Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
MODELLING THE INFLUENCE OF NUCLEUS ELASTICITY ON CELL INVASION IN FIBER NETWORKS

Cell migration in highly constrained extracellular matrices is exploited in scaffold-based tissue engineering and is fundamental in a wide variety of physiological and pathological phenomena, among other in cancer invasion and development. Research into the critical processes involved in cell migration has mainly focused on cell adhesion and proteolytic degradation of the external environment. However, arising evidence has recently shown that a number of cell-derived biophysical and mechanical parameters, among others nucleus stiffness and cell deformability, plays a major role in cell motility, especially in the ameboid-like migration mode in 3D confined tissue structures. We here present an extended Cellular Potts Model (CPM) first used to simulate a microfabricated migration chip, which tests the active invasive behavior of cancer cells into narrow channels. As distinct features of our approach, cells are modeled as compartmentalized discrete objects, differentiated in the nucleus and in the cytosolic region, while the migration chamber is composed of channels of different widths. We find that cell motile phenotype and velocity in open spaces (i.e., 2D flat surfaces or large channels) is not significantly influenced by cell elastic properties. On the contrary, the migratory behavior of cells within subcellular and subnuclear structures strongly relies on the deformability of the cytosol and and the nuclear cluster, respectively. Further, we characterize two migration dynamics: a stepwise way, characterized by fluctuations in cell length, within channels smaller than nucleus dimensions and a smooth sliding (i.e., maintaining constant cell length) behavior within channels larger than the nuclear cluster. These resulting observations are then extended looking at cell migration in an artificial fiber network, which mimics cell invasion in a 3D extracellular matrix. In particular, in this case, we analyze the effect on cell movement of variations in elasticity of the nucleus. In order to summarize, with our simulated migration assays, we demonstrate that the dimensionality of the environment strongly affects the migration phenotype and we suggest that the cytoskeletal and nuclear elastic characteristics correlate with the tumor cells invasive potential. keywords: cellular potts model · extracellular matrix · cell migration · microchannels 1Corresponding Author. E-Mail: marcosci1@alice.it 2Corresponding Author. E-Mail: luigi.preziosi@polito.it 1 Politecnico di Torino M. Scianna and L. Preziosi Cell Invasion in Fiber Networks and Microchannels
Title Global dynamics above the ground state energy for thefocusing nonlinear

The analysis of global dynamics of nonlinear dispersive equations has a long history starting from small solutions. In this paper we study the focusing, cubic, nonlinear Klein-Gordon equation in R with large radial data in the energy space. This equation admits a unique positive stationary solution Q, called the ground state. In 1975 Payne and Sattinger showed that solutions u(t) with energy E[u, u̇] strictly below that of the ground state are divided into two classes, depending on a suitable functional K(u): If K(u) < 0, then one has finite time blow-up, if K(u) ≥ 0 global existence; moreover, these sets are invariant under the flow. Recently, Ibrahim, Masmoudi and the first author [22] improved this result by establishing scattering to zero for K[u] ≥ 0 by means of a variant of the Kenig-Merle method [25], [26]. In this paper we go slightly beyond the ground state energy and we give a complete description of the evolution in that case. For example, in a small neighborhood of Q one encounters the following trichotomy: on one side of a center-stable manifold one has finite-time blow-up for t ≥ 0, on the other side scattering to zero, and on the manifold itself one has scattering to Q, both as t → +∞. In total, the class of data with energy at most slightly above that of Q is divided into nine disjoint nonempty sets each displaying different asymptotic behavior as t → ±∞, which includes solutions blowing up in one time direction and scattering to zero on the other. The analogue of the solutions found by Duyckaerts, Merle [13], [14] for the energy critical wave and Schrödinger equations appear here as the unique one-dimensional stable/unstable manifolds approaching ±Q exponentially as t → ∞ or t → −∞, respectively. The main technical ingredient in our proof is a “one-pass” theorem which excludes the existence of (almost) homoclinic orbits between Q (as well as −Q) and (almost) heteroclinic orbits connecting Q with −Q. In a companion paper [31] we establish analogous properties for the NLS equation.
Thin and subvisible cirrus and contrails in a subsaturated environment

Abstract. The frequency of occurrence of cirrus clouds and contrails, their life time, ice crystal size spectra and thus their radiative properties depend strongly on the ambient distribution of the relative humidity with respect to ice (RH ice ). Ice clouds do not form below a certain supersaturation and both cirrus and contrails need at least saturation conditions to persist over a longer period. Under subsaturated conditions, cirrus and contrails should dissipate. During the mid-latitude aircraft experiment CONCERT 2008 (CONtrail and Cirrus ExpeRimenT), RH ice and ice crystals were measured in cirrus and contrails. Here, we present results from 2.3/1.7 h of observation in cirrus/contrails during 6 flights. Thin and subvisible cirrus with contrails embedded therein have been detected frequently in a subsaturated environment. Nevertheless, ice crystals up to radii of 50 μm and larger, but with low number densities were often observed inside the contrails as well as in the cirrus. Analysis of the meteorological situation indicates that the crystals in the contrails were entrained from the thin/subvisible cirrus clouds, which emerged in frontal systems with low updrafts. From model simulations of cirrus evaporation times it follows that such thin/subvisible cirrus can exist for time periods of a couple of hours and longer in a subsaturated environment and thus may represent a considerable part of the cirrus coverage.
Fatigue Damage Assessment for Concrete Structures Using a Frequency-Domain Method

A fatigue damage assessment for concrete was carried out according to Eurocode 2. Three frequency-domain methods, the level crossing counting (LCC) method, the range counting (RC) method, and a new proposed method, were used for the damage assessment. The applicability of these frequency-domain methods was evaluated by comparison with the rainflow counting method in the time domain. A preliminary numerical study was carried out to verify the applicability of the frequency-domain methods for stress processes with different bandwidths; thus, the applicability of the LCC method and the new method was preliminarily confirmed. The fatigue strength of concrete had a minor effect on the fatigue damage assessment. The applicability of the LCC and the new methods deteriorated for relatively low coefficients of variance of the stress process because the ultimate number of constant amplitude cycles was sensitive to the range of the cycles. The validity of the joint probability functions of the two methods was proven using a numerical simulation. The integration intervals of the two frequency-domain methods were varied to estimate the lower and upper bounds on the fatigue damage, which can serve as references to evaluate the accuracy of the time-domain method results.
Co-constructing Appreciative Inquiry across disciplines: A duo-ethnography

Orientation: Appreciative Inquiry (AI) has become increasingly popular as a tool for change management in the world of business and is spilling over into a range of contexts, linking a diversity of disciplines. However, instances where management has used AI in consultation with education for collaborative purposes could not be traced as yet. Research purpose: The aim of this study was for two AI practitioners, one in the field of Industrial and Organisational Psychology and one in Education, to partake in a collaborative study proceeding from reflection on the said researchers’ experiences with facilitating AI in different contexts. Motivation for the study: With social constructionism as a core principle underlying AI, it is argued that sharing experiences across disciplines could enrich the literature and the application of AI in different contexts. Research design, approach and method: The research is based on a qualitative, empirical, duo-ethnography using self-reflective narratives of the experiences of facilitating AI in cross-disciplinary contexts. Main findings: Reflecting on experiences in various disciplines lead to the co-construction of new knowledge. Not only were similar experiences supported, validated and extended, thus affirming the strength-based principle of AI, but it also provided the opportunity for disciplinary cross-fertilisation by combining different perspectives regarding the formality of the AI process and the extent of the facilitator’s and participants readiness to work with AI methodology. Practical/managerial implications: The formality of the AI process and hence the extent of the facilitator’s involvement (signalling his or her readiness to participate actively and take the lead in co-creating a new reality) must be tempered by due allowance for the participant’s readiness to work with AI methodology. Furthermore, participants should be accommodated within the psychological space where they find themselves at the moment when the intended intervention is initiated. Contribution/value-add: Duo-ethnography provided the researchers with the opportunity to challenge the ‘other’ to reflect on their own discipline-related AI experiences, in a deeper, more relational and authentic way. The voices and ideas identified and presented counter narratives, also blended in unique ways to augment the definition of AI as a multidisciplinary force to co-create a better society. More specifically, the ‘readiness’ of the facilitator for an AI encounter was conceptualised and applied to the psychological and behavioural readiness of not only the participants, but also the facilitators of AI workshops.
Touch Mode Capacitive Pressure Sensor

Touch Mode Capacitive Pressure Sensor proposed by Ko, et al. has great potentialities for several applications, because of its high sensitivity, good linearity and low temperature depend- ence of electrical performances 1) . We have been developed the Touch Mode Capacitive Pressure Sensor for a tire pressure monitoring system, which can be implanted in tire rubber through its curing process. The sensor needs high burst pressure greater than 3.5MPa, which is the maximum pressure during the process. The purpose of this work is to find the cause of diaphragm breakage in lower applied pressure, and to obtain the sensors that have the required minimum burst pressure for the tire pressure monitoring system. We especially focused on sur- face morphology of diaphragm and found that etch-pits on the diaphragm made the strength weak. The etch-pits were generated during etching process to form the diaphragm. Finally, we could improve the etching process and develop the Touch Mode Capacitive Pressure Sensor, which had a high burst pressure enough to be applied in the tire pressure monitoring system.
Potential application of electronic nose in processed animal proteins (PAP) detection in feedstuffs

Electronic nose and olfactometry techniques represent a modern analytical approach in food industry since they could potentially improve quality and safety of food processing. The aim of this study was to evaluate possible application of electronic nose in PA P detection and recognition in feed. For this purpose 6 reference feedstuffs (CRA-W / UE STRAT F E E D Project) were used. The basis of the test samples was a compound feed for bovine fortified with processed animal proteins ( PAP) consisting of meat and bone meal (MBM) and/or fish meal at different concentrations. Each feed sample was tested in glass vials and the odour profile was determined by the ten MOS (metal oxide semi-conductor) sensors of the electronic nose. Ten different descriptors, representing each ten sensors of electronic nose, were used to characterise the odour of each sample. In the present study, electronic nose was able to discriminate the blank sample from all other samples containing PA P ( M B M , fish meal or both). Samples containing either 0.5% of MBM or 5% of fish meal were identified, while samples containing a high fish meal content (5%) associated with a low MBM content (0.5%) were not discriminated from samples containing solely fish meal at that same high level (5%). This latter indicates that probably the high fish meal level, in samples containing both MBM and fish meal, tended to mask MBM odour. It was also evident that two odour descriptors were enough to explain 72.12% of total variability in odour pattern. In view of these results, it could be suggested that electronic nose and olfactometry techniques can provide an interesting approach for screening raw materials in feed industry, even though further studies using a wider set of samples are needed.
Assessment of genetic diversity and population structure of dairy cattle in the Girinka Programme in Rwanda using high density single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) arrays

In most smallholder dairy programmes, farmers are not fully benefitting from the genetic potential of their dairy cows. This is in part due to the mismatch between the available genotypes and the environment, including management, in which the animals perform. With sparse pedigree information, this exercise is difficult. Using the Girinka programme of Rwanda as an exemplar, the current study aimed at better understanding the genetic diversity and population structure of dairy cattle in the smallholder dairy farm set up. Systematic characterization of the genetic variation and diversity available may inform the formulation of sustainable improvement strategies such as targeting and matching the genotype of cows to productivity goals and farmer profile information and hence reducing the negative impact of genotype by environment interaction.
METHODOLODGY FOR CFD-DEM MODELLING OF PARTICULATE SUSPENSION RHEOLOGY

This paper describes a methodology used to develop a numerical model for the study of particulate suspension rheology. Initially, Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) models of different rheometer geometries were tested with both a Newtonian fluid (water), and a non-Newtonian Herschel-Bulkley slurry. Rheograms were reproduced from these models and compared to experimental values. Once a single-phase model had been validated, a coupled model combining CFD and the Discrete Element Method (DEM) was created. Two open source software packages were chosen. CFD is implemented using OpenFOAM ® , and DEM using LIGGGHTS. These two different codes were coupled via another programme called CFDEM. This coupled model is currently capable of modelling spherical particles in a suspending liquid. DLVO forces have been included in some models to account for inter-particle forces due to the surface charge on the particles. The coupled model is currently being validated. Preliminary results show good qualitative behaviour of the model.
CFD ANALYSIS OF THE COAL COMBUSTION IN A BOILER OF A THERMAL POWER PLANT USING DIFERENTS KINDS OF THE MANUFACTURED COALS

The state of the art in computational fluid dynamics and the availability of commercial codes encourage numerical studies of combustion processes. In the present work the commercial software CFX  Ansys Europe Ltd. has been used to study the combustion of pulverized coal into the boiler of a thermal power plant. The objective of this work is to obtain new information for process optimization. Different kinds of manufactured coals were numerically tested in a thermal power plant installed at the southest region of Brazil. The simulations were made using the actual burning conditions of the boiler. Results include the residence time of the fuel into the combustion chamber, temperature fields, flow fluid mechanics, heat transfer and pollutant formation, as well as the CO and NOx concentrations, aiming to determinate the best conditions to burn the investigated coals. The numerical investigation of the phenomena involved on the coal combustion processes are used to complete the experimental information obtained in operational tests. Considering the characteristics of different kinds of manufactured coals used, with this study is possible to achieve the most efficient boiler operation parameters, with decreasing costs of electricity production and reduction of environmentaly harmfull emissons. It was verified that the different kinds of manufactured coals demand different operation conditions, and the kind of manufactured coal used on the combustion process has a significant effect on the pollutant formation, minly in relaction with ash concentration.
A thematic analysis of Palahniuk’s fiction in light of Epicureanism

Chuck Palahniuk is a contemporary American writer whose novels have been adapted into acclaimed Hollywood motion pictures. Palahniuk’s literary style is often branded as modernist with nihilistic undertones. In spite of such views, in this article, we argue that through a close reading of Palahniuk and a critical interpretation of the recurrent themes in his novels, one can find traces of Epicurean philosophy echoed through the ages. Though different in means, both Palahniuk and Epicurus seem to highlight the importance of and the strive for achieving a state of ataraxia through overcoming fear and aponia through transcending physical pain and torment. After providing an introduction to Epicurean thought and Palahniuk’s style and works, connections will be established between the various shared elements and themes
When more is less: the effect of multiple health and nutritional labels in food product choice

Consumers are facing increasing information on health and nutritional aspects of foods, an important source of which is that presented in food packages. Prior research has identified that this information is positively valued, but the effect of multiple information items simultaneously is not so well understood. A choice experiment has been conducted to identify the effect of multiple health and nutrition information sources in two products which represent both a healthy and less-healthy food (pork Frankfurt sausages and plain yoghurt respectively). Results show that although highly heterogeneous, preferences seem to positively value individual information items and negatively value the presence of more than one item, specially if the item is a health claim. Premiums consumers are willing to pay represent a significant percentage of retail price, specially for the less healthy food product which also faces lower retails prices.
General Green’s-function formalism for transport calculations with spd Hamiltonians and giant magnetoresistance in Co- and Ni-based magnetic multilayers

A general Green’s-function technique for elastic spin-dependent transport calculations is presented, which ~i! scales linearly with system size and ~ii! allows straightforward application to general tight-binding Hamiltonians ( spd in the present work! The method is applied to studies of conductance and giant magnetoresistance ~GMR! of magnetic multilayers in current perpendicular to planes geometry in the limit of large coherence length. The magnetic materials considered are Co and Ni, with various nonmagnetic materials from the 3d ,4 d , and 5d transition metal series. Realistic tight-binding models for them have been constructed with the use of density functional calculations. We have identified three qualitatively different cases which depend on whether or not the bands ~densities of states! of a nonmagnetic metal ~i! form an almost perfect match with one of spin subbands of the magnetic metal ~as in Cu/Co spin valves! , ~ii! have almost pure sp character at the Fermi level ~e.g., Ag! , and ~iii! have almost pure d character at the Fermi energy ~e.g., Pd, Pt! The key parameters which give rise to a large GMR ratio turn out to be ~i! a strong spin polarization of the magnetic metal, ~ii! a large energy offset between the conduction band of the nonmagnetic metal and one of spin subbands of the magnetic metal, and ~iii! strong interband scattering in one of spin subbands of a magnetic metal. The present results show that GMR oscillates with variation of the thickness of either nonmagnetic or magnetic layers, as observed experimentally. @S0163-1829~99! 03118-5#
Isolation and characterization of cellulose degrading ability in Paenibacillus isolates from landfill leachate

Aims: Cellulases are enzymes that convert cellulose into glucose molecules, and are produced by various microorganisms in the environment. Due to their importance to the biofuel industry, there is a need to screen for more efficient varieties of cellulases. In this study, leachate samples from a landfill site were screened for cellulolytic bacteria. Methodology and results: Leachate samples obtained from a landfill collection pond were cultured in an enriched cellulose medium. Two cellulolytic isolates, designated MAEPY1 and MAEPY2, were isolated and further characterized. Phenotypic profiles and phylogenetic analyses using sequences of 16S rRNA, gyrB and whole genome suggested that these isolates are new strains of the Paenibacillus genera. The crude enzyme extracts from both isolates have cellulose degradation activity at approximately 0.1-0.2 IU/mg under working conditions of pH 6 and 55 °C. Assays using other lignocellulosic substrates showed that the crude enzyme extracts also have high xylan degradation activity. Conclusion, significance and impact of study: Paenibacillus sp. are known to produce multiple enzymes for lignocellulolytic degradation and the present results suggest that isolates described in this study, MAEPY1 and MAEPY2, are excellent candidates deserving further study as potential producers of efficient cellulases for use in industries associated with cellulosic biomass.