Path Flow Estimator in an Entropy Model Using a Nonlinear L-Shaped Algorithm

The general problem of estimating origin-destination matrices in congested traffic networks is formulated as a mathematical program with equilibrium constraints. In this paper a path flow entropy model based on an equilibrium assignment approach is presented. It is assumed the flows on links are disaggregated due to some external reasons. Using the L-shaped algorithm the problem is transformed into a problem with less constraints. Then applying the lagrangian dual function the original problem is reduced to a nonlinear convex problem with only one linear constraint.     

Oppositional target domain estimation using grid-based simulation

In this paper we address the problem of estimating the target domain for search and navigation problems. We propose oppositional target domain estimation by modeling the search and navigation environment as a grid. Typically real-world applications exhibit an environment that is extremely large, dramatically diminishing the usability of intelligent agents for search and navigation. The reduction of the size of environment, hence, can help to increase the efficiency and applicability of the agents. We address this issue by modeling the environment as a grid and estimating the target domain inside the environment. The target domain is a reduced space which includes the target. The proposed technique is specifically concerned with reducing the environment using the concept of opposition. Experimental results show significant reduction of the environment size resulting in a shorter search time.     

Simultaneous IR‐Spectroscopic Observation of α‐Synuclein,Lipids, and Solvent Reveals an Alternative Membrane‐Induced Oligomerization Pathway

The intrinsically disordered protein α‐synuclein (αS), a known pathogenic factor for Parkinson's disease, can adopt defined secondary structures when interacting with membranes or during fibrillation. The αS–lipid interaction and the implications of this process for aggregation and damage to membranes are still poorly understood. Therefore, we established a label‐free infrared (IR) spectroscopic approach to allow simultaneous monitoring of αS conformation and membrane integrity. IR showed its unique sensitivity for identifying distinct β‐structured aggregates. A comparative study of wild‐type αS and the naturally occurring splicing variant αS Δexon3 yielded new insights into the membrane's capability for altering aggregation pathways.     

Thermo-mechanical buckling and nonlinear free vibration analysis of functionally graded beams on nonlinear elastic foundation

In this paper, thermo-mechanical buckling and nonlinear free vibration analysis of functionally graded (FG) beams on nonlinear elastic foundation are investigated. Nonlinear governing partial differential equation (PDE) of motion is derived based on Euler–Bernoulli assumptions together with Von Karman strain–displacement relation. Based on the Galerkin’s decomposition method, the nonlinear PDE governing equation is reduced to a nonlinear ordinary differential equation (ODE). He’s variational method is employed to obtain a simple and efficient approximate closed form solution for the resulted nonlinear ODE. Comparison between results of the present work and those available in literature shows accuracy of the presented expressions. Some new results for the thermo-mechanical buckling and nonlinear free vibration analysis of the FG beams such as the effects of vibration amplitude, material inhomogeneity, nonlinear elastic foundation, boundary conditions, geometric parameter and thermal loading are presented to be used in future references.     

Nonlinear behavior of functionally graded circular plates with various boundary supports under asymmetric thermo-mechanical loading

The equilibrium equations of the first-order nonlinear von Karman theory for FG circular plates under asymmetric transverse loading and heat conduction through the plate thickness are reformulated into those describing the interior and edge-zone problems of the plate. A two parameter perturbation technique, in conjunction with Fourier series method is used to obtain analytical solutions for nonlinear behavior of functionally graded circular plates with various clamped and simply-supported boundary conditions. The material properties are graded through the plate thickness according to a power-law distribution of the volume fraction of the constituents. The results are verified with known results in the literature. The load–deflection curves for different loadings, boundary conditions, and material constant in a solid circular plate are studied and discussed. It is shown that the behavior of FG plates with clamped or simply-supported boundary conditions are completely different. Under thermo-mechanical loading, snap-through buckling behavior is observed in simply-supported FG plates which are immovable in radial direction. Moreover, it is found that linear theory is inadequate for analyzing FG and also homogenous plates with immovable boundary supports in radial direction and subjected to thermal loading, even for deflections that are normally considered small.     

Synthesis of amino-modified ordered mesoporous silica as a new nano sorbent for the removal of chlorophenols from aqueous media

Contamination of natural water with organic pollutants is a problem of major concern and the demand for effective adsorbents for the removal of toxic compounds is increasing. Present work deals with the adsorption of 2-chlorpphenol (2-CP) and 2,4,6-trichlorophenol (2,4,6-TCP) from aqueous solutions on a new nano sorbent; amino-modified ordered mesoporous silica (APS-MCM-41) material. It was found that APS-MCM-41 shows significant adsorption for 2-CP and 2,4,6-TCP. This might be due to the acid and alkaline interactions among the amino functional groups and chlorophenols. Batch adsorption studies were carried out to study the effect of various parameters like adsorbent dose, pH, initial concentration and contact time. It was found that adsorption of 2-CP and 2,4,6-TCP depends upon the solution pH. From the sorption studies it was observed that the uptake of 2,4,6-TCP was higher than that of 2-CP. Freundlich and Langmuir adsorption isotherms were used to model the equilibrium adsorption data for 2-CP and 2,4,6-TCP.     

How bone marrow-derived human mesenchymal stem cells respond to poorly crystalline apatite coated orthopedic and dental titanium implants

Due to the delayed and weak bone-implant integration in dental and orthopedic devices, there have been several attempts to enhance implant–bone interactions for rapid osseointegration. In this paper, the interactions of human bone marrow-derived stromal (mesenchymal) stem cells (hMSCs) with uncoated and coated titanium alloy implants with poorly crystalline apatite are studied. First the configuration and chemical composition of the apatite coatings and their deposition progress in different experimental conditions are investigated and discussed. Then, hMSCs are cultured on different substrates and cell attachment and proliferation are monitored and evaluated for different time intervals. Although the uncoated and coated substrates indicate good cell attachment, the differences in proliferation and morphology of the cells spread over the coated samples are significant. It is concluded that the coated samples improve the capability for accepting the cells in three-dimensional and slender shapes. The migration of hMSCs on both substrates are discussed. As such cell migration is directly associated to the osteoconduction, the findings confirm the hypothesis of enhancement in bone formation on the surface of biomimetically poorly crystalline apatite coated titanium implants. This in vitro study demonstrates that the coated samples are nontoxic and biocompatible enough for ongoing osteogenic studies in bone or dental defects in animal models in vivo.     

Effect of carboxylic acid monomer and butadiene on particle growth in the emulsifier-free emulsion copolymerization of styrene-butadiene-carboxylic acid monomer

Carboxylated styrene-butadiene rubber (XSBR) latexes were prepared by emulsifier-free batch emulsion copolymerization of styrene and butadiene with different types of carboxylic acid monomers (AA, MAA, IA). It was found that the particle growth is dependent on the hydrophilic nature of carboxylic acid monomers. SEM studies showed that N_p is almost constant in the particle growth stage (conversion above 10%). Through some calculations by data obtained from DLS technique, average diameter of monomer swollen polymer particles of all the XSBR latexes at the same conversion of 0.4 was obtained to be 368.91, 174.17 and 437.15 nm for AA, MAA and IA, respectively. Several kinetic parameters related to the particle growth stage such as the average number of growing chain per particle were calculated to be 0.474, 0.370 and 1.685 for AA, MAA and IA, respectively. It was observed that these kinetic parameters increase with increasing average diameter of monomer swollen polymer particles, which is consistent with the emulsion polymerization kinetics. Moreover, results indicated that the polymerization rate per particle or equivalently the average number of the growing chain per particle (particle growth stage) decreases by replacing a part of styrene with butadiene in the emulsion copolymerization recipe of styrene-carboxylic acid monomer.