Static and vibration analyses of thick,generally laminated deep curved beams with different boundary conditions

A rigorous first order shear deformation theory is employed along with modified ABD parameters to analyze static and free vibration behavior of generally laminated deep curved beams. The deepness term (1 + z/R) is exactly integrated into ABD parameters formulation and equivalent modulus of elasticity is used instead of traditional stiffness terms to account for deepness and material coupling of the beam structures, respectively. Static as well as free vibration analyses were performed and the results for deflection, moment resultants, and natural frequencies were obtained. The exact solution for simply supported boundary condition as well as numerical solutions using GDQ for other boundary conditions are presented. Results are compared with those obtained using accurate three dimensional finite element simulations using commercial software. It has been shown that when considering more accurate stiffness parameter, FSDT can accurately predict static and free vibration behaviors of composite deep beams of any lamination and boundary condition.     

An RCE-based Associative Memory with Application to Human Face Recognition

Many models of neural network-based associative memory have been proposed and studied. However, most of these models do not have a rejection mechanism and hence are not practical for many real-world associative memory problems. For example, in human face recognition, we are given a database of face images and the identity of each image. Given an input image, the task is to associate when appropriate the image with the corresponding name of the person in the database. However, the input image may be that of a stranger. In this case, the system should reject the input. In this paper, we propose a practical associative memory model that has a rejection mechanism. The structure of the model is based on the restricted Coulomb energy (RCE) network. The capacity of the proposed memory is desibed by two measures: the ability of the system to correctly identify known individuals, and the ability of the system to reject individuals who are not in the database. Experimental results are given which show how the performance of the system varies as the size of the database increases up to 1000 individuals.     

Synthesis,Crystallographic Structure,Theoretical Analysis,Molecular Docking Studies,and Biological Activity Evaluation of Binuclear Ru(II)-1-Naphthylhydrazine Complex

Ruthenium(II)–arene complexes have gained significant research interest due to their possible application in cancer therapy. In this contribution two new complexes are described, namely [{RuCl(η⁶-p-cymene)}₂(μ-Cl)(μ-1-N,N′-naphthyl)]X (X = Cl, 1; PF₆, 2), which were fully characterized by IR, NMR, and elemental microanalysis. Furthermore, the structure of 2 in the solid state was determined by a single crystal X-ray crystallographic study, confirming the composition of the crystals as 2·2MeOH. The Hirshfeld surface analysis was employed for the investigation of interactions that govern the crystal structure of 2·2MeOH. The structural data for 2 out of 2·2MeOH was used for the theoretical analysis of the cationic part [{RuCl(η⁶-p-cymene)}₂(μ-Cl)(μ-1-N,N′-naphthyl)]⁺ (2a) which is common to both 1 and 2. The density functional theory, at B3LYP/6-31+G(d,p) basis set for H, C, N, and Cl atoms and LanL2DZ for Ru ions, was used for the optimization of the 2a structure. The natural bond orbital and quantum theory of atoms in molecules analyses were employed to quantify the intramolecular interactions. The reproduction of experimental IR and NMR spectra proved the applicability of the chosen level of theory. The binding of 1 to bovine serum albumin was examined by spectrofluorimetry and molecular docking, with complementary results obtained. Compound 1 acted as a radical scavenger towards DPPH^• and HO^• radicals, along with high activity towards cancer prostate and colon cell lines.     

Analysis of Convective Transport of Temperature-Dependent Viscosity for Non-Newtonian Erying Powell Fluid: A Numerical Approach

Non-Newtonian is a type of fluid that does not comply with the viscosity under the Law of Newton and is being widely used in industrial applications. These include those related to chemical industries, cosmetics manufacturing, pharmaceutical field, food processing, as well as oil and gas activities. The inability of the conventional equations of Navier–Stokes to accurately depict rheological behavior for certain fluids led to an emergence study for non-Newtonian fluids’ models. In line with this, a mathematical model of forced convective flow on non-Newtonian Eyring Powell fluid under temperature-dependent viscosity (TDV) circumstance is formulated. The fluid model is embedded with the Newtonian heating (NH) boundary condition as a heating circumstance and is assumed to move over a stretching sheet acting vertically. Using appropriate similarity variables, the respective model was converted into ordinary differential equations (ODE), which was later solved utilizing the Keller box approach. The present model is validated by comparing the existing output in literature at certain special limiting cases, where the validation results display a firm agreement. The current outputs for the proposed model are shown in tabular and graphical form for variation of skin friction plus Nusselt number, velocity and temperature distribution, respectively.     

Highly porous Zr-MCM-48 immobilized Cu-porphyrin for photocatalytic reduction of CO2 to methanol in a slurry reactor

Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Electronics - This study involves the development of novel mesoporous Zr-MCM-48 photocatalyst impregnated with Cu-porphyrin (CuTPP) having Si/Zr ratio of...     

Towards a systematic description of the field using bibliometric analysis: malware evolution

Scientometrics - Malware is a blanket term for Trojan, viruses, spyware, worms, and other files that are purposely created to harm computers, mobile devices, or computer networks. Malware commonly...     

Cold-Active Lipases and Esterases: A Review on Recombinant Overexpression and Other Essential Issues

Cold environments characterised by diverse temperatures close to or below the water freezing point dominate about 80% of the Earth’s biosphere. One of the survival strategies adopted by microorganisms living in cold environments is their expression of cold-active enzymes that enable them to perform an efficient metabolic flux at low temperatures necessary to thrive and reproduce under those constraints. Cold-active enzymes are ideal biocatalysts that can reduce the need for heating procedures and improve industrial processes’ quality, sustainability, and cost-effectiveness. Despite their wide applications, their industrial usage is still limited, and the major contributing factor is the lack of complete understanding of their structure and cold adaptation mechanisms. The current review looked at the recombinant overexpression, purification, and recent mechanism of cold adaptation, various approaches for purification, and three-dimensional (3D) crystal structure elucidation of cold-active lipases and esterase.     

Magnetic Probe Measurements in INTI Plasma Focus to Determine Dependence of Axial Speed with Pressure in Neon

Current sheath dynamics generated in INTI plasma focus device operated with neon gas has been studied. A 3-turn Rogowski coil design has been used to measure derivative current. A new magnetic probe was designed and used to study of current sheath arrival time, current profile and velocity variation in the axial phase at different experimental conditions. The current sheath’s average velocity was found to vary with pressure^?0.51 with a R² value of 0.9 which agrees well with the theoretically expected variation of pressure^?0.5.     

Biochar production from microalgae cultivation through pyrolysis as a sustainable carbon sequestration and biorefinery approach

Microalgae cultivation and biomass to biochar conversion is a potential approach for global carbon sequestration in microalgal biorefinery. Excessive atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO₂) is utilized in microalgal biomass cultivation for biochar production. In the current study, microalgal biomass productivity was determined using different CO₂ concentrations for biochar production, and the physicochemical properties of microalgal biochar were characterized to determine its potential applications for carbon sequestration and biorefinery. The indigenous microalga Chlorella vulgaris FSP-E was cultivated in photobioreactors under controlled environment with different CO₂ gas concentrations as the sole carbon source. Microalgal biomass pyrolysis was performed thereafter in a fixed-bed reactor to produce biochar and other coproducts. C. vulgaris FSP-E showed a maximum biomass productivity of 0.87 g L^?1 day^?1. A biochar yield of 26.9% was obtained from pyrolysis under an optimum temperature of 500 °C at a heating rate of 10 °C min^?1. C. vulgaris FSP-E biochar showed an alkaline pH value of 8.1 with H/C and O/C atomic ratios beneficial for carbon sequestration and soil application. The potential use of microalgal biochar as an alternative coal was also demonstrated by the increased heating value of 23.42 MJ kg^?1. C. vulgaris FSP-E biochar exhibited a surface morphology, thereby suggesting its applicability as a bio-adsorbent. The cultivation of microalgae C. vulgaris FSP-E and the production of its respective biochar is a potential approach as clean technology for carbon sequestration and microalgal biorefinery toward a sustainable environment.     

Locally Secreted Semaphorin 4D Is Engaged in Both Pathogenic Bone Resorption and Retarded Bone Regeneration in a Ligature-Induced Mouse Model of Periodontitis

It is well known that Semaphorin 4D (Sema4D) inhibits IGF-1-mediated osteogenesis by binding with PlexinB1 expressed on osteoblasts. However, its elevated level in the gingival crevice fluid of periodontitis patients and the broader scope of its activities in the context of potential upregulation of osteoclast-mediated periodontal bone-resorption suggest the need for further investigation of this multifaceted molecule. In short, the pathophysiological role of Sema4D in periodontitis requires further study. Accordingly, attachment of the ligature to the maxillary molar of mice for 7 days induced alveolar bone-resorption accompanied by locally elevated, soluble Sema4D (sSema4D), TNF-α and RANKL. Removal of the ligature induced spontaneous bone regeneration during the following 14 days, which was significantly promoted by anti-Sema4D-mAb administration. Anti-Sema4D-mAb was also suppressed in vitro osteoclastogenesis and pit formation by RANKL-stimulated BMMCs. While anti-Sema4D-mAb downmodulated the bone-resorption induced in mouse periodontitis, it neither affected local production of TNF-α and RANKL nor systemic skeletal bone remodeling. RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis and resorptive activity were also suppressed by blocking of CD72, but not Plexin B2, suggesting that sSema4D released by osteoclasts promotes osteoclastogenesis via ligation to CD72 receptor. Overall, our data indicated that ssSema4D released by osteoclasts may play a dual function by decreasing bone formation, while upregulating bone-resorption.