ANALYSIS OF A TWO-STAGE FERMENTOR WITH RECYCLE FOR CONTINUOUS ETHANOL PRODUCTION

The performance of a recycle two-stage fermentor with cell separators after each stage is analyzed numerically for the continuous production of ethanol. In this system, the bleed withdrawn from the first stage is introduced to the second tank in order to reuse the cells in the bleed. Kinetic expressions and parametric values are taken from the literature. The effects of operating parameters on the concentrations in the stages are examined. Also investigated are the critical dilution rate for washout, the ethanol productivity and the substrate conversion. In addition, the influences of the saturation constant and the equilibrium partition coefficient of ethanol are examined. With respect to the overall productivity and conversion, it is found that the present two-stage system is more efficient than either a recycle chemostat or a recycle two-stage fermentor with a single separator after the final stage.     

Formation and atomic structures of boron nitride nanohorns

Boron nitride (BN) nanohorns were synthesized by an arc-melting method, and atomic structure models for BN nanohorns with tetragonal BN rings were proposed from high-resolution electron microscopy. Stability and electronic structures of the BN nanohorns were investigated by molecular orbital/mechanics calculations. The calculation showed that multiwalled BN nanohorns would be stabilized by stacking of BN nanohorns. The energy gap of BN nanohorn was calculated to be 0.8 eV, which is lower compared to those of BN clusters and nanotubes.     

Phase II study of irinotecan and etoposide in patients with metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer

Melatonin production in the chick pineal gland is high at night and low during the day. This rhythm reflects circadian changes in the activity of serotonin N-acetyltransferase (arylalkylamine N-acetyltransferase, AA-NAT; EC 2.3.1.87), the penultimate enzyme in melatonin synthesis. In contrast to the external regulation of pineal rhythms in mammals by the suprachiasmatic nucleus, rhythmic changes in AA-NAT activity in cultured chick pineal cells are controlled by an oscillator located in the pineal cells themselves. Here we present evidence that the chick pineal clock generates a rhythm in the abundance of AA-NAT mRNA in cultured cells that parallels the rhythm in AA-NAT activity. In contrast, elevating cAMP by forskolin treatment markedly increases AA-NAT activity without producing strong changes in AA-NAT mRNA levels, and lowering cAMP by norepinephrine treatment decreases enzyme activity without markedly decreasing mRNA. These results suggest that clock-controlled changes in AA-NAT activity occur primarily through changes at the mRNA level, whereas cAMP-controlled changes occur primarily through changes at the protein level. Related studies indicate that the clock-dependent nocturnal increase in AA-NAT mRNA requires gene expression but not de novo protein synthesis, and that AA-NAT mRNA levels are suppressed at all times of the day by a rapidly turning over protein. Further analysis of the regulation of chick pineal AA-NAT mRNA is likely to enhance our understanding of the molecular basis of vertebrate circadian rhythms.     

Depth elemental imaging of forensic samples by confocal micro-XRF method

Micro-XRF is a significant tool for the analysis of small regions. A micro-X-ray beam can be created in the laboratory by various focusing X-ray optics. Previously, nondestructive 3D-XRF analysis had not been easy because of the high penetration of fluorescent X-rays emitted into the sample. A recently developed confocal micro-XRF technique combined with polycapillary X-ray lenses enables depth-selective analysis. In this paper, we applied a new tabletop confocal micro-XRF system to analyze several forensic samples, that is, multilayered automotive paint fragments and leather samples, for use in the criminaliztics. Elemental depth profiles and mapping images of forensic samples were successfully obtained by the confocal micro-XRF technique. Multilayered structures can be distinguished in forensic samples by their elemental depth profiles. However, it was found that some leather sheets exhibited heterogeneous distribution. To confirm the validity, the result of a conventional micro-XRF of the cross section was compared with that of the confocal micro-XRF. The results obtained by the confocal micro-XRF system were in approximate agreement with those obtained by the conventional micro-XRF. Elemental depth imaging was performed on the paint fragments and leather sheets to confirm the homogeneity of the respective layers of the sample. The depth images of the paint fragment showed homogeneous distribution in each layer expect for Fe and Zn. In contrast, several components in the leather sheets were predominantly localized.     

A structural optimization method based on the level set method using a new geometry‐based re‐initialization scheme

Structural optimization methods based on the level set method are a new type of structural optimization method where the outlines of target structures can be implicitly represented using the level set function, and updated by solving the so‐called Hamilton–Jacobi equation based on a Eulerian coordinate system. These new methods can allow topological alterations, such as the number of holes, during the optimization process whereas the boundaries of the target structure are clearly defined. However, the re‐initialization scheme used when updating the level set function is a critical problem when seeking to obtain appropriately updated outlines of target structures. In this paper, we propose a new structural optimization method based on the level set method using a new geometry‐based re‐initialization scheme where both the numerical analysis used when solving the equilibrium equations and the updating process of the level set function are performed using the Finite Element Method. The stiffness maximization, eigenfrequency maximization, and eigenfrequency matching problems are considered as optimization problems. Several design examples are presented to confirm the usefulness of the proposed method. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis, Atomic Structures, and Electronic States of Boron Nitride Nanocage Clusters and Nanotubes

Boron nitride (BN) nanocage clusters (B_nN_n: n = 12-60), endohedral BN clusters Y@B_nN_n, and BN nanotubes were synthesized by an arc-melting method, and characterized by mass spectrometry and high-resolution electron microscopy. The BN clusters consisted of 4-, 6-, 8-, and 10-membered BN rings satisfying the isolated tetragonal rule, which was optimized by molecular orbital calculations. Total energy calculation showed that some elements stabilize and expand the B₃₆N₃₆ structure. Bandgap energies of the B₃₆N₃₆ clusters were found to be reduced by introducing a metal atom inside the cluster, which indicates controllability of the energy gap. Chiralities of BN nanotubes with zigzag- and armchair-type structures were directly determined from high-resolution images, and structure models are proposed. Total energies of BN nanotubes with a zigzag-type structure were lower than those of armchair-type structure, and these results agreed well with the experimental data of disordered tube structure. BN nanotubes encapsulating BN clusters and a yttrium nanowire were also found. This article indicates that the new BN nanocage fullerene materials with various atomic structures and properties can be produced, and a guideline for designing the BN fullerene materials is summarized.     

Effect of Porosity and Normal Load on Dry Sliding Friction of Polymer Foam Blocks

In this study, the effect of porosity on the dry sliding fiction of ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) foams was investigated under different normal load conditions. EVA foam blocks with varying porosities were slid against a smooth stainless steel plate under dry conditions. The friction coefficient increased with increasing porosity under all of the normal load conditions. In addition, the contact area was estimated using a contact model considering elastic buckling of the cell walls (elastic collapse). The elastic collapse area in the anterior portion of the EVA foam block increased with increasing normal load and porosity, which resulted in an increased contact area. Furthermore, the friction coefficient was positively correlated with the estimated contact area divided by the normal load, indicating that adhesion friction increases with increasing porosity of polymer foams. These results may contribute to the design of high-friction, lightweight shoe sole tread blocks prepared using polymer foam blocks.     

A flame-wall interaction model for combustion and heat transfer in S.I. engines

A new premixed charge turbulent combustion model has been developed to take flame-wall interaction into account. The flame-wall interaction model is based on the combined turbulent-dissipation/laminar-mixing flamelets based on fractal theory. The model features a variable fractal dimension formulated as a function of the turbulence Reynolds number. The computed heat release rate and pressure are shown to be in good agreement with measurements. The results exhibit realistic outward-curved flame shapes. The fractal dimension is shown to vary from 2.7 in the core regions to around 1.9 in the near wall regions. A fractal dimension less than 2 is consistent with the framework of the present model. Computed local wall heat fluxes are also presented and indicate reasonable time histories. It is shown that the constant fractal-dimension model gives incorrect flame shapes, being inward-curved, and unreasonable local heat flux curves. © 1998 Scripta Technica, Heat Trans Jpn Res, 27(3): 205–215, 1998