Sharif Digital Repository

Many theories and mathematical simulations have been proposed concerning urine concentrating mechanism (UCM). The WKM and region approach are the two most valuable methods for compensating the effect of tubule's architecture in renal medulla. They both have tried to simulate tubule's confinement within a particular region mathematically in one spatial dimension. In this study, continuity, momentum and species transport equations along with standard expressions for transtubular solutes and water transports on tubule's membrane were solved numerically in three spatial dimensions which practically is the main significance of our novel approach. Model structure has been chosen as simple as... 

An artificial neural network (ANN) model was used to predict the weight loss of MgO-C composites at different temperatures and graphite contents. The general idea of ANN modeling was presented and after that the empirical weight loss data were used for both model verification and assessment of the oxidation rate predictions. The model was proved to have an astounding power in predicting kinetic parameters of the oxidation process. Graphite oxidation was, for example, found to be controlled by alternative diffusion steps. Plotting the Arrhenius law curves for graphite oxidation indicated a distinguishable slope change at a critical temperature which is related to the graphite content. This... 

Progressive conversion/shrinking core (PC-SC) models of constant-size cylinders were exploited to interpret the decarburization reactions of MgO-C-Si bricks heated up under blown air. Chemical adsorption/solid (or pore) diffusion mechanisms governed the reaction rate. With 5% silicon, chemical adsorption vanished at 1000 and 1100°C. The oxidation rate lowered then with temperature. This was due apparently to the blocking of the pore-end gorges by the voluminous compounds (like Forstrite). Arrhenius plots of the specific rates yielded the activation energies of the prevailing steps. Without Si antioxidant, three steps were appreciated having activation energies of 51.65 (for chemical... 

We present the rarefaction effects on diffusive mass transport in micro- and nanoscales using the results of direct simulation Monte Carlo DSMC method. Unlike the previous investigations, the momentum and heat contributions are eliminated from the computations via uniform velocity, pressure, and temperature field considerations. The effects of global Knudsen number on the diffusion phenomenon are studied for the same Peclet number and a unique mixer shape. The results indicate that there is considerable weakening in diffusion mechanism for high Knudsen number cases. As a result, the non-dimensional diffusive mass fluxes would decrease and the non-dimensional mixing length would increase as... 

Colloidal nanoparticle could be used for recognition location of tumors and cancer tissue. A simulation of molecular dynamic for colloidal silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) based on density functional theory (DFT) potential parametrization with different sizes in 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate [EMim][PF6] ionic liquid was performed. Then, using Green Kubo formalism, diffusion coefficient for Ag NPs in IL and in the gas phase was calculated. We also calculated diffusion coefficients of anions and cations for pure IL and IL in the presence of different sizes of Ag NPs at different temperatures. The findings showed that the diffusion coefficient of anions and cations increases in... 

In the context of controlled release drug delivery approaches, the systems providing zero-order release kinetics have special advantages. Through employing these systems, drug concentration could be maintained within the therapeutic window over release time; thus maximum effectiveness alongside minimized side effects of the drug are achieved. However, obtaining zero-order drug release is extremely challenging. One of the main obstacles is the fact that implemented devices should be designed to overcome the decreasing mass transfer driving force, especially, in polymeric systems in which diffusion mechanism is dominant. In this study, we developed a new configuration of a polymeric matrix... 

Cell lysis is an essential primary step in cell assays. In the process of cell lysis, the cell membrane is destroyed and the substances inside the cell are extracted. By utilizing a droplet-based microfluidic platform for cell lysis, the mixer unit that is required for mixing lysis reagents with the cells can be excluded, and thus, the complexity of the fabrication process is reduced. In addition, lysing the cells within the droplets will prevent the cells from exposure to the channel walls, and as a result, cleanliness of the samples and the device is maintained. In this study, cell lysis within the droplets and the parameters affecting the efficiency of this process are investigated using... 

Mechanical properties of nano-composites produced by shock wave sintering of aluminum and silicon carbide nano-powders are investigated using Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations. In this regard, the shock wave response of aluminum and silicon carbide nano-particles, arranged in a BCC super-lattice, is studied via the NPHug Hugoniostat method. Moreover, the effect of the initial hydrostatic compaction of powders as well as the cooling rate of the shocked material on the mechanical properties of the shock-sintered nano-composites is investigated. Employing the Hugoniot curves corresponding to the powders, it is concluded that an initial hydrostatic pressure, leads to a less temperature rise... 

Nanocrystallization kinetics of amorphous Finemet alloy was studied using Vyazovkin advanced isoconversional method under non-isothermal condition. Well known Kissinger model-fitting method and four isoconversional methods of Kissinger-Akahira-Sunose (KSA), Flynn-Wall-Ozawa (FWO), Tang, and Starink were also used for the determination of activation energy. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns were used for thermal and structural analyses, respectively. According to Vyazovkin and other isoconversional methods, the mean value of variable activation energy, as a function of conversion, was obtained as 350 kJ mol-1. While, according to Kissinger method,... 

Coaxial electrospinning with the ability to use simultaneously two separate solvents provides a promising strategy for drug delivery. Nevertheless, controlled release of hydrophilic and sensitive therapeutics from slow biodegradable polymers is still challenging. To address this gap, we fabricated core-sheath fibers for dual delivery of lysozyme, as a model protein, and phenytoin sodium as a small therapeutic molecule. The sheath was processed by a gelatin solution while the core fibers were fabricated from an aqueous gelatin/PVA solution. Microstructural studies by transmission and scanning electron microscopy reveal the formation of homogeneous core-sheath nanofibers with an outer and...