• Journal of IKEEE
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.153-158
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• 2012

A new diversity combining scheme is proposed for time-of-arrival (TOA) estimation of chirp signal in dense multipath channel. In the multipath channel, the performance of TOA estimation using conventional correlation matrix-based diversity combining scheme is degraded due to the lack of de-correlation effect. To increase the de-correlation effect, the proposed diversity scheme employs interleaving method based on the property of de-chirped signal. As a result, the proposed scheme increases de-correlation effect and also reduces the noise of TOA estimation. Finally, the diversity achieved from the proposed scheme improves TOA estimation performance. The de-correlation effect is analyzed mathematically. The estimation accuracy of the proposed diversity scheme is superior to that of conventional diversity scheme in multipath channel.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.331-348
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• 2010

Ample research effort has been oriented into developing damage indices with the aim of estimating in a reasonable manner the consequences, in terms of structural damage and deterioration, of severe plastic cycling. Although several studies have been devoted to calibrate damage indices for steel and reinforced concrete members; currently, there is a challenge to study and calibrate the use of such indices for the practical evaluation of complex structures. The aim of this paper is to introduce an energy-based damage index for multi-degree-of-freedom steel buildings that accounts explicitly for the effects of cumulative plastic deformation demands. The model has been developed by complementing the results obtained from experimental testing of steel members with those derived from analytical studies regarding the distribution of plastic demands on several steel frames designed according to the Mexico City Building Code. It is concluded that the approach discussed herein is a promising tool for practical structural evaluation of framed structures subjected to large energy demands.

• International Journal of CAD/CAM
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.61-69
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• 2007

The objective of this work is to integrate reliability analysis into topology optimization problems. We introduce the reliability constraint in the topology optimization formulation, and the new model is called Reliability-Based Topology Optimization (RBTO). The application of the RBTO model gives a different topology relative to the classical topology optimization that should be deterministic. When comparing the structures resulting from the deterministic topology optimization and from the RBTO model, the RBTO model yields structures that are more reliable than the deterministic ones (for the same weight). Several applications show the importance of this integration.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.17 no.9
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• pp.1296-1302
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• 2004

This study was conducted to evaluate the possible application of 2 D-SDS-PAGE (2 DE)-based proteome analysis techniques to the assessment of extreme proteolysis in postmortem skeletal muscle. Eight Hanwoo longissimus muscles were incubated immediately after slaughter for 24 h at 5$^{\circ}C$, 15$^{\circ}C$ or 36$^{\circ}C$. Warner Bratzler (WB)-shear force and ultrastructural configuration were determined at 24 h, and rate of proteolysis to 24 h was determined by 1 D-SDS-PAGE (1 DE) and 2 DE. In addition, tentative protein identification was performed from peptide mass fingerprints of MALDI-ToF analysis of major protein groups on 2 DE profiles. The result showed that although ultrastructural configuration was similar between the 5$^{\circ}C$ and 36$^{\circ}C$ treatments, meat at 5$^{\circ}C$ had higher WBshear force (approximately 5 kg greater). A higher rate of protein degradation at 36$^{\circ}C$ was observed based on Troponin-T degradation, 1 DE, and 2 DE analysis. This indicates that proteolysis during the early postmortem period was a significant determinant of shear force at 24 h. Little difference in proteolysis between 5$^{\circ}C$ and 15$^{\circ}C$ treatments was found based on classic 1 DE profile assessment. Meanwhile, considerable differences in the 2 DE profiles between the two treatments were revealed, with substantially higher rate of proteolysis at 15$^{\circ}C$ compared to 5$^{\circ}C$. Nuclease treatment improved 2 DE profile resolution. 400 ${\mu}$g and 600 ${\mu}$g of sample loading appeared to be appropriate for 24 cm pH 3-10 and pH 5-7 IPG strips, respectively. Protein detection and quantification of the 5$^{\circ}C$, 15$^{\circ}C$ and 36$^{\circ}C$ 2 DE profiles revealed 78, 163 and 232 protein spots respectively that were differentially modified in terms of their electrophoretic properties between approximately pI 5.3-7.7 with the molecular weight range of approximately 71-12 kDa. The current results demonstrated that 2 DE was a superior tool to 1 DE for characterising proteolysis in postmortem skeletal muscle.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.53 no.6
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• pp.1215-1240
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• 2015

In this work, a novel simple first-order shear deformation plate theory based on neutral surface position is developed for bending and free vibration analysis of functionally graded plates and supported by either Winkler or Pasternak elastic foundations. By dividing the transverse displacement into bending and shear parts, the number of unknowns and governing equations of the present theory is reduced, and hence, makes it simple to use. The governing equations are derived by employing the Hamilton's principle and the physical neutral surface concept. There is no stretching-bending coupling effect in the neutral surface-based formulation, and consequently, the governing equations and boundary conditions of functionally graded plates based on neutral surface have the simple forms as those of isotropic plates. Numerical results of present theory are compared with results of the traditional first-order and the other higher-order theories reported in the literature. It can be concluded that the proposed theory is accurate and simple in solving the static bending and free vibration behaviors of functionally graded plates.

• ALGAE
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.249-258
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• 2012

Nongeniculate coralline red algae are a common element of the Brazilian coastal zone, especially associated to coral reefs. During the course of ecological studies at Parque Municipal Marinho do Recife de Fora, two species of non-geniculate Corallinales were the major organisms covering the reef. Analyses of the vegetative and reproductive features of the species were analyzed; indicating that one new species of the genus Lithothamnion is proposed here based on the combination of several features associated with anatomy of the tetrasporangial conceptacles in relation to other species of the genus for which modern accounts are available. This new proposal along with other new species, new combinations and range extension of some species of the genus based in similar features clearly suggest that stability in species delimitation is possible. The second species found Pneophyllum conicum represents a range extension of more than 6,000 km from the Pacific in to the Atlantic Ocean suggesting that some nongeniculate species are widely distributed. The occurrence and abundance of these species supports and emphasizes the need for an extensive taxonomic reassessment of coralline red algae in the context of Brazilian coral reef biodiversity.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.697-711
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• 2015

It is well known the importance of considering hysteretic energy demands for the seismic assessment and design of structures. In such a way that it is necessary to establish new parameters of the earthquake ground motion potential able to predict energy demands in structures. In this paper, several alternative vector-valued ground motion intensity measures (IMs) are used to estimate hysteretic energy demands in steel framed buildings under long duration narrow-band ground motions. The vectors are based on the spectral acceleration at first mode of the structure Sa($T_1$) as first component. As the second component, IMs related to peak, integral and spectral shape parameters are selected. The aim of the study is to provide new parameters or vector-valued ground motion intensities with the capacity of predicting energy demands in structures. It is concluded that spectral-shape-based vector-valued IMs have the best relation with hysteretic energy demands in steel frames subjected to narrow-band earthquake ground motions.

• The Bulletin of The Korean Astronomical Society
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.27-27
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• 2001

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.753-760
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• 2007

The diversity of Paenibacillus species was assessed in the rhizospheres of four cultivars of sorghum sown in Cerrado soil amended with two levels of nitrogen fertilizer(12 and 120 kg/ha). Two cultivars(IS 5322-C and IS 6320) demanded the higher amount of nitrogen to grow, whereas the other two(FBS 8701-9 and IPA 1011) did not. Using the DNA extracted from the rhizospheres, a Paenibacillus-specific PCR system based on the RNA polymerase gene(rpoB) was chosen for the molecular analyses. The resulting PCR products were separated into community fingerprints by DGGE and the results showed a clear distinction between cultivars. In addition, clone libraries were generated from the rpoB fragments of two cultivars(IPA 1011 and IS 5322-C) using both fertilization conditions, and 318 selected clones were sequenced. Analyzed sequences were grouped into 14 Paenibacillus species. A greater diversity of Paenibacillus species was observed in cultivar IPA 1011 compared with cultivar IS 5322-C. Moreover, statistical analyses of the sequences showed that the bacterial diversity was more influenced by cultivar type than nitrogen fertilization, corroborating the DGGE results. Thus, the sorghum cultivar type was the overriding determinative factor that influenced the community structures of the Paenibacillus communities in the habitats investigated.

• International Journal of Concrete Structures and Materials
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.229-238
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• 2014

Typical high-performance concrete (HPC) mixtures are characterized by low water-cementitious material ratios, high cement contents, and the incorporation of admixtures. In spite of its superior properties in the hardened state, HPC suffers from many practical difficulties such as its sensitivity to early-age cracking (which is associated with self-desiccation and autogenous shrinkage). In this context, conventional curing procedures are not sufficiently effective to address these limitations. In order to overcome this issue, two strategies,which are based on the use of internal reservoirs of water, have been recently developed.One of these strategies is based on the use of lightweight aggregates (LWA), while the other is based on the use of superabsorbent polymers (SAP). This paper studies and compares the efficiency of the LWA and SAP approaches.Moreover, some of the theoretical aspects that should be taken into account to optimize their application for internal curing of HPC are also discussed. Two fine LWA's and one SAP are studied in terms of autogenous deformation and compressive strength. Increasing the amounts of LWAor SAP can lead to a reduction of the autogenous deformation and compressive strength (especially when adding large amounts). By selecting appropriate materials and controlling their amount, size, and porosity, highly efficient internal water curing can be ensured.