,...     

Silicon Mitigates Drought Stress in Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Through Improving Photosynthetic Pigments,Biochemical and Yield Characters

Silicon - Feeling prone to stress differs with plant production stage, water scarcity near commencement of grain filling phase has a significant reduced grain yield through fewer endosperm and sink...     

A new approach for simplification and control of linear time invariant systems

Microsystem Technologies - This study presents a new approach for system simplification and control. This approach is based on the behaviour of growth and reproduction of weed plants namely...