Integration of CFD Methods into Concurrent Design of Internal Combustion Engine

This paper describes patterns of algorithms for different innovative levels of design at parametric, configuration and conceptual levels. They can be applied to Computer-aided Engine Design (CED). Data structures, process simulation hierarchy, engine simulation modules and the requirements for further development are described. An example of advanced thermodynamics modeling of combustion engines is included

Histochemical detection of GM1 ganglioside using cholera toxin-B subunit. Evaluation of critical factors optimal for in situ detection with special emphasis to acetone pre-extraction

A comparison of histochemical detection of GM1 ganglioside in cryostat sections using cholera toxin B-subunit after fixation with 4% formaldehyde and dry acetone gave tissue-dependent results. In the liver no pre-treatment showed detectable differences related to GM1 reaction products, while studies in the brain showed the superiority of acetone pre-extraction (followed by formaldehyde), which yielded sharper images compared with the diffuse, blurred staining pattern associated with formaldehyde. Therefore, the aim of our study was to define the optimal conditions for the GM1 detection using cholera toxin B-subunit

The bright optical flash from GRB 060117

We present a discovery and observation of an extraordinarily bright prompt optical emission of the GRB 060117 obtained by a wide-field camera atop the robotic telescope FRAM of the Pierre Auger Observatory from 2 to 10 minutes after the GRB. We found rapid average temporal flux decay of alpha = -1.7 +- 0.1 and a peak brightness R = 10.1 mag. Later observations by other instruments set a strong limit on the optical and radio transient fluxes, unveiling an unexpectedly rapid further decay. We present an interpretation featuring a relatively steep electron-distribution parameter p ~ 3.0 and providing a straightforward solution for the overall fast decay of this optical transient as a transition between reverse and forward shock.Comment: Accepted to A&A, 4 pages, corected few typos pointed out by X.F. W

A meteorite-dropping superbolide from the catastrophically disrupted comet C1919Q2 Metcalf: a pathway for meteorites from Jupiter family comets

2 pages, 1 figure.-- Contributed to: 40th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference (The Woodlands, Texas ,Mar 23-27, 2009).It is widely accepted that cometary nuclei are composed of a mix of volatile ices and meteoritic materials. In a series of seminal papers F. L. Whipple tried to explain how the irregular internal structure of each nuclei would be able to explain the nongravitational forces, and how the continuous sublimation of the ice species would lead to explain the origin of meteoroid streams. Not essential progress was made until that the approach of a cruise of international spacecrafts to comet 1P/Halley allowed to achieve the first direct view of a cometary nucleus.Peer reviewe

A meteorite-dropping superbolide from the catastrophycally disrupted comet C1919Q2 metcalf : a pathway for meteorites from jupiter family comets

It is widely accepted that cometary nu- clei are composed of a mix of volatile ices and meteor- itic materials. In a series of seminal papers F. L. Whipple tried to explain how the irregular internal structure of each nuclei would be able to explain the nongravitational forces, and how the continuous sub- limation of the ice species would lead to explain the origin of meteoroid streams [1,2,3]. Not essential pro- gress was made until that the approach of a cruise of international spacecrafts to comet 1P/Halley allowed to achieve the first direct view of a cometary nucleus [4]. At that time several models were built to explain the main features observed in 1P/Halley nucleus under the main concept that cometary nuclei were born from the accretion of weakly bounded ice-rich cometesimals [5, 6]. A similar view was extracted from the 81P/Wild 2 fragile aggregates recovered by Stardust mission [7]. Obviously, particles recollected in the coma of a comet are biased towards those fragile aggregates that are lifted off from ice-rich regions by the sublimated gas drag. Many cometary meteoroid streams crossing the Earth were formed in this way, but not all. Catastro- phic disruption of cometary nuclei is also a regular mechanism of producing meteoroid streams [8, 9, 10]. Interestingly, this mechanism is able to produce large boulders as observed e.g. during the disruption of comet C/1999 S4 LINEAR [11]. It was believed that the large fragments released by these break-up events will proceed to faint in the coma due to suffer a cas- cade fragmentation. Obviously remote observations are not able to decipher if the final product of these events are mm- or m-sized meteoroids. In a recent pa- per [12] we identified a meter-sized meteoroid that was probably produced during the disintegration of comet C1919Q2 Metcalf. It produced a very bright fireball, with a maximum brightness of magn. –18 that was observed over much of Spain as well as parts of Portugal, and France on July 11, 2008 at 21:17:39 UTC. Fortuitously, it flew over many of the instru- ments operated by the SPanish Meteor and Fireball Network (SPMN) so that accurate measurements of its properties were recorded. Here we summarize both these observations and the deductions made from them regarding the nature and origin of the body that gave rise to this fireball

Nanoscale Zero-Valent Iron Has Minimum Toxicological Risk on the Germination and Early Growth of Two Grass Species with Potential for Phytostabilization

Two Poaceae species, Agrostis capillaris and Festuca rubra, were selected for their potential as phytostabilizing plants in multicontaminated soils. These species are resistant to contamination and maintain high concentrations of contaminants at the root level. Nanoscale zero-valent iron (nZVI) is an engineered nanomaterial with the ability to stabilize metal(loid)s in soils; its potential toxicological effects in the selected species were studied in a germination test using: (i) control variant without soil; (ii) soil contaminated with Pb and Zn; and (iii) contaminated soil amended with 1% nZVI, as well as in an hydroponic experiment with the addition of nZVI 0, 25, 50 and 100 mg L−1. nZVI had no negative effects on seed germination or seedling growth, but was associated with an increase in shoot growth and reduction of the elongation inhibition rate (root-dependent) of F. rubra seedlings. However, applications of nZVI in the hydroponic solution had no effects on F. rubra but A. capillaris developed longer roots and more biomass. Increasing nZVI concentrations in the growing solution increased Mg and Fe uptake and reduced the Fe translocation factor. Our results indicate that nZVI has few toxic effects on the studied species

Elastic Scattering and Total Cross-Section in p+p reactions measured by the LHC Experiment TOTEM at sqrt(s) = 7 TeV

Proton-proton elastic scattering has been measured by the TOTEM experiment at the CERN Large Hadron Collider at $\sqrt{s} = 7$ TeV in special runs with the Roman Pot detectors placed as close to the outgoing beam as seven times the transverse beam size. The differential cross-section measurements are reported in the |t|-range of 0.36 to 2.5 GeV^2. Extending the range of data to low t values from 0.02 to 0.33 GeV^2,and utilizing the luminosity measurements of CMS, the total proton-proton cross section at sqrt(s) = 7 TeV is measured to be (98.3 +- 0.2(stat) +- 2.8(syst)) mb.Comment: Proceedings of the XLI International Symposium on Multiparticle Dynamics. Accepted for publication in Prog. Theor. Phy

Double diffractive cross-section measurement in the forward region at LHC

The first double diffractive cross-section measurement in the very forward region has been carried out by the TOTEM experiment at the LHC with center-of-mass energy of sqrt(s)=7 TeV. By utilizing the very forward TOTEM tracking detectors T1 and T2, which extend up to |eta|=6.5, a clean sample of double diffractive pp events was extracted. From these events, we measured the cross-section sigma_DD =(116 +- 25) mub for events where both diffractive systems have 4.7 <|eta|_min < 6.5 .Comment: 5 pages, 1 figure, submitted for publicatio

Performance of the TOTEM Detectors at the LHC

The TOTEM Experiment is designed to measure the total proton-proton cross-section with the luminosity-independent method and to study elastic and diffractive pp scattering at the LHC. To achieve optimum forward coverage for charged particles emitted by the pp collisions in the interaction point IP5, two tracking telescopes, T1 and T2, are installed on each side of the IP in the pseudorapidity region 3.1 < = |eta | < = 6.5, and special movable beam-pipe insertions - called Roman Pots (RP) - are placed at distances of +- 147 m and +- 220 m from IP5. This article describes in detail the working of the TOTEM detector to produce physics results in the first three years of operation and data taking at the LHC.Comment: 40 pages, 31 figures, submitted to Int. J. Mod. Phys.

A millennium-long 'Blue Ring' chronology from the Spanish Pyrenees reveals severe ephemeral summer cooling after volcanic eruptions

Abstract ‘Blue Rings’ (BRs) are distinct wood anatomical anomalies recently discovered in several tree species from different sites. While it is evident that they are associated with a cooling-induced lack of cell wall lignification, BRs have yet to be evaluated systematically in paleoclimate studies. Here, we present a continuous wood anatomical assessment of 31 living and relict pine samples from a high-elevation site in the central Spanish Pyrenees that span the period 1150–2017 CE at annual resolution. While most BR years coincide with cold summer temperatures and many BRs follow large volcanic eruptions, some were formed during overall warm summers. We also see a differential response between eruptions: the Samalas eruption is followed by 80% BRs in 1258, but only a modest signal is evident after the 1815 Tambora eruption, and there are no wood anatomical effects of the Laki eruption in 1783–1784. Apparently linked to a cluster of tropical eruptions in 1695 and 1696 CE, 85% BRs occurred in 1698. This new wood anatomical evidence is corroborated by the record of sulphur deposition in polar ice cores, and corresponds with catastrophic famine and unprecedented mortality in Scotland. The extremely rare occurrence of consecutive BRs in 1345 and 1346 marks the onset and spread of the Black Death, Europe’s most devastating plague pandemic. In their ability to capture severe ephemeral cold spells, as short as several days or weeks, BR chronologies can help to investigate and understand the impacts of volcanism on climate and society.</jats:p