Hole Content Dependent Fluctuation Diamagnetism in YBa2Cu3O7−δ: Possible Role of the Pseudogap

Journal of Superconductivity and Novel Magnetism - This study focuses on the temperature and hole content dependent fluctuation diamagnetism of hole-doped YBa2Cu3O7?δ (Y123) high-Tc...     

Multi-scale mechanistic modelling of the host defence in invasive aspergillosis reveals leucocyte activation and iron acquisition as drivers of infection outcome

Aspergillus species are ubiquitous environmental moulds, with spores inhaled daily by most humans. Immunocompromised hosts can develop an invasive infection resulting in high mortality. There is, therefore, a pressing need for host-centric therapeutics for this infection. To address it, we created a multi-scale computational model of the infection, focused on its interaction with the innate immune system and iron, a critical nutrient for the pathogen. The model, parameterized using published data, was found to recapitulate a wide range of biological features and was experimentally validated in vivo. Conidial swelling was identified as critical in fungal strains with high growth, whereas the siderophore secretion rate seems to be an essential prerequisite for the establishment of the infection in low-growth strains. In immunocompetent hosts, high growth, high swelling probability and impaired leucocyte activation lead to a high conidial germination rate. Similarly, in neutropenic hosts, high fungal growth was achieved through synergy between high growth rate, high swelling probability, slow leucocyte activation and high siderophore secretion. In summary, the model reveals a small set of parameters related to fungal growth, iron acquisition and leucocyte activation as critical determinants of the fate of the infection.     

Mathematical programming approach to optimize material flow in an AGV-based flexible jobshop manufacturing system with performance analysis

An automated manufacturing system (AMS) is a complex network of processing, inspecting, and buffering nodes connected by system of transportation mechanisms. For an AMS, it is desirable to be capable to increase or decrease the output with the rise and fall of demand. Such specifications show the complexity of decision making in the field of AMSs and the need for concise and accurate modeling methods. Therefore, in this paper, a flexible jobshop automated manufacturing system is proposed to optimize the material flow. The flexibility is on the multi-shops of the same type and also multiple products that can be produced. An automated guided vehicle is applied for material handling. The objective is to optimize the material flow regarding the demand fluctuations and machine specifications. An illustrative example is presented to test the validity of the proposed mathematical model.     

New methods for enhancing fine acquisition in dual folding algorithm of long pseudo noise codes

Long code Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum is a good choice for applications where security and antispoofing ability of a spread spectrum connection is concerned. Due to long period of spreading code, acquisition is a challenge for these systems because a trade‐off between detection probability and acquisition time must be made. For confronting this challenge, various algorithms were proposed in the literature but almost all of them focus on expediting the coarse acquisition. In this paper, we consider the efficient dual folding algorithm for coarse acquisition level and propose 3 methods for enhancing the fine acquisition level leading to faster execution of overall acquisition algorithm. The methods are based on estimations from coarse acquisition level that are not used in conventional algorithms for fine acquisition, ie, zero padding. Theoretical expressions of 2 main comparison criteria in acquisition algorithms, ie, detection probability and mean acquisition time, are derived for conventional zero padding and each of the proposed method. Besides, a coarse estimate of resource consumption is provided by the number of floating point operations for each algorithm to make a useful comparison. Considering these 3 parameters, in comparison, the proposed methods surpass zero padding in 1, 2, or all of the 3 aspects. Simulation agrees well with analytical results.     

Online removal of eye movement and blink EEG artifacts using a high-speed eye tracker

A novel approach is presented for using an eye tracker-based reference instead of EOG for methods that require an EOG reference to remove ocular artifacts (OA) from EEG. It uses a high-speed eye tracker and a new online algorithm for extracting the time course of a blink from eye tracker images to remove both eye movement and blink artifacts. It eliminates the need for EOG electrodes attached to the face, which is critical for practical daily applications. The ability of two adaptive filters (RLS and H^ ) to remove OA is measured using: 1) EOG; 2) frontal EEG only (fEEG); and 3) the eye tracker with frontal EEG (ET + fEEG) as reference inputs. The results are compared for different eye movements and blinks of varying amplitudes at electrodes across the scalp. Both the RLS and H^ methods were shown to benefit from using the proposed eye tracker-based reference (ET + fEEG) instead of either an EOG reference or a reference based on frontal EEG alone.     

A family with a syndrome of ectopia lentis, spontaneous filtering blebs, and craniofacial dysmorphism

Six members of a family presented with a syndrome of mild facial dysmorphism, subluxation of the crystalline lenses, variable degrees of angle closure by iridocorneal adhesions, and patchy areas of iris atrophy. Three nonoperated eyes of two patients had spontaneous filtering blebs that presented as avascular cystic elevations of the superior conjunctiva. Systemic workup of all patients was negative for evidence of diseases known to be associated with dislocated lenses. The pedigree is most compatible with autosomal recessive inheritance with pseudodominance.     

A review of simulation methods for human movement dynamics with emphasis on gait

Multibody System Dynamics - Human gait analysis is a complex problem in biomechanics because of highly nonlinear human motion equations, muscle dynamics, and foot-ground contact. Despite a large...     

Liquid–liquid equilibrium for the systems hydrocarbon–thiophene or pyridine–1-hexyl-3,5-dimethylpyridinium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide

Liquid–liquid equilibrium for eight ternary systems involving one hydrocarbon (n-hexane, n-heptane, i-octane or toluene), thiophene or pyridine and an ionic liquid (1-hexyl-3,5-dimethylpyridinium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide) was experimentally determined at atmospheric pressure and 25°C. Equilibrium data are presented with binodal curves as well as with tie lines. The suitability of ionic liquid (IL) for extractive desulfurization and denitrification was evaluated in terms of solute distribution ratio and selectivity. Extraction experiments with three-component and seven-component (n-hexane, n-heptane, i-octane, toluene, thiophene, pyridine and IL) systems have been performed. The equilibrium data in three-component systems were well described with Non-Random Two-Liquid (NRTL) and Universal Quasi-Chemical (UNIQUAC) models.     

Effects of different food commodities on larval development and α-amylase activity of Plodia interpunctella (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

The present work was undertaken to study the influence of four commodities (wheat flour, dates, sorghum and barley) on Plodia interpunctella post-embryonic development. Larval weight, larval mortality, pupation and adult emergence were recorded. The study also aimed to find out the effect of these commodities on protein and glycogen production as well as on α-amylase activity. Results indicated that the weight of fourth instar larvae placed on dates increased gradually. Percentage mortality was low. Pupation and adult emergence were delayed. In contrast, the weight of larvae placed on wheat flour, sorghum or barley remained low. Pupation and adult emergence occurred sooner than among those placed on dates and the percentage mortality was highest for larvae placed on barley. Results also showed that protein content and α-amylase activity were lower for larvae placed on dates than for those placed on other commodities. The biochemical composition of different commodities showed that dates are a rich source of glucose, while their protein and starch contents were very low as compared to the other commodities. In contrast, wheat flour, sorghum and barley contained large amounts of starch and protein and low amounts of glucose. Thus, the reduction in α-amylase activity was probably due to the high levels of glucose in dates.