A fluctuating lattice Boltzmann scheme for the one-dimensional KPZ equation

Based on the well-known mapping between the Burgers equation with noise and the Kardar–Parisi–Zhang (KPZ) equation for fluctuating interfaces, we develop a fluctuating lattice Boltzmann (LB) scheme for growth phenomena, as described by the KPZ formalism. A very simple LB-KPZ scheme is demonstrated in 1+1 spacetime dimensions, and is shown to reproduce the scaling exponents characterizing the growth of one-dimensional fluctuating interfaces.     

New antidepressant drug candidate: Hypericum montbretti extract

This study was designed to investigate possible antidepressant-like effects of the extract prepared from the flowers of Hypericum montbretti Spach. (Guttiferae, Clusiaceae). Phytochemical constituents of the methanolic extract were analysed by HPLC method. The main flavonoid component was detected as rutin, and another highly concentrated phenolic compound was quercitrin. Antidepressant activity of the extract was examined by tail suspension and modified forced swimming tests, whereas the motor coordination of the animals was tested by the Rota-Rod apparatus. Reboxetine at a dose of 20 mg?kg?1 was used as a reference drug. Dose-dependent antidepressant activity was observed in both tests following the administration of extract at 100 and 250 mg?kg?1 doses. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study reporting the antidepressant activity of H. montbretti extract. Additionally, the results of this work support previous papers reporting the antidepressant activity of rutin.     

Upward and downward heat and mass transfer with miniature periodically operating loop thermosyphons

Upward and downward two-phase heat and mass transfer has been considered in the present paper. The heat and mass transfer with the condenser located below the evaporator has been obtained by inserting an accumulator tank in the liquid line of a loop thermosyphon and enforcing a pressure pulsation. In previous papers these heat transfer devices have been called pulsated two phase thermosyphons (PTPT). A mini PTPT has been experimentally investigated. It has shown a stable periodic heat transfer regime weakly influenced by the position of the condenser with respect to the evaporator. In contrast a classical loop mini thermosyphon (diameter of connecting pipes 4 mm) did not achieve a stable functioning for the investigated level differences between evaporator and condenser lower than 0.37 m. The present study shows that the functioning of a PTPT device does not directly depend on the level difference or the presence of noncondensable gas. In order to obtain a natural circulation in mini or micro loops, a periodically operating heat transfer regime should therefore be considered.     

Alcuni risultati sui reticolim-algebrici

Riassunto Si studiano alcune proprietà dei reticolim-algebrici per applicarle ai reticoli di sotto-algebre e di congruenze di un'algebra di caratteristicam.

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Summary In this paper some properties ofm-algebraic lattices are investigated. The aim is to apply such results to lattices of sub-algebras and congruences of an algebra with characteristicm.

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Lavoro eseguito nell'ambito dell'attività del Comitato Nazionale per le Scienze Matematiche del C.N.R. (anno 1969–'70).     

Synthesis of new tren-based tris-macrocycles. Anion cluster assembling inside the cavity generated by a bowl-shaped receptor

The synthesis of three new tris-macrocycles, containing three [12]aneN(4) (L1), [12]aneN(3)O (L2), or [14]aneN(4) (L3) moieties appended to a tren unit, is reported. The crystal structure of the [(Na(ClO(4))(6)) subset L1(2)H(13)]Na(6)Cl(2)(ClO(4))(12) compound shows the anionic cluster [Na(ClO(4))(6)](5)(-) assembled inside the cavity defined by two bowl-shaped polyammonium receptors, held by multiple charge-charge and hydrogen bond interactions.     

A preliminary matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight approach for the characterization of Italian lentil varieties

Matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI‐MS) was used in this study to obtain protein fingerprints of seven different lentil varieties, to characterize their differences and similarities. Two different matrices have been tested in order to obtain reproducible and significant mass spectra. Extraction with water containing 0.1% of trifluoroacetic acid has been used as preparative step to obtain hydrophilic protein samples of lentil seeds. The obtained MALDI protein profiles identified clear differences between the seven studied lentil varieties. Moreover, considering the high complexity of the obtained MALDI spectra, multivariate techniques of data analysis were employed to find further classification details. These multivariate analyses confirmed the possibility of a clear classification of the seven lentil varieties, indicating that the proposed procedure can be a valid taxonomic tool, and a method to certify the origin of lentils, useful for high added value lentils (Italian lentils). Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Characterization of the Aroma Profile and Main Key Odorants of Espresso Coffee

Espresso coffee (EC) is a common coffee preparation technique that nowadays is broadly widespread all over the globe. Its popularity is in part attributed to the intense aroma and pleasant flavor. Many researchers have studied and reviewed the aroma of the coffee, but there is a lack of specific review focused on EC aroma profile even if it is intensively investigated. Thus, the objective of the current review was to summarize the aroma profile of EC and how different preparation variables can affect EC flavor. Moreover, a collection of diverse analytical procedures for volatile analysis was also reported. The findings of this survey showed that the volatile fraction of EC is extremely complex, but just some compounds are responsible for the characteristic aroma of the coffee, such as some aldehyde, ketones, furanones, furans, sulfur compounds, pyrazines, etc. In addition, during preparation, some variables, e.g., temperature and pressure of water, granulometry of the coffee particle, and brew ratio, can also modify the aroma profile of this beverage, and therefore its quality. A better understanding of the aroma fraction of EC and how the preparation variables should be adjusted according to desired EC would assist coffee workers in obtaining a higher quality product.     

Towards ultra-responsive biodegradable polysaccharide humidity sensors

Sodium alginate is a biodegradable natural polymer that is derived from algae and is water soluble. Upon immersion in a CaCl₂ solution, a sodium alginate water solution is cross-linked to form water-insoluble calcium alginate. When the sodium alginate water solution is immersed in the CaCl₂ bath via a syringe pump, calcium alginate fibers are produced. By changing the CaCl₂ concentration, calcium alginate fibers with different degrees of cross-linking can be produced. Such fibers were found to differ in mechanical and morphological properties, and more interestingly, were found to possess humidity sensing and conductive properties. Interestingly, the higher the CaCl₂ concentration, the lower the degree of cross-linking, which produced softer fibers with better humidity sensing and conductive properties. The fibers were able to trap water in their structures, and a higher water content increased the conductivity due to the presence of an electrolyte salt in the fiber and due to the polyelectrolyte nature of the fiber itself. The cross-linking and percent shrinking degree, morphology and mechanical properties of the fibers were found to create significant changes in the conductivity and humidity sensing properties of the fibers. High humidity environments led to an increase in the conductivity of the fibers, whereas dry environments led to a decrease in the conductivity. The fibers, especially those with the highest CaCl₂ concentration, were determined to be ultra-responsive to humidity changes and exhibited very good repetition in humidity cycles. These tailored fibers are proposed as novel biodegradable conductive materials for various humidity sensing, robotic and bio-robotic applications.     

Multiscale Lattice Boltzmann Schemes with Turbulence Modeling

The viability of multiscale lattice Boltzmann schemes for the numerical simulation of turbulent flows is discussed and numerically demonstrated for turboaxial machine applications. The extension of boundary-fitting formulas based on wall functions is proposed, which enables the efficient computation of turbulent flows in complex curvilinear geometry using a simple Cartesian grid. Examples of two-dimensional turbulent flows in an axial compressor cascade are presented.