Outcome Of Present Research Research Articles

Interaction between dislocation and heterogeneous interface in Cu/Fe laminated composites based on discrete dislocation dynamics

Bimetal laminated composites (BLCs) exhibit more outstanding mechanical properties than traditional alloys due to the interaction between heterogeneous interface boundary (HIB) and dislocation. However, the underlying physics of the dislocation motion and the strengthening effect has not been uncovered at mesoscopic scale. In this study, the detailed microstructure of the Cu/Fe HIB was obtained by transmission electron microscope (TEM) observation. The dislocation model was established using discrete dislocation dynamics (DDD), and several interactions between the dislocation and HIB were focused on, as well as the intrinsic strengthening mechanisms of the HIB. The results show that different HIB characteristics induce different interaction mechanisms such as absorption, slip transmission, slip on the HIB, emission from HIB and reflection by HIB, resulting in different strengthening effect on the BLCs. The HIB promotes slip of the dislocation emitted from the Fe, while prevents movement of the dislocation emitted from Cu. Since dislocation slip is more difficult in Fe, greater elastic deformation occurs before large-scale expansion of the dislocation, resulting in larger nominal yield strength. The presence of HIB increases the difficulty of dislocation movement compared to the single crystal structure, which in turn improves the overall strength of BLCs. Due to the different dislocation motion and strain gradient, the mechanism of that dislocation slip absorption by the HIB has optimal strengthening effect relative to other interaction mechanisms. The strengthening effect of other interaction mechanisms is influenced by the position of the dislocation emission, the type of interaction mechanism, and the angle between adjacent slip planes, etc. The outcome of present research sheds important insights into the design of HIB strengthening materials, such as multi- and nano- laminated composites.

Collaborative Learning of Macroeconomics Through the Lens of Universal Design for Learning (UDL)

The paper shows that implementation of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) for collaborative learning through teams in a Macroeconomics course can help to transform students’ educational experience to become lifelong learners. The UDL uses a portfolio of assessments in the course and team presentation happens to be one of them. In this paper students form teams through self-selection exercise and work in teams throughout the semester to produce and present research outcomes of analyzing macroeconomic policy in a globally connected world. The presentation requires students to apply their learning of country specific macroeconomic issues on global policy decisions. This enables transforming classroom learning into an immersive experience for future career choices of students developing transferable skills in the process.

Writers' communicative resources for comparing present and past research findings: A pedagogically motivated inquiry into scientists' rhetorical practices

Despite the pivotal role of ‘comparing present and past research findings' (CPPRF) in both softer and harder sciences, scant attention has been directed to how linguistic resources are used in such comparisons in certain applied sciences, particularly Material Science (MS) and Agricultural Science (AS). Based on a genre analysis and interviews with specialist informants, we examined the prevalence of CPPRF, the circumstances involved, and the salient linguistic resources employed by expert writers in the two disciplines. It was found that CPPRF is markedly more prevalent in the ‘Results and Discussion’ sections of the research articles in AS than those in MS. Agricultural scientists use more author prominent citations, especially after alignment verbs, to accentuate the roles of previous researchers while making new knowledge claims. Experts in both fields, however, employ ‘copula-complex preposition’ and ‘copula-adjective-preposition’ structures expressing commonality to explicitly support previous research findings. In cases of divergences, writers draw on comparative adjectives to tacitly avoid direct conflicts with previous researchers' findings in the process of knowledge creation. It is recommended that specific word combinations be highlighted in relation to writers' attempts to generate knowledge via comparisons of present and previous research outcomes, thus implicitly signalling additional contributions of their studies.

Low-frequency pitch coding: relationships with speech-in-noise and music perception by pediatric populations with typical hearing and cochlear implants

PurposeThis study aimed to investigate the effects of low frequency (LF) pitch perception on speech-in-noise and music perception performance by children with cochlear implants (CIC) and typical hearing (THC). Moreover, the relationships between speech-in-noise and music perception as well as the effects of demographic and audiological factors on present research outcomes were studied.MethodsThe sample consisted of 22 CIC and 20 THC (7–10 years). Harmonic intonation (HI) and disharmonic intonation (DI) tests were used to assess LF pitch perception. Speech perception in quiet (WRSq)/noise (WRSn + 10) were tested with the Italian bisyllabic words for pediatric populations. The Gordon test was used to evaluate music perception (rhythm, melody, harmony, and overall).ResultsCIC/THC performance comparisons for LF pitch, speech-in-noise, and all music measures except harmony revealed statistically significant differences with large effect sizes. For the CI group, HI showed statistically significant correlations with melody discrimination. Melody/total Gordon scores were significantly correlated with WRSn + 10. For the overall group, HI/DI showed significant correlations with all music perception measures and WRSn + 10. Hearing thresholds showed significant effects on HI/DI scores. Hearing thresholds and WRSn + 10 scores were significantly correlated; both revealed significant effects on all music perception scores. CI age had significant effects on WRSn + 10, harmony, and total Gordon scores (p < 0.05).ConclusionSuch findings confirmed the significant effects of LF pitch perception on complex listening performance. Significant speech-in-noise and music perception correlations were as promising as results from recent studies indicating significant positive effects of music training on speech-in-noise recognition in CIC.

Ferrocene appended highly ICT based molecular sensor for Mg(II) ion: Application for bio-imaging and TLC strip studies

Qualitative and quantitative analysis of magnesium at concentration levels as low as parts per billion (ppb) is a basic, fundamental and practical concern. The present study displays the design and synthesis of a novel specific receptor (E)-3-((2-hydroxynaphthalen-1-yl)methylene)amino)-2-ferrocenyl-2,3-dihydroquinazolin-4(1H)-one (HnFQz) for selective recognition of Mg(II). The HnFQz shows turn-on fluorescence response from colorless to yellowish green after treatment with Mg(II) at λmax. 499 nm in aqueous acetonitrile. The experimental findings were well supported by theoretical results. The ESI-MS spectrometry and the Job’s experimental results confirm the formation of 1:1 complex between HnFQz and Mg(II). Further study demonstrates the detection limit and association constant of HnFQz for Mg(II) and were found to be 23.24 nM and 1.48 × 107 M−1 respectively. The practical application of receptor towards recognition of Mg(II) was explored through economically viable test strips and bio-imaging studies. The excellent outcome of present research suggests that the receptor HnFQz could act as an efficient Mg(II) test kit.

Evaluation of Lipid Profile in H. Pylori Infected Coronary Artery Disease Patients

Increase in low density lipoprotein level and decrease in high density lipoprotein level result to coronary artery disease. Metabolism of lipids regulated during host response to H. pylori infection. Objective: To analyze the serum levels of lipid profile in H. pylori infected coronary artery disease patients. Methods: It was a comparative Cross-Sectional study. This study was done at the Department of Biochemistry, Peoples University of Medical Health Sciences for Women (PUMHSW) from 1st July 2022 to 15th December 2022. A sample of 60 subjects was divided into 2 groups. Group A (Control) comprised of 30 subjects and group B (cases) of 30 subjects. 5 mL of blood from each participant was collected under aseptic conditions. For the Lipid profile, 2 mL of the blood was collected in the Gel test tubes. A Spectrophotometer was used to perform the lipid profile. For the data analyzes SPSS Version-22.0 was used. Results: In this study we found that Helicobacter pylori positive subjects have higher levels of serum LDL.C, Triglycerides and total cholesterol. The outcomes of present research showed that H. pylori is associated with low level of HDL-C. The present study results shown an association among H. pylori infection and coronary artery possibility influence. Conclusions: We concluded in this study that serum levels of lipid profile become worse in positive H. pylori infected patients as compared to the control group participants which were negative H. pylori with coronary artery disease.

Transient Analysis of Fluid Flow, Solidification, and Inclusion Behavior in Electromagnetically Stirred Bloom Caster Mold Using Bifurcated Submerged Entry Nozzle

Herein, the effect of bifurcated submerged entry nozzle (SEN) port angles on transient flow, solidification, and inclusion behavior in a bloom caster mold with electromagnetic stirring (EMS) is investigated. A 3D numerical model is developed to simulate the process, including time‐varying electromagnetic field and Lagrangian inclusion tracking approach, by varying inclusion density and size. The inclusion is modeled to be entrapped in the solidified shell when primary dendrite arm spacing (PDAS) is greater than inclusion size. As compared to the case without use of EMS, the percentage of shell thickness at the strand outlet is seen to increase by 22.18%, 9.45%, 8.03%, 9.31%, and 13.40% for different port angle values of 0°, 15°, 20°, 25°, and 30°, respectively, with EMS. The results show that EMS significantly influences the flow behavior by generating the swirl flow pattern that hinders the movement of inclusion downward in the domain. The bifurcated SEN with 30° port angle (without EMS) is seen to reduce inclusion entrapment and hence enhance inclusion removal. The outcome of present research may provide useful insights for optimizing the parameters of bloom caster mold to improve product quality, reduce production costs, and increase overall efficiency.

Co-Infection Rates between SARS-CoV-2 and RSV in Oropharyngeal, Nasopharyngeal Aspirate and Saliva Samples of COVID-19 Patients, Shiraz, South of Iran.

Determining the prevalence of respiratory viruses' coinfection with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is essential to defining its true clinical influence. This study aimed to evaluate co-infection rates between severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in infected patients in Shiraz, south of Iran. In a cross-sectional descriptive study, oropharyngeal, nasopharyngeal aspirate (NPA), and saliva samples of 50 COVID-19 patients who were referred to Ali-Asghar hospital (Shiraz, Iran) from March to August 2020, were collected. A control group consisted of age and sex-matched healthy participants. The nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal aspirates were collected by sterile swabs. All cases were hospitalized, and all SARS-CoV-2 patients had a fever and respiratory symptoms. The samples were packed in a vial with 1 mL of transport medium and transported to the Valfagre specialty laboratory, where they were tested for RSV using a real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). 100 nasopharyngeal/oropharyngeal aspirates and saliva samples including 50 healthy controls (24 females, 26 males) and 50 COVID-19 patients' samples (27 males and 23 females) were studied. There was no significant difference regarding age as well as gender between both groups (p> 0.05). None of the healthy subjects was infected with RSV; however, 5(10%) patients from COVID-19 group were infected with the RSV virus. Chi-square test did not show a significant difference between RSV infection in COVID-19 patients and healthy subjects. The outcome of present research showed that concurrent RSV with COVID 19 infection might be seen in hospitalized patients in Shiraz Southwest of Iran. For more reliable findings, further research on bigger populations, including more pathogens in several places around the country, and considering the severity of symptoms is required.

A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF REPORTING VERBS IN NON-NATIVE MA THESES AND INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL ARTICLES

Using reporting verbs effectively in academic writing is an essential academic skill and a prominent learning activity to present previous research outcomes. But it seems to have been a problem for non-native graduate students for many years. Non-native learners often use reporting verbs inappropriately. To raise graduate students’ awareness of using reporting verbs, this study compares the frequency, types, and tenses of reporting verbs in the literature review section of 25 MA theses written in English by Chinese graduate students, and 45 articles from 5 prestigious international journals in the field of linguistics. The findings demonstrate the similarities and differences in the use of reporting verbs by Chinese graduate students majoring in English and international experts in the field of linguistics. The two groups of writers use discourse, research, and cognition reporting verbs in a descending order of frequency. Chinese graduate students use a larger number but fewer types of reporting verbs. Experienced researchers demonstrate greater proficiency in using reporting verbs than graduate students who are considered novice researchers. The comparison also reveals that the two groups of writers show a similar tendency in using verb tenses to report information, namely, using simple present tense and past tense frequently, and using the present perfect tense infrequently. Via the analysis, suggestions for novices and pedagogical implications are provided.

Cellular Localization, Aggregation, and Cytotoxicity of Bicelle-Quantum Dot Nanocomposites

Bicelles are discoidal lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) in which the planar bilayer and curved rim are, respectively, composed of long- and short-chain lipids. Bicellar LNPs have a hydrophobic core, allowing hydrophobic molecules and large molecular complexes such as quantum dots (QDs) to be encapsulated. In this study, CdSe/ZnS QDs were encapsulated in bicelles made of dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine, dihexanoyl phosphatidylcholine, dipalmitoyl phosphatidylglycerol, and distearoyl phosphatidylethanolamine conjugated with polyethylene glycerol amine 2000 to form a well-defined bicelle-QD nanocomplex (known as NANO2-QD or bicelle-QD). The bicelle-QD was then incubated with Hek293t cells and HeLa cells for different periods of time to determine changes in their cellular localization. Bicelle-QDs readily penetrated Hek293t cell membranes within 15 min of incubation, localized to the cytoplasm, and associated with mitochondria and intracellular vesicles. After 1 h, the bicelle-QDs enter the cell nucleus. Large aggregates form throughout the cell after 2 h and QDs are nearly absent from the nucleus by 4 h. Previous reports have demonstrated that CdSe/ZnS QDs can be toxic to cells, and we have found that encapsulating QDs in bicelles can attenuate but did not eliminate cytotoxicity. The present research outcome demonstrates the time-resolved pathway of bicelle-encapsulated QDs in Hek293t cells, morphological evolution in cells over time, and cytotoxicity of the bicelle-QDs, providing important insight into the potential application of the nanocomplex for cellular imaging.

Settings Legal Culture and empirical research: improving the socio-legal character of the sociology of law

The aim of this special issue is to present empirical research outcomes and theoretical works that use the concept of legal culture to characterize the approach of the sociology of law. The papers presented were called for at the Oñati Workshop on Legal Culture and empirical research, originally planned for May 2020, but actually held in May 2021, on the initiative of the International Institute of Sociology of Law, and the Sociology of Law Section of the Italian Sociological Association. After an intense meeting, papers were submitted for the standard review process of the Iisl series. We considered that including the concept of legal culture into the research design and insisting on this focus for debate, could be a way of improving the socio-legal character of our research and settling the many disputes in a continuous debate. So, we looked for research experiences in which the concept of legal culture was used to configure legal phenomena in a specifically socio-legal way.

Knowledge Intensive Smes In Transition To Society 4.0: Evidence From The Czech Republic

SMEs have significant role in the area of economy, social and environmental area and also in the areas of social and regional development. The dawn of the Society 4.0 driven by the exponential growth of performance of disruptive technologies of Industry 4.0 is reinforcing the role of knowledge intensive services. University of West Bohemia in partnership with the Institute of Technology and Business in České Budějovice focused on the adaptation of this segment of businesses in the project „Knowledge-intensive services sector adaptation to the conditions of Society 4.0“, supported by the Technology Agency of the Czech Republic. The paper aims to attract attention of the broader community to the project findings and outcomes, to present main research outcomes related to adaptation of SMEs in the service sector, to introduce new insights and approaches to academic and professional community, especially to managers of companies undergoing the transformation process to Industry 4.0 and Society 4.0 conditions, and to raise the level of the knowledge base in the field of SMEs adaptation. The results of qualitative and quantitative research show that most of the companies that answered the questionnaire and participated in interviews were small and micro companies with positive approach to the forthcoming changes, however, there still remains a lot of space for improvement. Companies often use open innovation model to apply knowledge from external resources, as they miss the necessary capacities and face difficult access to financial resources for demanding investments in new technologies and, sometimes, lack of necessary competencies. Relatively low attention is paid to risk management, whose role in current volatile situations becomes extremely important and the company resilience often determines the company failure or success. The project contributed to development of proposals of activities, methods and tools that can contribute to reducing barriers on the road to Society 4.0 related not only to new technologies, but also to broader socioeconomic context, including transformations of jobs and job market. The unavoidable changes of the structure of economy, supply chains, education and training were further emphasized by covid pandemics and current war in Ukraine.

Therapeutic efficacy of spirulina against ovalbumin and cigarette smoke-induced asthma-specific stress biomarkers in Sprague-Dawley rats.

Due to the high prevalence of allergies and asthma, awareness about allergens and therapeutic use of functional foods and nutraceuticals have gained immense attention. Spirulina powder is being used as health-boosting and antioxidant agent against several ailments owing to its unique nutritional profile. Considering its antioxidant role, the current study was focused on exploring therapeutic role of spirulina against stress biomarkers in asthmatic model. To assess the therapeutic efficacy of spirulina against allergic asthma-specific oxidative stress biomarkers, a model feed trial was conducted and rats were divided into four groups (n=10). G0-I (negative control), G0-II (positive control), whereas GI (spirulina) and G2 (salbutamol) served as treatment groups. Salbutamol is a chemical compound which is used in several antiallergic medicines because it works as bronchodilator. G2 group was given salbutamol for comparison of results. For asthma induction, rats were given intraperitoneal injection of ovalbumin on 7th, 14th, and 21st day. Treatment groups were given spirulina powder (500 mg/kg body weight) and salbutamol (1mg/kg), respectively, after the induction of asthma. All three asthmatic groups were also exposed to cigarette smoke daily along with respective treatment for 4 weeks. Asthma induction caused an increase in total cell count in bronchioalveolar fluid (BALF), while spirulina treatment reduced total cells in BALF by 33.50% and salbutamol by 41.7%. Level of interleukins (IL) like IL-4 decreased by 33.32% & 48.56% in G1 and G2. Similarly, IL-5 and IL-13 levels reduced by 40.9% & 49.9% and 18.62% & 38.02%, respectively, in G1 and G2. Serum levels of Immunoglobin-E (Ig-E) declined by 29.70% and 52.82%, while histamine levels were 26.23% & 45.58% less at the end of study in comparison to positive control. Moreover, histological analysis of lung tissue revealed that both spirulina and salbutamol effectively reduced ovalbumin and cigarette smoke-induced moderate to severe necrosis, architectural changes, and congestion. It was concluded that salbutamol showed better results however, spirulina also effectively reduced mild to moderate allergic symptoms in dose-dependent manner. Nutraceutical and functional foods are considered helpful in mitigating oxidative stress-mediated health problems. Spirulina has its unique nutritional profile including phycobiliproteins, phytochemicals, and antioxidant vitamins which make it useful against several ailments. Considering its antioxidant role, current study was focused on exploring therapeutic efficacy of spirulina against stress biomarkers in asthmatic model. Outcomes of present research also demonstrated beneficial effect of spirulina in modulating allergic symptoms. In this regard, ancient concept of "medicine food homology" can be implemented and spirulina can be incorporated in food for additional benefits. However, further research regarding safety aspects is needed for its use in clinical practice for humans.

Increased plasma levels of IL-6 are associated with striatal structural atrophy in major depressive disorder patients with anhedonia.

Anhedonia, as the core endophenotype of major depressive disorder (MDD), is closely related to poor prognosis, but the mechanism of this feature remains to be understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the inflammatory factors and brain structural alterations in MDD patients with anhedonia and evaluate the relationship between these factors. We assessed the plasma levels of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) in MDD patients with anhedonia (n = 22), MDD patients without anhedonia (n = 20), and age- and sex-matched healthy controls (HCs, n = 20) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. All participants underwent high-resolution brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, and voxel-based morphometry (VBM) was used to evaluate their gray matter volume (GMV). We compared inflammatory factors and GMV among the three groups and explored their relationships in MDD patients with anhedonia. Compared with those of HCs, plasma levels of IL-1β were increased in patients with MDD independent of anhedonia features, while plasma levels of IL-6 were elevated in MDD patients with anhedonia only. Meanwhile, MDD patients with anhedonia exhibited reduced GMV in the left striatal structures compared to MDD patients without anhedonia and HCs. Moreover, a significant association was observed between increased plasma levels of IL-6 and decreased GMV of the left putamen in MDD patients with anhedonia. The present research outcomes suggest that anhedonia is associated with increased plasma levels of IL-6 and decreased GMV in the left striatal structures. In addition, this study demonstrates that GMV loss in the left putamen is related to increased plasma levels of IL-6 in MDD with anhedonia, which provides further insights into the possible mechanisms of anhedonia.

Hydration products and microstructural properties analysis of magnesium phosphate cement comprising with industrial residues

Cavities, micro-cracks and micro-pores are formed in the microstructures of magnesium phosphate cement (MPC) due to the rapid hydration process. For increasing the structural solidity, formation of secondary minerals is necessary through filling the micro-cracks and micro-pores. In addition, existence of optimum level of intermediate crystals increases the microstructural density as well as strength performance of MPC compounds. To attain the high-quality microstructures of MPC for water stability, present study added four different pozzolanic properties based industrial by products namely fly ash (FA), silica fume (SF), bauxite (BX) and phosphogypsum (PG) were introduced by means of their optimum dosages. The 1d aged SEM micrographs with high magnifications shown that free particles of magnesia and phosphate salts reacted with the used all supplementary cementitious materials and formed huge secondary crystals. In addition, presence of intermediate crystals was detected by EDS and X-ray diffraction tests in the powder specimens at 1d age, which are Enstatite, Mullite, Lizardite, Berlinite, kaolinite, kyanite, CSH and ettringite. It has been noted from crystallinity analytical results that MPC specimens comprising with BX and PG including FA exposed the higher intermediate crystal amounts around 34.3% and 41.6% at 1d; 49% and 47.6% at 28d, respectively. In the similar way, amorphous contents were significantly reduced with the passages of hydration ages. Furthermore, all the nominated blends with SCMs unveiled the well heat resistance and lost structural water at higher temperature as compared to control mix. The outcomes of present research might be applicable to design MPC matrices for higher strength and water structures.

A modified GALDIT-NUTS index to assess Favignana Island aquifer vulnerability

The present research aims to assess the role of geogenic and anthropogenic activities in coastal aquifer vulnerability using a modified index. To achieve the objective of the current research, a GIS-based GALDIT-NUTS index has been developed for aquifer vulnerability assessment on Favignana Island, Italy. The GALDIT-NUTS index has been developed by expanding the GALDIT index using three significant parameters of the DRASTIC index and adding the landuse of the area. The GALDITS-NUTS index and the different index weights were validated using a hierarchical analytical process, vulnerability rating (obtained by this application), and field observed aquifer electrical conductivity data. The GALDIT-NUTS showed that approximately 66% of the study area was covered with high to maximum vulnerability zones and followed by medium vulnerability zones (32% of the study area). The present research outcome suggested that the GALDIT-NUTS index helps assess Island aquifer vulnerability because the index considers both human and seawater intrusion impacts.

Friction Coefficient Effect on Stress-Strain Distribution of Ceramic Coated Aeroengine Substrate Using Finite Element Analysis

This study presents the investigation of friction coefficient effect on stress-strain distribution of ceramic coated aeroengine specific material substrate using explicit finite element method. Half-cylinder-on-flat contact configuration subjected to normal and tangential loading is examined. Elastic ceramic coated elastic-plastic Ti-6Al-4V and Super CMV substrates are assigned to study the influence of different friction coefficient on contact pressure, von Mises stress, tangential stress and equivalent plastic strain distribution. The outcome of present research is quite revealing that stress-strain distribution response is remarkable for sliding step which experiencing significant traction compared to normal loading step. Higher possibilities of coated substrate equivalent plastic strain (plastic deformation) are registered under higher friction coefficient cases due to substantial resistance to overcome relative to tangential motion of contacting bodies.

Theoretical evaluation of bio-thermal response in human tissue subjected to pulse-laser induced hyperthermia therapy for cancer treatment

This paper aims to develop a theoretical estimation of thermal response in human tissues appearing in a hyperthermia treatment under the influence of laser-induced external heat sources. In general, to develop a theoretical investigation on bioheat transfer, the fundamental aspect is to adopt an appropriate thermal model for predicting the correct thermal response. Among the existing bioheat models, the two-temperature model is considered to be the most feasible one, as it takes into account the arterio-vascular architectural interaction in the analysis. This model is established based on the local thermal non-equilibrium (LTNE) approach. The exact solution of the two-temperature bioheat model has been established by the implementation of the combined scheme of Duhamel's theorem and the Finite integral transform method. A pulse laser heating applied externally as a therapeutic heat source is introduced newly in the area of the LTNE bioheat modelling whereas the existing research works were developed by utilizing scattering laser heat sources. The thermal response of the tissue is analyzed for different laser variables such as laser intensity, optical penetration depth, pulse laser time, and laser irradiation radius. A parametric study has been made to set a theoretical treatment protocol for hyperthermia therapy and correspondingly, the thermal field has been developed within the prescribed peak temperature spectrum for the hyperthermia treatment. The thermal field has also been investigated for various biological parameters, viz. blood perfusion rate, porosity, and pore diameter of the blood vessel. The present research outcome depicts that the hyperthermia temperature can be achieved at the optical penetration depth of 0.0005 m with the laser irradiation radius in the range of 0.004 m–0.008 m. From the present work, it can be highlighted that the health monitoring of infected tissues or the organ of the human body is necessary before processing therapeutic heating as the thermal field depends on the porosity of tissue significantly. A qualitative investigation between pulse heating and scattering laser heating depicts that pulse laser heating is a better option to choose for the thermal therapy for the curtailment of the possibility of thermally induced damage of healthy tissues. A successful verification and authentication study has been carried out between the present work and the published experimental and theoretical works.

Sonication pre-treatment for the intensified synthesis of tricaproin using acid-resin catalyst

In this study synthesis of triglyceride of hexanoic acid is investigated with the application of amberlyst-15 as a catalyst in a solvent free reaction mixture with pre-treatment of ultrasonic cavitation. In present research outcome of various reaction parameters like reaction temperature, loading of catalyst and molar ratio of reactant on rate of conversion of reactant is studied. Further ultrasonic pre-treatment parameters like pre-treatment time and duty cycle are studied. During study it is established that the ideal reaction conditions for the maximum conversion of reactant were molar ratio of reactant i.e., glycerol: fatty acid as 5:3, reaction temperature of 140 °C, amberlyst-15 loading of 5%. It is also established that the pre-treatment time of 25 min and 80% duty cycle gave good results. Recyclability of amberlyst-15 is established for 15 cycles of esterification reaction. The study showed that the use of ultrasonic pre-treatment and amberlyst-15 as a catalyst have beneficial effect on rate of conversion of reactant and also have an effect on reduction in reaction time to 07 h as compared to conventional synthesis of triglycerides of hexanoic acid. Maximum conversion of 96% was obtained in 07 h with ultrasonic pre-treatment and amberlyst-15.

Selective Exhaust Gas Recycling in Gas Turbines with CO2 capture: A comprehensive technology assessment

Modern gas turbines operate with large amounts of excess air for cooling and dilution of the combustion gases, in order to maintain gas turbine blade integrity. Selective recycling of CO2 into the gas turbine compressor inlet, also referred as Selective Exhaust Gas Recirculation (SEGR), can reduce the large volumetric flow rate through a CO2 capture system caused by the gas turbine excess air requirements, by 70 - 77%. It also increases CO2 concentrations to 14-18 vol% from 3-4% vol, increasing the driving force for post-combustion capture systems. This paper provides a comprehensive assessment of the concept and presents research outcomes from the UK-funded SELECT project, including power plant and process modelling, techno-economic assessments, pilot-scale gas turbine experimental work and experimental combustion tests on a representative combustor. Using an integrated model of turbomachinery, power cycles and a generic post-combustion CO2 capture technology with a 30%wt MEA solvent, we show that a reduction of up to 50% of the absorber of the capture plant – the most capital intensive part of the process – can be achieved. The compressor and gas turbine operate without any significant deviation from their design point, and a marginal increase of 0.5% point in the net electrical efficiency can be achieved. Pilot-scale testing - conducted at the Pilot Scale Advanced Capture Technologies (PACT) facilities at the University of Sheffield - show that CO2 injection at the compressor inlet of a 100 kW micro gas turbine (mGT) connected to a 1 tonne per day CO2 capture plant reduces net electrical efficiency by 1-2 %point. This is caused by lower flame temperatures, and, unlike in larger gas turbines, the control system of the micro gas turbine. Combustion tests at Cardiff University’s Gas Turbine Research Centre (GTRC) in a pilot-scale high-pressure generic premixed swirl burner, representative of modern dry-low emissions (DLR) gas turbine burners, show the effect of CO2 as diluent on the operational premixed CH4/air flame stability, chemical kinetics and measured exhaust gas composition. CO2 acts as a combustor inhibitor, causing downstream migration of the premixed flame zone, leading to eventual blow-off, instability and extinction, requiring a change in the operation equivalence ratio. The effect of adding CO2 leads to a reduction in the adiabatic flame temperature due to thermal quenching, which results in higher CO emissions and smaller thermal NOx emissions. Increasing pressure has a significant reducing effect on CO emissions, yet it results in higher NOx production, which may require mitigation if this trend is found to continue towards pressures approaching that of the F-class gas turbine. Finally, a conceptual design assessment of a regenerative adsorption wheel with structured adsorbents is proposed for the selective recycling of CO2 in combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) power plants. It has the advantage of a relatively small pressure drop to reduce the derating of the gas turbine compared to selective CO2 membrane systems. An equilibrium model of a rotary adsorber with commercially available activated carbon adsorbents shows that four rotary wheels of 24 m diameter and 2 m length would be required in an 820MW CCGT plant. A reduction of 50% in the mass of adsorbent would be possible with an adsorbent with a higher capacity, such as Zeolite X13, with upstream dehydration of the flue gases.