Stability analysis of periodic orbits in a class of duffing-like piecewise linear vibrators

In this paper, we study the dynamical behavior of a Duffing-like piecewise linear (PWL) springmass-damper system for vibration-based energy harvesting applications. First, we present a continuous time single degree of freedom PWL dynamical model of the system. From this PWL model, numerical simulations are carried out by computing frequency response and bifurcation diagram under a deterministic harmonic excitation for different sets of system parameter values. Stability analysis is performed using Floquet theory combined with Fillipov method.Postprint (published version

Bilans hydrologiques de la lagune de Bizerte (nord-est de la Tunisie)

Les flux liquides et solides (écoulés à partir des principaux tributaires de la lagune de Bizerte), corrélés positivement, sont influencés par les conditions environnementales et par les aménagements hydrauliques en amont. C’est dans ce contexte que nous présentons cette étude qui consiste à présenter un bilan d’évolution mensuel des flux liquides, solides et en composants azotés et phosphatés dissous dans les eaux des principaux affluents de la lagune de Bizerte au cours de l’année hydrologique (octobre 2004 - septembre 2005). L’utilisation fréquente et intensive par les agriculteurs d’engrais chimiques azotés et phosphatés, d’une part, et le déversement d’eaux usées domestiques et industrielles dans les principaux tributaires de la lagune, d’autre part, participent activement à la pollution des eaux de la lagune. Cette dernière est liée à la garaet Ichkeul par l’intermédiaire de l’oued Tinja. En hiver, les eaux circulent de la garaet Ichkeul vers la lagune de Bizerte, avec des flux liquides et solides respectivement estimés à 418 (± 28) Mm3 et (28 ± 5) x 103 (t). Ainsi, l’oued Tinja représente la principale source d’apports en éléments nutritifs à la lagune de Bizerte (74 (± 15), 954 (± 76), 92 (± 11) et 70 (± 11) (t) respectivement de nitrite, nitrate, ammonium et phosphate), alors que durant la période sèche, cet oued permet aux eaux marines (8  (± 2) Mm3) de pénétrer dans la garaet Ichkeul à travers la lagune de Bizerte.The water and solid fluxes (drained from the principal tributaries of the Bizerte Lagoon) were positively correlated and were influenced by the environmental conditions and by the upstream hydraulic installations. It is within this context that we present this study on the monthly variation of water, solid and dissolved nutrient fluxes associated with the principal tributaries of the Bizerte Lagoon during the October 2004 – September 2005 hydrologic year. The frequent and intensive use of chemical nitrogenous and phosphate fertilizer by farmers, on one hand, and the discharge of domestic sewage and industrial wastewater to the principal tributaries of this lagoon, on the other hand, actively contribute to the pollution of the lagoon waters. The Bizerte Lagoon is linked to the garaet Ichkeul by the Tinja wadi. In winter, waters flow from garaet Ichkeul towards the Bizerte Lagoon, and the water and solid fluxes are estimated to be 418 ± 29 Mm3 and (28 ± 5) x 103 (t), respectively. Thus, the Tinja wadi represents the main nutrient supply to the Bizerte Lagoon: 75 ± 15; 954 ± 76; 92 ± 11; and 70 ± 11 (t) for nitrite, nitrate, ammonium and phosphate, respectively. In contrast, during the dry period, this wadi allows marine waters (84 ± 2.5 Mm3) to penetrate in the garaet Ichkeul through the Bizerte Lagoon

Modeling the CO 2

This paper presents an investigation of the density-driven problem that rises during the CO2 sequestration into saline aquifer. The lattice Boltzmann method (LBM) is implemented in a way to solve this mixing problem (the brine problem along with the solute transport). The CO2-brine interface was located at the top of the considered domain. Different Rayleigh numbers were used in order to investigate this problem. When Rayleigh number is low, we got steady-state concentration contours describing a Rayleigh-Bénard type of convection. Moreover, when the Rayleigh number was selected to be big enough, we observe that the system is less stable and a convective fingering is initiated. This instability is caused by a higher density difference between the brine and the sequestrated CO2. Note here that the turbulence is not taken into account in the study. After the onset this convective instability, the brine with a high CO2 concentration migrates down into the porous medium. This study is based on a statistical LBM theory without assuming periodicity in any directions and without considering any type of disturbances in order to turnon the instability behavior

Linking In Vitro and In Vivo Survival of Clinical Leishmania donovani Strains

BACKGROUND: Leishmania donovani is an intracellular protozoan parasite that causes a lethal systemic disease, visceral leishmaniasis (VL), and is transmitted between mammalian hosts by phlebotomine sandflies. Leishmania expertly survives in these 'hostile' environments with a unique redox system protecting against oxidative damage, and host manipulation skills suppressing oxidative outbursts of the mammalian host. Treating patients imposes an additional stress on the parasite and sodium stibogluconate (SSG) was used for over 70 years in the Indian subcontinent. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We evaluated whether the survival capacity of clinical L. donovani isolates varies significantly at different stages of their life cycle by comparing proliferation, oxidative stress tolerance and infection capacity of 3 Nepalese L. donovani strains in several in vitro and in vivo models. In general, the two strains that were resistant to SSG, a stress encountered in patients, attained stationary phase at a higher parasite density, contained a higher amount of metacyclic parasites and had a greater capacity to cause in vivo infection in mice compared to the SSG-sensitive strain. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: The 2 SSG-resistant strains had superior survival skills as promastigotes and as amastigotes compared to the SSG-sensitive strain. These results could indicate that Leishmania parasites adapting successfully to antimonial drug pressure acquire an overall increased fitness, which stands in contrast to what is found for other organisms, where drug resistance is usually linked to a fitness cost. Further validation experiments are under way to verify this hypothesi

Artificial Intelligence in Predicting Heart Failure

Heart Failure is a major chronic disease that is increasing day by day and a great health burden in health care systems world wide. Artificial intelligence (AI) techniques such as machine learning (ML), deep learning (DL), and cognitive computer can play a critical role in the early detection and diagnosis of Heart Failure Detection, as well as outcome prediction and prognosis evaluation. The availability of large datasets from difference sources can be leveraged to build machine learning models that can empower clinicians by providing early warnings and insightful information on the underlying conditions of the patient

Antimonial Resistance in Leishmania donovani Is Associated with Increased In Vivo Parasite Burden

Leishmania donovani is an intracellular protozoan parasite that causes visceral leishmaniasis (VL). Antimonials (SSG) have long been the first-line treatment against VL, but have now been replaced by miltefosine (MIL) in the Indian subcontinent due to the emergence of SSG-resistance. Our previous study hypothesised that SSG-resistant L. donovani might have increased in vivo survival skills which could affect the efficacy of other treatments such as MIL. The present study attempts to validate these hypotheses. Fourteen strains derived from Nepalese clinical isolates with documented SSG-susceptibility were infected in BALB/c mice to study their survival capacity in drug free conditions (non-treated mice) and in MIL-treated mice. SSG-resistant parasites caused a significant higher in vivo parasite load compared to SSG-sensitive parasites. However, this did not seem to affect the strains' response to MIL-treatment since parasites from both phenotypes responded equally well to in vivo MIL exposure. We conclude that there is a positive association between SSG-resistance and in vivo survival skills in our sample of L. donovani strains which could suggest a higher virulence of SSG-R strains compared to SSG-S strains. These greater in vivo survival skills of SSG-R parasites do not seem to directly affect their susceptibility to MIL. However, it cannot be excluded that repeated MIL exposure will elicit different adaptations in these SSG-R parasites with superior survival skills compared to the SSG-S parasites. Our results therefore highlight the need to closely monitor drug efficacy in the field, especially in the context of the Kala-azar elimination programme ongoing in the Indian subcontinent

Leishmania spp. proteome data sets: a comprehensive resource for vaccine development to target visceral leishmaniasis

Visceral leishmaniasis is a neglected infectious disease caused primarily by Leishmania donovani and Leishmania infantum protozoan parasites. A significant number of infections take a fatal course. Drug therapy is available but still costly and parasites resistant to first line drugs are observed. Despite many years of trial no commercial vaccine is available to date. However, development of a cost effective, needle-independent vaccine remains a high priority. Reverse vaccinology has attracted much attention since the term has been coined and the approach tested by Rappuoli and colleagues. This in silico selection of antigens from genomic and proteomic data sets was also adapted to aim at developing an anti-Leishmania vaccine. Here, an analysis of the efforts is attempted and the challenges to be overcome by these endeavors are discussed. Strategies that led to successful identification of antigens will be illustrated. Furthermore, these efforts are viewed in the context of anticipated modes of action of effective anti-Leishmania immune responses to highlight possible advantages and shortcomings