• Journal of Computing Science and Engineering
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.9-23
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• 2017

NuDE 2.0 (Nuclear Development Environment 2.0) is a formal-method-based software development, verification and safety analysis environment for safety-critical digital I&Cs implemented with programmable logic controller (PLC) and field-programmable gate array (FPGA). It simultaneously develops PLC/FPGA software implementations from one requirement/design specification and also helps most of the development, verification, and safety analysis to be performed mechanically and in sequence. The NuDE 2.0 now consists of 25 CASE tools and also includes an in-depth solution for indirect commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) software dedication of new FPGA-based digital I&Cs. We expect that the NuDE 2.0 will be widely used as a means of diversifying software design/implementation and model-based software development methodology.

• Journal of Electrochemical Science and Technology
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.276-290
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• 2024

A study of the transition from transitory state to steady state in DSSCs based on natural dyes is presented; cochineal was used as dye and Li⁺, Na⁺, and K⁺ were the ions added to the electrolyte. The photocurrent profiles were obtained as a function of time. Several DSSCs were prepared with different cations and their role and the transitory-to-steady transition was determined. A novel hybrid charge carrier source model based on the Heaviside function H(t) and the Lambert-Beer law, was developed and applied to analysis of the transient response of the output photocurrent. Additionally, the maximum effective light absorption coefficient α and the electronic extraction rate κ for each ion were determined: ${\alpha}_{Li^+,Na^+,K^+}\,=\,(0.486,\,0.00085,\,0.1126)\,cm^{-1}$, and also the electronic extraction rate ${\kappa}^{Li^+,Na^+,K^+}_{ext.}\,=\,(1410,\,19.07,\,19.69)\,cm\,s^{-1}$. The impedance model using Fick's second law was developed for carrier recombination to characterize the photocurrent.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.159-177
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• 2009

The aim of this paper is to give a rigorous framework for the interpretation of limit analysis results including large displacements. The presentation is oriented towards unidimensional media (beams) but two-dimensional (plates) or three-dimensional media are also concerned. A single-degree-of-freedom system is first considered: it shows the basic phenomena of large displacement limit analysis or second-order limit analysis. The results are compared to those of a continuous system and the differences between both systems are discussed. Theoretical results are obtained using the kinematical approach of limit analysis. An admissible load-displacement plane is then defined, according to the yield design theory. The methodology used is applied to frame structures. The presented results are nevertheless different from those already published in the literature, as the virtual displacement field can be distinguished from the displacement field at collapse. The simplicity of large displacement limit analysis makes it attractive for practical engineering applications. The load-displacement upper bound can be used for instance in the optimal design of steel frames in seismic areas.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.245-268
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• 2001

The analysis of steel-concrete composite joints presents some particular aspects that increase their complexity when compared to bare steel joints. In particular, the influence of slab reinforcement and column concrete encasement clearly change the moment-rotation response of the joint. Starting from an energy approach developed in the context of steel joints, an extension to composite joints is presented in this paper that is able to provide closed-form analytical solutions. In addition, the possibility of tri-linear or non-linear component behaviour is also incorporated in the model, enabling adequate treatment of the influence of cracked concrete in tension and the softening response of the column web in compression. This methodology is validated through comparison with experimental tests carried out at the University of Coimbra.

• Iberoamérica
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.99-122
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• 2020

The design and implementation of the so-called Mexican Fourth Transformation(Cuarta Transformacion, 4T), as an alternative form of government, faces daily the attack and violence of conservatism through a permanent campaign that seeks to instill fear in society, based on a web of lies that tries to create the image of a situation of political ungovernance in the public opinion. This work is a documentary analysis that accounts for the types of harassment of the conservative elite against the 4T; the objective is to show the forms of violence that threaten democracy. In conclusion, this study attempts to argue that the violence that conservative neoliberals caused against the 4T has its origin in that they feel threatened, because the reform policy of AMLO goes against their class interests.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.659-666
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• 2021

After Candida albicans, Candida glabrata is one of the most common fungal species associated with candidemia in nosocomial infections. Rapid acquisition of nutrients from the host is important for the survival of pathogens which possess the metabolic flexibility to assimilate different carbon and nitrogen compounds. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, nitrogen assimilation is controlled through a mechanism known as Nitrogen Catabolite Repression (NCR). NCR is coordinated by the action of four GATA factors; two positive regulators, Gat1 and Gln3, and two negative regulators, Gzf3 and Dal80. A mechanism in C. glabrata similar to NCR in S. cerevisiae has not been broadly studied. We previously showed that in C. glabrata, Gln3, and not Gat1, has a major role in nitrogen assimilation as opposed to what has been observed in S. cerevisiae in which both factors regulate NCR-sensitive genes. Here, we expand the knowledge about the role of Gln3 from C. glabrata through the transcriptional analysis of BG14 and gln3Δ strains. Approximately, 53.5% of the detected genes were differentially expressed (DEG). From these DEG, amino acid metabolism and ABC transporters were two of the most enriched KEGG categories in our analysis (Up-DEG and Down-DEG, respectively). Furthermore, a positive role of Gln3 in AAA assimilation was described, as was its role in the transcriptional regulation of ARO8. Finally, an unexpected negative role of Gln3 in the gene regulation of ABC transporters CDR1 and CDR2 and its associated transcriptional regulator PDR1 was found. This observation was confirmed by a decreased susceptibility of the gln3Δ strain to fluconazole.

• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.41 no.11
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• pp.594-599
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• 1997

Lithium nickel oxide ($Li_{2x}Ni_{1-x}O$) thin films have been prepared by the RF sputtering of lithiated nickel oxide target, where the film microstructure was controlled by the sputtering atmosphere $(Ar/O_2)$ and the substrate temperature ($T_s=50/230^{\circ}C$). From the transmission electron microscopic analysis, it is found that the most porous film with the grain size of $∼80\AA$ could be fabricated under the sputtering atmosphere of $P(O_2)=8{\times}10^2$ mbar with the $$T_s$=50^{\circ}C.$ In the optical and electrochemical studies, the$Li_{2x}Ni_{1-x}O$ films exhibit a significant electrochromic property in association with the lithium insertion/deinsertion process. The amount of charge insertion ($Q_i$) and the optical density (OD) variation depend on the crystallinity of the film as well as its thickness, and for the $Li_{2x}Ni_{1-x}O$ film (170 nm thickness) prepared under $O_2$ atmosphere and $T_s=50^{\circ}C$, the OD could be increased up to ∼1.3 by the charge insertion with $Q_i=30\;mC/cm^2.$

• Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering:BBE
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.245-250
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• 2006

The effects of aliphatic hydrocarbons (n-hexadecane and n-dodecane) on the volumetric oxygen mass transfer coefficient $(k_L\;a)$ were studied in flat alveolar airlift reactor and continuous stirred tank reactors (CSTRs). In the flat alveolar airlift reactor, high aeration rates (>2vvm) were required in order to obtain efficient organic-aqueous phase dispersion and reliable $k_La$ measurements. Addition of 1% (v/v) n-hexadecane or n-dodecane increased the $k_La$ 1.55- and 1.33-fold, respectively, compared to the control (superficial velocity: $25.8{\times}10^{-3}m/s$, sparger orifice diameter: 0.5 mm). Analysis of the gas-liquid interfacial area a and the liquid film mass transfer coefficient $k_L$ suggests that the observed $k_La$ increase was a function of the media's liquid film mass transfer. Addition of 1% (v/v) n-hexadecane or n-dodecane to analogous setups using CSTRs led to a $k_La$ increase by a factor of 1.68 and 1.36, respectively (superficial velocity: $2.1{\times}10^{-3}m/s$, stirring rate: 250 rpm). These results propose that low-concentration addition of oxygen-vectors to aerobic microbial cultures has additional benefit relative to incubation in purely aqueous media.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.235-247
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• 2021

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Increasing the consumption of vegetables and fruits in Mexico remains a challenge. Promoting sustainable food production systems through schools may be an effective way to educate young people about food and nutrition issues. A study of nutritional education in adolescents, based on the school garden, is necessary in order to evaluate its effects on the consumption of fruits and vegetables among middle- and upper-income segments of the population. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of an educational intervention, accompanied by a school garden as an educational teaching tool, to improve vegetable and fruit consumption by Mexican teenagers attending a private middle/high school. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Teenagers between 12 and 18 years of age (n = 126) attending a private middle/high school in Queretaro, Mexico participated in a 3-arm, controlled, comparative impact study using a vegetable and fruit consumption frequency questionnaire, food consumption diaries, a psychosocial factor assessment questionnaire of vegetable and fruit consumption, and structured interviews. The participants were randomized into 3 experimental groups: 1) food education + school garden (FE + SG), 2) FE only, and 3) control group (CG). RESULTS: The FE + SG and FE groups significantly increased the frequency and daily intake of vegetables and fruits compared to the CG. The FE + SG group showed greater understanding of, reflection upon, and analysis of the information they received about vegetable and fruit consumption, as well as a greater willingness to include these in their daily diet. CONCLUSIONS: FE accompanied by a SG as a teaching tool is more effective at promoting vegetable and fruit consumption than either education alone or control in teenagers in middle-upper income segments of the population.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.415-422
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• 1995

Twenty-four flavones were synthesized with various hydroxyl and/or methoxyl groups on A and B rings. Their antimutagenic properties were evaluated against ben:w(a)pyrene (BaP) and a pool of mutagenic urine concentrate (U) using a modified liquid incubation method of Ames test. The tester strain was Salmonella typhimurium TA98+S9 Mix. The antimutagenic activities were calculated by non linear regression analysis and the doses of flavones (in nmoles) required for a 50% reduction of induced revertants with BaP and U were defined as the inhibition doses (TEX>$ID_{508}{\;}and{\;}ID_{508}$ respectively). Seventeen flavones possessed significant antimutagenic activity against BaP. $ID_{508}$ ranged from 15.1 nmoles (F22) to 1000.6 nmoles (F13). Eighteen f1avones showed significant antimutagenic activity against U. $ID_{50U}$ ranged from 23.5 nmoles (F22) to 354.6 nmoles (F3). The 2',3',4'-trihydroxyflavone (F22, $ID_{508}=15.1$ nmoles, $ID_{50U}=23.5$ nmoles) and the 2',3',4',7-tetrahydroxyflavone (F20, $ID_{508}=37.8$ nmoles; $ID_{50U}=62.3$ nmoles) had antimutagenic activities similar to those of chlorophyllin ($ID_{508}=19.6$ nmoles and $ID_{50U}=44.2$ nmoles) and were evaluated against B(alP 7,8-dihydrodiol-9,10-epoxide. Against this last mutagen, the flavones which included three OH in B ring showed the highest activity and this property seemed independent of the substituent groups on A ring.