Application of the method of fundamental solutions and radial basis functions for inverse transient heat source problem

The paper considers the determination of heat sources in unsteady 2-D heat conduction problem. The determination of the strength of a heat source is achieved by using the boundary condition, initial condition and a known value of temperature in chosen points placed inside the domain. For the solution of the inverse problem of identification of the heat source the θ-method with the method of fundamental solution and radial basis functions is proposed. Due to ill conditioning of the inverse transient heat conduction problem the Tikhonov regularization method based on SVD decomposition was used. In order to determine the optimum value of the regularization parameter the L-curve criterion was used. For testing purposes of the proposed algorithm the 2-D inverse boundary-initial-value problems in square region Ω with the known analytical solutions are considered. The numerical results show that the proposed method is easy to implement and pretty accurate. Moreover the accuracy of the results does not depend on the value of the θ parameter and is greater in the case of the identification of the temperature field than in the case of the identification of the heat sources function.     

Improved capacitance characteristics during electrochemical charging of carbon nanotubes modified with polyoxometallate monolayers

By modification of surfaces of multi-walled carbon nanotubes with ultra-thin monolayer-type films of phosphododecamolybdic acid, H₃PMo₁₂O₄₀, an electrode material with improved capacitance properties is produced. It is apparent from three distinct test experiments (based on cyclic voltammetry, galavanostatic charging-discharging and AC impedance) that capacitors utilizing H₃PMo₁₂O₄₀-modified carbon nanotubes are characterized by specific capacitances and energy densities on the levels of 40 F g⁻¹ and 1.3 Wh kg⁻¹, whereas the respective values for the systems built from bare carbon nanotubes are lower, 22 F g⁻¹ and 0.7 Wh kg⁻¹. It is reasonable to expect that fast and reversible multi-electron transfers of the Keggin-type H₃PMo₁₂O₄₀ account for the pseudocapacitance effect and significantly contribute to the observed overall capacitance.     

Synthesis of MFI films on α-alumina at neutral pH

Oriented films of MFI were prepared on α-alumina substrates by a method including substrate seeding and subsequent growth of the seeds in a synthesis gel containing fluoride as mineralizing agent. The films were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The preparation procedure presented here is promising for the synthesis of highly siliceous MFI films on alumina substrates.     

Introducing a Semi-Coated Model to Investigate Antibacterial Effects of Biocompatible Polymers on Titanium Surfaces

Peri-implant infections from bacterial biofilms on artificial surfaces are a common threat to all medical implants. They are a handicap for the patient and can lead to implant failure or even life-threatening complications. New implant surfaces have to be developed to reduce biofilm formation and to improve the long-term prognosis of medical implants. The aim of this study was (1) to develop a new method to test the antibacterial efficacy of implant surfaces by direct surface contact and (2) to elucidate whether an innovative antimicrobial copolymer coating of 4-vinyl-N-hexylpyridinium bromide and dimethyl(2-methacryloyloxyethyl) phosphonate (VP:DMMEP 30:70) on titanium is able to reduce the attachment of bacteria prevalent in peri-implant infections. With a new in vitro model with semi-coated titanium discs, we were able to show a dramatic reduction in the adhesion of various pathogenic bacteria (Streptococcus sanguinis, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis), completely independently of effects caused by soluble materials. In contrast, soft tissue cells (human gingival or dermis fibroblasts) were less affected by the same coating, despite a moderate reduction in initial adhesion of gingival fibroblasts. These data confirm the hypothesis that VP:DMMEP 30:70 is a promising antibacterial copolymer that may be of use in several clinical applications.     

Protein Arginine Methyltransferase (PRMT) Inhibitors—AMI-1 and SAH Are Effective in Attenuating Rhabdomyosarcoma Growth and Proliferation in Cell Cultures

Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is a malignant soft tissue cancer that develops mostly in children and young adults. With regard to histopathology, four rhabdomyosarcoma types are distinguishable: embryonal, alveolar, pleomorphic and spindle/sclerosing. Currently, increased amounts of evidence indicate that not only gene mutations, but also epigenetic modifications may be involved in the development of RMS. Epigenomic changes regulate the chromatin architecture and affect the interaction between DNA strands, histones and chromatin binding proteins, thus, are able to control gene expression. The main aim of the study was to assess the role of protein arginine methyltransferases (PRMT) in the cellular biology of rhabdomyosarcoma. In the study we used two pan-inhibitors of PRMT, called AMI-1 and SAH, and evaluated their effects on proliferation and apoptosis of RMS cells. We observed that AMI-1 and SAH reduce the invasive phenotype of rhabdomyosarcoma cells by decreasing their proliferation rate, cell viability and ability to form cell colonies. In addition, microarray analysis revealed that these inhibitors attenuate the activity of the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway and affect expression of genes related to it.     

Phytochemical Content and Antioxidant Properties of Seeds of Unconventional Oil Plants

The lipophilic and hydrophilic antioxidants were evaluated in eight plants: safflower (Carthamus tinctorius), viper’s bugloss (Echium vulgare), quince (Cydonia vulgaris), evening primrose (Oenothera biennis), rose mosqueta (Rosa affinis rubiginosa), black seed (Nigella sativa), sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides) and borage (Borago officinales). The highest amounts of tocopherols were contained in seeds of borage and sea buckthorn (66.9 mg/100 g and 45.9 mg/100 g, respectively). The sea buckthorn seed lipids had the highest amount of total sterols (10.4 mg/g of lipids). The predominant form was campesterol. Sitosterol was the major sterol in the lipids of other tested seeds. The content of phenolic compounds ranged from 736.5 mg/100 g dry matter (d.m.) (evening primrose) to 74.8 mg/100 g d.m. (safflower). The highest antioxidant activity, expressed in % scavenged DPPH· free radicals, was observed for evening primrose (91.2%), while the lowest for safflower (36.2%). The correlation coefficient between the level of phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity was 0.53.     

Impact of chloride on the mineralogy of hydrated Portland cement systems

Chloride ion is in part bound into ordinary Portland cement paste and modifies its mineralogy. To understand this a literature review of its impacts has been made and new experimental data were obtained. Phase pure preparations of Friedel's salt, Ca₄Al₂(Cl)_1.95(OH)_12.05·4H₂O, and Kuzel's salt, Ca₄Al₂(Cl)(SO₄)_0.5(OH)₁₂·6H₂O, were synthesized and their solubilities were measured at 5, 25, 55 and 85 °C. After equilibration, solid phases were analysed by X-ray diffraction while the aqueous solutions were analysed by atomic absorption spectroscopy and ion chromatography. The solid solutions and interactions of Friedel's salt with other AFm phases were determined at 25 °C experimentally and by calculations. In hydrated cements, anion sites in AFm are potentially occupied by OH, SO₄ and CO₃ ions whereas Cl may be introduced under service conditions. Chloride readily displaces hydroxide, sulfate and carbonate in the AFm structures. A comprehensive picture of phase relations of AFm phases and their binding capacity for chloride is provided for pH ∼ 12 and 25 °C. The role of chloride in AFt formation and its relevance to corrosion of embedded steel are discussed in terms of calculated aqueous [Cl⁻]/[OH⁻] molar ratios.     

Levels of essential and toxic elements in Porphyra columbina and Ulva sp. from San Jorge Gulf, Patagonia Argentina

Baseline concentration levels of As, B, Ca, Cd, Cr, Cu, Co, Fe, Mg, Mn, Mo, Ni, P, Pb, Se, V, and Zn were determined for Porphyra columbina and Ulva sp. collected from three locations along San Jorge Gulf, in Patagonia Argentina. Elements were quantified by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry, with the exception of lead and cadmium in some samples which were determined by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry. Three stations with different exposure degree to human activities, Bahía Solano, the mouth of Arroyo La Mata stream and Punta Maqueda, were selected as sampling points. The results showed a wide range of metal retention capacity between the two studied species. Regarding the levels of pollutants found in the researched sites, Punta Maqueda seemed to be less influenced by anthropogenic activities than the other two sites except for Cd. Taking into account their toxicities seasonal variations in Pb and Cd levels were studied in both algae in Punta Maqueda. Maximum concentrations of Cd (9.8 microg g(-1) dry wt.) were observed in P. columbina during winter, and maximum levels of Pb (0.82 microg g(-1) dry wt.) were detected in Ulva sp. during summer. Legislative and health safety aspects were evaluated for Cd and Pb.     

The effect of freezing on the hot air and microwave vacuum drying kinetics and texture of whole cranberries

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of convective and cryogenic freezing, hot air convective drying (HACD) at 60, 70, 80, and 90?°C and microwave vacuum drying (MWVD) at 100, 150, 200, 300, 450, and 500?W on the drying kinetics and texture of whole cranberries. Effective moisture diffusivities and drying rates were higher, whereas drying times were shorter for the samples dried by MWVD compared with the samples processed by HACD. The drying kinetics of cranberries during MWVD was discussed based on the hypothesis postulating that changes in the drying rate of cranberries during MWVD can be explained by and correlated with changes in the pressure gradient on material surface. Cranberries processed by MWVD were characterized by significantly greater hardness, gumminess, and chewiness in comparison with HACD samples. MWVD was found to be an effective method for producing dried snacks characterized by hard and crispy texture and considerable resistance to stress associated with manufacturing, packaging, storage, and delivery. HACD produced brittle fruit that were difficult to store and transport and were not fully suitable for direct consumption. Convective freezing before MWVD improved the overall appearance of cranberries, whereas cryogenic freezing combined with high temperature HACD adversely influenced the drying rate and produced dried cranberries with suboptimal overall appearance.