Computational or in silico modeling is a subset of systems biology that is concerned with integrating large datasets using complex data structures and algorithms to accurately recreate the behaviour of a system. It is used to determine how the internal components of complex biological systems interact with each other and with external systems. Computational modeling approaches have been applied to a number of biological systems at a variety of spatial and temporal scales to complement and enhance experimental research. For example computational modeling approaches are currently used in design and development of the next generation of cardiac pacemakers. Despite the attractive prospects of applying computational modeling systems in understanding complex events leading to conception and development of embryo, the application of in silico modeling to reproductive medicine is still in its infancy. In recent years we have tried to advance development of an in silico model of gamete interaction with female reproductive tract in our laboratory by creating a 3-D model of oviduct. Integration of this 3-D model with simple sperm movements has created a relatively simple in silico model that can help us to understand sperm transport in the female reproductive tract. We hope progression in this field will allow us to create simulations that are more complex and incorporate different factors in their predictions of sperm movements. These simulations will help us in understanding sperm transport within female reproductive tract and will be the first steps in reaching the ultimate goal of this project that is to predict the milieu of reproductive tract at the time of conception.

This paper presents a statistical approach to estimating the effects of psychological factors on humans due to inappropriate waste disposal in the environment. Factorial experimental analysis is combined with the concepts of transition matrix and steady state conditions. An adequate understanding into the statistical quantification of the waste disposal concept would aid policy makers in effective decision making and the proper control of environment. The feasibility of developing statistical parameters for assessing the waste disposal concept is confirmed. The work shows the novelty of the approach.

Pulsating Heat Pipes have recently become popular due to their capability in removing heat at higher rates, over short or long distances. Their passive operation and relative ease of manufacturing have been added to their popularity.  In this study, a combination of two flat plate pulsating heat pipes in series configuration is proposed and their thermo-hydraulic behavior is investigated experimentally in vertical bottom heated mode. The series configuration provides the possibility of heat removal from the heat source within longer distances at acceptable efficiencies. Fluid type, filling ratios, and input powers were the factors chosen to study their influence on the operation of the setup. The results showed that the 60% filling ratio for the water filled channel together with the 40% filling ratio for the methanol filled channel present the lowest thermal resistance in the range of considered input powers. It was observed that for all of the filling ratio combinations used, the methanol channel started oscillation before the water channel and it presented lower thermal resistance as compared with the water channel. The experimental results demonstrated that the dominant hydrodynamic fluid pattern is slug flow with the pulsation of fluid columns together with sporadic circulation at higher input power rates.

This article presents a research program on a structure representing a seven-story residential building tested on the shaking table in the NEES [6]. The building was designed using a displacement based capacity approach for a site in Los Angeles resulting design lateral force. The structure is composed of 2 main perpendicular walls connected by slotted connections. The numerical calculations have been made up to failure of the specimen, at the local but also at the global level, using multi-fiber beams. Constitutive laws are based on damage mechanics and plasticity to describe cracking of concrete and the plastic behavior of steel. It is shown that the model is able to describe the global behavior of the structure and qualitatively the distribution of damage at the base of the specimen.

This paper presents the design and simulation of a typical Ka band satellite beacon receiver for propagation experimentation. Using satellite beacon signal as a reference signal in satellite wave propagation study, is one of the most important methods. Satellite beacons are frequently available for pointing large antennas, but such signals can be used for measuring the effect of natural phenomena such as atmospheric gases, water vapor, oxygen molecules, clouds, rain, dust and fog existing in different layers of the atmosphere, including troposphere and ionosphere.