Nonlinear distortion prediction of active filters

The represention of circuit variables in frequency-domain complex matrix and nonlinearities by power series gives rise to a nonlinear distortion prediction technique, the intermodulation-balance method. This operates entirely in the frequency domain. The technique is verified by a single-amplifier filter with a two-tone input signal     

TMT-HCC: A tool for text mining the biomedical literature for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) biomarkers identification

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the third leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. New insights into the pathogenesis of this lethal disease are urgently needed. Chromosomal copy number alterations (CNAs) can lead to activation of oncogenes and inactivation of tumor suppressors in human cancers. Thus, identification of cancer-specific CNAs will not only provide new insight into understanding the molecular basis of tumor genesis but also facilitate the identification of HCC biomarkers using CNA.     

Genomics and Epigenomics of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: Understanding the Molecular Pathways of the Disease Pathogenesis

One of the most common complications during pregnancy is gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), hyperglycemia that occurs for the first time during pregnancy. The condition is multifactorial, caused by an interaction between genetic, epigenetic, and environmental factors. However, the underlying mechanisms responsible for its pathogenesis remain elusive. Moreover, in contrast to several common metabolic disorders, molecular research in GDM is lagging. It is important to recognize that GDM is still commonly diagnosed during the second trimester of pregnancy using the oral glucose tolerance test (OGGT), at a time when both a fetal and maternal pathophysiology is already present, demonstrating the increased blood glucose levels associated with exacerbated insulin resistance. Therefore, early detection of metabolic changes and associated epigenetic and genetic factors that can lead to an improved prediction of adverse pregnancy outcomes and future cardio-metabolic pathologies in GDM women and their children is imperative. Several genomic and epigenetic approaches have been used to identify the genes, genetic variants, metabolic pathways, and epigenetic modifications involved in GDM to determine its etiology. In this article, we explore these factors as well as how their functional effects may contribute to immediate and future pathologies in women with GDM and their offspring from birth to adulthood. We also discuss how these approaches contribute to the changes in different molecular pathways that contribute to the GDM pathogenesis, with a special focus on the development of insulin resistance.     

A novel,efficient procedure for acylation of cellulose under homogeneous solution conditions

Commercially available cellulose (Avicel PH101) was successfully acylated under homogeneous solution conditions by the following novel procedure: 2.0 g of cellulose and 5.0 g of LiCl were introduced into a glass reactor, magnetic stirring was started, the pressure was reduced to 2 mmHg, the temperature was raised to 110°C in 30 min, and the reactor was kept under these conditions for another 30 min. N,N‐Dimethylacetamide, 60 mL, was introduced, atmospheric pressure was restored, and the temperature was raised to 150°C in 30 min. The system was kept under these conditions for 1 h, then the temperature was decreased to 40°C; in 2 h a clear cellulose solution was obtained. Acid anhydride was added, and the solution was stirred at 60°C for additional 18 h. Acetates, propionates, butyrates, and acetate/butyrate mixed ester were prepared with excellent reproducibility of the degree of substitution, from 1 to 3. The degree of polymerization of cellulose is negligibly affected by these reaction conditions. The distribution of the acetyl moiety among the three OH groups of the anhydroglucose unit follows the order C₆ > C₂ > C₃. Features relevant to the industrial application of this novel procedure are discussed. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 74: 1355–1360, 1999     

Sugar-based cationic surfactants: Synthesis and aggregation of methyl 2-acylamido-6-trimethylammonio-2,6-dideoxy-d-glucopyranoside chlorides

The synthesis of the sugar-based cationic surfactants methyl 2-acylamido-6-trimethylammonio-2,6-dideoxy-d-glucopyranoside chlorides is reported here. Aggregation of these surfactants (predominantly α anomers) in water was studied at 25°C by conductivity measurements. Increasing the chain length of the amido group R decreased the critical micelle concentration (CMC) and the degree of counter-ion dissociation. The dependence of the Gibbs' free energy of micellization and CMC on the length of R is similar to that observed for other ionic surfactants. The free energy of transfer of the head group, i.e., cationic amino sugar moiety, from water to the micelle is more negative than that of other ionic surfactants, including sodium methyl 2-acylamido-2-deoxy-6-O-sulfo-d-glucopyranosides, probably due to a combination of a micellar “medium” effect and intermolecular H-bonding in the micellar pseudophase.     

Coupling heat conduction and water–steam flow in a saturated porous medium

This paper is devoted to the simulation of water forced evaporation in a porous saturated medium in a 3D‐axisymmetric domain by resolution of partial differential algebraic equations (PDAE) that are encountered in different engineering applications. The goal of this paper is an attempt to present effective realizations, in order to determine the minimal duration of burning for prehistoric occupations. This multidisciplinary work includes scientists in Mathematics, Physics and Archaeology. The model proposed here couples the heat conduction in a water saturated soil with the water steam flow in the medium. We propose an efficient and robust global numerical method, based on a method of lines and differential algebraic equations (DAE) solvers, combined with a Newton method using a powerful sparse linear solver. After a brief overview of classes for numerical techniques applied for moving boundary problems, the Apparent Heat Capacity method (AHC) is used, and in order to validate our codes, a comparison with experiments is done. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Design and analysis of photovoltaic and wind energy hybrid systems in Alexandria, Egypt

Solar intensity and wind speed are the main factors for studying energy generation using photovoltaic cells and windmill turbines. Each of these depend on factors such as latitude, altitude, load profile, season, sea-and-land-breeze and solar activities. A data acquisition system is designed to accept multiple data input signals. Wind speed and insolation data for a site in Alexandria on the North-western (NW) coast of Egypt have been collected throughout one year. Analysis of the data has been done on hourly, daily, and monthly bases during the year. The data collected are used to design a hybrid system on a per kilowatt basis.     

Cellulose Regeneration and Chemical Recycling: Closing the “Cellulose Gap” Using Environmentally Benign Solvents

Strategies to mitigate the expected “cellulose gap” include increased use of wood cellulose, fabric reuse, and recycling. Ionic liquids (ILs) are employed for cellulose physical dissolution and shaping in different forms. This review focuses on the regeneration of dissolved cellulose as nanoparticles, membranes, nonwoven materials, and fibers. The solvents employed in these applications include ILs and alkali solutions without and with additives. Cellulose fibers obtained via the carbonate and carbamate processes are included. Chemical recycling (CR) of polycotton (cellulose plus poly(ethylene terephthalate)) is addressed because depending on the recycling approach employed, this process is akin to regeneration. The strategies investigated in CR include preferential dissolution or depolymerization of one component of the blend, and separation of both components using ILs. It is hoped that this review focuses the attention on the potential applications of regenerated cellulose from its solutions and contributes to the important environmental issue of recycling of used materials.