Effect of materials on the urban thermal environment a CFD simulation approach

Use of high albedo materials reduces the amount of solar radiation absorbed through building envelops and urban structures and thus keeping their surfaces cooler. The cooling energy savings by using high albedo materials have been well documented. Higher surface temperatures add to increasing the ambient temperature as convection intensity is higher. Such temperature increase has significant impacts on the air conditioning energy utilization in hot climates. This study makes use of a parametric approach by varying the temperature of building facades to represent commonly used materials and hence analyzing its effect on the air temperature through a series of CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) simulations. A part of the existing CBD (Central Business District) area of Singapore was selected for the study. Series of CFD simulations have been carried out using the software CFX-5.6. Wind tunnel experiments were also conducted for validation. It was found that at low wind speeds, the effect of materials on the air temperature was significant and the temperature at the middle of a narrow canyon increased up to 2.52°C with the façade material having lowest albedo.

Effect of morphine on the growth rate of Calliphora stygia (Fabricius) (Diptera : Calliphoridae) and possible implications for forensic entomology

Insect specimens collected from decomposing bodies enable forensic entomologists to estimate the minimum post-morten interval (PMI). Drugs and toxins within a corpose may affect the development rate of insects that feed on them and it is vital to quantify these effects to accurately calculate minimum PMI.... This suggests that C. sygia is a reliable model to use to accurately age a corpse containing morphine at any of the concentrations investigated.

Effect of particles on the formation of deformation twins in a magnesium-based alloy

The deformation behaviour of the age hardenable alloy Mg–5%Zn after different precipitation treatments has been examined. It has been found that during compressive deformation, fine particles increase the number of twins that form, but reduce the size and total volume fraction of twins. Visco-plastic selfconsistent modelling has been used to show that the presence of precipitates hardens the twin and prismatic slip systems more than the basal slip system. It is proposed that because the {10 ¯12} twin requires basal slip to accommodate the twinning shear, this twin type will always be hardened equal to, or more than, the basal slip system in response to precipitation.

Effect of coagulants on the fouling and performance of ultrafiltration (UF) membranes

The combined coagulation and ultrafiltration (UF) system (C-UF system) is an advanced technology to treat natural organic matter (NOM) present in water. Traditional coagulants — prehydrolyzed inorganic coagulants, organic coagulants and composite coagulants were chosen to treat synthetic water containing humic acid (HA) in order to find an efficient coagulant that could remove NOM from the water effectively. The fouling, removal efficiency of UF and the chlorine decay in the permeate were used to evaluate the effectiveness of the coagulants. The initial UV254 absorption of the tested water samples were from 0.208 to 0.234, and the UV254 after coagulation was from 0.05 to 0.184. The UV254 did not increase after coagulation. Since the humic acid used was soluble, the initial turbidity of the tested water samples were very close to zero. The turbidity increased after coagulation, as the coagulants react with humic acid to form micro-flocs, which cannot be removed fully by sedimentation. The results showed that polyferric chloride could not remove humic acid efficiently during coagulation process, but removed the humic acid well when used in the C-UF system. Moreover, for polyferric chloride and UF system, the concentration of organic compounds in permeates were minimal indicating very low levels of disinfection by-product formation, if chlorinated.

A critical role for the parabrachial nucleus in generating central nervous system responses elicited by a systemic immune challenge

Using Fos immunolabelling as a marker of neuronal activation, we investigated the role of the parabrachial nucleus in generating central neuronal responses to the systemic administration of the proinflammatory cytokine interleukin-1β (1 μg/kg, i.a.). Relative to intact animals, parabrachial nucleus lesions significantly reduced the number of Fos-positive cells observed in the central amygdala (CeA), the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST), and the ventrolateral medulla (VLM) after systemic interleukin-1β. In a subsequent experiment in which animals received parabrachial-directed deposits of a retrograde tracer, it was found that many neurons located in the nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS) and the VLM neurons were both retrogradely labelled and Fos-positive after interleukin-1β administration. These results suggest that the parabrachial nucleus plays a critical role in interleukin-1β-induced Fos expression in CeA, BNST and VLM neurons and that neurons of the NTS and VLM may serve to trigger or at least influence changes in parabrachial nucleus activity that follows systemic interleukin-1β administration.

Effect of prestrain on microstructures and properties of Si-Al-Mn TRIP steel sheet with niobium

Paint baking treatment was carried out in a silicon oil bath at 170 °C for 20 min for Si-Al-Mn TRIP Steel sheet with different prestrains, and effect of prestrain on microstructures and properties was studied before and after baking. The results show that with the increasing of prestrain amount during prestraining and baking, the volume fraction of retained austenite decreases, and the volume fraction of martensite and bainite increases as well as yield strength increases; as prestrain ranges from 0 to 4%, the baking-hardening (BH) value increases; while the prestrain ranges from 4% to 16%, the BH value decreases; when the prestrain amount is 4%, the highest BH value is about 70 MPa for Si-Al-Mn TRIP steel sheet with niobium, which displays excellent baking-hardening behavior.

The effect of obesity on polycystic ovary syndrome : a systematic review and meta-analysis

While many women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are overweight, obese or centrally obese, the effect of excess weight on the outcomes of PCOS is inconsistent. The review aimed to assess the effects of overweight, obesity and central obesity on the reproductive, metabolic and psychological features of PCOS. MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) and PSYCINFO were searched for studies reporting outcomes according to body mass index categories or body fat distribution. Data were presented as mean difference or risk ratio (95% confidence interval). This review included 30 eligible studies. Overweight or obese women with PCOS had decreased sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), increased total testosterone, free androgen index, hirsutism, fasting glucose, fasting insulin, homeostatic model assessment-insulin resistance index and worsened lipid profile. Obesity significantly worsened all metabolic and reproductive outcomes measured except for hirsutism when compared to normal weight women with PCOS. Overweight women had no differences in total testosterone, hirsutism, total-cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol compared to normal weight women and no differences in SHBG and total testosterone compared to obese women. Central obesity was associated with higher fasting insulin levels. These results suggest that prevention and treatment of obesity is important for the management of PCOS.

The inhibitory effect of stevioside on bacillus cereus growth in milk: validation and its response surface optimization

Stevioside, a glycoside present in the leaves of Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni, offers therapeutic benefits such as anti-hyperglycemic, anti-hypertensive, antiinflammatory, anti-tumor, diuretic and immune influencing properties. In this work antimicrobial activity of stevioside against Bacillus cereus, a major source of milk contamination was investigated. The isolate was confirmed by various biochemical and 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The effect of temperature, incubation time and concentration of stevioside was optimized from a central composite response surface design. The standard plate count (SPC) of pasteurized milk was drastically reduced in comparison to toned and fresh milk. The optimal temperature, incubation time and stevioside concentration were observed to be 60.23°C, 21 h, and 275 μg/ mL respectively. The synergism of stevioside with the external factors (temperature and time) against B. cereus was observed. Our studies showed that addition of stevioside in fresh as well as pasteurised milk would control growth of B. cereus in milk.

Effect of temperature on percentage of germination of canistel seeds (Pouteria campechiana)

O canistel é uma fruteira originada no México e América Central, sendo introduzida no Brasil em 1986. As plantas apresentam porte médio, porém podem atingir até 15 metros de altura; as folhas medem cerca de 10 a 25 cm; as flores são completas e pequenas, e o fruto apresenta coloração amarela quando maduro, com polpa esbranquiçada e sabor doce. A propagação pode ser realizada por semente ou por enxertia. em vista da quase total ausência de informações sobre a cultura e a possibilidade de cultivo comercial, realizou-se o presente trabalho, no qual se avaliou o efeito da temperatura na porcentagem de germinação de sementes. Foi verificado que as melhores taxas foram obtidas à temperatura de 30ºC e as menores a 15ºC, 20ºC e 40ºC, sendo esta última a pior delas.

Effect of simvastatin on the generation of autoantibodies against oxidized LDL and progression of atherosclerosis in rabbits

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Effect of Misfit on Preload Maintenance of Retention Screws of Implant-Supported Prostheses

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of unilateral misfit at different levels on a crown-implant-retention screw system of implant-supported crowns. Hexagon castable UCLA abutments were cast in Co-Cr alloy to fabricate 48 metallic crowns divided into four groups (n = 12). Group A: crowns did not present misfit; Groups B, C and D: crowns were fabricated with unilateral misfit of 50, 100, and 200 mu m, respectively. The crowns were attached by titanium retention screw with 30 N/cm to external hexagonal osseointegrated implants embedded in acrylic resin. After 2 min, the retention screw of each replica was submitted to detorque evaluation by an analogic torque gauge. Three retention screws were used to perform detorque evaluation at each replica and the procedure was repeated twice with each screw. Each group was submitted to 72 detorque measurements. Data were evaluated by ANOVA and Tukey test (P < 0.05). All groups exhibited significant decrease (P < 0.05) in preload and the lowest decrease occurred in Group A. Groups B, C, and D were statistically significant different from Group A (P < 0.05), but there was no statistically significant difference between Groups B and D (P > 0.05). Crowns with unilateral misfit presented higher preload decrease than crowns completely fitted to osseointegrated implants.

Effect of chlorhexidine on bond strength of two-step etch-and-rinse adhesive systems to dentin of primary and permanent teeth

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Central nitrergic system regulation of neuroendocrine secretion, fluid intake and blood pressure induced by angiotensin-II

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Multiple effects of sibutramine on ejaculation and on vas deferens and seminal vesicle contractility

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

The inhibitory effect of MK886 on the inflammatory process caused by Paracoccidioidomycosis brasiliensis infection in genetically selected mice

Leukotrienes are classic inflammatory response mediators considered chemotactic agents and microbicidal activity regulators in cells of the innate immune system, playing a protective role against different infectious agents. In this study, we investigated the involvement of leukotrienes in the course of murine paracoccidioidomycosis based on the following immunologic parameters: cell influx, mieloperoxydase activity, NO production, cytokine production, and fungal recovery in lungs of mice selected according to the intensity of their low (AIRmin) and high (AIRmax) acute inflammatory response. Infection by P. brasiliensis induced considerable production of IL-6, IL-10, IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha cytokines, and led to cell recruitment, as well as NO production in lungs at different study periods. In animals treated with MK886, a leukotriene biosynthesis inhibitor, IFN-gamma, IL-6 and TNF-alpha production was lower, while neutrophil influx and NO production decreased. These results may explain the higher fungal load in lungs of animals in which leukotriene synthesis was inhibited, suggesting that leukotrienes have a possible protective role in experimental paracoccidioidomycosis. AIRmax animals had lower fungal load in comparison with AIRmin ones, which can be related to the AIR phenotype regarding neutrophil migration, besides lower production of NO and pro-inflammatory cytokines. Thus, mice presenting AIRmax background are more resistant to infection by P. brasiliensis.