Kink propagation in a two-dimensional curved Josephson junction

We consider the propagation of sine-Gordon kinks in a planar curved strip as a model of nonlinear wave propagation in curved wave guides. The homogeneous Neumann transverse boundary conditions, in the curvilinear coordinates, allow to assume a homogeneous kink solution. Using a simple collective variable approach based on the kink coordinate, we show that curved regions act as potential barriers for the wave and determine the threshold velocity for the kink to cross. The analysis is confirmed by numerical solution of the 2D sine-Gordon equation.Comment: 8 pages, 4 figures (2 in color

Approche multifactorielle et typologique du concept de fragilité chez les patients hypertendus non contrôlés. Enquête Eclat

Objective The aim of the Eclat survey was to evaluate the frequency of frailty in uncontrolled hypertensives and to individualize different frailty profiles. Patients and methods This was an observational, prospective, longitudinal survey conducted in the cohort of uncontrolled hypertensive patients aged 55 years or more. Morbid events having occurred between two visits at a 6-month interval were reported. Patients with at least one event were considered to be frail. Predictive factors of at least one event were identified (logistic regression). The analysis was completed by a typological analysis (principal components analysis and clustering). Results At least one event occurred in 211 (9%) of 2306 patients (males 55%, 67 ± 9 years old, blood pressure [BP] = 160 ± 11/93 ± 8 mmHg, diabetes 23%): cardiovascular (1.7%), gerontological (5.5%), onset of diabetes (1.3%), worsening of renal impact (2%). Three frailty profiles were identified: patients at low risk (n = 1507, event rate = 6%), with neither cardiovascular risk factors nor target organ damage; patients at moderate risk (n = 335, event rate = 12%) with numerous risk factors but no target organ damage and patients at high risk (n = 243, event rate = 23%), the older ones, in bad general condition, with target organ damage, sensorial deficits and cognitive disorders. In a population of uncontrolled hypertensives aged 55 years or more, 9% could be considered as frailty. Conclusion Therapeutic measures might be adapted according to the frailty profile of the patient. With respect to treatment management, healthcare behaviour could differ depending on these frailty profiles

High Performance Multicell Series Inverter-Fed Induction Motor Drive

This document is the Accepted Manuscript version of the following article: M. Khodja, D. Rahiel, M. B. Benabdallah, H. Merabet Boulouiha, A. Allali, A. Chaker, and M. Denai, ‘High-performance multicell series inverter-fed induction motor drive’, Electrical Engineering, Vol. 99 (3): 1121-1137, September 2017. The final publication is available at Springer via DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00202-016-0472-4.The multilevel voltage-source inverter (VSI) topology of the series multicell converter developed in recent years has led to improved converter performance in terms of power density and efficiency. This converter reduces the voltage constraints between all cells, which results in a lower transmission losses, high switching frequencies and the improvement of the output voltage waveforms. This paper proposes an improved topology of the series multicell inverter which minimizes harmonics, reduces torque ripples and losses in a variable-speed induction motor drive. The flying capacitor multilevel inverter topology based on the classical and modified phase shift pulse width modulation (PSPWM, MPSPWM) techniques are applied in this paper to minimize harmonic distortion at the inverter output. Simulation results are presented for a 2-kW induction motor drive and the results obtained demonstrate reduced harmonics, improved transient responses and reference tracking performance of the voltage in the induction motor and consequently reduced torque ripplesPeer reviewe

Vectorial Formalism of Polyphase Synchronous Machine With Permanents Magnets

Abstract- This paper presents a mathematical model that transforms the real machine to fictitious machines and our goal is to simulate these and see the behavior of these machines in load. The polyphase machines are developed mainly in the field of variable speed drives of high power because increasing the number of phases on the one hand allows to reduce the dimensions of the components in power modulators energy and secondly to improve the operating safety. By a vector approach (vector space), it is possible to find a set of single-phase machine and / or two-phase fictitious equivalent to polyphase synchronous machine. These fictitious machines are coupled electrically and mechanically but decoupled magnetically. This approach leads to introduce the concept of the equivalent machine (multimachine multiconverter system MMS) which aims to analyze systems composed of multiple machines (or multiple converters) in electric drives. A first classification multimachine multiconverter system follows naturally from MMS formalism. We present an example of a pentaphase (polyphase) synchronous machine for a simulation and study the behavior of the machine load. Keywords: Polyphase machines, multimachine concept, vector space, eigenvectors, eigenvalues, pentaphase machine

Poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation associated changes in CTCF-chromatin binding and gene expression in breast cells

CTCF is an evolutionarily conserved and ubiquitously expressed architectural protein regulating a plethora of cellular functions via different molecular mechanisms. CTCF can undergo a number of post-translational modifications which change its properties and functions. One such modifications linked to cancer is poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation (PARylation). The highly PARylated CTCF form has an apparent molecular mass of 180 kDa (referred to as CTCF180), which can be distinguished from hypo- and non-PARylated CTCF with the apparent molecular mass of 130 kDa (referred to as CTCF130). The existing data accumulated so far have been mainly related to CTCF130. However, the properties of CTCF180 are not well understood despite its abundance in a number of primary tissues. In this study we performed ChIP-seq and RNA-seq analyses in human breast cells 226LDM, which display predominantly CTCF130 when proliferating, but CTCF180 upon cell cycle arrest. We observed that in the arrested cells the majority of sites lost CTCF, whereas fewer sites gained CTCF or remain bound (i.e. common sites). The classical CTCF binding motif was found in the lost and common, but not in the gained sites. The changes in CTCF occupancies in the lost and common sites were associated with increased chromatin densities and altered expression from the neighboring genes. Based on these results we propose a model integrating the CTCF130/180 transition with CTCF-DNA binding and gene expression changes. This study also issues an important cautionary note concerning the design and interpretation of any experiments using cells and tissues where CTCF180 may be present

Investigation of Equilibrium and Kinetics in the Removal of Methylene Blue from Aqueous Solutions using Chamaerops humilis Fruit

Several sectors such as domestic, agricultural, and industrial use excessive amounts of water, resulting in the production of large quantities of water contaminated with organic and inorganic pollutants that are not or hardly biodegradable. The resulting effluents have adverse effects on human health and wildlife. To minimize these harmful effects, many wastewater treatment processes are currently being developed, including adsorption technology. In this work, the adsorption measurements in a batch setting were conducted utilizing an aqueous medium of an organic dye, Methylene blue on Chamaerops humilis fruits. The study examined several variables in the experiments, including the duration of contact, The starting level of the substance, the quantity of the material used for adsorption used, the speed of agitation, and the pH level of the dye solution. Moreover, the values at equilibrium were evaluated using the Freundlich and Langmuir adsorption isotherm models. The second-order kinetic is effectively utilized when examining adsorbent/adsorbate systems within the scope of this study

Advances in gene therapy for muscular dystrophies

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a recessive lethal inherited muscular dystrophy caused by mutations in the gene encoding dystrophin, a protein required for muscle fibre integrity. So far, many approaches have been tested from the traditional gene addition to newer advanced approaches based on manipulation of the cellular machinery either at the gene transcription, mRNA processing or translation levels. Unfortunately, despite all these efforts, no efficient treatments for DMD are currently available. In this review, we highlight the most advanced therapeutic strategies under investigation as potential DMD treatments

Vertical Subgroups of Primary Abelian Groups

AbstractMotived by an intrinisic necessary condition for the purifiability of subgroups of primary abelian groups due to K. Benabdallah and T. Okuyama we introduce new functors on the category of pairs (G, A),where A is a subgroup of G,to the category of Z/pZ-vector spaces. The vanishing of these functors leads to the notion of vertical subgroup which is a weakening of purity but also an essential component of the latter. In fact, a vertical subgroup is pure if and only if it is neat. We establish various facts about vertical subgroups and “maximal” vertical subgroups and apply the resulting theory to the problem of purifiability. We show that the class of quasi-complete groups is precisely the class of reduced groups in which every subgroup satisfying the intrinsic necessary condition for purifiability is in fact purifiable. This is also the class of reduced p-groups in which the maximal vertical subgroups are precisely the pure subgroups.</jats:p

Implementation of a New Geometrical Qualification (DQ) Method for an Open Access Fused Filament Fabrication 3D Printer

This work presents geometric qualification on rapid prototyping process in the case of open access 3D printers where a working model is proposed and a prototype measurement is presented. The problem, which is to develop a methodological approach for the realization of five test pieces of equal dimensions based on complete process knowledge of the downstream material deposit movement according to XML standards, is addressed after a state of the art review. The result allows confirming the quality of the machine recommended by the manufacturer. Basically, the adopted methodology was used to fill the vacuum in the 3D FDM (open source) 3D geometric qualification (DQ) as well as to pave the way for the 3D printing processes standardization [1].</jats:p