Representation of wind turbine blade responses in power production load cases by linear mode shapes

The wind turbine industry is designing large MW size turbines with very long blades, which exhibit large deflections during their operational life. These large deflections decrease the accuracy of linear models such as linear finite element and modal‐based models, in which the structure is represented by linear mode shapes. The aim of this study is to investigate the competence of the mode shapes to represent the large blade responses in normal operation load cases. For this purpose, blade deflections are projected onto the linear modal space, swept by mode shape vectors. The projection shows the contribution of each mode and the projection error. The blade deflections are calculated by a nonlinear aero‐servo‐elastic solver for power production fatigue load cases with normal turbulence. The mode shapes are calculated at the steady‐state deflected blade position computed at different wind speeds. Three reference turbine blades are used in the study to evaluate the effects of various blade design parameters such as length, stiffness, mass, and prebend. The results show that although the linear mode shapes can represent the flapwise and edgewise deflections accurately, axial and torsional deflections cannot be captured with good accuracy. The geometric nonlinear effects are more apparent in the latter directions. The results indicate that the blade deflections occur beyond the linear assumptions.     

Extracellular Vesicles from Campylobacter jejuni CDT-Treated Caco-2 Cells Inhibit Proliferation of Tumour Intestinal Caco-2 Cells and Myeloid U937 Cells: Detailing the Global Cell Response for Potential Application in Anti-Tumour Strategies

Cytolethal distending toxin (CDT) is produced by a range of Gram-negative pathogenic bacteria such as Campylobacter jejuni. CDT represents an important virulence factor that is a heterotrimeric complex composed of CdtA, CdtB, and CdtC. CdtA and CdtC constitute regulatory subunits whilst CdtB acts as the catalytic subunit exhibiting phosphatase and DNase activities, resulting in cell cycle arrest and cell death. Extracellular vesicle (EV) secretion is an evolutionarily conserved process that is present throughout all kingdoms. Mammalian EVs play important roles in regular cell-to-cell communications but can also spread pathogen- and host-derived molecules during infections to alter immune responses. Here, we demonstrate that CDT targets the endo-lysosomal compartment, partially evading lysosomal degradation and exploiting unconventional secretion (EV release), which is largely involved in bacterial infections. CDT-like effects are transferred by Caco-2 cells to uninfected heterologous U937 and homologous Caco-2 cells. The journey of EVs derived from CDT-treated Caco-2 cells is associated with both intestinal and myeloid tumour cells. EV release represents the primary route of CDT dissemination, revealing an active toxin as part of the cargo. We demonstrated that bacterial toxins could represent suitable tools in cancer therapy, highlighting both the benefits and limitations. The global cell response involves a moderate induction of apoptosis and autophagic features may play a protective role against toxin-induced cell death. EVs from CDT-treated Caco-2 cells represent reliable CDT carriers, potentially suitable in colorectal cancer treatments. Our data present a potential bacterial-related biotherapeutic supporting a multidrug anticancer protocol.     

Dysbiosis in the Development of Type I Diabetes and Associated Complications: From Mechanisms to Targeted Gut Microbes Manipulation Therapies

Globally, we are facing a worrying increase in type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) incidence, with onset at younger age shedding light on the need to better understand the mechanisms of disease and step-up prevention. Given its implication in immune system development and regulation of metabolism, there is no surprise that the gut microbiota is a possible culprit behind T1DM pathogenesis. Additionally, microbiota manipulation by probiotics, prebiotics, dietary factors and microbiota transplantation can all modulate early host–microbiota interactions by enabling beneficial microbes with protective potential for individuals with T1DM or at high risk of developing T1DM. In this review, we discuss the challenges and perspectives of translating microbiome data into clinical practice. Nevertheless, this progress will only be possible if we focus our interest on developing numerous longitudinal, multicenter, interventional and double-blind randomized clinical trials to confirm their efficacy and safety of these therapeutic approaches.     

On-site pXRF analysis of glaze composition and colouring agents of “Iznik” tiles at Edirne mosques (15th and 16th-centuries)

The production of the tiles in Ottoman Empire had begun as a continued workshop of Seldjuk ceramic art, and after this initial phase, its own technology was introduced into Ottoman art by local craftsmen. Iznik tiles are among the most appreciated pottery masterpieces, and wall decoration in tiles is a significant asset of Unesco World Heritage Edirne mosques. Rare glaze composition studies have been made, which justify the need for more comprehensive studies. We present here the first on-site elemental analyses performed with portable XRF instrument in four of the most representative mosques in Edirne (?ah Melek Pa?a (1429), Muradiye (1435–1436), Üç ?erefeli (1410–1447) and Selimiye (1569–1575)). A handheld 785?nm Raman spectrometer was used as a complementary technique to identify some pigments. About forty tiles have been analysed in this research. Additionally, two tiles from Ye?ilce Mosque (1442, Edirne) have been analysed at the Selimiye Foundation Museum. The weight percent of the elements measured with pXRF are normalized by Si amount in order to eliminate the variation due to the positioning shifts. Different glazing technologies are evidenced (Master of Tabriz Sn-free glazed tiles, Hünkar Mahfili Sn-poor glazed tiles, and Sn-(Bi) rich ones). At least three different cobalt ores have been used (with characteristic Cu, Ni, Mn and Bi content) in blue decors. Use of a chromium-based ore is demonstrated for some Selimiye Hünkar Mahfili tiles. The link between ?ah Melek Pa?a and polychrome (mihrab) Muradiye tiles and Seldjuk production is established. On the contrary, the technology of Üç ?erefeli and blue-and-white Muradiye tiles is unique and appears a precursor of 16th-century Iznik production. Bismuth, Sn/Pb, Co/Mn, and Co/Ni ratio appears very useful to compare the different glazes and to identify mining sources of cobalt.     

A preliminary investigation of caramelisation and isomerisation of allulose at medium temperatures and alkaline pHs: a comparison study with other monosaccharides

Allulose, also known as rare sugar, is a very reactive monosaccharide in browning reactions. In this study, the caramelisation of allulose was investigated for the first time. To study caramelisation, sugar solutions (glucose, fructose and allulose) were prepared with distilled water and buffer solutions at pH 7, 10, 12 and were freeze-dried afterwards. To let caramelisation occur, samples were incubated at 55% relative humidity (RH) and 50 °C. Results showed that samples prepared with pH 10 and pH 12 buffer solutions resulted in a higher browning rate than samples prepared with distilled water (DW) and pH 7 buffer solution. Moreover, according to HPLC and total reducing sugar content results, allulose (Allu) samples had the lowest remaining reducing sugar (RRS) amount, indicating that Allu samples depleted more in the reaction. Overall, the approach followed in this study can be considered as a novel strategy to obtain allulose-containing caramel-like products more efficiently than conventional methods.     

Investigation on colour,fastness properties and HPLC‐DAD analysis of silk fibres dyed with Rubia tinctorium L. and Quercus ithaburensis Decaisne

Silk fabric samples were dyed according to the various procedures using madder (Rubia tinctorium L.) and walloon oak (Quercus ithaburensis Decaisne) extracts. The colour coordinates, K/S, as well as wash, light, rub and perspiration fastness values were determined. A reversed‐phase high‐performance liquid chromatography with diode‐array detection was utilised for the identification of the components of dyes present in the dyed fabrics and in the plant extracts.     

Direct numerical simulation of pipe flow using a solenoidal spectral method

In this study, a numerical method based on solenoidal basis functions, for the simulation of incompressible flow through a circular–cylindrical pipe, is presented. The solenoidal bases utilized in the study are formulated using the Legendre polynomials. Legendre polynomials are favorable, both for the form of the basis functions and for the inner product integrals arising from the Galerkin-type projection used. The projection is performed onto the dual solenoidal bases, eliminating the pressure variable, simplifying the numerical approach to the problem. The success of the scheme in calculating turbulence statistics and its energy conserving properties is investigated. The generated numerical method is also tested by simulating the effect of drag reduction due to spanwise wall oscillations.     

Experimental observation of the effect of cleansing agents on the performance of polymer electrolyte fuel cells

Regular maintenance/cleaning of fuel pipeline and system hardware is an essential requirement in fuel cell operation to prevent contamination. An experimental and analytical study is performed to aid the selection of appropriate cleansers to be used as cleaning agents in polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC). Screening tests for several cleansers are carried out during the injection of samples into the PEFC cathode inlet. One proper agent (naphtha) has shown a fully recoverable and minimal effect on the fuel cell performance and as such is determined as the best cleansing agent. Unlike other samples, naphtha does not contain any metallic components such as sodium or potassium in its composition. Furthermore, PEFC can still operate at ～0.4 V at constant current (1 A/cm²) even with a considerable flow rate (250 μl/min) of the selected cleanser. Detailed analytical analysis of this cleanser is provided by curve fitting the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy data, and evaluation of binary gas diffusion coefficients. It is indicated that performance loss during naphtha exposure is mainly due to the adsorption of contaminants on active Pt sites and an increase in mass transfer resistance.