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Noticeable Reduction (noticeable + reduction)
Selected AbstractsOn the technical feasibility of gas turbine inlet air cooling utilizing thermal energy storageINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENERGY RESEARCH, Issue 5 2006Y. H. Zurigat Abstract The potential of using thermal energy storage (TES) in the form of ice or chilled water to cool gas turbine inlet air is evaluated for a remote oil field location in the Sultanate of Oman using local hourly typical meteorological year weather data. It is found that under the conditions investigated seasonal TES in chilled water storage tanks or ice bins for the location considered is prohibitively expensive and thus not recommended. Application of partial TES option shows that the cool storage does not result in any noticeable reduction in the chiller size. Hence, TES whether seasonal, partial, or full storage is not a viable option for the considered location, especially in the absence of time-of-use utility rate structure. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Parotid sialosis: morphometrical analysis of the glandular parenchyme and stroma among diabetic and alcoholic patientsJOURNAL OF ORAL PATHOLOGY & MEDICINE, Issue 1 2010Carolina Merlo J Oral Pathol Med (2010) 39: 10,15 Background:, Among the agents that cause parotid sialosis, diabetes mellitus type 2 and chronic alcoholism are included. In this study, the morphometrical modifications in the diabetic parotid sialosis were determined to compare them with the histopathological characteristics of alcoholic parotid sialosis. Methods:, Five parotid biopsy samples obtained from patients with diabetic sialosis, 12 samples from patients with alcoholic sialosis and seven from individuals without these pathologies (control group) were analyzed. A morphometrical study of parotid parenchyme and stroma, using a digital image analyzer attached to an optical microscope, was carried out. Dimensions of serous acini and striated ducts, the area occupied by the fatty tissue, and the number of ducts were recorded. Mean values were compared using the Mann,Whitney U -test (P , 0.05). Results:, The variables analyzed in diabetic patients did not show significant differences with respect to the control group. However, when diabetics were compared with alcoholics, the alcoholics exhibited a noticeable reduction in the proportion of fatty tissue of stroma and a significant development of ductal epithelium that contributed to increase the caliber of the striated ducts. Conclusions:, These results indicate that the glandular hypertrophy in the diabetic parotid sialosis is not directly associated with the ductal and acinar size, amount of fatty tissue and ductal hyperplasy. Nevertheless, these findings show that the ductal dimensions and the proportion of adipose tissue are variables that allow us to establish histopathological differences between diabetic and alcoholic sialosis. [source] Effect of diets containing a purified soybean trypsin inhibitor on growth performance, digestive proteases and intestinal histology in juvenile sea bream (Sparus aurata L.)AQUACULTURE RESEARCH, Issue 9 2010Ester Santigosa Abstract Juvenile sea bream were fed on diets containing 0.0, 2.0 or 4.0 g kg,1 of a soybean trypsin inhibitor (SBTI) for 30 days. The growth performance, total protease activity and intestinal histology were studied after 0, 15 and 30 days of dietary treatment. No significant differences were found in the weight gain, specific growth rate (SGR) and feed conversion rate in fish fed on inhibitor-supplemented diets when compared with those fed on an inhibitor-free diet. Only the SGR at day 15 decreased significantly with protease inhibitor inclusion, although this effect was not observed at day 30. In relation to proteolytic activity at day 15, the total protease activity in the distal intestine decreased in fish fed on inhibitor-supplemented diets. Zymograms of these extracts showed that the SBTI reduced the intensity of some proteolytic fractions in the distal intestine. A noticeable reduction in the protease activity of the intestinal content in fish fed on the highest level of soybean inhibitor (4.0 g kg,1) was also observed. However, at day 30, the inhibition effect on these active bands was not detected, and the total protease activity was similar to that in fish fed on an inhibitor-free diet. Histological examination revealed no perceptible differences in the intestinal structure between any of the diet groups. In addition, all fish were maintained under experimentation for 10 more days and fed on an inhibitor-free diet to determine whether the possible effects caused by the protease inhibitor could be reverted. The administration of SBTI-supplemented diets did not affect sea bream growth performance or intestine histology after 30 days, and only a decrease in the total alkaline protease activity was found at day 15. [source] Effects of bias combustion on volatile nitrogen transformationASIA-PACIFIC JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING, Issue 3 2010Xiaohui Zhang Abstract Nitrogen oxides (NOx) are among the principal pollutants from coal combustion, which have caused serious environmental issues around the world. Many advanced combustion systems have been developed to reduce NOx emissions. Technologies that combine low NOx burners (LNB) and air staging systems have been widely used as they can control the formation of volatile NOx effectively. In this paper, the process of volatile nitrogen release was simulated using the FG,DVC pyrolysis model, in order to provide reliable reference for designing LNBs and air staging combustion systems. The mechanism of NOx emission from volatile N in a combustion system was studied with CHEMKIN 4.1 package, which demonstrated that noticeable reduction of NOx could be obtained at an equivalence ratio (ER) of 1.22, which was 3,4% and 10,15% higher than that at an ER of 0.77 and 0.39, respectively. Sensitivity study of all basic reactions indicated that NH2 and HCNO radicals are the major inter-compounds which can reduce NO at bias combustion conditions. Copyright © 2009 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Experimentelle und numerische Untersuchungen zum Tragverhalten von Stahlbetondecken mit kugelförmigen HohlkörpernBETON- UND STAHLBETONBAU, Issue 6 2010Marcin Abramski Dr.-Ing. Abstract Massive Flachdecken erweisen sich in Hoch- und Industriebau häufig als insgesamt überlegenes Deckensystem. Die hohe Eigenlast dieser Decken kann ihren Anwendungsbereich jedoch einschränken. Eine sinnvolle Abhilfe schafft dann die Integration von Hohlkörpern in der neutralen Zone, weil hierdurch eine spürbare Gewichtsreduktion eintritt. Neben der Eigenlast wird auch der Verbrauch der unter ökologischen Gesichtspunkten wesentlichen Ressourcen Betonstahl und Zement deutlich verringert. Die Hohlräume beeinflussen vor allem die Querkrafttragfähigkeit solcher Decken. Vier Versuchsserien, die mit kugelförmigen Hohlkörperdecken des Systems "cobiax" durchgeführt wurden, werden in diesem Beitrag beschrieben. Aus den Versuchen wird ein Abminderungsfaktor zur Beschreibung des Querkrafttragverhaltens abgeleitet, der auch in die kürzlich erteilte allgemeine bauaufsichtliche Zulassung des Deckensystems eingegangen ist. Die Nachrechnung der Versuche mit der Finite-Elemente-Methode zeigt eine gute Übereinstimmung von Numerik und Experiment, so dass in der Weiterentwicklung Parameterstudien auf dieser Grundlage zur Ergänzung von Versuchen hilfreich sein werden. Experimental and Numerical Investigation of the Bearing Behaviour of Hollow Core Slabs Massive flat slabs have proven to be the most appropriate ceiling system for structural and industrial engineering. However the high dead load of these slabs might reduce their field of application. This problem can be solved by void formers that are placed in the neutral zone. These block-outs cause a noticeable reduction of weight. Furthermore, the masses of ecologically important resources like reinforcement steel and cement can be reduced as well. The shear bearing capacity is significantly influenced by these block-outs. This article describes four test series with spherical void former floors of the system "cobiax". A reduction factor for the shear bearing capacity is derived from these tests. That factor was also introduced in the technical approval for this slab system which has been issued recently. A comparison to a calculation with the finite element method shows that the numerical results and the results of the tests are quite similar. In future research, parameter studies based on the finite element method might be helpful additional to further tests. [source] How costly is clutch formation in the Audouin's Gull Larus audouinii?JOURNAL OF AVIAN BIOLOGY, Issue 4 2000Xavier Ruiz During the Audouin's Gull's breeding season at the Ebro Delta in 1993, 24 fresh eggs from eight three-egg clutches (modal clutch-size) were collected at the peak of the laying period. Eggs were processed to obtain formalin-fixed yolks, which were halved and stained using the potassium dichromate method. Digitized images of the yolks were examined to assess the daily rates of yolk deposition. We used these data in combination with egg compositional analysis to build a model of energy demands during the formation of an average clutch in Audouin's Gull. To show how the different parameters of clutch formation affect the daily energy investment peak, we performed a simulation analysis in which the rapid yolk development (RYD) period, the follicle triggering interval (FTI), the laying interval (LI) and the albumen synthesis period (ASP) were allowed to vary simultaneously. In our sample, the mean RYD period was seven days with a range from six to eight days. There were no significant differences in yolk volume among eggs in a clutch, but albumen volume was significantly smaller in third eggs. According to our model the albumen synthesis of the a-egg coincides with the energy demand peak for clutch formation. This peak represents an increase by ca. 42% in female energy requirements. Values obtained from the simulation analysis showed that only the ASP of the a-egg and the RYD durations of the second and third follicles produced noticeable reductions in peak energy investment. We predict that in gulls, whose laying intervals seem to be kept constant, significant increases of the durations of the RYD periods of second and third eggs, or even significant reductions of yolk size of these eggs, may operate simultaneously to match the energy demands during clutch formation to the prevailing food conditions. [source] |