Turbulent flow in pulsed extraction columns with internals of discs and rings:Turbulent kinetic energy and its dissipation rate during the pulsation

Turbulent energy parameters of single-phase pulsed flow in an extraction column with internals of immobile discs and rings (doughnuts) are studied. Simulation results are obtained by resolution of Reynolds equations coupled with k–ɛ model of turbulence. As far as pulsed flow is concerned, the evolution of space distribution of turbulent kinetic energy k and its dissipation rate ɛ during the pulsation is thoroughly studied. It is observed that the energy distribution on a contact stage changes periodically from rather homogeneous to highly inhomogeneous depending on instantaneous flow velocity. Significant difference between maximal and mean energy parameters is observed. It is supposed that the discrepancy between simulation and experimental results for the size of drops formed in the turbulent field might be attributed to mean energy presentation that smoothes the peak effects of a pulsed flow. Spatial zones and time intervals of high-turbulent kinetic energy are delimited presuming their dominant role for accurate foreseeing of size of drops in this type of equipment. It is shown that an “effective” energy level should be determined by selection over the high-energy time periods and zones in order to compensate the smoothing effect of mean energy level.The results obtained are useful for the calculation of drop size based on energy level at the stage, which is necessary for the determination of parameters of practical interest such as drop residence time and interphase mass transfer surface

3-D measurements using conoscopy and application to ophthalmology

In this paper we present a novel method to measure 3-D quasi planar or quasi spherical reflective surfaces with submicron depth accuracy. Two implementations are presented: a scanning and a non-scanning system. The non-scanning device allows fast measurements and can be applied for eye-shape measurements. The paper is organized as follows: in the introductory section, we first demonstrate the principle of the conoscopic effect leading to the formation of the interferogram. The second and third sections explain respectively. the scanning and non-scanning methods based on the conoscopic effect. We present the experimental results from a simple measurement and show how they conform with theory

Multimodal Classification of Urban Micro-Events

In this paper we seek methods to effectively detect urban micro-events. Urban micro-events are events which occur in cities, have limited geographical coverage and typically affect only a small group of citizens. Because of their scale these are difficult to identify in most data sources. However, by using citizen sensing to gather data, detecting them becomes feasible. The data gathered by citizen sensing is often multimodal and, as a consequence, the information required to detect urban micro-events is distributed over multiple modalities. This makes it essential to have a classifier capable of combining them. In this paper we explore several methods of creating such a classifier, including early, late, hybrid fusion and representation learning using multimodal graphs. We evaluate performance on a real world dataset obtained from a live citizen reporting system. We show that a multimodal approach yields higher performance than unimodal alternatives. Furthermore, we demonstrate that our hybrid combination of early and late fusion with multimodal embeddings performs best in classification of urban micro-events

Knowledge and Practices of Cypriot Bovine Farmers towards Effective and Safe Manure Management

Manure from bovine farms is commonly used as an organic fertiliser. However, if not properly managed, it can spread significant biological and chemical hazards, threatening both human and animal health. The effectiveness of risk control hugely relies on farmers' knowledge regarding safe manure management and on the application of suitable management practices. This study aims to evaluate the knowledge and practices of Cypriot bovine farmers towards safer manure management, from its generation to its final use, in line with the One Health approach. Factors affecting farmers' knowledge and applied practices are also investigated through a questionnaire survey. The questionnaire was developed and sent to all eligible bovine farmers in Cyprus (n = 353), and 30% (n = 105) of them returned the completed questionnaire. Results revealed there are some gaps in farmers' knowledge. The use of manure for fertilising crops dominated. Only half of the farmers stored manure in appropriate facilities, with 28.5% of them using a dedicated area with cement floors and 21.5% utilising leakproof tanks. The majority (65.7%) stored manure for more than three months before its use as a fertiliser in a dried form. In multiple regression analysis, education level and farming purpose were significant determinants of farmer knowledge. In conclusion, Cypriot farmers' knowledge must be reinforced to ensure proper manure management. The results highlight the importance of providing relevant training to farmers. Although the current practices partially decrease manure pathogens, interventions to promote the use of more effective treatment methods, such as biogas transformation and composting, would be beneficial

Hydroxyapatite coating on titanium by a low energy plasma spraying mini-gun

Plasma-sprayed hydroxyapatite (HA) coatings are used on metallic implants to improve osseointegration and bone growth. The purpose of this work was to determine the microstructure and composition of HA coatings obtained with a newly developed low energy plasma spray mini-gun employing an HA feedstock powder with smaller granulometry than that commonly used. The microstructure and the phase composition of the coatings obtained by varying the number of mini-gun runs were examined using scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared and micro-Raman spectroscopy. In all cases, the results indicate the presence of an amorphous phase and oxyapatite in the coatings due to hydroxyl group removal. No other foreign crystalline phases were detected. The absence of foreign phases was attributed to the fast cooling rate of the small particles used in the experiments and the low amount of energy employed with the mini-gun. Decomposition in the υ1PO4 region of the Raman spectra allowed a semi-quantitative evaluation of the phase contents as a function of the number of runs. Micro-Raman spectroscopy appears to be a powerful technique providing comprehensive and localised information concerning calcium phosphate phases in coatings

Modeling and Optimal Design of Machining-Induced Residual Stresses in Aluminium Alloys Using a Fast Hierarchical Multiobjective Optimization Algorithm

The residual stresses induced during shaping and machining play an important role in determining the integrity and durability of metal components. An important issue of producing safety critical components is to find the machining parameters that create compressive surface stresses or minimise tensile surface stresses. In this paper, a systematic data-driven fuzzy modelling methodology is proposed, which allows constructing transparent fuzzy models considering both accuracy and interpretability attributes of fuzzy systems. The new method employs a hierarchical optimisation structure to improve the modelling efficiency, where two learning mechanisms cooperate together: NSGA-II is used to improve the model’s structure while the gradient descent method is used to optimise the numerical parameters. This hybrid approach is then successfully applied to the problem that concerns the prediction of machining induced residual stresses in aerospace aluminium alloys. Based on the developed reliable prediction models, NSGA-II is further applied to the multi-objective optimal design of aluminium alloys in a ‘reverse-engineering’ fashion. It is revealed that the optimal machining regimes to minimise the residual stress and the machining cost simultaneously can be successfully located

Recruitment dynamics of the grove-dominant tree Microberlinia bisulcata in African rain forest: extending the light response versus adult longevity trade-off concept

In groves of ectomycorrhizal caesalpiniaceous species in the Atlantic coastal forest of Central Africa the dominant tree Microberlinia bisulcata, which is shade-intolerant as a seedling but highly light-responding as a sapling, shows very limited regeneration. M. bisulcata saplings were mapped in an 82.5-ha plot at Korup and found to be located significantly far (>40m) away from adults, a result confirmed by direct testing in a second 56-ha plot. Sapling growth over 6years, the distribution of newly emerging seedlings around adults, recruitment of saplings in a large opening and the outward extent of seedlings at the grove edge were also investigated. Two processes appear to have been operating: (1) a very strong and consistent restriction of the very numerous seedlings establishing after masting close to adults, and (2) a strong but highly spatially variable promotion of distant survivors by increased light from the deaths of large trees of species other than M. bisulcata (which itself has very low mortality rate). This leads to an apparent escape-from-adults effect. To maintain saplings in the shade between multiple short periods of release ectomycorrhizal connections to other co-occurring caesalp species may enable a rachet-type mechanism. The recorded sapling dynamics currently contribute an essential part of the long-term cycling of the groves. M. bisulcata is an interesting example of an important group of tropical trees, particularly in Africa, which are both highly light-demanding when young yet capable also of forming very large forest emergents. To more comprehensively explain tropical tree responses, the case is made for adding a new dimension to the trade-off concept of early tree light-response versus adult longevit

Inhibition of platelet activation prevents the P-selectin and integrin-dependent accumulation of cancer cell microparticles and reduces tumor growth and metastasis in vivo

International audienceVenous thromboembolism constitutes one of the main causes of death during the progression of a cancer. We previously demonstrated that tissue factor (TF)-bearing cancer cell-derived microparticles accumulate at the site of injury in mice developing a pancreatic cancer. The presence of these microparticles at the site of thrombosis correlates with the size of the platelet-rich thrombus. The objective of this study was to determine the involvement of TF expressed by cancer cell-derived microparticles on thrombosis associated with cancer. We observed that pancreatic cancer cell derived microparticles expressed TF, its inhibi-tor tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI) as well as the integrins avb1 and avb3. In mice bearing a tumor under-expressing TF, a significant decrease in circulating TF activity associated with an increase bleeding time and a 100-fold diminished fibrin generation and platelet accumulation at the site of injury were observed. This was mainly due to the interaction of circulating cancer cell-derived microparticles expressing TFPI with activated platelets and fibrinogen. In an ectopic model of cancer, treatment of mice with Clopidogrel, an anti-platelet drug, decreased the size of the tumors and restored hemostasis by preventing the accumulation of cancer cell-derived microparticles at the site of thrombosis. In a syngeneic orthotopic model of pancreatic cancer Clopidogrel also significantly inhibited the development of metastases. Together, these results indicate that an anti-platelet strategy may efficiently treat thrombosis associated with cancer and reduce the progression of pancreatic cancer in mice