Chein-Shan Liu¹

CMES-Computer Modeling in Engineering & Sciences, Vol.12, No.2, pp. 83-108, 2006, DOI:10.3970/cmes.2006.012.083

Abstract The system we consider consists of two parts: a purely algebraic system describing the manifold of constraints and a differential part describing the dynamics on this manifold. For the constrained dynamical problem in its engineering application, it is utmost important to developing numerical methods that can preserve the constraints. We embed the nonlinear dynamical system with dimensions n and with k constraints into a mathematically equivalent n + k-dimensional nonlinear system, which including k integrating factors. Each subsystem of the k independent sets constitutes a Lie type system of X^˙_i = A_iX_i with A_i ∈ so(n_i,1) and n₁ +···+n_k = n.… More >

S. Yoshimura ¹

CMES-Computer Modeling in Engineering & Sciences, Vol.11, No.1, pp. 17-26, 2006, DOI:10.3970/cmes.2006.011.017

Abstract This paper describes a development of an advanced traffic simulator based on a multi-agent approach which is named MATES (Multi-Agent based Traffic and Environment Simulator). City traffic phenomena are essentially regarded as complex systems consisting of a number of human beings. Each element creating traffic phenomena such as car (driver), traffic signal, pedestrian and others is modeled as an intelligent agent that possesses its own logic of behavior and preference. The environment surrounding each agent consists of other cars, road network, traffic signals, pedestrian and others. Interaction among numerous agents simulates nonlinear behaviors of city More >

Ehsan Saeedi¹, Shaghayegh Abbasi¹, Karl F. B ¨ohringer¹, Babak A. Parviz¹

FDMP-Fluid Dynamics & Materials Processing, Vol.2, No.4, pp. 221-246, 2006, DOI:10.3970/fdmp.2006.002.221

Abstract Self-assembly is emerging as one of the main methods for construction of heterogeneous systems consisting of multiple component types in nano- and micro-scales. The engineered self-assembly used for system integration involves preparation of parts that can recognize and bind to each other or a template, and perfection of procedures that allow for high yield self-assembly of these parts into a system. Capillary forces resultant from molten alloys are attractive candidates for driving such self-assembly processes as they can simultaneously provide electrical and mechanical connections. The basic self-assembly process is reviewed here. Selection of the appropriate More >

Sunil Punjabi¹, K. Muralidhar², P. K. Panigrahi²

FDMP-Fluid Dynamics & Materials Processing, Vol.2, No.2, pp. 95-106, 2006, DOI:10.3970/fdmp.2006.002.095

Abstract Convection in a differentially heated two-layer system consisting of air and water was studied experimentally, using laser-interferometry. The cavity used for flow visualization was square in cross-section and rectangular in-plan having dimensions of 447 × 32 × 32 mm³. Experiments performed over different layer thicknesses of water filled in a square cross-section cavity, the rest being air, are reported in the present work. The following temperature differences for each layer height were imposed across the hot and the cold walls of the superposed fluid layers: (i) ΔT=10K and (ii)ΔT =18 K. The present study was aimed… More >

M.El-Gammal¹, J.M.Floryan¹

FDMP-Fluid Dynamics & Materials Processing, Vol.2, No.1, pp. 17-26, 2006, DOI:10.3970/fdmp.2006.002.017

Abstract Interface deformation and thermocapillary rupture in a cavity with free upper surface subject to concentrated heating from above is investigated. The dynamics of the process is modulated by placing different amounts of liquid in the cavity. The results determined for large Biot and zero Marangoni numbers show the existence of limit points beyond which steady, continuous interface cannot exist and processes leading to the interface rupture develop. Evolution of the limit point as a function of the mass of the liquid is investigated. The topology of the flow field is found to be qualitatively similar, More >

B.B. Karki¹, D. Bhattarai¹, L. Stixrude²

CMC-Computers, Materials & Continua, Vol.3, No.3, pp. 107-118, 2006, DOI:10.3970/cmc.2006.003.107

Abstract Computer modeling of liquid phase poses tremendous challenge: It requires a relatively large simulation size, long simulation time and accurate interatomic interaction and as such, it produces massive amounts of data. Recent advances in hardware and software have made it possible to accurately simulate the liquid phase. This paper reports the details of methodology used in the context of liquid simulations and subsequent analysis of the output data. For illustration purpose, we consider the results for the liquid phases of two geophysically relevant materials, namely MgO and MgSiO₃. The simulations are performed using the parallel first-principles More >

Sara Pagani, Cristina Meazza, Paola Travaglino, Antonia Moretta, Mauro Bozzola

European Cytokine Network, Vol.16, No.1, pp. 65-69, 2005

Abstract The aim of the present study was to establish whether growth hormone (GH) treatment in vivo affects pro-inflammatory cytokine production by resting or in vitro, activated, cultured, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from children with complete growth hormone deficiency (GHD). We evaluated 11, pre-pubertal children (6 males and 5 females) with GHD, aged between 6 and 14 years, and 9, age- and sex-matched healthy subjects were studied as controls (CTRLs). Freshly isolated PBMC were cultured for 4 or 24 h in X-VIVO medium in the presence or absence of 0.01 lg/mL lipopolysaccharide for the determination… More >

Othmar Ludwiczek¹, Arthur Kaser¹, Daniela Novick², Charles A. Dinarello³, Menachem Rubinstein², Herbert Tilg^1,4

European Cytokine Network, Vol.16, No.1, pp. 27-33, 2005

Abstract Objectives. Interleukin 18 (IL-18) is a proinflammatory cytokine and a member of the IL-1 family. Animal models and investigations in humans point to an important role for this cytokine in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). IL-18 binding protein (IL-18BP) is a naturally occurring antagonist of IL-18. Methods. In this study, we measured IL-18 and IL-18BP plasma concentrations and spontaneous release in cultures of colonic explants from healthy subjects (n = 41), patients with Crohn’s disease (CD, n = 135), and patients with ulcerative colitis (UC, n = 93). Results. Both CD and UC patients had higher… More >

Mahmoud Abu Elhija¹, Hadas Potashnik¹, Eitan Lunenfeld², Gad Potashnik², Stefan Schlatt³, Eberhard Nieschlag⁴, Mahmoud Huleihel¹

European Cytokine Network, Vol.16, No.2, pp. 167-172, 2005

Abstract Spermatogenesis is a highly controlled process of proliferation, meiosis, and differentiation. Systemic infection and chronic inflammation can impair testicular steroidogenesis and spermatogenesis. In this study, we examined the effect of systemic infection – intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) – on the expression levels of IL-6 in the testis of sexually immature and adult mice. IL-6 levels in testicular homogenates of immature mice were significantly higher than in mature mice (both protein and RNA levels), before and after LPS injection. Injection of LPS (i.p.) into mature mice over 3 hours, significantly increased testicular IL-6 protein… More >

F. Hérodin, P. Thullier, D. Garin, M. Drouet

European Cytokine Network, Vol.16, No.2, pp. 104-116, 2005

Abstract Nonhuman primates have been used for biomedical research for several decades. They have proved to be models that are relevant to humans because of the high level of gene homology which underlies physiological and biochemical similarities. The similarity of monkeys to humans has been used to investigate pathophysiological mechanisms in hematology, immunology and virology. New therapeutic procedures can be assessed in primates by using materials, in particular pharmacological reagents, and methods designed for humans. The relevance of these models also relies on the use of species-specific pathogens and the availability of recombinant, homologous cytokines. The… More >