AN EXERGY COST ANALYSIS OF A COGENERATION PLANT

The exergy analysis, including the calculation of the unit exergetic cost of all flows of the cogeneration plant, was the main purpose of the thermoeconomic analysis of the STAG (STeam And Gas) combined cycle CHP (Combined Heat and Power) plant. The combined cycle cogeneration plant is composed of a GE10 gas turbine (11250 kW) coupled with a HRSG (Heat Recovery Steam Generator) and a condensing extraction steam turbine. The GateCycleTM Software was used for the modeling and simulation of the combined cycle CHP plant thermal scheme, and calculation of the thermodynamic properties of each flow (Mass Flow, Pressure, Temperature, Enthalpy). The entropy values for water and steam were obtained from the Steam Tab software while the entropy and exergy of the exhaust gases were calculated as instructed by. For the calculation of the unit exergetic cost was used the neguentropy and Structural Theory of Thermoeconomic. The GateCycleTM calculations results were exported to an Excel sheet to carry out the exergy analysis and the unit exergetic cost calculations with the thermoeconomic model that was created for matrix inversion solution. Several simulations were performed varying separately five important parameters: the Steam turbine exhaust pressure, the evaporator pinch point temperature, the steam turbine inlet temperature, Rankine cycle operating pressure and the stack gas temperature to determine their impact in the recovery cycle heat exchangers transfer area, power generation and unit exergetic cost

Experimental Determination of the Convective Coefficient of Heat Transfer Using the Global Capacitance Method

The heat transfer coefficient (h) is an extremely important variable in the evaluation of convective heat transfer, however, its determination is a great challenge due to the various factors that influence it: fluid viscosity, fluid density, specific heat of the fluid, thermal conductivity of the fluid, coefficient of volumetric expansion, fluid velocity. The objective of this work is the experimental determination of the convective heat transfer coefficient by means of the global capacitance method. Three test bodies, two cylindrical bodies and one spherical body were used. These specimens were individually heated in a stove, and heating was monitored by means of a thermocouple and a data logger. The results showed a good concordance between the values of h obtained experimentally and the literature

EFFECTS OF DIFFERENT PARAMETERS ON DED HR-1 ON LOW CYCLE FATIGUE, TENSILE STRENGTH, AND MICROSTRUCTURE

NASA HR1 alloy is an iron-nickel based material designed by NASA and derived from A286 and JBK-75 alloys. At extreme conditions, NASA HR1 possess high strength, high fatigue resistance, and high resistance to corrosion and hydrogen embrittlement. The main applications include structural components and liquid rocket engine nozzles with internal cooling channels. NASA has produced HR1 using vacuum induction melting (VIM), a considerably expensive fabrication method. Aimed to explore other more affordable and accessible manufacturing methods, HR1 specimens were fabricated under different parameters using Laser-Powder Directed Energy Deposition (LP-DED) and were heat treated through stress relief, homogenization, solution treatment and aging. The feasibility of this AM process was investigated by evaluating mechanical and microstructural analysis on specimens. This work finalizes with discussion and remarks on tensile and low-cycle fatigue properties and its relationship with microstructural features.Mechanical Engineerin

Calidad de la leche cruda para consumo humano en dos localidades de Sucre (Colombia)

Objective. To determine the physicochemical, microbiological and somatic cell count of raw milks marketed for human consumption in neighborhoods of Sincelejo and Corozal (Sucre). Materials and methods. A cross-sectional study was carried out in 97 samples of raw milk marketed for human consumption in different neighborhoods of Sincelejo and Corozal (Sucre). Physical-chemical, microbiological and somatic cell count parameters were determined. The data obtained were analyzed according to the regulations in normative measures in Colombia. Results. Most of the physical-chemical parameters of the raw milk samples analyzed were found within the normal range according to Colombian legislation. Mesophilic count and somatic cells count was found to be above what is allowed by the legislation. The presence of total and fecal coliforms, antibiotics and adulterants such as sucrose and starches were determined. Conclusions. Raw milks distributed for human consumption in Sincelejo and Corozal presents good physical-chemical quality but poor microbiological quality; it becomes necessary to increase surveillance and to demand the production of excellent quality milk in the primary sector in the dairy chain.Objetivo. Determinar la calidad fisicoquímica, microbiológica y recuento de células somáticas de leches crudas que se distribuyen para consumo humano en diferentes barrios de Sincelejo y Corozal (Sucre). Materiales y métodos. Mediante un estudio descriptivo de corte transversal, se tomaron 97 muestras de leche cruda; se determinaron algunos parámetros fisicoquímicos, microbiológicos y recuento de células somáticas. Los datos obtenidos se analizaron de acuerdo a la normatividad vigente en Colombia. Resultados. La mayoría de los parámetros fisicoquímicos de las muestras de leche cruda evaluadas se encontraron dentro de los parámetros normales de la legislación colombina. El recuento estándar en placa y el recuento de células somáticas se encontraron por encima de lo permitido por la legislación. Se demostró la presencia de coliformes totales, coliformes fecales, antibióticos y adulterantes como sacarosa y almidones. Conclusiones. La leche cruda que se distribuye para consumo humano en  Sincelejo y Corozal presenta  buena calidad fisicoquímica pero deficiente calidad microbiológica; se hace necesario incrementar la vigilancia y exigir al eslabón primario de la cadena láctea la producción de leche de excelente calidad

A central role for DOCK2 during interstitial lymphocyte motility and sphingosine-1-phosphate–mediated egress

Recent observations using multiphoton intravital microscopy (MP-IVM) have uncovered an unexpectedly high lymphocyte motility within peripheral lymph nodes (PLNs). Lymphocyte-expressed intracellular signaling molecules governing interstitial movement remain largely unknown. Here, we used MP-IVM of murine PLNs to examine interstitial motility of lymphocytes lacking the Rac guanine exchange factor DOCK2 and phosphoinositide-3-kinase (PI3K)γ, signaling molecules that act downstream of G protein–coupled receptors, including chemokine receptors (CKRs). T and B cells lacking DOCK2 alone or DOCK2 and PI3Kγ displayed markedly reduced motility inside T cell area and B cell follicle, respectively. Lack of PI3Kγ alone had no effect on migration velocity but resulted in increased turning angles of T cells. As lymphocyte egress from PLNs requires the sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) receptor 1, a Gαi protein–coupled receptor similar to CKR, we further analyzed whether DOCK2 and PI3Kγ contributed to S1P-triggered signaling events. S1P-induced cell migration was significantly reduced in T and B cells lacking DOCK2, whereas T cell–expressed PI3Kγ contributed to F-actin polymerization and protein kinase B phosphorylation but not migration. These findings correlated with delayed lymphocyte egress from PLNs in the absence of DOCK2 but not PI3Kγ, and a markedly reduced cell motility of DOCK2-deficient T cells in close proximity to efferent lymphatic vessels. In summary, our data support a central role for DOCK2, and to a lesser extent T cell–expressed PI3Kγ, for signal transduction during interstitial lymphocyte migration and S1P-mediated egress

Detection of variable VHE gamma-ray emission from the extra-galactic gamma-ray binary LMC P3

Context. Recently, the high-energy (HE, 0.1-100 GeV) $\gamma$-ray emission from the object LMC P3 in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) has been discovered to be modulated with a 10.3-day period, making it the first extra-galactic $\gamma$-ray binary. Aims. This work aims at the detection of very-high-energy (VHE, >100 GeV) $\gamma$-ray emission and the search for modulation of the VHE signal with the orbital period of the binary system. Methods. LMC P3 has been observed with the High Energy Stereoscopic System (H.E.S.S.); the acceptance-corrected exposure time is 100 h. The data set has been folded with the known orbital period of the system in order to test for variability of the emission. Energy spectra are obtained for the orbit-averaged data set, and for the orbital phase bin around the VHE maximum. Results. VHE $\gamma$-ray emission is detected with a statistical significance of 6.4 $\sigma$. The data clearly show variability which is phase-locked to the orbital period of the system. Periodicity cannot be deduced from the H.E.S.S. data set alone. The orbit-averaged luminosity in the $1-10$ TeV energy range is $(1.4 \pm 0.2) \times 10^{35}$ erg/s. A luminosity of $(5 \pm 1) \times 10^{35}$ erg/s is reached during 20% of the orbit. HE and VHE $\gamma$-ray emissions are anti-correlated. LMC P3 is the most luminous $\gamma$-ray binary known so far.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figures, 1 table, accepted for publication in A&

Characterizing the gamma-ray long-term variability of PKS 2155-304 with H.E.S.S. and Fermi-LAT

Studying the temporal variability of BL Lac objects at the highest energies provides unique insights into the extreme physical processes occurring in relativistic jets and in the vicinity of super-massive black holes. To this end, the long-term variability of the BL Lac object PKS 2155-304 is analyzed in the high (HE, 100 MeV 200 GeV) gamma-ray domain. Over the course of ~9 yr of H.E.S.S observations the VHE light curve in the quiescent state is consistent with a log-normal behavior. The VHE variability in this state is well described by flicker noise (power-spectral-density index {\ss}_VHE = 1.10 +0.10 -0.13) on time scales larger than one day. An analysis of 5.5 yr of HE Fermi LAT data gives consistent results ({\ss}_HE = 1.20 +0.21 -0.23, on time scales larger than 10 days) compatible with the VHE findings. The HE and VHE power spectral densities show a scale invariance across the probed time ranges. A direct linear correlation between the VHE and HE fluxes could neither be excluded nor firmly established. These long-term-variability properties are discussed and compared to the red noise behavior ({\ss} ~ 2) seen on shorter time scales during VHE-flaring states. The difference in power spectral noise behavior at VHE energies during quiescent and flaring states provides evidence that these states are influenced by different physical processes, while the compatibility of the HE and VHE long-term results is suggestive of a common physical link as it might be introduced by an underlying jet-disk connection.Comment: 11 pages, 16 figure

Static and Dynamic Analysis of Bistable Piezoelectric-Composite Plates for Energy Harvesting

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/97054/1/AIAA2012-1492.pd

Nucleation and crystallization in bio-based immiscible polyester blends

Bio-based thermoplastic polyesters are highly promising materials as they combine interesting thermal and physical properties and in many cases biodegradability. However, sometimes the best property balance can only be achieved by blending in order to improve barrier properties, biodegradability or mechanical properties. Nucleation, crystallization and morphology are key factors that can dominate all these properties in crystallizable biobased polyesters. Therefore, their understanding, prediction and tailoring is essential. In this work, after a brief introduction about immiscible polymer blends, we summarize the crystallization behavior of the most important bio-based (and immiscible) polyester blends, considering examples of double-crystalline components. Even though in some specific blends (e.g., polylactide/polycaprolactone) many efforts have been made to understand the influence of blending on the nucleation, crystallization and morphology of the parent components, there are still many points that have yet to be understood. In the case of other immiscible polyester blends systems, the literature is scarce, opening up opportunities in this environmentally important research topic.The authors would like to acknowledge funding by the BIODEST project ((RISE) H2020-MSCA-RISE-2017-778092

The progressive elevation of alpha fetoprotein for the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with liver cirrhosis

BACKGROUND: Hepatocellular carcinoma is the most common cause of primary liver neoplasms and is one of the main causes of death in patients with liver cirrhosis. High Alpha fetoprotein serum levels have been found in 60–70% of patients with Hepatocellular carcinoma; nevertheless, there are other causes that increase this protein. Alpha fetoprotein levels ≥200 and 400 ng/mL in patients with an identifiable liver mass by imaging techniques are diagnostic of hepatocellular carcinoma with high specificity. METHODS: We analysed the sensitivity and specificity of the progressive increase of the levels of alpha fetoprotein for the detection of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with liver cirrhosis. Seventy-four patients with cirrhosis without hepatocellular carcinoma and 193 with hepatic lesions diagnosed by biopsy and shown by image scans were included. Sensitivity and specificity of transversal determination of alpha fetoprotein ≥ 200 and 400 ng/mL and monthly progressive elevation of alpha fetoprotein were analysed. Areas under the ROC curves were compared. Positive and negative predictive values adjusted to a 5 and 10% prevalence were calculated. RESULTS: For an elevation of alpha fetoprotein ≥ 200 and 400 ng/mL the specificity is of 100% in both cases, with a sensitivity of 36.3 and 20.2%, respectively. For an alpha fetoprotein elevation rate ≥7 ng/mL/month, sensitivity was of 71.4% and specificity of 100%. The area under the ROC curve of the progressive elevation was significantly greater than that of the transversal determination of alpha fetoprotein. The positive and negative predictive values modified to a 10% prevalence are of: 98.8% and 96.92%, respectively; while for a prevalence of 5% they were of 97.4% and 98.52%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The progressive elevation of alpha fetoprotein ≥7 ng/mL/month in patients with liver cirrhosis is useful for the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients that do not reach αFP levels ≥200 ng/mL. Prospective studies are required to confirm this observation