• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• 제64권2호
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• pp.173-181
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• 2017

This paper analyzes the influence of the construction process on short- and long-term deflections on a reinforced concrete structure poured on-site by a portable industrialized system. A parametric analysis was carried out by the Finite Elements Method (FEM) that considered: a) type of construction process with reshoring or clearing (partial striking); b) the number of successively shored floors and c) the number of shores used on each floor. All three factors were especially important for the values of short- and long-term deflections, which were highest in the reshoring processes with the lowest number of successively shored floors and the lowest number of shores per floor. Deflections obtained were compared with the limits laid down by ACI 318-14 and as calculated by this code's simplified method. The long-term deflections were seen to be almost double than those obtained by applying the ACI 318-14 code's simplified method and in some cases these deflections were above the established limits. It can thus be concluded that the load history of a building under construction should be taken into account in order to satisfy a structure's in-service conditions and durability.

• Toxicological Research
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• 제32권4호
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• pp.289-300
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• 2016

Non-genotoxic carcinogens are substances that induce tumorigenesis by non-mutagenic mechanisms and long term rodent bioassays are required to identify them. Recent studies have shown that transcription profiling can be applied to develop early identifiers for long term phenotypes. In this study, we used rat liver expression profiles from the NTP (National Toxicology Program, Research Triangle Park, USA) DrugMatrix Database to construct a gene classifier that can distinguish between non-genotoxic carcinogens and other chemicals. The model was based on short term exposure assays (3 days) and the training was limited to oxidative stressors, peroxisome proliferators and hormone modulators. Validation of the predictor was performed on independent toxicogenomic data (TG-GATEs, Toxicogenomics Project-Genomics Assisted Toxicity Evaluation System, Osaka, Japan). To build our model we performed Random Forests together with a recursive elimination algorithm (VarSelRF). Gene set enrichment analysis was employed for functional interpretation. A total of 770 microarrays comprising 96 different compounds were analyzed and a predictor of 54 genes was built. Prediction accuracy was 0.85 in the training set, 0.87 in the test set and increased with increasing concentration in the validation set: 0.6 at low dose, 0.7 at medium doses and 0.81 at high doses. Pathway analysis revealed gene prominence of cellular respiration, energy production and lipoprotein metabolism. The biggest target of toxicogenomics is accurately predict the toxicity of unknown drugs. In this analysis, we presented a classifier that can predict non-genotoxic carcinogenicity by using short term exposure assays. In this approach, dose level is critical when evaluating chemicals at early time points.

• Computers and Concrete
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• 제1권3호
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• pp.249-260
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• 2004

The stress transmission mechanism in pretensioned concrete beams, though very interesting from an economical point of view, is very complex, integrating various phenomenons such as sliding, bond, bursting. For long the complexity of this mechanism has led engineers to provide a massive rectangular anchorage zone at each end of the beam. The necessity of using such a concrete reinforcement is certainly unquestionable in post-tensioned beams. However in pretensioned elements the stresses induced in concrete in the anchorage zone are smaller than in post-tensioned elements. In this article the stress field in the end zone is calculated numerically and from this analysis the possible reduction of the cross-section of the anchorage block is examined.

• 대한전자공학회:학술대회논문집
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• 대한전자공학회 1999년도 하계종합학술대회 논문집
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• pp.895-898
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• 1999

Recently, small signal modeling of CMOS device becomes more difficult because the design rule goes into deep submicron. De-embedding of substrate parameters is important in order to use CMOS devices at RF frequencies. In this paper, we suggest a new de-embedding model with refined physical meaning and accuracy. In GaAs IC’s, the substrate is almost an insulator but Si substrate has the semiconducting characteristics. It offers some troubles if it is treated like GaAs substrate. The conducting substrate is modeled with five resistances, which leads to very accurate modeling so long as the pad layout is symmetrical. Frequency range is up to 39㎓ and fitting accuracy is as small as 0.00037 on least square errors.

• The Journal of Advanced Prosthodontics
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• 제16권2호
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• pp.126-138
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• 2024

PURPOSE. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of different 3D dental resins, using a manufacturer recommended printer and a third-party printer, on cellular responses of human gingival cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS. Three NextDent resins (Denture 3D+, C&B MFH and Crowntec) were used to produce specimens on printers NextDent 5100 (groups ND, NC and NT, respectively) and Phrozen Sonic Mini 4K (groups PD, PC and PT, respectively). Human gingival fibroblasts were cultured and biocompatibility was evaluated on days 1, 3 and 7. IL-6 and IL-8 concentrations were evaluated at 3 days using ELISA. Surface roughness was evaluated by a contact profilometer. SEM and fluorescence micrographs were analyzed at days 1 and 7. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS and mean differences were tested using ANOVA and post-hoc Tukey tests (P < .05). RESULTS. There was an increase in cellular viability after 7 days in groups PC and PT, when compared to group PD. ND group resulted in higher concentration of IL-6 when compared to PT group. SEM and fluorescence micrographs showed less adhesion and thinner morphology of fibroblasts from group PD. No significant differences were found regarding surface roughness. CONCLUSION. The use of different printers or resins did not seem to influence surface roughness. NextDent 5100 and Phrozen Sonic Mini 4K produced resins with similar cellular responses in human gingival fibroblasts. However, Denture 3D+ resin resulted in significantly lower biocompatibility, when compared to C&B MFH and Crowntec resins. Further testing is required to support its long-term use, required for complete dentures.

• Advances in nano research
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• 제1권1호
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• pp.1-11
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• 2013

The thermal buckling properties of double-walled carbon nanotubes (DWCNTs) are studied using nonlocal Timoshenko beam model, including the effects of transverse shear deformation and rotary inertia. The DWCNTs are considered as two nanotube shells coupled through the van der Waals interaction between them. The geometric nonlinearity is taken into account, which arises from the mid-plane stretching. Considering the small-scale effects, the governing equilibrium equations are derived and the critical buckling temperatures under uniform temperature rise are obtained. The results show that the critical buckling temperature can be overestimated by the local beam model if the nonlocal effect is overlooked for long nanotubes. In addition, the effect of shear deformation and rotary inertia on the buckling temperature is more obvious for the higher-order modes. The investigation of the thermal buckling properties of DWCNTs may be used as a useful reference for the application and the design of nanostructures in which DWCNTs act as basic elements.

• Macromolecular Research
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• 제12권5호
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• pp.451-458
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• 2004

Water-soluble polyacrylamides hydrophobically modified with small amounts of N,N-dialkylacrylamides [N,N-dihexylacrylamide (DHAM) and N,N-dioctylacrylamide (DOAM)] have been prepared through free radical solution polymerizations using two hydrophobic initiators derived from 4,4' -azobis(4-cyanopentanoic acid) (ACVA) and long linear chains consisting of 12 and 16 carbon atoms (C12 and C16). This procedure resulted in polyacrylamides containing hydrophobic groups along the chain as well as at the chain ends. We compare the properties of this class of polymers, termed "combined associative polymers", with those of the multisticker (with hydrophobic groups along the polymer chain) and telechelic (with hydrophobic groups at the chain ends) associative polymers. These materials were prepared using DHAM or DOAM and a hydrophobic initiator (ACVA) modified with alkyl chains of two different lengths. Polymers having molecular weights (M$\_$w/) of ca. 175,000 and hydrophobic contents [H] of ca. 0.8 mol% were prepared using 0.07 mol% of initiator relative to the total monomer feed. We investigated the effects that the type, localization, and concentration of the hydrophobic groups have on the viscosities of the associative polymer solutions.

• BMB Reports
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• 제57권1호
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• pp.30-39
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• 2024

Directed evolution (DE) of desired locus by targeted random mutagenesis (TRM) tools is a powerful approach for generating genetic variations with novel or improved functions, particularly in complex genomes. TRM-based DE involves developing a mutant library of targeted DNA sequences and screening the variants for the desired properties. However, DE methods have for a long time been confined to bacteria and yeasts. Lately, CRISPR/Cas and DNA deaminase-based tools that circumvent enduring barriers such as longer life cycle, small library sizes, and low mutation rates have been developed to facilitate DE in native genetic environments of multicellular organisms. Notably, deaminase-based base editing-TRM (BE-TRM) tools have greatly expanded the scope and efficiency of DE schemes by enabling base substitutions and randomization of targeted DNA sequences. BE-TRM tools provide a robust platform for the continuous molecular evolution of desired proteins, metabolic pathway engineering, creation of a mutant library of desired locus to evolve novel functions, and other applications, such as predicting mutants conferring antibiotic resistance. This review provides timely updates on the recent advances in BE-TRM tools for DE, their applications in biology, and future directions for further improvements.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• 제21권4호
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• pp.65.1-65.13
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• 2020

Background: Aleutian mink disease virus (AMDV) causes major economic losses in fur-bearing animal production. The control of most AMDV outbreaks is complex due to the difficulties of establishing the source of infection based only on the available on-farm epidemiological data. In this sense, phylogenetic analysis of the strains present in a farm may help elucidate the origin of the infection and improve the control and biosecurity measures. Objectives: This study had the following aims: characterize the AMDV strains from most outbreaks produced at Spanish farms between 2012-2019 at the molecular level, and assess the utility of the combined use of molecular and epidemiological data to track the possible routes of infection. Methods: Thirty-seven strains from 17 farms were partially sequenced for the NS1 and VP2 genes and analyzed phylogenetically with other strains described worldwide. Results: Spanish AMDV strains are clustered in four major clades that generally show a good geographical correlation, confirming that most had been established in Spain a long time ago. The combined study of phylogenetic results and epidemiological information of each farm suggests that most of the AMDV outbreaks since 2012 had been produced by within-farm reservoirs, while a few of them may have been due to the introduction of the virus through international trade. Conclusions: The combination of phylogenetic inference, together with epidemiological data, helps assess the possible origin of AMDV infections in mink farms and improving the control and prevention of this disease.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• 제48권1호
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• pp.43-48
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• 2010

Cryptosporidium and Giardia are 2 protozoan parasites responsible for waterborne diseases outbreaks worldwide. In order to assess the prevalence of these protozoans in drinking water samples in the northern part of Portugal and the risk of human infection, we have established a long term program aiming at pinpointing the sources of surface water, drinking water, and environmental contamination, working with the water-supply industry. Total 43 sources of drinking water samples were selected, and a total of 167 samples were analyzed using the Method 1623. Sensitivity assays regarding the genetic characterization by PCR and sequencing of the genes, 18S SSU rRNA, for Cryptosporidium spp. and $\beta$, -giardin for G. duodenalis were set in the laboratory. According to the defined criteria, molecular analysis was performed over 4 samples. Environmental stages of the protozoa were detected in 25.7% (43 out of 167) of the water samples, 8.4% (14 out of 167) with cysts of Giardia, 10.2% (17 out of 167) with oocysts of Cryptosporidium and 7.2% (12 out of 167) for both species. The mean concentrations were 0.1-12.7 oocysts of Cryptosporidium spp. per 10 L and 0.1-108.3 cysts of Giardia duodenalis per 10 L. Our results suggest that the efficiency in drinking water plants must be ameliorated in their efficiency in reducing the levels of contamination. We suggest the implementation of systematic monitoring programs for both protozoa. To authors' knowledge, this is the first report evaluating the concentration of environmental stages of Cryptosporidium and Giardia in drinking water samples in the northern part of Portugal.