Using Personal Car Register for Measuring Economic Inequality in Countries with a Large Share of Shadow Economy: Evidence for Latvia

We suggest to use information from the state register of personal cars as an alternative indicator of economic inequality in countries with a large share of shadow economy. We illustrate our approach using the Latvian pool of personal cars. Our main finding is that the extent of household economic inequality in Latvia is much larger than officially assumed. The latest officially available estimate of the Gini coefficient is 0.36 for 2005, which is much lower than 0.55 for 2009 reported in our paper.Economic inequality, cars, social signaling, Gini index, Latvia

Seed Transmission of Tobamoviruses: Aspects of Global Disease Distribution

Global seed trade contributed to development and improvement of world agriculture. An adverse effect of global seed trade is reflected in disease outbreaks in new growing areas, countries, and continents. Among the seed-borne viruses, Tobamovirus species are currently considered a peril for crop production around the world. The unique tobamoviral particles confer stability to the RNA genome and preserve their infectivity for years. High titer of Tobamovirus species accumulates in reproductive organs leading to viral particles adsorbed to seed coat, which potentially establish a primary infectious source. Tobamovirus-contaminated seeds show very low virus transmission in grow-out experiments as detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis. Interestingly, in situ immunofluorescence analysis of Cucumber green mottle mosaic virus (CGMMV) reveals that the perisperm-endosperm envelope (PEE) is contaminated as well by the Tobamovirus. Indeed, chemical seed disinfection treatments that affect primarily the seed coat surface are efficient for several Tobamovirus species but apparently do not prevent seed transmission of CGMMV to occur. Tobamovirus infection of the seed internal layers, which rarely includes the embryo, may partially follow the direct invasion pathway of Potyviruses such as Pea seed-borne mosaic virus (PSbMV) to pea embryo

Synthesis of the 1D modelling of turbochargers and its effects on engine performance prediction

Low fuel consumption is one of the main requirement for current internal combustion engines for passenger car applications. One of the most used strategies to achieve this goal is to use downsized engines (smaller engines while maintaining power) what implies the usage of turbochargers. The coupling between both machines (the turbocharger and the internal combustion engines) presents many difficulties due to the different nature between turbomachines and reciprocating machines. These difficulties make the optimal design of the turbocharged internal combustion engines a complicated issue. In these thesis a strong effort has been made to improve the global understanding of different physical phenomena occurring in turbochargers and in turbocharged engines. The work has been focused on the 1D modelling of the phenomena since 1D tools currently play a major role in the engine design process. Both experimental and modelling efforts have been made to understand the heat transfer and gas flow processes in turbochargers. Previously to the experimental analysis a literature review has been made in which the state of the art of heat transfer and gas flow modelling in turbochargers have been analysed. The experimental effort of the thesis has been focused on measuring different turbochargers in the gas stand and the engine test bench. In the first case, the gas stand, a more controlled environment, has been used to perform tests at different conditions. Hot tests with insulated and not insulated turbocharger have been made to characterise the external heat transfer. Moreover, adiabatic tests have been made to compare the effect of the heat transfer on different turbocharger variables and for the validation of the turbine gas flow models. In the engine test bench full and partial load tests have been made for model validation purposes. For the models development task, the work has been divided in heat flow models and gas flow models. In the first case, a general heat transfer model for turbochargers has been proposed based on the measured turbochargers and data available from previous works of the literature. This model includes a procedure of conductive conductances estimation, internal and external convection correlations and radiation estimation procedure. In the case of the gas flow modelling, an extended model for VGT performance maps extrapolation for both the efficiency and the mass flow has been developed as well as a model for discharge coefficient prediction in valves for two stage turbochargers. Finally, the models have been fully validated coupling them with a 1D modelling software simulating both the gas stand and the whole engine. On the one hand, the results of the validation show that compressor and turbine outlet temperature prediction is highly improved using the developed models. This results prove that the turbocharger heat transfer phenomena are important not only for partial load and transient simulation but also in full loads. On the other hand, the VGT extrapolation model accuracy is high even at off-design conditions.El bajo consumo de combustible es uno de los principales requerimientos de los motores de combustión interna actuales para aplicaciones de coches de pasajeros. Una de las estrategias más usadas para conseguir ese fin es el uso de motores "downsized" (motores más pequeños con la misma potencia) lo que implica el uso de turbocompresores. El acoplamiento entre ambas máquinas (el turbocompresor y el motor de combustión alternativo) presenta muchas dificultades debido a la diferente naturaleza entre las turbomáquinas y las máquinas alternativas. Estas dificultades convierten el diseño óptimo de los motores de combustión interna sobrealimentados en un asunto complicado. En esta tesis se ha realizado un importante esfuerzo para mejorar el entendimiento global de los diferentes fenómenos físicos que ocurren en los turbocompresores y en los motores sobrealimentados. El trabajo se ha centrado en el modelado 1D de los fenómenos puesto que las herramientas 1D juegan actualmente un papel principal en el proceso de diseño del motor. Se han realizado tanto esfuerzos experimentales como de modelado para el entendimiento de los procesos de transmisión de calor y de flujo de gases en turbocompresores. Previamente al análisis experimental se ha realizado una revisión de la literatura disponible en la que se ha analizado el estado del arte del modelado de transmisión de calor y flujo de gases en turbocompresores. El esfuerzo experimental de la tesis se ha centrado en la medida de diferentes turbocompresores en el banco de gas y en el banco motor. En el primer caso, se ha utilizado el banco de gas, un ambiente más controlado, para realizar ensayos en diferentes condiciones. Se han realizado ensayos calientes con y sin aislamiento del turbocompresor para caracterizar el flujo de calor externo. Además, se han realizado ensayos adiabáticos para comparar el efecto de la transmisión de calor sobre diferentes variables del turbocompresor y para la validación de los modelos de flujo de gases de la turbina. En el banco motor se han realizado ensayos a plena carga y a cargas parciales para usarlos en la validación. Para la tarea del desarrollo de los modelos, el trabajo se dividió en modelos de flujo de calor y modelos de flujo de gases. En el primer caso, se ha propuesto un modelo general de transmisión de calor para turbocompresores basado en los turbocompresores medidos y en datos disponibles de trabajos previos de la literatura. Este modelo incluye un procedimiento para la estimación de las conductancias conductivas, correlaciones de convección interna y externa y un procedimiento de estimación de la radiación. En el caso del modelado de flujo de gases, se ha desarrollado un modelo extendido para la extrapolación de mapas de funcionamiento de TGV tanto para el rendimiento como para el gasto másico además del modelo de predicción de coeficientes de descarga en válvulas de turbocompresores de doble etapa. Finalmente, los modelos han sido completamente validados con su acoplamiento a un software de modelado 1D simulando tanto el banco de turbos como el motor completo. Por un lado, los resultados de la validación señalan que la predicción de las temperaturas de salida de compresor y turbina mejora notablemente usando los modelos desarrollados. Este resultado demuestra que los fenómenos de transmisión de calor son importantes no sólo en simulaciones de cargas parciales y de transitorios sino también en plenas cargas. Por otro lado, la precisión del modelo de extrapolación de TGV es alta incluso en condiciones fuera de diseño.El baix consum de combustible és un dels principals requeriments dels motors de combustió interna actuals per a aplicacions de cotxes de passatgers. Una de les estratègies més usades per a aconseguir eixe fi és l'ús de motors "downsized" (motors més xicotets amb la mateixa potència) el que implica l'ús de turbocompressors. L'adaptament entre ambdues màquines (el turbocompressor i el motor de combustió alternatiu) presenta moltes dificultats degut a la diferent naturalesa entre les turbomàquines i les màquines alternatives. Estes dificultats convertixen el disseny òptim dels motors de combustió interna sobrealimentats en un assumpte complicat. En esta tesi s'ha realitzat un important esforç per a millorar l'enteniment global dels diferents fenòmens físics que ocorren en els turbocompressors i en els motors sobrealimentats. El treball s'ha centrat en el modelatge 1D dels fenòmens ja que les ferramentes 1D juguen actualment un paper principal en el procés de disseny del motor. S'han realitzat tant esforços experimentals com de modelatge per a l'enteniment dels processos de transmissió de calor i de flux de gasos en turbocompressors. Prèviament a l'anàlisi experimental s'ha realitzat una revisió de la literatura disponible en què s'ha analitzat l'estat de l'art del modelatge de transmissió de calor i flux de gasos en turbocompressors. L'esforç experimental de la tesi s'ha centrat en la mesura de diferents turbocompressors en el banc de gas i en el banc motor. En el primer cas, s'ha utilitzat el banc de gas, un ambient més controlat, per a realitzar assajos en diferents condicions. S'han realitzat assajos calents amb i sense aïllament del turbocompressor per a caracteritzar el flux de calor extern. A més, s'han realitzat assajos adiabàtics per a comparar l'efecte de la transmissió de calor sobre diferents variables del turbocompressor i per a la validació dels models de flux de gasos de la turbina. En el banc motor s'han realitzat assajos a plena càrrega i a càrregues parcials per a usar-los en la validació. Per a la tasca del desenvolupament dels models, el treball es va dividir en models de flux de calor i models de flux de gasos. En el primer cas, s'ha proposat un model general de transmissió de calor per a turbocompressors basat en els turbocompressors mesurats i en dades disponibles de treballs previs de la literatura. Este model inclou un procediment per a l'estimació de les conductàncies conductivas, correlacions de convecció interna i externa i un procediment d'estimació de la radiació. En el cas del modelatge de flux de gasos, s'ha desenvolupat un model estés per a l'extrapolació de mapes de funcionament de TGV tant per al rendiment com per al gasto màssic a més del model de predicció de coeficients de descàrrega en vàlvules de turbocompressors de doble etapa. Finalment, els models han sigut completament validats amb el seu adaptament a un software de modelatge 1D simulant tant el banc de turbos com el motor complet. D'una banda, els resultats de la validació assenyalen que la predicció de les temperatures d'eixida de compressor i turbina millora notablement usant els models desenrotllats. Este resultat demostra que els fenòmens de transmissió de calor són importants no sols en simulacions de càrregues parcials i de transitoris sinó també en plenes càrregues. D'altra banda, la precisió del model d'extrapolació de TGV és alta inclús en condicions fora de disseny.Dombrovsky, A. (2017). Synthesis of the 1D modelling of turbochargers and its effects on engine performance prediction [Tesis doctoral no publicada]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/8230

Using the pea aphid Acrythociphon pisum as a tool for screening biological responses to chemicals and drugs

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Though the biological process of aphid feeding is well documented, no one to date has sought to apply it as a tool to screen the biological responses to chemicals and drugs, in ecotoxicology, genotoxicology and/or for interactions in the cascade of sequential molecular events of embryogenesis. Parthenogenetic insect species present the advantage of an anatomical system composed of multiple germarium/ovarioles in the same mother with all the intermediate maturation stages of embryos from oocyte to first instar larva birth. This could be used as an interesting model to visualize at which step drugs interact with the cell signalling pathway during the ordered developmental process.</p> <p>Findings</p> <p>We designed a simple test for screening drugs by investigating simultaneously zygote mitotic division, the progression of embryo development, cell differentiation at early developmental stages and finally organogenesis and population growth rate. We aimed to analyze the toxicology effects of compounds and/or their interference on cellular signalling by examining at which step of the cascade, from zygote to mature embryo, the developmental process is perturbed. We reasoned that a parthenogenetic founder insect, in which the ovarioles shelter numerous embryos at different developmental stages, would allow us to precisely pinpoint the step of embryogenesis in which chemicals act through specific molecular targets as the known ordered homeobox genes.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Using this method we report the results of a genotoxicological and demographic analysis of three compound models bearing in common a bromo group: one is integrated as a base analog in DNA synthesis, two others activate permanently kinases. We report that one compound (Br-du) altered drastically embryogenesis, which argues in favor of this simple technique as a cheap first screening of chemicals or drugs to be used in a number of genotoxicology applications.</p

Two-step method for radiative transfer calculations in a developing pool fire at the initial stage of its suppression by a water spray

A procedure based on two-step method is suggested to simplify time-consuming spectral radiative transfer calculations in open flames containing scattering particles. At the first step of the problem solution, the P1 approximation is used to calculate the divergence of radiative flux, and it is sufficient to determine the flame parameters. The second step of solution is necessary to obtain the radiation field outside the flame, and this can be made independently using the ray-tracing procedure and the transport source function determined at the first step. Such a splitting of the complete problem results in much simpler algorithm than those used traditionally. It has been proved in previous papers that the combined two-step method is sufficiently accurate in diverse engineering applications. At the same time, the computational time decreases in about two orders of magnitude as compared with direct methods. An axisymmetric pool fire at the initial stage of fire suppression by a water spray is considered as the case problem. It is shown that evaporating small water droplets characterised by a strong scattering of infrared radiation are mainly located in regions near the upper front of the flame and one can observe the scattered radiation. This effect can be used in probe experiments for partial validation of transient Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations

Absorption of Short-Pulsed Laser Radiation in Superficial Human Tissues: Transient Vs Quasi-Steady Radiative Transfer

Transient radiative transfer effects are pertinent to thermal treatment of superficial cancer via short-pulsed laser irradiation. The transient effects become particularly important due to relatively strong scattering and long attenuation path of radiation in human tissues in the therapeutic window until the complete absorption. Our analysis is based on transport approximation for scattering phase function and the Monte Carlo method for radiative transfer. One-dimensional radiative transfer problem is considered, which was proved to be applicable for simulation of heat transfer and thermal destruction of tumors in superficial human tissues in the case of indirect heating strategy. A series of Monte Carlo calculations enables us to find the threshold of the steady-state approach applicability. In the biomedical problem under consideration, the steady-state solution for absorbed radiation power is sufficiently accurate at duration of laser pulse more than about 10 ps. The calculations for human tissues with embedded gold nanoshells, which are used to increase the local volumetric absorption of the radiation, showed that overheating of the nanoshells with respect to the ambient biological tissue is strongly dependent of the laser pulse duration. This effect is quantified for short pulses by solving the unsteady radiative transfer problem