Search results for " engineering"
showing 10 items of 38291 documents
Quantitative Approximation Properties for the Fractional Heat Equation
2017
In this note we analyse \emph{quantitative} approximation properties of a certain class of \emph{nonlocal} equations: Viewing the fractional heat equation as a model problem, which involves both \emph{local} and \emph{nonlocal} pseudodifferential operators, we study quantitative approximation properties of solutions to it. First, relying on Runge type arguments, we give an alternative proof of certain \emph{qualitative} approximation results from \cite{DSV16}. Using propagation of smallness arguments, we then provide bounds on the \emph{cost} of approximate controllability and thus quantify the approximation properties of solutions to the fractional heat equation. Finally, we discuss genera…
Functional a posteriori error estimates for boundary element methods
2019
Functional error estimates are well-established tools for a posteriori error estimation and related adaptive mesh-refinement for the finite element method (FEM). The present work proposes a first functional error estimate for the boundary element method (BEM). One key feature is that the derived error estimates are independent of the BEM discretization and provide guaranteed lower and upper bounds for the unknown error. In particular, our analysis covers Galerkin BEM and the collocation method, what makes the approach of particular interest for scientific computations and engineering applications. Numerical experiments for the Laplace problem confirm the theoretical results.
Merging Features from Green's Functions and Time Dependent Density Functional Theory: A Route to the Description of Correlated Materials out of Equil…
2016
We propose a description of nonequilibrium systems via a simple protocol that combines exchange-correlation potentials from density functional theory with self-energies of many-body perturbation theory. The approach, aimed to avoid double counting of interactions, is tested against exact results in Hubbard-type systems, with respect to interaction strength, perturbation speed and inhomogeneity, and system dimensionality and size. In many regimes, we find significant improvement over adiabatic time dependent density functional theory or second Born nonequilibrium Green's function approximations. We briefly discuss the reasons for the residual discrepancies, and directions for future work.
Best practices for International eSourcing of Software Products and Services
2008
This paper analyzes how the information and communications technology-supported international eSourcing of software products and services (IeS) can be effectively executed. The extant literature falls short of providing a systematic and detailed enough set of best practices to guide IeS. This paper presents best practices for IeS to facilitate further research, and to help managers and other stakeholders to understand, execute, and proactively improve and manage international eSourcing. The practices emphasize the need to establish and enact rigorous, mature, and quantitatively managed eSourcing life- cycles in order to transcend temporal, geographical, social, technical, and other boundari…
Estimating the safety performance function for urban unsignalized four-legged one-way intersections in Palermo, Italy
2014
Abstract Starting from consideration that urban intersections are sites with promise for safety and operational improvements, the paper describes the steps taken to develop a crash predictive model for estimating the safety performance of urban unsignalized intersections located in Palermo, Italy. The focus is on unsignalized four-legged one-way intersections widespread in Italian downtowns. The sample considered in the study consist of 92 intersections in Palermo, Italy. For the study were collected crashes occurred in the sites during the years 2006-2012, geometric design and functional characteristics and traffic flow. Results showed that data were overdispersed and NB1 distributed. In o…
Oxysterols Incorporate in Primary Porcine Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells and Induce Inflammation and Oxidative Stress
2006
International audience; Purpose: : Aging is associated with an accumulation of cholesterol in the Bruch’s membrane. Cholesterol is prone to undergo oxidation and to generate oxysterols that have cytotoxic properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of oxysterols on cell viability, oxidative stress and inflammation and to measure oxysterol incorporation in primary porcine retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cell cultures. Methods: : Porcine RPE cells were incubated with oxysterols (24S–hydroxycholesterol, 24OH ; 25–hydroxycholesterol, 25OH and 7–ketocholesterol, 7K) (100µg, 50µM) for 24 and 48h. Cell viability was evaluated by measuring mitochondrial succinate dehydrogenase (S…
DFT Prediction of Enhanced Reducibility of Monoclinic Zirconia upon Rhodium Deposition.
2018
Oxides are an important class of materials and are widely used, for example, as supports in heterogeneous catalysis. In a number of industrial catalytic processes, oxide supports actively participate in chemical transformations by releasing lattice oxygen anions. While this is intuitively understood for reducible oxides, the reducibility of irreducible oxides may be modified via nanoengineering or upon inclusion of foreign species. Our calculations predict that the ability of irreducible monoclinic zirconia to release oxygen improves substantially upon deposition of rhodium. Through a comprehensive screening of Rh/ZrO2 with different size of the rhodium species, we find that a Rh adatom and…
Influence of harvesting time on composition of the essential oil of Thymus capitatus (L.) Hoffmanns. & Link. growing wild in northern Sicily and its …
2019
One of the main factors affecting historical art crafts material is the biodeterioration performed by bacteria and fungi, in archives, museums or private collections. Several microorganisms cause degradation to the natural organic material such as fibers, woods, and dyes as well as to stone objects. These alterations produce deterioration of physical, chemical, mechanical and esthetic properties. Consequently, in this publication, we report the high antibacterial and antifungal activities of wild thyme essential oil, oil that can be used as an alternative natural tool in the fight against microorganisms affecting historical art crafts.Essential oil of the Thymus capitatus growing wild in no…
UV filters: From sunscreens to human body and the environment
2007
Recognition of the harmful effects of ultraviolet (UV) radiation on the skin has triggered development of organic chemicals (commonly referred as UV filters) that can absorb UV radiation and attenuate the negative effects of sunlight exposure. Depending on the properties and the intended degree of protection, a wide array of combinations is being marketed as delivering protection against most kinds of UV-induced skin damage. However, some UV filters have dermatological implications, so maximum applicable concentrations have been established. To monitor to what extent commercial products comply with the mandatory limits, several analytical methods have been used for their determination in co…
Cell-cycle control in cell-biomaterial interactions
2000
Current biocompatibility testing involves the demonstration of cell proliferation, which is usually interpreted as a sign of positive biocompatibility when the materials sustain cell proliferation. As the field of biomaterials research is rapidly moving toward tissue-engineered devices and hybrid organs, control of cell function has become a main topic. Cell function, which involves specific differentiation pathways, cannot be separated from cell-cycle control. The study of cell-cycle control is an important extension of routine proliferation assays and has extensive roots in developmental and tumor biology. We studied the expression of the tumour suppressor gene p53 and the proliferation-a…