Small Amounts Research Articles

Two at once: simultaneous increased production of astaxanthin and mycosporines in a single batch culture using a Phaffia rhodozyma mutant strain.

Phaffia rhodozyma is a basidiomycetous yeast characterized by its production of the carotenoid pigment astaxanthin, which holds high commercial value for its significance in aquaculture, cosmetics and as nutraceutics, and the UV-B-absorbing compound mycosporine-glutaminol-glucoside (MGG), which is of great biotechnological relevance for its incorporation into natural sunscreens. However, the industrial exploitation has been limited to the production of astaxanthin in small quantities. On the other hand, the accumulation of MGG in P. rhodozyma was recently reported and could add value to the simultaneous production of both metabolites. In this work, we obtain a mutant strain that overproduces both compounds, furthermore we determined how the accumulation of each is affected by the carbon-to-nitrogen ratio and six biotic and abiotic factors. The mutant obtained produces 159% more astaxanthin (470.1μgg-1) and 220% more MGG (57.9mgg-1) than the parental strain (295.8μgg-1 and 26.2mgg-1 respectively). Furthermore, we establish that the carotenoids accumulate during the exponential growth phase while MGG accumulates during the stationary phase. The carbon-to-nitrogen ratio affects each metabolite differently, high ratios favoring carotenoid accumulation while low ratios favoring MGG accumulation. Finally, the accumulation of both metabolites is stimulated only by photosynthetically active radiation and low concentrations of hydrogen peroxide. The mutant strain obtained is the first hyper-productive mutant capable of accumulating high concentrations of MGG and astaxanthin described to date. The characterization of how both compounds accumulate during growth and the factors that stimulate their accumulation, are the first steps toward the future commercial exploitation of strains for the simultaneous production of two biotechnologically important metabolites.

Classification of H. pylori Infection from Histopathological Images Using Deep Learning.

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a widespread pathogenic bacterium, impacting over 4 billion individuals globally. It is primarily linked to gastric diseases, including gastritis, peptic ulcers, and cancer. The current histopathological method for diagnosing H. pylori involves labour-intensive examination of endoscopic biopsies by trained pathologists. However, this process can be time-consuming and may occasionally result in the oversight of small bacterial quantities. Our study explored the potential of five pre-trained models for binary classification of 204 histopathological images, distinguishing between H. pylori-positive and H. pylori-negative cases. These models include EfficientNet-b0, DenseNet-201, ResNet-101, MobileNet-v2, and Xception. To evaluate the models' performance, we conducted a five-fold cross-validation, ensuring the models' reliability across different subsets of the dataset. After extensive evaluation and comparison of the models, ResNet101 emerged as the most promising. It achieved an average accuracy of 0.920, with impressive scores for sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, F1 score, Matthews's correlation coefficient, and Cohen's kappa coefficient. Our study achieved these robust results using a smaller dataset compared to previous studies, highlighting the efficacy of deep learning models even with limited data. These findings underscore the potential of deep learning models, particularly ResNet101, to support pathologists in achieving precise and dependable diagnostic procedures for H. pylori. This is particularly valuable in scenarios where swift and accurate diagnoses are essential.

Characterization of an undocumented CO2 hydrothermal vent system in the Mediterranean Sea: Implications for ocean acidification forecasting.

A previously undocumented shallow water hydrothermal field from Sicily (Southern Tyrrhenian Sea, Italy) is here described, based on a multidisciplinary investigation. The field, covering an area of nearly 8000 m2 and a depth from the surface to -5 m, was explored in June 2021 to characterise the main physico-chemical features of the water column, describe the bottom topography and features, and identify the main megabenthic and nektonic species. Twenty sites were investigated to characterise the carbonate system. Values of pH ranged between 7.84 and 8.04, ΩCa between 3.68 and 5.24 and ΩAr from 2.41 to 3.44. Geochemical analyses of hydrothermal gases revealed a dominance of CO2 (98.1%) together with small amounts of oxygen and reactive gases. Helium isotope ratios (R/Ra = 2.51) and δ13CCO2 suggest an inorganic origin of hydrothermal degassing of CO2 and the ascent of heat and deep-seated magmatic fluids to the surface. Visual census of fishes and megabenthos (mainly sessile organisms) allowed the identification of 64 species, four of which are protected by the SPA/BIO Protocol and two by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. The macroalgae Halopteris scoparia and Jania rubens and the sponge Sarcotragus sp. were the dominant taxa in the area, while among fishes Coris julis and Chromis chromis were the most abundant species. This preliminary investigation of San Giorgio vent field suggests that the site could be of interest and suitable for future experimental studies of ocean acidification.

Impurities in over-the-counter pseudoephedrine leading to methcathinone detection in urine

Methcathinone, a psychoactive substance with stimulant properties, has raised concerns in recent years due to its presence in urine screenings, even among individuals with no history of drug abuse. To prevent misjudgment, this work aims to explore the source of methcathinone in urine. A total of 58 urine samples tested positive for methcathinone in the National Taiwan University Hospital cohort, with 27 linked to illicit drug use and 31 from individuals with no drug use history. Co-occurrence analysis revealed a strong association between methcathinone and over-the-counter cold medications containing pseudoephedrine or ephedrine. In an in vivo experiment, participants who consumed pseudoephedrine-containing drugs showed the presence of methcathinone in their urine, suggesting a connection between these substances. Additionally, tests on pharmaceutical products containing pseudoephedrine detected small amounts of methcathinone as impurities. The findings suggest that the presence of methcathinone in nonillicit drug users may be attributed to impurities in over-the-counter pseudoephedrine-containing medications. This raises concerns about potential misinterpretations of drug screening results and underscores the need for more comprehensive criteria for assessing drug use. This study contributes to our understanding of the origin of methcathinone in urine, which has implications for legal justice and drug screening practices.

UHPLC-MS/MS Assay for Quantification of Legubicin, a Novel Doxorubicin-Based Legumain-Activated Prodrug, and Its Application to Pharmacokinetic and Tissue Distribution Studies.

Legubicin, a novel prodrug based on doxorubicin, has both albumin-binding and legumain-activating properties. The aim of this study was to develop and validate a UHPLC-MS/MS method for investigating the in vivo pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution profiles of legubicin in rats and tumor-bearing mice following intravenous administration, and to compare this prodrug with the positive control drug doxorubicin. The study employed a UHLC-MS/MS method to determine the levels of albumin-bound of legubicin and two metabolites (free Leu-DOX and DOX) in plasma, tumor, and tissue samples. This method was validated for good selectivity, high sensitivity, excellent extraction recovery, and short run time. The results showed that legubicin was present in the circulation in vivo mainly in a protein-bound form with larger AUC values and lower clearance and distribution, and essentially released small amounts of doxorubicin. Compared to administration of equimolar doses of doxorubicin, legubicin showed increased exposure of the active drug in the tumor and decreased the level of the active drug in the heart and kidney. This study provides valuable information on the pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution of legubicin, implicating its potential as a novel and effective drug candidate for anti-cancer therapies.

The role of recycling in UV and thermal ageing of polypropylene block copolymer

While polypropylene (PP) copolymers containing small amounts of polyethylene are greatly used in automotive, packaging, healthcare and pipe applications an understanding on how their properties are affected with recycling and subsequent ageing is limited. This study involves a characterization of a PP block copolymer that has been recycled three times and has been subjected to thermal and UV ageing. The materials have been characterized by Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Fourier Transform Infrared Analysis (FTIR) and micro-indentation. Qualitative differences between the non-recycled, recycled and aged materials are discovered and discussed. The results showed that with recycling only the crystallinity of the polyethylene (PE) fraction is affected. Thermal ageing affected the crystallinity of both PP and PE fractions while UV ageing affected only the crystallinity of the PP fraction. The connection between crystallinity, oxidation and hardness changes with recycling and ageing of the material is discussed.

Awareness and knowledge of drug decriminalization among people who use drugs in British Columbia: a multi-method pre-implementation study

BackgroundIn January 2023, British Columbia implemented a three-year exemption to Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, as granted by the federal government of Canada, to decriminalize the personal possession of small amounts of certain illegal drugs. This decriminalization policy, the first in Canada, was announced in response to the overdose emergency in British Columbia as a public health intervention that could help curb overdose deaths by reducing the impact of criminalization and increasing access to health and social services through stigma reduction.MethodsThe current multi-method study examines people who use drugs’ awareness and knowledge of British Columbia’s decriminalization model through cross-sectional quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews among people who use drugs from September–November 2022, immediately prior to the implementation of decriminalization.ResultsQuantitative findings show that two-thirds (63%) of people who use drugs were aware of the policy, but substantial knowledge gaps existed about the legal protections afforded (threshold amount, substances included, drug trafficking, confiscation). The qualitative findings suggest that people who use drugs misunderstood the details of the provincial decriminalization model and often conflated it with regulation. Results suggest that information sharing about decriminalization were minimal pre-implementation, highlighting areas for knowledge dissemination about people who use drugs' rights under this policy.ConclusionsGiven that decriminalization in British Columbia is a new and landmark reform, and that the success of decriminalization and its benefits may be undermined by poor awareness and knowledge of it, efforts to share information, increase understanding, and empower the community, may be required to promote its implementation and benefits for the community.

Barley variety interacts positively with floor malting to produce different malts and beers

Why was the work done: Floor malting maintains a small but notable market share due to its reputed contributions to beer flavour. These malts are viewed as premium products and are produced in both historic and contemporary floor maltings. Despite this, little work has been performed on floor malting to evaluate its effect on malt and subsequent beer quality and flavour. Accordingly, this work investigated whether floor malting produces distinct malts and beers relative to pneumatic maltings. How was the work done: A mini-floor malting protocol was developed to malt small quantities of grain in a repeatable system that produces malt comparable to the production scale. Two winter barley varieties (Lontra and Thunder) were used to understand whether there was a malting type by variety interaction effect on beer flavour. What are the main findings: Both floor and pneumatic malts produced similar malts and beers based on quality metrics and the differences found between malts were more attributable to variety and the respective rate of proteolysis. Sensory results showed that there was a significant malting type by variety interaction driving hedonic and descriptive sensory results. Why is the work important: These results suggest that while the different malting types produce analytically similar malt, selection of barley variety can be used to optimise the floor malting process to produce distinct beer flavour profiles.

Intrinsically Colored Polyimide Films Prepared by Embedding Chromophores on the Polymer Backbones

AbstractA versatile strategy of preparing colored polyimide (PI) films is developed by embedding colored monomers on the backbones of colorless substrate polymers. Intrinsically colored PI films of four colors—red, yellow, blue, and purple—are prepared by introducing relative chromophores to the substrate PI that are synthesized from 2,2′‐bis(trifluoromethyl)benzidine (TFMB) and 4,4′‐(hexafluoroisopropylidene) diphthalic anhydride (6FDA)—two widely used monomers for colorless and transparent PI films. In addition, a series of orange and green PI films are prepared by simple mixing of the red, yellow, or blue PIs. The properties of these colored PI films are characterized, exhibiting good mechanical, thermal, and solubility properties, as well as different color and brightness depending on the amounts and types of chromophores. The optical properties of these films are determined by UV–vis spectroscopy and Commission Internationale de I'Eclairage (CIE) Lab. It is demonstrated that the introduction of even small amounts of chromophores can afford spectrally colored films while maintaining the original benign properties of the substrate PIs.

Pneumococcal population genomics changes during the early time period of conjugate vaccine uptake in southern India.

Streptococcus pneumoniae is a major cause of invasive disease of young children in low- and middle-income countries. In southern India, pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs) that can prevent invasive pneumococcal disease began to be used more frequently after 2015. To characterize pneumococcal evolution during the early time period of PCV uptake in southern India, genomes were sequenced and selected characteristics were determined for 402 invasive isolates collected from children <5 years of age during routine surveillance from 1991 to 2020. Overall, the prevalence and diversity of vaccine type (VT) and non-vaccine type (NVT) isolates did not significantly change post-uptake of PCV. Individually, serotype 1 and global pneumococcal sequence cluster (GPSC or strain lineage) 2 significantly decreased, whereas serotypes 6B, 9V and 19A and GPSCs 1, 6, 10 and 23 significantly increased in proportion post-uptake of PCV. Resistance determinants to penicillin, erythromycin, co-trimoxazole, fluoroquinolones and tetracycline, and multidrug resistance significantly increased in proportion post-uptake of PCV and especially among VT isolates. Co-trimoxazole resistance determinants were common pre- and post-uptake of PCV (85 and 93 %, respectively) and experienced the highest rates of recombination in the genome. Accessory gene frequencies were seen to be changing by small amounts across the frequency spectrum specifically among VT isolates, with the largest changes linked to antimicrobial resistance determinants. In summary, these results indicate that as of 2020 this pneumococcal population was not yet approaching a PCV-induced equilibrium and they highlight changes related to antimicrobial resistance. Augmenting PCV coverage and prudent use of antimicrobials are needed to counter invasive pneumococcal disease in this region.

Hydrate phase equilibrium conditions for H2S and CO2 gas mixture removal from natural gas: modeling and optimization study

In this study, for the first time, a comprehensive mathematical modeling of the optimal conditions for the gas hydrates formation of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and carbon dioxide (СО2) was carried out with the aim of them removing from natural gas. The study was carried out on a model gas mixture close to the natural gas composition: CH4 – C2H6 – С3Н8 – n-С4Н10 – СО2 – H2S – N2. A temperature range of 268.15–283.15 К and a pressure range of 2.00–8.00 MPa were investigated. The efficiency was assessed based on the gas hydrate distribution coefficients. It was found that the gas hydrate extraction of H2S is more significantly affected by the concentration of H2S in the initial gas mixture. The gas hydrate extraction of СО2 is more significantly affected by the temperature and pressure of the gas separation unit. The maximum gas hydrate distribution coefficient of H2S is 42.05 at T = 268.15 K, p = 8.00 MPa. The maximum gas hydrate distribution coefficient of СО2 is 0.49 at T = 283.15 K, p = 8.00 MPa. Due to the small amounts of CO2 entrapped in gas hydrates, a scheme that combines a multi-stage hydrate-based and membrane technology has been suggested to purify natural gas further.

Characterization of the Fusarium circinatum biofilm environmental response role.

The capacity to form biofilms is a common trait among many microorganisms present on Earth. In this study, we demonstrate for the first time that the fatal pine pitch canker agent, Fusarium circinatum, can lead a biofilm-like lifestyle with aggregated hyphal bundles wrapped in extracellular matrix (ECM). Our research shows F. circinatum's ability to adapt to environmental changes by assuming a biofilm-like lifestyle. This was demonstrated by varying metabolic activities exhibited by the biofilms in response to factors like temperature and pH. Further analysis revealed that while planktonic cells produced small amounts of ECM per unit of the biomass, heat- and azole-exposed biofilms produced significantly more ECM than nonexposed biofilms, further demonstrating the adaptability of F. circinatum to changing environments. The increased synthesis of ECM triggered by these abiotic factors highlights the link between ECM production in biofilm and resistance to abiotic stress. This suggests that ECM-mediated response may be one of the key survival strategies of F. circinatum biofilms in response to changing environments. Interestingly, azole exposure also led to biofilms that were resistant to DNase, which typically uncouples biofilms by penetrating the biofilm and degrading its extracellular DNA; we propose that DNases were likely hindered from reaching target cells by the ECM barricade. The interplay between antifungal treatment and DNase enzyme suggests a complex relationship between eDNA, ECM, and antifungal agents in F. circinatum biofilms. Therefore, our results show how a phytopathogen's sessile (biofilm) lifestyle could influence its response to the surrounding environment.

Effect of Prestrain on Payne Effect and Hysteresis Loss of Carbon-Black-Filled Rubber Vulcanizates: Measurements and Modeling.

The performance of a viscoelastic damper is governed by the mechanical properties of the viscoelastic material, which are sensitive to prestrain. Among viscoelastic materials, carbon black (CB)-filled rubber vulcanizate is commonly used in structural applications. In this paper, the prestrain-dependent Payne effect and hysteresis loss of CB-filled rubber vulcanizates are investigated through experimental and theoretical analysis. Based on the experimental results, the classic quantitative models proposed by Kraus, Huber-Vilgis, and Maier-Göritz are used to describe the Payne effect. The results show that the Maier-Göritz model is most suitable to describe the Payne effect, especially for the loss modulus. After calculating the area of the hysteresis loops, hysteresis loss curves at various dynamic strain amplitudes are parallel to each other. Through application of the time-strain superposition principle, the hysteresis loss at any arbitrary prestrain can be predicted. Thus, the aim of this paper is to provide guidance for researchers in choosing an accurate model for future investigations of the prestrain-dependent Payne effect. An accelerated characterization method is useful for the prediction of the hysteresis loss of rubber products using small amounts of experimental data, which can provide manufacturers with more attractive and lower cost opportunities for testing the mechanical properties of rubber products.

Development of an optical sensing system for the detection of lubricity conditions on the rail gage face

ABSTRACT A novel optical sensing device that uses laser-induced fluorescence to detect the lubricity condition of the rail gage-face is evaluated. By analysing the fluorescence properties of eight commonly used gage-face greases used by the U.S. Class I railroads, we observed that the emitted fluorescence of the grease when exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light of different wavelengths can be used for detecting their presence. This observation is used to develop a non-contacting optical sensing device that uses two 405 nm lasers, a fluorescence detector, and a fluorescent bandpass filter, which are optimized for the fluorescence spectra of the greases. Two sensing devices are installed on a robotic rail cart, one on each side, to simultaneously detect the lubricity conditions on the rails over extended distances. After extensive evaluations using both laboratory and field testing, it is confirmed that the optical sensing system can accurately detect the presence of the gage-face grease through the fluorescence intensity or intensity variance, even when there are small quantities of grease in relatively thin layers. Furthermore, the test results indicate a high level of repeatability and efficiency in detecting the spatial distribution of grease along the rail.

Abnormal amyloid precursor protein processing in periodontal tissue in a murine model of periodontitis induced by Porphyromonas gingivalis.

The study aimed to investigate the change of amyloid precursor protein (APP) processing and amyloid β (Aβ) metabolites in linking periodontitis to Alzheimer's disease (AD). Aβ is one of the main pathological features of AD, and few studies have discussed changes in its expression in peripheral tissues or analyzed the relationship between the peripheral imbalance of Aβ production and clearance. A murine model of periodontitis was established by oral infection with Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis). Micro-computed tomography (Micro-CT) was used to observe the destruction of the alveolar bone. Nested quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was used to measure small quantities of P.gingivalis DNA in different tissues. Behavioral experiments were performed to measure cognitive function in the mice. The mRNA levels of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-8, RANKL, OPG, APP695, APP751, APP770, and BACE1 in the gingival tissues or cortex were detected by RT-PCR. The levels of Aβ1-40 and Aβ1-42 in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) and plasma were tested by ELISA. P. gingivalis oral infection was found to cause alveolar bone resorption and impaired learning and memory. P.gingivalis DNA was detected in the gingiva, blood and cortex of the P.gingivalis group by nested qPCR (p < .05). The mRNA expression of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-8, RANKL/OPG, and BACE1 in the gingival tissue was significantly higher than that in the control group (p < .05). Similarly, upregulated mRNA levels of APP695 and APP770 were observed in the gingival tissuses and cortex of the P. gingivalis group (p < .05). The levels of Aβ1-40 and Aβ1-42 in the GCF and plasma of the P. gingivalis group were significantly higher than those in the control group (p < .05). P. gingivalis can directly invade the brain via hematogenous infection. The invasion of P. gingivalis could trigger an immune response and lead to an imbalance between Aβ production and clearance in peripheral tissues, which may trigger an abnormal Aβ metabolite in the brain, resulting in the occurrence and development of AD.

Role of Potential Plant Hormones for Activation and Enhancing Physiological Processes, Growth and Development

Plant hormones are chemicals that are present in small amounts, influence and promote the division, growth, and maturation of cells and tissues. Salicylic acid is a phenolic phytohormone and has a function in growth/development, photosynthesis, transpiration, ion absorption, and transport. By interfering with endogenous signals, SA mediates plant defense against pathogens. It strengthens the body's defenses against infections by promoting the production of pathogenesis-related proteins. It affects the systemic acquired resistance (SAR) pathway, wherein a pathogenic assault on one. Water deficiency affects during tillering, head emergence, filling of grain and maturity water deficiency of wheat. Concentration of carotenoids more during drought stress and that produced for drought tolerance enhancement in bread wheat. Water shortage on pigment contents of photosynthesis, relative water amount, shot weight in dried form, flag leaf area specific mass, parameters for gas exchange, physiological parameters and yield. Drought there more significant reduction in tillers/plant, fertile tillers/plant, length of spike, yield/spike and thousand kernel weight of wheat cultivars during drought conditions as compared with normal irrigation conditions. Polyamine exogenously via spray during grain filling condition. The water deficiency spermidine and spermine reduced the inhibition caused by water deficiency when polyamine had applied.

TECHNOLOGY OF ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING: A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW

The process of additive manufacturing (AM), commonly known as 3D printing, is a method of constructing a component by progressively adding material in layers using digital 3D design information. As part of 'Industry 4.0,' many industrial technologies are rapidly increasing to thrive in the twenty-first century. This study goes over seven different types of additive manufacturing in great detail. These technologies make it possible to make complex, high-value parts quickly and in small quantities without using as much energy or material or making as many tools as subtractive manufacturing does. Besides, AM also possesses some particular challenges, like post-processing, material unavailability, software issues, etc. The application of AM is expanding rapidly from micro to macro-scale sectors. 3D printing technology will change industrial operations in the following years. Eventually, the elected technology will be closely related to the proposed function.

Raw materials for Neolithic ground tools from the extraction fields at Bílý Kámen Hill, Central Bohemia

The assemblage of ground tools and their fragments from the site of Bílý Kámen Hill near the town of Sázava (Czech Republic, Central Bohemia) is one of the largest chronologically uniform collections in Central Europe. Based on the dominant representation of bored axe-hammers, we date it to the late phase of the Stroked Pottery culture (SBK; 5100/5000–4500/4400 cal BC). Their connection to the extraction of local marble and the production of prestigious bracelets raises many questions. The material composition of the assemblage could be the key to understanding the origin of the artefacts. In this article, we examined 912 samples using optical and electron microscopy methods. This points to the dominant representation of amphibole-rich Jizera Mountains-type metabasites. Other rocks are represented only in small quantities and raw materials of local origin are probably missing in the assemblage. It is thus comparable to assemblages from contemporaneous settlement sites, although we do not yet know of stable occupation in the vicinity of the site, nor do we even anticipate its existence.

The Development and Characterisation of ssDNA Aptamers via a Modified Cell-SELEX Methodology for the Detection of Human Red Blood Cells.

Blood is one of the most commonly found biological fluids at crime scenes, with the detection and identification of blood holding a high degree of evidential value. It can provide not only information about the nature of the crime but can also lead to identification via DNA profiling. Presumptive tests for blood are usually sensitive but not specific, so small amounts of the substrate can be detected, but false-positive results are often encountered, which can be misleading. Novel methods for the detection of red blood cells based on aptamer-target interactions may be able to overcome these issues. Aptamers are single-stranded DNA or RNA sequences capable of undergoing selective antigen association due to three-dimensional structure formation. The use of aptamers as a target-specific moiety poses several advantages and has the potential to replace antibodies within immunoassays. Aptamers are cheaper to produce, display no batch-to-batch variation and can allow for a wide range of chemical modifications. They can help limit cross-reactivity, which is a hindrance to current forensic testing methods. Within this study, a modified Systematic Evolution of Ligands by Exponential Enrichment (SELEX) process was used to generate aptamers against whole red blood cells. Obtained aptamer pools were analysed via massively parallel sequencing to identify viable sequences that demonstrate a high affinity for the target. Using bioinformatics platforms, aptamer candidates were identified via their enrichment profiles. Binding characterisation was also conducted on two selected aptamer candidates via fluorescent microscopy and qPCR to visualise and quantify aptamer binding. The potential for these aptamers is broad as they can be utilised within a range of bioassays for not only forensic applications but also other analytical science and medical applications. Potential future work includes the incorporation of developed aptamers into a biosensing platform that can be used at crime scenes for the real-time detection of human blood.

Three-component volume of fluid method coupling with interface compression method and Eulerian–Lagrangian spray atomization surface density model for prediction of cavitating sprays

In this work, a new three phase cavitation model with Eulerian–Lagrangian Spray Atomization (ELSA) and Interface Capturing Method (ICM) coupling is presented to allow for, in a unified approach, physical insight of the surface evolution of cavitating sprays at the Sub-Grid Scale (SGS). Phase change is accounted for in the framework via mass transfer across a liquid and corresponding vapor phase. The surface density model was validated against direct numerical simulation data of an atomizing jet with a systematic variation of mesh resolutions. The sensitivity of the adjustable parameters such as the critical Weber number was also demonstrated. Then, experimental comparisons were made with a more realistic orthogonal spray geometry within a cavitating and turbulent non-cavitating system. These comparisons include both large scale visualizations and small scale SGS quantities such as the Sauter mean diameter. To our knowledge, this is the first study that presents the performance of a three phase cavitating framework with SGS ELSA-ICM coupling.