Lignocellulosic Biomasses from Agricultural Wastes Improved the Quality and Physicochemical Properties of Frying Oils

In this work, the effects of using natural lignocellulosic-based adsorbents from sugarcane bagasse (SC), cornstalk piths (CP), and corn cob (CC) on the physicochemical properties and quality of fried oils were studied. The properties of lignocellulosic biomasses were examined using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Moreover, the changes in the physicochemical properties of fresh, fried oils (for 4, 8, 12, 16 and 20 h) and adsorbents-treated oils were examined. The XRD results revealed that SC and CP biomasses have more amorphous regions than CC biomass, which had the highest crystallinity percentage. The results also showed that lignocellulosic biomasses enhanced the quality of the used oils. SC was the most effective biomass to enhance the properties of the used sunflower oil. For instance, the acid value of oil samples fried for 20 h reduced from 0.63 ± 0.02 to 0.51 ± 0.02 mg KOH/g oil after SC biomass treatment. For the peroxide value, the SC biomass treatment reduced it from 9.45 ± 0.56 (fried oil for 20 h) to 6.91 ± 0.12 meq O2/kg. Similarly, SC biomass adsorbent reduced the p-Anisidine Value (p-AV) of the used oil (20 h) from 98.45 ± 6.31 to 77.92 ± 3.65. Moreover, SC adsorbents slightly improved the lightness of the used oils (20 h). In conclusion, natural lignocellulosic biomasses, particularly SC, could be utilized as natural adsorbents to improve the oil quality. The results obtained from this study could help in developing sustainable methods to regenerate used oils using natural and cheap adsorbents

Transverse imaging and simulation of dsDNA electrophoresis in microfabricated glass channels

We have observed the non-uniform distribution of DNA molecules during PAGE in a microfabricated system. Confocal laser scanning microscopy was used to visualize fluorescently labeled DNA during electrophoretic migration. The distribution of double-stranded DNA larger than 100 bp is observed to transition from a center-biased motion on the transverse plane 1 cm downstream from injection to an edge-biased motion 2 cm downstream. Although this distribution increased with increasing dsDNA size in a cross-linked gel, no similar distribution was found with the same dsDNA molecules in a linear polyacrylamide solution (6%). Simulations of DNA distribution in gels suggest that DNA distribution non-uniformities may be caused by biased electrophoretic migration resulting from motion in an inhomogeneous gel system.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/61440/1/4768_ftp.pd

Two-dimensional organization of a large number of stationary optical filaments by adaptive wave front control

We present an adaptive technique for the formation of multiple co-propagating and stationary filaments in a gaseous medium. Wavefront shaping of the initial beam is performed using a deformable mirror to achieve a complete two-dimensional control of the multi-spot intensity pattern in the laser focus. The spatial organization of these intensity spots yields reliable formation of up to five stable and stationary filaments providing a test bed for fundamental studies on multiple filamentatio

Modeling of Viscous Shock Tube Using ES-BGK Model Kinetic Equations

The viscous effects on unsteady shock wave propagation are investigated by numerical solution of the Boltzmann model kinetic equations. The kinetic equations are solved for two unsteady non-equilibrium flow problems, namely, the one-dimensional Riemann problem and a two-dimensional viscous shock-tube. The numerical method comprises the discrete velocity method in the velocity space and the finite volume discretization in physical space using various flux schemes. The discrete version of H-theorem is applied for analysis of accuracy of the numerical solution as well as of the onset of non-equilibrium. Simulations show that the maximum entropy generation rate in viscous shock tube occurs in the boundary layer / shock wave interaction region. The entropy generation rate is used to determine the time-variation of the speed of propagation of shock, contact discontinuity and rarefaction waves

Dynamic political contexts and power asymmetries: the cases of the Blue Nile and the Yarmouk Rivers

This paper explores the evolving patterns of hydropolitical relations in the dynamic contexts of Yarmouk and Blue Nile Rivers in comparison. The analysis aims at shedding light over the complex implications that recent political and social changes have aroused for the water disputes between Jordan and Syria on the one hand, and Ethiopia and Egypt on the other. In both basins, cooperative efforts toward the integrated management of transboundary waters have been only partially effective and largely undermined by the perpetuation of unilateral actions by riparian states. In the case studies, the lack of a basin-wide vision over the control and use of shared waters has resulted in disputes among the basin states and ultimately in an unsustainable, unfair, and unwise utilization of the resources. This paper argues that a substantive and effective integration of national water policies is unlikely to occur, unless power asymmetries are properly addressed in order to overcome the likelihood of hegemonic regimes

The cognitive foundations of tacit commitments : a virtual bargaining model of dynamic interactions

People often make, and are held to account for, purely tacit commitments in interactions with other people: commitments that have never been explicitly articulated or agreed. Moreover, unspoken, tacit commitments are often perceived as binding: people often stick to, and are expected to stick to, these commitments, even where it might seem against their interests to do so. If they do not stick to these commitments, they may be punished, and expect to be punished, by others as a result, even if the act of punishment is itself costly for the punisher. These commitments have been widely seen as a crucial underpinning for human collaboration and cooperation. Yet how do such commitments arise, and are they compatible with human rationality? This paper provides a formal, reasoning-based account of tacit commitments based on “virtual bargaining”—a mode of reasoning that joins elements of individualistic and collaborative reasoning. We complement existing accounts by showing that even purely self-interested individuals can, under certain conditions, tacitly commit to punishing counterparts who violate an unenforceable agreement, or to cooperating in dynamic games, including the Centipede game and the finitely repeated Prisoner’s Dilemma game

Numerical simulation of GE 7001 EA gas turbine using experimental data for compressor inlet air cooling

Paper presented to the 10th International Conference on Heat Transfer, Fluid Mechanics and Thermodynamics, Florida, 14-16 July 2014.In this paper computer Simulation of GE 7001 EA gas turbine that widely used in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia is reported. Simulation is done using cooled air data obtained previously from different experiments. These data are used as input to the compressor to see its effect on the output power and efficiency of the gas turbine. GE 7001EA gas turbine, (GE7121EA models) is simulated using THERMOFLEX software. The specifications of this type of turbines are built in this software. This type of gas turbine model is used in Riyadh and Taif power stations. ISO conditions and actual weather conditions are used for simulations. The results show that the maximum increase in the net power output is about 12, 6 and 5.8% depend on the used cooling data. On the other hand, the maximum percentage increase in efficiency is turned to about 2.5, 1.3 and 0.9 respectively.cf201