The importance of corner sharpness in the BARC test case: A numerical study

Alessandro Chiarini,Maurizio Quadrio 한국풍공학회 2022 Wind and Structures, An International Journal (WAS Vol.34 No.1

The BARC flow is studied via Direct Numerical Simulation at a relatively low turbulent Reynolds number, with focus on the geometrical representation of the leading-edge (LE) corners. The study contributes to further our understanding of the discrepancies between existing numerical and experimental BARC data. In a first part, rounded LE corners with small curvature radii are considered. Results show that a small amount of rounding does not lead to abrupt changes of the mean fields, but that the effects increase with the curvature radius. The shear layer separates from the rounded LE at a lower angle, which reduces the size of the main recirculating region over the cylinder side. In contrast, the longitudinal size of the recirculating region behind the trailing edge (TE) increases, as the TE shear layer is accelerated. The effect of the curvature radii on the turbulent kinetic energy and on its production, dissipation and transport are addressed. The present results should be contrasted with the recent work of Rocchio et al. (2020), who found via implicit Large-Eddy Simulations at larger Reynolds numbers that even a small curvature radius leads to significant changes of the mean flow. In a second part, the LE corners are fully sharp and the exact analytical solution of the Stokes problem in the neighbourhood of the corners is used to locally restore the solution accuracy degraded by the singularity. Changes in the mean flow reveal that the analytical correction leads to streamlines that better follow the corners. The flow separates from the LE with a lower angle, resulting in a slightly smaller recirculating region. The corner-correction approach is valuable in general, and is expected to help developing high-quality numerical simulations at the high Reynolds numbers typical of the experiments with reasonable meshing requirements

Newer Insights into the Antidiarrheal Effects of Acacia catechu Willd. Extract in Guinea Pig

Matteo Micucci,Roberto Gotti,Ivan Corazza,Gabriella Tocci,Alberto Chiarini,Marta De Giorgio,Luca Camarda,Maria Frosini,Carla Marzetti,Monica Cevenini,Roberta Budriesi 한국식품영양과학회 2017 Journal of medicinal food Vol.20 No.6

Acacia catechu Willd. is a plant diffused in India and other Asian countries, where it is used as a traditional medicine for the treatment of several ailments including diarrhea, one of the most common pathologies worldwide. In this study, we determined the chemical composition of Acacia catechu Willd. extract (AC) and evaluated its effect on spontaneous and induced contractility in isolated guinea pig ileum and proximal colon. Preliminary data about its antimicrobial effect against some pathogen agents versus some microbiota intestinal strain have been also reported. Chemical analysis revealed the presence of catechins, such as (−)-Epicatechin and (+)-Catechin. AC extract reduced frequency and amplitude of colon smooth muscle spontaneous contractility, in a concentration-dependent manner. A weaker effect of the extract was exerted toward ileum smooth muscle spontaneous contractility. The observed calcium antagonistic effect was more potent in proximal colon than in ileum. The extract showed a noncompetitive reversible antagonism to carbachol, both in proximal colon and ileum, with a higher potency in proximal colon. The antimicrobial effects of AC extract were observed toward Campylobacter jejuni, Escherichia coli, and Salmonella spp., while Bifido and Lactobacillus were not affected by treatment. These effects, however, occurred at concentrations fivefold higher than those inhibiting ileum and colon contractility. In conclusion, our results suggest that AC affects intestinal contractility without affecting intestinal bacterial flora and this may result in clinical benefits in patients suffering from nonbacterial diarrhea.

Stop Fitan: Antispasmodic Effect of Natural Extract of Chestnut Wood in Guinea Pig Ileum and Proximal Colon Smooth Muscle

Roberta Budriesi,Pierfranco Ioan,Matteo Micucci,Vittorio Limongelli,Alberto Chiarini 한국식품영양과학회 2010 Journal of medicinal food Vol.13 No.5

Stop Fitan® [manufactured by Demar Snc, Cesena (FC), Italy, on behalf of Geosilva, Cesena] is a dietary supplement proposed as a co-adjuvant in the therapy of diarrhea. It is based on the bioactive purified natural extract of chestnut (Castanea sativa) wood and Saccharomyces boulardii, a nonpathogenic yeast strain that has been used for treatment and prevention of diarrhea. The effects of Stop Fitan and the purified natural extract of chestnut wood were assessed in vitro using guinea pig ileum and proximal colon tissues. In order to explain their effects on intestinal smooth muscle contraction, a series of pathways implicated in intestinal motility have been investigated. In particular, the antispasmodic effect of natural extract of chestnut wood, containing hydrolyzable tannins, was tested against the spasmodic effects induced by carbachol, histamine, potassium chloride, and barium chloride in guinea pig ileum and by carbachol or serotonin in guinea pig proximal colon. The data show that natural extract of chestnut wood exerts spasmolytic effects in ileum and proximal colon, by a mechanism perhaps involving unspecific cellular pathways. These findings, taken together with the antibacterial, antiviral, and antispasmodic properties of tannins, suggest that the combination of tannins and S. boulardii may be relevant to treat diarrhea by Stop Fitan.

Castanea sativa Mill. Extract Contracts Gallbladder and Relaxes Sphincter of Oddi in Guinea Pig: A Natural Approach to Biliary Tract Motility Disorders

Matteo Micucci,Pierfranco Ioan,Rita Aldini,Monica Cevenini,Vittorio Alvisi,Corrado Ruffilli,Alberto Chiarini,Roberta Budriesi 한국식품영양과학회 2014 Journal of medicinal food Vol.17 No.7

Impaired gallbladder motility is a contributing factor to gallstone formation. Since many drugs delaying intestinal motility inhibit gallbladder emptying, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect on gallbladder and sphincter of Oddi motility of a Natural Chestnut Wood Extract (NEC) that reduces intestinal motility. In order to evaluate the effect of the extract in normal- and high-risk gallstone conditions, the investigation was performed using tissues from animals fed normal and lithogenic diet. Fifty guinea pigs were administered either control or lithogenic diet. The spontaneous motility of the gallbladder and sphincter of Oddi were recorded on isolated gallbladder tissues; thereafter, the effect of NEC on motility was tested and compared with carbachol (CCh), potassium chloride (KCl), noradrenaline (NA), and A71623. Compared to controls, the lithogenic diet induced an irregular and disordered motor pattern in both the gallbladder and sphincter of Oddi. NEC increased gallbladder and decreased sphincter of Oddi spontaneous motility independently of cholinergic, adrenergic, and CCK-1 receptor-mediated pathways both in controls and in lithogenic diet-fed animals, although the effect was lower in the latter group. The effect was reversible and mediated by calcium channels. The natural extract of chestnut increasing gallbladder contraction and inducing the relaxation of the sphincter of Oddi can be of benefit in pathological conditions associated with increased transit time at risk of gallstones.

Hibiscus Sabdariffa L. Flowers and Olea Europea L. Leaves Extract-Based Formulation for Hypertension Care: In Vitro Efficacy and Toxicological Profile

Matteo Micucci,Andrea Angeletti,Massimiliano Cont,Ivan Corazza,Rita Aldini,Elisa Donadio,Alberto Chiarini,Roberta Budriesi 한국식품영양과학회 2016 Journal of medicinal food Vol.19 No.5

Olea europaea L. leaves extract (Oe) and Hybiscus sabdariffa L. flowers extract (Hs) have calcium antagonistic properties. Aim of this work was to study the cardiovascular effects of Pres Phytum , a nutraceutical formulation containing a mixture of the two extracts and the excipients, and investigate its possible off-target effects, using in vitro biological assays on guinea pig isolated organs. Cardiovascular effects were assessed using guinea pig atria and aorta. The effects of Pres Phytum on spontaneous gastrointestinal, urinary, and respiratory tracts smooth muscle contractility were evaluated. Pres Phytum exerted a vasorelaxant effect (IC50 = 2.38 mg/mL) and a negative chronotropic effect (IC50 = 1.04 mg/mL) at concentrations lower than those producing smooth muscle spontaneous contractility alterations in the other organs. Compared to Pres Phytum, the mixture did not exert negative inotropic activity, while it maintained a negative chronotropic efficacy (IC50 = 1.04 mg/mL). These experimental data suggest a possible nutraceutical use of this food supplement for the management of preclinical hypertension.