Fluidity Level Research Articles

Network-Cognitive Traffic Control: A Fluidity-Aware On-Chip Communication

A novel network-on-chip (NoC) integrated congestion control and flow control scheme, called Network-Cognitive Traffic Control (NCogn.TC), is proposed. This scheme is cognizant of the fluidity levels in on-chip router buffers and it uses this measurement to prioritize the forwarding of flits in the buffers. This preferential forwarding policy is based on the observation that flits with higher levels of fluidity are likely to arrive at their destinations faster, because they may require fewer routing steps. By giving higher priority to forward flits in high-fluidity buffers, scarce buffer resources may be freed-up sooner in order to relieve on-going traffic congestion. In this work, a buffer cognition monitor is developed to rapidly estimate the buffer fluidity level. An integrated congestion control and flow control algorithm is proposed based on the estimated buffer fluidity level. Tested with both synthetic traffic patterns as well as industry benchmark traffic patterns, significant performance enhancement has been observed when the proposed Network-Cognitive Traffic Control is compared against conventional traffic control algorithms that only monitor the buffer fill level.

Fluidic substrate as a tool to probe breast cancer cell adaptive behavior in response to fluidity level

Although the roles of elastic components in breast cancer progression have been widely studied, the importance of matrix dissipative elements in regulating breast cancer behavior is still poorly understood. In this study, we designed viscosity-tunable fluidic substrates to investigate the effects of matrix viscosity on the alteration of breast cancer cellular fate using a hydrophobic molten polymer of poly(e-caprolactone-co-D,L-lactide) [P(CL-co-DLLA)] with different levels of fluidity. The high- and low-fluidity substrates used in this study were shown to behave as viscoelastic liquids at physiological temperature. A nonmetastatic breast cancer cell line (MCF-7) was cultured at the interface of the fibronectin-coated substrate, and its behavior towards the substrate fluidity level was thoroughly characterized. Despite fibronectin-mediated cell-substrate interactions, MCF-7 cells show sensitivity to substrate fluidity levels by forming types aggregates of different sizes and structures over time. Accordingly, MCF-7 cells were undergoing senescence on fluidic substrates, as shown by high metabolic activity over time, suppressed proliferation ability, and positive expression of senescence markers. Moreover, senescence implies more resistance towards anticancer drug treatment. This indicates that a fluidic substrate, as a two-dimensional synthetic matrix system, could demonstrate the importance of mechanical cues in redefining cellular function and cellular fate by changing the viscosity of the pure substrate. A fluidic substrate behaving as a hydrophobic viscoelastic liquid was designed as a tool to investigate the role of matrix viscosity on the alteration of breast cancer cellular fate. The fluidity level of fluidic substrate was tuned by modulating the molecular weight of poly(e-caprolactone-co-D,L-lactide). MCF-7 cells responded to the change in fluidity level of fluidic substrates by forming weak attachment. On high-fluidity substrate, MCF-7 cells formed 3D aggregates, while coalesced on low-fluidity substrate. More importantly, the fluidic substrate mechanically promoted senescence of MCF-7 cells regardless the fluidity level of substrate.

Characterising the segregation of self-consolidating concrete using ultrasonic pulse velocity

Segregation is the unintentional separation of the fresh components of concrete or mortar, which can have negative impacts on the mechanical, transport and durability properties of the cured product. The problem is acute in self-consolidating concrete (SCC), because of its high fluidity level. To help evaluate segregation, this paper investigates the potential of using ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV) as a means to identify and characterise segregation in traditional and SCC mixes. Fourteen different concrete mixes were tested using standard techniques (sieve and column) in comparison with the UPV-based test proposed herein. Six of the 14 concrete mixtures were stable, as indicated by having sieve segregation indices lower than 15% and segregation resistances (f) higher than 95%. These six stable samples displayed UPV segregation index values (fu) approaching 100%. The remaining samples were found to be unstable concretes with sieve segregation index values higher than 15% and resistance index values lower than 65%. These concretes could also be clearly identified as unstable by a UPV segregation index lower than 80%. The UPV method provides a clean, quick and easy nondestructive alternative for testing segregation of both fresh and hardened concrete.

Hubungan Pemberian Susu Formula Dengan Kejadian Diare Pada Bayi di Ruang Dahlia RSUD Dr. H. Soewondo Kendal

Background: Diarrhea is an increase in the number, frequency,and fluidity (level of dilution) of feces.Diarrhea can be acute and chronic. Chronic diarrhea is usually caused by chronic conditions, such as lactose intolerance. Early formula feeding can cause diarrhea in infants. Phenomena that occurred in Dahlia Room RSUD Dr. H. Soewondo Kendal is a lot of moms give formula milk to their baby and have diarrhea. This research aims to the relationship of formula feeding with diarrhea occurrence in infants.
 Method: The type of research is quantitative with cross sectional approach with accidental sampling sampling technique conducted on 26 mother giving formula milk and diarrhea in Juli 2017. Data collection using formula feeding questionnaire with diarrhea occurrence.
 Results: The results showed that 14 respondents 53.8% and high formula feeding were 12 respondent (42,6%). Responden with chronic diarrhea cases were 14 respondent (53,8%) and the incidence of acute diarrhea was 12 respondent (42,6%). The result of statistical test using chi square test with α = 0,05 is found that relationship between formula feeding with diarrhea occurrence in Dahlia Room RSUD Dr. H. Soewondo Kendal (p value = 0,045) with value X2 = 4,013.
 Conclusion: There is a significant relationship between formula feeding and the incidence of diarrhea in the dahlia room RSUD Dr. H. Soewond Kendal.
 Suggestion: Mother of a baby aged 0-6 months in Dahlia Room RSUD Dr. H. Soewondo Kendal, is expected to provide exclusive ASI without other complementary food.

Effect of sodium gluconate on clay tolerance of polycarboxylate superplasticiser

Sodium gluconate (SG), a commonly used retarder, is usually employed to improve the dispersion and dispersion retention of polycarboxylate superplasticiser (PCE) in real concrete. However, whether SG can improve the rapid loss of fluidity resulting from montmorillonite (Mt) in poor aggregates has not been confirmed until now. The objective of this study is to investigate the effect of SG on clay tolerance of PCE. Fluidity loss of cement–Mt paste was tested to assess the clay tolerance. The adsorption behaviour of additives and the reaction between additives and Mt were studied to propose a dispersion model. The results show that SG cannot be intercalated into Mt, and it can alter the dosage of PCE added to reach the same initial fluidity level, thereby altering the amount of PCE in solution, which can affect the intercalation of S-PCE (PCE adsorbed on the surface of cement particles) rather than directly hinder the intercalation. This effect is decided by the dosage of SG: more than 0·20 wt% of SG can enhance the clay tolerance of PCE, whereas less than 0·20 wt% of SG may weaken it. The result provides good experience for the improvement in clay tolerance of PCE in real engineering practice.

Cyclopropanation of Membrane Unsaturated Fatty Acids Is Not Essential to the Acid Stress Response of Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris

Cyclopropane fatty acids (CFAs) are synthetized in situ by the transfer of a methylene group from S-adenosyl-L-methionine to a double bond of unsaturated fatty acid chains of membrane phospholipids. This conversion, catalyzed by the Cfa synthase enzyme, occurs in many bacteria and is recognized to play a key role in the adaptation of bacteria in response to a drastic perturbation of the environment. The role of CFAs in the acid tolerance response was investigated in the lactic acid bacterium Lactococcus lactis MG1363. A mutant of the cfa gene was constructed by allelic exchange. The cfa gene encoding the Cfa synthase was cloned and introduced into the mutant to obtain the complemented strain for homologous system studies. Data obtained by gas chromatography (GC) and GC-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) validated that the mutant could not produce CFA. The CFA levels in both the wild-type and complemented strains increased upon their entry to stationary phase, especially with acid-adapted cells or, more surprisingly, with ethanol-adapted cells. The results obtained by performing quantitative reverse transcription-PCR (qRT-PCR) experiments showed that transcription of the cfa gene was highly induced by acidity (by 10-fold with cells grown at pH 5.0) and by ethanol (by 9-fold with cells grown with 6% ethanol) in comparison with that in stationary phase. Cell viability experiments were performed after an acidic shock on the mutant strain, the wild-type strain, and the complemented strain, as a control. The higher viability level of the acid-adapted cells of the three strains after 3 h of shock proved that the cyclopropanation of unsaturated fatty acids is not essential for L. lactis subsp. cremoris survival under acidic conditions. Moreover, fluorescence anisotropy data showed that CFA itself could not maintain the membrane fluidity level, particularly with ethanol-grown cells.

Rheological Method to Evaluate Structural Buildup in Self-Consolidating Concrete Cement Pastes

Much research has focused on determining the rheological properties of cementitious materials, but limited information can be found on the influence of thixotropy in affecting the flow properties of these materials. A protocol consisting of hysteresis loops and energy methods, was developed to quantify the degree of structural rebuilding in cement pastes. This protocol takes into account the stiffening due to thixotropic rebuilding and irreversible structural changes by focusing on the rate in which the cement paste is able to regain its internal structure after shearing. The protocol was used to evaluate the rebuilding potential of 23 cement paste mixtures of various binder type and fluidity level. Results show that structural build up can be controlled through selection of proper powder type, high-range water-reducing admixture, and water-to-binder ratio (w/b).

Selection of dispersants for high-alumina zero-cement refractory castables

This article reports on the evaluation of novel short-chain molecules to improve the dispersion of zero-cement high-alumina refractory castables. Two approaches were investigated to enhance the dispersing efficiency of short-chain compounds: (a) the increase of the density of dissociable sites per molecule and (b) the improvement of the adsorption ability of the molecule at the usual pH range of high-alumina castables. Gallic acid and 2-phosphonobutane-1,2,4-tricarboxylic acid were selected based on these requisites and evaluated as potential dispersants with the help of zeta potential analysis, rheological measurements and free-flow tests. Results indicate that such compounds are able to efficiently disperse zero-cement high-alumina castables, enabling a reduction of their water consumption for a given fluidity level.

Oxytocin receptors and cholesterol: interaction and regulation.

Cholesterol affects the ligand binding function of the oxytocin receptor in a highly specific manner. While the structurally-related cholecystokinin receptor shows a strong correlation between the membrane fluidity and its binding function, the oxytocin receptor behaves differently. A stringent and unique requirement of the affinity state of the oxytocin receptor for structural features of the sterol molecule has been found. The molecular requirements differ both from those postulated for sterol-phospholipid interactions and from those known to be necessary for the activity of other proteins. Employing a new detergent-free subcellular fractionation protocol, a two-fold enrichment of the oxytocin receptors (10-15% of total receptors) has been detected in the cholesterol-rich, caveolin-containing membrane domains of the plasma membrane. While most of the properties of the oxytocin receptors were indistinguishable in cholesterol-poor versus cholesterol-rich membrane compartments, high-affinity oxytocin receptors localised in caveolin-enriched low-density membranes showed about a 3-fold higher stability against thermal denaturation at 37 degrees C compared with the oxytocin receptors localised in high-density membranes. Moreover, addition of cholesterol to the cholesterol-poor high-density membranes fully protected the oxytocin receptors against thermal denaturation and partially rescued high-affinity oxytocin binding. Although the membrane fluidity of the caveolin-enriched domains was lower than that in the high-density membranes, there was no correlation between the stability of oxytocin receptors and the fluidity level of the membrane domains. Finally, in a molecular modelling approach a putative cholesterol binding motif on the extracellular surface of the oxytocin receptor was found.

Effect of Welan Gum-High-Range Water Reducer Combinations on Rheology of Cement Grout

The effects of combined additions of welan gum, a commonly used rheology modifier, and naphthalene-based high-range water reducer on the rheological properties of cement grouts are investigated for mixtures made with 0.40 water-to-cement ratios. Grouts with dosages of rheology-modifying admixture varying from 0 to 0.075 percent by mass of cement were prepared. For each group of grout, the concentration of high-range water reducer was varied to obtain four mixtures of various fluidity levels. Measured properties included apparent viscosities at different shear rates, and estimates of plastic viscosity and yield value. Other measurements of consistency included the ease of spread and flow of grout evaluated using the mini-slump and Marsh cone tests, respectively. The grout stability was evaluated by measuring its resistance to water dilution when cast in water as well as its ability to retain water when subjected to sustained pressure (forced bleeding). Initial setting times were determined for selected mixtures. In all, a total of 27 grout mixtures were evaluated. Test results show that the increase in the dosage of rheology-modifying admixture increases significantly the yield value and plastic and apparent viscosities of cement grouts. Combined with an adequate dosage of high-range water reducer, losses in fluidity are regained without significant reduction in stability. With the increase in high-range water reducer dosage, the apparent viscosity at low rates of shear decreases more dramatically than that at high rates of shear due to the pseudo-plastic behavior of such grouts. The combined use of proper dosages of rheology-modifying admixture and high-range water reducer is shown to clearly contribute to securing high-performance cement grout that is highly fluid, yet cohesive enough to reduce water dilution and enhance water retention. For equal fluidity level, greater stability is obtained with mixtures containing high contents of viscosity modifying admixture. The initial setting time is shown to be delayed by the incorporation of high-range water reducer and rheology-modifying admixture with the latter additive exhibiting greater influence on retardation of setting.