Investigation of aircraft engine performance utilizing various alternative fuels

The airlines are subjected to the energy crisis and have raised environmental issues at the same time. Future engine technology advances could decrease the effect on the environment and energy consumption. Alternative fuelspotentially assist in the reduction of engine emissions and hence lower the energy-related issues. This study presents analysis of the efficiency of aircraft engines as a function of thrust force, flow of the and specific fuel consumption (SFC) at distinct mixing ratios (40% and 100%) of African natural gas, Algae, Camelina, Jatropa, Diesel, Hydrogen, Synthetic paraffinic kerosene, UK natural gas at cruising altitude. In – house Cranfield University simulation codes, PYTHIA & TURBOMATCH have been used to investigate and model a three-shaft high bypass engine analogous to RB211 - 524. The engine model has been certified and authenticated in commercial aircraft with open works found in the Bio - Synthetic Paraffinic Kerosene test program.Blended fuel of Kerosene & hydrogen (KE+HY) fuels gives values of 331.6 KN,1.2577KG/S, and 6.9512 kg/kwh for net thrust force,the flow of fuel and specific fuel feastingat mingling ratio of 40 % respectively. However, at mixing ratio of 100% Blended fuel of Kerosene & hydrogen (KE+HY) fuels gives values of 339.01 KN, 0.800KG/S, and 4.333 kg/kwh for net thrust, fuel flow, and specific fuel consumption respectively. It is found that blended fuel of Kerosene &hydrogen (KE+HY) fuels give better engine performances as compared to other alternative fuels. However, Kerosene &diesel (KE+DI) fuels have shown a slight reduction in engine performance

Overexpression of Heat Shock Cognate Protein 71 kDa and Pyruvate Dehydrogenase in the Brain Tissue at the Early Stage of High Fat Diet Consumption

High-fat diet (HFD) increases the risk of obese, while obesity increases the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and non-communicable diseases. Therefore, it will be interesting to evaluate the changes in metabolic parameters and brain profile upon the early consumption of HFD. In this study, a total of 12 Sprague-Dawley male rats were divided into two groups (n = 6), each group was fed with normal diet and HFD (39% of total calories from fats), respectively, for 6 weeks consecutively. The body weight, blood glucose, cholesterol and triglyceride values were measured.  Furthermore, the brain and visceral adipose tissues were harvested at the end of the experiment. Protein was extracted from the brain tissue, and the protein extracts were separated by using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and analyzed by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometric analysis (LC/MS/MS). In terms of food calorie, the rats fed with HFD consumed more energy than the rats fed with normal diet. Nevertheless, the blood triglyceride and cholesterol, and the visceral adipose tissue of both the HFD and normal diet fed rats were indifferent. At the molecular level, overexpression of stress proteins, namely heat shock cognate protein 71 kDa (Hsc70)  and pyruvate dehydrogenase were detected in brain tissue of HFD group. These results suggest that HFD intake causing significant change in brain proteins profile at the early phase of its consumption when no clear metabolic changes were observed. This showed that the brain was affected by HFD

Angstrofluidics:walking to the limit

Angstrom-scale fluidic channels are ubiquitous in nature, and play an important role in regulating cellular traffic, signaling, and responding to stimuli. Synthetic channels are now a reality with the emergence of several cutting-edge bottom-up and top-down fabrication methods. In particular, the use of atomically thin two dimensional (2D) materials and nanotubes as components to build fluidic conduits has pushed the limits of fabrication to the Angstrom-scale. Here, we provide an overview of the recent developments in the fabrication methods for nano- and angstrofluidic channels while categorizing them on the basis of dimensionality (0D pores, 1D tubes, 2D slits), along with the latest advances in measurement techniques. We discuss the ionic transport governed by various stimuli in these channels and draw comparison of ionic mobility, streaming and osmotic power, with varying pore sizes across all the dimensionalities. Towards the end of the review, we highlight the unique future opportunities in the development of smart ionic devices.Comment: Keywords: Angstrofluidics, nanofluidics, confinement, ion transport, 2D materials, molecular transport 6 figures, review articl

Automated hazard rating assessment of roadside trees using MUTIS ver 1.0

Streptococcosis in cultured fishes has been reported to cause severe economic losses to the aquaculture industry worldwide. Lancefield group B Streptococcus agalactiae has been recognised as the main pathogen in cultured tilapia. This review discusses the current scenario and risk factors of streptococcosis in tilapia and suggests the control and prevention measures for this disease. The preventive measures focus on combined aspects of selecting farm location, applying good aquaculture farm practices, utilization of antibiotics and proper vaccination programme. A combination of all these measures will perhaps be the key to improve the health of cultured tilapia and prevent the infection by S. agalactiae, which in turn will increase the economic profit of tilapia farm operators

Hazard-rating assessment of roadside trees at UPM using geospatial tool.

Roadside trees provide benefits in the form of green landscape, human health, storm-water management, carbon storage and etc. However, they are potentially hazardous to their surroundings. Hence, there is a need to evaluate these trees as to whether they are hazardous or not. Hazard-rating assessment in the context of urban trees is the evaluation of the hazard of trees and how likely they are to fail as well as how severe in terms of damage that they could cause to their surroundings. In this study, roadside trees hazard rating was assessed automatically using a customised ArcMap TM application using Visual Basic for Applications (VBA), known as UPM-Malaysian Urban Trees Information System (UPM-MUTIS), developed by Faculty of Forestry, UPM. The study is to determine the capabilities of UPM-MUTIS in generating hazard-rating assessment. The study area covered part of UPM’s academic zone. Result depicted that out of 909 trees assessed, 99.8% (907 trees) were categorised as ‘Medium’ hazard rating and no trees with ‘Low’, ‘High’, and ‘Severe’ hazard rating. Upon deriving hazard-rating assessment, abatement activities were subsequently proposed in which was mainly various degrees and types of pruning. This paper details out the hazard-rating assessment process of roadside trees and the succeeding abatement activities proposed at the study site

A rare cause of dyspepsia: a case report of gastric diverticulum

A gastric diverticulum is an outpouching from the gastric mucosa. It is extremely rare. It is normally asymptomatic, but some may present with non-specific abdominal pain. A combination of upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and radiological contrast study such as oral barium study and computed tomography are needed to make a definite diagnosis and to rule out other associated pathology. Although treatment with medical therapy has been reported to be effective, the use of open and laparoscopic resection also yields a good outcome in the management of complicated gastric diverticulum. We present a case of symptomatic gastric diverticulum which has been successfully treated with medical therapy

In vitro intracellular trafficking of biodegradable nanoparticles dextran spermine in cancer cell lines.

The objective of the present study is to evaluate the effect of cationic dextran on the proliferation rate and biosynthetic activities of HT29, a human colonic adenocarcinoma, and MCF7, a human breast cancer cell line. Cationic dextran was prepared by means of reductive-amination between oxidised dextran and the natural oligoamine, spermine. Biological evaluations including cell proliferation assay, and cell cycle were studied. Flow cytometery was performed in order to determine the biological behaviour of cationic dextran after internalised into the cells. Our results clearly indicated that the cationic dextran was not toxic to the cells when the concentration was 5 μg/ml or lower. The results of the cell cycle flow cytometery indicated that the means of R2 in HT29, MCF7 and HeLa cells were less than 5 three days after treatment with 5 μg/ml of cationic dextran. We conclude that the toxicity of cationic dextran is dose dependent and it is not toxic at concentration lower than 5 μg/ml, and tolerable by the cells, and it can be used as a tool for gene delivery

Mobile learning application: flipped classroom

This study attempts to illustrate the phases of designing a flipped learning mobile application. It is worth noting that changes in students’ learning behavior should be met by changes in the classroom – particularly on the way a course should be delivered. Studies have shown that students who learn using the flipped learning method are less likely to fail as opposed to their counterparts in the traditional classroom setting. The rising importance and popularity of flipped learning necessitates the development of a mobile application that assists both students to learn and allow instructors to manage their course via their mobile devices, almost anywhere and anytime. The software development life cycle (SDLC) is divided into four distinct phases: 1) Preliminary study, 2) content design, 3) System design and development, and 4) System evaluation. The effectiveness of the application is tested using electroencephalography (EEG). The findings suggest effectiveness of the mobile application falls within the acceptable range. Improvements for the flipped learning mobile application is also presented

Predictors of Musculoskeletal Disorders Among Teachers: An Exploratory Investigation in Malaysia

Purpose: The present study aimed to examine the prevalence and gender differences in MSDs among teachers, as well as the interaction of associated predictor .In addition, another aim of the study was to investigate the contribution of these predictors, which have not been examined thoroughly particularly in Malaysia. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was employed in this study. A questionnaire was used to measure physical factors, psychosocial factors, workload, work-life balance, general well-being, and MSDs levels among primary school teachers (N=460) from 10 primary schools in Kota Kinabalu. Findings: The prevalence of MSD in the past 6 months was 61.7% (95% CI: 57.4% – 65.9%). The present study findings also indicated that there were significant gender differences in MSDs between female and male teachers (t = 1.04, p< .05). Hierarchical multiple regression was conducted to examine a range of predictors related to MSDs. Physical factors (ß = .17, p<0.05). Multiple regression was used for a variety of predictors that are associated with MSD. Physical factors (ß = .17, p<0.05), psychosocial factors (ß = -.14, p<0.05), and general well-being (ß = .43, p<0.01) are significantly associated with MSD in Malaysian primary school teachers. Overall, model statistic result was F (3, 276) = 36.730, p=0.001, R² = .45 and adjusted R² = .435. The model explained 44.7% (r= 0.67) of the variance in MSD discomfort. Conclusion: The studies concerning MSDs among teachers revealed the need for a significant effort, not only to examine the risk factors but also to develop interventions to minimize MSDs for those in the teaching profession