Global sensitivity analysis of certain and uncertain factors for a circular tunnel under seismic action

There are many certain and uncertain design factors which have unrevealed rational effects on the generation of tensile damage and the stability of the circular tunnels during seismic actions. In this research paper, we have dedicated three certain and four uncertain design factors to quantify their rational effects using numerical simulations and the Sobol’s sensitivity indices. Main effects and interaction effects between the design factors have been determined supporting on variance-based global sensitivity analysis. The results detected that the concrete modulus of elasticity for the tunnel lining has the greatest effect on the tensile damage generation in the tunnel lining during the seismic action. In the other direction, the interactions between the concrete density and both of concrete modulus of elasticity and tunnel diameter have appreciable effects on the tensile damage. Furthermore, the tunnel diameter has the deciding effect on the stability of the tunnel structure. While the interaction between the tunnel diameter and concrete density has appreciable effect on the stability process. It is worthy to mention that Sobol’s sensitivity indices manifested strong efficiency in detecting the roles of each design factor in cooperation with the numerical simulations explaining the responses of the circular tunnel during seismic actions.     

Effect of whey protein concentrate addition on the physical properties of homogenized sweetened dairy creams

The influence on their whipping properties of homogenization at first and second stage pressures of 3.5/1.5 MPa and addition of whey protein concentrate (WPC) powder at three different (0.7, 1.4, and 2.1 wt percentage) concentrations to sweetened and homogenized creams was studied. Homogenization of cream significantly decreased maximum overrun and made the foam microstructure less open, while increasing whipping time, cream and foam lightness (Hunter L -value) and apparent viscosity. It also resulted in a less elastic foam structure with an increased drainage. Addition of WPC decreased the amount of maximum overrun, foam drainage and its lightness in parallel with developing a more compact microstructure. It increased the whipping time, apparent viscosity of unwhipped creams and foams, and resulted in a less elastic foam structure. The apparent viscosity of whipped cream with 2.1 wt percentage WPC, however, was lower than that of whipped cream with 1.4 wt percentage WPC, due most probably to the start up of gel formation at 2.1% WPC concentration in sweetened cream when it was sheared. Fresh foam whipped from sweetened cream with 2.1 wt percentage WPC also tended to have a slightly but not statistically significant lower elastic modulus (G') than fresh foam whipped from sweetened cream with 1.4 wt percentage WPC. This concentration can be considered as the critical value for gel formation in sweetened creams enriched by whey proteins when sheared. This study indicated the potential of WPC powder for reducing foam drainage from whipped homogenized sweetened cream.     

Aptamer based detection and separation platforms for ochratoxin A: A systematic review

Ochratoxin A (OTA), one of the most dangerous mycotoxins for human health, has been subjected to numerous studies for separation and detection in minimal amounts. Aptamers as novel recognition elements have been employed to fabricate ultrasensitive biosensors for the detection of OTA and designing delicate analytical tools. This review attempted to comprehensively examine all reported aptamer-based detection and separation platforms for ochratoxin. The most relevant databases were considered to discover all specific aptamers for dealing with OTA. Aptamer-based detection and separation devices specified for OTA were searched for, analyzed, discussed, and classified based on their specifications. The optical aptasensors have gathered a higher interest than electrochemical aptasensors, which can achieve a lower limit of detections. Moreover, some extraction platforms based on these aptamers were also found. However, aptamer-based devices seem to have some challenges in their application.     

Secondary antiviral metabolites from fungi with special reference to coronaviruses

Profound inspection of the life forms on the earth teaches how to be the complexity of interrelationships amongthe various systems. Because of the emergence of novel viruses all the time and the inadequate of vaccines and antivirals,viral contagions are amongst the most causative diseases affecting people worldwide. Fungi exemplify a massive source ofbioactive molecules as, many fungal secondary metabolities like Oxoglyantrypine, Carneic acid F, Scedapin C, AsteltoxinE, Phomanolide, Norquinadoline A and Quinadoline B have antiviral activity. This review deals with how secondarymetabolites of fungi can help in the war against viruses in general and especially Coronaviruses moreover severalpieces of literature pointed out that many clusters of fungi in different biotopes are waiting to be exploited.     

A MODIFIED SOLUTION-DIFFUSION MODEL FOR SEPARATION OF ETHANOL-WATER AZEOTROPIC MIXTURES IN PERVAPORATION

A modified solution-diffusion model is presented which describes separation of ethanol-water mixtures. The model is particularly useful in predicting the solute (ethanol) flux as the mixture approaches the azeotrope point where ethanol activity is greater than 0 6. Based on the experimental observations obtained from the literature, the model assumes that polymers of about seven molecules of ethanol are formed, which are then transported through the membrane along with water and ethanol monomers and dimers. It is shown that the ethanol flux can be predicted more accurately as compared with the existing model. Comparisons with experimental data from the literature confirms this model.