Simulationsuntersuchungen zur Grenzbelastbarkeit von IGBTs im Abschaltvorgang

Within the frame of this thesis turn-off behaviour of IGBTs was investigated, focussed on Trench IGBT design. Temperature was introduced as additional mean for the device's behaviour. The existence of filament oscillations is proved. Neighbouring relations influence the sequence of the current-concentration carrying transistors. The filament self-extinguishing through plasma extraction is shown as driving force for the filaments' transition from one IGBT to another. Gate backlash was recognized as a reason for oscillation. The parasitic capacity of trench IGBTs was devoted attention. The oscillation itself as destructive mechanism was ruled out. It became clear, that temperature and thermal runaway make up the final destruction mechanism. Thermal feedback is the prerequisite for a stable local latch-up. Considerations were taken to provide conditions for informative, yet fast to be computed simulation setups. Variants of the trench cell were examined regarding their turn-off capabilities

The Influencing Factors toward Brand Loyalty of Smartphone in Phnom Penh, Cambodia

The purpose of this study was to investigate the influencing factors of the independent variables, i.e. brand affect, brand trust, customer satisfaction, perceived quality, advertising spending, customer orientation, and CSR toward brand loyalty as dependent variable for the Apple iPhone in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Then, the conceptual framework was designed from the theoretical framework, and hypotheses were constructed from the conceptual framework in order to know the relationship between dependent variable and independent variable. The researcher targets university students both male and female who currently use the Apple iPhone. A total of 400 questionnaires were distributed at the top five rankings of number of university students in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The researcher used SPSS software for the statistical treatment of data by applying descriptive analysis and inferential analysis.The results of this study showed that brand trust had a high positive significant influence on brand affect, perceived quality had a high positive significant influence on satisfaction, advertising spending had a high positive significant influence on perceived quality. Furthermore, brand affect, brand trust, satisfaction, perceived quality, and CSR had a positive significant influence on brand loyalty in terms of behavior, commitment, and price tolerance. Whereas, only one variable which is advertising spending had a negative significant influence on brand loyalty in terms of behavior. However, customer orientation had not a significant influence on brand loyalty in terms of behavior, commitment, and price tolerance

Assessment of mutation probabilities of KRAS G12 missense mutants and their long-timescale dynamics by atomistic molecular simulations and Markov state modeling

A mutated KRAS protein is frequently observed in human cancers. Traditionally, the oncogenic properties of KRAS missense mutants at position 12 (G12X) have been considered as equal. Here, by assessing the probabilities of occurrence of all KRAS G12X mutations and KRAS dynamics we show that this assumption does not hold true. Instead, our findings revealed an outstanding mutational bias. We conducted a thorough mutational analysis of KRAS G12X mutations and assessed to what extent the observed mutation frequencies follow a random distribution. Unique tissue-specific frequencies are displayed with specific mutations, especially with G12R, which cannot be explained by random probabilities. To clarify the underlying causes for the nonrandom probabilities, we conducted extensive atomistic molecular dynamics simulations (170 its) to study the differences of G12X mutations on a molecular level. The simulations revealed an allosteric hydrophobic signaling network in KRAS, and that protein dynamics is altered among the G12X mutants and as such differs from the wild-type and is mutation-specific. The shift in long-timescale conformational dynamics was confirmed with Markov state modeling. A G12X mutation was found to modify KRAS dynamics in an allosteric way, which is especially manifested in the switch regions that are responsible for the effector protein binding. The findings provide a basis to understand better the oncogenic properties of KRAS G12X mutants and the consequences of the observed nonrandom frequencies of specific G12X mutations.Peer reviewe

Computational Prediction of Primary Breakup in Fuel Spray Nozzles for Aero-Engine Combustors

[EN] Primary breakup of liquid fuel in the vicinity of fuel spray nozzles as utilized in aero-engine combustors is numerically investigated. As grid based methods exhibit a variety of disadvantages when it comes to the prediction of multiphase flows, the ”Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics“ (SPH)-method is employed. The eligibility of the method to analyze breakup of fuel has been demonstrated in recent publications by Braun et al, Dauch et al and Koch et al [1, 2, 3, 4]. In the current paper a methodology for the investigation of the two-phase flow in the vicinity of fuel spray nozzles at typical operating conditions is proposed. Due to lower costs in terms of computing time, 2D predictions are desired. However, atomization of fluids is inherently three dimensional. Hence, differences between 2D and 3D predictions are to be expected. In course of this study, predictions in 2D and based on a 3D sector are presented. Differences in terms of gaseous flow, ligament shape and mixing are assessed.This work was performed on the computational resource ForHLR Phase II funded by the Ministry of Science, Research and Arts Baden-Württemberg and DFG (”Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft“). In addition the authors would like to thank Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG for the outstanding cooperation. The authors also are grateful for many lively and fruitful discussions with Simon Holz.Dauch, T.; Braun, S.; Wieth, L.; Chaussonnet, G.; Keller, M.; Koch, R.; Bauer, H. (2017). Computational Prediction of Primary Breakup in Fuel Spray Nozzles for Aero-Engine Combustors. En Ilass Europe. 28th european conference on Liquid Atomization and Spray Systems. Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València. 806-813. https://doi.org/10.4995/ILASS2017.2017.4693OCS80681

p38 mediates mechanical allodynia in a mouse model of type 2 diabetes

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Painful Diabetic Neuropathy (PDN) affects more than 25% of patients with type 2 diabetes; however, the pathogenesis remains unclear due to lack of knowledge of the molecular mechanisms leading to PDN. In our current study, we use an animal model of type 2 diabetes in order to understand the roles of p38 in PDN. Previously, we have demonstrated that the C57BLK db/db (db/db) mouse, a model of type 2 diabetes that carries the loss-of-function leptin receptor mutant, develops mechanical allodynia in the hind paws during the early stage (6-12 wk of age) of diabetes. Using this timeline of PDN, we can investigate the signaling mechanisms underlying mechanical allodynia in the db/db mouse.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We studied the role of p38 in lumbar dorsal root ganglia (LDRG) during the development of mechanical allodynia in db/db mice. p38 phosphorylation was detected by immunoblots at the early stage of mechanical allodynia in LDRG of diabetic mice. Phosphorylated p38 (pp38) immunoreactivity was detected mostly in the small- to medium-sized LDRG neurons during the time period of mechanical allodynia. Treatment with an antibody against nerve growth factor (NGF) significantly inhibited p38 phosphorylation in LDRG of diabetic mice. In addition, we detected higher levels of inflammatory mediators, including cyclooxygenase (COX) 2, inducible nitric oxide synthases (iNOS), and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α in LDRG neurons of db/db mice compared to non-diabetic db+ mice. Intrathecal delivery of SB203580, a p38 inhibitor, significantly inhibited the development of mechanical allodynia and the upregulation of COX2, iNOS and TNF-α.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Our findings suggest that NGF activated-p38 phosphorylation mediates mechanical allodynia in the db/db mouse by upregulation of multiple inflammatory mediators in LDRG.</p

Toward the development of a virtual spray test-rig using the Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics method

In this work we present the numerical simulation of air-assisted liquid atomization at high pressure us- ing the Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics (SPH) method. Different post-processing tools are applied to facilitate the comparison with experimental observations. This allows to quantitatively validate the nu- merical method against the experiment, in terms of (i) frequency of the Kelvin–Helmholtz instability that develops on the jet surface, and (ii) statistical distribution of the jet intact length. The qualitative com- parison also shows a good prediction of the jet global instability and of the fragmented liquid lumps, with regards to length and time scales. In addition, the post-processing tools also give access to the local parameters of the generated spray in the vicinity of the nozzle, which are not easily accessible in a real experiments. Using these tools, 1D profiles and 2D maps of the liquid phase properties such as the vol- ume fraction, the droplet concentration, the Sauter Mean Diameter (SMD) and the droplet sphericity are presented. Because of the Lagrangian nature of the SPH method, it is also possible to monitor the whole atomization cascade as a causal tree, from the primary instabilities to the spray characteristics. This tree contains various information such as the fragmentation spectrum and the breakup activity, which are of great interest for researchers and engineers. Hence, the capability of the Smoothed Particle Hydrody- namics (SPH) method for simulating air-assisted atomization at high ambient pressure is demonstrated as well as its applicability to realistic configurations. This is a first step towards the development of a complete virtual spray test-rig

Neurogenic factor-induced Langerhans cell activation in diabetic mice with mechanical allodynia

Abstract Background Langerhans cells (LCs) are antigen-presenting dendritic cells located in the skin. It has been reported that LC activation is associated with painful diabetic neuropathy (PDN); however, the mechanism of LC activation is still unclear. Methods The db/db mouse, a rodent model of PDN, was used to study the roles of LCs in the development of PDN in type 2 diabetes. Hind foot pads from db/db and control db/+ mice from 5 to 24 weeks of age (encompassing the period of mechanical allodynia development and its abatement) were collected and processed for immunohistochemistry studies. LCs were identified with immunohistochemistry using an antibody against CD207 (Langerin). The intraepidermal nerve fibers and subepidermal nerve plexus were identified by immunohistochemistry of protein gene product 9.5 (PGP 9.5) and tropomyosin-receptor kinase (Trk) A, the high affinity nerve growth factor receptor. Results CD207-positive LCs increased in the db/db mouse during the period of mechanical allodynia, from 8 to 10 weeks of age, in both the epidermis and subepidermal plexus. At 16 weeks of age, when mechanical allodynia diminishes, LC populations were reduced in the epidermis and subepidermal plexus. Epidermal LCs (ELCs) were positive for Trk A. Subepidermal LCs (SLCs) were positive for CD68, suggesting that they are immature LCs. Additionally, these SLCs were positive for the receptor of advanced glycation end products (RAGE) and were in direct contact with TNF-α-positive nerve fibers in the subepidermal nerve plexus during the period of mechanical allodynia. Intrathecal administration of SB203580, a p38 kinase inhibitor, significantly reduced mechanical allodynia, TNF-α expression in the subepidermal plexus, and increased both ELC and SLC populations during the period of mechanical allodynia. Conclusions Our data support the hypothesis that increased LC populations in PDN are activated by p38-dependent neurogenic factors and may be involved in the pathogenesis of PDN.http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/135942/1/12974_2013_Article_838.pd