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The present work describes an efficient computational method for the simulation of turbulent flames. The main three ingredients of the method are Roe's schemes, the Spalart--Allmaras one-equation turbulence model, and a general preconditioning technique. These three ingredients are well known to ensure accuracy, robustness, and generality. The solution of the conservation equations is fully coupled, and the method is implemented in a three- dimensional parallel implicit solver. This potentially allows the use of the same mathematical method for the analysis of turbulent reactive flows at all speeds. The choice of the Spalart--Allmaras model, as opposed to typical two- equation models requires particular attention on the derivation of the micromixing time. Such a derivation is of fundamental importance, for the micromixing time represents the base upon which chemical source terms are built for many combustion models. Deriving a correct model for the micromixing time from the only resolved turbulent quantity kinematic eddy viscosity is challenging. To test the method, two low-Mach-number (0.1-0.2) turbulent reactive flows are simulated using the eddy dissipation model, and the results are compared with both experiments and previous numerical studies. It is established that the proposed method leads to satisfactory results. DOI: 10.2514/1.44331

An acute outbreak of Taenia hydatigena cysticercosis, causing mortality in 5 of 21 (23.8%) female lambs, is reported. Gross post-mortem examinations and histology showed Cysticercus tenuicollis as the cause of death. Biochemical parameters in infected lambs confirmed severe hepatitis. Praziquantel, given once at 15 mg/kg body weight (bw), was administered and a dramatic improvement in the clinical condition and biochemical parameters was observed up to 30 days following treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work we present and discuss the design of an array of soft-sensors to estimate the nitrate concentration in the denitrifying post-filtration unit at the Viikinmäki wastewater treatment plant in Helsinki (Finland). The developed sensors aim at supporting the existing hardware analyzers by providing a reliable back-up system in case of malfunction of the instruments. In the attempt to design easy to implement and interpretable sensors, computationally light linear models have been considered. However, due to the intrinsic nonlinearity of the process, also nonlinear but still computationally affordable models have been considered for comparison. The experimental results demonstrate the potential of the developed soft-sensors and the possibility for an on-line implementation in the plant's control system as alternative monitoring devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nine cultivars of myrtle (Myrtus communis) were analyzed for their leaf essential oil yield and composition during two seasons. The oil yield composition on leaf dry weight basis varied with the year of collection and the season ranging from 0.6 to 10.7 g·kg-1 in the different cultivars. The oils were analyzed by GC-MS for compound identification and by GC for quantitative determinations by comparison with authentic standards. The main components of the essential oils were α-pinene (366.8 to 816.8 g·kg-1); limonene (42.8 to 468.8 g·kg-1), 1,8-cineole (32.0 to 230.6 g·kg-1), linalool (0.8 to 110.3 g·kg-1), geranyl-acetate (12.4 to 99.2 g·kg-1). Other minor components were α-terpineol (1.6 to 44.4 g·kg-1), terpinolene isomer 1 (0.0 to 42.6 g·kg-1), linalyl-acetate (0.0 to 36.3 g·kg-1), α-humulene (0.0 to 19.6 g·kg-1), terpinolene-isomer 2 (0.0 to 14.9 g·kg-1), p-cymene (0.0 to 13.0 g·kg-1) and geraniol (0.0 to 12.4 g·kg-1). The total content of the other minor components was less than 10 g·kg-1. All cultivars were suitable for hydro-alcoholic infusion production and, in spite of the minor oil yield, the leaves harvested in winter showed an essential oil composition quite similar to those from spring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three consulting teams conducted independent modelling projects for three different wastewater treatment plants ranging in size from approximately 113,800m³/d (30 mgd) to 530,000m³/d (140 mgd), in different parts of the world (USA and Finland). The plants have different treatment objectives ranging from nitrification and partial denitrification (nitrate plus nitrite ,8.7 mg/L) to enhanced nutrient removal (total nitrogen ,3 mg/L, total phosphorus ,0.3 mg/L). Commonlyused models were applied in the case studies, including ASM3 (using the GPS-X simulator), New General (using GPS-X), Dold (using BioWin), and a variation of the Dold model methanol degradation capabilities (NGmeth within GPS-X). The authors compare and contrast the modelling approaches taken, including calibration and validation approaches, sensitivity analyses, and the application of results to full-scale studies, designs and operations. Despite several differences between the approaches, there are many similarities which are discussed in light of the IWA draft uniform protocol for activated sludge modelling. The authors also discuss current modelling limitations and offer suggestions to improve the state of the art. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

: Cholesterol esterification and smooth muscle cell (SMC) proliferation are the crucial events in the development of atherosclerotic lesions. The objective of this study was to analyse cholesterol esterification and the expression of MDR1 (multidrug resistance), ACAT (acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase) and caveolin-1 genes in atherosclerotic and healthy vascular walls, in SMCs obtained from atherosclerotic lesions and saphenous veins. Results demonstrated higher levels of cholesterol esters, ACAT and MDR1 mRNAs and lower levels of caveolin-1 mRNA in atherosclerotic segments compared to adjacent serial sections of the same artery and the corresponding non-atherosclerotic arteries from cadaveric donors. SMCs isolated from atherosclerotic plaques manifested an increased capacity to esterify cholesterol and to grow at a faster rate than SMCs isolated from saphenous veins. In addition, when SMCs from atherosclerotic plaques were cultured in the presence of progesterone, a potent inhibitor of cholesterol esterification, significant growth suppression was observed. An increase in ACAT and MDR1 expression and a concomitant decrease in caveolin-1 expression were also observed in SMCs isolated from atherosclerotic arteries as early as 12 h after serum stimulation. An opposite pattern was found when SMCs were treated with progesterone. These findings support the idea that cholesterol esterification plays a role both in early atherogenesis and in clinical progression of advanced lesions and raise the possibility that the cholesterol ester pathway might directly modulate the proliferation of SMCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SummaryThe disposition of propofol in the blood and brain of New Zealand rabbits was studied in three groups of six rabbits. One group received a single anaesthetic dose; a second group received a 1-h infusion; and a third group was studied after the rabbits were judged to have recovered from a 1-h infusion. There was a high concentration of propofol in the red blood cell fraction and in the brain, however, the red blood cell concentration largely exceeded the one found in the brain in all groups of animals. This is consistent with the high fat solubility of diisopropylphenol. The possible effects of propofol sequestered in red blood cells is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The availability of data from various Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) operating in X-Band and C-Band acquired in the last decades enables to monitor slopes affected by landslides. The ASI-founded project 'LAWINA' (2010-2012) aimed at the improvement of SAR -- based monitoring techniques as well as at the integration of SAR data with data stemming from other sensors. Test case area of LAWINA has been a slow-moving landslide located up-stream of Corvara in Badia village in the Dolomites, Italy. Within the scope of the project different time-series obtained through 35 Envisat2, 40 Radarsat-1 and 46 Cosmo-SkyMed covering this test area have been processed in order to explore the potentials to analyse historical and near real time landslide dynamics. The SAR data are characterized by various geometric and temporal resolutions having been acquired by 3 sensors operating at different bands in different periods between 2003 and 2011. TeleRilevamento Europa (TRE) exploited these data in order to retrive displacement timeseries applying its proprietary SqueeSAR algorithm. After re-projecting Envisat-2 and Radarsat datasets according to the CSK Line Of Sight a comparison of displacements recorded by each sensor has been possible. For this purpose, we have selected areas characterized by the presence of Persistent Scatterers or Diffused Scatterers from at least two datasets. This multi-sensor approach allowed determining the slope displacement tracking during 8 years. Even though the different time series are not formally integrated each other, the result is accurate enough to allow the evaluation of the landslide's behaviour and trend over several years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract. A positive correlation between cholesterol esterification and growth rate potential was previously found in our laboratory during the growth of CEM and MOLT4 lymphoblastic cells. In the current study, we investigated whether the rates of cholesterol esters synthesis correlate with changes of acyl-CoAcholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT) mRNA levels and of other genes implied in cholesterol biosynthesis and uptake, such as 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA (HMGCoA) reductase and low density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor. The results showed that the more rapid growing CEM cells had lower levels of expression of HMGCoA-reductase and LDL receptors compared to MOLT4. By contrast, ACAT mRNA levels were higher in CEM cells, further supporting the concept of a possible involvement of cholesterol esters in the regulation of cell growth and division. In this study, high levels of cholesterol esterification and of expression of ACAT gene were also associated with a markedly increased expression of multidrug resistance (MDR1) gene, suggesting that MDR1 activity might contribute to regulate the rate of cell growth and division by modulating intracellular cholesterol ester levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intranigral administration of kainic acid results in loss of pars reticulata neurons without damage to axons traversing or terminating within the nigra. Unilateral nigral lesions with kainic acid result in an ipsilateral turning upon administration of apomorphine, a dopamine (DA)-receptor agonist and in contralateral turning upon administration of haloperidol, a DA-receptor blocker. Destruction of post-synaptic structures in the striatum of the side contralateral to that injected with kainic acid results in a drastic reduction, abolition or even reversal of the turning effects elicited by apomorphine and haloperidol. Unilateral intranigral microinjection of nanogram amounts of the GABA-receptor antagonists picrotoxin and bicuculline elicits ipsilateral circling upon apomorphine administration. Kainic-induced lesion or micro-injection of picrotoxin or bicuculline in the nigra ipsilateral to a 6-OHDA-lesion of nigro-striatal DA-neurons results in reduction, abolition or reversal of the contralateral circling produced by apomorphine. The results indicate that the nigra pars reticulata is a station for dopaminergic impulses originating from the striatum and suggest that the turning behavior in response to striatal DA-receptor stimulation is due to a GABA-mediated inhibition of ipsiversive pars reticulata neurons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]