State Pressure Index for Modeling Sand Behavior

The effort to model sand behavior within the framework of critical-state soil mechanics would benefit from a state variable that relates the current void ratio and mean pressure of the soil to its void ratio and mean pressure at the critical state. In this paper we propose a state pressure index, Ip, which is defined as the ratio of the current mean pressure to the mean pressure at the critical state that corresponds to the current void ratio. Using this state pressure index, a bounding surface hypoplasticity model for sand is modified so that the phase transformation and failure stress ratios both depend on Ip and merge into the critical-state stress ratio at failure. The Ip dependency introduced enables use of a single set of model constants in modeling sand behavior for various initial confining pressures and densities under both undrained and drained conditions. Dilatancy, strain softening, and strain hardening are simulated for both loose and dense sands. Simulations from the modified model are compared with results of laboratory tests of drained and undrained triaxial compression.     

Modeling and Simulation of a salient-pole synchronous Generator with dynamic eccentricity using modified winding function theory

This paper models and simulates a salient-pole synchronous generator using a modified winding function theory and more precise stator and rotor winding distribution with dynamic eccentricity between the stator and rotor. Air-gap permeance is also computed more accurately compared to currently available methods. Inductances with this method are compared to those obtained from other methods and it is shown that the results are closer to those obtained from finite element computations. Finally, the calculated inductances are used in a coupled electromagnetic model for simulation and studying the frequency spectrum of the stator line current in the presence of dynamic eccentricity.     

Studies of sulfonated poly(phenylene)-block-poly(ethersulfone) for proton exchange membrane fuel cell

The polymers were prepared by nickel catalyzed carbon–carbon coupling reaction of 1,4-dichloro-2,5-dibenzoylbenzene (DCDBB) and sulfone oligomer. DCDBB was synthesized from oxidation reaction of 2,5-dichloro-p-xylene and followed by Friedel–Craft reaction with benzene. DCDBB monomer had good reactivity in polymerization by electron withdrawing group as benzophenone. Sulfone group of oligomer had improving flexibility and solubility. Post sulfonation was carried out to add sulfonic acid groups by using chlorosulfuric acid. These polymers were presumably stable against nucleophilic attack by hydrogen peroxide, hydroxide anion, and radical generated by proton exchange membrane fuel cell operation system. The number of sulfonic acid groups were controlled by varying the mole ratio of 1,4-dichloro-2,5-dibenzoylbenzene in synthesized polymer. A series of membranes were studied by ¹H NMR spectroscopy, thermo-gravimetric analysis, ion exchange capacity, water uptake, and proton conductivity. Also surface morphologies were assessed by atomic force microscope (AFM).     

Topoisomerase IIIβ Deficiency Induces Neuro-Behavioral Changes and Brain Connectivity Alterations in Mice

Topoisomerase IIIβ (Top3β), the only dual-activity topoisomerase in mammals that can change topology of both DNA and RNA, is known to be associated with neurodevelopment and mental dysfunction in humans. However, there is no report showing clear associations of Top3β with neuropsychiatric phenotypes in mice. Here, we investigated the effect of Top3β on neuro-behavior using newly generated Top3β deficient (Top3β^−/−) mice. We found that Top3β^−/− mice showed decreased anxiety and depression-like behaviors. The lack of Top3β was also associated with changes in circadian rhythm. In addition, a clear expression of Top3β was demonstrated in the central nervous system of mice. Positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) analysis revealed significantly altered connectivity between many brain regions in Top3β^−/− mice, including the connectivity between the olfactory bulb and the cerebellum, the connectivity between the amygdala and the olfactory bulb, and the connectivity between the globus pallidus and the optic nerve. These connectivity alterations in brain regions are known to be linked to neurodevelopmental as well as psychiatric and behavioral disorders in humans. Therefore, we conclude that Top3β is essential for normal brain function and behavior in mice and that Top3β could be an interesting target to study neuropsychiatric disorders in humans.     

Systems Biology Approaches to Decipher the Underlying Molecular Mechanisms of Glioblastoma Multiforme

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is one of the most malignant central nervous system tumors, showing a poor prognosis and low survival rate. Therefore, deciphering the underlying molecular mechanisms involved in the progression of the GBM and identifying the key driver genes responsible for the disease progression is crucial for discovering potential diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets. In this context, access to various biological data, development of new methodologies, and generation of biological networks for the integration of multi-omics data are necessary for gaining insights into the appearance and progression of GBM. Systems biology approaches have become indispensable in analyzing heterogeneous high-throughput omics data, extracting essential information, and generating new hypotheses from biomedical data. This review provides current knowledge regarding GBM and discusses the multi-omics data and recent systems analysis in GBM to identify key biological functions and genes. This knowledge can be used to develop efficient diagnostic and treatment strategies and can also be used to achieve personalized medicine for GBM.     

Sensorless direct torque control of induction motors used in electric vehicle

A three-phase squirrel-cage induction motor is used as a propulsion system of an electric vehicle (EV). The motor is controlled at different operating conditions using a direct torque control (DTC) technique combined with a new switching pattern producing low harmonics. The operating flux of the motor is chosen optimally for losses minimization and good dynamic response. Since speed estimation is sensitive to rotor resistance variations, the rotor resistance value is calculated and modified in real time continuously. Simulation and experimental results show that the proposed DTC is able to follow the reference speed (which may be only input reference of the system) with a reasonable dynamic and relatively low error.     

Theories and Molecular Basis of Vascular Aging: A Review of the Literature from VascAgeNet Group on Pathophysiological Mechanisms of Vascular Aging

Vascular aging, characterized by structural and functional alterations of the vascular wall, is a hallmark of aging and is tightly related to the development of cardiovascular mortality and age-associated vascular pathologies. Over the last years, extensive and ongoing research has highlighted several sophisticated molecular mechanisms that are involved in the pathophysiology of vascular aging. A more thorough understanding of these mechanisms could help to provide a new insight into the complex biology of this non-reversible vascular process and direct future interventions to improve longevity. In this review, we discuss the role of the most important molecular pathways involved in vascular ageing including oxidative stress, vascular inflammation, extracellular matrix metalloproteinases activity, epigenetic regulation, telomere shortening, senescence and autophagy.     

Effects of nitrobenzene concentrations and hydraulic retention time on the treatment of nitrobenzene in sequential anaerobic baffled reactor and continuously stirred tank reactor system.

The effects of increasing nitrobenzene (NB) concentrations and hydraulic retention time (HRT) on the performance of anaerobic baffled reactor (ABR) and aerobic completely stirred tank reactor (CSTR) were studied. In the first step the NB concentration was increased from 30 to 700 mg/L at constant COD and flowrates. Maximum COD removal efficiencies in ABR varied between 88-92% as NB concentrations increased from 30 to 210 mg/L. After this dose, COD removal efficiency decreased to 85 and 79% at NB concentrations of 550 and 700 mg/L, respectively. Removal efficiencies of NB were nearly 100% for all NB concentrations in ABR reactor effluent. In the second step, COD and NB concentrations were kept constant while HRT decreased from 10.38 days to 1 day. As HRT decreased from 10.38 to 2.5 days the COD removal efficiencies in the anaerobic and anaerobic/aerobic reactor effluents were 92-94% and 97-98%, respectively. As HRT decreased from 2.5 days to 1 day COD removal efficiencies in the anaerobic and anaerobic/aerobic reactor effluents decreased to 83 and 95%, respectively. This study showed that HRT is a more important operation parameter than increasing NB concentration in ABR/CSTR sequential reactor system. Although ABR/CSTR system exhibited good COD and NB removal efficiencies, the lower HRTs slightly decreased the removal efficiencies compared to increasing NB concentration.     

Functionally graded hydroxyapatite-alumina-zirconia biocomposite: Synergy of toughness and biocompatibility

Functionally Gradient Materials (FGM) are considered as a novel concept to implement graded functionality that otherwise cannot be achieved by conventional homogeneous materials. For biomedical applications, an ideal combination of bioactivity on the material surface as well as good physical property (strength/toughness/hardness) of the bulk is required in a designed FGM structure. In this perspective, the present work aims at providing a smooth gradation of functionality (enhanced toughening of the bulk, and retained biocompatibility of the surface) in a spark plasma processed hydroxyapatite-alumina-zirconia (HAp-Al₂O₃-YSZ) FGM bio-composite. In the current work HAp (fracture toughness ~ 1.5 MPa.m^1/2) and YSZ (fracture toughness ~ 6.2 MPa.m^1/2) are coupled with a transition layer of Al₂O₃ allowing minimum gradient of mechanical properties (especially the fracture toughness ~ 3.5 MPa.m^1/2). The in vitro cyto-compatibilty of HAp-Al₂O₃-YSZ FGM was evaluated using L929 fibroblast cells and Saos-2 Osteoblast cells for their adhesion and growth. From analysis of the cell viability data, it is evident that FGM supports good cell proliferation after 2, 3, 4 days culture. The measured variation in hardness, fracture toughness and cellular adhesion across the cross section confirmed the smooth transition achieved for the FGM (HAp-Al₂O₃-YSZ) nanocomposite, i.e. enhanced bulk toughness combined with unrestricted surface bioactivity. Therefore, such designed biomaterials can serve as potential bone implants.