Analysis of channel quality reporting mechanisms and their impact into 4G and beyond technologies

206 p.

Modelagem numérica de ligações viga-coluna em aço sob momento fletor e força normal.

As ligações desempenham um papel fundamental no comportamento global das estruturas de aço. Inúmeros trabalhos de pesquisa têm sido desenvolvidos para entender o comportamento real de uma ligação e sua influência na resistência global dos pórticos. Atualmente, a Norma Brasileira de estruturas de aço de edificações, NBR 8800, considera o comportamento das ligações entre duas situações extremas: rígidas, onde não ocorre nenhuma rotação entre os membros conectados, transferindo momento fletor, força cortante e força normal; ou flexíveis, caracterizadas pela liberdade de rotação entre os membros conectados, impedindo a transmissão de momento fletor. Outras normas de projeto de estruturas de aço, consideram que as ligações apresentam um comportamento intermediário, ou seja, semi-rigídas, que podem estar submetidas a uma combinação de momento fletor e esforço normal. Porém, mesmo com a combinação, estas normas não consideram a presença de esforço normal (tração e/ou compressão). Uma limitação empírica de 5% da resistência plástica da viga é a única condição imposta no Eurocode 3. Para o estudo da ligação semi-rigída será utilizada a filosofia do Método das Componentes, que verifica a resistência da ligação e sua classificação quanto à rigidez rotacional, desenvolvida através de modelos mecânicos (modelos de molas). O objetivo deste trabalho é descrever alguns resultados de caracterização de ligações viga-coluna com placa de extremidade ajustada à altura da viga obtidos através de um modelo de elementos finitos. Para tal, será realizada uma análise não-linear geométrica e de material. Esta análise possibilitará avaliar os principais parâmetros que influenciam no comportamento deste componente no que diz respeito a sua avaliação em termos de distribuição de tensões e deformações no modelo de forma global.

DLK1 and DLK2 characterization in mouse salivary gland development

103 p.; 102 p.

A Escola Normal de Juiz de Fora: crises e permanências (1881-1911)

A motivação apresentada nesta dissertação alimentou-se pela instabilidade evidenciada no processo de criação e na tentativa de consolidação da Escola Normal de Juiz de Fora. Sendo alvo de constantes críticas e debates, o papel da escola normal, assim como sua permanência, motivou propostas, reformas e manifestações, que envolveram não só o poder político, mas também a sociedade. Tais apontamentos foram observados tanto em periódicos da cidade, como o Jornal do Commercio e o Correio de Minas, quanto em documentos encontrados no Arquivo Público Mineiro, como relatórios de inspetores e correspondências de professores.Algumas das publicações presentes nesses periódicos expressaram e, de certa forma, mobilizaram a população a tomar atitudes contra a supressão da mesma, através de abaixo-assinados e representações enviadas ao governo do estado, muitas vezes enaltecendo não só a escola normal, mas principalmente a cidade de Juiz de Fora, considerada a principal da Zona da Mata mineira. Assim, foram mapeadas as discussões sobre a instituição, levantando questões sobre o posicionamento dos diferentes atores sociais acerca da instituição que, mesmo após sua supressão, não deixou de ser alvo de debates. Ainda, teceu-se algumas reflexões acerca da Reforma do Ensino Primário e Normal de João Pinheiro (1906), no que se refere ao ensino normal, mais especificamente no contexto juizforano. Para tanto, foram abordadas questões sobre a preferência da mulher para o magistério,o papel do professor e os institutos equiparados à Escola Normal Modelo de Belo Horizonte. Esse estudo concluiu que as determinações políticas não são produzidas apenas pelos discursos e decisões dos governantes, mas também são influenciáveis e podem ser modificadas por pressões de outros grupos sociais. Tais grupos sociais são formados por indivíduos com ideias e objetivos semelhantes, fazendo parte de um lugar e de uma posição social que os permitam circular e se manifestar em espaços que atinjam proporções significativas, como é o caso da imprensa.

Growth, mortality and yield-per-recruit of the poor cod, Trisopterus minutus capelanus, from the Strait of Sicily

Length-based methods (LBMs) were used to study the growth of Trisopterus minutus capelanus in the Strait of Sicily (Messina Strait). A total of 16,304 'merluzzetto' or poor cod collected by experimental trawling off the southern coast of Sicily during spring, summer, autumn 1986 and winter 1987 were measured in order to estimate the length structure of the population. Length-frequency distribution were analyzed and normal components were discriminated. Von Bertalanffy growth parameters were derived from the mean length of the normal components. The growth parameters obtained by weighted non-linear regression were: K=0.462 (yr super(1)), L sub( infinity )=222.3 (TL,mm) and t sub(o)=-0.679 yr. The resulting growth performance index ( Phi ') was 4.36, a value slightly lower than those derived for Western Mediterranean (mean Phi '=4.45) and Adriatic ( Phi '=4.58) populations and slightly higher than that derived for Hellenic waters ( Phi '=4.27). On the basis of the von Bertalanffy parameters estimated, an array of age-specific instantaneous natural mortality rate (M sub(t)=0.5-1.1) and an average value of total natural mortality rate (Z=2.1 yr super(1)) were estimated and used in the Thompson and Bell yield per recruit (Y/R) analysis in order to evaluate the status of the fishery and forecast the effects of changes in the fishing pattern. Results indicate that this resource is overexploited and that Y/R could be increased by postponing the age at first capture from 0.5 to 1.0 yr. Even a slight reduction in fishing mortality could improve the performance of the fishery. At the present level of exploitation, and assuming a constant recruitment, the spawning stock biomass per recruit (SPR) is well below the conservative threshold of 30% of the pristine or unexploited SPR.

Cryopreservation of sperm of common carp, Cyprinus carpio and silver barb, Barbonymus gonionotus for genetically improved seed production

Experiments were conducted to develop and standardize the protocols for cryopreservation of sperm of common carp, Cyprinus carpio and also for using the cryopreserved sperm for fertilization of eggs. Nine extender solutions as Alsever's solution, kurokura-1, kurokura-2, urea egg-yolk, egg-yolk citrate, 0.6% glucose, 0.9% NaCl, Ma and Mb, and five cryoprotectants namely ethanol, methanol, dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), dimethylamine (DMA) and glycerol were tested. The cryoprotectants were mixed at 10% concentration of the extenders (v/v) to make the cryodiluents. Milt and cryodiluents were mixed at a ratio of 1:9 for Alsever's solution, kurokura-1, kurokura-2, 0.6% glucose and 0.9% NaCl, 1:4 for urea egg-yolk, egg-yolk citrate, Ma and Mb. Among the cryodiluents Alsever's solution mixed with either ethanol or methanol was found to be suitable and it produced more than 90% and 80% spermatozoan motility at equilibrium and post-thaw periods, respectively. Kurokura-1 and kurokura-2 when mixed with the same cryoprotectants showed good spermatozoan motility at equilibrium period (80-90%) but the motility was reduced (30-55%) at post-thaw state. Other extenders did not produce acceptable sperm-motility and in some cases the frozen milt became clotted. Different dilution ratios (1:1, 1:2, 1:4, 1:5, 1:7, 1:9, 1:12, 1:15, 1:20) were formulated for obtaining a suitable milt dilution, the dilution ratio of 1: 9 (milt : cryodiluent) demonstrated the highest post-thaw spermatozoan motility (80%) in Alserver's solution. The optimum concentration of cryoprotectants in the cryodiluents was determined, 10% concentration level was found to be effective to produce the highest number of spermatozoan motility in comparison to the other concentrations (5%, 15%, 20% 30%). Sperm preserved with the cryodiluent Alsever's solution along with either methanol or ethanol was found to be effective to fertilize eggs and produce hatchlings. The hatching rates ranged between 1.48% and 14.76%, compare to control. The fish produced through use of cryopreserved sperm and normal sperm were found to grow well and no significant (P<0.05) growth difference was observed between them. In case of silver barb, Barbonymus gonionotus, sperm tested against six extenders such as egg-yolk citrate, urea-egg-yolk, kurokura-1, kurokura-2, 0.9% NaCl and modified fish ringer (MFR) solution. Cryoprotectants used were the same as those of C. carpio. Milt was diluted with the cryodiluent at a ratio of 1:4 for egg-yolk citrate and urea-egg-yolk, 1:5 for kurokura-1 and 1:9 for 0.9% NaCl, MFR and kurokura-2. The cryoprotectant concentration was maintained at 10% of the extender (v/v) in all the cases. Among the extenders, egg-yolk citrate and urea-egg-yolk mixed with 10% DMSO, methanol and ethanol produced 50% post-thaw spermatozoan motility, whereas DMA and glycerol provided only 10% motility. Trials on milt dilution ratio and cryoprotectant concentration are being conducted. Fertilization trials are also underway.

A comparative ecological study on internationally important wetlands of Khoor-e-Kolahy and Tiab

Ecological study on Kolahy and 'flab estuaries were carried out during 1996-1997. Water and sediment sampling was done seasonally. In order to study the physical and chemical characteristic of the water, various animal fauna from different material niches including planktons and fish from water, benthousi from the sediment , and surface living animal such as Arthropod (Crabs) and Waterbirds were identified. I he result shoved, that water salinity of both estuaries was the same as the general salinity existing its the Persian Gulf water, and its variation is same IN those waters Minimum water salinity in both estuaries are seen during Bahairdan or early winter mooth(Jaa.), which is about 31ppt and Maximum is during .rirldlun.) or summer mouth at about 19 ppt. Dissolved otygen and pH are slime as the general Persian Gulf waters., Dissolve Oxygen being directly associated to temperature and its fluctuation is between 7- Sing/I and pH between 7.5-LS. The animals of both estuaries are almost similar having a sal factory species diversity . The birds of the region are often seasonal migrants , the maximum population of which occurs in winter season and the minimum during summer month. Nam coverage is richer in Tiab than Kolahy estuary, where in Kolahy a signal Mangrove tree is in exigence. 'Ile total coverage of Mangrove forest in Tiab is estimated about -29 hec.Both estuaries are included with in the international Ramsar Convention sites in 1971. Due to national importance of these estuaries inproviding refugee for various birds species and also hinting grounds and access traffic for local fishing vehicles, Actiog as an important access for various inhabitancy living with these area of the Persian Gulf. Due to importance or prawn aquacultur for the economical well being of local inhabitance, these areas provide a suitable grandees for prawn production. I-test statistics show, there are no significant difference among various invertebrate and vertebrate animals. In over all out look 21) phytoplankton genera, 21) zeoplankton genera 17 miafauna and 32 roaerofauna genera , 11 different species Carcineacearions and 119 species of walerbirds were identified with in the Tiab and Kolahy estuariesregioos. The X statistic show that the animal density is directly associated to season. Where density of miofauna and maerofauna in both estuaries are in maiticrourn during summer and the minimums existing during the winter season. In addition the bentic invertebrate population density in closlly association to birds population density since , the later, feeds on the former animals. Where the increasing in bird population density during the winter season, the bentic invertebrate animal population density decreases. The over all trend of animal population density in winter tend to increased towards the summer seasons, which this is due to climatic conditions of the region. The bird population on the contrary to other animals of both estuaries tend to increase from summer towards the winter seasons and which this bird population density is in maximum in winter with in the region.

New application of temperature-dependent modelling of high temperature superconductors: Quench propagation and pulse magnetization

We present temperature-dependent modeling of high-temperature superconductors (HTS) to understand HTS electromagnetic phenomena where temperature fluctuation plays a nontrivial role. Thermal physics is introduced into the well-developed H-formulation model, and the effect of temperature-dependent parameters is considered. Based on the model, we perform extensive studies on two important HTS applications: quench propagation and pulse magnetization. A micrometer-scale quench model of HTS coil is developed, which can be used to estimate minimum quench energy and normal zone propagation velocity inside the coil. In addition, we study the influence of inhomogeneity of HTS bulk during pulse magnetization. We demonstrate how the inhomogeneous distribution of critical current inside the bulk results in varying degrees of heat dissipation and uniformity of final trapped field. The temperature- dependent model is proven to be a powerful tool to study the thermally coupled electromagnetic phenomena of HTS. © 2012 American Institute of Physics.

U19/Eaf2 Binds to and Stabilizes von Hippel-Lindau Protein

Studies have firmly established a key regulatory role for the tumor suppressor pVHL in the regulation of the vascular system and normal spermatogenesis. Here, we report that knockout of the newly identified tumor suppressor U19/Eaf2 also caused vascular system abnormalities and aspermatogenesis, suggesting a potential link between U19/Eaf2 and pVHL. Coimmunoprecipitation and in vitro binding assays showed an association between U19/Eaf2 and pVHL, whereas deletion mutagenesis revealed the requirement of the NH2 terminus of U19/Eaf2 and both the alpha and beta domains of pVHL for this binding. U19/Eaf2 stabilizes pVHL, as shown by protein stability and pulse-chase studies. Testes and mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEF) derived from U19/Eaf2 knockout mice expressed reduced levels of pVHL, indicating that full in vivo expression of pVHL indeed requires U19/Eaf2. As expected, U19/Eaf2 knockout MEF cells exhibited an increased level and activity of hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF1 alpha), a protein typically regulated via a pVHL-mediated degradation pathway. Furthermore, angiogenesis in a Matrigel plug assay was significantly increased in U19/Eaf2 knockout mice. The above observations argue that U19/Eaf2 can modulate HIF1 alpha and angiogenesis, possibly via direct binding and stabilization of pVHL. [Cancer Res 2009;69(6):2599-606]

Gynogenesis and sex determination in large-scale loach Paramisgurnus dabryanus (Sauvage)

Gynogenesis was induced using heterologous sperms in large-scale loach, Paramisgurnus dabryanus (Sauvage), in which a ZW/ZZ sex determination was previously proposed. Three microsatellite loci were used to monitor exclusive maternal inheritance of gynogenetic progenies. The results showed that high percentages of meiogynogens were produced at 4 min post-fertilization and mitogynogens were produced at 18 min post-fertilization by heat shocks, while meiotic gynogenesis was induced by cold shocks within a wide period and high heterozygosity was even observed in gynogens produced at 24 min post-fertilization. The sex ratios of the F, progenies in three gynogenetic families were significantly deviated from 1: 1 expectation with a female bias in two families and a male bias in one family (P < 0.05), and the other four gynogenetic families showed approximate 1:1 sex ratios. Moreover, the self-mating between gynogenetic F, progenies and mating between gynogenetic F, progenies and normal individuals produced all-female progenies or identical proportions of females and males. The data of sex ratios generally confirmed that the sex determination in large-scale loach was determined by the putative ZW/ZZ system, and the possible reasons causing the biased sex ratios are discussed.

Optical properties of organo-soluble polyimide thin films and their applications in liquid crystal displays

Three organo-soluble polyimide powders have been synthesized. Their imidization was verified by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) techniques. The amorphous morphology of their thin films were confirmed by X-ray diffraction. Polyimide thin films were prepared by solution casting or spin coating. UV-visible transmission spectra of thin films revealed that they are almost transparent in the range of visible light. With in-plane orientation, revealed by FTIR spectra, negative birefringence (Delta n) of thin films were observed, and refractive indices of the thin films along the film plane (n(TE)) and normal to the plane (n(TM)) were measured by a prism coupler. Because of negative birefringence of the thin films, they tan be substituted for the compensation films for twisted nematic liquid crystal displays (TN-LCDs) to extend their viewing angles. In this paper, a 90 degrees C TN-LCD and 120 degrees C TN-LCD were taken as examples to show the compensation effect of thin films of a qualified polyimide. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.

Reference genes for quantitative RT-PCR data in gastric tissues and cell lines

AIM: To evaluate the suitability of reference genes in gastric tissue samples and cell lines.METHODS: the suitability of genes ACTB, B2M, GAPDH, RPL29, and 18S rRNA was assessed in 21 matched pairs of neoplastic and adjacent nonneoplastic gastric tissues from patients with gastric adenocarcinoma, 27 normal gastric tissues from patients without cancer, and 4 cell lines using reverse transcription quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). the ranking of the best single and combination of reference genes was determined by NormFinder, geNorm (TM), BestKeeper, and DataAssist (TM). in addition, GenEx software was used to determine the optimal number of reference genes. To validate the results, the mRNA expression of a target gene, DNMT1, was quantified using the different reference gene combinations suggested by the various software packages for normalization.RESULTS: ACTB was the best reference gene for all gastric tissues, cell lines and all gastric tissues plus cell lines. GAPDH + B2M or ACTB + B2M was the best combination of reference genes for all the gastric tissues. On the other hand, ACTB + B2M was the best combination for all the cell lines tested and was also the best combination for analyses involving all the gastric tissues plus cell lines. According to the GenEx software, 2 or 3 genes were the optimal number of references genes for all the gastric tissues. the relative quantification of DNMT1 showed similar patterns when normalized by each combination of reference genes. the level of expression of DNMT1 in neoplastic, adjacent non-neoplastic and normal gastric tissues did not differ when these samples were normalized using GAPDH + B2M (P = 0.32), ACTB + B2M (P = 0.61), or GAPDH + B2M + ACTB (P = 0.44).CONCLUSION: GAPDH + B2M or ACTB + B2M is the best combination of reference gene for all the gastric tissues, and ACTB + B2M is the best combination for the cell lines tested. (C) 2013 Baishideng Publishing Group Co., Limited. All rights reserved.

Learning and Control in Assistive Robotics for the Elderly

Q. Meng and M. H. Lee, Learning and Control in Assistive Robotics for the Elderly, IEEE Conference on Robotics, Automation and Mechatronics (RAM), Singapore, 2004.

Effects of a stay-green mutation on plant nitrogen relations in Lolium perenne during N starvation and after defoliation

Macduff, J. H., Humphreys, M. O., Thomas, Howard (2002). Effects of a stay-green mutation on plant nitrogen relations in Lolium perenne during N starvation and after defoliation. Annals of Botany, 89 (1), 11-21. Sponsorship: BBSRC RAE2008

Ex vivo culture of patient tissue and examination of gene delivery

Gene therapy has emerged as a realistic prospect for the treatment of cancer due to its potential for selective tumour cell targeting. The greatest challenge gene delivery vectors face is the ability to safely and efficiently deliver genes into target cells. The overall objectives of this thesis are to evaluate the efficacy of various gene delivery methods in a clinically relevant tumour model and to also investigate potential strategies for tumour selective delivery. We began with the development of a tumour slice model system using patient waste tissue. This model involves the use of fresh human tumour tissue, cut into thin slices and maintained ex vivo and is universally applicable to gene delivery methods, using a real-time luminescence detection method to assess gene delivery. The nature of the ex vivo culture system permitted examination of specific physiological variables, the influence of intratumoural factors and tissue specific effects on vector expression. Adenoviral vectors under the control of the human CXCR4 promoter demonstrated a 'tumour on' and 'normal off' expression profile when compared with the ubiquitously active CMV promoter when tested in patient tumour tissue. In addition, we developed an ex vivo system of changing oxygenation using the hypoxia inducer, cobalt, to mimic the transient hypoxic conditions found in solid tumours. We found that Adenoviral transgene expression was robust in the cycling hypoxic conditions relevant to solid tumours and re-oxygenation of chronically hypoxic tissue enhanced transgene expression. Finally, we demonstrated an AAV-based tumour targeting strategy using a tumour-selective promoter allowing for the efficient targeting of AAV vectors to cancer cells and the sparing of normal tissue in both murine metastatic liver tumours models and patient tissue. The thesis highlights the importance of indepth preclinical assessment of novel therapeutics and may serve as a platform for further testing of novel gene delivery approaches.