Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Numerical simulation of swelling soil – mat foundation interaction

Volume changes exhibited by expansive soils upon wetting and drying are responsible for various degrees of damage to buildings. This paper presents a simple constitutive model intended for use in finite element analyses of the interaction between mat foundations and expansive soils subjected to changes in moisture content. The constitutive model combines a nonlinear elastic law with a mechanism that predicts plastic volumetric strains caused by changes in soil suction. The model has been implemented in a finite element program and calibrated against experimental data from swelling/collapse oedometer tests on an expansive Nicosia marl. Coupled mechanical-unsaturated flow finite element simulations are performed for circular and strip mats resting on Nicosia marl, using daily climatic input, namely rainfall and evaporation, consistent with the semiarid climate of Nicosia, Cyprus, for the course of seventeen months. Analyses show that soil volume changes caused by moisture migration in the vicinity of the foundation can generate significant bending moments, especially during the dry season. RÉSUMÉ: Les changements de volume présentés par les sols expansifs lors du mouillage et du séchage sont responsables de divers degrés de dommages aux bâtiments. Cet article présente un modèle constitutif simple destiné à être utilisé dans l'analyse des éléments finis de l'interaction entre radiers et sols expansifs. Le modèle constitutif combine une loi élastique avec un mécanisme qui conduit au développement des contraintes volumétriques plastique causées par des modifications de la succion du sol. Le modèle a été mis en œuvre dans un programme d'éléments finis et calibré sur des données expérimentales issues d'essais d'œdomètre de gonflement/effondrement sur une marne de Nicosie expansive. Des simulations couplés par éléments finis (mécanique flux insaturé) sont effectuées pour radiers circulaires et de bande reposants sur la marne de Nicosie, en utilisant les données climatiques quotidiennes (précipitation et évaporation) compatibles avec le climat semi-aride de Nicosie, Chypre, pendant une période de dix-sept mois. Les analyses montrent que les changements de volume du sol dus à la migration de l'humidité à proximité de la fondation peuvent générer des moments de flexion significatifs, en particulier pendant la saison sèche.
Proplatelet formation is selectively inhibited by collagen type I through Syk-independent GPVI signaling

ABSTRACT Collagen receptors GPVI (also known as GP6) and integrin α2β1 are highly expressed on blood platelets and megakaryocytes, their immediate precursors. After vessel injury, subendothelial collagen becomes exposed and induces platelet activation to prevent blood loss. Collagen types I and IV are thought to have opposite effects on platelet biogenesis, directing proplatelet formation (PPF) towards the blood vessels to prevent premature release within the marrow cavity. We used megakaryocytes lacking collagen receptors or treated megakaryocytes with blocking antibodies, and could demonstrate that collagen-I-mediated inhibition of PPF is specifically controlled by GPVI. Other collagen types competed for binding and diminished the inhibitory signal, which was entirely dependent on receptor-proximal Src family kinases, whereas Syk and LAT were dispensable. Adhesion assays indicate that megakaryocyte binding to collagens is mediated by α2β1, and that collagen IV at the vascular niche might displace collagen I from megakaryocytes and thus contribute to prevention of premature platelet release into the marrow cavity and thereby directionally promote PPF at the vasculature. Summary: Binding of collagen type I to GPVI on megakaryocytes inhibits premature proplatelet formation by a Syk-independent pathway that is distinct from GPVI signaling in platelets.
A technique for unit commitment in multiple energy carrier systems with storage

A new approach on the planning and operation of power systems is necessary in order to cope with the characteristics of energy systems with multiple energy carriers, as well as with the intensified integration of renewable energy sources and storage units. This paper proposes a technique to include storage as part of a general unit commitment framework for energy systems that contain multiple energy carriers.
Broadband radio LANs and the evolution of wireless beyond 3G

The wireless communication landscape will continue to develop at a rapid pace over the next few years. New systems and standards are on the horizon which enable broadband wireless communication in the office, at home, and "on the move. " They will finally bring the information services provided by the Internet and the World Wide Web to mobile users, together with a variety of new multimedia entertainment services. In this paper we give an overview of key developments in wireless communication systems. The emerging third-generation (3G) cellular systems and the growing importance of wireless local- and personal-area networks are discussed. The physical and medium-access control (MAC) layers are described for the new broadband wireless local area networks (LANs), which enable "hot-spot" data and multimedia services in airports, hotel lobbies, and a variety of other "public" places. We present an outlook toward a future fourth-generation wireless communication system. It can be integrated with the Internet protocol (IP) backbone network and can provide quality-of-service (QoS) support for multimedia applications. It supports dynamic scheduling, link adaptation, and frequency selection as well as full mobility. We conclude by describing some of the underlying technology developments driving the wireless evolution.
Ultimate solution for low thermal budget gate spacer and etch stopper to retard short channel effect in sub-90 nm devices

For the first time, by employing low thermal budget processes of ALD SiO/sub 2/ and ALD SiN as gate spacer and silicide blocking layer, the short channel effects of CMOSFETs are significantly suppressed. Using the ALD SiO/sub 2/ and ALD SiN processes, we achieved excellent roll-off characteristics of threshold voltage in PMOS, which results in 10% increase of drive current and 15% decrease of inverter delay time. Furthermore, gate oxide reliability and static noise margin of 6T-SRAM bit cell with ALD SiC/sub 2/SiN processes are comparable to those with conventional high temperature CVD SiO/sub 2//SiN processes. In conclusion, ALD SiO/sub 2/ and ALD SiN processes of extremely low thermal budget are successfully implemented to sub-90 nm CMOSFETs.
New molecular defects in the γ subdomain of fibrinogen D-domain in four cases of (hypo)dysfibrinogenemia: fibrinogen variants Hannover VI, Homburg VII, Stuttgart and Suhl

Summary Four new molecular abnormalities in the γ subdomain of the D domain elucidated in three unrelated thrombophilic patients and in one asymptomatic case of hypofibrinogenemia are reported: fibrinogen Suhl, γ 326,Cys →Tyr, fibrinogen Hannover VI, γ 336 Met →Ile, fibrinogen Stuttgart, γ 345, Asn→Asp and fibrinogen Homburg VII, γ354,Tyr→Cys. In all cases, fibrin polymerization in plasma is impaired. In the case of fibrinogen Suhl, there was a normalization of fibrin polymerization in plasma at higher Ca2+ concentration. The protective effect of Ca2+ on plasmic degradation of fibrinogen was incomplete with all three variants. The fibrinogen molecules in variants Homburg VII and Suhl contain covalently bound albumin. Fibrin clot structure was abnormal in case of variant Homburg VII, with finer and more branched fibers forming a less porous clot. Experimental data indicate possible effects of the molecular abnormalities on Ca2+-binding, D-E interaction and lateral association of protofibrils.
Pseudotyping of Porcine Endogenous Retrovirus by Xenotropic Murine Leukemia Virus in a Pig Islet Xenotransplantation Model

The potential of porcine endogenous retrovirus (PERV) as a human pathogen, particularly as a public health risk, is a major concern for xenotransplantation. In vitro PERV transmission to human cells is well established. Evidence from human/pig hematopoietic chimeras in immunodeficient mice suggests PERV transmission from pig to human cells in vivo. However, recently Yang et al. demonstrated in such a model that PERV‐C, a nonhuman‐tropic class, could be transmitted via pseudotyping by xenotropic murine leukemia virus (X‐MLV). We developed a mouse pig islet xenotransplant model, where pig and human cells are located in physically separate compartments, to directly assess PERV transmission from a functional pig xenograft. X‐MLV efficiently pseudotypes all three classes of PERV, including PERV‐A and ‐B that are known to productively infect human cell lines and PERV‐C that is normally not infectious for human cells. Pseudotyping also extends PERV's natural tropism to nonpermissive, nonhuman primate cells. X‐MLV is activated locally by the surgical procedure involved in the tissue transplants. Thus, the presence and activation of endogenous X‐MLV in immunodeficient mice limits the clinical significance of previous reports of in vivo PERV transmission from pig tissues to human cells.
Joint Beamforming and Power Allocation for MIMO Two-Way Relaying Channels

We consider multi-input multi-output (MIMO), two way relaying channels where a pair of multi-antenna users wish to exchange information with the help of a non-regenerative, multi-antenna relay. We propose a joint beamforming and power allocation scheme for all nodes in the network in order to maximise the sum-rate, subject to a total network power constraint. The proposed beamformers first align the channel matrices of the user pair and then decompose the aligned channel matrix into parallel sub-channels. Sum-rate optimising power allocation is proposed to allocate power between all sub-channels and nodes. Simulation results justify that the proposed beamforming scheme significantly outperforms regenerative MIMO one-way relaying, under several different power allocation strategies.
Effect of degree of crystallinity on charge transport in ferroelectric semicrystalline polymer film

This paper describes 3D particle-in-cell (PIC) simulation of charge injection and transport through ferroelectric semicrystalline polymer (e.g. PVDF) film comprised of nanocrystallites in an amorphous matrix with varying degrees of crystallinity. The classical electrical double layer (EDL) model for a monopolar core is extended (eEDL) to represent the nanocrystallite by replacing it with a dipolar core. Charge injection at the electrodes assumes metal-polymer Schottky emission at low to moderate fields and Fowler-Nordheim tunneling at high fields. Injected particles propagate via field-dependent Poole-Frenkel mobility. In the eEDL model, the initial attachment of charge particles forms the bound Stern-Helmholtz layer leading to Maxwell-Wagner-Sillars polarization. Subsequent waves of charge particles are repelled by the attached charge resulting in the diffuse Gouy- Chapman transport layer. The simulation algorithm uses a boundary integral equation method (BIEM) for solution of the Poisson equation coupled with a second-order predictor-corrector scheme for robust time integration of the equations of motion. The stability criterion of the explicit algorithm conforms to the Courant-Friedrichs-Levy (CFL) limit assuring robust and rapid convergence. The model is capable of simulating a wide dynamic range spanning leakage current to pre-breakdown levels. Simulation results for semicrystalline film with varying degrees of crystallinity indicate that charge transport behavior depends on nanoparticle polarization with anti-parallel orientation showing the highest conduction and therefore lowest level of charge trapping in the interaction zone. Charge attachment to nanocrystallites increase with vol% loading or degree of crystallinity, and saturates at 40 vol% for the set of simulation parameters. The eEDL model predicts the intuitive meandering pathways of charge particle trajectories, which get progressively more inclined from normal incidence with increasing vol% loading.
Direct-conversion Switching-mode Audio Power Amplifier with Active Capacitive Voltage Clamp

This paper discusses the advantages and problems when implementing direct energy conversion switching-mode audio power amplifiers. It is shown that the total integration of the power supply and Class D audio power amplifier into one compact direct converter can simplify design, increase efficiency and integration level, reduce product volume and lower its cost. As an example, the principle of operation and the measurements made on a direct-conversion switching-mode audio power amplifier with active capacitive voltage clamp are presented
The Use of Functional Genomics in Synthetic Promoter Design

The scope of this chapter is to examine how advances in the field of Bioinformatics can be applied in the development of improved therapeutic strategies. In particular, we focus on how algorithms designed to unravel complex gene regulatory networks can then be used in the design of synthetic gene promoters that can be subsequently incorporated in novel gene transfer vectors to promote safer and more efficient expression of therapeutic genes for the treatment of various pathological conditions.
1 MHz cascaded Z-source inverters for scalable grid-interactive photovoltaic (PV) applications using GaN device

This paper presents a scalable cascaded Z-source inverter for residential PV systems with high efficiency and high switching frequency. The commercial low voltage Gallium Nitride (GaN) device with low loss and high frequency is used to facilitate each Z-source inverter cell modular. The comprehensive Z-source network is designed based on the innovative equivalent AC circuit model. A detailed efficiency analysis is applied to a 3kW single phase grid-connected PV system with four cascaded Z-source inverter cells and 1MHz output frequency. The proposed topology also has the advantage to achieve independent maximum power point tracking (MPPT) control for each module and therefore improve the PV energy harvesting capability.
Control of stator torsional vibration in PM brushless AC drives due to non-sinusoidal back-EMF and cogging torque by improved direct torque control

This paper presents a comparative study of the stator frame torsional vibration induced in indirect- and direct-torque controlled permanent magnet brushless AC drives with non-sinusoidal back-EMF waveforms. An improved direct torque controller, which accounts for the influences of non-ideal back-EMF and cogging torque, is proposed. Its effectiveness in minimizing low order stator frame torsional vibration is validated and confirmed experimentally.
Raman spectroscopy: A potential technique in analysis of pharmaceuticals

The characterization of drug and drug intermediates is necessary in the drug development process, particularly in the pharmaceutical industry. Various analytical techniques are employed for this purpose. The selection of the technique depends upon many parameters including ease in use, reproducible and accurate results. Raman spectroscopy is one of those techniques which have immense potential in the analysis of pharmaceuticals. It has been widely utilized in many other areas like food and dyestuff industry, but has been very limitedly used in the pharmaceutical industry for drug characterization. However recent literature reflects ongoing application of Raman spectroscopy in pharmaceuticals. These studies demonstrate how transmission Raman spectroscopy can be used in the quantitative, non-invasive probing of the bulk content. It can be used in characterization of drug molecules to reveal the solid-state properties arising from polymorphism and quantitative applications in formulations. The range of applications can be expanded further if Raman spectroscopy is used in conjunction with the conventional techniques like IR. Infact, Raman spectroscopy exhibits several advantages over IR and the other physical analytical techniques. This review presents an exhaustive to Raman spectroscopy and its several applications with special focus on pharmaceuticals
The outer surface proteins of Lyme disease borrelia spirochetes stimulate T cells to secrete interferon‐gamma (IFN‐γ): diagnostic and pathogenic implications

Late stages of borrelia Lyme disease infections may be difficult to diagnose because of unspecific symptoms and unreliable laboratory tests, being too unspecific or insensitive. The T cell immune response was thus evaluated in these patients by using a sensitive ELISPOT T cell assay that detects the secretion of IFN‐γ, i.e. a T helper 1 (Th1) response on the single‐cell level. Three subcellular fractions of the Lyme borreliosis strain Borrelia afzelii were used for antigenic stimulation. The outer surface protein (Osp) fraction elicited the strongest response, discriminating between borrelia infections (n= 15) compared with other neurological diseases (n= 10) and normal controls (n= 12) (P= 0.0001). The more heterogeneous sonicated borrelia fraction also elicited a strong response, however, also in some of the controls. The flagellin fraction did not have a similar T cell‐stimulating effect. When looking at subgroups of borrelia infections, central nervous system (CNS) infections (n= 7) revealed a lower T cell response in blood (P= 0.0128) compared with other borrelia manifestations (n= 8). Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) lymphocytes were available from three patients with CNS borreliosis, and all showed a compartmentalization with higher responses to the Osp fraction in CSF compared with blood, also in the two patients without any intrathecal‐specific antibody synthesis. The ELISPOT method is feasible for detecting a specific IFN‐γ T cell response in borrelia infections. This Th1 response may well be of pathogenic relevance.
Endoscopic

Aims: Laparoscopic adrenalectomy (LA) has become the treatment of choice in some centres for most adrenal tumours. The aim of this study was to assess a single operator establishing LA, and to identify any differences in practice and outcome over time. Methods: A review of our database for the period January 1999 to November 2004 looking at 90 adrenalectomies in 81 patients was performed. A comparison of findings is made between the early group (1999–2001) where LA was reserved for patients with adrenal tumours < 6 cm and the late group (2002–2004) where LA was considered for all patients. Results: Thirty-three patients were operated in the early group and 48 patients in the late group. Overall, 85% of adrenalectomies were attempted laparoscopically, the highest proportion within the late group (90% versus 73% in the early group, P < 0·05). Significantly shorter anaesthetic times were found in the late group for laparoscopically operated unilateral disease (mean 1 hour 59 minute) when compared to the early group (mean 2 hours 26 minutes) (P < 0·02). Overall, conversions were required in four patients (6%), one from the early group and three from the late group. There was no postoperative mortality. No difference between the early and late groups was found in postoperative morbidity (6%) or in the hospital stay (laparoscopic median 2, range 1–12, days). Conclusions: As experience with LA increases, more patients are chosen for this operation, larger tumours selected and faster operating times achieved.
Phenotype and function of human dendritic cells derived from M‐DC8+ monocytes

Dendritic cells (DC) generated from peripheral blood monocytes have been used with promising results as a new approach for the immunotherapy of cancer. However, at least four different subpopulations of peripheral blood monocytes have been recognized and their contribution to the generation of functional DC is not known. Recently, the monoclonal antibody M‐DC8 has been shown to react with 0.2 – 1 % of blood leukocytes. We have identified M‐DC8+ cells as monocytes which represent about 40 % of CD14lowCD16+ monocytes. Similar to M‐DC8– monocytes, they develop in the presence of GM‐CSF and IL‐4 into a very homogenous population of cells with DC phenotype and function. M‐DC8+ DC show on average a twofold higher expression of HLA class I and class II molecules than M‐DC8– DC. These DC produce IL‐12p75 both in response to LPS and to CD40 ligation. M‐DC8+ DC induced a strong Th1 immune response and were two to four old more potent than M‐DC8– DC for the priming of cord blood T cells. M‐DC8+ monocytes can be used as a source of very potent dendritic cells with the potential to significantly improve the efficacy of DC‐based immunotherapies.
OPTIMAL DESIGN OF LOW COST REDUCED SWITCH MULTI LEVEL INVERTER

This paper presents optimal design of three-phase multilevel inverter for distributed power generation system using low frequency modulation and sinusoidal pulse width modulation as well. It is a modular type and it can be extended for extra number of output voltage levels by adding additional modular stages. The impact of the proposed topology is its proficiency to maximize the number of voltage levels using a reduced number of isolated dc voltage sources and electronic switches. Moreover, this paper proposes a significant factor which is developed to define the number of the required components per pole voltage level. A detailed comparison based on is provided. The Simulation have obtained using MATLAB software for analysis.
Stage distributions for five health behaviors in the United States and Australia.

BACKGROUND A key variable for the design of individual and public health interventions is the Stage of Change. The five stages of readiness to change are Precontemplation, Contemplation, Preparation, Action, and Maintenance. The distribution of individuals across the stages of change can provide a valuable tool for designing health interventions. METHODS The pattern of distribution across the stages of change for five behavioral risk factors is presented from five independent surveys, two from the United States and three from Australia. The five risk factors are smoking, low fat diet, regular exercise, reducing stress, and losing weight. Identical single-item questionnaire items for staging health behaviors were used in all surveys. RESULTS The stage distributions for the five risk factors were similar across the five independent samples. In general, the pattern of stage distributions was stable across health risk factors, gender, country, and sample. CONCLUSIONS Single-item survey measures of stage of change that are readily applicable to population studies appear to provide important information about the population characteristics of readiness to change behavioral risk factors. The stability of these distributions suggests that interventions matched by stage may have broad applicability.
Structure-Activity Relationship of the Leucine-based Sorting Motifs in the Cytosolic Tail of the Major Histocompatibility Complex-associated Invariant Chain (*)

The cytosolic tail of the major histocompatibility complex-associated invariant chain protein contains two Leu-based motifs that both mediate efficient sorting to the endocytic pathway. Nuclear magnetic resonance data on a peptide of 27 residues corresponding to the cytosolic tail of human invariant chain indicate that in water at pH 7.4 the membrane distal motif Leu7-Ile8 lies within a nascent helix, while the membrane proximal motif Met16-Leu17 is part of a turn. The presence of a small amount of methanol stabilizes an α helix from Gln4 to Leu17 with a kink on Pro15. Point mutations of the cytosolic tail of the protein suggest that amino-terminal residues located in spatial proximity to the Leu motifs contribute to efficient internalization and targeting to endosomes in transfected COS cells. Residues on the spatially opposite side of the Leu motifs were, on the other hand, mutated with no measurable effect on targeting. Structural and biological data thus suggest that the signals are not continuous but consist of “signal patches” formed by the three-dimensional structure of the cytosolic tail of invariant chain.