thermodynamic model validation of capstone c30 micro gas turbine

Abstract In this work, a multi-variable multi-objective methodology aimed to perform the validation of the thermodynamic model has been applied to the Capstone C30 micro gas turbine. The methodology is based on a genetic optimization algorithm, where decision variables and objectives are set depending on available experimental data. The results of the studied case highlight the capability of the method to point out some experimental data inconsistencies and that it can lead to a consistency thermodynamic reconstruction of the micro turbine behaviour

Rapamycin-loaded nanoparticles for inhibition of neointimal hyperplasia in experimental vein grafts

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Nanoparticles possess several advantages as a carrier system for intracellular delivery of therapeutic agents. Rapamycin is an immunosuppressive agent which also exhibits marked antiproliferative properties. We investigated whether rapamycin-loaded nanoparticles(NPs) can reduce neointima formation in a rat model of vein graft disease.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) NPs containing rapamycin was prepared using an oil/water solvent evaporation technique. Nanoparticle size and morphology were determined by dynamic light scattering methodology and electron microscopy. In vitro cytotoxicity of blank, rapamycin-loaded PLGA (RPLGA) NPs was studied using MTT Assay. Excised rat jugular vein was treated ex vivo with blank-NPs, or rapamycin-loaded NPs, then interposed back into the carotid artery position using a cuff technique. Grafts were harvested at 21 days and underwent morphometric analysis as well as immunohistochemical analysis.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Rapamycin was efficiently loaded in PLGA nanoparticles with an encapsulation efficiency was 87.6%. The average diameter of NPs was 180.3 nm. The NPs-containing rapamycin at 1 ng/ml significantly inhibited vascular smooth muscular cells proliferation. Measurement of rapamycin levels in vein grafts shown that the concentration of rapamycin in vein grafts at 3 weeks after grafting were 0.9 ± 0.1 μg/g. In grafted veins without treatment intima-media thickness was 300.4 ±181.5 μm after grafting 21 days. Whereas, Veins treated with rapamycin-loaded NPs showed a reduction of intimal-media thickness of 150.2 ± 62.5 μm (p = 0.001). CD-31 staining was used to measure luminal endothelial coverage in grafts and indicated a high level of endothelialization in 21 days vein grafts with no significant effect of blank or rapamycin-loaded NPs group.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>We conclude that sustained-release rapamycin from rapymycin loaded NPs inhibits vein graft thickening without affecting the reendothelialization in rat carotid vein-to-artery interposition grafts and this may be a promising therapy for the treatment of vein graft disease.</p

Nanoparticles for Applications in Cellular Imaging

In the following review we discuss several types of nanoparticles (such as TiO2, quantum dots, and gold nanoparticles) and their impact on the ability to image biological components in fixed cells. The review also discusses factors influencing nanoparticle imaging and uptake in live cells in vitro. Due to their unique size-dependent properties nanoparticles offer numerous advantages over traditional dyes and proteins. For example, the photostability, narrow emission peak, and ability to rationally modify both the size and surface chemistry of Quantum Dots allow for simultaneous analyses of multiple targets within the same cell. On the other hand, the surface characteristics of nanometer sized TiO2allow efficient conjugation to nucleic acids which enables their retention in specific subcellular compartments. We discuss cellular uptake mechanisms for the internalization of nanoparticles and studies showing the influence of nanoparticle size and charge and the cell type targeted on nanoparticle uptake. The predominant nanoparticle uptake mechanisms include clathrin-dependent mechanisms, macropinocytosis, and phagocytosis

Nanomaterials for Neural Interfaces

This review focuses on the application of nanomaterials for neural interfacing. The junction between nanotechnology and neural tissues can be particularly worthy of scientific attention for several reasons: (i) Neural cells are electroactive, and the electronic properties of nanostructures can be tailored to match the charge transport requirements of electrical cellular interfacing. (ii) The unique mechanical and chemical properties of nanomaterials are critical for integration with neural tissue as long-term implants. (iii) Solutions to many critical problems in neural biology/medicine are limited by the availability of specialized materials. (iv) Neuronal stimulation is needed for a variety of common and severe health problems. This confluence of need, accumulated expertise, and potential impact on the well-being of people suggests the potential of nanomaterials to revolutionize the field of neural interfacing. In this review, we begin with foundational topics, such as the current status of neural electrode (NE) technology, the key challenges facing the practical utilization of NEs, and the potential advantages of nanostructures as components of chronic implants. After that the detailed account of toxicology and biocompatibility of nanomaterials in respect to neural tissues is given. Next, we cover a variety of specific applications of nanoengineered devices, including drug delivery, imaging, topographic patterning, electrode design, nanoscale transistors for high-resolution neural interfacing, and photoactivated interfaces. We also critically evaluate the specific properties of particular nanomaterials—including nanoparticles, nanowires, and carbon nanotubes—that can be taken advantage of in neuroprosthetic devices. The most promising future areas of research and practical device engineering are discussed as a conclusion to the review.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/64336/1/3970_ftp.pd

Bio-inspired Design for Robust Power Systems

This thesis deals with redesigning power grids from the ground up to improve their robustness and resilience to various kinds of disturbances. An innovative biologically inspired approach is proposed to achieve this goal. The modern world is highly dependent on an uninterrupted electric power supply, yet extreme weather events and deliberate attacks continue to disrupt power systems. Inherently robust ecological networks present a rich source of robust design guidelines for modern power grids. Analyses of ecosystem networks in literature suggest that this robustness is a consequence of a unique preference for redundant pathways over efficient ones. The structural similarity between these two system-types is exploited here through the application of ecological properties and analysis techniques to long-term power grid design. The level of biological similarity between these two system-types is quantitatively investigated and compared by computing ecological network metrics for a set of synthetic power systems and food webs. The comparison substantiates the use of the ecological robustness metric for optimizing the design of power grid networks. A bio-inspired optimization model is implemented, which restructures the synthetic power systems to mimic ecosystem robustness. The bio-inspired optimal networks are evaluated using N-1, N-2, and N-3 contingency analyses to assess system performance under the loss of 1, 2, and 3 components respectively. The bio-inspired grids all experienced significantly fewer violations in each loss scenario compared to traditional configurations, further supporting the application of the ecological robustness metric for measuring power system robustness. The results provide insights into how ecological robustness and other metrics used in ecosystem analysis can guide the design of power systems for improved infrastructural resilience to better survive disturbances

Bio-inspired Design for Robust Power Systems

This thesis deals with redesigning power grids from the ground up to improve their robustness and resilience to various kinds of disturbances. An innovative biologically inspired approach is proposed to achieve this goal. The modern world is highly dependent on an uninterrupted electric power supply, yet extreme weather events and deliberate attacks continue to disrupt power systems. Inherently robust ecological networks present a rich source of robust design guidelines for modern power grids. Analyses of ecosystem networks in literature suggest that this robustness is a consequence of a unique preference for redundant pathways over efficient ones. The structural similarity between these two system-types is exploited here through the application of ecological properties and analysis techniques to long-term power grid design. The level of biological similarity between these two system-types is quantitatively investigated and compared by computing ecological network metrics for a set of synthetic power systems and food webs. The comparison substantiates the use of the ecological robustness metric for optimizing the design of power grid networks. A bio-inspired optimization model is implemented, which restructures the synthetic power systems to mimic ecosystem robustness. The bio-inspired optimal networks are evaluated using N-1, N-2, and N-3 contingency analyses to assess system performance under the loss of 1, 2, and 3 components respectively. The bio-inspired grids all experienced significantly fewer violations in each loss scenario compared to traditional configurations, further supporting the application of the ecological robustness metric for measuring power system robustness. The results provide insights into how ecological robustness and other metrics used in ecosystem analysis can guide the design of power systems for improved infrastructural resilience to better survive disturbances

Palladium(II)/N-Heterocyclic Carbene Catalyzed One-Pot Sequential α‑Arylation/Alkylation: Access to 3,3-Disubstituted Oxindoles

Rationally designed fluorene-based mono- and bimetallic Pd–PEPPSI complexes were synthesized and demonstrated to be effective for the one-pot sequential α-arylation/alkylation of oxindoles. This streamlined approach offers efficient access to functionalized 3,3-disubstituted oxindoles in excellent yields (up to 89%) under mild reaction conditions

Palladium(II)/N-Heterocyclic Carbene Catalyzed One-Pot Sequential α‑Arylation/Alkylation: Access to 3,3-Disubstituted Oxindoles

Rationally designed fluorene-based mono- and bimetallic Pd–PEPPSI complexes were synthesized and demonstrated to be effective for the one-pot sequential α-arylation/alkylation of oxindoles. This streamlined approach offers efficient access to functionalized 3,3-disubstituted oxindoles in excellent yields (up to 89%) under mild reaction conditions

Palladium(II)/N-Heterocyclic Carbene Catalyzed One-Pot Sequential α‑Arylation/Alkylation: Access to 3,3-Disubstituted Oxindoles

Rationally designed fluorene-based mono- and bimetallic Pd–PEPPSI complexes were synthesized and demonstrated to be effective for the one-pot sequential α-arylation/alkylation of oxindoles. This streamlined approach offers efficient access to functionalized 3,3-disubstituted oxindoles in excellent yields (up to 89%) under mild reaction conditions

Whey protein isolate polydispersity affects enzymatic hydrolosis outcomes

peer-reviewedThe effects of heat-induced denaturation of whey protein isolate (WPI) on the enzymatic breakdown of α-La, caseinomacropeptide (CMP), β-Lg A and β-Lg B were observed as hydrolysis proceeded to a 5% degree of hydrolysis (DH) in both unheated and heat-treated (80 °C, 10 min) WPI dispersions (100 g L−1). Hydrolysis of denatured WPI favoured the generation of higher levels of free essential amino acids; lysine, phenylalanine and arginine compared to the unheated substrate. LC–MS/MS identified 23 distinct peptides which were identified in the denatured WPI hydrolysate – the majority of which were derived from β-Lg. The mapping of the detected regions in α-La, β-Lg, and CMP enabled specific cleavage points to be associated with certain serine endo-protease activities. The outcomes of the study emphasise how a combined approach of substrate heat pre-treatment and enzymology may be used to influence proteolysis with attendant opportunities for targeting unique peptide production and amino acid releaseThe work herein was funded by Enterprise Ireland (EI) as part of the Food for Health Ireland project. I. B. O’Loughlin is a Teagasc Walsh Fellow supported by EI grant number CC/2008/0001/A