An experimental and three-dimensional numerical study of natural convection heat transfer between two horizontal parallel plates

In this study, experimental and three-dimensional numerical studies were performed to investigate the effects of plate spacing and temperature difference on natural convection between isothermally heated upward-facing lower horizontal plate and externally insulated horizontal upper plate. Air is used as the heat transfer medium. Rayleigh number varied in the 1108–2.339 × 10⁵ range. Several numerical simulations for three-dimensional steady laminar and turbulent flows heat transfer were carried out using a commercial CFD code Fluent 6.2. Results have shown that there is a good agreement between the numerical and present experimental results as well as with available data in literature.     

Influence of thermal boundary conditions on natural convection in a square enclosure partially heated from below

Natural convection in air-filled 2D square enclosure heated with a constant source from below and cooled from above is studied numerically for a variety of thermal boundary conditions at the top and sidewalls. Simulations are performed for two kinds of lengths of the heated source, i.e., a small and a large source corresponding to 20% and 80% of the total length of the bottom wall, respectively. The Rayleigh number varied from 10³ to 10⁷. Results are presented in the form of streamline and isotherm plots as well as the variation of the Nusselt number and maximum temperature at the heat source surface. Comparisons among the different thermal configurations considered are reported.     

A sensitivity analysis of the linear complementarity programming model: Appalachian steam coal and the natural gas market

There have been extensive attempts in recent years to perform spatial equilibrium analysis of commodity markets, particularly that of energy. Most of these attempts have been based on linear programming transportation models, and more recently quadratic programming models. Unfortunately, neither of these modelling approaches can deal with the case of multi-commodity analysis with non-symmetric regression coefficients. In this paper, we overcome this problem by employing the linear complementarity programming model. In addition, we show how the model can be applied to coal and gas energy flows within a single region. Future potential applications of the model are also implied.     

天然汞的全套中子数据评价

在１０￣（－５）＿ｅＶ－２０ＭｅＶ中子能量范围内对天然汞的中子核数据进行评价。评价内容包括总的、弹性、去弹、总非弹、３０条分立能级、连续非弹、（ｎ，２ｎ）、（ｎ，３ｎ，）、（ｎ，ｎ＇Ｐ）、（ｎ，ｎ＇α）、（ｎ，Ｐ）、（ｎ，α）、（ｎ，ｄ）、（ｎ，ｔ）和（ｎ，γ）截面；次级中子角分布；双微分截面（ＤＤＣＳ）；γ射线产生数据等。评价根据有效实验数据（至１９９３年）和ＵＮＦ－９２￣［１］理论计算。评价数据以ＥＮＤＦ／Ｂ６格式录入中国评价核数据库ＣＥＮＤＬ－２．１版（ＭＡＴ＝１８００），并提供核工程有关部门使用。     

RADIOACTIVE OR NATURAL TRACER。TECHNIQUES FOR LEAK DETERMINING OF DAM ABUTMENT

Infiltration and localization of preferential infiltration zones at the dam abutment are measured using radioactive tracer tests of flow in boreholes,meanwhile interconnection between boreholes and the energing water points is analysed.The theory and practice of radioactive tracer synthetic detective method are described to give methods and calculation formulae used under the condition of stable flow in single well to measure permeability coefficient and hydrostatic heads.Major single hole techniques including measurement for seepage line,velocity,rate of seepage flow and relationship of recharge of groundwater in aquifers are introduced briefly.The possibilities offered by natureal tracers are analysed,uincluding electric-conduct,pH-value and temperature of water as well as stable isotopes(D,^18O) and tritium.Furthermore,the sensibilities of this theory and methods were confirmed by detecting seepage flow field of Xinanjiang Dam.     

基于卡尔曼滤波SVM图像鉴别方法研究

研究如何区分自然图像和计算机图形判别图像问题。由于人眼难以判别真伪图像,针对传统的图像鉴别方法由于参数的设置而造成识别准确率低,从而无法准确的区分自然图像和计算机图形。提出了一种卡尔曼滤波和支持向量机分类算法相结合的高性能图像真伪鉴别方法。算法首先采用卡尔曼滤波器提取图像的各个级别的分量,求解出各级分量和判别的误差值并作为特征数据,然后采用支持向量机分类算法对特征数据进行训练判别。仿真结果表明,提出的算法可以有效的判别图像的真伪,可以有效的识别出原始自然图像和合成图像,识别率高达99%以上,同时算法的稳定性较高,具有一定的实际应用价值。     

Microstructured Lipid Carriers (MLC) Based on N-Acetylcysteine and Chitosan Preventing Pseudomonas aeruginosa Biofilm

The aim of this work was the development of microstructured lipid carriers (MLC) based on chitosan (CH) and containing N-acetylcysteine (NAC), a mucolytic and antioxidant agent, to inhibit the formation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm. MLC were prepared using the high shear homogenization technique. The MLC were characterized for morphology, particle size, Z potential, encapsulation efficiency and drug release. The antioxidant properties of NAC-loaded microstructured carriers were evaluated through an in vitro spectrophotometer assay. Finally, the activity of NAC-CH-MLC on biofilm production by Pseudomonas aeruginosa was also evaluated. Results obtained from this study highlighted that the use of chitosan into the inner aqueous phase permitted to obtain microstructured particles with a narrow size range and with good encapsulation efficiency. NAC-loaded MLC showed higher antioxidant activity than the free molecule, demonstrating how encapsulation increases the antioxidant effect of the molecule. Furthermore, the reduction of biofilm growth resulted extremely high with MLC being 64.74% ± 6.2% and 83.74% ± 9.95%, respectively, at 0.5 mg/mL and 2 mg/mL. In conclusion, this work represents a favorable technological strategy against diseases in which bacterial biofilm is relevant, such as cystic fibrosis.     

Antioxidant vs. Prooxidant Properties of the Flavonoid,Kaempferol, in the Presence of Cu(II) Ions: A ROS-Scavenging Activity,Fenton Reaction and DNA Damage Study

Kaempferol is a flavonoid that occurs in tea and in many vegetables and fruits, including broccoli, cabbage, beans, grapes, apples, and strawberries. The efficacy of Kaempferol has been demonstrated in the treatment of breast, esophageal, cervical, ovarian, and liver cancers and leukemia, which very likely arises from its prooxidant properties and the activation of pro-apoptotic pathways. Indeed, this matter has already been the focus of a number of published studies and reviews. The aim of the present study was to elucidate the antioxidant vs. prooxidant properties of flavonoids in the presence of the redox-active metal, copper (II) ion, by means of the Fenton reaction. The specific motivation of this work is that, since an increased level of Cu(II) ions is known to be associated with many disease states such as neurological conditions (Alzheimer’s disease) and cancer, any interaction between these ions and flavonoids might affect the outcome of therapeutic uses of the latter. The structure of the Cu-kaempferol complex in DMSO was investigated by means of low temperature EPR spectroscopy, which confirmed the existence of at least two distinct coordination environments around the copper (II) ion. UV vis-spectra of kaempferol and its Cu(II) complex in DMSO revealed an interaction between the 5-OH (A ring) group and the 4-CO (C ring) group of kaempferol with Cu(II) ions. An ABTS assay confirmed that kaempferol acted as an effective radical scavenger, and that this effect was further enhanced in the form of the Cu(II)-kaempferol complex. Quantitative EPR spin trapping experiments, using DMPO as the spin trap, confirmed suppression of the formation of a mixture of hydroxyl, superoxide, and methyl radicals, in a Fenton reaction system, upon coordination of kaempferol to the redox-active Cu(II) ions, by 80% with respect to the free Cu(II) ions. A viscometric study revealed a better DNA-intercalating ability of the Cu-kaempferol complex than for free kaempferol, essential for conferring anticancer activity of these substances. The results of the viscometric measurements were compared with those from a DNA damage study of Cu-kaempferol complexes in a Fenton reaction system, using gel electrophoresis. At low concentrations of kaempferol (Cu–kaempferol ratios of 1:1 and 1:2), a very weak protective effect on DNA was noted, whereas when kaempferol was present in excess, a significant DNA-protective effect was found. This can be explained if the weakly intercalated kaempferol molecules present at the surface of DNA provide protection against attack by ROS that originate from the Fenton reaction involving intercalated Cu(II)-kaempferol complexes. Following the application of ROS scavengers, L-histidine, DMSO, and SOD, gel electrophoresis confirmed the formation of singlet oxygen, hydroxyl radicals, and superoxide radical anions, respectively. We propose that the prooxidant properties of Cu-kaempferol complexes may provide anticancer activity of these substances. When present in excess, kaempferol displays antioxidant properties under Cu-Fenton conditions. This suggests that kaempferol might prove a suitable candidate for the prevention or treatment of oxidative stress related medical conditions that involve a disturbed metabolism of redox metals such as copper, for example, Menkes disease, and neurological disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease. For the potential use of kaempferol in clinical practice, it will be necessary to optimize the dose size and critical age of the patient so that this flavonoid may be beneficial as a preventive drug against cancer and neurological disorders.     

Nitric Oxide (NO) Scaffolds the Peroxisomal Protein–Protein Interaction Network in Higher Plants

The peroxisome is a single-membrane subcellular compartment present in almost all eukaryotic cells from simple protists and fungi to complex organisms such as higher plants and animals. Historically, the name of the peroxisome came from a subcellular structure that contained high levels of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and the antioxidant enzyme catalase, which indicated that this organelle had basically an oxidative metabolism. During the last 20 years, it has been shown that plant peroxisomes also contain nitric oxide (NO), a radical molecule than leads to a family of derived molecules designated as reactive nitrogen species (RNS). These reactive species can mediate post-translational modifications (PTMs) of proteins, such as S-nitrosation and tyrosine nitration, thus affecting their function. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of how NO could affect peroxisomal metabolism and its internal protein-protein interactions (PPIs). Remarkably, many of the identified NO-target proteins in plant peroxisomes are involved in the metabolism of reactive oxygen species (ROS), either in its generation or its scavenging. Therefore, it is proposed that NO is a molecule with signaling properties with the capacity to modulate the peroxisomal protein-protein network and consequently the peroxisomal functions, especially under adverse environmental conditions.     

Mushroom-Derived Medicine? Preclinical Studies Suggest Potential Benefits of Ergothioneine for Cardiometabolic Health

Medicinal use of mushrooms has been documented since ancient times, and in the modern world, mushrooms have a longstanding history of use in Eastern medicine. Recent interest in plant-based diets in Westernized countries has brought increasing attention to the use of mushrooms and mushroom-derived compounds in the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases. Edible mushrooms are the most abundant food sources of the modified amino acid, ergothioneine. This compound has been shown to accumulate in almost all cells and tissues, but preferentially in those exposed to oxidative stress and injury. The demonstrated cytoprotectant effect of ergothioneine has led many to suggest a potential therapeutic role for this compound in chronic conditions that involve ongoing oxidative stress and inflammation, including cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. However, the in vivo effects of ergothioneine and its underlying therapeutic mechanisms in the whole organism are not as clear. Moreover, there are no well-defined, clinical prevention and intervention trials of ergothioneine in chronic disease. This review highlights the cellular and molecular mechanisms of action of ergothioneine and its potential as a Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicine for the promotion of cardiometabolic health and the management of the most common manifestations of cardiometabolic disease.