Sauna,sweat and science II – do we sweat what we drink?

ABSTRACT

Inspired by a previous ‘Sauna, sweat and science’ study [Zech et al. Isot Environ Health Stud. 2015;51(3):439–447] and out of curiosity and enthusiasm for stable isotope and sauna research we aimed at answering the question ‘do we sweat (isotopically) what we drink’? We, therefore, pulse-labelled five test persons in a sauna experiment with beverages that were ²H-enriched at about +25,600?‰. Sweat samples were collected during six sauna rounds and the hydrogen isotope composition δ²H_sweat was determined using an isotope ratio mass spectrometer. Before pulse labelling, δ²H_sweat – reflecting by approximation body water – ranged from –32 to –22?‰. This is ～35?‰ enriched compared to usual mid-European drinking water and can be explained with hydrogen-bearing food as well as with the respiratory loss of ²H-depleted vapour. The absence of a clearly detectable ²H pulse in sweat after pulse labelling and δ²H_sweat results of ≤+250?‰ due to a fast ²H equilibration with body water are moreover a clearly negative answer to our research question also in a short-term consideration. Given that the recovery of the tracer based on an isotope mass balance calculation is clearly below 100?%, we finally answer the question ‘where did the rest of the tracer go?’     

Nuklearpharmaka — Ihre Entwicklung,Präparation und Anwendungsmöglichkeiten

Radioaktiv markierte Präparate haben in denletzten Jahren in schnell zunehmendem Maße Eingang in die klinische Medizin gefunden. Sie sind beieiner Reihe von Indikationen schon jetzt außerordentlich wertvolle Hilfsmittel bei der Diagnose, besonders bei der Prüfung von Organfunktionen.     

Использование изотопа N15 в изученпи усвояемости азотньіх минеральньіх удобрений

The effect of contamination of a cyanide, phosphate-buffered gold-plating bath with iron, cobalt, or nickel on the codeposition of these metals with gold, was investigated using ⁵⁹Fe, ⁵⁸Co and ⁶³Ni. It was shown that cobalt and nickel were practically not codeposited in gold if present in the solution in amounts up to 1000 or 2000 mg/dm³ respectively. Iron deposited in high amounts (up to 18%) depending on its concentration and the cathode current density. The diminishing in current efficiency of the plating process is proposed as an early signal of the contamination of gold deposit with iron.     

A theoretical and numerical evaluation of the steady-state burning rate of vertically oriented PMMA slabs

The steady state burning rate of vertically oriented slabs of poly-methyl-methacrylate (PMMA) is numerically investigated. Model predictions are compared with measurements and results of the laminar boundary layer (LBL) theory. The numerical model provides a solution of the Favre-averaged Navier–Stokes equations coupled with sub-models for turbulence, combustion, soot production and radiation. The modelling of condensed phase processes is based on the one-dimensional heat transfer equation and pyrolysis is treated as a phase change using the latent heat approach. Results show that the pyrolysing region can be divided into three regions. In the laminar part of the flow (Gr _x < 4.3 × 10⁷), the predicted normalised burning rate, [mdot]″ _p x/μ_∞, is a power-law function of Gr _x with an exponent close to that of the LBL theory, surface re-radiation being the primary source of discrepancies. From the LBL theory for free flow, it is demonstrated that the local burning rate is inversely proportional to the shear velocity gradient. This is globally confirmed by numerical model results. At Gr _x = 4.3 × 10⁷ the change in slope of the burning rate observed experimentally, which indicates the end of the laminar flow region, is reproduced numerically. From Gr _x = 2.5 × 10⁹ model results show that the surface mass flux of pyrolyzate increases with x, in agreement with experimental data in literature.     

Evolution of an asymmetric turbulent shear layer in a thermocline

Large eddy simulations are used to examine the evolution of a shear layer in a thermocline with non-uniform density stratification. Unlike previous studies, the density in the present study is continuously stratified and has stratification in the upper half different from the lower half of the shear layer. The stratification in the upper half is fixed at J_u = 0.05, while the stratification in the lower half is increased to J_d = 0.05, 0.15, 0.25 and 0.35, leading to a progressively stronger asymmetry of the Ri_g profile in the four cases. Here, J is the bulk Richardson number and Ri_g is the gradient Richardson number. The type of shear instability and the properties of the ensuing turbulence are found to depend strongly on the degree of asymmetry in stratification. The shear instability changes from a Kelvin–Helmholtz (KH) mode at J_d = 0.05 to a Holmboe (H) mode at J_d = 0.35 and exhibits characteristics of both KH and H modes at intermediate values of J_d. Differences in the evolution among the cases are quantified using density visualisations and statistics such as mean shear, mean stratification and turbulent kinetic energy.     

Electroelastic behaviour of an annular interfacial crack between dissimilar piezoelectric layers

An annular interfacial crack between dissimilar piezoelectric layers subjected to electroelastic loadings was investigated under an electrically impermeable boundary condition on the crack surface by using the Hankel transform technique and the Cauchy singular integral equation method. The stress intensity factors and energy release rates were determined. Numerical results reveal the effects of crack configuration, electric loads and material parameters on crack propagation and growth. The results should be useful for the design of piezoelectric composite structures and devices of high performance.     

Polycrystalline silicon films prepared by metal-induced crystallisation using pre- and post-deposited aluminium on amorphous silicon

We report on the successful fabrication of polycrystalline silicon films by aluminium-induced crystallisation (AIC) of Radio frequency (rf) plasma-enhanced chemical vapour deposited (PECVD) a-Si films. The effects of annealing at different temperatures (300 and 400°C), below the eutectic temperature of the Si–Al binary system, on the crystallisation process have been studied. This work emphasises the important role of the position of the Al layer with respect to the Si layer on the crystallisation process. The properties of the crystallised films were characterised using X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, ellipsometry, field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). With an increase in the annealing temperature, it was found that the degree of crystallisation of annealed a-Si/Al and Al/a-Si films increased. The results showed that the arrangement where the Al was on top of the a-Si had a more prominent effect on crystallisation enhancement than when Al was below the a-Si. The interfacial layer between the Al and a-Si film is crucial because it influences the layer-exchange process during annealing. The oxide layer formed between the Al and the a-Si layers greatly retards the crystallisation process in the case of the Al/Si arrangement. Our investigations suggest that polycrystalline Si films formed by AIC can be used as a seed layer in solar cell fabrication.     

Long-range chemical interactions in solid-state reactions: effect of an inert Ag interlayer on the formation of L10-FePd in epitaxial Pd(0 0 1)/Ag(0 0 1)/Fe(0 0 1) and Fe(0 0 1)/Ag(0 0 1)/Pd(0 0 1) trilayers

The effect of 0, 0.5, and 1?μm-thick Ag interlayers on the chemical interaction between Pd and Fe in epitaxial Pd(0?0?1)/Ag(0?0?1)/Fe(0?0?1)/MgO(0?0?1) and Fe(0?0?1)/Ag(0?0?1)/Pd(0?0?1)/MgO(0?0?1) trilayers has been studied using X-ray diffraction, ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and magnetic structural measurements. No mixing of Pd and Fe occurs via the chemically inert Ag layer at annealing temperatures up to 400?°C. As the annealing temperature is increased above 400?°C, a solid-state synthesis of an ordered L1₀-FePd phase begins in the Pd(0?0?1)/Ag(0?0?1)/Fe(0?0?1) and Fe(0?0?1)/Ag(0?0?1)/Pd(0?0?1) film trilayers regardless of the thickness of the buffer Ag layer. In all samples, annealing above 500?°C leads to the formation of a disordered Fe_xPd_1?x(0?0?1) phase; however, in samples lacking the Ag layer, the synthesis of Fe_xPd_1?x is preceded by the formation of an ordered L1₂-FePd₃ phase. An analysis of the X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy results shows that Pd is the dominant moving species in the reaction between Pd and Fe. According to the preliminary results, the 2.2?μm-thick Ag film does not prevent the synthesis of the L1₀-FePd phase and only slightly increases the phase’s initiation temperature. Data showing the ultra-fast transport of Pd atoms via thick inert Ag layers are interpreted as direct evidence of the long-range character of the chemical interaction between Pd and Fe. Thus, in the reaction state, Pd and Fe interact chemically even though the distance between them is about 10⁴ times greater than an ordinary chemical bond length.     

Fouling Mitigation in a Heat Exchanger: High Cycles of Concentration for a Cooling-Tower Application

The purpose of the present study is to investigate the effect of a physical water treatment (PWT) technology on fouling mitigation in a simulated cooling tower operating at high cycles of concentration. Hard water was produced by evaporating pure water in a circulating open cooling tower, where dissolved calcium carbonate ions became concentrated with time. Heat transfer tests were conducted in a rectangular channel by varying the cycle of concentration (COC) from 5 to 10, and fouling resistances were measured over 270 hrs for each case with and without the PWT treatment. Another test was conducted with no blowdown case with and without the PWT treatment. The fouling resistance at 5 cycles with the PWT treatment was about 70% less than that in the case without the PWT treatment at the end of 270-hr tests. Even at 10 cycles, the PWT treatment reduced the fouling resistance by 60% from the value for the no treatment case. Thus, one can conclude that the PWT technology can help circulating cooling-tower water at relatively high COC for significant freshwater conservation, while keeping fouling resistances below industry standards.     

Continuous flame oxidation in supercritical water

Abstract

Continuous flames have been observed in Supercritical water oxidation (scWO) of isopropyl alcohol (IPA), using a vertical continuous reactor with sapphire windows and a mixing nozzle. Two types of continuous flame were confirmed: the one was long pale blue colored and the other was red short cone shaped, changing blue to red at around air ratio 2.0. The flame was strongly influenced by IPA concentration, air ratio and design of the mixing nozzle. Results for decomposition of PA are presented for IPA concentrations ranging from 600 up to 28260 ppm as TOC and initial reactor temperatures, were mostly around 490°C, at 25 MPa. Decomposition rate at steady state was over 99.9%. Experimentally measured CO₂ and O₂ concentrations at the flue gas were in good agreement with theoretically calculated values. Even for low air ratio as 1.1, high decomposition rate without CO, NO, NO₂ was achieved.