Model inference using the Akaike information criterion for turbulent flow of non-Newtonian crude oils in pipelines

The friction factor is a crucial parameter in calculating frictional pressure losses. However, it is a decisive challenge to estimate, especially for turbulent flow of non-Newtonian fluids in pipes. The objective of this paper is to examine the validity of friction factor correlations adopting a new informative-based approach, the Akaike information criterion(AIC) along with the coefficient of determination(R2). Over a wide range of measured data, the results show that each model is accurate when it is examined against a specific dataset while the El-Emam et al.(Oil Gas J 101:74–83, 2003) model proves its superiority. In addition to its simple and explicit form, it covers a wide range of flow behavior indices and generalized Reynolds numbers. It is also shown that the traditional belief that a high R2 means a better model may be misleading. AIC overcomes the shortcomings of R2 as a trade between the complexity of the model and its accuracy not only to find a best approximating model but also to develop statistical inference based on the data. The authors present AIC to initiate an innovative strategy to help alleviate several challenges faced by the professionals in the oil and gas industry. Finally, a detailed discussion and models' ranking according to AIC and R2 is presented showing the numerous advantages of AIC.     

Analytical Analysis of Applying Packet Fragmentation Mechanism on Both Basic and RTS/CTS Access Methods of the IEEE 802.11b DCF Network Under Imperfect Channel and Finite Load Conditions

The mathematical modeling and performance evaluation of the IEEE 802.11 network in all its various extensions (802.11b, 802.11a, 802.11g, 802.11e, 802.11n, etc.) have already been widely explored over the past years. However, the Packet Fragmentation Mechanism (PFM), which is proposed by the IEEE work group to enhance the MAC sub-layer of the IEEE 802.11 standard in an error-prone channel, has been missed in the available literature. Yet, the PFM is the only existing solution to reduce the influence of bit error rate and the length of data packets on the packet error rate, and consequently on the performances of IEEE 802.11 networks. In this paper, we propose a new three-dimensional Markov chain in order to model, for the first time in the literature, the PFM in both Basic and RTS/CTS access methods of the IEEE 802.11b DCF network under imperfect channel and finite load conditions. Then, we develop mathematical models to derive a variety of performance metrics, such as: the overall throughput, the average packet delay successfully transmitted, the average packet drop time, the delay jitter and the packet delay distribution. Performance analysis of applying PFM on both Basic and RTS/CTS access methods of the IEEE 802.11b DCF network under imperfect channel and finite load conditions shows original results and leads to new conclusions that could not be intuitively expected.     

DRD2/ANKK1 TaqI polymorphism and smoking behavior of Egyptian male cigarette smokers.

Little is known about the genetic contribution to cigarette smoking and nicotine addiction in Egypt. The dopamine D2 receptor gene contains a TaqI repeat fragment length polymorphism creating two alleles with functional significance, DRD2*A1 and DRD2*A2. We investigated the relationship between these alleles and tobacco use in a study of 389 Egyptian male current smokers (mean age = 40 years; SD = 12). Participants were interviewed in 2004 on their smoking behaviors and quit attempts, and were given the Fagerstr?m Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND). Blood samples were obtained and genotyped for DRD2 A1and A2 alleles. The frequencies of A1/A2, A1/A2, and A2/A2 genotypes were 6%, 29%, and 65%, respectively. We found no statistically significant association between genotype and age at onset of smoking, years of smoking, FTND score, or average number of cigarettes smoked per day. DRD2 genotype was associated with the number of cigarettes smoked in the past 48 hr (42.2 in A1 carriers vs. 37.6 in A2, p = .03), the previous quit duration (28% in A1 vs. 40% in A2 quit for more than 1 month, p = .05), and the depth of inhalation (82% in A1 vs. 72% in A2 inhaled the smoke deeply, p = .03). Logistic regression analysis including DRD2 genotype, FTND score, age at smoking initiation, marital status, and education as predictors showed that maximum duration of quit time was associated with FTND score (p = .003), DRD2 genotype (p = .01), marital status (p = .03), and age at smoking initiation (p = .04). These findings suggest a modest association between DRD2 genotype and quitting behavior in male cigarette smokers in Egypt.     

Mixed-mode ventilation and air conditioning as alternative for energy savings: a case study in Beirut current and future climate

The aim of this work is to assess the use of mixed-mode ventilation for a typical office building in Lebanon and consequently reduce Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) energy consumption in the observed current and under the future projected climatic conditions. Mixed-mode cooling is considered a compromise between the insufficient natural ventilation and the expensive year round-operated HVAC. A control algorithm is set for windows and HVAC system to ensure mixed-mode operation. Dynamic simulations are performed on a typical office building in Beirut City under the mixed-mode operation in the present and the future using commercial IES-VE software. The results of the software were validated against measured HVAC and total energy consumption of the typical office base case with conventional mechanical system. The results of the simulations are evaluated in terms of potential reduction in energy consumption under the present and the future weather data. Finally, a lifecycle cost analysis is performed for the proposed system, and its payback period is computed. Under present construction practices and weather data, 31% annual energy savings were achieved using mixed-mode system. Under future 2050s projected weather data, annual energy savings of 21% was attained with a payback period of 3.8 years.     

Using Multiplexed CRISPR/Cas9 for Suppression of Cotton Leaf Curl Virus

In recent decades, Pakistan has suffered a decline in cotton production due to several factors, including insect pests, cotton leaf curl disease (CLCuD), and multiple abiotic stresses. CLCuD is a highly damaging plant disease that seriously limits cotton production in Pakistan. Recently, genome editing through CRISPR/Cas9 has revolutionized plant biology, especially to develop immunity in plants against viral diseases. Here we demonstrate multiplex CRISPR/Cas-mediated genome editing against CLCuD using transient transformation in N. benthamiana plants and cotton seedlings. The genomic sequences of cotton leaf curl viruses (CLCuVs) were obtained from NCBI and the guide RNA (gRNA) were designed to target three regions in the viral genome using CRISPR MultiTargeter. The gRNAs were cloned in pHSE401/pKSE401 containing Cas9 and confirmed through colony PCR, restriction analysis, and sequencing. Confirmed constructs were moved into Agrobacterium and subsequently used for transformation. Agroinfilteration in N. benthamiana revealed delayed symptoms (3–5 days) with improved resistance against CLCuD. In addition, viral titer was also low (20–40%) in infected plants co-infiltrated with Cas9-gRNA, compared to control plants (infected with virus only). Similar results were obtained in cotton seedlings. The results of transient expression in N. benthamiana and cotton seedlings demonstrate the potential of multiplex CRISPR/Cas to develop resistance against CLCuD. Five transgenic plants developed from three experiments showed resistance (60−70%) to CLCuV, out of which two were selected best during evaluation and screening. The technology will help breeding CLCuD-resistant cotton varieties for sustainable cotton production.     

Role of the temperature distribution on the PN junction behaviour in the electro‐thermal simulation

Electro‐thermal simulations of a PIN‐diode based on the finite‐element method, show a non‐uniform temperature distribution inside the device during switching transients. Hence, the implicit assumption of a uniform temperature distribution when coupling an analytical electrical model and a thermal model yields inaccurate electro‐thermal behaviour of the PIN‐diode so far. The idea of including non‐uniform temperature distribution into power semiconductor device models is not new, as accurate electro‐thermal simulations are required for designing compact power electronic systems (as IC or MCM). Instead of using a one‐dimensional finite difference or element method, the bond graphs and the hydrodynamic method are utilized to build an electro‐thermal model of the PIN‐diode. The results obtained by this original technique are compared with those obtained by a commercial finite‐element simulator. The results are similar but the computation effort of the proposed technique is a fraction of that required by finite‐element simulators. Moreover, the proposed technique may be applied easily to other power semiconductor devices. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Rational design of active packaging films based on polyaniline-coated polymethyl methacrylate/nanocellulose composites

Polymer Bulletin - Nanocomposites of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA)/cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) have been developed through physical mixing of different ratios of CNC with dissolved PMMA. Solvent...     

Silylation-Mediated Oxidation of 2,2′-Anhydro-5,6-dihydro-5-azacytidine

Reaction of 5,6-dihydro-5-azacytidine hydrochloride 1 with 2-acetoxy-isobutyryl chloride produced 5′-O-(2,5,5-trimethyl-1,3-dioxolan-4-on-2-yl)-3′-O-acetyl-5,6-dihydro-2,2′-anhydro-1-β-D-arabinofuranosyl-5-azacytosine hydrochloride 2 , which upon partial hydrolysis with EtOH/HCl at 4°C gave 3′-O-acetyl-5,6-dihydro-2,2′-anhydro-1-β-D-arabinofuranosyl-5-azacytosine hydrochloride 3 . The hydrolysis of 3 with EtOH/HCl at 25°C gave 2,2′-anhydro-5,6-dihydro-1-β-D-arabinofuranosyl-5-azacytosine hydrochloride 4 . Silylation oxidation of 3 and 4 with BSTFA or BSA in acetonitrile produced the N-substituted derivatives of 1-β-D-arabinofuranosyl-5-azacytosine 8 and 7 , respectively.     

Computation of an Emptiable Minimal Siphon in a Subclass of Petri Nets Using Mixed-Integer Programming

Deadlock resolution strategies based on siphon control are widely investigated.Their computational efficiency largely depends on siphon computation.Mixed-integer programming(MIP)can be utilized for the computation of an emptiable siphon in a Petri net(PN).Based on it,deadlock resolution strategies can be designed without requiring complete siphon enumeration that has exponential complexity.Due to this reason,various MIP methods are proposed for various subclasses of PNs.This work proposes an innovative MIP method to compute an emptiable minimal siphon(EMS)for a subclass of PNs named S⁴PR.In particular,many particular structural characteristics of EMS in S4 PR are formalized as constraints,which greatly reduces the solution space.Experimental results show that the proposed MIP method has higher computational efficiency.Furthermore,the proposed method allows one to determine the liveness of an ordinary S⁴PR.