Laminar flow in three-dimensional square-square expansions

In this work we investigate the three-dimensional laminar flow of Newtonian and viscoelastic fluids through square–square expansions. The experimental results obtained in this simple geometry provide useful data for benchmarking purposes in complex three-dimensional flows. Visualizations of the flow patterns were performed using streak photography, the velocity field of the flow was measured in detail using particle image velocimetry and additionally, pressure drop measurements were carried out. The Newtonian fluid flow was investigated for the expansion ratios of 1:2.4, 1:4 and 1:8 and the experimental results were compared with numerical predictions. For all expansion ratios studied, a corner vortex is observed downstream of the expansion and an increase of the flow inertia leads to an enhancement of the vortex size. Good agreement is found between experimental and numerical results. The flow of the two non-Newtonian fluids was investigated experimentally for expansion ratios of 1:2.4, 1:4, 1:8 and 1:12, and compared with numerical simulations using the Oldroyd-B, FENE-MCR and sPTT constitutive equations. For both the Boger and shear-thinning viscoelastic fluids, a corner vortex appears downstream of the expansion, which decreases in size and strength when the elasticity of the flow is increased. For all fluids and expansion ratios studied, the recirculations that are formed downstream of the square–square expansion exhibit a three-dimensional structure evidenced by a helical flow, which is also predicted in the numerical simulations

Three-dimensional flow of Newtonian and Boger fluids in square-square contractions

The flow of a Newtonian fluid and a Boger fluid through sudden square–square contractions was investigated experimentally aiming to characterize the flow and provide quantitative data for benchmarking in a complex three-dimensional flow. Visualizations of the flow patterns were undertaken using streakline photography, detailed velocity field measurementswere conducted using particle image velocimetry (PIV) and pressure drop measurements were performed in various geometries with different contraction ratios. For the Newtonian fluid, the experimental results are compared with numerical simulations performed using a finite volume method, and excellent agreement is found for the range of Reynolds number tested (Re2 ≤23). For the viscoelastic case, recirculations are still present upstream of the contraction but we also observe other complex flow patterns that are dependent on contraction ratio (CR) and Deborah number (De2) for the range of conditions studied: CR = 2.4, 4, 8, 12 and De2 ≤150. For low contraction ratios strong divergent flow is observed upstream of the contraction, whereas for high contraction ratios there is no upstream divergent flow, except in the vicinity of the re-entrant corner where a localized a typical divergent flow is observed. For all contraction ratios studied, at sufficiently high Deborah numbers, strong elastic vortex enhancement upstream of the contraction is observed, which leads to the onset of a periodic complex flow at higher flow rates. The vortices observed under steady flow are not closed, and fluid elasticity was found to modify the flow direction within the recirculations as compared to that found for Newtonian fluids. The entry pressure drop, quantified using a Couette correction, was found to increase with the Deborah number for the higher contraction ratios

Tecnología enzimática para la extracción simultánea de aceite y proteína de coco

In this study, the following commercial enzymes were evaluated in the enzymatic extraction of oil and protein from coconut: Celluclast, Termamyl, Viscozyme, Neutrase y Protease. Preliminary experiments were carried out for selection of enzymes, enzyme concentration and incubation time. In order to verify the effects of pH and water/substrate ratio, a response surface methodology was applied based in a 32 full factorial experimental design. The pH is the most meaningful parameter on oil and protein extraction yields, with a significance level higher than 90%. The maximal extraction yields of oil and protein emulsion (83%) was reached using Viscozyme L and subsequently Neutrase 1.5 MG at concentrations of 0.6% (w/w) and 0.3% (w/w), respectively, total incubation time of 60 minutes, substrate/water ratio 1:6 and pH around 7 (no adjustment).En este trabajo diferentes enzimas hidroliticos fueron usados para la extracción de aceite y proteína de coco: Celluclast, Termamyl, Viscozyme, Neutrase y Protease producidos por Novo Nordisk. Experimientos preliminares fueron encaminados a la selección de los extractos enzimaticos, de las concentraciones de las enzimas y de los tiempos de incubación. La técnica de análisis de varianza, mediante un delineamiento factorial en tres niveles, fue usada para la optimización de los procesos con relación a los parámetros pH y razón sustrato/agua. Comparando con la extracción acuosa todos los enzimas hidroliticos incrementan la extracción de aceite y proteína vegetal de coco. Los coeficientes de correlación muestran que el pH fué el parámetro mas significativo (p< 0,10). Las condiciones óptimas para la extracción de aceite y proteína fueron: concentración de las enzimas Viscozyme y Neutrase 0.6 % (w/w) y 0.3 % (w/w), respectivamente, tiempo de incubación 30 minutos, razón sustrato/agua 1:6 y pH 7

Overexpression of adenosine A2A receptors in rats: effects on depression, locomotion, and anxiety

Adenosine A2A receptors (A2AR) are a sub-type of receptors enriched in basal ganglia, activated by the neuromodulator adenosine, which interact with dopamine D2 receptors. Although this reciprocal antagonistic interaction is well-established in motor function, the outcome in dopamine-related behaviors remains uncertain, in particular in depression and anxiety. We have demonstrated an upsurge of A2AR associated to aging and chronic stress. Furthermore, Alzheimer's disease patients present A2AR accumulation in cortical areas together with depressive signs. We now tested the impact of overexpressing A2AR in forebrain neurons on dopamine-related behavior, namely depression. Adult male rats overexpressing human A2AR under the control of CaMKII promoter [Tg(CaMKII-hA2AR)] and aged-matched wild-types (WT) of the same strain (Sprague-Dawley) were studied. The forced swimming test (FST), sucrose preference test (SPT), and the open-field test (OFT) were performed to evaluate behavioral despair, anhedonia, locomotion, and anxiety. Tg(CaMKII-hA2AR) animals spent more time floating and less time swimming in the FST and presented a decreased sucrose preference at 48 h in the SPT. They also covered higher distances in the OFT and spent more time in the central zone than the WT. The results indicate that Tg(CaMKII-hA2AR) rats exhibit depressive-like behavior, hyperlocomotion, and altered exploratory behavior. This A2AR overexpression may explain the depressive signs found in aging, chronic stress, and Alzheimer's disease

Protein levels for Landrace and Duroc boars

Foi estudado o efeito de quatro sequências de níveis protéicos sobre suínos Duroc e Landrace, submetidos à dois sistemas de alimentação. Os resultados de ganho em peso, dos 25 aos 100 kg de peso vivo, mostraram que a sequência de níveis de 16% de proteína para o crescimento e 14% na terminação, sustentou ganhos significativamente superiores (P <0,05) às sequências de 14-12% não diferindo porém das sequências de 18 - 16 e 20 -18. A melhor conversão alimentar e o menor consumo de alimento foram observados quando se ministrou a sequência protéica de 18 - 16% respectivamente para crescimento - terminação com diferença significativa (P <0,05) em relação a sequência 14 -12% não diferindo porém de 16 - 14 ou 20 - 18%. As características de carcaça estudadas: espessura de toucinho, área do olho de lombo, percentagem de pernil e relação carne/gordura apresentaram linearidade quando feita a análise de regressão; mostrando que a medida que a percentagem de proteína aumentou na ração, houve melhoria das mesmas. O comprimento de carcaça não foi afetado pelos diferentes níveis protéicos utilizados nas rações. Os sistemas de alimentação, controlada ou à vontade, não tiveram nenhum efeito sobre o desempenho dos animais ou nas características de carcaça. A raça Landrace apresentou as melhores características de carcaças (P <0,05) quando comparada com a raça Duroc.The main objective was to study the effects of several protein levels sequences of Landrace and Duroc boars reared under two feeding systems. The results of weight gain from 25 up to 100 kg live weight, showed that the best daily gain was achieved on the sequence levels of 16% protein during growing phase and 14% protein for finishing phase. This daily gain was statistically different (P <0.05) from 18-16% or 20-18% protein seguences. The best feed efficiency and the lowest feed intake were achieved on the sequence levels of 18-16% protein for growing finishing phases, respectively. These data were statistically different (P <0.05) from seguence 14-12% but were not different from sequences 16-14 or 20-18% protein. The carcass traits studied: fat thickness, loin eye area, percent of ham and relation meat/fat - showed a linear response when analyzed through regression. This linearity means that increasing protein levels in the diet, the carcass traits were improved. Carcass lenght was unaffected by protein levels. The feeding systems controlled or ad libitum did not affect performance or carcass traits of the animals. The Landrace showed the best carcass traits (P <0.05) when compared to Duroc breed

Semaphorin 3F signaling actively retains neutrophils at sites of inflammation

Neutrophilic inflammation is central to disease pathogenesis, for example, in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, yet the mechanisms that retain neutrophils within tissues remain poorly understood. With emerging evidence that axon guidance factors can regulate myeloid recruitment and that neutrophils can regulate expression of a class 3 semaphorin, SEMA3F, we investigated the role of SEMA3F in inflammatory cell retention within inflamed tissues. We observed that neutrophils upregulate SEMA3F in response to proinflammatory mediators and following neutrophil recruitment to the inflamed lung. In both zebrafish tail injury and murine acute lung injury models of neutrophilic inflammation, overexpression of SEMA3F delayed inflammation resolution with slower neutrophil migratory speeds and retention of neutrophils within the tissues. Conversely, constitutive loss of sema3f accelerated egress of neutrophils from the tail injury site in fish, whereas neutrophil-specific deletion of Sema3f in mice resulted in more rapid neutrophil transit through the airways, and significantly reduced time to resolution of the neutrophilic response. Study of filamentous-actin (F-actin) subsequently showed that SEMA3F-mediated retention is associated with F-actin disassembly. In conclusion, SEMA3F signaling actively regulates neutrophil retention within the injured tissues with consequences for neutrophil clearance and inflammation resolution

Age-related shift in LTD is dependent on neuronal adenosine A(2A) receptors interplay with mGluR5 and NMDA receptors

Synaptic dysfunction plays a central role in Alzheimer's disease (AD), since it drives the cognitive decline. An association between a polymorphism of the adenosine A2A receptor (A2AR) encoding gene-ADORA2A, and hippocampal volume in AD patients was recently described. In this study, we explore the synaptic function of A2AR in age-related conditions. We report, for the first time, a significant overexpression of A2AR in hippocampal neurons of aged humans, which is aggravated in AD patients. A similar profile of A2AR overexpression in rats was sufficient to drive age-like memory impairments in young animals and to uncover a hippocampal LTD-to-LTP shift. This was accompanied by increased NMDA receptor gating, dependent on mGluR5 and linked to enhanced Ca(2+) influx. We confirmed the same plasticity shift in memory-impaired aged rats and APP/PS1 mice modeling AD, which was rescued upon A2AR blockade. This A2AR/mGluR5/NMDAR interaction might prove a suitable alternative for regulating aberrant mGluR5/NMDAR signaling in AD without disrupting their constitutive activity