Exploring copyrolysis characteristics and thermokinetics of peach stone and bituminous coal blends

Copyrolysis, being an active area of research due to its synergistic impact in utilizing diverse fuel resources, including waste materials, like, peach stone (PS), has been the focal point for this study. PS, produced in vast quantities annually and typically intended for landscaping or insulation purposes, is being studied in combination with low‐grade bituminous coal for energy utilization focusing on thermokinetics and synergistic aspects. Coal‐peach stone (C‐PS) blends were formulated at different ratios and subjected to comprehensive characterization techniques, including ultimate analysis (CHN‐S), gross calorific value (GCV), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA). The ultimate analysis revealed an enhancement in carbon and hydrogen content from 45.38% to 68.08% and from 3.89% to 6.96%, respectively. Additionally, a reduction in sulfur and nitrogen content from 0.54% to 0.11% and from 1.16% to 0.42%, respectively, was observed with an increase in the ratio of PS in the C‐PS blends. The GCV of C‐PS blends ranged from 20.75 to 26.01 MJ kg−1. The pyrolysis conditions simulated in TGA are pivotal for evaluating thermokinetics and synergistic effects. The 60C:40PS blend shows a positive synergy index (SI) value of 0.0203% concerning total mass loss (MLT) indicating a favorable condition for bio‐oil generation. Coats–Redfern model‐fitting method reveals that the activation energy (Ea) of C‐PS blends increases in Section II with the addition of PS, and conversely, it decreases in Section III. The Ea for 100PS and 100C was 106.76 and 45.85 kJ mol−1 through (D3) and (F1), respectively, which was improved through the optimal blend 60C:40PS with an Ea of 94.56 and 27.58 kJ mol−1 through (D3) and (F2), respectively. The values obtained from linear regression prove that the kinetic models are effective while the thermodynamic analysis indicates that the pyrolytic behavior of C‐PS blends is characterized as endothermic, nonspontaneous, and capable of achieving thermodynamic equilibrium more rapidly

A combined analytical-experimental investigation of friction in cylinder liner inserts under mixed and boundary regimes of lubrication

It is necessary to develop an analytical solution in order to combine predictions with measured tribological parameters and fundamentally understand the mechanism of lubrication in a typical region of engine cycle, using tribometric studies. This paper deals with the development of such a representative approach. An analytical, rather than a numerical approach is expounded, as it is shown to suffice for the purpose of precise time-efficient predictions, which conform well to the measurements. The effect of surface topography, material and operating conditions are ascertained for the representative case of top compression ring—cylinder liner contact at the top dead centre reversal in transition from the compression to power stroke. Stainless steel uncoated surface used as press fit cylinder liners for niche original equipment manufacturer applications are compared with those furnished with a Nickel-Silicon Carbide wear-resistant coating of choice in high performance motorsport

An analytical approach for prediction of elastohydrodynamic friction with inlet shear heating and starvation

An analytical friction model is presented, predicting the coefficient of friction in elastohydrodynamic (EHD) contacts. Three fully formulated SAE 75W-90 axle lubricants are examined. The effect of inlet shear heating (ISH) and starvation is accounted for in the developed friction model. The film thickness and the predicted friction are compared with experimental measurements obtained through optical interferometry and use of a mini traction machine. The results indicate the significant contribution of ISH and starvation on both the film thickness and coefficient of friction. A strong interaction between those two phenomena is also demonstrated, along with their individual and combined contribution on the EHD friction

Set Pseudophasors to Stun for Flow Cytometry

Study of signal transduction in live cells benefits from the ability to visualize and quantify light emitted by fluorescent proteins (XFPs) fused to different signaling proteins. However, because cell signaling proteins are often present in small numbers, and because the XFPs themselves are poor fluorophores, the amount of emitted light, and the observable signal in these studies, is often small. An XFP's fluorescence lifetime contains additional information about the immediate environment of the fluorophore that can augment the information from its weak light signal. Here, we constructed and expressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae variants of Teal Fluorescent Protein (TFP) and Citrine that were isospectral but had shorter fluorescence lifetimes, ∼ 1.5 ns vs ∼ 3 ns. We modified microscopic and flow cytometric instruments to measure fluorescence lifetimes in live cells. We developed digital hardware and a measure of lifetime called a "pseudophasor" that we could compute quickly enough to permit sorting by lifetime in flow. We used these abilities to sort mixtures of cells expressing TFP and the short-lifetime TFP variant into subpopulations that were respectively 97% and 94% pure. This work demonstrates the feasibility of using information about fluorescence lifetime to help quantify cell signaling in living cells at the high throughput provided by flow cytometry. Moreover, it demonstrates the feasibility of isolating and recovering subpopulations of cells with different XFP lifetimes for subsequent experimentation

Association of Health Literacy with Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use: A Cross-Sectional Study in Adult Primary Care Patients

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In the United States, it is estimated that 40% of adults utilize complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies. Recently, national surveys report that over 90 million adults have inadequate health literacy. To date, no study has assessed health literacy and its effect on CAM use. The primary objective of this study was to assess the relationship between health literacy and CAM use independent of educational attainment. Second objective was to evaluate the differential effect of health literacy on CAM use by race.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>351 patients were recruited from an outpatient primary care clinic. Validated surveys assessed CAM use (I-CAM-Q), health literacy (REALM-R), and demographic information. We compared demographics by health literacy (adequate vs. inadequate) and overall and individual CAM categories by health literacy using chi square statistics. We found a race by health literacy interaction and ran sequential logistic regression models stratified by race to test the association between health literacy and overall CAM use (Model 1), Model 1 + education (Model 2), and Model 2 + other demographic characteristics (Model 3). We reported the adjusted effect of health literacy on CAM use for both whites and African Americans separately.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>75% of the participants had adequate literacy and 80% used CAM. CAM use differed by CAM category. Among whites, adequate health literacy was significantly associated with increased CAM use in both unadjusted (Model 1, OR 7.68; p = 0.001) and models adjusted for education (Model 2, OR 7.70; p = 0.002) and other sociodemographics (Model 3, OR 9.42; p = 0.01). Among African Americans, adequate health literacy was not associated with CAM use in any of the models.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>We found a race by literacy interaction suggesting that the relationship between health literacy and CAM use differed significantly by race. Adequate health literacy among whites is associated with increased CAM use, but not associated with CAM use in African Americans.</p

Health-seeking behaviours of older black women living with non-communicable diseases in an urban township in South Africa

BACKGROUND: Various studies have shown that non-communicable diseases (NCDs) especially diabetes and hypertension are prevalent among older women living in South African urban areas, placing a heavy burden on the healthcare system. This study aimed to understand the health-seeking behaviour, healthcare practices and prevalence of traditional herbal medicine (THM) use among older women self-reporting NCDs from the Prospective Urban Rural Epidemiology study (PURE). METHOD: A homogenous purposive sampling of PURE participants was used to recruit women who were 50 years or older (n = 250). Descriptive statistics were used to examine the number of NCDs reported by the study sample, health seeking behaviour and practices as well as THM use. Logistic regression was also employed to investigate possible associations between reported conditions and THM use or medical pluralism. RESULTS: Within the study sample, 72 % self-reported an NCD. Of those with self-reported NCDs, 46 % had one, and 54 % had two or more NCDs. Those with NCDs usually visited public clinics (80 %), relied on doctors (90 %) and nurses (85 %) for health information, and mostly used conventional medicine (CM) to manage high blood pressure (81 %). About 30 % of those with NCDs indicated using THM, of whom 29 (53 %) reported practicing medical pluralism. Participants with dental problems (OR: 3.24, 95 % CI: 1.30–8.20), headaches (OR: 2.42, 95 % CI: 1.24–4.94), heart burn (OR: 2.30, 95 % CI: 1.18–4.48) and severe tiredness (OR: 2.05, 95 % CI: 1.08–3.99) were more likely to use THM. Anxiety and allergies increased the likelihood to practise medical pluralism by five and 20 times, respectively. CONCLUSION: Self-reported NCD with co-morbidities was prevalent among the participants in the study. Most of the study participants utilized state-owned clinics and hospitals for the management of their chronic conditions. THM use was not very common. However, among those who used THM, medical pluralism was prevalent. Family history was the most common reason for THM use, with many THM patrons utilizing these for treatment of a health condition. Older black women with anxiety and allergies were more likely to practise medical pluralism

Thermo-Mixed Hydrodynamics of Piston Compression Ring Conjunction

The final publication is available at http://link.springer.com.A new method, comprising Navier-Stokes equations, Rayleigh-Plesset volume fraction equation, an analytical control-volume thermal mixed approach and asperity interactions is reported. The method is employed for prediction of lubricant flow and assessment of friction in the compression ring-cylinder liner conjunction. The results are compared with Reynolds-based laminar flow with Elrod cavitation algorithm. Good conformance is observed for medium load intensity part of the engine cycle. At lighter loads and higher sliding velocity, the new method shows more complex fluid flow, possessing layered flow characteristics on account of pressure and temperature gradient into the depth of the lubricant film, which leads to a cavitation region with vapour content at varied volume fractions. Predictions also conform well to experimental measurements reported by other authors