Thermal performance analysis of hollow bricks integrated phase change materials for various climate zones

This comprehensive research addresses the significant challenge of building-related energy consumption in Morocco. Our innovative approach involves integrating phase change materials (PCMs) into hollow bricks, strategically addressing the diverse climate zones prevalent in the country. The primary focus is on enhancing energy efficiency within structures. Leveraging detailed simulations and employing the enthalpy-porosity approach, our study models the impact of PCMs on internal temperatures. Optimal outcomes are achieved by partially filling brick holes with PCMs in specific configurations, demonstrating the materials' ability to adapt to varying conditions. A noteworthy finding is the 2–3-h phase shift observed in cold zones, indicating the potential for PCMs to effectively regulate temperatures. Equally significant is their capability to maintain a constant internal temperature of 26°C in hot zones, even amidst extreme external conditions reaching up to 47°C. This resilience underscores the novel and tailored thermal regulation potential of PCMs. Beyond the technical insights, our research highlights the paramount importance of considering regional climates in PCM applications' implementation. This awareness is crucial for optimizing energy performance in buildings and ensuring sustainability. In essence, this study contributes valuable knowledge and practical implications for the strategic deployment of PCMs to enhance building energy efficiency, emphasizing the need for context-specific solutions in diverse environmental conditions.     

T-Cell-Specific CerS4 Depletion Prolonged Inflammation and Enhanced Tumor Burden in the AOM/DSS-Induced CAC Model

To better understand the role of sphingolipids in the multifactorial process of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), we elucidated the role of CerS4 in colitis and colitis-associated cancer (CAC). For this, we utilized the azoxymethane/dextran sodium sulphate (AOM/DSS)-induced colitis model in global CerS4 knockout (CerS4 KO), intestinal epithelial (CerS4 Vil/Cre), or T-cell restricted knockout (CerS4 LCK/Cre) mice. CerS4 KO mice were highly sensitive to the toxic effect of AOM/DSS, leading to a high mortality rate. CerS4 Vil/Cre mice had smaller tumors than WT mice. In contrast, CerS4 LCK/Cre mice frequently suffered from pancolitis and developed more colon tumors. In vitro, CerS4-depleted CD8+ T-cells isolated from the thymi of CerS4 LCK/Cre mice showed impaired proliferation and prolonged cytokine production after stimulation in comparison with T-cells from WT mice. Depletion of CerS4 in human Jurkat T-cells led to a constitutively activated T-cell receptor and NF-κB signaling pathway. In conclusion, the deficiency of CerS4 in T-cells led to an enduring active status of these cells and prevents the resolution of inflammation, leading to a higher tumor burden in the CAC mouse model. In contrast, CerS4 deficiency in epithelial cells resulted in smaller colon tumors and seemed to be beneficial. The higher tumor incidence in CerS4 LCK/Cre mice and the toxic effect of AOM/DSS in CerS4 KO mice exhibited the importance of CerS4 in other tissues and revealed the complexity of general targeting CerS4.     

Performance Improving of OCDMA System Using 2-D Optical Codes With Optical SIC Receiver

In this paper, we have studied the probability of error of optical code division multiple access (OCDMA) system using 2-D optical codes, namely prime hop and hybrid codes with a probability distribution approach. In order to increase the OCDMA system performance and increase the number of simultaneous users in the system, we have investigated the system when two different receivers are employed, namely, OCDMA serial interference cancellation (SIC) receivers and OCDMA correlation conventional receiver (CCR). Comparison in terms of OCDMA system's performance between these two receivers has been reported. In order to obtain the optimum OCDMA system's performance, we have studied several optical SIC receiver structures. Optimum choice of the number of stages in the SIC receiver and the threshold value on each stage has been reported.     

DAREF: MDA framework for modelling data warehouse requirements and deducing the multidimensional schema

Requirements Engineering - Nowadays, the growing importance of modelling in software engineering is without a doubt reinforced by the blossoming of model-driven architecture (MDA). In this trend,...     

Mouse Liver Compensates Loss of Sgpl1 by Secretion of Sphingolipids into Blood and Bile

Sphingosine 1 phosphate (S1P) lyase (Sgpl1) catalyses the irreversible cleavage of S1P and thereby the last step of sphingolipid degradation. Loss of Sgpl1 in humans and mice leads to accumulation of sphingolipids and multiple organ injuries. Here, we addressed the role of hepatocyte Sgpl1 for regulation of sphingolipid homoeostasis by generating mice with hepatocyte-specific deletion of Sgpl1 (Sgpl1^HepKO mice). Sgpl1^HepKO mice had normal body weight, liver weight, liver structure and liver enzymes both at the age of 8 weeks and 8 months. S1P, sphingosine and ceramides, but not glucosylceramides or sphingomyelin, were elevated by ~1.5–2-fold in liver, and this phenotype did not progress with age. Several ceramides were elevated in plasma, while plasma S1P was normal. Interestingly, S1P and glucosylceramides, but not ceramides, were elevated in bile of Sgpl1^HepKO mice. Furthermore, liver cholesterol was elevated, while LDL cholesterol decreased in 8-month-old mice. In agreement, the LDL receptor was upregulated, suggesting enhanced uptake of LDL cholesterol. Expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ, liver X receptor and fatty acid synthase was unaltered. These data show that mouse hepatocytes largely compensate the loss of Sgpl1 by secretion of accumulating sphingolipids in a specific manner into blood and bile, so that they can be excreted or degraded elsewhere.     

Weighted multi-view co-clustering (WMVCC) for sparse data

Applied Intelligence - Multi-view clustering has gained importance in recent times due to the large-scale generation of data, often from multiple sources. Multi-view clustering refers to clustering...     

Securing sensor networks: A novel approach that combines encoding, uncorrelation and node disjoint transmission

A low area and power secure message transmission module for wireless networks is presented. The proposed solution has three major components: encoding, uncorrelation and transmission along carefully selected node disjoint paths. All three modules are necessary to achieve secure message transmission. Two sets of experimental results were conducted. The first set of experimental results on a network simulator demonstrates the high level of security that the proposed module provides and the second set of experiments shows its low power and area characteristics.