On the evaluation of compliance information for common crack growth specimens reinforced by composite patch

Stress intensity parameter and crack face displacements for compact tension (CT) and central cracked (CCT) steel specimens reinforced by composite patches are evaluated by a suitable analytical model based on fracture mechanics. Results at various crack length for the two analysed specimens configuration are validated through finite element analyses. The proposed analytical technique could then be used to evaluate reliable compliance information on CT and CCT steel specimens reinforced by composite patches.     

Oxidative coupling of methane over alkali-promoted Ti-La oxide catalysts. Effect of bulk and surface properties on catalytic performance

The reactivity of lanthanum titanate catalysts is investigated in the oxidative coupling of methane (OCM) under lean-oxygen conditions. The catalyst performances are influenced by the catalyst preparation method and by the amounts of the alkali dopant. A transient method was also used to study the mobility of lattice oxygen species under OCM reaction conditions. It is found that (i) in the absence of gas phase oxygen the sample does not possess lattice oxygen species which participate in the reaction; (ii) the alkali doping does not appreciably modify the mobility of lattice oxygen; and (iii) the role of the alkali promoter in the reaction is that of modifying the surface acid/base and oxidizing properties.     

Digital Application of Second Order Generalized Integrator Based Grid Estimator Under Unbalanced and Distorted Voltage Conditions

Abstract

Frequency, amplitude, and phase information of the grid voltage are the main constraints for constructing a robust controller algorithm for grid connected applications under unbalanced and distorted voltage conditions. This paper narrates a simple, robust, straight forward method to estimate the instantaneous positive and negative sequence voltage components under unbalanced and distorted voltage circumstances. A second order generalized integrator (SOGI) is encapsulated to filter out the distorted voltage as well as to generate orthogonal voltage components for the three phases of AC grid. Furthermore, these filtered and orthogonal components are accounted for the calculation of instantaneous symmetrical components. Developed technique is more frequency adaptive compared to conventional phase locked loop (PLL) techniques. A set of test outcome results are provided in this paper based on MATLAB/Simulink simulations with real grid data captured from an industrial plant. Moreover, SOGI based estimator is digitally implemented by using dSPACE ds1103 digital controller to validate the numerical simulation results in accordance with the developed theoretical prediction.     

A simple protocol for paraffin-embedded myelin sheath staining with osmium tetroxide for light microscope observation

Experimental investigation of peripheral nerve fiber regeneration is attracting more and more attention among both basic and clinical researchers. Assessment of myelinated nerve fiber morphology is a pillar of peripheral nerve regeneration research. The gold standard for light microscopic imaging of myelinated nerve fibers is toluidine blue staining of resin-embedded semithin sections. However, many researchers are unaware that the dark staining of myelin sheaths typically produced by this procedure is due to osmium tetroxide postfixation and not due to toluidine blue. In this article, we describe a simple pre-embedding protocol for staining myelin sheaths in paraffin-embedded nerve specimens using osmium tetroxide. The method involves immersing the specimen in 2% osmium tetroxide for 2 h after paraformaldehyde fixation, followed by routine dehydration and paraffin embedding. Sections can then be observed directly under the microscope or counterstained using routine histological methods. Particularly good results were obtained with Masson's trichrome counterstain, which permits the imaging of connective structures in nerves that are not detectable in toluidine blue-stained resin sections. Finally, we describe a simple protocol for osmium etching of sections, which makes further immunohistochemical analysis possible on the same specimens. Taken together, our results suggest that the protocol described in this article is a valid alternative to the conventional resin embedding-based protocol: it is much cheaper, can be adopted by any histological laboratory, and allows immunohistochemical analysis to be conducted.     

A straightforward method to extract the shunt resistance of photovoltaic cells from current-voltage characteristics of mounted arrays

A straightforward non-invasive method is proposed to accurately evaluate the shunt resistance of an elementary cell of a photovoltaic module connected in an installed string without requiring prior knowledge of the parameters of the intrinsic diodes. The approach relies on the measurement of the current-voltage characteristic of the whole string after intentionally shading the selected cell. Calibrated PSPICE simulations are employed to illustrate the method and test its reliability. As a case study, the shunt resistances of several cells belonging to a series array of 10 commercial panels are determined.     

Design and optimization of equivalent consumption minimization strategy for 4WD hybrid electric vehicles incorporating vehicle connectivity

This paper presents an optimized equivalent consumption minimization strategy(ECMS) for four-wheel-drive(4 WD) hybrid electric vehicles(HEVs) incorporating vehicle connectivity. In order to be applicable to the 4 WD architecture, the ECMS is designed based on a rule-based strategy and used under the condition that a certain propulsion mode is activated. Assuming that a group of 4 WD HEVs are connected and position information can be shared with each other, we formulate a decentralized model predictive control(MPC) framework that compromises fuel efficiency, mobility, and inter-vehicle distance to optimize the velocity profile of each individual vehicle. Based on the optimized velocity profile, an optimization problem considering both fuel economy and battery state of charge(SOC) sustainability is formulated to optimize the equivalent factors(EFs) of the ECMS for HEVs over an appropriate time window. MATLAB User Datagram Protocol(UDP) is used in the codes run on multiple computers to simulate the wireless communication among vehicles, which share position information via UDP-based communication, and dSPACE is used as a software-in-the-loop platform for the simulation of the optimized ECMS. Simulation results validate the control effectiveness of the proposed method.     

Comprehensive Profiling of Secretome Formulations from Fetal- and Perinatal Human Amniotic Fluid Stem Cells

We previously reported that c-KIT+ human amniotic-fluid derived stem cells obtained from leftover samples of routine II trimester prenatal diagnosis (fetal hAFS) are endowed with regenerative paracrine potential driving pro-survival, anti-fibrotic and proliferative effects. hAFS may also be isolated from III trimester clinical waste samples during scheduled C-sections (perinatal hAFS), thus offering a more easily accessible alternative when compared to fetal hAFS. Nonetheless, little is known about the paracrine profile of perinatal hAFS. Here we provide a detailed characterization of the hAFS total secretome (i.e., the entirety of soluble paracrine factors released by cells in the conditioned medium, hAFS-CM) and the extracellular vesicles (hAFS-EVs) within it, from II trimester fetal- versus III trimester perinatal cells. Fetal- and perinatal hAFS were characterized and subject to hypoxic preconditioning to enhance their paracrine potential. hAFS-CM and hAFS-EV formulations were analyzed for protein and chemokine/cytokine content, and the EV cargo was further investigated by RNA sequencing. The phenotype of fetal- and perinatal hAFS, along with their corresponding secretome formulations, overlapped; yet, fetal hAFS showed immature oxidative phosphorylation activity when compared to perinatal ones. The profiling of their paracrine cargo revealed some differences according to gestational stage and hypoxic preconditioning. Both cell sources provided formulations enriched with neurotrophic, immunomodulatory, anti-fibrotic and endothelial stimulating factors, and the immature fetal hAFS secretome was defined by a more pronounced pro-vasculogenic, regenerative, pro-resolving and anti-aging profile. Small RNA profiling showed microRNA enrichment in both fetal- and perinatal hAFS-EV cargo, with a stably- expressed pro-resolving core as a reference molecular signature. Here we confirm that hAFS represents an appealing source of regenerative paracrine factors; the selection of either fetal or perinatal hAFS secretome formulations for future paracrine therapy should be evaluated considering the specific clinical scenario.     

BIPV in the Refurbishment of Minor Historical Centres： The Project of Integrability between Standard and Customized Technology

The proposed research is aimed to define some BIPV （building integrated photovoltaics） paradigms for the refurbishment of historical contexts, by defining strategic criteria related to linguistic-architectural and technological-constructive aspects of solar systems （including case-studies in specific application contexts）. This research could, once perfected and shared, be used within operative tools （guidelines, case studies, etc.） really applicable to common scale, e.g., in today＇s post-earthquake reconstruction in L＇Aquila, for defining possible solar implementation possibilities in sensitive areas according to an innovative and sustainable method of intervention.     

Novel,Rapid Identification,and Quantification of Adulterants in Extra Virgin Olive Oil Using Near‐Infrared Spectroscopy and Chemometrics

A new, rapid Fourier transform near infrared (FT‐NIR) spectroscopic procedure is described to screen for the authenticity of extra virgin olive oils (EVOO) and to determine the kind and amount of an adulterant in EVOO. To screen EVOO, a partial least squares (PLS1) calibration model was developed to estimate a newly created FT‐NIR index based mainly on the relative intensities of two unique carbonyl overtone absorptions in the FT‐NIR spectra of EVOO and other mixtures attributed to volatile (5280 cm^?1) and non‐volatile (5180 cm^?1) components. Spectra were also used to predict the fatty acid (FA) composition of EVOO or samples spiked with an adulterant using previously developed PLS1 calibration models. Some adulterated mixtures could be identified provided the FA profile was sufficiently different from those of EVOO. To identify the type and determine the quantity of an adulterant, gravimetric mixtures were prepared by spiking EVOO with different concentrations of each adulterant. Based on FT‐NIR spectra, four PLS1 calibration models were developed for four specific groups of adulterants, each with a characteristic FA composition. Using these different PLS1 calibration models for prediction, plots of predicted vs. gravimetric concentrations of an adulterant in EVOO yielded linear regression functions with four unique sets of slopes, one for each group of adulterants. Four corresponding slope rules were defined that allowed for the determination of the nature and concentration of an adulterant in EVOO products by applying these four calibration models. The standard addition technique was used for confirmation.     

In vitro activity of the essential oils of Origanum vulgare, Satureja montana and their main constituents in peroxynitrite-induced oxidative processes

The essential oil obtained from aerial parts of Satureja montana L. and Origanum vulgare L. (Labiatae) along with four of its main components, p-cymene, carvacrol, thymol and γ-terpinene were tested in models of in vitro peroxynitrite-induced formation of both 3-nitrotyrosine and malondialdehyde, two biomarkers of the oxidative stress of recognised pathological and toxicological significance. The essential oils showed a significant activity, thus decreasing 3-nitrotyrosine formation (IC₅₀ values of 43.9 μg/ml for S. montana and 19.2 μg/ml for O. vulgare), and also inhibited the peroxynitrite induced malondialdehyde formation (IC₅₀ values of 27.2 μg/ml and 17.0 μg/ml respectively). Thymol and carvacrol inhibited 3-nitrotyrosine formation (IC₅₀ values of 81.3 μM and 106.3 μM; ascorbic acid IC₅₀ = 400 μM) and reduced malondialdehyde formation (IC₅₀ values of 43.9 μM and 70.1 μM respectively; trolox IC₅₀ = 240 μM). On the contrary, p-cymene and γ-terpinene were completely inactive in both assays under the concentration of 300 μg/ml. These results support, in particular for origanum, the nutraceutical value of these spices and the potential of thymol and carvacrol in preventing the formation of toxic products by the action of reactive nitrogen species.