Gradual Temperature Research Articles

Size Distribution and Magnetization Optimization of Single-Core Iron Oxide Nanoparticles by Exploiting Design of Experiment Methodology

The synthesis of single-core superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) via high temperature decomposition of the self-synthesized Fe(III)-oleate was studied by exploiting factorial design of experiment methodology to investigate the influence of Fe(III)-oleate concentration, reaction temperature and time, and heating rate on the particle core and hydrodynamic size distributions and magnetization. This approach enabled us to establish a reliable and reproducible protocol for the synthesis of monodisperse SPIONs with high magnetic performance. The structural and magnetic properties of SPIONs were characterized utilizing a variety of methods. By applying a multiple linear regression model, a simple and robust empirical growth model was found for the particle hydrodynamic diameter, presenting its dependencies on reaction temperature and time, and Fe(III)-oleate concentration. Having studied the thermal decomposition behavior of Fe(III)-oleate, the synthesis of highly monodisperse particles with a core size of ~ 12-14 nm and suitable magnetic properties was attributed to burst nucleation which is followed by a rapidly terminating growth. In contrast, the particles with a large primary core size of ~ 22-24 nm, crystallized via a gradual and low temperature nucleation accompanied by a slow growth and Ostwald ripening, show a broader or multi-modal size distribution with relatively poor magnetic performance.

Hybrid Fibre Optic Sensor Network for Real-time High Temperature Performance Monitoring of Steel Structures

In and post a fire event, an accurate and real-time evaluation and monitoring of a structure’s performance can assist firefighters for efficient survivor rescuing, which significantly improve the fire rescuing safety both for fire fighters and the trapped survivors. However, due to the lack of durable sensors, the structural performance of steel structures in fire conditions is challenging to be evaluated in real time, especially when the associated civil structures are in a large scale. In this paper, a fiber optic sensor network is developed and used to monitor the structural performance of the steel structures in high temperature environments. The fiber optic sensor network has the capacity of real-time large strain measurement up to 12% and temperature of up to 700oC simultaneously. The capability of large strain measurement up to 12% enables the sensor system to monitor the strain distribution of steel structures during fire events in real time. An one-story one-bay steel frame (A36 steel) is used as an example in this paper to perform the structural performance assessment of steel structures in high temperature using the developed sensor network. The simulated fire tests were performed using high temperature furnace through gradual temperature increase from room temperature to 800 °C at a rate of 10 °C/min. The evaluated fiber optic sensor network consists of two long period fiber grating (LPFG) temperature sensors, five movable extrinsic Fabry-Perot interferometric (EFPI) large strain sensors, and two hybrid EFPI/LPFG sensors, which were distributed along the steel frame inside and around the heating zone of the frame. Experimental results demonstrated that the developed sensor network effectively monitored the plastic hinge formation and failure mode of the steel frame, approving the feasibility of the sensor network for steel structure evaluation in high temperature environments.

Fabrication of Microspheres via Solvent Volatization Induced Aggregation of Self-Assembled Nanomicellar Structures and Their Use as a pH-Dependent Drug Release System

A series of oleamide derivatives, (C(18)H(34)NO)(2)(CH(2))(n) [n = 2 (1a), 3 (1b), 4 (1c), or 6 (1d); C(18)H(34)NO = oleic amide fragment] and (C(18)H(34)NO)(CH(2))(6)NH(2) (2), have been synthesized and their self-assembly is investigated in ethanol/water media. Self-assembly of 1a and 1b in ethanol/water (1/0.1 v/v) solution (5 mg mL(-1)) yields microspheres (MSs) with the average diameter ∼10 μm via a gradual temperature reduction and solvent volatilization process. Under the same self-assembly conditions, microrods (average diameter ∼6 μm and several tens of micrometers in length), micronecklace-like, and shape-irregular microparticles are formed from the self-assembly of 1c, 1d, and 2, respectively. The kinetics of evolution for their self-assemblies by dynamic light scattering technique and in situ observation by optical microscopy reveals that the microstructures formation is from a well-behaved aggregation of nanoscale micelles induced by solvent volatilization. The FT-IR and temperature-dependent (1)H-NMR spectra demonstrate the hydrogen bonding force and π-π stacking, which drove the self-assembly of all oleamide derivatives in ethanol/water. Among the fabricated microstructures, the MSs from 1a exhibit the best dispersity, which thus have been used as a scaffold for the in vitro release of doxorubicin. The results demonstrate a pH-sensitive release process, enhanced release specifically at low pH 5.2.

Experimental study on the 300W class planar type solid oxide fuel cell stack: Investigation for appropriate fuel provision control and the transient capability of the cell performance

The present paper reports the experimental study on the dynamic behavior of a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC). The cell stack consists of planar type cells with standard power output 300W. A Major subject of the present study is characterization of the transient response to the electric current change, assuming load-following operation. The present studies particularly focus on fuel provision control to the load change. Optimized fuel provision improves power generation efficiency. However, the capability of SOFC must be restricted by a few operative parameters. Fuel utilization factor, which is defined as the ratio of the consumed fuel to the supplied fuel is adopted for a reference in the control scheme. The fuel flow rate was regulated to keep the fuel utilization at 50%, 60% and 70% during the current ramping. Lower voltage was observed with the higher fuel utilization, but achieved efficiency was higher. The appropriate mass flow control is required not to violate the voltage transient behavior. Appropriate fuel flow manipulation can contribute to moderate the overshoot on the voltage that may appear to the current change. The overshoot on the voltage response resulted from the gradual temperature behavior in the SOFC stack module.

OH radical and temperature measurements during ignition of H2-air mixtures excited by a repetitively pulsed nanosecond discharge

Ignition delay time, time-resolved temperature, and time-resolved absolute OH concentration are measured in mildly preheated H2–air mixtures (T=473–500K), excited by a repetitive nanosecond pulse discharge in a plasma flow reactor. The measurements are done in decaying plasma after the discharge pulse burst (pulse repetition rate 10–40kHz). Ignition delay increases steeply as the number of pulses in the burst is reduced, exhibiting threshold-like behavior. Temperature and OH concentration during the ignition process are measured by two-line OH LIF, as functions of time delay after the discharge burst. Absolute calibration is done using a near-adiabatic flame. The results show that the temperature at the end of the discharge burst is 700–750K, rising to 1500–1600K within a few ms after the burst, indicative of ignition. During ignition, OH concentration increases by a factor of 20–50, from (0.5–1.1)×1014cm−3 at the end of the burst to peak value of (2.3–2.6)×1015cm−3. Kinetic modeling calculations show good agreement with the experimental results, demonstrating quantitative insight into kinetics of plasma-assisted ignition. Modeling calculations demonstrate that ignition is induced primarily by accumulation of H atoms and gradual temperature rise in the discharge, at temperatures significantly lower than autoignition temperature, by up to 200K.

Modeling the transmission dynamics of dengue fever: Implications of temperature effects

The purpose of this study was to investigate the transmission dynamic modeling of dengue fever in subtropical Taiwan by the contributing temperature-dependent entomological parameters of Aedes aegypti. A vector–host transmission model was used to explore the temperature variation of pre-adult mosquito maturation, oviposition rate, adult mosquito death rate, and virus incubation rate in the mosquito. Sensitivity analysis, by transmissible biting rate and the initial mosquito population, was adapted to observe features of the epidemic. This study showed that the entomological parameter estimates are positively correlated with a gradual temperature increase, but not with pre-adult mosquito maturation rate and mosquito death rate, indicating the limitation of pre-adult mosquito maturation rate. Results show that the temperature climate factor was indeed important and influenced the dynamic modeling of the vector–host interaction. Results from our simulation also suggest that the greatest risk of dengue transmission occurs at temperatures equal to 28°C. In the future, these results could be used for control measures modeling and cost-effectiveness analysis.

Temperature compensation and entrainment in circadian rhythms

To anticipate daily variations in the environment and coordinate biological activities into a daily cycle many organisms possess a circadian clock. In the absence of external time cues the circadian rhythm persists with a period of approximately 24 h. The clock phase can be shifted by single pulses of light, darkness, chemicals, or temperature and this allows entrainment of the clock to exactly 24 h by cycles of these zeitgebers. On the other hand, the period of the circadian rhythm is kept relatively constant within a physiological range of constant temperatures, which means that the oscillator is temperature compensated. The mechanisms behind temperature compensation and temperature entrainment are not fully understood, neither biochemically nor mathematically. Here, we theoretically investigate the interplay of temperature compensation and entrainment in general oscillatory systems. We first give an analytical treatment for small temperature shifts and derive that every temperature-compensated oscillator is entrainable to external small-amplitude temperature cycles. Temperature compensation ensures that this entrainment region is always centered at the endogenous period regardless of possible seasonal temperature differences. Moreover, for small temperature cycles the entrainment region of the oscillator is potentially larger for rectangular pulses. For large temperature shifts we numerically analyze different circadian clock models proposed in the literature with respect to these properties. We observe that for such large temperature shifts sinusoidal or gradual temperature cycles allow a larger entrainment region than rectangular cycles.

Validity of Thermal Ramping Assays Used to Assess Thermal Tolerance in Arthropods

Proper assessment of environmental resistance of animals is critical for the ability of researchers to understand how variation in environmental conditions influence population and species abundance. This is also the case for studies of upper thermal limits in insects, where researchers studying animals under laboratory conditions must select appropriate methodology on which conclusions can be drawn. Ideally these methods should precisely estimate the trait of interest and also be biological meaningful. In an attempt to develop such tests it has been proposed that thermal ramping assays are useful assays for small insects because they incorporate an ecologically relevant gradual temperature change. However, recent model-based papers have suggested that estimates of thermal resistance may be strongly confounded by simultaneous starvation and dehydration stress. In the present study we empirically test these model predictions using two sets of independent experiments. We clearly demonstrate that results from ramping assays of small insects (Drosophila melanogaster) are not compromised by starvation- or dehydration-stress. Firstly we show that the mild disturbance of water and energy balance of D. melanogaster experienced during the ramping tests does not confound heat tolerance estimates. Secondly we show that flies pre-exposed to starvation and dehydration have “normal” heat tolerance and that resistance to heat stress is independent of the energetic and water status of the flies. On the basis of our results we discuss the assumptions used in recent model papers and present arguments as to why the ramping assay is both a valid and ecologically relevant way to measure thermal resistance in insects.

Computational analysis of movement behaviors of medaka (Oryzias latipes) in response to chemical and thermal stressors

Response behaviors of medaka (Oryzias latipes) were computationally analyzed after exposure to a temperature increase and toxic treatments. The temperature was increased from 25 °C to 35 °C while individual organisms of medaka were treated with copper at a low concentration (1.0 mg/L). Movement tracks were continuously recorded for 6 hours before and for 6 hours after the treatments. Parameters (e.g., speed and stop number) and entropy values (e.g., Shannon entropy and Reyni entropy) characterizing the movement tracks were calculated before and after the treatments. After the temperature increase, parameters and entropy values remained in the same range. Test organisms appeared to adapt to a gradual temperature increase to maintain the same behavioral state. After the treatments with copper, however, parameters such as speed, acceleration and stop number substantially decreased while the turning rate increased. Entropy values such as Shannon and Reyni entropies were lower while Simpson index was higher after the chemical treatments. Complexity residing in the movement tracks appeared to decrease after the treatment with a chemical. According to the self-organizing map results, entropy values were associated with speed and acceleration. The parameter (speed) and the entropy value (Shannon entropy) changed in different time periods after the chemical treatment. The periodicity in entropy was not different between the early and the late periods after the treatments according to fast Fourier transform. The feasibility of computational monitoring and the structure property in the behavioral data were further discussed regarding ecological assessment of environmental stressors.

Thermal tolerance of Limnoperna fortunei to gradual temperature increase and its applications for biofouling control in industrial and power plants

The acute upper lethal temperature (AULT) at different rates of increase was evaluated as a tool for the design of cheaper and environmentally friendlier control strategies for the invasive bivalve Limnoperna fortunei. Survivorship of 6 ± 2 mm and 20 ± 2 mm mussels acclimated to 12, 23 and 28°C and subjected to different heating rates (1°C per 5, 15 and 30 min) was estimated in the laboratory. The temperatures required to kill 50% (LT50) and 100% (SM100) of the mussels, and the mean death temperature (MDT) varied between 42.2 and 51°C over 54 experiments. Heating rates significantly (p < 0.001) affected LT50, SM100, and MDT. AULT was not affected by mussel size and acclimation temperatures. Limnoperna appears to be more resistant to high temperatures than Dreissena polymorpha, a mussel invasive in the USA and Europe. Lethal temperatures of L. fortunei are within the current thermal operational industrial capacities, suggesting that heat treatment is a viable alternative for controlling its fouling in utility systems.

Characterization of the main lipid components of chloroplast membranes and cold induced changes in Coffea spp.

Low temperatures affect many plant physiological and biochemical components, amongst them the lipid phase of membranes. The present work aimed to characterize the lipid composition of chloroplast membranes of three Coffea genotypes, representing three agronomic valuable species ( Coffea arabica cv. Icatu, Coffea canephora cv. Conilon clone 02 and Coffea dewevrei), under adequate environmental conditions and to relate its cold tolerance ability to the adjustments triggered during a gradual temperature decrease, after chilling exposure and upon a recovery period. Under adequate temperature (25/20 °C, day/night) the lipid composition of chloroplast membranes was fairly similar amongst the genotypes concerning the total fatty acid (TFA) content and individual FAs (both globally or within the classes), suggesting a close lipid composition amongst Coffea species, which can be considered as “C18:3” plants. Under cold exposure and subsequent recovery the genotypes undergo adjustments, some of them with acclimation potential. The genotypes displayed some ability to increase lipid synthesis, increasing their FA content. However, under cold exposure (even at 4 °C), Icatu and C. dewevrei plants performed qualitative adjustments, including preferential synthesis of phospholipids (especially PG) instead of galactolipids and increases in the unsaturation degree of DGDG and phospholipid classes (PG, PC and PI). Clone 02 maintained almost all lipid characteristics, what explains its higher cold sensitivity. Furthermore, differences that contribute to explain contrasting cold sensitivity in Icatu (more tolerant) and C. dewevrei emerged when analyzing PA content (taken as a stress metabolite) and the FA composition within MGDG and PG classes. C. dewevrei presented the higher increase, absolute value and relative weight of PA, while Icatu was the solely genotype to show a rise in the unsaturation degree of MGDG and PG, displaying as well the highest DBI values for these classes. We conclude that lipid qualitative and quantitative adjustments constitute a flexible mechanism that decisively contributes to cold acclimation in Coffea spp., working in tandem with others that minimize oxidative stress damages.

Effect of temperature decrease on oocyte development, sex steroids, and gonadotropin β-subunit mRNA expression levels in female Japanese eel Anguilla japonica

To improve understanding of the mechanism of early ovarian development in eels, the effects of water temperature decrease on oocyte development, plasma levels of sex steroids [estradiol 17β (E2), testosterone (T), 11-ketotestosterone (11-KT)], and gonadotropin β-subunit [follicle-stimulating hormone (FSHβ), luteinizing hormone (LHβ)] messenger RNA (mRNA) expression levels were investigated. A total of 27 female Japanese eels Anguilla japonica were divided into initial, control, and test (water temperature decrease) groups. Starting on 22 September 2009, eels in the test group were reared in a tank with gradual temperature decrease from 25°C to 15°C over 39 days, while the control group was maintained at 25°C. The test group accumulated more oil droplets in their oocytes than did the other groups. Levels of sex steroids, especially 11-KT, were higher in the test group. In contrast, FSHβ and LHβ mRNA expression levels were lower in the test group. These results suggest that water temperature decrease only induced an early stage of ovarian development that was partly affected by an 11-KT increase. For further maturation, other environmental factors related to induction of gonadotropin increase appear to be needed.

The interactive effects of a gradual temperature decrease and long-term food deprivation on cardiac and hepatic blood flows in rainbow trout ( Oncorhynchus mykiss)

The aim of the present study was to determine the extent to which the fish liver is perfused with blood. Transonic® flow probes were therefore implanted around the ventral aorta and hepatic vein(s) to record baseline blood flows in rainbow trout ( Oncorhynchus mykiss) previously held under two different feeding regimes (food-deprived or fed to satiation, 8–12 weeks). Fish from both groups were exposed to a gradual temperature decrease (12 °C to 5 °C) and physical disturbance. Cardiac output (Q), stroke volume (Sv) and hepatic venous blood flow (HVBF) were significantly reduced in food-deprived trout at 12 °C. Heart rate was not significantly affected by nutritional status, but was significantly reduced when temperature was decreased to 5 °C. Physically disturbing each fish at 12 °C and 5 °C showed that the performance capacity of the heart was not affected by food deprivation as the capacity to increase Q and Sv was not reduced in the food-deprived group. Overall this study showed that food deprivation in rainbow trout reduced cardiac and hepatic blood flows. However, long-term food deprivation did not affect the capacity of the heart to acutely increase performance.

Melting of Pb clusters encapsulated in large fullerenes

Molecular dynamics simulations have been employed to explore the melting behavior of nanometer-sized Pb particles encapsulated in spherical and polyhedral fullerene cages of suitable size. The encapsulated particles, as well as the corresponding unsupported ones for comparison, were submitted to a gradual temperature rise. Encapsulation is shown to severely affect the thermodynamic behavior of Pb particles due to the different thermal expansion coefficients of particles and cages. This determines a volume constraint that induces a rise of pressure inside the fullerene cages, which operate for particles as rigid confinement systems. The result is that surface pre-melting and melting processes occur in encapsulated particles at temperatures higher than in unsupported ones.

Genetic Suppression of Akt1 Activity Aggravates Cerebral Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury After Deep Hypothermic Low Flow in Transgenic Mice

We investigated the genetic role of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in Akt1 (+/-) mice after cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury following post-surgery deep hypothermic low flow. 3-week-old Akt1 (+/-) and wild-type C57/B6 mice were randomly and equally divided into sham-surgery and surgery groups. Surgery group mice were subjected to gradual body temperature reduction and bilateral common carotid artery occlusion for 120 min at 18.5 ± 0.5 °C, followed by artery reopening and rewarming. Occlusion was not performed in sham-surgery group animals. Regional cerebral blood flow was determined by laser Doppler flowmetry. Using reverse transcriptase-PCR, apoptotic assays, immunohistology, and Western blot analyses, we determined the apoptotic level of cerebral cells and the expression of Akt signaling pathway components. Regional cerebral blood flow was decreased by ≥ 86% during bilateral common carotid artery occlusion. Akt1 (+/-) mice experienced showed mortality after 24 h of cerebral I/R, and displayed increased numbers of apoptotic cerebral cells and apoptotic protein expression levels. Western analysis revealed Akt1 hypoactivity, which led to less efficient apoptotic signaling pathway inhibition. Akt1 suppresses the mitochondrial apoptosis signaling pathway, and Akt1 haplo-insufficiency exacerbates cerebral ischemia/reperfusion after deep hypothermic low flow conditions in mice. Akt may be a potential molecular therapeutic target for brain protection during surgery in congenital heart disease patients.

Determination of Oxygen Content in Magnesium and Its Alloys by Inert Gas Fusion-Infrared Absorptiometry

A method for the determination of the oxygen content in magnesium and magnesium alloys has been developed. Inert gas fusion-infrared absorptiometry was modified by introducing a multistep heating process; a sample containing oxygen is fused with tin to form an eutectic mixture at 900°C in a graphite crucible, followed by a subsequent gradual temperature increase of up to 2000°C, which enables the evaporation of magnesium from the mixture, and subsequent solidification at the rim of the crucible. Residual tin including magnesium oxide remained at the bottom of the crucible. The oxygen in the tin is measured by a conventional inert gas fusion (IGF) method. From a comparison with the results of charged particle activation analysis, the IGF method is considered to be an attractive candidate for measuring the oxygen content in Mg and its alloys.

Palaeoecological study of a Weichselian wetland site in the Netherlands suggests a link with Dansgaard-Oeschger climate oscillation

AbstractBotanical microfossils, macroremains and oribatid mites of a Weichselian interstadial deposit in the central Netherlands point to a temporary, sub-arctic wetland in a treeless landscape. Radiocarbon dates and OSL dates show an age between ca. 54.6 and 46.6 ka cal BP. The vegetation succession, starting as a peat-forming wetland that developed into a lake, might well be linked with a Dansgaard-Oeschger climatic cycle. We suggest that during the rapid warming at the start of a D-O cycle, relatively low areas in the landscape became wetlands where peat was formed. During the more gradual temperature decline that followed, evaporation diminished; the wetlands became inundated and lake sediments were formed. During subsequent sub-arctic conditions the interstadial deposits were covered with wind-blown sand. Apart from changes in effective precipitation also the climate-related presence and absence of permafrost conditions may have played a role in the formation of the observed sedimentological sequence from sand to peat, through lacustrine sediment, with coversand on top. The Wageningen sequence may correspond with D-O event 12, 13 or 14. Some hitherto not recorded microfossils were described and illustrated.

Exergetic Analysis of Textile Convective Drying with Stenters by Subsystem Models: Part 2—Parametric Study on Exergy Analysis

In this study, the effects of exhaust air humidity ratio, the residual moisture content of fabric outlet, and the temperature of the drying air on the exergy destruction and efficiency of stenters were investigated. The exergy efficiencies of the direct gas heated stenter (DGHS) and hot oil heated stenter (HOHS) were calculated to be varying from 8.5 to 17.5% and from 6.8 to 14.0%, depending on the exhaust air humidity ratio, respectively. The increase in the drying air temperature led to an increase in the exergy efficiency, especially in the constant rate and second rate period of the drying. On the other hand, the application of the gradual temperature method caused the highest total exergy efficiency due to the highest drying rates in the first chambers where considerably high air temperatures were set. Overdrying resulted in the higher irreversibility due to the increase in the fuel consumption in the falling rate period of drying. Thus, the exergy efficiency decreased drastically.

Early to mid‐Holocene climate change at Lago dell'Accesa (central Italy): climate signal or anthropogenic bias?

AbstractDespite the high potential of pollen records for climate reconstruction, pollen–climate relationships may be biased due to past and present human activities on the landscape. We use (i) transfer functions based on modern pollen–climate relationships to infer seasonal temperature and summer precipitation for the period 11 500–4500 cal. a BP and (ii) lake‐level change records based on different sedimentary proxies in multiple cores that are mainly indicative for summer hydrology at Lago dell'Accesa (central Italy). Quantitative reconstructions indicate lowest summer precipitation during two phases (8500–7700 cal. a BP and after 6000 cal. a BP) and a gradual winter temperature increase from 11 500 to ca. 8000 cal. a BP. Lowest summer precipitation was reconstructed during these phases characterised by vegetation shifts from open forests dominated by summergreen oaks (Quercus) to forests dominated by evergreen oaks (Quercus ilex), which are at present most abundant where summer drought is stronger. Similarly, the lake‐level record indicates two long‐lasting low summer precipitation phases (8800–7700 and 6400–4400 cal. a BP) that were interrupted by short‐term high summer precipitation events. Based on the broad agreement between the pollen‐inferred summer precipitation and the low‐frequency lake‐level changes, we suggest that the duration of the high summer precipitation events may have been too short to maintain drought‐sensitive trees, which may have been affected by high mortality rates when summer dry conditions returned. Although past and modern pollen–climate relationships may very likely have been affected by human activities since the Neolithic (i.e. when exploitation of the landscape started), we reject the hypothesis of a significant anthropogenic bias in the pollen‐based climate reconstruction. In addition, we suggest that pollen‐based and lake‐level reconstructions may have different inherent abilities of capturing high‐ and low‐frequency precipitation signals. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley &amp; Sons, Ltd.

Atomistic mechanism of the formation of a nanometer-sized amorphous metal by Kirkendall effect

Molecular dynamics methods have been employed to study the structural and chemical stability of Ni–Zr core–shell particles in the size range between 3 and 6 nm. It is shown that a gradual temperature rise determines the intermixing of Ni and Zr atoms as a consequence of vacancy-mediated displacements mostly involving Ni atoms. In the initial stages, vacancies form preferentially at the Ni–Zr interface, which stores excess free volume due to its incoherent character. The displacement of Ni atoms exhibits a square-root dependence on time and promotes the formation of an amorphous layer. Starting from the interface region, this progressively extends to the free surface. On the inner side, the formation of voids and the possible observation of a residual Ni layer depending on the particle composition suggest for diffusion a Kirkendall mechanism. The results obtained point out that Kirkendall diffusion could be exploited on the nanometer scale to produce hollow shells with an amorphous structures.