A constitutive material model for nonlinear finite element structural analysis using an iterative matrix approach

A unified numerical method for the integration of stiff time dependent constitutive equations is presented. The solution process is directly applied to a constitutive model proposed by Bodner. The theory confronts time dependent inelastic behavior coupled with both isotropic hardening and directional hardening behaviors. Predicted stress-strain responses from this model are compared to experimental data from cyclic tests on uniaxial specimens. An algorithm is developed for the efficient integration of the Bodner flow equation. A comparison is made with the Euler integration method. An analysis of computational time is presented for the three algorithms

Update in Antiepidermal Growth Factor Receptor Therapy in the Management of Metastatic Colorectal Cancer

The approval of anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) monoclonal antibodies in the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) has expanded the armamentarium against this disease. This paper will review the historical progress and recent clinical developments of anti-EGFR therapies in the treatment of metastatic CRC. Novel strategies of targeting the EGFR pathway to improve efficacy as well as ongoing research in identifying specific molecular predictors of response will be discussed

Employee Thoughts on Influenza Vaccine: Here We Go Again

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Energy-Efficient Multiprocessor Scheduling for Flow Time and Makespan

We consider energy-efficient scheduling on multiprocessors, where the speed of each processor can be individually scaled, and a processor consumes power $s^{\alpha}$ when running at speed $s$, for $\alpha>1$. A scheduling algorithm needs to decide at any time both processor allocations and processor speeds for a set of parallel jobs with time-varying parallelism. The objective is to minimize the sum of the total energy consumption and certain performance metric, which in this paper includes total flow time and makespan. For both objectives, we present instantaneous parallelism clairvoyant (IP-clairvoyant) algorithms that are aware of the instantaneous parallelism of the jobs at any time but not their future characteristics, such as remaining parallelism and work. For total flow time plus energy, we present an $O(1)$-competitive algorithm, which significantly improves upon the best known non-clairvoyant algorithm and is the first constant competitive result on multiprocessor speed scaling for parallel jobs. In the case of makespan plus energy, which is considered for the first time in the literature, we present an $O(\ln^{1-1/\alpha}P)$-competitive algorithm, where $P$ is the total number of processors. We show that this algorithm is asymptotically optimal by providing a matching lower bound. In addition, we also study non-clairvoyant scheduling for total flow time plus energy, and present an algorithm that achieves $O(\ln P)$-competitive for jobs with arbitrary release time and $O(\ln^{1/\alpha}P)$-competitive for jobs with identical release time. Finally, we prove an $\Omega(\ln^{1/\alpha}P)$ lower bound on the competitive ratio of any non-clairvoyant algorithm, matching the upper bound of our algorithm for jobs with identical release time

Surface treatments of indium-tin-oxide substrates: Comprehensive investigation of mechanical, chemical, thermal, and plasma treatments

Various surface treatments significantly affect the work function and surface roughness of indium tin oxide (ITO), and thusly influence charge injection and overall performance of organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs). Large number of treatments, most commonly oxygen plasma treatment and UV-ozone treatment, have been proposed to improve characteristics of ITO. In this work, we have investigated a) mechanical treatments (mechanical rubbing, followed by ultrasonic bath), b) chemical treatments (dipping into aqueous solutions of various acids, including acids which have not been investigated previously) c) thermal treatments (thermal annealing in different atmospheres) d) plasma treatments e) UV ozone treatment f) different combinations of the above. We have measured surface sheet resistance of the samples and investigated surface morphology of the treated samples and compared them to "as-received" samples. We have selected several treatments giving best results. Then we have fabricated OLEDs using ITO substrates treated with treatments selected, as well as a control OLED fabricated on "as-received" ITO. The impact of ITO treatments on the performance of OLEDs have been investigated on two types of devices, OLEDs with and without transport layer, having the structures glass/ITO/Alq 3/Al and glass/ITOFrPD/Alq 3/Al, respectively, where Alq 3 (tris-(8-hydroxyquinoline) aluminum) is emitting layer and TPD (N,N′-diphenyl-N,N′-bis(3-methyl-phenyl)-1, 1′ biphenil-4,4′diamine) is a hole transport layer.published_or_final_versio

Aircraft route forecasting under adverse weather conditions

In this paper storm nowcasts in the terminal manoeuvring area (TMA) of Hong Kong International Airport are used to forecast deviation routes through a field of storms for arriving and departing aircraft. Storms were observed and nowcast by the nowcast system SWIRLS from the Hong Kong Observatory. Storms were considered as no-go zones for aircraft and deviation routes were determined with the DIVSIM software package. Two days (21 and 22 May 2011) with 22 actual flown routes were investigated. Flights were simulated with a nowcast issued at the time an aircraft entered the TMA or departed from the airport. These flights were compared with a posteriori simulations, in which all storm fields were known and circumnavigated. Both types of simulated routes were then compared with the actual flown routes. The qualitative comparison of the various routes revealed generally good agreement. Larger differences were found in more complex situations with many active storms in the TMA. Route differences resulted primarily from air traffic control measures imposed such as holdings, slow-downs and shortcuts, causing the largest differences between the estimated and actual landing time. Route differences could be enhanced as aircraft might be forced to circumnavigate a storm ahead in a different sense. The use of route forecasts to assist controllers coordinating flights in a complex moving storm field is discussed. The study emphasises the important application of storm nowcasts in aviation meteorology

System-L amino acid transporters play a key role in pancreatic b-cell signalling and function

The branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) leucine, isoleucine and valine, are essential amino acids that play a critical role in cellular signalling and metabolism. They acutely stimulate insulin secretion and activate the regulatory serine/threonine kinase mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1), a kinase that promotes increased β-cell mass and function. The effects of BCAA on cellular function are dependent on their active transport into mammalian cells via amino acid transporters and thus the expression and activity of these transporters likely influences β-cell signalling and function. In this report we show that the System-L transporters are required for BCAA uptake into clonal β-cell lines and pancreatic islets and that these are essential for signalling to mTORC1. Further investigation revealed that the System-L transporter LAT1 is abundantly expressed in islets and that knock-down of LAT1 using siRNA inhibits mTORC1 signalling, leucine-stimulated insulin secretion and islet cell proliferation. In summary, we show that the System-L transporter LAT1 is required for regulating β-cell signaling and function in islets and thus may be a novel pharmacological/nutritional target for the treatment and prevention of type-2 diabetes

The digital defence against cyberbullying: A systematic review of tech-based approaches

Cyberbullying, which has been exacerbated by the widespread use of smartphones and the increasing stress associated with the pandemic, needs the promotion of positive online behaviour, cyberbullying awareness, and victim support. The PRISMA technique is used in this review to identify effective preventative tools and intervention options. Eleven studies met our inclusion criteria and were selected for review. A quality assessment was conducted. Upon thorough evaluation of the included studies, the intervention data was compiled in a narrative format. Using thematic analysis, we explored the effectiveness of technological interventions for preventing cyberbullying comprehensively. Technology-driven strategies for identifying and combating cyberbullying in educational settings, such as language-specific cyberbullying detection tools, IRCB programmes for empowering teenagers, and technologies such as CREEP Semantic Technology and CREEP Virtual Coach, have showed potential. TIPIP and the #WIIWY movement have also assisted to raise awareness and educate people about cyberbullying. However, more research is required to design targeted interventions that address varied demographics and circumstances, while including parents and taking the target audience’s age into account remains critical for effective technology-driven educational interventions and digital advocacy

Angiotensin II causes b-cell dysfunction through an ER stress-induced proinflammatory response

The metabolic syndrome is associated with an increase in the activation of the renin angiotensin system, whose inhibition reduces the incidence of new-onset diabetes. Importantly, angiotensin II (AngII), independently of its vasoconstrictor action, causes b-cell inflammation and dysfunction, which may be an early step in the development of type 2 diabetes. The aim of this study was to determine how AngII causes b-cell dysfunction. Islets of Langerhans were isolated from C57BL/6J mice that had been infused with AngII in the presence or absence of taurineconjugated ursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA) and effects on endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, inflammation, and b-cell function determined. The mechanism of action of AngII was further investigated using isolated murine islets and clonal b cells. We show that AngII triggers ER stress, an increase in the messenger RNA expression of proinflammatory cytokines, and promotes b-cell dysfunction in murine islets of Langerhans both in vivo and ex vivo. These effects were significantly attenuated by TUDCA, an inhibitor of ER stress. We also show that AngII-induced ER stress is required for the increased expression of proinflammatory cytokines and is caused by reactive oxygen species and IP3 receptor activation. These data reveal that the induction of ER stress is critical for AngII-induced b-cell dysfunction and indicates how therapies that promote ER homeostasis may be beneficial in the prevention of type 2 diabetes. © 2017 Endocrine Society