Structural, magnetic and electrochemical properties of lithium iron orthosilicate

We report the structural and electronic characterization of Li₂FeSiO₄ synthesized by solid-state reaction. X-ray diffraction, Raman scattering, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy and magnetization measurements are analyzed. Magnetic susceptibility experiments give evidence that Li₂FeSiO₄ powders possess an antiferromagnetic ordering below T_N = 25 K due to long range Fe–O–Li–O–Fe interactions. Analysis of the paramagnetic region giving the Curie–Weiss parameters θ_p = −93.5 K and C_p = 4.13 emu K mol⁻¹ shows the divalent state of Fe cations. Electron paramagnetic resonance experiments confirm this electronic configuration. Electrochemical measurements were carried out in lithium cells with LiTFSI in a poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) polymer electrolyte at 80 °C. The resulting cyclic voltammogram indicates a stable structure for the first cycle with redox peaks at 2.80 and 2.74 V versus Li⁰/Li⁺.     

An experimental and numerical study on omega stringer debonding

Omega stringers offer interesting structural capabilities and are expected on future aircraft fuselages. In postbuckling mode, the final failure of these structures may occur by stringer debonding between stringer flanges and the skin of the fuselage. In this study, it is demonstrated that the use of fracture mechanics allows to predict skin/omega stringer separation under multiple load cases. Three different load cases and experiments are presented allowing a debonding to start at different locations: at free flange edges or at the inner radius of the omega. Firstly, a skin/stringer configuration subjected to three point bending following the longitudinal axis of the stringer was tested. For this configuration, a numerical study was made and shows the influence of a refined mesh taking into account resin fillets. Secondly, new specimens were obtained by cutting into slices the longitudinal specimen. Those specimens were subjected to four points bending. It has been shown that the upper rolls position of the test jig could modify the debonding location. Numerical models have allowed to determine accurately the debonding location and the associated load level. For some specimens, resin fillets were removed from the flange tips and their effect were assessed numerically and experimentally.     

Toward intelligent assistance for a data mining process: an ontology-based approach for cost-sensitive classification

A data mining (DM) process involves multiple stages. A simple, but typical, process might include preprocessing data, applying a data mining algorithm, and postprocessing the mining results. There are many possible choices for each stage, and only some combinations are valid. Because of the large space and nontrivial interactions, both novices and data mining specialists need assistance in composing and selecting DM processes. Extending notions developed for statistical expert systems we present a prototype intelligent discovery assistant (IDA), which provides users with 1) systematic enumerations of valid DM processes, in order that important, potentially fruitful options are not overlooked, and 2) effective rankings of these valid processes by different criteria, to facilitate the choice of DM processes to execute. We use the prototype to show that an IDA can indeed provide useful enumerations and effective rankings in the context of simple classification processes. We discuss how an IDA could be an important tool for knowledge sharing among a team of data miners. Finally, we illustrate the claims with a demonstration of cost-sensitive classification using a more complicated process and data from the 1998 KDDCUP competition.     

Integrated microfluidic-microoptical systems fabricated by dry etching of soda-lime glass

In the paper, the method of fabrication of monolithically integrated microfluidic-microoptics systems is presented. Soda-lime glass is used as a substrate material, in which the waveguiding optics is fabricated by means of an ion exchange process, whereas the microfluidic channel is manufactured using reactive ion etching technique. Basic optical characteristics of the device are also reported.     

A time‐parallel implicit method for accelerating the solution of non‐linear structural dynamics problems

The parallel implicit time‐integration algorithm (PITA) is among a very limited number of time‐integrators that have been successfully applied to the time‐parallel solution of linear second‐order hyperbolic problems such as those encountered in structural dynamics. Time‐parallelism can be of paramount importance to fast computations, for example, when space‐parallelism is unfeasible as in problems with a relatively small number of degrees of freedom in general, and reduced‐order model applications in particular, or when reaching the fastest possible CPU time is desired and requires the exploitation of both space‐ and time‐parallelisms. This paper extends the previously developed PITA to the non‐linear case. It also demonstrates its application to the reduction of the time‐to‐solution on a Linux cluster of sample non‐linear structural dynamics problems. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Electrochemical preparation of pinacol allylboronic esters

The electroreduction of allylic halide derivatives in the presence of pinacolborane afforded allylboronic pinacol esters with moderate to good yields (up to 86%) and high regioselectivities. The electrosynthesis was carried out in a single-compartment cell with an Al anode, in THF at room temperature and it constitutes an alternative route for the preparation of allylboronic esters under mild conditions.     

An overview of the effect of probiotics and exercise on mood and associated health conditions

The present paper provides a review of the current knowledge relating to the health benefits of probiotics, specially focused on the effects they may have together with physical exercise on mood disorders and related chronic medical conditions.With both these conditions being a substantial contributor to the global disease burden, any alternative therapy must be considered. Probiotics influence the gut microbiota through a complex network of events which can influence mechanisms leading to development of mood disorders such as depression and anxiety. Similarly, through a complex interaction between psychological and neurobiological mechanisms, exercise has been found to play a key role in mood enhancement.     

First international Competition on Runtime Verification: rules,benchmarks, tools,and final results of CRV 2014

International Journal on Software Tools for Technology Transfer - The first international Competition on Runtime Verification (CRV) was held in September 2014, in Toronto, Canada, as a satellite...     

Rationally Designed 3D Hydrogels Model Invasive Lung Diseases Enabling High‐Content Drug Screening

Cell behavior is highly dependent upon microenvironment. Thus, to identify drugs targeting metastatic cancer, screens need to be performed in tissue mimetic substrates that allow cell invasion and matrix remodeling. A novel biomimetic 3D hydrogel platform that enables quantitative analysis of cell invasion and viability at the individual cell level is developed using automated data acquisition methods with an invasive lung disease (lymphangioleiomyomatosis, LAM) characterized by hyperactive mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) signaling as a model. To test the lung‐mimetic hydrogel platform, a kinase inhibitor screen is performed using tuberous sclerosis complex 2 (TSC2) hypomorphic cells, identifying Cdk2 inhibition as a putative LAM therapeutic. The 3D hydrogels mimic the native niche, enable multiple modes of invasion, and delineate phenotypic differences between healthy and diseased cells, all of which are critical to effective drug screens of highly invasive diseases including lung cancer.