M. Carreres - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by M. Carreres

Research paper thumbnail of Using one-dimensional modeling to analyze the influence of the use of biodiesels on the dynamic behavior of solenoid-operated injectors in common rail systems: Results of the simulations and discussion

Energy Conversion and Management, 2012

The influence of using biodiesel fuels on the hydraulic behavior of a solenoid operated common ra... more The influence of using biodiesel fuels on the hydraulic behavior of a solenoid operated common rail injection system has been explored by means of a one-dimensional model. This model has been previously obtained, including a complete characterization of the different components of the injector (mainly the nozzle, the injector holder and the electrovalve), and extensively validated by means of mass flow rate results under different conditions. After that, both single and multiple injection strategies have been analyzed, using a standard diesel fuel and rapeseed methyl ester (RME) as working fluids. Single long injections allowed the characterization of the hydraulic delay of the injector, the needle dynamics and the discharge capability of the couple injector-nozzle for the two fuels considered. Meanwhile, the effect of biodiesel on main plus post injection strategies has been evaluated in several aspects, such as the separation of the two injections or the effect of the main injection on the post injection fueling. Finally, a modification in the injector hardware has been proposed in order to have similar performances using biodiesel as the original injector configuration using standard diesel fuel.

Research paper thumbnail of Engine combustion network: Influence of the gas properties on the spray penetration and spreading angle

Experimental Thermal and Fluid Science, 2014

In this work, three Engine Combustion Network (ECN) single-hole nozzles with the same nominal cha... more In this work, three Engine Combustion Network (ECN) single-hole nozzles with the same nominal characteristics have been tested under a wide range of conditions measuring spray penetration and spreading angle. n-dodecane has been injected in nonevaporative conditions at different injection pressures ranging from 50 to 150 MPa and several levels of ambient densities from 7.6 to 22.8 kg/m 3 . Nitrogen and Sulphur Hexafluoride (SF 6 ) atmospheres have been explored and,in the first case, a temperature sweep from 300 to 550 K at constant gas density has been executed. Mie scattering has been used as the optical technique by employing a fast camera, whereas image processing has been performed through a home-built Matlab code.

Research paper thumbnail of Analysis of the combined effect of hydrogrinding process and inclination angle on hydraulic performance of diesel injection nozzles

Energy Conversion and Management, 2015

Research paper thumbnail of Experimental Characterization of the Thermodynamic Properties of Diesel Fuels Over a Wide Range of Pressures and Temperatures

SAE International Journal of Fuels and Lubricants, 2015

Research paper thumbnail of Comparison of microsac and VCO diesel injector nozzles in terms of internal nozzle flow characteristics

Energy Conversion and Management, 2015

Research paper thumbnail of Assessment on Internal Nozzle Flow Initialization in Diesel Spray Simulations

SAE Technical Paper Series, 2015

Research paper thumbnail of An Investigation on the Dynamic Behaviour at Different Temperatures of a Solenoid Operated Common-Rail Ballistic Injector by means of a One-Dimensional Model

SAE Technical Paper Series, 2014

Research paper thumbnail of Large-eddy simulation analysis of the influence of the needle lift on the cavitation in diesel injector nozzles

Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part D: Journal of Automobile Engineering, 2014

Research paper thumbnail of Shh/Boc Signaling Is Required for Sustained Generation of Ipsilateral Projecting Ganglion Cells in the Mouse Retina

Journal of Neuroscience, 2013

Sonic Hedgehog (Shh) signaling is an important determinant of vertebrate retinal ganglion cell (R... more Sonic Hedgehog (Shh) signaling is an important determinant of vertebrate retinal ganglion cell (RGC) development. In mice, there are two major RGC populations: (1) the Islet2-expressing contralateral projecting (c)RGCs, which both produce and respond to Shh; and (2) the Zic2-expressing ipsilateral projecting RGCs (iRGCs), which lack Shh expression. In contrast to cRGCs, iRGCs, which are generated in the ventrotemporal crescent (VTC) of the retina, specifically express Boc, a cell adhesion molecule that acts as a high-affinity receptor for Shh. In Boc(-/-) mutant mice, the ipsilateral projection is significantly decreased. Here, we demonstrate that this phenotype results, at least in part, from the misspecification of a proportion of iRGCs. In Boc(-/-) VTC, the number of Zic2-positive RGCs is reduced, whereas more Islet2/Shh-positive RGCs are observed, a phenotype also detected in Zic2 and Foxd1 null embryos. Consistent with this observation, organization of retinal projections at the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus is altered in Boc(-/-) mice. Analyses of the molecular and cellular consequences of introducing Shh into the developing VTC and Zic2 and Boc into the central retina indicate that Boc expression alone is insufficient to fully activate the ipsilateral program and that Zic2 regulates Shh expression. Taking these data together, we propose that expression of Boc in cells from the VTC is required to sustain Zic2 expression, likely by regulating the levels of Shh signaling from the nearby cRGCs. Zic2, in turn, directly or indirectly, counteracts Shh and Islet2 expression in the VTC and activates the ipsilateral program.

Research paper thumbnail of Transcription Factor Foxd1 Is Required for the Specification of the Temporal Retina in Mammals

Journal of Neuroscience, 2011

The organization of the visual system is different in birds and mammals. In both, retinal axons p... more The organization of the visual system is different in birds and mammals. In both, retinal axons project topographically to the visual targets in the brain; but whereas in birds visual fibers from the entire retina decussate at the optic chiasm, in mammals, a number of axons from the temporal retina diverge at the midline to project ipsilaterally. Gain-of-function experiments in chick raised the hypothesis that the transcription factor Foxd1 specifies retinal temporal identity. However, it remains unknown whether Foxd1 is necessary for this function. In mammals, the crucial role of Foxd1 in the patterning of the optic chiasm region has complicated the interpretation of its cell-autonomous function in the retina. Furthermore, target molecules identified for Foxd1 are different in chicks and mice, leading to question the function of Foxd1 in mammals. Here we show that in the mouse, Foxd1 imprints temporal features in the retina such as axonal ipsilaterality and rostral targeting in collicular areas and that EphA6 is a Foxd1 downstream effector that sends temporal axons to the rostral colliculus. In addition, our data support a model in which the desensitization of EphA6 by ephrinA5 in cis is not necessary for the proper functioning of EphA6. Overall, these results indicate that Foxd1 functions as a conserved determinant of temporal identity but reveal that the downstream effectors, and likely their mechanisms of action, are different in mammals and birds.

Research paper thumbnail of Complete modelling of a piezo actuator last-generation injector for diesel injection systems

International Journal of Engine Research, 2014

An experimental and computational study of the increasingly used third generation common rail inj... more An experimental and computational study of the increasingly used third generation common rail injection system with piezo actuator has been carried out. A complete characterization of the different elements of the system, both geometrically and hydraulically, has been performed in order to describe its behavior. The information obtained through the characterization has been used to create a one-dimensional model that has been implemented in the commercial software AMESim and extensively validated against experimental data. The results of the validation demonstrate the model ability to predict the injection rate of the injector with high level of accuracy, therefore constituting a powerful tool in order to carry out further studies of this type of injection systems.

Research paper thumbnail of Using one-dimensional modeling to analyze the influence of the use of biodiesels on the dynamic behavior of solenoid-operated injectors in common rail systems: Results of the simulations and discussion

Energy Conversion and Management, 2012

The influence of using biodiesel fuels on the hydraulic behavior of a solenoid operated common ra... more The influence of using biodiesel fuels on the hydraulic behavior of a solenoid operated common rail injection system has been explored by means of a one-dimensional model. This model has been previously obtained, including a complete characterization of the different components of the injector (mainly the nozzle, the injector holder and the electrovalve), and extensively validated by means of mass flow rate results under different conditions. After that, both single and multiple injection strategies have been analyzed, using a standard diesel fuel and rapeseed methyl ester (RME) as working fluids. Single long injections allowed the characterization of the hydraulic delay of the injector, the needle dynamics and the discharge capability of the couple injector-nozzle for the two fuels considered. Meanwhile, the effect of biodiesel on main plus post injection strategies has been evaluated in several aspects, such as the separation of the two injections or the effect of the main injection on the post injection fueling. Finally, a modification in the injector hardware has been proposed in order to have similar performances using biodiesel as the original injector configuration using standard diesel fuel.

Research paper thumbnail of Zic2 promotes axonal divergence at the optic chiasm midline by EphB1-dependent and -independent mechanisms

Development, 2008

Axons of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) make a divergent choice at the optic chiasm to cross or av... more Axons of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) make a divergent choice at the optic chiasm to cross or avoid the midline in order to project to ipsilateral and contralateral targets, thereby establishing the binocular visual pathway. The zinc-finger transcription factor Zic2 and a member of the Eph family of receptor tyrosine kinases, EphB1, are both essential for proper development of the ipsilateral projection at the mammalian optic chiasm midline. Here, we demonstrate in mouse by functional experiments in vivo that Zic2 is not only required but is also sufficient to change the trajectory of RGC axons from crossed to uncrossed. In addition, our results reveal that this transcription factor regulates the expression of EphB1 in RGCs and also suggest the existence of an additional EphB1-independent pathway controlled by Zic2 that contributes to retinal axon divergence at the midline.

Research paper thumbnail of A computational investigation on the influence of the use of elliptical orifices on the inner nozzle flow and cavitation development in diesel injector nozzles

Energy Conversion and Management, 2014

In this paper a computational study was carried out in order to investigate the influence of the ... more In this paper a computational study was carried out in order to investigate the influence of the use of elliptical orifices on the inner nozzle flow and cavitation development. With this aim, a large number of injection conditions have been simulated and analysed for 5 different nozzles: four nozzles with different elliptical orifices and one standard nozzle with circular orifices. The four elliptical nozzles differ from each other in the orientation of the major axis (vertical or horizontal) and in the eccentricity value, but keeping the same outlet section in all cases. The comparison has been made in terms of mass flow, momentum flux and other important non-dimensional parameters which help to describe the behaviour of the inner nozzle flow: discharge coefficient (C d ), area coefficient (C a ) and velocity coefficient (C v ). The simulations have been done with a code able to simulate the flow under either cavitating or non-cavitating conditions. This code has been previously validated using experimental measurements over the standard nozzle with circular orifices. The main results of the investigation have shown how the different geometries modify the critical cavitation conditions as well as the discharge coefficient and the effective velocity. In particular, elliptical geometries with vertically oriented major axis are less prone to cavitate and have a lower discharge coefficient, whereas elliptical geometries with horizontally oriented major axis are more prone to cavitate and show a higher discharge coefficient.

Research paper thumbnail of Using one-dimensional modeling to analyze the influence of the use of biodiesels on the dynamic behavior of solenoid-operated injectors in common rail systems: Results of the simulations and discussion

Energy Conversion and Management, 2012

The influence of using biodiesel fuels on the hydraulic behavior of a solenoid operated common ra... more The influence of using biodiesel fuels on the hydraulic behavior of a solenoid operated common rail injection system has been explored by means of a one-dimensional model. This model has been previously obtained, including a complete characterization of the different components of the injector (mainly the nozzle, the injector holder and the electrovalve), and extensively validated by means of mass flow rate results under different conditions. After that, both single and multiple injection strategies have been analyzed, using a standard diesel fuel and rapeseed methyl ester (RME) as working fluids. Single long injections allowed the characterization of the hydraulic delay of the injector, the needle dynamics and the discharge capability of the couple injector-nozzle for the two fuels considered. Meanwhile, the effect of biodiesel on main plus post injection strategies has been evaluated in several aspects, such as the separation of the two injections or the effect of the main injection on the post injection fueling. Finally, a modification in the injector hardware has been proposed in order to have similar performances using biodiesel as the original injector configuration using standard diesel fuel.

Research paper thumbnail of Engine combustion network: Influence of the gas properties on the spray penetration and spreading angle

Experimental Thermal and Fluid Science, 2014

In this work, three Engine Combustion Network (ECN) single-hole nozzles with the same nominal cha... more In this work, three Engine Combustion Network (ECN) single-hole nozzles with the same nominal characteristics have been tested under a wide range of conditions measuring spray penetration and spreading angle. n-dodecane has been injected in nonevaporative conditions at different injection pressures ranging from 50 to 150 MPa and several levels of ambient densities from 7.6 to 22.8 kg/m 3 . Nitrogen and Sulphur Hexafluoride (SF 6 ) atmospheres have been explored and,in the first case, a temperature sweep from 300 to 550 K at constant gas density has been executed. Mie scattering has been used as the optical technique by employing a fast camera, whereas image processing has been performed through a home-built Matlab code.

Research paper thumbnail of Analysis of the combined effect of hydrogrinding process and inclination angle on hydraulic performance of diesel injection nozzles

Energy Conversion and Management, 2015

Research paper thumbnail of Experimental Characterization of the Thermodynamic Properties of Diesel Fuels Over a Wide Range of Pressures and Temperatures

SAE International Journal of Fuels and Lubricants, 2015

Research paper thumbnail of Comparison of microsac and VCO diesel injector nozzles in terms of internal nozzle flow characteristics

Energy Conversion and Management, 2015

Research paper thumbnail of Assessment on Internal Nozzle Flow Initialization in Diesel Spray Simulations

SAE Technical Paper Series, 2015

Research paper thumbnail of An Investigation on the Dynamic Behaviour at Different Temperatures of a Solenoid Operated Common-Rail Ballistic Injector by means of a One-Dimensional Model

SAE Technical Paper Series, 2014

Research paper thumbnail of Large-eddy simulation analysis of the influence of the needle lift on the cavitation in diesel injector nozzles

Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part D: Journal of Automobile Engineering, 2014

Research paper thumbnail of Shh/Boc Signaling Is Required for Sustained Generation of Ipsilateral Projecting Ganglion Cells in the Mouse Retina

Journal of Neuroscience, 2013

Sonic Hedgehog (Shh) signaling is an important determinant of vertebrate retinal ganglion cell (R... more Sonic Hedgehog (Shh) signaling is an important determinant of vertebrate retinal ganglion cell (RGC) development. In mice, there are two major RGC populations: (1) the Islet2-expressing contralateral projecting (c)RGCs, which both produce and respond to Shh; and (2) the Zic2-expressing ipsilateral projecting RGCs (iRGCs), which lack Shh expression. In contrast to cRGCs, iRGCs, which are generated in the ventrotemporal crescent (VTC) of the retina, specifically express Boc, a cell adhesion molecule that acts as a high-affinity receptor for Shh. In Boc(-/-) mutant mice, the ipsilateral projection is significantly decreased. Here, we demonstrate that this phenotype results, at least in part, from the misspecification of a proportion of iRGCs. In Boc(-/-) VTC, the number of Zic2-positive RGCs is reduced, whereas more Islet2/Shh-positive RGCs are observed, a phenotype also detected in Zic2 and Foxd1 null embryos. Consistent with this observation, organization of retinal projections at the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus is altered in Boc(-/-) mice. Analyses of the molecular and cellular consequences of introducing Shh into the developing VTC and Zic2 and Boc into the central retina indicate that Boc expression alone is insufficient to fully activate the ipsilateral program and that Zic2 regulates Shh expression. Taking these data together, we propose that expression of Boc in cells from the VTC is required to sustain Zic2 expression, likely by regulating the levels of Shh signaling from the nearby cRGCs. Zic2, in turn, directly or indirectly, counteracts Shh and Islet2 expression in the VTC and activates the ipsilateral program.

Research paper thumbnail of Transcription Factor Foxd1 Is Required for the Specification of the Temporal Retina in Mammals

Journal of Neuroscience, 2011

The organization of the visual system is different in birds and mammals. In both, retinal axons p... more The organization of the visual system is different in birds and mammals. In both, retinal axons project topographically to the visual targets in the brain; but whereas in birds visual fibers from the entire retina decussate at the optic chiasm, in mammals, a number of axons from the temporal retina diverge at the midline to project ipsilaterally. Gain-of-function experiments in chick raised the hypothesis that the transcription factor Foxd1 specifies retinal temporal identity. However, it remains unknown whether Foxd1 is necessary for this function. In mammals, the crucial role of Foxd1 in the patterning of the optic chiasm region has complicated the interpretation of its cell-autonomous function in the retina. Furthermore, target molecules identified for Foxd1 are different in chicks and mice, leading to question the function of Foxd1 in mammals. Here we show that in the mouse, Foxd1 imprints temporal features in the retina such as axonal ipsilaterality and rostral targeting in collicular areas and that EphA6 is a Foxd1 downstream effector that sends temporal axons to the rostral colliculus. In addition, our data support a model in which the desensitization of EphA6 by ephrinA5 in cis is not necessary for the proper functioning of EphA6. Overall, these results indicate that Foxd1 functions as a conserved determinant of temporal identity but reveal that the downstream effectors, and likely their mechanisms of action, are different in mammals and birds.

Research paper thumbnail of Complete modelling of a piezo actuator last-generation injector for diesel injection systems

International Journal of Engine Research, 2014

An experimental and computational study of the increasingly used third generation common rail inj... more An experimental and computational study of the increasingly used third generation common rail injection system with piezo actuator has been carried out. A complete characterization of the different elements of the system, both geometrically and hydraulically, has been performed in order to describe its behavior. The information obtained through the characterization has been used to create a one-dimensional model that has been implemented in the commercial software AMESim and extensively validated against experimental data. The results of the validation demonstrate the model ability to predict the injection rate of the injector with high level of accuracy, therefore constituting a powerful tool in order to carry out further studies of this type of injection systems.

Research paper thumbnail of Using one-dimensional modeling to analyze the influence of the use of biodiesels on the dynamic behavior of solenoid-operated injectors in common rail systems: Results of the simulations and discussion

Energy Conversion and Management, 2012

The influence of using biodiesel fuels on the hydraulic behavior of a solenoid operated common ra... more The influence of using biodiesel fuels on the hydraulic behavior of a solenoid operated common rail injection system has been explored by means of a one-dimensional model. This model has been previously obtained, including a complete characterization of the different components of the injector (mainly the nozzle, the injector holder and the electrovalve), and extensively validated by means of mass flow rate results under different conditions. After that, both single and multiple injection strategies have been analyzed, using a standard diesel fuel and rapeseed methyl ester (RME) as working fluids. Single long injections allowed the characterization of the hydraulic delay of the injector, the needle dynamics and the discharge capability of the couple injector-nozzle for the two fuels considered. Meanwhile, the effect of biodiesel on main plus post injection strategies has been evaluated in several aspects, such as the separation of the two injections or the effect of the main injection on the post injection fueling. Finally, a modification in the injector hardware has been proposed in order to have similar performances using biodiesel as the original injector configuration using standard diesel fuel.

Research paper thumbnail of Zic2 promotes axonal divergence at the optic chiasm midline by EphB1-dependent and -independent mechanisms

Development, 2008

Axons of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) make a divergent choice at the optic chiasm to cross or av... more Axons of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) make a divergent choice at the optic chiasm to cross or avoid the midline in order to project to ipsilateral and contralateral targets, thereby establishing the binocular visual pathway. The zinc-finger transcription factor Zic2 and a member of the Eph family of receptor tyrosine kinases, EphB1, are both essential for proper development of the ipsilateral projection at the mammalian optic chiasm midline. Here, we demonstrate in mouse by functional experiments in vivo that Zic2 is not only required but is also sufficient to change the trajectory of RGC axons from crossed to uncrossed. In addition, our results reveal that this transcription factor regulates the expression of EphB1 in RGCs and also suggest the existence of an additional EphB1-independent pathway controlled by Zic2 that contributes to retinal axon divergence at the midline.

Research paper thumbnail of A computational investigation on the influence of the use of elliptical orifices on the inner nozzle flow and cavitation development in diesel injector nozzles

Energy Conversion and Management, 2014

In this paper a computational study was carried out in order to investigate the influence of the ... more In this paper a computational study was carried out in order to investigate the influence of the use of elliptical orifices on the inner nozzle flow and cavitation development. With this aim, a large number of injection conditions have been simulated and analysed for 5 different nozzles: four nozzles with different elliptical orifices and one standard nozzle with circular orifices. The four elliptical nozzles differ from each other in the orientation of the major axis (vertical or horizontal) and in the eccentricity value, but keeping the same outlet section in all cases. The comparison has been made in terms of mass flow, momentum flux and other important non-dimensional parameters which help to describe the behaviour of the inner nozzle flow: discharge coefficient (C d ), area coefficient (C a ) and velocity coefficient (C v ). The simulations have been done with a code able to simulate the flow under either cavitating or non-cavitating conditions. This code has been previously validated using experimental measurements over the standard nozzle with circular orifices. The main results of the investigation have shown how the different geometries modify the critical cavitation conditions as well as the discharge coefficient and the effective velocity. In particular, elliptical geometries with vertically oriented major axis are less prone to cavitate and have a lower discharge coefficient, whereas elliptical geometries with horizontally oriented major axis are more prone to cavitate and show a higher discharge coefficient.