A dynamic finite volume scheme for large-eddy simulation on unstructured grids

In recent years there has been considerable progress in the application of large-eddy simulation (LES) to increasingly complex flow configurations. Nevertheless a lot of fundamental problems still need to be solved in order to apply LES in a reliable way to real engineering problems, where typically finite-volume codes on unstructured meshes are used. A self-adaptive discretisation scheme, in the context of an unstructured finite-volume flow solver, is investigated in the case of isotropic turbulence at infinite Reynolds number. The Smagorinsky and dynamic Smagorinsky sub-grid scale models are considered. A discrete interpolation filter is used for the dynamic model. It is one of the first applications of a filter based on the approach presented by Marsden et al. In this work, an original procedure to impose the filter shape through a specific selection process of the basic filters is also proposed. Satisfactory results are obtained using the self-adaptive scheme for implicit LES. When the scheme is coupled with the sub-grid scale models, the numerical dissipation is shown to be dominant over the sub-grid scale component. Nevertheless the effect of the sub-grid scale models appears to be important and beneficial, improving in particular the energy spectra. A test on fully developed channel flow at Re_τ = 395 is also performed, comparing the non-limited scheme with the self-adaptive scheme for implicit LES. Once again the introduction of the limiter proves to be beneficial.     

Ratio of Protein Fractions in Cereal Grains Cultivated in Uzbekistan

The glutelin fraction was used as the food value index of local corn. The base-soluble fraction was used as a test of the glassiness of local strains of rice grain. The content of gliadins and glutelins did not change over 24 h after wheat grain cultivated in Uzbekistan was moistened.     

Comparing Poynting flux dominated magnetic tower jets with kinetic-energy dominated jets

Magnetic towers represent one of two fundamental forms of MHD outflows. Driven by magnetic pressure gradients, these flows have been less well studied than magneto-centrifugally launched jets even though magnetic towers may well be as common. Here we present new results exploring the behavior and evolution of magnetic tower outflows and demonstrate their connection with pulsed power experimental studies and purely hydrodynamic jets which might represent the asymptotic propagation regimes of magneto-centrifugally launched jets. High-resolution AMR MHD simulations (using the AstroBEAR code) provide insights into the underlying physics of magnetic towers and help us constrain models of their propagation. Our simulations have been designed to explore the effects of thermal energy losses and rotation on both tower flows and their hydro counterparts. We find these parameters have significant effects on the stability of magnetic towers, but mild effects on the stability of hydro jets. Current-driven perturbations in the Poynting Flux Dominated (PDF) towers are shown to be amplified in both the cooling and rotating cases. Our studies of the long term evolution of the towers show that the formation of weakly magnetized central jets within the tower are broken up by these instabilities becoming a series of collimated clumps which magnetization properties vary over time. In addition to discussing these results in light of laboratory experiments, we address their relevance to astrophysical observations of young star jets and outflow from highly evolved solar type stars.     

Capillary GC-MS investigation of the metabolism and excretion of oxabolone in man

The metabolism of oxabolone cipionate, 17-(3-cyclopentyl-1-oxopropoxy)-4-hydroxyestr-4-en-3-one, a synthetic anabolic steroid, was investigated in man, the cumulative urinary excretion and the metabolism of the compounds being studied by GC-MS in both electron impact and chemical ionization modes. After administration by injection to volunteers, five different metabolities were detected in urine. The metabolites and the parent compound were detected in urine up to a week after administration.     

Second-and third-harmonic generation by carbon nanotubes irradiated with femtosecond laser pulses

Femtosecond pulses of a Cr:forsterite laser are used to study second-and third-harmonic generation in a layer of single-wall carbon nanotubes produced by low-velocity spraying. The harmonic amplitude in our experiments scales as (I _p)ⁿ as a function of the pump intensity I _p, with n=2 and 3 for the second and third harmonics, respectively. This scaling law holds up to pump intensities on the order of 10¹²W/cm². The ratio of the maximum signal to the averaged background in the spectra of the second and third harmonics is estimated as 50 and 30, respectively. The second and third harmonics produced by a linearly polarized pump field are also linearly polarized, with their polarization vectors oriented along the polarization direction of the pump field. The capabilities of nonlinear-optical methods for structural and morphological analysis of carbon nanotubes are discussed, as well as ways to create solid-state carbon-nanotube generators of optical harmonic.     

Capillary gas chromatography and mass spectrometry detection of anabolic steroids II

High resolution gas chromatography-mass spectrometry has been used to detect anabolic steroids in urine. With fused silica capillary columns connected directly to mass spectrometer, the anabolic steroids could be detected after extraction, hydrolysis, and derivatization with a sensitivity better then 1 ppb. In vivo excretion and metabolism has been investigated for androstanolone, methandriol, oxymesterone, quindenione, and boldenone.     

Nutraceutical Potential of Leaf Hydro-Ethanolic Extract of the Edible Halophyte Crithmum maritimum L.

Aromatic halophytes represent an exceptional source of natural bioactive compounds for the food industry. Crithmum maritimum L., also known as sea fennel, is a halophyte plant colonizing cliffs and coastal dunes along Mediterranean and Atlantic coasts. It is well known to produce essential oils and polyphenols endowed with antioxidant and biological effects. The present work reports the phytochemical profile, as well as antioxidant, antimicrobial and antimutagenic properties of C. maritimum leaf hydro-alcoholic extract. From LC-ESI-MS analysis, eighteen phenolic compounds were depicted in sea fennel extract and the amount of total phenolic content exceeds 3% DW. Accordingly, C. maritimum extract showed strong antioxidant activities, as evidenced by in vitro (DPPH, ORAC, FRAP) and ex vivo (CAA-RBC and hemolysis) assays. An important antimicrobial activity against pathogenic strains was found as well as a strong capacity to inhibit Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 35556) biofilm formation. Sea fennel extracts showed a significant decrease of mutagenesis induced by hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and menadione (ME) in Saccharomyces cerevisiae D7 strain. In conclusion, our results show that C. maritimum is an exceptional source of bioactive components and exert beneficial effects against oxidative or mutagenic mechanisms, and pathogenic bacteria, making it a potential functional food.