Yi W. Wan¹, Huan J. Keh²

CMES-Computer Modeling in Engineering & Sciences, Vol.74, No.2, pp. 109-138, 2011, DOI:10.3970/cmes.2011.074.109

Abstract The steady rotation of an axially symmetric particle about its axis of revolution normal to two plane walls at an arbitrary position between them in a viscous fluid is studied theoretically in the limit of small Reynolds number. The fluid is allowed to slip at the surface of the particle. A method of distribution of a set of spherical singularities along the axis of revolution inside a prolate particle or on the fundamental disk within an oblate particle is used to find the general solution for the fluid velocity distribution that satisfies the boundary conditions… More >

B.T. Tang^1,2, X.Y. Lu¹, H. Xie²

CMES-Computer Modeling in Engineering & Sciences, Vol.73, No.2, pp. 171-182, 2011, DOI:10.3970/cmes.2011.073.171

Abstract The Traditional Inverse Analysis Method (TIAM) of sheet metal stamping has the shortcoming of neglecting the effects of deformation history on stress prediction. An Updated Inverse Analysis Method (UIAM) is proposed based on the final workpiece in Euler coordinate system. The UIAM uses the constitutive equation based on pseudo flow theory of plasticity to consider the loading history. In order to avoid numerous iterations to ensure the numerical stability in Newton-Raphson scheme to obtain plastic multiplier ∆λ, the equation in unknown stress vectors is transformed into a scalar equation using the notion of the equivalent More >

Duning Li¹, Yufeng Nie^1,2, Xuemei Zhou¹, Li Cai¹

CMES-Computer Modeling in Engineering & Sciences, Vol.72, No.2, pp. 149-166, 2011, DOI:10.3970/cmes.2011.072.149

Abstract In this study, the efficient discrete model including the resin infusion and the fiber compaction is developed to simulate the RFI (resin film infusion) process. The non-linear governing equations are derived by the Darcy's law, the Terzaghi's law and the continuity equations. The finite element method and the finite difference method are used to discretize the proposed equations, and the VOF method is used to track the filling front. Compared with the analytical results of Park, our numerical results agree well with them. Furthermore, we analyze the RFI process of BMI/G0814, and simulate the resin More >

Matthew B. B. McCall^1,*, Bart Ferwerda^2,*, Joost Hopman¹, Ivo Ploemen¹, Boubacar Maiga³, Modibo Daou³, Amagana Dolo³, Cornelus C. Hermsen¹, Ogobara K. Doumbo³, George Bedu-Addo⁴, Jos W. van der Meer², Marita Troye-Blomberg⁵, André J. A. M. van der Ven², Ralf R. Schumann⁶, Robert W. Sauerwein¹, Frank P. Mockenhaupt⁷, Mihai G. Netea²

European Cytokine Network, Vol.21, No.2, pp. 77-83, 2010, DOI:10.1684/ecn.2010.0187

Abstract Background. The full-length (L-) variant of caspase-12 is believed to predispose to sepsis. It has been replaced in the genome of most human populations by the (S-) variant, which leads to premature termination of translation. Strikingly, the L-allele is still widely prevalent in African populations, presumably due to a counterbalancing selective force specific to this continent, for which malaria is a prime candidate. Methods. We investigated associations between caspase-12 genotype and malarial parameters in three West-African populations, in studies encompassing immunological, clinical and obstetric data. Results. The caspase-12 L-allele was found at frequencies of 11-34%. Plasmodium… More >

Amalia Lamana^1,*, Ana M. Ortiz^1,*, José M. Alvaro-Gracia¹, Belén Díaz-Sánchez¹, Jesús Novalbos², Rosario García-Vicuña¹, Isidoro González-Álvaro¹

European Cytokine Network, Vol.21, No.3, pp. 186-194, 2010, DOI:10.1684/ecn.2010.0203

Abstract As interleukin-15 (IL-15) has been implicated in the pathophysiology of rheumatoid arthritis, we analysed the serum IL-15 (sIL-15) levels in healthy subjects and patients with early arthritis to establish a cut-off point that might serve to define elevated sIL-15. This is an initial step to determine whether sIL-15 has the potential for use as a biomarker for patients with early arthritis. The IL-15 concentration was measured in serum obtained from 161 healthy controls and from 174 patients with early arthritis, and the relationship between the expression of the two IL-15 mRNA variants and the sIL-15… More >

Susana N. Diniz^1,2, Karen P. T. Pendeloski¹, Andrey Morgun^1,3, Iouri Chepelev⁴, Maria Gerbase-DeLima^1,*, Natalia Shulzhenko^1,3,*

European Cytokine Network, Vol.21, No.4, pp. 308-318, 2010, DOI:10.1684/ecn.2010.0218

Abstract The human IL-15RA gene encoding the alpha chain of the IL-15 receptor is expressed in a varietyof immune and non-immune cell types from different tissues, and generates multiple splicing events of func-tional importance. We aimed to evaluate expression of IL-15RA transcripts generated by alternative usage oftranscription start site (Var1 and Var2) and by deletion of exon 3 (Del3), exon 2 (Del2), or both (Del2,3) in dif-ferent human tissues. Since a CpG island was found near to the IL-15RA gene transcription start site, we alsoinvestigated the role of DNA methylation on the expression of IL-15RA full-length… More >

Paola Migliorini¹, Consuelo Anzilotti¹, Federico Pratesi¹, Paola Quattroni², Marco Bargagna², Charles A. Dinarello³, Diana Boraschi²

European Cytokine Network, Vol.21, No.4, pp. 264-271, 2010, DOI:10.1684/ecn.2010.0210

Abstract Overproduction of inflammation-related cytokines plays an important role in systemic lupuserythematosus (SLE). A crucial cytokine is IL-18, a member of the IL-1 family involved in the regulation ofboth innate and acquired immune responses. The aim of this study was to evaluate free IL-18 levels in theserum and urine of SLE patients, in order to establish their relationship with other biomarkers of disease activ-ity. Serum and urine levels of IL-18 and IL-18BP were measured by ELISA in 50 SLE patients and in32 healthy subjects; free IL-18 was calculated using the law of mass action. Serum levels… More >

Tizón¹ FR, DV Peláez^1,2,3, OR Elía^1,2

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.79, pp. 141-146, 2010, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2010.79.141

Abstract Fire plays a fundamental role in the structure of vegetation communities in the Caldenal. However, this effect has decreased considerably since the introduction of domestic cattle, which reduces the amount of fine combustible material. Objectives of this study were (1) to analyze the diversity and composition of a typical vegetation community in the south of the Caldenal after exposure to different fire frequencies, and (2) to show the convenience of using controlled fire for reversing the processes of scrub formation to states with more diverse and productive grassland communities. Forty-five herbaceous and woody species were… More >

Gittins¹ C, CA Busso², G Becker¹, L Ghermandi³, G Siffredi¹

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.79, pp. 55-68, 2010, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2010.79.055

Abstract Poa ligularis is an important forage in Patagonian rangelands. Populations of this perennial bunchgrass have been severely affected by overgrazing. We propose that increased defoliation frequencies will decrease (1) aerial- and belowground dry matter production, (2) root survival, and (3) concentration and content of total non-structural crown + root carbohydrates, and (4) increase root mortality. Five defoliation frequencies (plus 1 control) were applied in a representative grassland of the Occidental District in Patagonia during two consecutive growing seasons. All four hypotheses were rejected. Aerial and belowground dry matter production increased from one to two or three… More >

Jin Yeon Cho¹, Min Hwan Oh¹

CMES-Computer Modeling in Engineering & Sciences, Vol.66, No.3, pp. 187-214, 2010, DOI:10.3970/cmes.2010.066.187

Abstract In this work, a sample-reusable sequential approximate optimization (SAO) procedure is suggested. The suggested sequential approximate optimization procedure utilizes a newly proposed sample-reusable meta-model along with the trust region algorithm. Domain of design is sequentially updated to search for the optimal solution through the trust region algorithm, and the system response in the updated design region at each sequential stage is approximated by the proposed sample-reusable meta-model. The proposed sample-reusable meta-model is based on the moving least squares(MLS) approximation scheme. Thanks to the merits of moving least squares scheme, the proposed meta-model can fully utilize More >