The Legendre wavelet method for solving initial value problems of Bratu-type

The aim of this work is to study the Legendre wavelets for the solution of initial value problems of Bratu-type, which is widely applicable in fuel ignition of the combustion theory and heat transfer. The properties of Legendre wavelets together with the Gaussian integration method are used to reduce the problem to the solution of nonlinear algebraic equations. Also a reliable approach for convergence of the Legendre wavelet method when applied to a class of nonlinear Volterra equations is discussed and an error estimation for the proposed method is also introduced. Illustrative examples have been discussed to demonstrate the validity and applicability of the technique and the results have been compared with the exact solution. We finally show the high accuracy and efficiency of the proposed method.     

Solid state synthesis of nano-mineral particles

Many researchers in academia and industries are interested in reducing particle sizes from few sub-micrometers to nano-meter levels. These nano-particles find application in several areas including ceramics, paints, cosmetics, microelectronics, sensors, textiles and biomedical, etc. This article reviews the present state of the art for solid state synthesis of mineral nano-particles by wet milling, including their operating variables such as ball size, solid mass fraction and suspension stability. This article concludes and recommends with a critical discussion of nano-particles synthesis and a few common strategies to overcome stability issues.     

Regularized nonnegative shared subspace learning

Joint modeling of related data sources has the potential to improve various data mining tasks such as transfer learning, multitask clustering, information retrieval etc. However, diversity among various data sources might outweigh the advantages of the joint modeling, and thus may result in performance degradations. To this end, we propose a regularized shared subspace learning framework, which can exploit the mutual strengths of related data sources while being immune to the effects of the variabilities of each source. This is achieved by further imposing a mutual orthogonality constraint on the constituent subspaces which segregates the common patterns from the source specific patterns, and thus, avoids performance degradations. Our approach is rooted in nonnegative matrix factorization and extends it further to enable joint analysis of related data sources. Experiments performed using three real world data sets for both retrieval and clustering applications demonstrate the benefits of regularization and validate the effectiveness of the model. Our proposed solution provides a formal framework appropriate for jointly analyzing related data sources and therefore, it is applicable to a wider context in data mining.     

Implementations of Sorted-QR Decomposition for MIMO Receivers: Complexity,Reusability and Efficiency Analysis

Matrix decomposition of the channel matrix in the form of QR decomposition (QRD) is needed for advanced multiple input and multiple output (MIMO) demapping algorithms like sphere decoder. Due to the computation-intensive nature of the QRD, its implementation has to be highly efficient. Flexibility in several forms, e.g. support for different algorithms, reusability of wireless implementations, portability, etc. is highly sought in wireless devices. The contradictory nature of flexibility and efficiency requires tradeoffs to be made between them in system development. In this paper, we have analyzed such tradeoffs by implementing two minimum mean squared error-sorted QRD algorithms. The algorithms have been implemented in four different methods with varying degree of reusability and in five different forms of portability. The performance of the implementations is evaluated by using the real-time constraints from the LTE standard. For all the implementations, modular equations for accurately estimating the execution time are derived.     

Residual behavior of steel rebars and R/C sections after a fire

The mechanical properties of various steel bars exposed to high temperature (“residual” properties) are experimentally investigated up to 850 °C, with reference to a number of steel and bar types (carbon and stainless steel; quenched and self-tempered bars; hot-rolled and cold-worked bars; smooth and deformed bars). The aim is to clarify to what extent the thermal sensitivity of the different bars affects the ultimate capacity of a typical R/C section subjected to an eccentric axial force, past a fire (“residual” capacity). As usual in the design of R/C sections under combined bending and axial loading, the ultimate behavior is represented through the “M–N envelopes”, where the materials strength decay due to high temperature is taken into account. The results show that quenched and self-tempered bars (QST), very popular in Europe, are more temperature-sensitive above 600 °C than the carbon-steel bars extensively used in the States and nowadays rarely used in Europe. Furthermore, the best response is exhibited by the stainless-steel bars, provided that they are hot rolled, as it is generally the case for medium- and large-diameter bars. Similar conclusions can be drawn for the sections reinforced with the different bar types.     

Hydroxyoctadecadienoic Acids Regulate Apoptosis in Human THP‐1 Cells in a PPARγ‐Dependent Manner

Macrophage apoptosis, a key process in atherogenesis, is regulated by oxidation products, including hydroxyoctadecadienoic acids (HODEs). These stable oxidation products of linoleic acid (LA) are abundant in atherosclerotic plaque and activate PPARγ and GPR132. We investigated the mechanisms through which HODEs regulate apoptosis. The effect of HODEs on THP‐1 monocytes and adherent THP‐1 cells were compared with other C18 fatty acids, LA and α‐linolenic acid (ALA). The number of cells was reduced within 24 hours following treatment with 9‐HODE (p < 0.01, 30 μM) and 13 HODE (p < 0.01, 30 μM), and the equivalent cell viability was also decreased (p < 0.001). Both 9‐HODE and 13‐HODE (but not LA or ALA) markedly increased caspase‐3/7 activity (p < 0.001) in both monocytes and adherent THP‐1 cells, with 9‐HODE the more potent. In addition, 9‐HODE and 13‐HODE both increased Annexin‐V labelling of cells (p < 0.001). There was no effect of LA, ALA, or the PPARγ agonist rosiglitazone (1μM), but the effect of HODEs was replicated with apoptosis‐inducer camptothecin (10μM). Only 9‐HODE increased DNA fragmentation. The pro‐apoptotic effect of HODEs was blocked by the caspase inhibitor DEVD‐CHO. The PPARγ antagonist T0070907 further increased apoptosis, suggestive of the PPARγ‐regulated apoptotic effects induced by 9‐HODE. The use of siRNA for GPR132 showed no evidence that the effect of HODEs was mediated through this receptor. 9‐HODE and 13‐HODE are potent—and specific—regulators of apoptosis in THP‐1 cells. Their action is PPARγ‐dependent and independent of GPR132. Further studies to identify the signalling pathways through which HODEs increase apoptosis in macrophages may reveal novel therapeutic targets for atherosclerosis.     

Targeting Endothelial Connexin37 Reduces Angiogenesis and Decreases Tumor Growth

Connexin37 (Cx37) and Cx40 form intercellular channels between endothelial cells (EC), which contribute to the regulation of the functions of vessels. We previously documented the participation of both Cx in developmental angiogenesis and have further shown that loss of Cx40 decreases the growth of different tumors. Here, we report that loss of Cx37 reduces (1) the in vitro proliferation of primary human EC; (2) the vascularization of subcutaneously implanted matrigel plugs in Cx37−/− mice or in WT using matrigel plugs supplemented with a peptide targeting Cx37 channels; (3) tumor angiogenesis; and (4) the growth of TC-1 and B16 tumors, resulting in a longer mice survival. We further document that Cx37 and Cx40 function in a collaborative manner to promote tumor growth, inasmuch as the injection of a peptide targeting Cx40 into Cx37−/− mice decreased the growth of TC-1 tumors to a larger extent than after loss of Cx37. This loss did not alter vessel perfusion, mural cells coverage and tumor hypoxia compared to tumors grown in WT mice. The data show that Cx37 is relevant for the control of EC proliferation and growth in different tumor models, suggesting that it may be a target, alone or in combination with Cx40, in the development of anti-tumoral treatments.     

Performance of insulated FRP-strengthened concrete flexural members under fire conditions

This paper presents the results of fire resistance tests on carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) strengthened concrete flexural members, i.e., T-beams and slabs. The strengthened members were protected with fire insulation and tested under the combined effects of thermal and structural loading. The variables considered in the tests include the applied load level, extent of strengthening, and thickness of the fire insulation applied to the beams and slabs. Furthermore, a previously developed numerical model was validated against the data generated from the fire tests; subsequently, it was utilized to undertake a case study. Results from fire tests and numerical studies indicate that owing to the protection provided by the fire insulation, the insulated CFRP-strengthened beams and slabs can withstand four and three hours of standard fire exposure, respectively, under service load conditions. The insulation layer impedes the temperature rise in the member; therefore, the CFRP–concrete composite action remains active for a longer duration and the steel reinforcement temperature remains below 400°C, which in turn enhances the capacity of the beams and slabs.     

Correlation between central receiver size and solar field using flat heliostats

In Central Receiver Systems (CRSs), thousands of heliostats track the sunrays and reflect beam radiation on to a receiver surface. The size of the reflected image and the extent of reflection from the heliostats are one of the important criteria that need to be taken into account while designing a receiver, since spillage losses may vary from 2 to 16% of the total losses. The present study aims to determine the size of an external cylindrical receiver, such that the rays reflected from all the heliostats in the field are intercepted. A dimensionless correlation with respect to tower height and receiver size (diameter and height) as a function of heliostat size and its position is discussed in the paper. This correlation could be used as a first-order approximation to estimate the receiver dimensions. When applied to the Ivanpah Solar Electricity Generating Station (ISEGS) plant, the correlation yields satisfactory estimation of receiver dimensions.     

Unit commitment ? a fuzzy mixed integer Linear Programming solution

Unit commitment (UC) of a large system is a complex puzzle with integer/continuous variables and numerous inter-temporal constraints. After deregulation, price offers submitted by GenCos are predominantly in the form of linear price quantity (PQ) pairs. A fuzzy UC formulation that uses price offers modeled as PQ pairs. This fuzzy linear optimisation formulation of UC is solved using a mixed integer linear programming (MILP) routine. In this formulation, start up cost is modelled using linear variables. The fuzzy formulation provides modeling flexibility, relaxation in constraint enforcement and allows the method to seek a practical solution. The use of MILP technique makes the proposed solution method rigorous and fast. The method is tested on a 24 h, 104-generator system demonstrating its speed and robustness gained by using the LP technique. A five-generator system is additionally used to create a see-through example demonstrating advantages of using the fuzzy optimisation model.