Morphological evolution on the surface of hydrothermally synthesized hydroxyapatite microspheres in the presence of EDTMP

Well-ordered and surface engineered hierarchical hydroxyapatite microspheres (HAM) were prepared via a template free hydrothermal process. Ethylene diamine tetra (methylene phosphonic acid) (EDTMP) was used as chelating or regulating agent for the first time in this study. The results indicated the formation of sheet-like particles in the absence of EDTMP. On the other hand, microspheres with radially grown nanorods (HAMNR) or nanosheets (HAMNS) on the surface were obtained (with average diameter of 5?µm) in the presence of EDTMP. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy were used to characterize the crystalline phases in the synthesized samples. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed that EDTMP concentration played an important part in regulating the morphology to form well organized microspheres with nanosheets or nanorods on the surface. Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) revealed an increase in the specific surface area with the change in morphology from the HAMNS to HAMNR. Possible mechanisms are proposed to account for the formation of different morphologies based upon thermodynamic and kinetic theories.     

A new adaptation of mapping method to study mixing of multiphase flows in mixers with complex geometries

The main objective of the present work is to modify the traditional mapping method for the simulation of distributive mixing of multiphase flows in geometries involving moving parts such as, internal mixers or twin-screw extruders without a limitation on their geometrical periodicity. The periodicity condition, limits the results of traditional mapping method to tracking mapping mesh between specific discrete time intervals or distances for that geometry is repeated, hence, result is only for fixed orientation of rotors. Imaginary domain method is introduced to track mapping mesh from one state to the next free of geometrical periodicity limitations. In this work the method is introduced and its applicability and accuracy is discussed in details. A two-dimensional (2D) simulation of mixing of two Newtonian fluids with different viscosities in an intermeshing internal mixer is used as a test case study. In this example the key issues of ability to predict mixing state in details for all orientations of rotors is presented. To reduce diffusion errors of mapping method in the boundaries of the rotors, mapping mesh refinement technique that relies upon one single reference mesh is also presented.     

Molecular follow-up of disease progression and interferon therapy in chronic myelocytic leukemia

We previously reported that the abl promoter (Pa) undergoes de novo DNA methylation in the course of chronic myelocytic leukemia (CML). The clinical implications of this finding are the subject of the present study in which samples of CML patients, including a group treated with interferon alpha (IFNalpha) were surveyed. The methylation status of the abl promoter was monitored by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of the Pa region after digestion with several site-methylation sensitive restriction enzymes. Some 74% of the DNA samples from blood and marrow drawn in the chronic phase were nonmethylated, similar to control samples from non-CML patients. The remaining 26% were partially methylated in the abl Pa region. The latter samples were derived from patients who were indistinguishable from the others on the basis of clinical presentation. Methylated samples were mostly derived from patients known to have a disease of longer duration (26 months v 7.5 months, P = .01). Samples of 30 IFNalpha-treated patients were sequentially analyzed in the course of treatment. Fifteen patients with no evidence of Pa methylation before treatment remained methylation-free. The remainder, who displayed Pa methylation before treatment, reverted to the methylation-free status. The outcome is attributed to IFNalpha therapy, as the Pa methylation status was not reversed in any of the patients treated with hydroxyurea. Methylation of the abl promoter indicates a disease of long-standing, most likely associated with a higher probability of imminent blastic transformation. It appears to predict the outcome of IFNalpha therapy far better than the cytogenetic response.     

On the modal incremental dynamic analysis

In this article a new technique for the dynamic response of structures is investigated. This applied procedure can predict the approximate seismic performance of the structures and it is fast, inexpensive and results are reasonably acceptable. In fact, this novel method logically combines two different techniques, ‘incremental dynamic analysis (IDA)’ and ‘modal pushover analysis (MPA)’, presented by other researchers. This method will take advantage of both methodical ideas such as equivalent single degree of freedom of multi‐degree structures and the implementation of different scaled level of an earthquake record to the provided equivalent SDF structure. Using this procedure, simple approximate curves that present a realistic linear and non‐linear seismic behaviour of the structure due to the applied scaled level of earthquakes can easily be extracted. In this investigation, several four‐, eight‐ and 12‐storey structures are specified as the example models and are dynamically analysed. Next, three different scaled earthquakes, El Centro, Northridge and San Fernando, are applied to each example problem. The results of the presented technique, modal incremental dynamic analysis (MIDA), are then compared with the IDA method. Comparison of the results reveals good accuracy in building seismic demands evaluation. Finally, it is also shown that the MIDA method is simple enough to be carried out on most personal computers and the authors believe this technique will serve design engineers working in real design conditions. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Using genetic algorithm for the optimization of seismic behavior of steel planar frames with semi-rigid connections

Beam-column connections have a significant role in the results of the analysis and the design of steel frames. In this paper, a genetic algorithm has been used for the non-linear analysis and design of steel frames. For minimizing the weight of frames, while satisfying the applied constraints and restraints such as the limits of normal and combined stresses, criteria such as target displacement(s) and the number and locations of plastic hinges were used. To analyze and design the frame elements, I and box-shaped standard sections were used for beams and columns, respectively. Finally, some clues for finding optimizing semi-rigid connection stiffness values for beam-to-column connections have been obtained. The degrees of these rigidities are obtained by a genetic algorithm during the procedure of optimization in order to reach a frame with the minimum weight. SAP2000 structural analysis program was used to perform modal analysis and linear and non-linear static solutions as well as the design of the elements. A MATLAB program was written for the process of optimization. The procedure of optimization was based on a weight minimization carried out for 9 steel frames. Thus, the optimum connection stiffness could be obtained for minimizing the weight of the structure. The results show that the non-linear analysis gives less weight for short period frames with semi-rigid connections compared to those of linear ones. However, by increasing the periods of frames, much less weights are obtained in the case of non-linear analysis with semi-rigid connections.     

Portability of three consumer products

Three consumer products (a television set, a personal computer and a typewriter), all considered portable by their respective manufacturers, were evaluated experimentally for portability. Products were not considered portable if the physical and subjective workloads resulting from carrying them over specified distances were excessive. Twenty-two males and six females participated in the experimental investigation and carried the three products for distances of 45·72, 91·44. 137·16 and 182·88 m. Their pulse and ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) of the arms and whole body were recorded and used as measures of physical and perceived workloads. Both physiological and subjective responses to carrying products were significantly influenced by the type of product and carrying distance, regardless of the gender of the person performing the carrying. The results of this study and the design guidelines provided in the literature for one-handed and two-handed carrying tasks led to the conclusion that, of the three products, only the television set could be considered portable.