Converting excess low-price electricity into high-temperature stored heat for industry and high-value electricity production

The large-scale deployment of wind or solar energy results in electricity prices below the price of fossil fuels at times of high wind or solar output. Price collapse can be limited by using low-price electricity to heat firebrick to high temperatures, store the heat in firebrick, and provide hot air as needed to industrial furnaces, kilns, power plants and gas turbines. This sets a minimum price on electricity near that of fossil fuels.     

Synthesis and optical properties of luminescent core-shell structured silicate and phosphate nanoparticles

Monodisperse, luminescent core-shell structured inorganic nanoparticles were synthesized by sol-gel technology. They exhibit an amorphous SiO₂ core and a crystalline luminescent shell. Zn₂SiO₄:Mn²⁺ and Ca₁₀(PO₄)₆OH:Eu³⁺ shell materials are investigated. The influence of the doping concentration on optical and structural properties was studied. The resulting nanoparticles were characterized by X-ray diffraction analysis, transmission electron microscopy, inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry, and photoluminescence spectroscopy.     

The antioxidant properties of the cherimoya (Annona cherimola) fruit

Annona cherimola is an exotic fruit from the genus Annona, native to the Andean highlands in western South America. The cherimoya skin, flesh and juice were isolated and analyzed for antioxidant content using the oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) assay. The juice showed the highest antioxidant activity, while the flesh exhibited the lowest. The cherimoya skin, flesh and juice extracts were also incubated with Raji (Burkitt's Lymphoma) and HT-29 (colon cancer) cell lines, and the antioxidant uptake of cells was measured. Both cell lines, when subjected to cherimoya juice, showed the highest antioxidant uptake. The cells were then exposed to AAPH, a radical initiator, to simulate the conditions of cells under oxidative stress, and then subjected to cherimoya skin, flesh and juice extracts. Both cell lines absorbed more antioxidants after being pre-exposed to AAPH, indicating that cells under stress have the ability to import antioxidants.     

Knowledge-based parametric tools for concrete masonry walls: Conceptual design and preliminary structural analysis

The paper explores the potential uses of parametric modeling to embed construction and structural design knowledge in the form of generative rules and feedback rule-checking functions. The goal of the research reported here is to relate knowledge regarding constructive and structural principles during conceptual design in order to improve early decision-making. For that purpose we have developed a series of functions to guide conceptual design exploration by providing timely evaluation of design alternatives. The research focuses on load-bearing concrete masonry walls, and on basic requirements for doubly curved walls as a design case study. The research extends the Building Object Behavior methodology developed by Lee and others to elucidate, translate and implement design expertise into parametric rules and behaviors. The paper introduces the methodology in the context of a prototype modeling tool for early-stage design of concrete masonry walls and discusses the implications of a parametric modeling approach for conceptual design and collaboration.     

Polymer Fiber Probes Enable Optical Control of Spinal Cord and Muscle Function In Vivo

Restoration of motor and sensory functions in paralyzed patients requires the development of tools for simultaneous recording and stimulation of neural activity in the spinal cord. In addition to its complex neurophysiology, the spinal cord presents technical challenges stemming from its flexible fibrous structure and repeated elastic deformation during normal motion. To address these engineering constraints, we developed highly flexible fiber probes, consisting entirely of polymers, for combined optical stimulation and recording of neural activity. The fabricated fiber probes exhibit low‐loss light transmission even under repeated extreme bending deformations. Using our fiber probes, we demonstrate simultaneous recording and optogenetic stimulation of neural activity in the spinal cord of transgenic mice expressing the light sensitive protein channelrhodopsin 2 (ChR2). Furthermore, optical stimulation of the spinal cord with the polymer fiber probes induces on‐demand limb movements that correlate with electromyographical (EMG) activity.     

Study of the kinetics of dissolution and preciptitation of complex carbides and their effect on martensitic transformation in corrosion-resistant steels

Conclusion Separation of martensitic transformation into several stages in martensitic corrosionresistant steels may be explained by a concentration gradient for carbon and carbide-forming elements in austenite as a result of precipitation of them during cooling.Spain. Translated from Metallovedenie i Termicheskaya Obrabotka Metallov, No. 7, pp. 7–8, July, 1991.     

Tunable chirped fibre Bragg grating device controlled by variablemagnetic fields

A novel dynamic chirping fibre Bragg grating device based on a magnetic field applied to a magnetostrictive transducer capable of tuning its dispersion is presented. Chirping ranges up to 300 ps/nm have been demonstrated, which are suitable for several applications such as tunable transversal filtering and dynamic dispersion compensation     

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha enhances antitumor effects of radiation against glioma xenografts

Benzodiazepine discontinuation is characterized by a syndrome of increased activity and reduced seizure threshold that is similar to effects mediated by the glutamatergic system. To elucidate the involvement of the glutamatergic system in benzodiazepine tolerance and discontinuation, we administered lorazepam, the NMDA antagonist CPP, and the combination of these compounds either concomitantly or consecutively to mice via osmotic pumps and evaluated pentylenetetrazole-induced seizure threshold, open-field activity, and benzodiazepine receptor binding during and after chronic administration. Animals receiving lorazepam alone developed partial tolerance at 7 days and complete tolerance at 14 days to the anticonvulsant effects of lorazepam. This effect was partly attenuated by CPP coadministration with lorazepam. This combination produced only partial tolerance. A reduction in seizure threshold was observed 4 days after discontinuation of lorazepam alone. This effect was abolished by coadministration of CPP with lorazepam and by CPP administration during the withdrawal period. Benzodiazepine binding in most structures examined was significantly reduced at 14 days during chronic lorazepam administration (versus 1 day), and coadministration of CPP did not alter this decrement. After lorazepam discontinuation, binding was increased at 4 and 7 days versus chronically treated animals and versus vehicle within the cerebral cortex. This effect was abolished by coadministration of CPP as well as by CPP administration during the lorazepam withdrawal period. These data support the involvement of the glutamatergic system in benzodiazepine tolerance and discontinuation.