Sunset decay of the convective turbulence with Large-Eddy Simulation under realistic conditions

Large-Eddy Simulation is performed for a single day from the Cooperative Atmosphere-Surface Exchange Study (CASES-99) field program. This study investigates an observed case of evening transition boundary layer over land. Parameters of the ambient atmosphere in the LES-decay studies conducted so far were typically prescribed in an idealized form. To provide suitable data under the wide range of the PBL weather conditions, the LES should be able to adequately reproduce the PBL turbulence dynamics including–if possible–baroclinicity, radiation, large scale advection and not only be related to a decreasing surface heating. In addition LES-decay studies usually assume that the sensible heat flux decreases instantaneously or with a very short time scale. The main purpose of this investigation is to study the decay of boundary-layer average turbulent kinetic energy at sunset with Large-Eddy Simulation that is forced with realistic environment conditions. This allows investigating the Turbulent Kinetic Energy decay over the realistic time scale that is observed in the atmosphere. During the intermediate and last stage of decay of the boundary-layer average Turbulent Kinetic Energy the exponents of the decay power law t⁻ⁿ$t^{-n}$ go from 2 to 6, as evidenced by experimental results and recent analytical modeling in the surface layer.     

Evaluation of the concentration of chemical elements in suspended particulate matter inside a small bronze and iron foundry industry,using a streaker sampler and EDXRF

The aim of this study was to determine and evaluate the temporal profiles of the concentration of chemical elements in the suspended particulate matter present inside a small bronze and an iron foundry industry. To collect the samples, we used a streaker sampler that separates particles with aerodynamic diameters smaller than 10 µm (PM₁₀) in two fractions: fine (particles with aerodynamic diameters less than 2.5 µm; PM_2.5) and coarse (between 2.5 µm and less than 10 µm; PM_10–2.5). The collection of samples was taken every 20 min during a total time of 8 and 5 h of molding and casting of bronze and iron, respectively. The samples collected in the form of strips on a filter (fine fraction) and an impactor (coarse fraction) were analyzed by the energy dispersive X‐ray fluorescence technique. In the excitation, an X‐ray tube with Mo target and Zr filter was used, operated at 30 mA/30 kV. For detecting the characteristic of X‐rays, a semiconductor Si(Li) detector was used, coupled to a multi‐channel spectrometer, with a 300 s excitation/detection time. The results of the temporal profiles of chemical element concentrations in coarse and fine fractions were discussed and compared with the maximum levels set by the Brazilian and international environmental agencies. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Luminescent Langmuir-Blodgett film of a new amphiphilic Eu β-diketonate

This work reports on the synthesis and characterization of the ligand 3-hexadecylpentane-2,4-dione (Hhdacac) and its Eu³⁺ complexes Eu(hdacac)₆·2H₂O, Eu(hdacac)₆·phen and Eu(hdacac)₆·tta, where phen and tta denote 1,10-phenanthroline and thenoyltrifluoroacetone, respectively. These new compounds present long carbon chains and their expected miscibility into non-polar ambients is confirmed by the emission spectra of Eu(hdacac)₆·tta in hexane. Moreover, the amphiphilic properties of Eu(hdacac)₆ complexes allow the obtainment of thin luminescent films by the Langmuir-Blodgett technique. In both cases (solids and films), the typical antenna effect of β-diketonates is observed. The alluring characteristics of these compounds raise great interest in many fields of Materials Science, like photo- and electro-luminescent materials (mainly thin “organic” films), metal catalysts or probes in non-polar solutions, and Langmuir-Blodgett films of several compositions. For the characterization of these products, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (¹H NMR), thermogravimetric analysis, elementary analyses (C, H), scanning electron microscopy (energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy), absorption (UV-vis/FT-IR) and photoluminescence spectroscopies were used.     

Fractal dimension of 40 MHz intravascular ultrasound radio frequency signals

Objective

Fully automatic tissue characterization in intravascular ultrasound systems is still a challenge for the researchers. The present work aims to evaluate the feasibility of using the Higuchi fractal dimension of intravascular ultrasound radio frequency signals as a feature for tissue characterization.

Methods

Fractal dimension images are generated based on the radio frequency signals obtained using mechanically rotating 40 MHz intravascular ultrasound catheter (Atlantis SR Plus, Boston Scientific, USA) and compared with the corresponding correlation images.

Conclusion

An inverse relation between the fractal dimension images and the correlation images was revealed indicating that the hard or slow moving tissues in the correlation image usually have low fractal dimension and vice-versa. Thus, the present study suggests that fractal dimension images may be used as a feature for intravascular ultrasound tissue characterization and present better resolution then the correlation images.     

Vibrational properties of Cs4W11O35 and Rb4W11O35 systems: high pressure and polarized Raman spectra

Cs₄ W₁₁O₃₅ (CW) and Rb₄ W₁₁O₃₅ (RW) belong to the class of hexagonal bronzes whose structure originates from the K_xWO₃ superconductor hexatungstate. Charge‐imbalanced tungsten bronzes are dielectric materials with rich polymorphism, ferroelectric properties and second‐harmonic generation. In this work, we report the polarized Raman spectra results for both CW and RW, as well as results of high‐pressure Raman scattering experiments (0.0–11.0 GPa) for the Cs₄ W₁₁O₃₅ system, in which we have observed two structural phase transitions at ∼4 and 7.5 GPa. We discuss these transformations and polarized Raman spectra on the basis of lattice dynamics calculation in the related system KNbW₂O₉. Polarized Raman spectra provide strong indication that the highest wavenumber modes observed in these systems originate from tungsten or oxygen vacancies. The observation of a soft‐like mode indicates that the observed phase transitions exhibit a displacive‐type behavior, thus further indicating that these transformations are likely related to reorientations of the octahedral units. The soft mode nature is discussed as well. PACS: 77.80.Bh; 78.30.Hv; 78.30.‐j. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Temperature‐induced phase transformations in Na2WO4 and Na2MoO4 crystals

Temperature‐dependent Raman studies on Na₂WO₄and Na₂MoO₄ crystals were performed in order to obtain information on structural changes induced by temperature evolution. The stability of the cubic phase of Na₂WO₄and Na₂MoO₄crystals was assessed and our results indicate that this phase is stable in the 8–823 K and 15–773 K ranges for Na₂WO₄ and Na₂MoO₄, respectively. The crystal of Na₂WO₄ shows a phase transition occurring at 833 K. Na₂MoO₄undergoes a sequence of three phase transitions, which were observed at 783–803, 823–913 and 943–950 K. In both crystals, a strong first‐order phase transition occurs as indicated by the behavior of the Raman modes: the Raman bands split and new bands appear below 100 cm⁻¹. These transitions are connected with tilting and/or rotations of the WO₄and MoO₄ tetrahedra, which leads to a disorder at the WO₄and MoO₄ sites. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Transport properties of ephedrine hydrochloride through poly(vinyl alcohol) matrices—a simple method for enantiomeric differentiation

Equilibrium and transport properties have been investigated of ephedrines, a class of sympathomimetic amines, through cryogel membranes of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA). The effect of the PVA (10 to 18 % (w/v)) on the release properties of (1S,2R)-(+)-ephedrine hydrochloride has been discussed on the basis of partition–diffusion and power-law models. The effect of PVA concentration on the swelling degree of PVA–ephedrine matrices have been measured, allowing the estimation of the volume fraction of polymer in the gel. Ephedrine release rate constants, computed by using a first-order kinetics approach, have been modeled by using free-volume and hydrodynamic-scaling models. Differences in the release properties of the ephedrine isomers, (1S,2R)-(+)- and (1R,2S)-(?)-ephedrine as their hydrochlorides, have also been studied at different temperatures. The release kinetic constants and the corresponding activation energies show a marked discrimination between the two ephedrine isomers. This suggests that PVA cryogel membranes possess high potential for enantiomeric differentiation.