Average Local Concentration Research Articles

Study of the effect of the position and metal of the receiver tube on the performance of a parabolic trough solar collector

In this study, the optical behavior of a parabolic trough collector solar collector has been traced, as the effect of the position and metal of the receiver tube on the optical efficiency and the average local concentration ratio of the heat flux on the receiver tube has been studied. A modeling was performed to simplify the operation of the studied system, where the codes (SOLTRACE and MATLAB) were used. In the first stage, the distribution of heat flux density on the receiver tube's surface was studied using SOLTRACE code based on the Monte-Carlo (Ray Tracing) method. Here the average heat flux on the wall of the receiver tube was obtained after Direct Normal Irradiance was reflected by the reflective mirror. This average will be used as boundary conditions in the MATLAB code, which will allow calculating the optical efficiency of the studied solar collector and the average local concentration ratio on the circumference of the receiver tube. In the second stage of the study, the effect of the metal type of the receiver tube on the optical efficiency and the average local concentration ratio of the heat flow on the receiver tube will be studied, as three metal types were taken for the receiver tubes, the first metal is Copper Black Coated, the second is Aluminum Black Coated and the third is G. Iron Black Coated. The model validation results show good agreement with the literature, with a difference of ±3.29% compared to previous numerical studies. In addition, one of the most important observations that have been reached through this study is that by moving the receiver tube downwards, the concentration area of the heat flux widens but the maximum value of the flux decreases, and the opposite is completely true. The black-coated copper receiver tube gave the best optical efficiency (89.38%) when the focal distance value was 1.88 m, while it was estimated at 75.77% with a focal distance of 1.84 m. The obtained results are very encouraging towards the necessity of carrying out experimental work in this field in order to clarify the physical concept of the behavior of the solar collector studied from the three angles numerically, modeling and experimentally.

From nano-seggregation to mesophases: probing the liquid structure of perfluoroalkylalkanes with 129Xe NMR spectroscopy.

In this work we demonstrate that pure perfluoroalkylalkane diblock molecules are not isotropic liquids and self organize forming domains at the nanometric scale. 129Xe NMR spectra were obtained as a function of temperature for seven liquid perfluoroalkylalkanes, covering a range of relative lengths of the hydrogenated and fluorinated segments. The results support the presence of domains richer in the hydrogenated groups, in which xenon is preferentially dissolved. The average local concentration within the xenon coordination sphere is estimated to be 0.05 mole fraction higher in hydrogenated groups than the stoichiometric proportion. Atomistic molecular dynamics simulations support this analysis and allow a detailed analysis of the liquid structure. Furthermore, 129Xe NMR spectra in perfluorohexylhexane (F6H6) and perfluorohexyloctane (F6H8) obtained as a function of temperature, clearly detect the existence of two distinct environments in the fluid, one richer in hydrogenated groups and another richer in fluorinated groups, consistent with the formation of mesophases. It is important to stress that nano-segregation is this case observed in liquids interacting exclusively through dispersion forces, unlike most common examples of segregation which are determined by hydrogen bonding and polarity. Given the simple molecular structure and interactions of the studied PFAA, we believe that the present results can have a general impact in understanding the early mechanisms of segregation, phase separation and self-assembly.

Traffic-related air pollution near roadways: discerning local impacts from background

Abstract. Adverse health outcomes related to exposure to air pollution have gained much attention in recent years, with a particular emphasis on traffic-related pollutants near roadways, where concentrations tend to be most severe. As such, many projects around the world are being initiated to routinely monitor pollution near major roads. Understanding the extent to which local on-road traffic directly affects these measurements, however, is a challenging problem, and a more thorough comprehension of it is necessary to properly assess its impact on near-road air quality. In this study, a set of commonly measured air pollutants (black carbon; carbon dioxide; carbon monoxide; fine particulate matter, PM2.5; nitrogen oxides; ozone; and ultrafine particle concentrations) were monitored continuously between 1 June 2015 and 31 March 2017 at six stations in Canada: two near-road and two urban background stations in Toronto, Ontario, and one near-road and one urban background station in Vancouver, British Columbia. Three methods of differentiating between local and background concentrations at near-road locations were tested: (1) differences in average pollutant concentrations between near-road and urban background station pairs, (2) differences in downwind and upwind pollutant averages, and (3) interpolation of rolling minima to infer background concentrations. The last two methods use near-road data only, and were compared with method 1, where an explicit difference was measured, to assess accuracy and robustness. It was found that method 2 produced average local concentrations that were biased high by a factor of between 1.4 and 1.7 when compared with method 1 and was not universally feasible, whereas method 3 produced concentrations that were in good agreement with method 1 for all pollutants except ozone and PM2.5, which are generally secondary and regional in nature. The results of this comparison are intended to aid researchers in the analysis of data procured in future near-road monitoring studies. Lastly, upon determining these local pollutant concentrations as a function of time, their variability with respect to wind speed (WS) and wind direction (WD) was assessed relative to the mean values measured at the specific sites. This normalization allowed generalization across the pollutants and made the values from different sites more comparable. With the exception of ozone and PM2.5, local pollutant concentrations at these near-road locations were enhanced by a factor of 2 relative to their mean in the case of stagnant winds and were shown to be proportional to WS−0.6. Downwind conditions enhanced local concentrations by a factor of ∼2 relative to their mean, while upwind conditions suppressed them by a factor of ∼4. Site-specific factors such as distance from roadway and local meteorology should be taken into consideration when generalizing these factors. The methods used to determine these local concentrations, however, have been shown to be applicable across pollutants and different near-road monitoring environments.

From nano-emulsions to phase separation: evidence of nano-segregation in (alkane + perfluoroalkane) mixtures using 129Xe NMR Spectroscopy.

In this work we demonstrate that mixtures of (hexane + perfluorohexane) above the upper critical solution temperature segregate by forming domains at the nanometric scale. 129Xe NMR spectra obtained for solutions of xenon in liquid mixtures of (hexane + perfluorohexane) as a function of temperature suggest the existence of domains richer in the hydrogenated component, in which xenon "prefers" to be solvated. The average local concentration within the xenon coordination sphere is at least 0.05 higher in hexane mole fraction than the nominal concentration of the mixture. Atomistic molecular dynamics simulations support this analysis in excellent agreement with the experimental data. Additionally, 129Xe NMR spectra in pure perfluoroalkanes allow a detailed analysis of the liquid structure, continuing that previously reported for the liquid alkanes. It should be emphasised that nano-segregation is here observed in fluids governed exclusively by dispersion interactions, in contrast to other examples in which hydrogen bonding and polarity play important roles. Given its simplicity, this case study is thus prone to have a general impact in understanding the early mechanisms of segregation, phase separation and self-assembly.

Is L-lactate a novel signaling molecule in the brain?

In the brain, L-lactate is produced by both neurons and astrocytes. There is no doubt that neurons use L-lactate as a supplementary fuel although the importance of this energy source is disputed. Irrespective of its caloric value, L-lactate might also have a signaling role in the brain. Here, we review several current hypotheses of L-lactate mediated signaling. Some proposed mechanisms require L-lactate entry into the neurons leading to a shift in ATP/ADP ratio or redox state. Others postulate interaction with either known receptor HCA1 (GPR81) or a novel, yet unidentified receptor. We argue that the sensitivity of any such mechanism has to match the concentration range of extracellular L-lactate, which is less than ~1.5 mmol/L under physiologic conditions. From that point of view, some of the proposed mechanisms require supraphysiologic levels of L-lactate and could be engaged during ischemia or seizures when L-lactate concentration rises dramatically. Currently, we do not know whether L-lactate production in the brain occurs in microdomains, which might create higher than average local concentrations. Nevertheless, it is clear that in the brain, as in the peripheral tissues, L-lactate is not only used as a source of energy but also acts as a signaling molecule.

Partitioning of Humic Acids between Aqueous Solution and Hydrogel: Concentration Profiling of Humic Acids in Hydrogel Phases

The partitioning of the natural polyelectrolyte humic acid (HA) from an aqueous dispersion into a model biomimetic gel (alginate) and a synthetic polyacrylamide gel (PAAm) is explored. In both gels, the spatial distribution of HA in the gel body, as measured by confocal laser scanning microscopy, is markedly nonhomogeneous. A striking feature is the enhanced accumulation of HA in a thin film of thickness ca. 15 μm at the surface of the gel body, resulting in average local concentrations that are, for PAAm and alginate respectively, a factor of 10 and 4 greater than that in the bulk solution. The time dependence of accumulation in the surface film is predominantly controlled by the diffusive supply of HA from the aqueous medium, with a time constant on the order of 10(3) s for both gels. The concentration of HA within the bulk gel body differs significantly from that in the bulk aqueous medium: substantially higher for PAAm but much lower for alginate. The results are significant for understanding the nature and rate of sink/source functioning at permeable phases in contact with aqueous media, e.g., biofilms and gel-like layers at biological interfaces or employed in chemical speciation sensors.

Solid state NMR investigation of photoresist molecular glasses including blend behavior with a photoacid generator

We have examined four molecular glass (MG) materials that show promise as photoresists for extreme-ultraviolet (EUV) lithography. These glass-forming materials were investigated by proton and 13C solid state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) techniques in the bulk state as pure materials and as mixtures with (5 or 10) % by mass of the photoacid generator (PAG), triphenylsulfonium perfluorobutanesulfonate. The 13C techniques gave information about crystallinity, purity, and the qualitative existence of multiple phases. Proton studies focused on using spin diffusion to characterize the intimacy of mixing of the PAG and MG blends. The four MGs were largely aromatic materials containing several hydroxyl groups that were partially protected by t-butoxycarbonyl (t-BOC) groups. In two cases, this fraction was varied and the impact on mixing noted. Phase separation of the PAG into PAG-rich larger domains was never seen; the PAG was always finely distributed and the maximum size for any PAG clustering was estimated; however, in some cases, the average local concentration of PAG appeared to vary. Crystallinity was only seen associated with the underivatized materials implying that the mixing of the PAG with any derivatized MG was not restricted by crystallization. It was also noted that some very strong hydrogen bonds exist in three of the four underivatized materials and were eliminated or weakened upon partial derivatization with t-BOC.

Preferential Interactions of Glycine Betaine and of Urea with DNA: Implications for DNA Hydration and for Effects of These Solutes on DNA Stability

Interactions of the solutes glycine betaine (GB) and urea with mononucleosomal calf thymus DNA in aqueous salt solutions are characterized by vapor pressure osmometry (VPO). Analysis of osmolality as a function of solute and DNA concentration yields the effect of the solute on the chemical potential, mu(2), of the DNA. Although both GB and urea generally are nucleic acid denaturants and therefore must interact favorably with the nucleic acid surface exposed upon melting, VPO demonstrates that neither interacts favorably with duplex DNA. Addition of GB greatly increases mu(2) of DNA, indicating that the average local concentration of GB in the vicinity of the double helix is much less than its bulk concentration. By contrast, addition of urea has almost no effect on mu(2) of duplex DNA, indicating that the average local concentration of urea in the vicinity of duplex DNA is almost the same as in bulk solution. Qualitatively, we conclude that the nonuniform distribution of GB occurs primarily because duplex DNA and GB prefer to interact with water rather than with each other. Comparison with thermodynamic data for the interaction of GB with various protein surfaces (Felitsky et al., Biochemistry, 43, 14732-14743) shows that GB is excluded primarily from anionic DNA surface and that the hydration of anionic DNA phosphate oxygen surface (>or approximately 17 H(2)O per nucleotide or >or approximately 0.22 H(2)O A(-)(2)) involves at least two layers of water. From analysis of literature data for effects of urea and of GB on DNA melting, we propose that urea is an effective nonspecific nucleic acid denaturant because of its favorable interactions with the polar amide-like surface of G, C, and especially T or U bases exposed in denaturation, whereas GB is a specific GC denaturant because of its favorable interaction with G and/or C surface in the single-stranded state.

Statistical mechanical-atomistic determination of vacancy formation free energies in Cu-Ni alloys

Abstract Atomistic and statistical mechanical methods are combined to determine the vacancy formation free energy in binary solid solutions. The first-shell grey model is based on the assumption that all the atoms are effective or mean-field atoms, but with the concentration of the first shell different from the bulk. Comparison of the vacancy formation free energy and the average local concentration profile around the vacancy obtained from the first-shell grey model and the more accurate but much less computationally efficient first-shell black-white model (where the mean-field approximation is not used) suggest that only the composition of the first atomic shell adjacent to the vacancy must be determined. The temperature dependence of the vacancy formation free energy for a Cu-Ni system can be efficiently determined using the first-shell grey atom approximation. Our results show that the vacancy has a strong tendency to form in Cu-rich regions of the Cu-Ni alloy at low temperatures and low Cu bulk concentrations. This preference of vacancies to form in regions of composition fluctuations (of one sign) is the most important effect to include that goes beyond the standard mean-field theories of vacancy formation thermodynamics in solid-solution alloys.

Diffusion in layered random flows, polymers, electrons in random potentials, and spin depolarization in random fields

Several related models are studied in a common framework. We first reconsider the model of Matheron and de Marsilly for (anomalous) tracer dispersion in a stratified porous medium. In each horizontal layer the flow velocity is constant, parallel to the layer, and depends randomly on the vertical coordinate z. This model is mapped onto ad=1 localization problem in a random potential and, equivalently, onto ad=1 polymer. At larget theaveraged distribution of horizontal displacementsx takes the scaling form [P(x, t, z=0)]=at−5/4Q(bxt−3/4), whereQ(y) is independent of the details of the model.Q(y),a, andb are obtained exactly for a large class of models. From the Lifschitz tails of the localization problem we find in the regionx≫t3/4, i.e.,y→∞, thatQ(y)∼¦y¦ exp(−C¦y¦4/3). We also obtain exactly ind=1 the scaling functions for the local and total average magnetization of spins diffusing in a random magnetic field, by mapping onto a polymer problem, as well as the average local concentration for diffusion in the presence of random sources and sinks. These mappings are then used to study higher-dimensional extensions of these models.

In vivo regulation of mitochondrial respiration in cardiomyocytes: specific restrictions for intracellular diffusion of ADP

Relative diffusivities of ADP and creatine in cardiomyocytes were studied. The isolated rat cardiomyocytes were lysed with saponin (40 μg/ml) to perforate or completely disrupt sarcolemma that was evidenced by leakage of 80–100% lactate dehydrogenase. In these cardiomyocytes mitochondria were used as ‘enzymatic probes’ to determine the average local concentration of substrates exerting acceptor control of respiration — ADP or creatine (the latter activates respiration via mitochondrial creatine kinase reaction) — when their concentrations in the surrounding medium were changed. The kinetic parameters for ADP and creatine in control of respiration of saponin-treated cardiomyocytes were compared with those determined in isolated mitochondria and skinned cardiac fibers. The apparent K m for creatine (at 0.2 mM ATP) was very close and in range of 6.0–6.9 mM in all systems studied, showing the absence of diffusion difficulties for this substrate. On the contrary, the apparent K m for ADP increased from 18 ± 1 μM for isolated mitochondria to 250 ± 59 μM for cardiomyocytes with the lysed sarcolemma and to 264 ± 57 μM for skinned fibers. This elevation of K m was not eliminated by inhibition of myokinase with diadenosine pentaphosphate. When 25 mM creatine was present, the apparent K m for ADP decreased to 36 ± 6 μM. These data are taken to indicate specific restrictions of diffusion of ADP most probably due to its interaction with intermediate binding sites in cardiomyocytes. The important role of phosphocreatine-creatine kinase system of energy transport is to overcome the restrictions in regulation of energy fluxes due to decreased diffusivity of ADP.

Study of the interaction of transition metal ions with polyethyleneimine using the spin-label method

The spin-label method was used for a study of the steric organization of the linear polyethyleneimine (PEI) macromolecules in glassy water-alcohol solutions in the course of complex formation with transition metal ions. The average local density of PEI chain units was measured, as well as PEI coil volume and the average distance spin-labels. In the case of complexes formed between the spin-labeled PEI and the Cu(II), Ni(II) and Co(II) ions the average distances between a label and the nearest paramagnetic complexes were determined experimentally. The average local concentrations of complexes in the PEI coil volume calculated from the data on their interaction with labels were found to be underestimated.

A non-local description of advection-diffusion with application to dispersion in porous media

When the lengthscales and timescales on which a transport process occur are not much larger than the scales of variations in the velocity field experienced by a tracer particle, a description of the transport in terms of a local, averaged macroscale version of Fick's law is not applicable. Here, a non-local transport theory is developed in which the average mass flux is not simply proportional to the average local concentration gradient, but is given by a convolution integral over space and time of the average concentration gradient times a spatial- and temporal-wavelength-dependent diffusivity. The non-local theory is applied to the transport of a passive tracer in the advective field that arises in the bulk fluid of a porous medium, and the complete residence-time distribution - space-time response to a unit source input - of the tracer is determined. It is also shown how the method of moments may be simply recovered as a special case of the non-local theory. While developed in the context of and applied to tracer dispersion in porous media, the non-local theory presented here is applicable to the general problem of determining the average transport behaviour in advection-diffusion-type systems in which spatial and temporal variations are occurring on scales comparable with the scale of interest.