Home About us Contact
|
Home About us Contact | ||
|
|
||
Analytical Results (analytical + result)
Selected AbstractsElectrochemical Immunoassay for Carbohydrate Antigen-125 Based on Polythionine and Gold Hollow Microspheres Modified Glassy Carbon ElectrodesELECTROANALYSIS, Issue 17 2007Xiao-Hong Fu Abstract A new electrochemical immunosensor for the detection of carbohydrate antigen-125 (CA125), a carcinoma antigen, was developed by immobilization CA125 antibody (anti-CA125) on gold hollow microspheres and porous polythionine (PTH) modified glassy carbon electrodes (GCE). The gold hollow microspheres provided a biocompatible microenvironment for proteins, and greatly amplified the coverage of anti-CA125 molecules on the electrode surface. The performance and factors influencing the immunosensor were investigated in detail. The detection is based on the current change before and after the antigen-antibody interaction. Under optimal conditions, the amperometric changes were proportional to CA125 concentration ranging from 4.5 to 36.5,U/mL with a detection limit of 1.3,U/mL (at 3,). The CA125 immunosensor exhibited good precision, high sensitivity, acceptable stability, accuracy and reproducibility. The as-prepared immunosensors were used to analyze CA125 in human serum specimens. Analytical results suggest that the developed immunoassay has a promising alternative approach for detecting CA125 in the clinical diagnosis. [source] The riverscape of Western Amazonia , a quantitative approach to the fluvial biogeography of the regionJOURNAL OF BIOGEOGRAPHY, Issue 8 2007Tuuli Toivonen Abstract Aim, To provide a quantitative spatial analysis of the riverscape (open-water bodies and their surrounding areas) of the Western Amazonian lowlands using a consistent surface of remotely sensed imagery. Taking into account the essential significance of fluvial environments for the Amazonian biota, we propose that an enhanced understanding of the Amazonian riverscape will provide new insight for biogeographical studies in the region and contribute to the understanding of these megadiverse tropical lowlands. Location, An area of 2.2 million km2 covering the Western Amazonian lowlands of the Andean foreland region, i.e. the upper reaches of the Amazon river system. Areas in Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, Brazil and Bolivia between longitudes 83 °W and 65 °W and latitudes 5 °N and 12 °S are included. Methods, A mosaic of 120 Landsat TM satellite images was created with 100-m resolution, and water areas of over 1 ha in size or c. 60 m in width were extracted using a simple ratio threshold applicable to a large set of data. With this method, 99.1% of the water areas present in 30-m imagery were mapped with images with 100-m resolution. Water pixels of distinct river segments were assigned to river classes on the basis of their channel properties, and islands and lakes were distinguished separately and classified. Measures of water patterns such as structure, composition, richness and remoteness were provided for various spatial units. Riverine corridors were computed from the open-water mask by outer limits of active channels and floodplain lakes. Analytical results are shown as both thematic maps and statistics. Results, A total of 1.1% of Western Amazonia is covered by open-water bodies over 1 ha in size or 60 m in width. River-bound waters comprise 98% of the total water surface. Whilst isolated lakes are scarce, river-bound oxbow and backchannel lakes are plentiful, comprising 17.5% of all waters. They are particularly frequent along meandering channels, which dominate both in area and length. The riverine corridors including active channels and floodplain lakes cover 17% of the land area. The average distance from any point of land to the nearest water is 12 km. Geographically speaking, the distribution of waters is uneven across the region, and the detailed characteristics of the riverscape are geographically highly variable. Three major, fluvially distinct regions can be identified: central Western Amazonia, the south, and the north-east. The proportional surface areas of the riverine corridors, numbers of lakes, sizes of islands and their distributions depend largely on the types and sizes of the rivers. Main conclusions, Our results support the notion of Western Amazonia as a dynamic, highly fluvial environment, highlighting and quantifying considerable internal variation within the region in terms of fluvial patterns and the processes that they reflect and control. Biogeographically, the variety of types of fluvial environments and their characteristics are important constituents of what influences the distribution of species and dynamics of terrestrial habitats. Spatially consistent riverscape data can serve as a consistent and scalable source of relevant information for other biogeographical approaches in the region. [source] Do counter-cyclical payments in the 2002 US Farm Act create incentives to produce?,AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS, Issue 2-3 2004Jesús Antón Abstract Analytical results in the literature suggest that counter-cyclical payments create risk-related incentives to produce even if they are ,decoupled' under certainty [Hennessy, D. A., 1998. The production effects of agricultural income support polices under uncertainty. Am. J. Agric. Econ. 80, 46,57]. This paper develops a framework to assess the risk-related incentives to produce created by commodity programmes like the loan deficiency payments (LDPs) and the counter-cyclical payments (CCPs) in the 2002 US Farm Act. Because CCPs are paid based on fixed production quantities they have a weaker risk-reducing impact than LDPs. The latter have a direct impact through the variance of the producer price distributions, while the impact of CCPs is due only to the covariance between the CCP and the producer price distributions. The methodology developed by [Chavas, J.-P., Holt, M. T., 1990. Acreage decisions under risk: the case of corn and soybeans. Am. J. Agric. Econ. 72 (3), 529,538] is applied to calculate the appropriate variance-covariance matrix of the truncated producer price distributions under the 2002 Farm Act. Risk premia are computed showing that the risk-related incentives created by CCPs are significant and do not disappear for levels of production above the base production on which CCPs are paid. [source] Analytical results for 2-D non-rectilinear waveguides based on a Green's functionMATHEMATICAL METHODS IN THE APPLIED SCIENCES, Issue 13 2008Giulio Ciraolo Abstract We consider the problem of wave propagation for a 2-D rectilinear optical waveguide which presents some perturbation. We construct a mathematical framework to study such a problem and prove the existence of a solution for the case of small imperfections. Our results are based on the knowledge of a Green's function for the rectilinear case. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] An Extension of the Structural Change Model to International Economic RelationsMETROECONOMICA, Issue 4 2003Ricardo Azevedo Araujo ABSTRACT In this paper Pasinetti's model of structural economic dynamics (1981) is extended to consider international economic relations. Conditions for full employment, full expenditure of income and equilibrium of the trade balance are established for an open economy that requires capital goods to produce final commodities. Analytical results concerning the benefits from free trade and international learning are formally studied. In addition, static and dynamic aspects of the ,principle of comparative cost advantage' are analysed considering the determinants of the specialization level. [source] Resonant frequencies of a combination of split rings: Experimental, analytical and numerical studyMICROWAVE AND OPTICAL TECHNOLOGY LETTERS, Issue 5 2005A. Radkovskaya Abstract The resonant frequencies of five different ring resonators are measured with the aid of a network analyser within the frequency range of about 1.5 to 2.8 GHz. The resonant frequencies for those configurations are also determined from numerical calculations using the commercially available MICRO-STRIPES package. The experimental and numerical results are shown to be very close to each other. Analytical results from various authors, available for three of the configurations, are also compared with the experimental results; one of them leads to a large discrepancy, but the other analytical approximations are shown to be not too far off. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 46: 473,476, 2005; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.21021 [source] Magnetic short-range order diffuse scattering in quasicrystalsACTA CRYSTALLOGRAPHICA SECTION A, Issue 3 2010Akiji Yamamoto An analytical expression is derived for the short-range order (SRO) magnetic neutron diffuse scattering intensity in quasicrystals, and it is applied to a fictitious model of spin-orientation disorder in the Penrose pattern. The SRO diffuse scattering intensity depends on the overlapped volume of the occupation domains which are separated from each other by distances less than the correlation length and the SRO correlation functions. Analytical results for four different spin arrangements in the Penrose pattern are compared with numerical ones. The corresponding analytical and numerical results for all the cases are quite similar, suggesting the validity of the analytical expression. [source] Pilot Scale Demonstration of the Electrochemical Peroxidation Process at a Petroleum Spill SiteREMEDIATION, Issue 1 2000William P. Healy In a pilot test experiment involving approximately 200,000 gallons of groundwater, Electrochemical Peroxidation (ECP) was used to degrade aqueous phase volatile organic compounds (VOCs) including benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene (BTEX) compounds and methyl tertbutyl ether (MTBE) from a petroleum spill. ECP involves a form of the Fenton's Reagent reaction, which uses electrochemically generated iron and dilute hydrogen peroxide (<30 mg/L) to break down organic molecules through oxidation to carbon dioxide and water. This article discusses a pilot scale demonstration of the ECP technology and its application to aqueous phase organic contaminants. The remedial approach used at the pilot test site involves three phases: (1) ex-situ chemical oxidation, (2) in-situ oxidation by reinjection of treated effluent near the plume origin, and (3) reestablishment of aerobic biodegradation as the residual hydrogen peroxide discharged to a series of upgradient wells degrades to oxygen. Analytical results of the pilot demonstration indicate that the ex-situ chemical oxidation reduced total BTEX concentrations in groundwater from over 1,000 ppb to undetectable concentrations (<1 ppb). © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. [source] Estimation of the Production Parameters of Very Large Medieval Bricks from St. Urban, SwitzerlandARCHAEOMETRY, Issue 1 2002S. Wolf The aim of the present study is to determine the production technology of a particular type of large medieval brick. The firing temperature and their soak times are estimated using a combination of colour and fabric, as well as mineralogical, microstructural and open porosity analysis. A replication experiment was carried out in order to validate the estimated predictions, and to give a realistic idea of the time needed to dry and fire each large brick. The experiment also suggests the temperature distribution and firing atmosphere in the kiln, as well as providing an estimate of fuel consumption. Analytical results and replication both provide information to assess the production technology, the time parameters and the firing temperatures involved in the production of the medieval bricks of St. Urban. [source] Disaggregation of high-molecular weight species during downstream processing to recover functional monomerBIOTECHNOLOGY PROGRESS, Issue 3 2010Xuankuo Xu Abstract The use of chaotropic agents to recover functional monomeric material was investigated for the downstream purification of an Fc-fusion protein containing high levels of high-molecular weight (HMW) species. In batch studies, chaotropic agents irreversibly disaggregated a majority of the aggregated protein. An integrated processing mode, termed as on-column disaggregation, was developed in which the protein was captured on Protein A chromatography and then a chaotropic agent was used to simultaneously elute the bound protein and disaggregate the HMW species. On-column disaggregation process resulted in protein recoveries of >95% and aggregation reduction of ,50%. Analytical results are presented showing that the recovered monomeric material was comparable to the reference protein in biochemical, biophysical, and pharmacokinetic properties. The kinetic and molecular mechanisms governing protein aggregation and disaggregation will also be elucidated. For the Fc-fusion protein studied here, incorporation of the disaggregation strategy in both batch and on-column modes led to an increase of >10% in overall downstream yield. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 2010 [source] Iridium Oxide Film-Enhanced Impedance Immunosensor for Rapid Detection of Carcinoembyronic AntigenCHINESE JOURNAL OF CHEMISTRY, Issue 9 2007Yan-Jun Ding Abstract A simple, rapid and sensitive impedance immunosensor based on iridium oxide (IrOx) thin film for the detection of carcinoembyronic antigen (CEA) in human sera has been proposed. Gold electrode was electrochemically modified with IrOx thin film and simultaneously functionalized with protein A (PA) to bind anti-CEA antibodies in an orientated way. It has been found that the antibody loading amount was dependent on the PA concentration and the deposition time of IrOx matrix. Under the optimized experimental conditions, the electron transfer resistances obtained were linearly related to the CEA concentration ranging from 36.2 to 460.0 ng/mL, with a detection limit of 28.0 ng/mL. Analytical results of clinical samples from cancer patients show that the proposed immunoassay is reasonably comparable with the chemiluminescence immunoassay (CLIA), indicating the feasibility of using the proposed method for CEA immunoassay in clinical laboratory. [source] Transient free-surface flow of a viscoelastic fluid in a narrow channelINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR NUMERICAL METHODS IN FLUIDS, Issue 6 2004Roger E. Khayat Abstract The interplay between inertia and elasticity is examined for transient free-surface flow inside a narrow channel. The lubrication theory is extended for the flow of viscoelastic fluids of the Oldroyd-B type (consisting of a Newtonian solvent and a polymeric solute). While the general formulation accounts for non-linearities stemming from inertia effects in the momentum conservation equation, and the upper-convected terms in the constitutive equation, only the front movement contributes to non-linear coupling for a flow inside a straight channel. In this case, it is possible to implement a spectral representation in the depthwise direction for the velocity and stress. The evolution of the flow field is obtained locally, but the front movement is captured only in the mean sense. The influence of inertia, elasticity and viscosity ratio is examined for pressure-induced flow. The front appears to progress monotonically with time. However, the velocity and stress exhibit typically a strong overshoot upon inception, accompanied by a plug-flow behaviour in the channel core. The flow intensity eventually diminishes with time, tending asymptotically to Poiseuille conditions. For highly elastic liquids the front movement becomes oscillatory, experiencing strong deceleration periodically. A multiple-scale solution is obtained for fluids with no inertia and small elasticity. Comparison with the exact (numerical) solution indicates a wide range of validity for the analytical result. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Adaptive synchronization of GLHS with unknown parametersINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CIRCUIT THEORY AND APPLICATIONS, Issue 8 2009Yan-Wu Wang Abstract In this paper, an adaptive controller for the synchronization of two generalized Lorenz hyperchaos systems (GLHSs) is designed by using the Lyapunov method. In the synchronization schema, the parameters of the drive system are unknown and different from those of the response system. By introducing update laws for both the control coefficients and the parameters of the response system, the adaptive controller proposed in this paper is brand new compared with the former relative works. The proposed adaptive controller is feasible for any possible parameters of GLHS. Numerical simulation is carried out to verify and illustrate the analytical result. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] The Hull and White Model of the Short Rate: An Alternative Analytical RepresentationTHE JOURNAL OF FINANCIAL RESEARCH, Issue 4 2002Dwight Grant Abstract Hull and White extend Ho and Lee's no-arbitrage model of the short interest rate to include mean reversion. This addition eliminates the problem of negative interest rates and has found wide application. To implement their model, Hull and White employ a sequential search process to identify the mean interest rate in a trinomial lattice at each date. In this article we extend Hull and White's work by developing an analytical solution for the mean interest rate at each date. This solution applies equally well to trinomial lattices, interest rate trees, and Monte Carlo simulation. We illustrate the analytical result by applying it to an example originally used by Hull and White and then for valuing an option on a bond. [source] A Method for Measuring the Strength of Scale Deposits on Heat Transfer SurfacesASIA-PACIFIC JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING, Issue 1-2 2005J. Y. M. Chew The technique of fluid dynamic gauging has been successfully applied to assess the adhesion characteristics of thin (< 1 mm) layers of calcium sulphate deposits serving as mimics of mineral scales often found on heat transfer surfaces. The shear strength of the scale layers increased on ageing; layers aged for more than 14 hours could not be removed by the gauging fluid flow. The shear stresses imposed by the gauging flow have been shown to be reliably estimated by an analytical result, provided that the flow rate is measured. [source] Motional smearing of electrically recovered couplings measured from multipulse transientsCONCEPTS IN MAGNETIC RESONANCE, Issue 3 2001Scott A. Riley Abstract The measurement of residual dipolar and quadrupolar coupling constants in the liquid phase by using an electric field to destroy the isotropic nature of molecular tumbling is complicated by charge-induced turbulent motion. In many cases this motion is due to charge injection at electrode surfaces, an effect that leads to an apparent removal of electrically recovered anisotropic spectral splittings when measured from a spin-echo envelope modulation produced by a train of radio frequency (rf) pulses. To understand this averaging, the effect of quadrupolar couplings and enhanced molecular diffusion on free-induction, spin-echo, and Carr,Purcell signals is analytically determined in the special case of homogeneous rf pulses. Additional signal damping due to rf inhomogeneity and coupling constant heterogeneity is determined by numerically extending the kernel formalism introduced by Herzog and Hahn to understand spin diffusion in solids. Finally, the merit of the numerical approach is tested by comparison with analytical results for homogeneous rf pulses and experimental results for perdeuterated nitrobenzene involving inhomogeneous rf pulses and coupling heterogeneity. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Concepts Magn Reson 13: 171,189, 2001 [source] Performance analysis and improvement for BitTorrent-like file sharing systemsCONCURRENCY AND COMPUTATION: PRACTICE & EXPERIENCE, Issue 13 2007Ye Tian Abstract In this paper, we present a simple mathematical model for studying the performance of the BitTorrent (http://www.bittorrent.com) file sharing system. We are especially interested in the distribution of peers in different states of the download job progress. With the model we find that the distribution of the download peers follows an asymmetric U-shaped curve under the stable state, due to BitTorrent's unchoking strategies. In addition, we find that the seeds' departure rate and the download peers' abort rate will influence the peer distribution in different ways notably. We also analyze the content availability under the dying process of the BitTorrent file sharing system. We find that the system's stability deteriorates with decreasing and unevenly distributed online peers, and BitTorrent's built-in ,tit-for-tat' unchoking strategy could not help to preserve the integrity of the file among the download peers. We propose an innovative ,tit-for-tat' unchoking strategy which enables more peers to finish the download job and prolongs the system's lifetime. By playing our innovative strategy, download peers could cooperate to improve the stability of the system by making a trade-off between the current downloading rate and the future service availability. Finally, experimental results are presented to validate our analytical results and support our proposals. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Interpolation formula for the electrical conductivity of nonideal plasmasCONTRIBUTIONS TO PLASMA PHYSICS, Issue 1 2003A. Esser Abstract On the basis of a quantum-statistical approach to the electrical conductivity of nonideal plasmas we derive analytical results in the classical low-density regime, in the degenerate Born limit, and for the contribution of the Debye-Onsager relaxation effect. These explicit results are used to construct an improved interpolation formula of the electrical conductivity valid in a wide range of temperature and density which allows to compare with available experimental data of nonideal plasmas. [source] Reverse Auctions with Multiple Reinforcement Learning Agents,DECISION SCIENCES, Issue 1 2008Subhajyoti Bandyopadhyay ABSTRACT Reverse auctions in business-to-business (B2B) exchanges provide numerous benefits to participants. Arguably the most notable benefit is that of lowered prices driven by increased competition in such auctions. The competition between sellers in reverse auctions has been analyzed using a game-theoretic framework and equilibria have been established for several scenarios. One finding of note is that, in a setting in which sellers can meet total demand with the highest-bidding seller being able to sell only a fraction of the total capacity, the sellers resort to a mixed-strategy equilibrium. Although price randomization in industrial bidding is an accepted norm, one might argue that in reality managers do not utilize advanced game theory calculations in placing bids. More likely, managers adopt simple learning strategies. In this situation, it remains an open question as to whether the bid prices converge to the theoretical equilibrium over time. To address this question, we model reverse-auction bidding behavior by artificial agents as both two-player and n -player games in a simulation environment. The agents begin the game with a minimal understanding of the environment but over time analyze wins and losses for use in determining future bids. To test for convergence, the agents explore the price space and exploit prices where profits are higher, given varying cost and capacity scenarios. In the two-player case, the agents do indeed converge toward the theoretical equilibrium. The n -player case provides results that reinforce our understanding of the theoretical equilibria. These results are promising enough to further consider the use of artificial learning mechanisms in reverse auctions and other electronic market transactions, especially as more sophisticated mechanisms are developed to tackle real-life complexities. We also develop the analytical results when one agent does not behave strategically while the other agent does and show that our simulations for this environment also result in convergence toward the theoretical equilibrium. Because the nature of the best response in the new setting is very different (pure strategy as opposed to mixed), it indicates the robustness of the devised algorithm. The use of artificial agents can also overcome the limitations in rationality demonstrated by human managers. The results thus have interesting implications for designing artificial agents in automating bid responses for large numbers of bids where human intervention might not always be possible. [source] Spherical sliding isolation bearings with adaptive behavior: Experimental verificationEARTHQUAKE ENGINEERING AND STRUCTURAL DYNAMICS, Issue 2 2008Daniel M. Fenz Abstract This paper describes an experimental program to examine the force,displacement behavior of a class of multi-spherical sliding bearings. The primary goal of the experiments is to test the validity of the theory developed in a companion paper that describes the behavior of these devices. Experimental work consisted of testing the three primary variations of these bearings in several configurations of different friction and displacement capacities. Most tests were carried out at slow speeds; however, some testing was also conducted at high speed (up to approximately 400,mm/s) to examine the behavior under dynamic conditions. The results of experimental testing were generally found to be in very good agreement with the analytical results. It is shown that the forces and displacements at which transitions in stiffness occur are predictable and therefore controllable in design. Furthermore, the underlying principles of operation were confirmed by the fact that starting and stopping of sliding on the different surfaces occurred as expected from theory. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Performance evaluation of steel reduced flange plate moment connectionsEARTHQUAKE ENGINEERING AND STRUCTURAL DYNAMICS, Issue 14 2007Chung-Che Chou Abstract This study details a new moment connection that overcomes difficulties in achieving field-weld quality and eliminates steel beam buckling encountered in steel moment connections. This study presents cyclic test and finite element analysis results of full-scale subassemblies using steel reduced flange plates (RFPs) to connect steel beam flanges and the column without any other direct connection. Since the RFP connection is designed as strong column-strong beam-weak RFPs, the RFP functions as a structural fuse that eliminates weld fractures and beam buckling. Test and analytical results show that (1) the connections transferred the entire beam flexural strength to the column and reached an interstorey drift of 4% with minor strength degradation, (2) failure of the connections was owing to buckling or fracturing of the RFP and not of the beam, and (3) the RFP connection subassembly, modelled using the nonlinear finite element computer program ABAQUS, exhibited hysteretic behaviour similar to that of the flange plate (FP) moment connection subassembly. The inelastic buckling force of the RFP was also evaluated by nonlinear regression analyses performed on a nonlinear model that relates buckling force to RFP geometries. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Cyclic tests on steel and concrete-filled tube frames with Slit WallsEARTHQUAKE ENGINEERING AND STRUCTURAL DYNAMICS, Issue 6 2007Toko Hitaka Abstract Cyclic loading tests were performed on three one-storey steel frames and four three-storey concrete-filled tube (CFT) moment frames reinforced with a new type of earthquake-resisting element consisting of a steel plate shear wall with vertical slits. In this shear wall system, the steel plate segments between the slits behave as a series of flexural links, which provide fairly ductile response without the need for heavy stiffening of the wall. The steel shear walls and the moment frames behaved in a ductile manner up to more than 4% drift without abrupt strength degradation or loss of axial resistance. Results of these tests and complementary analysis provide a basis for an equivalent brace model to be employed in commercially available frame analysis programs. Test and analytical results suggest that the horizontal force is carried by the bolts in the middle portion of the wall,frame connection, while the vertical forces coupled with the moment in the connection are resisted by the bolts in the edge portion of the connection, for which the friction bolts in the connection should be designed. When sufficient transverse stiffening is provided, full plastic strength and non-degrading hysteretic behaviour can be achieved for this new type of shear wall. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Large displacement behaviour of a structural model with foundation uplift under impulsive and earthquake excitationsEARTHQUAKE ENGINEERING AND STRUCTURAL DYNAMICS, Issue 3 2003Giuseppe Oliveto Abstract This paper considers the dynamical behaviour of a structural model with foundation uplift. The equations of motion of the system considered are derived for large displacements thus allowing for the eventual overturning of the system. The transition conditions between successive phases of motion, derived in terms of the specific Lagrangian co-ordinates used in the formulation of the equations of motion, present innovative aspects which resolve some previously inexplicable behaviour in the structural response reported in the literature. The dynamical behaviour of the model is considered under impulsive and long-duration ground motions. The minimum horizontal acceleration impulses for the uplift and the overturning of the system are evaluated in analytical form. The sensitivity of the model to uplifting and to overturning under impulsive excitations is established as a function of few significant structural parameters. Numerical applications have been performed changing either the structural parameters or the loading parameter, in order to analyse several dynamical behaviours and also to validate the analytical results. For earthquake ground motions the results, reported in the form of response spectra, show that linearized models generally underestimate, sometimes significantly, the structural response. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] A mathematical hysteretic model for elastomeric isolation bearingsEARTHQUAKE ENGINEERING AND STRUCTURAL DYNAMICS, Issue 4 2002J. S. Hwang Abstract An analytical model for high damping elastomeric isolation bearings is presented in this paper. The model is used to describe mathematically the damping force and restoring force of the rubber material and bearing. Ten parameters to be identified from cyclic loading tests are included in the model. The sensitivity of the ten parameters in affecting the model is examined. These ten parameters are functions of a number of influence factors on the elastomer such as the rubber compound, Mullins effect, scragging effect, frequency, temperature and axial load. In this study, however, only the Mullins effect, scragging effect, frequency and temperature are investigated. Both material tests and shaking table tests were performed to validate the proposed model. Based on the comparison between the experimental and the analytical results, it is found that the proposed analytical model is capable of predicting the shear force,displacement hysteresis very accurately for both rubber material and bearing under cyclic loading reversals. The seismic response time histories of the bearing can also be captured, using the proposed analytical model, with a practically acceptable precision. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Linking dispersal, immigration and scale in the neutral theory of biodiversityECOLOGY LETTERS, Issue 12 2009Ryan A. Chisholm Abstract In the classic spatially implicit formulation of Hubbell's neutral theory of biodiversity a local community receives immigrants from a metacommunity operating on a relatively slow timescale, and dispersal into the local community is governed by an immigration parameter m. A current problem with neutral theory is that m lacks a clear biological interpretation. Here, we derive analytical expressions that relate the immigration parameter m to the geometry of the plot defining the local community and the parameters of a dispersal kernel. Our results facilitate more rigorous and extensive tests of the neutral theory: we conduct a test of neutral theory by comparing estimates of m derived from fits to empirical species abundance distributions to those derived from dispersal kernels and find acceptable correspondence; and we generate a new prediction of neutral theory by investigating how the shapes of species abundance distributions change theoretically as the spatial scale of observation changes. We also discuss how our main analytical results can be used to assess the error in the mean-field approximations associated with spatially implicit formulations of neutral theory. Ecology Letters (2009) 12: 1385,1393 [source] Impairment due to cannabis and ethanol: clinical signs and additive effectsADDICTION, Issue 6 2010Jřrgen G. Bramness ABSTRACT Aims Studies have shown that the impairing effects of ,-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) are dose-related. Cannabis intake increases the risk of traffic accidents. The purpose of this study was to see how different clinical tests and observations were related to blood THC concentrations and to determine whether the combined influence of THC and ethanol was different from either drug alone. Design A retrospective cross-sectional forensic database study. Setting Drivers apprehended by the police suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol other drugs. Participants We investigated 589 cases positive for THC only. In addition, 894 cases with THC and ethanol were included. A comparison was made with 3480 drivers with only ethanol in their blood and 79 drivers who tested negative. Measurements Data were analytical results of blood samples and the 27 clinical tests and observations included in the Norwegian clinical test for impairment (CTI). Findings No relationship was found between blood THC concentration and most of the CTI tests. Blood THC concentration was, however, related to conjunctival injection, pupil dilation and reaction to light and to the overall risk of being judged impaired. When THC and ethanol were detected together the risk of being judged impaired was increased markedly. Conclusions This study demonstrates that cannabis impairs driving ability in a concentration-related manner. The effect is smaller than for ethanol. The effect of ethanol and cannabis taken simultaneously is additive. Conjunctival injection, dilated pupils and slow pupil reaction are among the few signs to reveal THC influence. [source] Competitive immunoassay by capillary electrophoresis with laser-induced fluorescence for the trace detection of chloramphenicol in animal-derived foodsELECTROPHORESIS, Issue 16 2008Can Zhang Abstract A competitive immunoassay using CE with an LIF detector was developed for the detection of chloramphenicol (CAP). The method was based on the competitive reactions between fluorescently labeled CAP hapten and free CAP, with a limited amount of anti-CAP antibody. The poly(N -isopropylacrylamide) (pNIPA) hydrogel was added in the separation buffer as a dynamic modifier to reduce adsorption and enhance reproducibility. The linear range and LOD for CAP were 0.008,5,,g/L and 0.0016,,g/L, respectively. An ELISA using the same immuno-reagents was also developed for the analysis of CAP, with an LOD of 0.03,,g/L. The sensitivity of this CE immunoassay (CEIA)-LIF was almost 20 times greater than that of the ELISA. Using CEIA-LIF, equilibrium was reached in 15,min and the analytical results were obtained within 5,min by CE separation. Sample preparation for CEIA-LIF was not time-consuming and the matrix effect was easy to remove. An LOD of 0.1,,g/kg CAP in food matrices was easily achieved. This method is thus proposed as a fast and sensitive means of detecting trace amounts of CAP residues in animal-derived foods. [source] Mixed p-z approach for analytical analysis of an induction motor fed from space-vector PWM voltage source inverterEUROPEAN TRANSACTIONS ON ELECTRICAL POWER, Issue 6 2002J. Klima This paper proposes an analytical method for calculating both the steady-state and transient performance of an induction motor fed from the three-phase voltage source inverter. As a modulation technique of the inverter we consider space vector modulation. The proposed method makes use of the Laplace and modified Z-transformation of the space vectors (mixed p-z approach) to predict current response of induction motor. From the Laplace transform of the stator voltage vector we can also derive Fourier analysis to predict the voltage harmonic spectrum. Experimental tests have been carried out confirming the validity of the analytical results. [source] THE EVOLUTION OF GENETIC ARCHITECTURE UNDER FREQUENCY-DEPENDENT DISRUPTIVE SELECTIONEVOLUTION, Issue 8 2006Michael Kopp Abstract We propose a model to analyze a quantitative trait under frequency-dependent disruptive selection. Selection on the trait is a combination of stabilizing selection and intraspecific competition, where competition is maximal between individuals with equal phenotypes. In addition, there is a density-dependent component induced by population regulation. The trait is determined additively by a number of biallelic loci, which can have different effects on the trait value. In contrast to most previous models, we assume that the allelic effects at the loci can evolve due to epistatic interactions with the genetic background. Using a modifier approach, we derive analytical results under the assumption of weak selection and constant population size, and we investigate the full model by numerical simulations. We find that frequency-dependent disruptive selection favors the evolution of a highly asymmetric genetic architecture, where most of the genetic variation is concentrated on a small number of loci. We show that the evolution of genetic architecture can be understood in terms of the ecological niches created by competition. The phenotypic distribution of a population with an adapted genetic architecture closely matches this niche structure. Thus, evolution of the genetic architecture seems to be a plausible way for populations to adapt to regimes of frequency-dependent disruptive selection. As such, it should be seen as a potential evolutionary pathway to discrete polymorphisms and as a potential alternative to other evolutionary responses, such as the evolution of sexual dimorphism or assortative mating. [source] MULTILOCUS GENETICS AND THE COEVOLUTION OF QUANTITATIVE TRAITSEVOLUTION, Issue 7 2006Michael Kopp Abstract We develop and analyze an explicit multilocus genetic model of coevolution. We assume that interactions between two species (mutualists, competitors, or victim and exploiter) are mediated by a pair of additive quantitative traits that are also subject to direct stabilizing selection toward intermediate optima. Using a weak-selection approximation, we derive analytical results for a symmetric case with equal locus effects and no mutation, and we complement these results by numerical simulations of more general cases. We show that mutualistic and competitive interactions always result in coevolution toward a stable equilibrium with no more than one polymorphic locus per species. Victimexploiter interactions can lead to different dynamic regimes including evolution toward stable equilibria, cycles, and chaos. At equilibrium, the victim is often characterized by a very large genetic variance, whereas the exploiter is polymorphic in no more than one locus. Compared to related one-locus or quantitative genetic models, the multilocus model exhibits two major new properties. First, the equilibrium structure is considerably more complex. We derive detailed conditions for the existence and stability of various classes of equilibria and demonstrate the possibility of multiple simultaneously stable states. Second, the genetic variances change dynamically, which in turn significantly affects the dynamics of the mean trait values. In particular, the dynamics tend to be destabilized by an increase in the number of loci. [source] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||