Mixing Mechanism Research Articles

Enhancing left ventricular segmentation in echocardiography with a modified mixed attention mechanism in SegFormer architecture

Echocardiography is a key tool for the diagnosis of cardiac diseases, and accurate left ventricular (LV) segmentation in echocardiographic videos is crucial for the assessment of cardiac function. However, since semantic segmentation of video needs to take into account the temporal correlation between frames, this makes the task very challenging. This article introduces an innovative method that incorporates a modified mixed attention mechanism into the SegFormer architecture, enabling it to effectively grasp the temporal correlation present in video data. The proposed method processes each time series by encoding the image input into the encoder to obtain the current time feature map. This map, along with the historical time feature map, is then fed into a time-sensitive mixed attention mechanism type of convolution block attention module (TCBAM). Its output can serve as the historical time feature map for the subsequent sequence, and a combination of the current time feature map and historical time feature map for the current sequence. The processed feature map is then input into the Multilayer Perceptron (MLP) and subsequent networks to generate the final segmented image. Through extensive experiments conducted on two different datasets: Hamad Medical Corporation, Tampere University, and Qatar University (HMC-QU), Cardiac Acquisitions for Multi-structure Ultrasound Segmentation (CAMUS) and Sunnybrook Cardiac Data (SCD), achieving a Dice coefficient of 97.92 % on the SCD dataset and an F1 score of 0.9263 on the CAMUS dataset, outperforming all other models. This research provides a promising solution to the temporal modeling challenge in video semantic segmentation tasks using transformer-based models and points out a promising direction for future research in this field.

Unveiling Turbulent Flow Dynamics in Blind-Tee Pipelines: Enhancing Fluid Mixing in Subsea Pipeline Systems

Blind tees, as important junctions, are widely used in offshore oil and gas transportation systems to improve mixing flow conditions and measurement accuracies in curved pipes. Despite the significance of blind tees, their unsteady flow characteristics and mixing mechanisms in turbulent flow regimes are not clearly established. Therefore, in this study, Unsteady Reynolds-Averaged Navier–Stokes (URANS) simulations, coupled with Explicit Algebraic Reynolds Stress Model (EARSM), are employed to explore the complex turbulent flow characteristics within blind-tee pipes. Firstly, the statistical flow features are investigated based on the time-averaged results, and the swirl dissipation analysis reveals an intense dissipative process occurring within blind tees, surpassing conventional elbows in swirling intensity. Then, the instantaneous flow characteristics are investigated through time and frequency domain analysis, uncovering the oscillatory patterns and elucidating the mechanisms behind unsteady secondary flow motions. In a 2D-length blind tee, a nondimensional dominant frequency of oscillation (Stbt = 0.0361) is identified, highlighting the significant correlation between dominant frequencies inside and downstream of the plugged section, which emphasizes the critical role of the plugged structure in these unsteady motions. Finally, a power spectra analysis is conducted to explore the influence of blind-tee structures, indicating that the blind-tee length of lbt = 2D enhances the flow-mixing conditions by amplifying the oscillation intensities of secondary flow motions.

Effects of the antitumor drugs adagrasib and asciminib on apixaban metabolism in vitro and in vivo

Apixaban is an oral anticoagulant that directly inhibits the target Factor Xa (FXa). In this study, we focused on the in vivo and in vitro effects of adagrasib and asciminib on apixaban metabolism, to discover potential drug-drug interactions (DDI) and explore their inhibitory mechanisms. The levels of apixaban and its metabolite, O-desmethyl-apixaban (M2), were determined by ultra performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS). In vitro evaluation, the maximum half inhibitory concentration (IC50) of adagrasib in rat liver microsomes (RLM) and human liver microsomes (HLM) against apixaban was 7.99 μM and 117.40 μM, respectively. The IC50 value of asciminib against apixaban in RLM and HLM was 4.28 μM and 18.42 μM, respectively. The results of the analysis on inhibition mechanisms showed that adagrasib inhibited the metabolism of apixaban through a non-competitive mechanism, while asciminib inhibited the metabolism of apixaban through a mixed mechanism. Moreover, the interaction of apixaban with adagrasib and asciminib in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats was also investigated. It was found that the pharmacokinetic characteristics of apixaban were significantly changed when combined with these two antitumor drugs, where AUC(0-t), AUC(0-∞), t1/2, Tmax, and Cmax were increased, while CLz/F was significantly decreased. But both drugs did not appear to affect the metabolism of M2 in a significant way. Consistent results from in vitro and in vivo demonstrated that both adagrasib and asciminib inhibited the metabolism of apixaban. It provided reference data for the future clinical individualization of apixaban.

Effect of Ti3AlC2 addition on the densification and high- temperature erosion resistance of TiB2 composite ceramics fabricated by SPS

TiB2-Ti3AlC2 composite ceramics were fabricated by spark plasma sintering (SPS) technique. The effects of Ti3AlC2 additive on the densification, mechanical properties and resistance to high-temperature aluminum liquid erosion of composite ceramics were investigated, and the mechanisms of densification and erosion resistance were highlighted, respectively. At sintering temperature of 1800 °C, pressure of 40 MPa, and holding time of 10 min, TiB2 composite ceramic with 40 wt% Ti3AlC2 acquired 98.9 % densification, 98.2 % thermal shock resistance, and 13.71 MPa∙m1/2 fracture toughness. The in-situ decomposition of Ti3AlC2 was clearly observed during the sintering process, and the generated liquid Al induced the liquid phase sintering mechanism, promoting the densification of composite ceramics. Besides, the simultaneous in-situ generation of TiC phase strengthened the TiB2 matrix and induced a mixed toughening mechanism of transgranular fracture and intergranular fracture, resulting in superior mechanical properties and better resistance to high-temperature erosion of TiB2-Ti3AlC2 composite ceramics.

A comprehensive review on the Dynamical behavior of heat and fluid flow mechanism: Thermal performance across different geometries

The prominent novelty of current review is to exhibit the fluctuating and oscillatory convective heat transfer properties along various geometries with magnetic force, variable density, Prandtl number, buoyancy force and magnetic Prandtl number effects. The significance of present work is to illustrate a comprehensive review on transient convective heat transfer. Transient convective heat transfer plays an essential role in various technological and environmental applications, including climate control, structure safety, engines, thermal control, computer heating and cooling, and energy safety. The literature primarily focuses on steady temperature and velocity domains, with few studies exploring time-varying fluid flow in forced, natural, or mixed convective mechanisms with different methods. In current review, justification of results was performed by using oscillating stokes conditions directly in partial differential models. The similarity variables and stream functions are used in literature but in current review, the primitive variable transformation is used with implicit form of finite difference method and Gaussian elimination technique through FORTRAN and Tecplot-360 programming tools. The governing model is reduced into steady, real and imaginary form to explore steady and oscillating convective heat transmission. Transient flows have gained significance due to their ability to achieve large oscillating convective heat transfer rates. Compared with steady movement, oscillating flows exhibit higher velocity variations along the heated surface. Periodic flow produces an improved transient surface heat transmission rate than steady flow. Predicting and controlling transients in thermal exchangers requires a concept of transient forced convection heat transport. Transient convective thermal transmission solutions are important for ensuring the effectiveness and reliability of electrical components, nuclear and thermal power stations, heat-generating engines, steam turbines, condensation systems, catalytic converters, heat shielding for spacecraft, electrical devices, internal combustion engines, air conditioning and refrigerator components, cooling networks for batteries, generators, and transformers. It is found that the frequency of convective heat transport enhances through periodic and oscillating stokes variables. It was depicted that the higher amplitude in convective heat transfer was displayed for each choice of magnetic force parameter around two angles π/4 and π of circular magnetized surface. It was depicted that the maximum transient convective heat transmission was reported along vertical angle π/2 with buoyancy force, Prandtl and magnetic Prandtl values.

Deformable baffles coupled with pulsatile flow improve mixing in microfluidic devices

An important objective for many microfluidic mixer devices is to attain a high level of mixing efficiency at low Reynolds numbers. Previous research incorporating rigid obstacles into microchannels has shown enhanced chaotic advection and improved mixing index; however, the increased pressure drop and corresponding shear forces within the fluid domain can create issues in biological applications. In this paper, we show how an innovative micromixer strategy, i.e., incorporating deformable baffles and utilizing pulsatile flow, results in a high level of mixing efficiency at low Reynolds numbers (Re =1.25), where diffusion is the pure mechanism of mixing. The numerical investigation involved solving the continuity, Navier-Stokes, solid mechanics, and fluid-solid interaction equations alongside a convection-diffusion model to analyze species concentration. To find the best conditions of the micromixer, the mixing index as the objective function was optimized, and various parameters, including phase difference, velocity ratio, Strouhal number, baffle distance, and Reynolds number, were investigated. Through optimization of these parameters, we show a notable improvement in the mixing index (increase from 21.7 % to 78.86 %) at a Reynolds number of 1.25 with 2 mixing units, more than 92 % mixing efficiency by using 6 mixing units, and more than 95 % mixing efficiency at a Reynolds number of 0.1. Moreover, the incorporation of deformable baffles and pulsation results in a lower pressure drop. These conditions are optimal for biological applications that require thorough mixing of the sample inputs.

Effects of Dietary Flavonoids on the Metabolism of Vortioxetine and its Potential Mechanism.

Quercetin and apigenin are two common dietary flavonoids widely found in foods and fruits. Quercetin and apigenin can act as the inhibitors of CYP450 enzymes, which may affect the pharmacokinetics of clinical drugs. Vortioxetine (VOR), approved for marketing by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2013, is a novel clinical drug for treating major depressive disorder (MDD). This study aimed to evaluate the effects of quercetin and apigenin on the metabolism of VOR in in vivo and in vitro experiments. Firstly, 18 Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups: control group (VOR), group A (VOR + 30 mg/kg quercetin) and group B (VOR + 20 mg/kg apigenin). We collected the blood samples at different time points before and after the final oral administration of 2 mg/kg VOR. Subsequently, we further used rat liver microsomes (RLMs) to investigate the half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of the metabolism of vortioxetine. Finally, we evaluated the inhibitory mechanism of two dietary flavonoids on VOR metabolism in RLMs. In animal experiments, we found AUC (0-∞) (area under the curve from 0 to infinity) and CLz/F (clearance) to be obviously changed. Compared to controls, AUC (0-∞) of VOR in group A and group B was 2.22 and 3.54 times higher, respectively, while CLz/F of VOR in group A and group B was significantly decreased down to nearly two-fifth and one-third. In in vitro studies, the IC50 value of quercetin and apigenin in the metabolic rate of vortioxetine was 5.323 μM and 3.319 μM, respectively. Ki value of quercetin and apigenin was found to be 0.040 and 3.286, respectively, and the αKi value of quercetin and apigenin was 0.170 and 2.876 μM, respectively. Quercetin and apigenin exhibited inhibitory effects on the metabolism of vortioxetine in vivo and in vitro. Moreover, quercetin and apigenin had a mixed mechanism on the metabolism of VOR in RLMs. Thus, we should pay more attention to the combination between these dietary flavonoids and VOR in the future clinical use.

Comparative study on microstructure evolution, mechanical properties, and wear behavior of TiC and B4C single-reinforced and hybrid-reinforced Al–Mg–Si alloys by vacuum hot-press sintering

To explore the variances between single-reinforced and hybrid-reinforced Al–Mg–Si alloys with TiC and B4C, 10 wt.%-(TiC + B4C)/6061Al, 10 wt.%-B4C/6061Al, 10 wt.%-TiC/6061Al and 6061Al were prepared via wet mixing for 8 h followed by vacuum hot-press sintering at 580 °C and 30 MPa for 2 h. Microstructure evolution, mechanical properties, and wear behavior were investigated in this study. The results show that unlike single reinforcement of TiC, single reinforcement of B4C and hybrid reinforcement of TiC and B4C altered the distribution of Si and facilitated the in-situ formation of SiC. Both single reinforcement and hybrid reinforcement resulted in mixed fracture characteristics of ductile fracture and cleavage fracture, while hybrid reinforcement of TiC and B4C demonstrated superior strength and plasticity matching. At equivalent particle mass fractions, single reinforcement of TiC was more conducive to inducing recrystallization during sintering, followed by single reinforcement of B4C, and hybrid reinforcement of TiC and B4C had the least effect. At equivalent particle mass fractions, single reinforcement of B4C had the most significant effect on improving the wear resistance, followed by hybrid reinforcement of TiC and B4C, and single reinforcement of TiC had the least effect. All particle addition methods demonstrated a mixed wear mechanism involving abrasive wear, adhesive wear, and spalling wear. This study provides valuable insights into the development of aluminum matrix composites.

Effect of the APS YAG coating on the fretting wear properties of Ti60 titanium alloy

To enhance the fretting wear resistance of Ti60 titanium alloy, a YAG coating was applied to the surface using the APS (atmospheric plasma spray) process, followed by an investigation of its fretting wear performance. Nanoindentation technology was employed to evaluate nanomechanical properties, and subsequently, techniques including SEM, EDS, TEM, XRD, XPS, and laser confocal microscopy were utilized to characterize microstructural features of the wear marks and the composition of wear debris. The results indicated that, owing to the presence of the APS YAG coating, the surface nanohardness of the Ti60 titanium alloy increased from 4.4 GPa to 11.06 GPa, while the fretting friction coefficient decreased from 0.186 to 0.155, and the volume wear is reduced by 80.53 %, which significantly improves the fretting wear resistance of Ti60 titanium alloy. As the number of fretting cycles increased, a complete friction layer formed on the surface of the Ti60 titanium alloy, leading to a decrease in fretting friction coefficient and a shift in the wear mechanism. Ultimately, a mixed mechanism was observed involving oxidative wear, abrasive wear, fatigue-induced peeling of the friction layer, and localized plastic deformation. Conversely, the fretting wear mechanism of the APS YAG coating consistently demonstrated abrasive wear, adhesive wear, and fatigue-induced cracking and spalling of the coating.

Identification of aurones and chalcones as the main contributors to xanthine oxidase inhibitory activity of snow chrysanthemum

Snow chrysanthemum, the capitulum of Coreopsis tinctoria Nutt., was found to possess inhibitory activity on xanthine oxidase (XO), one of the key enzymes in the pathogenesis of gout. Assisted by bioactivity-oriented isolation, a total of 16 compounds containing a new compound were obtained from the active fractions of snow chrysanthemum extract, including two aurones (1, 2), four chalcones (3–6), a flavone (7), four flavonols (8-11), a flavanonol (12), three phenylpropanoids (13–15), and a new polyacetylene glycoside (16). All the isolated compounds were assayed for their inhibitory activity on XO, among which eight polyphenols (1–8) exhibited potent or moderate inhibitory activities with IC50 values from 0.65 to 29.11 μM. The structure-activity relationship was interpreted for polyphenols (1-12). Besides, the inhibition properties of compounds 1–4 against XO were comprehensively investigated through enzyme kinetics, fluorescence quenching, and docking simulation. Maritimetin (1) and sulfurein (2) reversibly inhibited XO by mixed type mechanism. Okanin-4′-O-(6″-acetyl)-β-d-glucopyranoside (3) and coreopsin (4) competitively inhibited XO in reversible and irreversible manners, respectively. In addition, fluorescence quenching studies suggested that all four compounds interacted with XO through a static quenching mechanism. Molecular docking inferred that hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic interaction played key roles in the binding process. This study revealed the XO-inhibitory activity of snow chrysanthemum and the contribution of containing aurones and chalcones to XO inhibition, making it a potential functional food ingredient for management of hyperuricemia.

Electrochemical behavior and theoretical studies of arylazo (1-naphthyl-2-cyanoacetamide) derivatives as new corrosion inhibitors for Inconel 800 in chloride solution

In this study, synthesize and insight the corrosion inhibition properties of two novel derivatives of 1-naphthyl-2-cyanoacetamide (NCDs) [2-cyano-2-((5,6-dimethyl-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl) diazenyl)-N (naphthalene-1-yl)acetamide] (NCD1) and [2-Cyano-N-(naphthalene-1-yl)-2-[(4,6-dimethyl-1H-pyrazolo [3, 4-b] pyridine-3-yl) hydrazono] acetamide] (NCD2). The characterization of the synthesized NCDs was confirmed through the utilization of Mass fragmentation analysis, 1H-NMR, and IR. The corrosion inhibition performance of NCDs as a novel and environmentally safe corrosion inhibitor has been investigated by electrochemical techniques, a chemical technique, and theoretical studies for its anti-corrosion behavior of Inconel 800 in chloride medium. In addition, the surface morphology and inhibitor adsorption on the Inconel 800 surface were confirmed utilizing SEM, EDX, FTIR, and AFM. The advantages of NCDs include their low toxicity, environmental friendliness, ease of preparation, low odor, contain (N, O, and π-Bonds), and the inhibition efficiency elevated with decreasing solution temperature as well as inhibitor dose increase, yielding increased efficiencies of 91.8% and 95.7% for NCD1 and NCD2, respectively, at the optimum concentration of 21 ×\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$\ imes$$\\end{document} 10–6 mol. L−1 and 298 K temperature. An analysis of Tafel plots reveals that NCDs adhere to a mixed and isothermal Langmuir adsorption mechanism. Density Functional Theory (DFT) and Monte Carlo (MC) simulation manifest the two compounds of NCDs can be adsorbed at the Fe (110) surface in a paralleled way, and can have a smaller energy gap (ΔE) value and exhibit higher efficiency. The experimental and theoretical findings confirm that the synthesized compounds obtained are capable of protecting the Inconel 800 from corrosion by creating an anti-corrosion coating on the surface.

ConceptLab: Creative Concept Generation using VLM-Guided Diffusion Prior Constraints

Recent text-to-image generative models have enabled us to transform our words into vibrant, captivating imagery. The surge of personalization techniques that has followed has also allowed us to imagine unique concepts in new scenes. However, an intriguing question remains: How can we generate a new , imaginary concept that has never been seen before? In this article, we present the task of creative text-to-image generation , where we seek to generate new members of a broad category (e.g., generating a pet that differs from all existing pets). We leverage the under-studied Diffusion Prior models and show that the creative generation problem can be formulated as an optimization process over the output space of the diffusion prior, resulting in a set of “prior constraints.” To keep our generated concept from converging into existing members, we incorporate a question-answering Vision-Language Model that adaptively adds new constraints to the optimization problem, encouraging the model to discover increasingly more unique creations. Finally, we show that our prior constraints can also serve as a strong mixing mechanism allowing us to create hybrids between generated concepts, introducing even more flexibility into the creative process.

The role of mixing on the kinetics of nucleation and crystal growth in membrane distillation crystallisation

While mixing is considered critical in membrane distillation crystallisation, an explicit link between mixing and crystallisation mechanisms has yet to be made. This study therefore used in-line nucleation detection to determine induction time and metastable zone width, as a method to characterise the independent roles of interfacial boundary layer mixing and bulk crystalliser mixing on the kinetics of nucleation and crystal growth in membrane distillation crystallisation. Interfacial boundary layer mixing was investigated by changing Reynolds number (Re, 1300–2050), where an increase in Re also increased flux. This increased supersaturation within the boundary layer, shortened induction time, and was correlated to a higher nucleation rate. The high nucleation rates introduced smaller crystal sizes, which is an effect that can be correlated to classical nucleation theory. Mixing within the crystalliser did not modify the interfacial supersaturation at nucleation (ReN 1562–18741). However, a decrease in induction time was observed when transitioning from lower to higher mixing, which may arise from the improved distribution of the supersaturated feed within the crystalliser. The effect of crystalliser mixing was also evident on crystal growth, where larger crystals were produced at higher crystalliser stirrer speeds due to improved diffusion-controlled growth. This study therefore demonstrates that bulk and interfacial mixing can be collectively used to control crystallisation by decoupling conditions that determine nucleation and crystal growth. Morphological assessment was subsequently undertaken that evidenced how dendritic breeding and wider secondary nucleation mechanisms that dominate crystal growth at high levels of supersaturation can be mitigated through mixing. Membrane crystallisation offers a scalable geometry in which we demonstrate mixing to facilitate good control over crystal growth which is more difficult to realise in existing evaporative crystalliser design.

Comparative Study of the Mechanical Properties and Fracture Mechanism of Ti-5111 Alloys with Three Typical Microstructures

In this work, Ti-5111 alloys with equiaxed, bimodal and lamellar microstructures were prepared by various heat treatment processes. The room-temperature tensile properties, deformation microstructure and fracture mechanism of the alloys with different microstructures were investigated. Furthermore, the mechanism by which the microstructure affects the mechanical properties of Ti-5111 alloys with three typical microstructures was confirmed. The Ti-5111 alloy with a bimodal microstructure has minimum grain size and a large number of αs/β phase boundaries, which are the primary reasons for its higher strength. Simultaneously, the excellent coordination in the deformation ability between the lamellar αs and β phases is what enables the alloy with a bimodal microstructure to have the most outstanding mechanical properties. Additionally, the presence of a grain boundary α phase and the parallel arrangement of a coarse αs phase are the main reasons for the inferior mechanical properties of the Ti-5111 alloy with a lamellar microstructure. The fracture mechanism of the alloy with an equiaxed microstructure is a mixed fracture mechanism including ductile fracture and destructive fracture. The fracture mechanisms of the Ti-5111 alloy with bimodal and lamellar microstructures are typical ductile fracture and cleavage fracture, respectively. These findings serve as a guide for the performance improvement and application of the Ti-5111 alloy.

Orthogonal Radical and Cationic Single-Unit Monomer Insertions for Engineering Polymer Architectures.

The single-unit monomer insertion (SUMI), derived from living/controlled polymerization, can be directly functionalized at the end or within the chain of polymers prepared by living/controlled polymerization, offering potential applications in the preparation of polymers with complex architectures. Many scenarios demand the simultaneous incorporation of monomers suitable for different polymerization methods into complex polymers. Therefore, it becomes imperative to utilize SUMI technologies with diverse mechanisms, especially those that are compatible with each other. Here, we reported the orthogonal SUMI technique, seamlessly combining radical and cationic SUMI approaches. Through the careful optimization of monomer and chain transfer agent pairs and adjustments to reaction conditions, we can efficiently execute both radical and cationic SUMI processes in one pot without mutual interference. The utilization of orthogonal SUMI pairs facilitates the integration of radical and cationic reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization in various configurations. This flexibility enables the synthesis of diblock, triblock, and star polymers that incorporate both cationically and radically polymerizable monomers. Moreover, we have successfully implemented a mixing mechanism of free radicals and cations in RAFT step-growth polymerization, resulting in the creation of a side-chain sequence-controlled polymer brushes.

Orthogonal Radical and Cationic Single‐Unit Monomer Insertions for Engineering Polymer Architectures

AbstractThe single‐unit monomer insertion (SUMI), derived from living/controlled polymerization, can be directly functionalized at the end or within the chain of polymers prepared by living/controlled polymerization, offering potential applications in the preparation of polymers with complex architectures. Many scenarios demand the simultaneous incorporation of monomers suitable for different polymerization methods into complex polymers. Therefore, it becomes imperative to utilize SUMI technologies with diverse mechanisms, especially those that are compatible with each other. Here, we reported the orthogonal SUMI technique, seamlessly combining radical and cationic SUMI approaches. Through the careful optimization of monomer and chain transfer agent pairs and adjustments to reaction conditions, we can efficiently execute both radical and cationic SUMI processes in one pot without mutual interference. The utilization of orthogonal SUMI pairs facilitates the integration of radical and cationic reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization in various configurations. This flexibility enables the synthesis of diblock, triblock, and star polymers that incorporate both cationically and radically polymerizable monomers. Moreover, we have successfully implemented a mixing mechanism of free radicals and cations in RAFT step‐growth polymerization, resulting in the creation of a side‐chain sequence‐controlled polymer brushes.

Assessment of the effect of thermal barrier coating blockage on film cooling effectiveness: An experimental study of full-coverage turbine vane

The improved performance of turbine blades leads to increased temperature loads, thereby necessitating higher design standards for heat protection. Thermal barrier coating (TBCs) and film cooling are the predominant technologies employed for blade cooling. However, the application of thermal barrier coatings through spraying inevitably modifies the structure of film holes, resulting in deviations from the original design in film cooling. In this study, numerical calculations are used to examine the impact of TBCs blockage on coolant mixing and flow mechanisms in the film holes at typical locations on the vane surface. Additionally, models with actual engine vane dimensions were developed, and the full-coverage film cooling effectiveness (.) vanes with and without TBCs were measured using Pressure-sensitive paint (PSP). The results indicate that the impact of TBCs blockage on the cooling characteristics of cylindrical holes is more pronounced than that of laid-back fan-shaped holes. The TBCs blockage leads to a redistribution of coolant, causing a greater tendency for the coolant to flow out from the hole rows on the suction surface in the tested vane. This results in higher η on the suction surface for the vane with TBCs compared to the vane without TBCs, with a maximum increase of approximately 16.7%. For the other regions of the vane, TBCs spraying significantly reduced η at the leading edge of the vane (with a maximum reduction of approximately 52%) and slightly reduced η at the pressure surface for other regions of the vane (with a maximum reduction of approximately 7%). The application of TBCs reduces the uniformity of film coverage on vane surfaces, with a maximum reduction of approximately 22.5%.

Interfacial mechanics of β-casein and albumin mixed protein assemblies at liquid-liquid interfaces

Protein emulsifiers play an important role in formulation science, from food product development to emerging applications in biotechnologies. The impact of mixed protein assemblies on surface composition and interfacial shear mechanics remains broadly unexplored, in comparison to the impact that formulation has on dilatational mechanics and surface tension or pressure. In this report, we use interfacial shear rheology to quantify the evolution of interfacial shear moduli as a function of composition in bovine serum albumin (BSA)/β-casein mixed assemblies. We present the pronounced difference in mechanics of these two protein, at oil interfaces, and observe the dominance of β-casein in regulating interfacial shear mechanics. This observation correlates well with the strong asymmetry of adsorption of these two proteins, characterised by fluorescence microscopy. Using neutron reflectometry and fluorescence recovery after photobleaching, we examine the architecture of corresponding protein assemblies and their surface diffusion, providing evidence for distinct morphologies, but surprisingly comparable diffusion profiles. Finally, we explore the impact of crosslinking and sequential protein adsorption on the interfacial shear mechanics of corresponding assemblies. Overall, this work indicates that, despite comparable surface densities, BSA and β-casein assemblies at liquid–liquid interfaces display almost 2 orders of magnitude difference in interfacial shear storage modulus and markedly different viscoelastic profiles. In addition, co-adsorption and sequential adsorption processes are found to further modulate interfacial shear mechanics. Beyond formulation science, the understanding of complex mixed protein assemblies and mechanics may have implications for the stability of emulsions and may underpin changes in the mechanical strength of corresponding interfaces, for example in tissue culture or in physiological conditions.

Investigation of the Adsorption Characteristics of <i>Theobroma cacao</i> Peels Biomass Inhibitors on Mild Steel Surfaces by EIS, SEM-EDX, XPS, and Chemical Studies in Acidic Media

Investigators used Potentiodynamic Polarization, Spectroscopy of Electrochemical Impedance (EIS), Scanning Electron Microscope-Energy Dispersive X-Ray (SEM-EDX), Spectroscopy of X-Ray Photoelectron (XPS), and chemical studies to examine the inhibitory effect of Theobroma cacao peel extract (TCPE) on mild steel (MS) corrosion in 1.5M HCl. Studies of electrochemical data indicate that, TCPE reduces MS corrosion through adsorption using a mixed inhibition mechanism. As the inhibitor concentration grows and temperatures lowers, TCPE becomes more protective. The adsorption of TCPE molecules on the MS surface is controlled by the Langmuir adsorption isotherm. To determine the correlation between the hampers effect and the structure of TCPE molecular, a number of chemical characteristics were computed.

Structural and functional impacts of neonicotinoids analogues on Apis mellifera's chemosensory protein: Insights from spectroscopic and molecular modeling investigations

In the intricate web of ecological relationships, pollinators such as the Italian honeybee (Apis mellifera) play a crucial role in maintaining biodiversity and agricultural productivity. This study focuses on the interactions between three neonicotinoid compounds and the honeybee's chemosensory protein 3 (CSP3), a key player in their olfactory system. Employing advanced spectroscopic techniques and molecular modeling, we explore the binding dynamics and conformational changes in CSP3 upon exposure to these pesticides. The research reveals that all three neonicotinoids considerably quench CSP3's fluorescence through a dynamic and static mixing mechanism, indicating a strong binding affinity, predominantly driven by hydrophobic interactions. UV–visible absorption, synchronous fluorescence, and 3D fluorescence spectra support slight changes in the microenvironment around the aromatic amino acids of CSP3. Circular dichroism spectra indicate a reduction in CSP3's α-helix content, suggesting structural alterations. Molecular docking and dynamics simulations further elucidate the binding modes and stability of these interactions, highlighting the role of specific amino acids in CSP3's binding cavity. Findings provide critical insights into molecular mechanisms by which neonicotinoids may impair honeybee chemosensory function, offering implications for designing safer pesticides and understanding the broader ecological impact of these chemicals on pollinator health.