Passive scalar mixing downstream of a synthetic jet in crossflow

An experimental investigation on passive scalar mixing due to the interaction of a synthetic jet with a thermal boundary layer is presented. From velocity measurements, performed by particle image velocimetry, two jet behaviours were identified. For jet to crossflow velocity ratios less than 1.2, the velocity fluctuations due to the jet/crossflow interaction stayed close to the wall. At higher ratios, the fluctuations moved away from the wall. The thermal mixing was examined using laser induced fluorescence. During expulsion, the thickness of the downstream thermal boundary layer increased whilst the thermal boundary layer was annihilated immediately downstream of the jet during entrainment

Float processing of high-temperature complex silicate glasses and float baths used for same

A float glass process for production of high melting temperature glasses utilizes a binary metal alloy bath having the combined properties of a low melting point, low reactivity with oxygen, low vapor pressure, and minimal reactivity with the silicate glasses being formed. The metal alloy of the float medium is exothermic with a solvent metal that does not readily form an oxide. The vapor pressure of both components in the alloy is low enough to prevent deleterious vapor deposition, and there is minimal chemical and interdiffusive interaction of either component with silicate glasses under the float processing conditions. Alloys having the desired combination of properties include compositions in which gold, silver or copper is the solvent metal and silicon, germanium or tin is the solute, preferably in eutectic or near-eutectic compositions

The Nebraska Mesonet: Technical Overview of an Automated State Weather Network

The Nebraska Mesonet was established in 1981 as one of the nation’s first automated state weather networks. ‘‘Automated’’ is defined by the nature of the observations being made and recorded by machine, as opposed to observations made and recorded manually. At the time of inception, the five observing locations were geared toward servicing agricultural production applications. The Nebraska Mesonet has grown to 69 stations (as of 2018) and is now a multipurpose environmental observing network under the Nebraska State Climate Office (NSCO). The network is composed of environmental observation stations, sited using best practices for mesoscale and microscale environment situations. Precise observations are acquired using highquality instrumentation, following manufacturer recommendations for calibrations and maintenance. Calibrations are performed in the NSCO calibration laboratory. Uses for the data include but are not limited to water management, drought monitoring, energy production, health, environmental research, animal management, and crop pest management. This paper provides a technical overview and history of the network, outlining current practices for station siting, maintenance, data quality assurance, and data utility

An In-shoe Temperature Measurement System for Studying Diabetic Foot Ulceration Etiology: Preliminary Results with Healthy Participants

AbstractDiabetes is a major public health challenge on a global scale but our scientific understanding of diabetic foot ulceration is limited. A recent systematic review concluded that an increase in skin temperature is predictive of foot ulceration. In-shoe temperature measurement could be a useful tool for studying the etiology of diabetic foot ulceration, we present such a device and preliminary results of its use with 14 healthy participants. Our results show that temperature rise with walking mainly depends on the speed, F(2,190)=3.75, p=0.025, the effect of foot location is mild F(3,1279)=1.69, p=0.169, and there is no difference between the two feet F(1,1279)=0.937, p=0.749. We conclude that such systems are feasible but there are measurement issues to be addressed before they can be utilized further

Considerations for design of source apportionment studies

This report recommends procedures for source and ambient sampling and analysis in source apportionment studies. The recommendations are based on the results of receptor model studies of atmospheric particles in urban areas, especially a recent study of Houston, TX, undertaken as part of the Mathematical and Empirical Receptor Models Workshop (Quail Roost II). The recommendations are presented at three levels of increasing cost and detail of information obtained. Existing mass emissions inventories combined with chemically resolved test data from similar sources (not necessarily in the same locale) can be used to initially estimate the sources of elements present on ambient particles. To aid local users in construction of chemically resolved emission estimates, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is compiling a library of compositions and size distributions of particulate emissions from major source types. More reliable source characterization can be achieved if the actual sources are tested directly. EPA should develop and publish detailed procedures for source sampling that would be more appropriate for receptor model use than are existing standard methods. Source and ambient sampling should be conducted by similar methods. If possible, particles from sources should be collected in a way that simulates changes that would normally occur before they reach distant receptors (e.g. by diluting and cooling the particles from hot sources). It is recommended that particulate samples be routinely collected in two size fractions by use of virtual impactors and that all samples be subjected, at a minimum, to mass and X-ray fluorescence analyses. Additional measurements are suggested for obtaining more detailed information: neutron activation analysis; X-ray diffraction; automated particle classification by electron microscopy; analyses for classes of organic species, ^(14)C and thermally released carbonaceous species; and real-time observation of several gases during sample collection. Methods for collecting meteorological data in parallel with ambient samples are described, as are methods for incorporating such data into the source identification process

Rheological behaviour of different composite materials for additive manufacturing of 3D bone scaffolds

The production of scaffolds for bone tissue applications is requiring a combination of physical and biological properties, which are depending on the materials morphology and pro-cessing conditions during the production process. The aim of the paper is the investigation of rheological behaviour of polymer and composite blends regularly used for the production of scaffolds for bone tissue applications with the use of additive manufacturing. Poly-ε-caprolactone (PCL), hydroxyapatite (HA), β-tri-calcium phosphate (TCP) and Bioglass 45S5 blends containing different ceramic concentrations (10 wt%, 15 wt% and 20 wt%) were prepared with the use of melt blending procedure and investigated with the use of oscillation and rotational rheology tests. Results are showing that all blends are presenting viscoelastic behaviour with higher viscous modulus, compared with elastic modulus for low frequencies, with this difference reducing while the frequency is increasing. All blends are presenting shear-thinning behaviour suitable for use with additive manufacturing methods. Viscous and elastic modulus are increasing by adding ceramic particles. Results are presenting that PCL/HA blends of the same material concentration are presenting higher elastic modulus properties compared with the other blends, while PCL/Bioglass blends are presenting lower loss factor, lower relaxation time and lower shear viscosity making them easier to handle during the printing procedure

NucliTrack: An integrated nuclei tracking application

Summary: Live imaging studies give unparalleled insight into dynamic single cell behaviours and fate decisions. However, the challenge of reliably tracking single cells over long periods of time limits both the throughput and ease with which such studies can be performed. Here, we present NucliTrack, a cross platform solution for automatically segmenting, tracking and extracting features from fluorescently-labelled nuclei. NucliTrack performs similarly to other state-of-the-art cell tracking algorithms, but NucliTrack's interactive, graphical interface makes it significantly more user friendly. Availability: NucliTrack is available as a free, cross platform application, and open source Python package. Installation details and documentation are at: http://nuclitrack.readthedocs.io/en/latest / A video guide can be viewed online: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J6e0D9F-qSU Source code is available through Github: https://github.com/samocooper/nuclitrack . A Matlab toolbox is also available at: https://uk.mathworks.com/matlabcentral/fileexchange/61479-samocooper-nuclitrack-matlab. Contact: [email protected]. Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online

NucliTrack: An integrated nuclei tracking application

Summary: Live imaging studies give unparalleled insight into dynamic single cell behaviours and fate decisions. However, the challenge of reliably tracking single cells over long periods of time limits both the throughput and ease with which such studies can be performed. Here, we present NucliTrack, a cross platform solution for automatically segmenting, tracking and extracting features from fluorescently-labelled nuclei. NucliTrack performs similarly to other state-of-the-art cell tracking algorithms, but NucliTrack's interactive, graphical interface makes it significantly more user friendly. Availability: NucliTrack is available as a free, cross platform application, and open source Python package. Installation details and documentation are at: http://nuclitrack.readthedocs.io/en/latest / A video guide can be viewed online: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J6e0D9F-qSU Source code is available through Github: https://github.com/samocooper/nuclitrack . A Matlab toolbox is also available at: https://uk.mathworks.com/matlabcentral/fileexchange/61479-samocooper-nuclitrack-matlab. Contact: [email protected]. Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online