Research on energy efficiency of pneumatic cylinder for pneumatic vehicle motor

Compressed gas is relatively expensive source of energy. When compressed gas is used for propelling of pneumatically driven vehicle, efficient gas utilization is favoured. Design and control strategy of pneumatic cylinder, with the emphasis on effective energy conversion is being discussed in this paper. Mathematical model, results of computer simulation and experimental work are provided and discussed. Experimental research is performed on the competition vehicle, equipped with pneumatically driven piston motor and instrumented. Relative significance of various geometric and control parameters of pneumatic cylinder on efficiency of energy conversion is presented

Experimental analysis of hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) and commercial diesel fuel blend characteristics using modified CFR engine

ArticlePerformance parameters of different commercial diesel fuels is a subject of interest for fuel consumers. Fuel retailer Neste recently introduced a new brand of WWFC 5th grade diesel fuel in Baltic market, consisting of diesel fuel and hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) blend. Fuel samples have been recently tested on chassis dynamometer, measuring wheel power and torque and in road conditions, measuring fuel consumption. Evaluation of fuel consumption and performance parameters in road or laboratory conditions may yield uncertain results due to complexity of modern automobile engine management and emission reduction systems. To better evaluate the combustion, fuel samples have been tested in modified CFR engine at various intake air pressure, temperature and compression ratio settings. Engine indicated performance parameters and combustion phasing of regular diesel fuel and diesel fuel-HVO blend are presented. Comparing to regular diesel fuel, fuel blend with HVO showed reduced apparent heat release rate (AHRR) during premixed combustion phase at low inlet air temperature and low compression ratio conditions, comparing to regular diesel fuel. Premixed combustion phase AHRR of diesel-HVO blend increased above AHRR of regular diesel fuel at higher inlet air temperature and higher compression ratio conditions. Diffusion controlled combustion phase AHRR of diesel-HVO blend increased above AHRR of regular diesel fuel at higher inlet air temperature, higher compression ratio conditions and supercharged air supply

PREDIZENDO MUDANÇA DE POPULAÇÃO A NÍVEL MICRO

Escolas primárias nos Estados Unidos têm sido afetadas pelas mudanças populacionais que provocam uma redução de matrículas nas mesmas. Os documentos de registros escolares, tanto a nível nacional quanto local, têm revelado a diminuição de matrículas em muitas comunidades. A questão da composição racial das comunidades e das escolas tem contribuído sensivelmente para criar estas situações. Os administradores escolares estão assim diante de mudauças quanto à utilização das facilidades físicas já envelhecidas, a relação entre o tamanho da escola face ao número de matrículas e ao desenvolvimento de planos sistemáticos relacionados às alterações futuras na população escolar. Como os custos operacionais das escolas estão, frequentemente, relacionados às matrículas, uma compreensão adequada das tendências das mesmas é essencial. Os geógrafos possuem os instrumentos e o treinamento para fornecer aos tomadores de decisões em questões educacionais informações seguras sobre mudanças populacionais. O propósito desta contribuição é a de descrever um estudo das tendências demográficas da comunidade as quais influenciam o volume de matrículas em um distrito escolar. Os membros de uma escola primária suburbana de lllinois necessitavam orientação para poder responder uma questão fundamental de planejamento: há espaço adequado para atender o número das futuras matrículas escolares? A resposta a esta questão indicaria se uma nova escola deveria ser construída com os recursos já limitados ou se o investimento deveria ser aplicado nas estruturas já existentes

Emergent temporal signaling in human trabecular meshwork cells: role of TRPV4-TRPM4 interactions

Trabecular meshwork (TM) cells are phagocytic cells that employ mechanotransduction to actively regulate intraocular pressure. Similar to macrophages, they express scavenger receptors and participate in antigen presentation within the immunosuppressive milieu of the anterior eye. Changes in pressure deform and compress the TM, altering their control of aqueous humor outflow but it is not known whether transducer activation shapes temporal signaling. The present study combines electrophysiology, histochemistry and functional imaging with gene silencing and heterologous expression to gain insight into Ca2+ signaling downstream from TRPV4 (Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid 4), a stretch-activated polymodal cation channel. Human TM cells respond to the TRPV4 agonist GSK1016790A with fluctuations in intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) and an increase in [Na+]i. [Ca2+]i oscillations coincided with monovalent cation current that was suppressed by BAPTA, Ruthenium Red and the TRPM4 (Transient Receptor Potential Melastatin 4) channel inhibitor 9-phenanthrol. TM cells expressed TRPM4 mRNA, protein at the expected 130-150 kDa and showed punctate TRPM4 immunoreactivity at the membrane surface. Genetic silencing of TRPM4 antagonized TRPV4-evoked oscillatory signaling whereas TRPV4 and TRPM4 co-expression in HEK-293 cells reconstituted the oscillations. Membrane potential recordings suggested that TRPM4-dependent oscillations require release of Ca2+ from internal stores. 9-phenanthrol did not affect the outflow facility in mouse eyes and eyes from animals lacking TRPM4 had normal intraocular pressure. Collectively, our results show that TRPV4 activity initiates dynamic calcium signaling in TM cells by stimulating TRPM4 channels and intracellular Ca2+ release. It is possible that TRPV4-TRPM4 interactions downstream from the tensile and compressive impact of intraocular pressure contribute to homeostatic regulation and pathological remodeling within the conventional outflow pathway

Alpha-protein kinase 3 (ALPK3)-truncating variants are a cause of autosomal dominant hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

AIMS: The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of heterozygous truncating ALPK3 variants (ALPK3tv) in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and confirm their pathogenicity using burden testing in independent cohorts and family co-segregation studies. METHODS AND RESULTS : In a discovery cohort of 770 index patients with HCM, 12 (1.56%) were heterozygous for ALPK3tv [odds ratio(OR) 16.01, 95% confidence interval (CI) 7.89-29.74, P < 8.36e-11] compared to the Genome Aggregation Database (gnomAD) population. In a validation cohort of 2047 HCM probands, 32 (1.56%) carried heterozygous ALPK3tv (OR 16.17, 95% CI 10.31-24.87, P < 2.2e-16, compared to gnomAD). Combined logarithm of odds score in seven families with ALPK3tv was 2.99. In comparison with a cohort of genotyped patients with HCM (n = 1679) with and without pathogenic sarcomere gene variants (SP+ and SP-), ALPK3tv carriers had a higher prevalence of apical/concentric patterns of hypertrophy (60%, P < 0.001) and of a short PR interval (10%, P = 0.009). Age at diagnosis and maximum left ventricular wall thickness were similar to SP- and left ventricular systolic impairment (6%) and non-sustained ventricular tachycardia (31%) at baseline similar to SP+. After 5.3 ± 5.7 years, 4 (9%) patients with ALPK3tv died of heart failure or had cardiac transplantation (log-rank P = 0.012 vs. SP- and P = 0.425 vs. SP+). Imaging and histopathology showed extensive myocardial fibrosis and myocyte vacuolation. CONCLUSIONS : Heterozygous ALPK3tv are pathogenic and segregate with a characteristic HCM phenotype

High frequency vibration monitoring and diagnostics of high-speed pump rolling bearings

Evolution of modern industry makes great demands to reliable work of pump equipment with large revolutions number of rotating parts. Under special supervision must be the centrifugal high-speed pumps. One of the major and hardly loaded units of high-speed pump equipment are rolling bearings, therefore it is very important to conduct monitoring and early diagnostics works to find out defects in them. For the high-frequency vibration detection and analysis it is possible to use both stationary and portable systems of monitoring and diagnostics. This diagnostics advantage is early detection of aberration from normal operation of rolling bearings and transition from equipment service and repair on-schedule to real situation service and repair, which is determined on periodic diagnostics results

Traceability and capability control of mass measurement equipment and drift statistical analysis of national mass standards in Latvia

LNMC is highest metrological institute of Latvia. The paper describes national mass standards currently in use, their traceability, stability, mass measurement equipment and related techniques