Daphwazirin, biscoumarin glycopyranoside from Daphne oleoides

Daphwazirin, a new biscoumarin glycoside (1), along with four known compounds (2), (3), (4) and (5) has been isolated from the roots of Daphne oleoides. Its chemical structure is established as 7-hydroxy-8-[2-oxo-2H-1-benzopyran-7'-(O-alpha-L-rhamnosyl)-6'-yl]-2H-1-benzopyran-2-one through spectroscopic techniques and chemical analysis.     

Numerical simulation of cavitation around a two-dimensional hydrofoil using VOF method and LES turbulence model

In this paper simulation of cavitating flow over the Clark-Y hydrofoil is reported using the large eddy simulation (LES) turbulence model and volume of fluid (VOF) technique. We applied an incompressible LES modelling approach based on an implicit method for the subgrid terms. To apply the cavitation model, the flow has been considered as a single fluid, two-phase mixture. A transport equation model for the local volume fraction of vapour is solved and a finite rate mass transfer model is used for the vapourization and condensation processes. A compressive volume of fluid (VOF) method is applied to track the interface of liquid and vapour phases. This simulation is performed using a finite volume, two phase solver available in the framework of the OpenFOAM (Open Field Operation and Manipulation) software package. Simulation is performed for the cloud and super-cavitation regimes, i.e., σ = 0.8, 0.4, 0.28. We compared the results of two different mass transfer models, namely Kunz and Sauer models. The results of our simulation are compared for cavitation dynamics, starting point of cavitation, cavity’s diameter and force coefficients with the experimental data, where available. For both of steady state and transient conditions, suitable accuracy has been observed for cavitation dynamics and force coefficients.     

4E analysis and tri-objective optimization of a triple-pressure combined cycle power plant with combustion chamber steam injection to control NOx emission

This article presents a novel triple-pressure combined cycle power plant (CCPP) with a heat recovery steam generator (HRSG) configured with heat exchangers of multiple pressure levels, same as the real case. In addition, combustion chamber steam injection is added to the top cycle in order to reduce hazardous emissions. The research investigates energy, exergy, economic, and environmental aspects of the system to initiate sustainable development in said areas. A thorough parametric study is carried out to evaluate the effects of steam injection and other decision variable on emissions and system performance. Then, the total cost rate and the CO₂ index are minimized while maximizing the second law efficiency via a tri-objective optimization using the genetic algorithm. The outcome of the economic analysis is that the HRSG has the maximum total cost rate among all the components, namely 0.1673 $/s. The environmental impact  assessments indicate that the CO₂ and NO emission has considerable molar fractions of 0.035 and 6.88?×?10^?4, respectively. As a result of the tri-objective optimization, a 3D Pareto Frontier is presented, which pointed out the maximum attainable exergy efficiency is 50.32%, as well as the minimum total cost rates of 8.04 $/s and CO₂ index of 0.34 kg/kWh. Finally, the scatter distribution of major decision variables revealed the optimum range of decision variables in which the optimum points of the Pareto Frontier are obtained. Accordingly, the scatter distribution showed that 46 kg s^?1 is the optimum value for steam injection flow rate in terms of efficiency, cost and emission optimization.

     

Curative Effect of Catechin Isolated from Elaeagnus Umbellata Thunb. Berries for Diabetes and Related Complications in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats Model

In this study, catechin (CTN) isolated from Elaeagnus umbellata was evaluated for in vitro antioxidant potential and inhibition of carbohydrate digestive enzymes (α-amylase and α-glucosidase). The compound was also tested for its in vivo antidiabetic potential using Sprague-Dawley rats as experimental animals. The effects of various doses of catechin in STZ (Streptozotocin) induced diabetic rats on fasting blood glucose level, body weight, lipid parameters, hepatic enzymes, and renal functions were evaluated using the reported protocols. The CTN exhibited the highest percent antioxidant for free radical scavenging activity against DPPH and ABTS free radicals, and inhibited the activity of carbohydrate digestive enzymes (with percent inhibition values: 79 ± 1.5% α-amylase and 80 ± 1.1% α-glucosidase). Administration CTN and standard glibenclamide significantly decreased the fasting blood glucose level and increased the body weight in STZ-induced diabetic rats. CTN significantly decreased the different lipid parameters, hepatic, and renal function enzyme levels along with Hb1c level in diabetic rats, while significantly increasing the high-density lipoprotein (HDL) level with values comparable to the standard glibenclamide. Further, the altered levels of glutathione and lipid peroxides of liver and kidney tissues were restored (by CTN) to levels similar to the control group. CTN significantly increased the antioxidant enzyme activities, total content of reduced glutathione, and reduced the malondialdehyde (MDA) level in rat liver and kidney tissues homogenates, and also corrected the histopathological abnormalities, suggesting its antioxidant potential.     

Optical artefacts in transflection mode FTIR microspectroscopic images of single cells on a biological support: the effect of back-scattering into collection optics

Infrared microspectroscopic imaging data of single human prostate cancer cells, on an artificial extracellular matrix (Matrigel) thin-film surface, are presented. The spectral intensity maps, obtained in reflection mode, appear to show that the protein intensity distribution observed at the location of a cell changes dramatically depending on the concentration and/or thickness of the underlying Matrigel layer. Specifically, cells adhered to a low protein concentration or thin surface exhibit a higher protein intensity signal than the surrounding layer whereas those on a high protein concentration or thick surface exhibit a lower protein intensity signal. These results are qualitatively explained by a simple model that takes into account the fact that radiation scattered from cells can enter the collection optics of the microscope without passing through the Matrigel layer. This leads to an apparent reduction in absorption at the cell.     

Modeling of acetylene pyrolysis under steel vacuum carburizing conditions in a tubular flow reactor

In the present work, the pyrolysis of acetylene was studied under steel vacuum carburizing conditions in a tubular flow reactor. The pyrolysis temperature ranged from 650 degrees C to 1050 degrees C. The partial pressure of acetylene in the feed mixture was 10 and 20 mbar, respectively, while the rest of the mixture consisted of nitrogen. The total pressure of the mixture was 1.6 bar. A kinetic mechanism which consists of seven species and nine reactions has been used in the commercial computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software Fluent. The species transport and reaction model of Fluent was used in the simulations. A comparison of simulated and experimental results is presented in this paper.     

In situ antibody detection and charge discrimination using aqueous stable pentacene transistor biosensors

Pentacene-based organic thin-film transistors were used to create highly sensitive, real-time electronic sensors for selective antibody detection. Bovine serum albumin was covalently attached to a modified pentacene surface to selectively detect the label free monoclonal antiBSA. These sensors displayed a high affinity constant (K(A)) of (1.1 ± 3) × 10(7) M(-1) at pH 7, which is 1 order of magnitude higher than those obtained with a highly sensitive surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy detection system. Furthermore, a high degree of discrimination in the hybrid antiBSA charges was achieved at different pH values. This demonstration of fast, label-free, real-time detection of nanoscale biomolecules in aqueous buffer solutions using the organic transistor sensing platform will have a significant impact on high-performance microarrays in addition to discriminating the presence of ionizable groups.