• Journal of international Conference on Electrical Machines and Systems
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• v.2 no.3
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• pp.349-355
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• 2013

This paper presents the multi-objective optimisation of an Inductive Coupled Power Transfer (ICPT) device. A setup as complicated as the one at hand in this paper is extremely hard to model analytically. To acquire some knowledge about the influence of the geometric factors, a sensitivity analysis is first performed using design of experiment (DoE) and finite-element modelling (FEM). It allows validating that the choice of the free factors is relevant. This being done, the optimisation itself is performed using a genetic algorithm (GA), with two objectives and a strict functioning constraint.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.32 no.9
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• pp.1110-1119
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• 2022

Fe-S clusters are versatile and essential cofactors that participate in multiple and fundamental biological processes. In Escherichia coli, the biogenesis of these cofactors requires either the housekeeping Isc pathway, or the stress-induced Suf pathway which plays a general role under conditions of oxidative stress or iron limitation. In the present work, the Fe-S cluster assembly Isc and Suf systems of acidophilic Bacteria and Archaea, which thrive in highly oxidative environments, were studied. This analysis revealed that acidophilic microorganisms have a complete set of genes encoding for a single system (either Suf or Isc). In acidophilic Proteobacteria and Nitrospirae, a complete set of isc genes (iscRSUAX-hscBA-fdx), but not genes coding for the Suf system, was detected. The activity of the Isc system was studied in Leptospirillum sp. CF-1 (Nitrospirae). RT-PCR experiments showed that eight candidate genes were co-transcribed and conform the isc operon in this strain. Additionally, RT-qPCR assays showed that the expression of the iscS gene was significantly up-regulated in cells exposed to oxidative stress imposed by 260 mM Fe₂(SO₄)₃ for 1 h or iron starvation for 3 h. The activity of cysteine desulfurase (IscS) in CF-1 cell extracts was also upregulated under such conditions. Thus, the Isc system from Leptospirillum sp. CF-1 seems to play an active role in stressful environments. These results contribute to a better understanding of the distribution and role of Fe-S cluster protein biogenesis systems in organisms that thrive in extreme environmental conditions.

• Advances in nano research
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.147-162
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• 2018

A new nonlocal higher order shear deformation theory (HSDT) is developed for buckling properties of single graphene sheet. The proposed nonlocal HSDT contains a new displacement field which incorporates undetermined integral terms and contains only two variables. The length scale parameter is considered in the present formulation by employing the nonlocal differential constitutive relations of Eringen. Closed-form solutions for critical buckling forces of the graphene sheets are obtained. Nonlocal elasticity theories are used to bring out the small scale influence on the critical buckling force of graphene sheets. Influences of length scale parameter, length, thickness of the graphene sheets and shear deformation on the critical buckling force have been examined.

• Advances in nano research
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.191-210
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• 2021

To compare the antifungal effect of two nanomaterials (NMs), nanoparticles of zinc oxide were synthesized by a chemical route and zinc oxide-based nanobiohybrids were obtained using green synthesis in an extract of garlic (Allium sativum). The techniques of X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Infrared (IR) and Ultraviolet Visible (UV-Vis) absorption spectroscopies and Scanning (SEM) and Transmission Electron Microscopies (TEM) were used to determine the characteristics of the nanomaterials synthesized. The results showed that the samples obtained were of nanometric size (< 100 nm). To compare their antifungal capacity, their effect on Cercospora sp. was evaluated. Test results showed that both nanomaterials had an antifungal capacity. The nanobiohybrids (green route) gave an inhibition of fungal growth of ~72.4% while with the ZnO-NPs (chemical route), inhibition was ~87.1%. Microstructural studies using High Resolution Optical Microscopy (HROM) and ultra-structural analysis using TEM carried out on the treated strains demonstrated the effect of the nanofungicides on the vegetative and reproductive structures, as well as on their cell wall. To account for the antifungal effect presented by ZnO-NPs and ZnO nanobiohybrids on the fungi tested, effects reported in the literature related to the action of nanomaterials on biological entities were considered. Specifically, we discuss the electrical interaction of the ZnO-NPs with the cell membrane and the biomolecules (proteins) present in the fungi, taking into account the n-type nature of the ZnO semiconductor and the electrical behavior of the fungal cell membrane and that of the proteins that make up the protein crown.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.2983-2986
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• 2013

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, non-coding RNAs (18-25 nucleotides) that post-transcriptionally modulate gene expression by negatively regulating the stability or translational efficiency of their target mRNAs. In this context, the present study aimed to evaluate the in vitro effects of miR-153 inhibition in the breast carcinoma cell line MDA-MB-231. Forty-eight hours after MDA-MB-231 cells were transfected with the miR-153 inhibitor, an MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay was utilized to determine the effects of miR-153 on cell viability. Flow cytometry analysis and assessment of caspase 3/7 activity were adopted to determine whether miR-153 affects the proliferation rates and apoptosis levels of MDA-MB-231 cells. Our results showed that silencing of miR-153 significantly inhibited growth when compared to controls at 48 hours, reducing proliferation by 37.6%, and inducing apoptosis. Further studies are necessary to corroborate our findings and examine the potential use of this microRNA in future diagnostic and therapeutic interventions.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.217-243
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• 2016

The linear and nonlinear seismic responses of steel buildings with perimeter moment resisting frames and welded connections (WC) are estimated and compared with those of buildings with post-tensioned connections (PC). Two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) structural representations of the buildings as well as global and local response parameters are considered. The seismic responses and structural damage of steel buildings with PC may be significantly smaller than those of the buildings with typical WC. The reasons for this are that the PC buildings dissipate more hysteretic energy and attract smaller inertia forces. The response reduction is larger for global than for local response parameters. The reduction may significantly vary from one structural representation to another. One of the main reasons for this is that the energy dissipation characteristics are quite different for the 2D and 3D models. In addition, in the case of the 3D models, the contribution of each horizontal component to the axial load on an specific column may be in phase each other during some intervals of time, but for some others they may be out of phase. It is not possible to observe this effect on the 2D structural formulation. The implication of this is that 3D structural representation should be used while estimating the effect of the PC on the structural response. Thus, steel frames with post-tensioned bolted connections are a viable option in high seismicity areas due to the fact that brittle failure is prevented and also because of their reduced response and self-centering capacity.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.4 no.6
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• pp.655-678
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• 1996

The paper reports on alternative hybrid/mixed formulations being developed by the Structural Analysis Research Group of Institute Superior T$\acute{e}$cnico. These formulations open the scope and increase the power of the finite element method by allowing different fields to be independently approximated, within certain consistency criteria, and by enhancing the use of a wide range of approximation functions. They have been applied to the analysis of 2-D problems, laminar structures and solids, using different constitutive relations, both in quasi-static and dynamic regimes. The fundamental properties of the formulations are identified and assessed and their performance is illustrated using simple, linear applications.

• Proceedings of the Korean Powder Metallurgy Institute Conference
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• 2006.09a
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• pp.260-261
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• 2006

The behaviour of steel powder compacts during sintering has been investigated by dilatometry and X-ray computed microtomography. Dilatometry measurements showed that the anisotropic deformation results from various phenomena arising at different moments of the cycle including the delubrication stage. Microtomography provided 3D images of the microstructure induced by prior die pressing and its changes throughout sintering. Finally a schematic description of the main phenomena responsible for the deformation of metal powder compacts during sintering is proposed.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.225-235
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• 2014

Cold expansion is an efficient way to improve the fatigue life of an open hole. In this paper, three finite element models have been established to bind the crack growth from an expanded hole and simulated. Expansion and its degree influence are studied using a numerical analysis. Stress intensity factors are determined and used to evaluate the fatigue life. Residual stress field is evaluated using a nonlinear analysis and superposed with the applied stresses field in order to estimate fatigue crack growth. Experimental tests are conducted under constant loading. Results of this investigation indicate expansion and its degree are beneficial to fatigue life and a good agreement was observed between FEM simulations and experimental results.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.289-307
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• 2016

A simple hyperbolic shear deformation theory taking into account transverse shear deformation effects is proposed for the free flexural vibration analysis of thick functionally graded plates resting on elastic foundations. By considering further supposition, the present formulation introduces only four unknowns and its governing equations are therefore reduced. Hamilton's principle is employed to obtain equations of motion and Navier-type analytical solutions for simply-supported plates are compared with the available solutions in literature to check the accuracy of the proposed theory. Numerical results are computed to examine the effects of the power-law index and side-to-thickness ratio on the natural frequencies.