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Distribution Function (distribution + function)
Kinds of Distribution Function Selected AbstractsA NEW CONFIDENCE BAND FOR CONTINUOUS CUMULATIVE DISTRIBUTION FUNCTIONSAUSTRALIAN & NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF STATISTICS, Issue 3 2009Xingzhong Xu Summary We consider confidence bands for continuous distribution functions. Following a review of the literature we find that previously considered confidence bands, which have exact coverage, are all step-functions jumping only at the sample points. We find that the step-function bands can be constructed through rectangular tolerance regions for an ordered sample from the uniform distribution R(0, 1). We then construct a set of new bands. Two criteria for assessing confidence bands are presented. One is the power criterion, and the other is the average-width criterion that we propose. Numerical comparisons between our new bands and the old bands are carried out, and show that our new bands perform much better than the old ones. [source] Distribution Function and Thermodynamic Potentials of a Self-Avoiding ChainMACROMOLECULAR THEORY AND SIMULATIONS, Issue 5 2006Aleksey D. Drozdov Abstract Summary: An explicit expression is derived for the distribution function of end-to-end vectors for a flexible self-avoiding chain. Based on this relation, analytical formulas are developed for the free and internal energies of a chain with excluded-volume interactions. Force,stretch relations are obtained at uniaxial tension and compression. The effects of strength of segment interactions on the shapes of the distribution function and the force-displacement diagram, as well as on the mean-square end-to-end distance and stiffness of a chain are studied numerically. The dimensionless distribution function P versus the dimensionless end-to-end vector Q* for self-repellent chains with ,,=,0.0, 0.4, 0.8, 1.2, and 1.6, from top to bottom, respectively. [source] Order and Disorder in Powder Mixtures: Spatial Distribution Functions as Tools to Assess Powder HomogeneityPARTICLE & PARTICLE SYSTEMS CHARACTERIZATION, Issue 5-6 2008Albert Mihranyan Abstract In interactive mixtures with small carrier particles, the content variability is often higher than predicted by available models despite the significant degree of interaction visualized with Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The present work details how pair-correlation functions can be used to reveal information about the spatial distribution of mixture constituents and their interactions. SEM pictures of a 2,% w/w oxazepam/sodium starch glycolate (SSG) mixture were recorded (n = 14). The constituent coordinates were extracted and pair-correlation functions as well as the cross-correlation function were calculated. A significant degree of interaction was observed between the constituents in the experimental mixture, compared to a randomized control system. In particular, the probability of finding an oxazepam particle was especially high inside the perimeter of the carrier particle and along its edges. The observed cross-correlation between oxazepam and SSG particles was periodic and repeated at distances corresponding to 1,1.5 carrier diameters. It was concluded that interactive mixtures of powders can be compared to disordered/amorphous solids since both exhibit short-range order, whilst lacking long-range translational periodicity. [source] High Temporal Resolution Ion Energy Distribution Functions in HIPIMS DischargesPLASMA PROCESSES AND POLYMERS, Issue S1 2009Anurag Mishra Abstract A technique for obtaining high time resolution ion energy distribution functions (IEDFs) at the substrate in depositing plasma has been demonstrated, and applied to a high power impulse magnetron sputtering (HIPIMS) discharge. Key to this technique is the electrostatic gating of ions inside the instrument end cap. To demonstrate the performance of this technique, IEDF measurements with a 2 µs time-resolution have been made with the following HIPIMS operating conditions: a repetition rate of 100 Hz, a pulse width of 100 µs, a pressure of 0.26 Pa and a peak power density of 2.5 kW cm,2. The orifice of the mass spectrometer was positioned facing the racetrack region of the circular magnetron cathode. The Ar+ ions were detected 8 µs after initiation of the discharge voltage pulse, exhibiting a narrow distribution of energies, while Ti+ ions were detected 14 µs after the initiation, showing a high-energy tail extending up to 100 eV. The time-evolution of Ti+ ions show that the metal flux starts to be built up at the substrate position at times 20 µs after the pulse initiation. [source] Cover Picture: Anisotropy and Dynamic Ranges in Effective Properties of Sheared Nematic Polymer Nanocomposites (Adv. Funct.ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 12 2005Mater. Abstract Forest and co-workers report on p.,2029 that nematic polymer nanocomposite (NPNC) films can be processed in steady shear flows, which generate complex orientational distributions of the nanorod inclusions. Distribution functions for a benchmark NPNC (11,vol.-% of 1,nm,×,200,nm rods) are computed for a range of shear rates, yielding a bifurcation diagram with steady states at very low (logrolling) and high (flow-aligning) shear rates, and limit cycles (tumbling, wagging, kayaking) at intermediate shear rates. The orientational distributions dictate the effective conductivity tensor of the NPNC film, which is computed for all distribution functions, and extract the maximum principal conductivity enhancement (Emax, averaged in time for periodic distributions) relative to the matrix. The result is a "property bifurcation diagram" for NPNC films, which predicts an optimal shear rate that maximizes Emax. Nematic, or liquid-crystalline, polymer nanocomposites (NPNCs) are composed of large aspect ratio, rod-like or platelet, rigid macromolecules in a matrix or solvent, which itself may be aqueous or polymeric. NPNCs are engineered for high-performance material applications, ranging across mechanical, electrical, piezoelectric, thermal, and barrier properties. The rods or platelets possess enormous property contrasts relative to the solvent, yet the composite properties are strongly affected by the orientational distribution of the nanophase. Nematic polymer film processing flows are shear-dominated, for which orientational distributions are well known to be highly sensitive to shear rate and volume fraction of the nematogens, with unsteady response being the most expected outcome at typical low shear rates and volume fractions. The focus of this article is a determination of the ranges of anisotropy and dynamic fluctuations in effective properties arising from orientational probability distribution functions generated by steady shear of NPNC monodomains. We combine numerical databases for sheared monodomain distributions[1,2] of thin rod or platelet dispersions together with homogenization theory for low-volume-fraction spheroidal inclusions[3] to calculate effective conductivity tensors of steady and oscillatory sheared mesophases. We then extract maximum scalar conductivity enhancement and anisotropy for each type of sheared monodomain (flow-aligned, tumbling, kayaking, and chaotic). [source] Evolutionary models for radio sources from compact sources to classical doublesMONTHLY NOTICES OF THE ROYAL ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY, Issue 1 2000P. Alexander An analytical model is presented for the evolution of powerful double radio sources on small physical scales less than about 100 kpc when radiative losses can be neglected. The self-similar model of Kaiser & Alexander is extended to allow for expansion in an atmosphere with a King profile. Distribution functions for the number of sources in a logarithmic interval of linear size within a flux-limited sample are calculated and compared with observation. The observational data can be reproduced if it is assumed that there exists a population of sources that evolve and survive to sizes greater than the core radius, together with a population that suffer disruption of their jets before escaping the core radius. The latter population, while they may be regarded as frustrated sources, are not old sources, but just short-lived. [source] Fuzzy Monte Carlo Simulation and Risk Assessment in ConstructionCOMPUTER-AIDED CIVIL AND INFRASTRUCTURE ENGINEERING, Issue 4 2010N. Sadeghi However, subjective and linguistically expressed information results in added non-probabilistic uncertainty in construction management. Fuzzy logic has been used successfully for representing such uncertainties in construction projects. In practice, an approach that can handle both random and fuzzy uncertainties in a risk assessment model is necessary. This article discusses the deficiencies of the available methods and proposes a Fuzzy Monte Carlo Simulation (FMCS) framework for risk analysis of construction projects. In this framework, we construct a fuzzy cumulative distribution function as a novel way to represent uncertainty. To verify the feasibility of the FMCS framework and demonstrate its main features, the authors have developed a special purpose simulation template for cost range estimating. This template is employed to estimate the cost of a highway overpass project. [source] Relationship between load/unload response ratio and damage variable and its applicationCONCURRENCY AND COMPUTATION: PRACTICE & EXPERIENCE, Issue 12 2010Lang-Ping Zhang Abstract The physics-based parameter: load/unload response ratio (LURR) was proposed to measure the proximity of a strong earthquake, which achieved good results in earthquake prediction. As LURR can be used to describe the damage degree of the focal media qualitatively, there must be a relationship between LURR and damage variable (D) which describes damaged materials quantitatively in damage mechanics. Hence, based on damage mechanics and LURR theory, taking Weibull distribution as the probability distribution function, the relationship between LURR and D is set up and analyzed. This relationship directs LURR applied in damage analysis of materials quantitatively from being qualitative earlier, which not only provides the LURR method with a more solid basis in physics, but may also give a new approach to the damage evaluation of big scale structures and prediction of engineering catastrophic failure. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] General Gyrokinetic Equations for Edge PlasmasCONTRIBUTIONS TO PLASMA PHYSICS, Issue 7-9 2006H. Qin Abstract During the pedestal cycle of H-mode edge plasmas in tokamak experiments, large-amplitude pedestal build-up and destruction coexist with small-amplitude drift wave turbulence. The pedestal dynamics simultaneously includes fast time-scale electromagnetic instabilities, long time-scale turbulence-induced transport processes, and more interestingly the interaction between them. To numerically simulate the pedestal dynamics from first principles, it is desirable to develop an effective algorithm based on the gyrokinetic theory. However, existing gyrokinetic theories cannot treat fully nonlinear electromagnetic perturbations with multi-scale-length structures in spacetime, and therefore do not apply to edge plasmas. A set of generalized gyrokinetic equations valid for the edge plasmas has been derived. This formalism allows large-amplitude, time-dependent background electromagnetic fields to be developed fully nonlinearly in addition to small-amplitude, short-wavelength electromagnetic perturbations. It turns out that the most general gyrokinetic theory can be geometrically formulated. The Poincaré-Cartan-Einstein 1-form on the 7D phase space determines particles' worldlines in the phase space, and realizes the momentum integrals in kinetic theory as fiber integrals. The infinitesimal generator of the gyro-symmetry is then asymptotically constructed as the base for the gyrophase coordinate of the gyrocenter coordinate system. This is accomplished by applying the Lie coordinate perturbation method to the Poincaré-Cartan-Einstein 1-form. General gyrokinetic Vlasov-Maxwell equations are then developed as the Vlasov-Maxwell equations in the gyrocenter coordinate system, rather than a set of new equations. Because the general gyrokinetic system developed is geometrically the same as the Vlasov-Maxwell equations, all the coordinate-independent properties of the Vlasov-Maxwell equations, such as energy conservation, momentum conservation, and phase space volume conservation, are automatically carried over to the general gyrokinetic system. The pullback transformation associated with the coordinate transformation is shown to be an indispensable part of the general gyrokinetic Vlasov-Maxwell equations. As an example, the pullback transformation in the gyrokinetic Poisson equation is explicitly expressed in terms of moments of the gyrocenter distribution function, with the important gyro-orbit squeezing effect due to the large electric field shearing in the edge and the full finite Larmour radius effect for short wavelength fluctuations. The familiar "polarization drift density" in the gyrocenter Poisson equation is replaced by a more general expression. (© 2006 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source] Comparison of Two Methods of Interpretation of LangmuirProbe Data for an Inductively Coupled Oxygen PlasmaCONTRIBUTIONS TO PLASMA PHYSICS, Issue 5-6 2006T. H. Chung Abstract The Langmuir probe technique has some drawback in applying to electronegative plasma since it is difficult to interpret the probe I , V data. The positive ion flux to the probe is modified due to the presence of negative ions. In this study, an inductively coupled oxygen RF plasma is employed to perform the Langmuir probe measurement of the electronegative discharge. Plasma parameters are obtained from Langmuir probe measurement using two different methods which are based on electron energy distribution function (EEDF) integrals, and the method based on the fluid model for the modified ion flux, respectively. The EEDF is measured by a double differentiation of the I , V characteristics according to the Druyvesteyn formula. The electron densities estimated based on the two methods are compared. The EEDF integral method gives little higher values than the modified ion flux method. It is observed that at low pressure the EEDF is close to a Maxwellian. Generally, as the pressure increases, the distributions switch to bi-Maxwellian and to Druyvesteyn, and suggest some depletion of electrons with larger energies. (© 2006 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source] Local 3D real space atomic structure of the simple icosahedral Ho11Mg15Zn74 quasicrystal from PDF dataCRYSTAL RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY, Issue 12 2003S. Brühne Abstract We present a new complementary strategy to quasicrystalline structure determination: The local atomic structure of simple icosahedral (si) Ho11Mg15Zn74 [a(6D) = 5.144(3)Å in a sphere of up to r = 17Å was refined using the atomic pair distribution function (PDF) from in-house X-ray powder diffraction data (MoK,1, Qmax = 13.5Å,1; R = 20.4%). The basic building block is a 105-atom Bergman-Cluster {Ho8Mg12Zn85}. Its center is occupied by a Zn atom , in contrast to a void in face centred icosahedral (fci) Ho9Mg26Zn65. The center is then surrounded by another 12 Zn atoms, forming an icosahedron (1st shell). The 2nd shell is made up of 8 Ho atoms arranged on the vertices of a cube which in turn is completed to a pentagon dodecahedron by 12 Mg atoms, the dodecahedron then being capped by 12 Zn atoms. The 3rd shell is a distorted soccer ball of 60 Zn atoms, reflecting the higher Zn content of the si phase compared to the fci phase. In our model, 7% of all atoms are situated in between the clusters. The model corresponds to a hypothetical 1/1-approximant of the icosahedral (i) phase. The local coordinations of the single atoms are of a much distorted Frank-Kasper type and call to mind those present in 0/1-Mg2Zn11. (© 2003 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source] An in vitro model system for cytoskeletal confinementCYTOSKELETON, Issue 10 2009Sarah Köster Abstract The motility, shape, and functionality of the cell depend sensitively on cytoskeletal mechanics which in turn is governed by the properties of filamentous proteins - mainly actin, microtubules, and intermediate filaments. These biopolymers are confined in the dense cytoplasm and therefore experience strong geometric constraints on their equilibrium thermal fluctuations. To obtain a better understanding of the influence of confinement on cytoskeletal filaments we study the thermal fluctuations of individual actin filaments in a microfluidic in vitro system by fluorescence microscopy and determine the persistence length of the filaments by analyzing the radial distribution function. A unique feature of this method is that we obtain the persistence length without detailed knowledge of the complete contour of the filament which makes the technique applicable to a broad range of biological polymers, including those with a persistence length smaller than the optical resolution. Cell Motil. Cytoskeleton 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Suspended sediment load estimation and the problem of inadequate data sampling: a fractal viewEARTH SURFACE PROCESSES AND LANDFORMS, Issue 4 2006Bellie Sivakumar Abstract Suspended sediment load estimation at high resolutions is an extremely difficult task, because: (1) it depends on the availability of high-resolution water discharge and suspended sediment concentration measurements, which are often not available; (2) any errors in the measurements of these two components could significantly influence the accuracy of suspended sediment load estimation; and (3) direct measurements are very expensive. The purpose of this study is to approach this sampling problem from a new perspective of fractals (or scaling), which could provide important information on the transformation of suspended sediment load data from one scale to another. This is done by investigating the possible presence of fractal behaviour in the daily suspended sediment load data for the Mississippi River basin (at St. Louis, Missouri). The presence of fractal behaviour is investigated using five different methods, ranging from general to specific and from mono-fractal to multi-fractal: (1) autocorrelation function; (2) power spectrum; (3) probability distribution function; (4) box dimension; and (5) statistical moment scaling function. The results indicate the presence of multi-fractal behaviour in the suspended sediment load data, suggesting the possibility of transformation of data from one scale to another using a multi-dimensional model. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Approaches for linking whole-body fish tissue residues of mercury or DDT to biological effects thresholdsENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY & CHEMISTRY, Issue 8 2005Nancy Beckvar Abstract A variety of methods have been used by numerous investigators attempting to link tissue concentrations with observed adverse biological effects. This paper is the first to evaluate in a systematic way different approaches for deriving protective (i.e., unlikely to have adverse effects) tissue residue-effect concentrations in fish using the same datasets. Guidelines for screening papers and a set of decision rules were formulated to provide guidance on selecting studies and obtaining data in a consistent manner. Paired no-effect (NER) and low-effect (LER) whole-body residue concentrations in fish were identified for mercury and DDT from the published literature. Four analytical approaches of increasing complexity were evaluated for deriving protective tissue residues. The four methods were: Simple ranking, empirical percentile, tissue threshold-effect level (t-TEL), and cumulative distribution function (CDF). The CDF approach did not yield reasonable tissue residue thresholds based on comparisons to synoptic control concentrations. Of the four methods evaluated, the t-TEL approach best represented the underlying data. A whole-body mercury t-TEL of 0.2 mg/kg wet weight, based largely on sublethal endpoints (growth, reproduction, development, behavior), was calculated to be protective of juvenile and adult fish. For DDT, protective whole-body concentrations of 0.6 mg/kg wet weight in juvenile and adult fish, and 0.7 mg/kg wet weight for early life-stage fish were calculated. However, these DDT concentrations are considered provisional for reasons discussed in this paper (e.g., paucity of sublethal studies). [source] Semiparametric M -quantile regression for estimating the proportion of acidic lakes in 8-digit HUCs of the Northeastern USENVIRONMETRICS, Issue 7 2008Monica Pratesi Abstract Between 1991 and 1995, the Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program of the US Environmental Protection Agency conducted a survey of lakes in the Northeastern states of the US to determine the ecological condition of these waters. Here, to this end, we want to obtain estimates of the proportion of lakes at (high) risk of acidification or acidified already for each 8-digit hydrologic unit code (HUC) within the region of interest. Sample sizes for the 113 HUCs are very small and 27 HUCs are not even observed. Therefore, small area estimation techniques should be invoked for the estimation of the distribution function of acid neutralizing capacity (ANC) for each HUC. The procedure is based on a semiparametric M -quantile regression model in which ANC depends on elevation and the year of the survey linearly, and on the geographical position of the lake through an unknown smooth bivariate function estimated by low-rank thin plate splines. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Skew-symmetric distributions generated by the distribution function of the normal distributionENVIRONMETRICS, Issue 4 2007Héctor W. Gómez Abstract In this paper we study a general family of skew-symmetric distributions which are generated by the cumulative distribution of the normal distribution. For some distributions, moments are computed which allows computing asymmetry and kurtosis coefficients. It is shown that the range for asymmetry and kurtosis parameters is wider than for the family of models introduced by Nadarajah and Kotz (2003). For the skew- t -normal model, we discuss approaches for obtaining maximum likelihood estimators and derive the Fisher information matrix, discussing some of its properties and special cases. We report results of an application to a real data set related to nickel concentration in soil samples. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Trivial reductions of dimensionality in the propagation of uncertainties: a physical exampleENVIRONMETRICS, Issue 1 2004Ricardo Bolado Abstract When performing uncertainty analysis on a mathematical model of a physical process, some coefficients of the differential equations appear as a result of elementary operations of other coefficients. It is shown in this article that variance reduction techniques should be applied on the ,final' or ,reduced' coefficients and not on the original ones, thus reducing the variance of the estimators of the parameters of the output variable distribution. We illustrate the methodology with an application to a physical problem, a radioactive contaminant transport code. A substantial variance reduction is achieved for the estimators of the distribution function, the mean and the variance of the output. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Masticatory performance in patients with anterior disk displacement without reduction in comparison with symptom-free volunteersEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF ORAL SCIENCES, Issue 5 2002Ingrid Peroz Masticatory function can be impaired by craniomandibular disorders. The aim of this study was to assess masticatory performance in patients with an anterior disc displacement (ADD) without reduction. In the experiments, 29 patients and 33 age- and gender-matched volunteers chewed artificial test food for 60 chewing strokes. The collected remains of the test food were filtered, dried, fractionated by a sieving procedure, and weighed. The particle size distribution was then described using a cumulative distribution function. Patients and controls were clinically examined, and patients were asked to complete a pain questionnaire. Comparison with controls, patients showed significantly reduced masticatory performance. Patients that had had a disorder longer than 3 yr tended to display less reduction of their masticatory performance. Neither the treatment methods used, nor restriction of daily life activities or pain intensity were significantly correlated with masticatory performance. Jaw mobility was significantly reduced in patients. More than half of the patients and none of the controls had joint noises and trigger points in the masticatory muscles. Pain was present, in particular, during chewing and maximal opening of the mouth. It was concluded that patients with ADD without reduction have a significantly reduced masticatory performance. [source] Core loss estimation in three-phase transformer using vector hysteresis model and classical loss model incorporated in 2D magnetodynamicsEUROPEAN TRANSACTIONS ON ELECTRICAL POWER, Issue 2 2003O. Deblecker This paper deals with the computation of the magnetic field and core loss in a three-phase three-limb transformer at no-load. The computational algorithm consists of the vector hysteresis model incorporated in 2D magneto-dynamics via the differential reluctivity tensor. The hysteretic nonlinearity is handled by a simple iteration scheme. The eddy-current losses in the laminated steel core are accounted for by considering an additional conductivity matrix in the FE equations. The magnetisation-dependant vector Preisach model with an analytical expression for the distribution function is adopted for describing the hysteretic constitutive law in the rolling and transverse directions of the laminations. The parameters and mean field term are fitted on the basis of a set of BH-symmetric (quasistatic) loops. Numerical results are presented that confirm the effectiveness of the proposed method for the no-load simulation of the transformer in the transient and the steady-states. [source] Stochastic approach for output SINR computation at SC diversity systems with correlated Nakagami- m fadingEUROPEAN TRANSACTIONS ON TELECOMMUNICATIONS, Issue 5 2009Daniela M. Milovi In this paper, we derive the cumulative distribution function of the signal-to-interference,+,,noise ratio (SINR) achieved by the selection combining (SC) diversity receiver operating over correlated Nakagami- m channel in the presence of co-channel interference. Numerical and simulation results are presented to show the effects of fading severity and signal and interference imbalance on the system's performance. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Quantum phenomena via complex measure: Holomorphic extensionFORTSCHRITTE DER PHYSIK/PROGRESS OF PHYSICS, Issue 7 2006Article first published online: 11 MAY 200, S.K. Srinivasan The complex measure theoretic approach proposed earlier is reviewed and a general version of density matrix as well as conditional density matrix is introduced. The holomorphic extension of the complex measure density (CMD) is identified to be the Wigner distribution function of the conventional quantum mechanical theory. A variety of situations in quantum optical phenomena are discussed within such a holomorphic complex measure theoretic framework. A model of a quantum oscillator in interaction with a bath is analyzed and explicit solution for the CMD of the coordinate as well as the Wigner distribution function is obtained. A brief discussion on the assignment of probability to path history of the test oscillator is provided. [source] Insight into Proton Conduction of Immobilised Imidazole Systems Via Simulations and Impedance Spectroscopy,FUEL CELLS, Issue 3-4 2008W. L. Cavalcanti Abstract The proton conduction in immobilised imidazole systems has been investigated in order to support the design of new membrane materials for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFC). In the experimental part of this work, proton conductivities are measured via impedance spectroscopy. The simulation and modelling are performed combining molecular dynamics simulations and energy barrier calculations; the analysis is done via the proton jump energy barrier, collision ratio and radial distribution function. The dependence of the proton mobility on the temperature, spacer length and the density of conducting groups per area is presented. Donors and acceptors groups approach to each other within a distance from 2.8 to 3,Å where the energy barrier for a proton transfer is very low, which favours the proton jump under the studied conditions. The proton conductivity increases with increase in the spacer length. The simulation results are in good agreement with the proton conductivities presented. [source] Thermodynamic consistent modelling of defects and microstructures in ferroelectricsGAMM - MITTEILUNGEN, Issue 2 2008Ralf Müller Abstract The paper describes the main phenomena associated with fatigue in ferroelectricmaterials due to defects and microstructural effects. An analysis the modelling on different length scales is presented. Starting from a thermodynamic analysis of the macroscopic material behavior other microscopic aspects are addressed. The introduction of an orientation distribution function allows for a computationally efficient extension of a single crystal model to realistic 3D structures. Additionally, the thermodynamic treatment of defects and domain wall motion is discussed to provide a better understanding of various micro-mechanisms. It is explained by the concept of configurational/driving forces, how defects influence each other and how the mobility of domain walls is reduced in the presence of defects. (© 2008 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source] Family-based association test for time-to-onset data with time-dependent differences between the hazard functionsGENETIC EPIDEMIOLOGY, Issue 2 2006Hongyu Jiang Abstract In genetic association studies, the differences between the hazard functions for the individual genotypes are often time-dependent. We address the non-proportional hazards data by using the weighted logrank approach by Fleming and Harrington [1981]:Commun Stat-Theor M 10:763,794. We introduce a weighted FBAT-Logrank whose weights are based on a non-parametric estimator for the genetic marker distribution function under the alternative hypothesis. We show that the computation of the marker distribution under the alternative does not bias the significance level of any subsequently computed FBAT-statistic. Hence, we use the estimated marker distribution to select the Fleming-Harrington weights so that the power of the weighted FBAT-Logrank test is maximized. In simulation studies and applications to an asthma study, we illustrate the practical relevance of the new methodology. In addition to power increases of 100% over the original FBAT-Logrank test, we also gain insight into the age at which a genotype exerts the greatest influence on disease risk. Genet. Epidemiol. 2006. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] First-order reversal curve diagrams and thermal relaxation effects in magnetic particlesGEOPHYSICAL JOURNAL INTERNATIONAL, Issue 3 2001Christopher R. Pike Summary We have recently developed a technique for characterizing the magnetic components within natural particle assemblages. This technique is based on the transformation of magnetization data from first-order reversal curves (FORCs) into contour plots of a 2-D distribution function (FORC diagrams). FORC diagrams are useful for obtaining information about switching fields and interactions in magnetic particle systems. Here, we examine experimental data and a theoretical model in order to provide a rigorous framework for interpreting FORC diagrams for samples that contain superparamagnetic particles. We have found four distinct manifestations of thermal relaxation on FORC diagrams. First, thermal relaxation will shift the FORC distribution to lower coercivities. Second, at intermediate temperatures, thermal relaxation can generate a secondary peak about the origin of a FORC diagram. This secondary peak indicates that part of a single-domain particle assemblage has become superparamagnetic. At high enough temperatures, the primary peak of the FORC distribution will be located about the origin of a FORC diagram. Third, thermal relaxation can produce a small, but systematic, upward shift of a FORC distribution. Fourth, thermal relaxation will produce contours that lie near and parallel to the vertical axis in the lower quadrant of a FORC diagram. These manifestations make FORC diagrams a powerful tool for studying the effects of thermal relaxation (superparamagnetism) in bulk natural samples, particularly when the samples contain mixed magnetic particle assemblages. [source] Seismic anisotropy of shalesGEOPHYSICAL PROSPECTING, Issue 5 2005C.M. Sayers ABSTRACT Shales are a major component of sedimentary basins, and they play a decisive role in fluid flow and seismic-wave propagation because of their low permeability and anisotropic microstructure. Shale anisotropy needs to be quantified to obtain reliable information on reservoir fluid, lithology and pore pressure from seismic data, and to understand time-to-depth conversion errors and non-hyperbolic moveout. A single anisotropy parameter, Thomsen's , parameter, is sufficient to explain the difference between the small-offset normal-moveout velocity and vertical velocity, and to interpret the small-offset AVO response. The sign of this parameter is poorly understood, with both positive and negative values having been reported in the literature. , is sensitive to the compliance of the contact regions between clay particles and to the degree of disorder in the orientation of clay particles. If the ratio of the normal to shear compliance of the contact regions exceeds a critical value, the presence of these regions acts to increase ,, and a change in the sign of ,, from the negative values characteristic of clay minerals to the positive values commonly reported for shales, may occur. Misalignment of the clay particles can also lead to a positive value of ,. For transverse isotropy, the elastic anisotropy parameters can be written in terms of the coefficients W200 and W400 in an expansion of the clay-particle orientation distribution function in generalized Legendre functions. For a given value of W200, decreasing W400 leads to an increase in ,, while for fixed W400, , increases with increasing W200. Perfect alignment of clay particles with normals along the symmetry axis corresponds to the maximum values of W200 and W400, given by and . A comparison of the predictions of the theory with laboratory measurements shows that most shales lie in a region of the (W200, W400)-plane defined by W400/W200,Wmax400/Wmax200. [source] H2xMnxSn3-xS6 (x,=,0.11,0.25): A Novel Reusable Sorbent for Highly Specific Mercury Capture Under Extreme pH ConditionsADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 7 2009Manolis J. Manos Abstract The H2xMnxSn3-xS6 (x,=,0.11,0.25) is a new solid acid with a layered hydrogen metal sulfide (LHMS). It derives from K2xMnxSn3,xS6 (x,=,0.5,0.95) (KMS-1) upon treating it with highly acidic solutions. We demonstrate that LHMS-1 has enormous affinity for the very soft metal ions such as Hg2+ and Ag+ which occurs via a rapid ion exchange process. The tremendous affinity of LHMS-1 for Hg2+ is reflected in very high distribution coefficient KdHg values (>106,mL g,1). The large affinity and selectivity of LHMS-1 for Hg2+ persists in a very wide pH range (from less than zero to nine) and even in the presence of highly concentrated HCl and HNO3 acids. LHMS-1 is significantly more selective for Hg2+ and Ag+ than for the less soft cations Pb2+ and Cd2+. The Hg2+ ions are immobilized in octahedral sites between the sulfide layers of the materials via Hg,S bonds as suggested by pair distribution function (PDF) analysis. LHMS-1 could decrease trace concentrations of Hg2+ (e.g. <100,ppb) to well below the acceptable limits for the drinking water in less than two min. Hg-laden LHMS-1 shows a remarkable hydrothermal stability and resistance in 6,M HCl solutions. LHMS-1 could be regenerated by treating Hg-loaded samples with 12,M HCl and re-used without loss of its initial exchange capacity. [source] Cost-effectiveness acceptability curves , facts, fallacies and frequently asked questionsHEALTH ECONOMICS, Issue 5 2004Elisabeth Fenwick Abstract Cost-effectiveness acceptability curves (CEACs) have been widely adopted as a method to quantify and graphically represent uncertainty in economic evaluation studies of health-care technologies. However, there remain some common fallacies regarding the nature and shape of CEACs that largely result from the ,textbook' illustration of the CEAC. This ,textbook' CEAC shows a smooth curve starting at probability 0, with an asymptote to 1 for higher money values of the health outcome (,). But this familiar ,ogive' shape which makes the ,textbook' CEAC look like a cumulative distribution function is just one special case of the CEAC. The reality is that the CEAC can take many shapes and turns because it is a graphic transformation from the cost-effectiveness plane, where the joint density of incremental costs and effects may ,straddle' quadrants with attendant discontinuities and asymptotes. In fact CEACs: (i) do not have to cut the y -axis at 0; (ii) do not have to asymptote to 1; (iii) are not always monotonically increasing in ,; and (iv) do not represent cumulative distribution functions (cdfs). Within this paper we present a ,gallery' of CEACs in order to identify the fallacies and illustrate the facts surrounding the CEAC. The aim of the paper is to serve as a reference tool to accompany the increased use of CEACs within major medical journals. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] A study on thermal conductivity of a quasi-ordered liquid layer on a solid substrateHEAT TRANSFER - ASIAN RESEARCH (FORMERLY HEAT TRANSFER-JAPANESE RESEARCH), Issue 7 2007Xiao-Yan Shi Abstract In the present paper, a study on thermal conductivity of a quasi-ordered liquid layer on a solid surface was performed by molecular dynamic simulation. Results showed that the motion of the molecules and their radial distribution function in the quasi-ordered liquid layer were similar to those of solid molecules. By using the Green,Kubo formula, the thermal conductivity of the layer was calculated. It was found that it increased with the increase of the parameters of ordering. The size effect and the influence of the boundary condition were also discussed. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heat Trans Asian Res, 36(7): 429,434, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/htj.20171 [source] Annual streamflow modelling with asymmetric distribution functionHYDROLOGICAL PROCESSES, Issue 17 2008Nermin Sarlak Abstract Classical autoregressive models (AR) have been used for forecasting streamflow data in spite of restrictive assumptions, such as the normality assumption for innovations. The main reason for making this assumption is the difficulties faced in finding model parameters for non-normal distribution functions. However, the modified maximum likelihood (MML) procedure used for estimating autoregressive model parameters assumes a non-normally distributed residual series. The aim in this study is to compare the performance of the AR(1) model with asymmetric innovations with that of the classical autoregressive model for hydrological annual data. The models considered are applied to annual streamflow data obtained from two streamflow gauging stations in K,z,l,rmak Basin, Turkey. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. 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