On the robust autorotation of a samara-inspired rotor in gusty environments.

Autorotating samaras have evolved to propagate successfully to their germination sites with the help of wind. This wind, in turn, is inherently unsteady across an extensive range of scales in the atmospheric boundary layer. To generate lift, samaras rely on the formation of a stably-attached leading-edge vortex (LEV) on the suction side of their wings.

Characterization of milkweed-seed gust response.

Inspired by the reproductive success of plant species that employ bristled seeds for wind-borne dispersal, this study investigates the gust response of milkweed seeds, selected for their near-spherical shape. Gust-response experiments are performed to determine whether these porous bodies offer unique aerodynamic properties. Optical motion-tracking and particle image velocimetry (PIV) are used to characterize the dynamics of milkweed seed samples as they freely respond to a flow perturbation produced in an unsteady, gust wind tunnel.

Characterization of the dynamic viscoelastic response of the ascending aorta imposed via pulsatile flow.

This study characterizes the material properties of a viscoelastic, ex vivo porcine ascending aorta under dynamic-loading conditions via pulsatile flow. The deformation of the opaque vessel wall and the pulsatile flow field inside the vessel were recorded using ultrasound imaging. The internal pressure was extracted from the pulsatile flow results and, when coupled with the vessel-wall expansion, was used to calculate the instantaneous elastic modulus from a novel, time-resolved two-dimensional (i.

Fish without Tail Fins-Exploring the Function of Tail Morphology of the First Vertebrates.

We use a series of hydrodynamic experiments on abstracted models to explore whether primitive vertebrates may have swum under various conditions without a clearly-differentiated tail fin. Cambrian vertebrates had post-anal stubby tails, some had single dorsal and ventral fins, but none had yet evolved a clearly differentiated caudal fin typical of post-Cambrian fishes, and must have relied on their long and flexible laterally-compressed bodies for locomotion, i.e.

On the influence of biomimetic shark skin in dynamic flow separation.

The effect of shark skin on the boundary-layer separation process under dynamic conditions (maneuvers) has been studied experimentally. We use a foil covered with biomimetic shark skin to explore how this type of surface impacts boundary-layer dynamics in both steady and accelerating conditions. The effect of denticles is assessed via particle image velocimetry in the wake.

The use of ultrasound to assess aortic biomechanics: Implications for aneurysm and dissection.

Arterial stiffening, which occurs when conduit arteries thicken and lose elasticity, has been associated with cardiovascular disease and increased risk for future cardiovascular events. Specifically, aortic stiffening plays a large role in the pathogenesis of vascular diseases, such as aneurysm formation and dissection. Current parameters used to assess risk of aortic rupture include absolute diameter and growth rate.

The stability of leading-edge vortices to perturbations on samara-inspired rotors: a novel solution for gust resistance.

The stability of leading-edge vortices (LEVs) on a samara-inspired rotor during steady and unsteady gusty incoming flow was investigated experimentally using direct rotational speed measurements, as well as time-resolved particle image velocimetry (PIV). The blades of the samara-inspired rotor were designed to match the tip-speed ratio, the aspect ratio, and the distribution of the effective angle of attack of samara seeds to utilize LEVs similar to samara seeds. The flow around the blades of the samara-inspired rotor was compared to a reference rotor, which possesses a constant spanwise effective angle of attack, to investigate the influence of the samara-like spanwise effective angle-of-attack distribution on LEV stability.

On the Hydrodynamics of Anomalocaris Tail Fins.

Anomalocaris canadensis, a soft-bodied stem-group arthropod from the Burgess Shale, is considered the largest predator of the Cambrian period. Thanks to a series of lateral flexible lobes along its dorso-ventrally compressed body, it is generally regarded as an efficient swimmer, well-adapted to its predatory lifestyle. Previous theoretical hydrodynamic simulations have suggested a possible optimum in swimming performance when the lateral lobes performed as a single undulatory lateral fin, comparable to the pectoral fins in skates and rays.

New bioprinted skin, cosmetic model.

We developed a new evolution of three-dimensional skin equivalent due to the optimization of four-dimensional laser-assisted bioprinting and skin equivalent culture protocols. This allowed us to produce fully bioprinted skin equivalents that are closed to current skin equivalents and suitable to test cosmetic ingredients. Particularly, we performed preliminary evaluation of maturogens to improve the dermis maturation before the epidermal seeding and we designed a specific "micropattern" to reproduce the nonlinear aspect of the dermal-epidermal junction.

On the high-lift characteristics of a bio-inspired, slotted delta wing.

A bio-inspired, slotted delta wing was abstracted from a multi-vane propulsor geometry ubiquitous in nature, and analysed to investigate aerodynamic performance during acceleratory and steady-state motions. Evolutionary convergence of slotted geometries in nature suggests an aerodynamic benefit in manoeuvrability, as exemplified in the fins and wings of a broad range of extant and extinct swimmers and flyers, respectively. Through direct force measurements and stereoscopic particle image velocimetry, it was found that the abstracted, slotted geometry exhibited a region of steady-state lift and drag enhancement at angles of attack greater than 25° when compared to a reference profile based on a delta-wing plate.

On the dynamics of perching manoeuvres with low-aspect-ratio planforms.

The dynamics of a simple perching manoeuvre are investigated using circular and aspect-ratio-two elliptical flat plates, as abstractions of low-aspect-ratio planforms observed in highly-manoeuvrable birds. The perching kinematic investigated in this study involves a pitch-up motion from an angle of attack of [Formula: see text] to [Formula: see text], while simultaneously decelerating. This motion is defined by the shape change number, [Formula: see text], which acts as a measure of the relative contributions of added-mass and circulatory effects.

Flow separation on flapping and rotating profiles with spanwise gradients.

The growth of leading-edge vortices (LEV) on analogous flapping and rotating profiles has been investigated experimentally. Three time-varying cases were considered: a two-dimensional reference case with a spanwise-uniform angle-of-attack variation α; a case with increasing α towards the profile tip (similar to flapping flyers); and a case with increasing α towards the profile root (similar to rotor blades experiencing an axial gust). It has been shown that the time-varying spanwise angle-of-attack gradient produces a vorticity gradient, which, in combination with spanwise flow, results in a redistribution of circulation along the profile.

Rapid area change in pitch-up manoeuvres of small perching birds.

Rapid pitch-up has been highlighted as a mechanism to generate large lift and drag during landing manoeuvres. However, pitching rates had not been measured previously in perching birds, and so the direct applicability of computations and experiments to observed behaviour was not known. We measure pitch rates in a small, wild bird (the black-capped chickadee; Poecile atricapillus), and show that these rates are within the parameter range used in experiments.

The characterization of a non-Newtonian blood analog in natural- and shear-layer-induced transitional flow.

Background: Although a blood analog of aqueous glycerol and xanthan gum was found to replicate the viscoelastic behavior of blood, measurements were restricted to laminar flow.

Objective: To expand the characterization of a non-Newtonian blood analog of aqueous glycerol and xanthan gum to transitional Reynolds numbers to quantify its behavior as a function of both natural and shear-layer-induced mechanisms.

Methods: A Newtonian analog and a shear-thinning aqueous glycerol, xanthan gum solution were circulated through an in vitro flow loop replicating both a straight and obstructed artery where transition was initiated through natural and shear-layer-induced mechanisms respectively.

On the characterization of a non-Newtonian blood analog and its response to pulsatile flow downstream of a simplified stenosis.

Particle image velocimetry (PIV) was used to investigate the influence of a non-Newtonian blood analog of aqueous xanthan gum on flow separation in laminar and transitional environments and in both steady and pulsatile flow. Initial steady pressure drop measurements in laminar and transitional flow for a Newtonian analog showed an extension of laminar behavior to Reynolds number (Re) ~ 2900 for the non-Newtonian case. On a macroscale level, this showed good agreement with porcine blood.

The viscous characterization of hydroxyethyl starch (HES) plasma volume expanders in a non-Newtonian blood analog.

Although information pertaining to the viscous characterization of HES 130/0.4 Voluven® and HES 260/0.45 Pentaspan® is available, quantification is limited to 100% concentrations.

In vitro melanogenesis inhibitory effects of N-feruloyldopamine.

Tyrosinase is the rate-limiting enzyme in the melanogenesis process. It remains the most efficient way to downregulate melanin production and improve unsightly pigmentary disorders. The aim of our investigations was to find a structurally characterized molecule with better efficacy than existing molecules without cell toxicity.

The quantification of hemodynamic parameters downstream of a Gianturco Zenith stent wire using newtonian and non-newtonian analog fluids in a pulsatile flow environment.

Although deployed in the vasculature to expand vessel diameter and improve blood flow, protruding stent struts can create complex flow environments associated with flow separation and oscillating shear gradients. Given the association between magnitude and direction of wall shear stress (WSS) and endothelial phenotype expression, accurate representation of stent-induced flow patterns is critical if we are to predict sites susceptible to intimal hyperplasia. Despite the number of stents approved for clinical use, quantification on the alteration of hemodynamic flow parameters associated with the Gianturco Z-stent is limited in the literature.

Vortex interaction of tandem pitching and plunging plates: a two-dimensional model of hovering dragonfly-like flight.

The force evolution and associated vortex dynamics on a nominal two-dimensional tandem pitching and plunging configuration inspired by hovering dragonfly-like flight have been investigated experimentally using time-resolved particle image velocimetry. The aerodynamic forces acting on the flat plates have been determined using a classic control-volume approach, i.e.

A Hibiscus Abelmoschus seed extract as a protective active ingredient to favour FGF-2 activity in skin.

In the skin, heparin, heparan sulphate and heparan sulphate proteoglycans control the storage and release of growth factors and protect them from early degradation. We developed a cosmetic active ingredient containing Hibiscus Abelmoschus seed extract (trade name Linefactor) that can maintain the FGF-2 content in the skin by mimicking the protective effect of heparan sulphate proteoglycans. By preventing the natural degradation of FGF-2, Hibiscus Abelmoschus seed extract maintains the bioavailability of this growth factor for its target cells, i.

Analogues of N-hydroxycinnamoylphenalkylamides as inhibitors of human melanocyte-tyrosinase.

Melanin play a major role in human skin protection and their biosynthesis is vital. Due to their color, they contribute to the skin pigmentation. Tyrosinase is a key enzyme involved in the first stage of melanin synthesis, catalyzing the transformation of tyrosine to l-dopaquinone.

Discovery of benzylidenebenzofuran-3(2H)-one (aurones) as inhibitors of tyrosinase derived from human melanocytes.

Tyrosinase is a copper-dependent enzyme which converts l- tyrosine to dopaquinone and is involved in different biological processes such as melanogenesis and skin hyperpigmentation. The purpose of this study was to investigate naturally occurring aurones (Z-benzylidenebenzofuran-3(2H)-one) and analogues as human tyrosinase inhibitors. Several aurones bearing hydroxyl groups on A-ring and different substituents on B-ring were synthesized and evaluated as inhibitors of human melanocyte-tyrosinase by an assay which measures tyrosinase-catalyzed l-Dopa oxidation.