Technological integration and hyperconnectivity: Tools for promoting extreme human lifespans

Artificial, neurobiological, and social networks are three distinct complex adaptive systems (CASs), each containing discrete processing units (nodes, neurons, and humans, respectively). Despite the apparent differences, these three networks are bound by common underlying principles which describe the behavior of the system in terms of the connections of its components, and its emergent properties. The longevity (long‐term retention and functionality) of the components of each of these systems is also defined by common principles. Here, I will examine some properties of the longevity and function of the components of artificial and neurobiological systems, and generalize these to the longevity and function of the components of social CAS. In other words, I will show that principles governing the long‐term functionality of computer nodes and of neurons, may be extrapolated to the study of the long‐term functionality of humans (or more precisely, of the noemes, an abstract combination of “existence” and “digital fame”). The study of these phenomena can provide useful insights regarding practical ways that can be used to maximize human longevity. The basic law governing these behaviors is the “Law of Requisite Usefulness,” which states that the length of retention of an agent within a CAS is proportional to the agent's contribution to the overall adaptability of the system. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Complexity 20: 15–24, 2015     

Spectral methods for the viscoelastic time-dependent flow equations with applications to Taylor–Couette flow

The time evolution of finite amplitude axisymmetric perturbations (Taylor cells) to the purely azimuthal, viscoelastic, cylindrical Couette flow was numerically simulated. Two time integration numerical methods were developed, both based on a pseudospectral spatial approximation of the variables, efficiently implemented using fast Poisson solvers and optimal filtering routines. The first method, applicable for finite Re numbers, is based on a time-splitting integration with the divergence-free condition enforced through an influence matrix technique. The second one, is based on a semi-implicit time integration of the constitutive equation with both the continuity and the momentum equations enforced as constraints. Stability results for an upper convected Maxwell fluid were obtained for the supercritical bifurcations, either steady or time-periodic, developed after the onset of instabilities in the primary flow. At small elasticity values, ? ≡ De/Re, the time integration of finite amplitude disturbances confirms the stability of the single branch of steady Taylor cells. At intermediate ? values the rotating wave family of time-periodic solutions developed at the onset of instability is stable, whereas the standing wave is found to be unstable. At high ? values, and in particular for the limit of creeping flow (? = ∞), the present study shows that the rotating wave family is unstable and the standing (radial) wave is stable, in agreement with previous finite-element investigations. It is thus shown that spectral techniques provide a robust and computationally efficient method for the simulation of complex, non-linear, time-dependent viscoelastic flows.     

Photothermal hydrogen sensor: the technique, experimental process, and physicochemical analysis

The kinetics of hydrogen adsorption and desorption on palladium thin films was studied via photomodulated thermoreflectance measurements. The subsequent analysis based on a Langmuirian isothermal model supports dissociative adsorption of hydrogen on palladium followed by molecular desorption. Furthermore, the rate constants of adsorption and desorption were determined and their values are discussed. The response and recovery times of the sensor were measured and their dependence on hydrogen concentration is also explored and discussed.     

Review of Steady-State Two-Phase Flow in Porous Media: Independent Variables,Universal Energy Efficiency Map,Critical Flow Conditions,Effective Characterization of Flow and Pore Network

In many applications of two-phase flow in porous media, a wetting phase is used to displace through a network of pore conduits as much as possible of a non-wetting phase, residing in situ. The energy efficiency of this physical process may be assessed by the ratio of the flow rate of the non-wetting phase over the total mechanical power externally provided and irreversibly dissipated within the process. Fractional flow analysis, extensive simulations implementing the DeProF mechanistic model, as well as a recent retrospective examination of laboratory studies have revealed universal systematic trends of the energy efficiency in terms of the actual independent variables of the process, namely the capillary number, Ca, and the flow rate ratio, r. These trends can be cast into an energy efficiency map over the (Ca, r) domain of independent variables. The map is universal for all types of non-wetting/wetting phase porous medium systems. It demarcates the efficiency of steady-state two-phase flow processes in terms of pertinent system parameters. The map can be used as a tool for designing more efficient processes, as well as for the normative characterization of two-phase flows, as to the predominance of capillary or viscous effects. This concept is based on the existence of a unique locus of critical flow conditions, for which the energy efficiency takes locally maximum values. The locus shape depends on the physicochemical characteristics of the non-wetting phase/wetting phase/porous medium system, and it shows a significant mutation as the externally imposed flow conditions change the type of flow, from capillary- to viscosity-dominated. The locus can be approached by an S-type functional form in terms of the capillary number and the system properties (viscosity ratio, wettability, pore network geometry, etc.), suggesting that formative criteria can be derived for flow characterization in any system. A new, extended definition of the capillary number is also proposed that effectively takes into account the critical properties of all the system constituents. When loci of critical flow conditions pertaining to processes with different viscosity ratio in the same pore network, are expressed in terms of this true-to-mechanism capillary number, they collapse into a unique locus. In this context, a new methodology for the effective characterization of pore networks is proposed.     

Modeling of contaminant transport resulting from dissolution of nonaqueous phase liquid pools in saturated porous media

A mathematical model for transient contaminant transport resulting from the dissolution of a single component nonaqueous phase liquid (NAPL) pool in two-dimensional, saturated, homogeneous porous media was developed. An analytical solution was derived for a semi-infinite medium under local equilibrium conditions accounting for solvent decay. The solution was obtained by taking Laplace transforms to the equations with respect to time and Fourier transforms with respect to the longitudinal spatial coordinate. The analytical solution is given in terms of a single integral which is easily determined by numerical integration techniques. The model is applicable to both denser and lighter than water NAPL pools. The model successfully simulated responses of a 1,1,2-trichloroethane (TCA) pool at the bottom of a two-dimensional porous medium under controlled laboratory conditions.Notation a,a ₁ defined in (45a) and (45b), respectively - b defined in (45c) - b vector of true model parameters (n×1) - vector of estimated model parameters (n×1) - c liquid phase solute concentration (solute mass/liquid volume), M/L³ - c _s aqueous saturation concentration (solubility), M/L³ - C dimensionless liquid phase solute concentration, equal toc/c _s - molecular diffusion coefficient, L²/t - ^e effective molecular diffusion coefficient, equal to / ^*, L²/t - D _x longitudinal hydrodynamic dispersion coefficient, L²/t - D _z hydrodynamic dispersion coefficient in the vertical direction, L²/t - e random vector with zero mean (m×1) - erf[x] error function, equal to (2/ ^1/2) - f vector of fitting errors or residuals (m×1) - Fourier operator - _-1 Fourier inverse operator - g vector of model simulated data (m×1) - k mass transfer coefficient, L/t - average mass transfer coefficient, L/t - K _d partition or distribution coefficient (liquid volume/solids mass), L³/M - pool length, L - _o distance between the pool and the origin of the specified Cartesian coordinate system, L - Laplace operator - _-1 Laplace inverse operator - m number of observations - M Laplace/Fourier function defined in (38) - n number of model parameters - N Laplace/Fourier function defined in (39) - p defined in (46) - Pe _x Péclet number, equal toU _x /D _x - Pe _z Péclet number, equal toU _x /D _z - q defined in (47) - R retardation factor - s Laplace transform variable - S objective function - Sh local Sherwood number, equal tok/ _e - Sh _o overall Sherwood number, equal to l/ _e - t time,t - T dimensionless time, equal toU _x t/ - u dummy integration variable - u vector of independent variables - U _x average interstitial velocity, L/t - x spatial coordinate in the longitudinal direction, L - X dimensionless longitudinal length, equal to (x–)/ - y vector of observed data (m×1) - z spatial coordinate in the vertical direction, L - Z dimensionless vertical length, equal toz/ - Fourier transform variable - defined in (37) - defined in (50) - porosity (liquid volume/aquifer volume), L³/L³ - defined in (52a) and (52b), respectively - decay coefficient, t^–1 - dimensionless decay coefficient, equal to /U _x - bulk density of the solid matrix (solids mass/aquifer volume), M/L³ - dummy integration variable - ^* tortuosity     

Effect of Local DBD Plasma Actuation on Transition in a Laminar Separation Bubble

This work examines the effect of local active flow control on stability and transition in a laminar separation bubble. Experiments are performed in a wind tunnel facility on a NACA 0012 airfoil at a chord Reynolds number of 130 000 and an angle of attack of 2 degrees. Controlled disturbances are introduced upstream of a laminar separation bubble forming on the suction side of the airfoil using a surface-mounted Dielectric Barrier Discharge plasma actuator. Time-resolved two-component Particle Image Velocimetry is used to characterise the flow field. The effect of frequency and amplitude of plasma excitation on flow development is examined. The introduction of artificial harmonic disturbances leads to significant changes in separation bubble topology and the characteristics of coherent structures formed in the aft portion of the bubble. The development of the bubble demonstrates strong dependence on the actuation frequency and amplitude, revealing the dominant role of incoming disturbances in the transition scenario. Statistical, topological and linear stability theory analysis demonstrate that significant mean flow deformation produced by controlled disturbances leads to notable changes in stability characteristics compared to those in the unforced baseline case. The findings provide a new outlook on the role of controlled disturbances in separated shear layer transition and instruct the development of effective flow control strategies.     

Comparative studies of localized buckling in sandwich struts with different core bending models

Analytical models with geometric non-linearities accounting for interactions between local and global instability modes leading to localized buckling in sandwich struts are formulated. For the core material response, two increasingly sophisticated bending models are compared against each other: Timoshenko beam theory (TBT) and Reddy-Bickford beam theory (RBT). Numerical solutions of the analytical models are validated with the commercial finite element code ABAQUS. It is found that there is a small but significant difference in the critical load between the two models and that the previously obtained solution slightly underestimates the linear buckling strength. More importantly, it is found that the RBT model predicts the onset of interactive buckling before the TBT model and, according to the results from the finite element study, matches the actual behaviour of a strut in both its initial and advanced post-buckling states with excellent correlation.     

Chitin Isolation and Chitosan Production from House Crickets (Acheta domesticus) by Environmentally Friendly Methods

Alternative methods were evaluated for chitin isolation from Acheta domesticus. Chemical demineralization was compared to fermentation with Lactococcus lactis, citric acid treatment, and microwave treatment, leading to a degree of demineralization of 91.1 ± 0.3, 97.3 ± 0.8, 70.5 ± 3.5, and 85.8 ± 1.3%, respectively. Fermentation with Bacillus subtilis, a deep eutectic solvent, and enzymatic digestion were tested for chitin isolation, generating materials with less than half the chitin content when compared to alkaline deproteinization. Chitosan was produced on a large scale by deacetylation of the chitinous material obtained from two selected processes: the chemical treatment and an alternative process combining L. lactis fermentation with bromelain deproteinization. The chemical and alternative processes resulted in similar chitosan content (81.9 and 88.0%), antioxidant activity (59 and 49%), and degree of deacetylation (66.6 and 62.9%), respectively. The chitosan products had comparable physical properties. Therefore, the alternative process is appropriate to replace the chemical process of chitin isolation for industrial applications.     

Antimicrobial Activities of Saponaria cypria Boiss. Root Extracts,and the Identification of Nine Saponins and Six Phenolic Compounds

The purpose of this study was to identify the chemical components in root extracts of Saponaria cypria, an endemic species of Cyprus. Subsequently, the synergistic bioactivity of its root extracts through different extraction procedures was also investigated for the first time. A total of nine saponins, along with six phenolic compounds, were identified and quantified using the UHPLC/Q-TOF-MS method. Additionally, S. cypria root extracts demonstrated antibacterial potential against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis and Salmonella enteritidis. S. aureus presented the highest susceptibility among all bacteria tested. These findings provide the first phytochemical data regarding the saponin, phenolic content and antimicrobial activity of S. cypria extracts, indicating that the Cyprus saponaria species is a rich natural source for bioactive compounds with a potentially wider bioactivity spectrum.