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Reduction Factor (reduction + factor)

Distribution by Scientific Domains

Engineering	50%
Mathematics and Statistics	11%
Earth and Environmental Science	8%
Physics and Astronomy	5%

Distribution within Engineering

General & Introductory Architecture	16%
Communication Technology	10%

Selected Abstracts

Non-iterative equivalent linearization of inelastic SDOF systems for earthquakes in Japan and California

EARTHQUAKE ENGINEERING AND STRUCTURAL DYNAMICS, Issue 11 2010
Katsuichiro Goda
Abstract The seismic performance of existing structures can be assessed based on nonlinear static procedures, such as the Capacity Spectrum Method. This method essentially approximates peak responses of an inelastic single-degree-of-freedom (SDOF) system using peak responses of an equivalent linear SDOF model. In this study, the equivalent linear models of inelastic SDOF systems are developed based on the constant strength approach, which does not require iteration for assessing the seismic performance of existing structures. To investigate the effects of earthquake type and seismic region on the equivalent linear models, four ground-motion data sets,Japanese crustal/interface/inslab records and California crustal records,are compiled and used for nonlinear dynamic analysis. The analysis results indicate that: (1) the optimal equivalent linear model parameters (i.e. equivalent vibration period ratio and damping ratio) decrease with the natural vibration period, whereas they increase with the strength reduction factor; (2) the impacts of earthquake type and seismic region on the equivalent linear model parameters are not significant except for short vibration periods; and (3) the degradation and pinching effects affect the equivalent linear model parameters. We develop prediction equations for the optimal equivalent linear model parameters based on nonlinear least-squares fitting, which improve and extend the current nonlinear static procedure for existing structures with degradation and pinching behavior. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]

Initial stiffness of reinforced concrete structural walls with irregular openings

EARTHQUAKE ENGINEERING AND STRUCTURAL DYNAMICS, Issue 4 2010
Bing Li
Abstract Reinforced concrete (RC) structural walls with openings are the primary lateral-load-carrying elements utilized in many structures designed to resist earthquakes. A review of the technical literature shows that there is a considerable amount of uncertainty with regards to the elastic stiffness of these structures when subjected to seismic excitations. Current design practices often employ a stiffness reduction factor to deal with this uncertainty. In an attempt to develop additional information regarding the stiffness of these structures, this paper discusses an approach to determine the initial stiffness of RC structural walls with irregular openings and low aspect ratios. This approach would consider the effect of both flexural and shear deformations. As a part of this study, an analytical approach to determine stiffness was also developed and validated by comparing theoretical and experimental results obtained from six RC shear walls with irregular openings. Simple equations for assessing initial stiffness of RC structural walls with irregular openings are then proposed, based on these parametric case studies. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]

Estimation of seismic drift and ductility demands in planar regular X-braced steel frames

EARTHQUAKE ENGINEERING AND STRUCTURAL DYNAMICS, Issue 15 2007
Theodore L. Karavasilis
Abstract This paper summarizes the results of an extensive study on the inelastic seismic response of X-braced steel buildings. More than 100 regular multi-storey tension-compression X-braced steel frames are subjected to an ensemble of 30 ordinary (i.e. without near fault effects) ground motions. The records are scaled to different intensities in order to drive the structures to different levels of inelastic deformation. The statistical analysis of the created response databank indicates that the number of stories, period of vibration, brace slenderness ratio and column stiffness strongly influence the amplitude and heightwise distribution of inelastic deformation. Nonlinear regression analysis is employed in order to derive simple formulae which reflect the aforementioned influences and offer a direct estimation of drift and ductility demands. The uncertainty of this estimation due to the record-to-record variability is discussed in detail. More specifically, given the strength (or behaviour) reduction factor, the proposed formulae provide reliable estimates of the maximum roof displacement, the maximum interstorey drift ratio and the maximum cyclic ductility of the diagonals along the height of the structure. The strength reduction factor refers to the point of the first buckling of the diagonals in the building and thus, pushover analysis and estimation of the overstrength factor are not required. This design-oriented feature enables both the rapid seismic assessment of existing structures and the direct deformation-controlled seismic design of new ones. A comparison of the proposed method with the procedures adopted in current seismic design codes reveals the accuracy and efficiency of the former. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]

Methodology for preliminary seismic design of extended pile-shafts for bridge structures

EARTHQUAKE ENGINEERING AND STRUCTURAL DYNAMICS, Issue 14 2006
S. T. Song
Abstract Seismic design of extended pile-shafts requires a careful consideration of the influence of the surrounding soil on the overall response of the soil,pile system. In this paper, a procedure that incorporates soil properties into the process is developed for preliminary seismic design of extended pile-shafts. The method follows the well-accepted approach of using a force reduction factor to determine the lateral strength of the structure. The procedure involves an iterative process to arrive at the required amount of longitudinal reinforcement. Other outcomes of the procedure include the appropriate lateral stiffness and strength, as well as an estimation of the local curvature demand and ultimate drift ratio that can be used to ensure a satisfactory lateral response. The design procedure is capable of providing reliable results for a practical range of structural and soil properties. The versatility of the procedure is illustrated using two numerical examples of extended pile-shafts constructed in different soil sites. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]

Inelastic spectra for infilled reinforced concrete frames

EARTHQUAKE ENGINEERING AND STRUCTURAL DYNAMICS, Issue 15 2004
Matja
Abstract In two companion papers a simplified non-linear analysis procedure for infilled reinforced concrete frames is introduced. In this paper a simple relation between strength reduction factor, ductility and period (R,µ,T relation) is presented. It is intended to be used for the determination of inelastic displacement ratios and of inelastic spectra in conjunction with idealized elastic spectra. The R,µ,T relation was developed from results of an extensive parametric study employing a SDOF mathematical model composed of structural elements representing the frame and infill. The structural parameters, used in the proposed R,µ,T relation, in addition to the parameters used in a usual (e.g. elasto-plastic) system, are ductility at the beginning of strength degradation, and the reduction of strength after the failure of the infills. Formulae depend also on the corner periods of the elastic spectrum. The proposed equations were validated by comparing results in terms of the reduction factors, inelastic displacement ratios, and inelastic spectra in the acceleration,displacement format, with those obtained by non-linear dynamic analyses for three sets of recorded and semi-artificial ground motions. A new approach was used for generating semi-artificial ground motions compatible with the target spectrum. This approach preserves the basic characteristics of individual ground motions, whereas the mean spectrum of the whole ground motion set fits the target spectrum excellently. In the parametric study, the R,µ,T relation was determined by assuming a constant reduction factor, while the corresponding ductility was calculated for different ground motions. The mean values proved to be noticeably different from the mean values determined based on a constant ductility approach, while the median values determined by the different procedures were between the two means. The approach employed in the study yields a R,µ,T relation which is conservative both for design and performance assessment (compared with a relation based on median values). Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]

Fixed relaying with adaptive antenna arrays for the downlink of multihop cellular networks

EUROPEAN TRANSACTIONS ON TELECOMMUNICATIONS, Issue 2 2010
Zaher Dawy
Multihop cellular networks are expected to play an important role in the evolution towards 4G. In this work, we propose the use of advanced antenna techniques (adaptive antenna arrays and directional antennas) at fixed relay stations in order to enhance the downlink performance of multihop cellular networks. The performance gains of various adaptive antenna configurations are analytically studied by introducing a new system-level parameter called the interference reduction factor. Moreover, Monte-Carlo simulation results as a function of various design parameters are presented and analysed in order to further highlight the gains of advanced antenna techniques. Based on the presented analysis, we propose the use of a hybrid antenna configuration at relay stations in order to obtain high gains with limited increase in complexity and cost. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]

Application of the anharmonic coherent states to the vibronic interaction

FORTSCHRITTE DER PHYSIK/PROGRESS OF PHYSICS, Issue 2-3 2003
C.N. Avram
We calculated the vibronic reduction factor (Ham factor) for the physical system (molecules, crystals) with octahedral symmetry. The vibrations of the nuclei of the systems are described by the anharmonic states of the Morse potential and also by the anharmonic coherent states of the same potential. The linear vibronic coupling of these vibration states with the electronic states of the system are considered. [source]

The feasibility of electromagnetic gradiometer measurements

GEOPHYSICAL PROSPECTING, Issue 3 2001
Daniel Sattel
The quantities measured in transient electromagnetic (TEM) surveys are usually either magnetic field components or their time derivatives. Alternatively it might be advantageous to measure the spatial derivatives of these quantities. Such gradiometer measurements are expected to have lower noise levels due to the negative interference of ambient noise recorded by the two receiver coils. Error propagation models are used to compare quantitatively the noise sensitivities of conventional and gradiometer TEM data. To achieve this, eigenvalue decomposition is applied on synthetic data to derive the parameter uncertainties of layered-earth models. The results indicate that near-surface gradient measurements give a superior definition of the shallow conductivity structure, provided noise levels are 20,40 times smaller than those recorded by conventional EM instruments. For a fixed-wing towed-bird gradiometer system to be feasible, a noise reduction factor of at least 50,100 is required. One field test showed that noise reduction factors in excess of 60 are achievable with gradiometer measurements. However, other collected data indicate that the effectiveness of noise reduction can be hampered by the spatial variability of noise such as that encountered in built-up areas. Synthetic data calculated for a vertical plate model confirm the limited depth of detection of vertical gradient data but also indicate some spatial derivatives which offer better lateral resolution than conventional EM data. This high sensitivity to the near-surface conductivity structure suggests the application of EM gradiometers in areas such as environmental and archaeological mapping. [source]

A modulus-multiplier approach for non-linear analysis of laterally loaded pile groups

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR NUMERICAL AND ANALYTICAL METHODS IN GEOMECHANICS, Issue 9 2007
Chia-Cheng Fan
Abstract A modulus-multiplier approach, which applies a reduction factor to the modulus of single pile p,y curves to account for the group effect, is presented for analysing the response of each individual pile in a laterally loaded pile group with any geometric arrangement based on non-linear pile,soil,pile interaction. The pile,soil,pile interaction is conducted using a 3D non-linear finite element approach. The interaction effect between piles under various loading directions is investigated in this paper. Group effects can be neglected at a pile spacing of 9 times the pile diameter for piles along the direction of the lateral load and at a pile spacing of 6 times the pile diameter for piles normal to the direction of loading. The modulus multipliers for a pair of piles are developed as a function of pile spacing for departure angle of 0, 90, and 180sup>/sup> with respect to the loading direction. The procedure proposed for computing the response of any individual pile within a pile group is verified using two well-documented full-scale pile load tests. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]

Accelerating SENSE using compressed sensing

MAGNETIC RESONANCE IN MEDICINE, Issue 6 2009
Dong Liang
Abstract Both parallel MRI and compressed sensing (CS) are emerging techniques to accelerate conventional MRI by reducing the number of acquired data. The combination of parallel MRI and CS for further acceleration is of great interest. In this paper, we propose a novel method to combine sensitivity encoding (SENSE), one of the standard methods for parallel MRI, and compressed sensing for rapid MR imaging (SparseMRI), a recently proposed method for applying CS in MR imaging with Cartesian trajectories. The proposed method, named CS-SENSE, sequentially reconstructs a set of aliased reduced-field-of-view images in each channel using SparseMRI and then reconstructs the final image from the aliased images using Cartesian SENSE. The results from simulations and phantom and in vivo experiments demonstrate that CS-SENSE can achieve a reduction factor higher than those achieved by SparseMRI and SENSE individually and outperform the existing method that combines parallel MRI and CS. Magn Reson Med, 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]

Application of parallel imaging to fMRI at 7 Tesla utilizing a high 1D reduction factor

MAGNETIC RESONANCE IN MEDICINE, Issue 1 2006
Steen Moeller
Abstract Gradient-echo EPI, blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD) functional MRI (fMRI) using parallel imaging (PI) is demonstrated at 7 Tesla with 16 channels, a fourfold 1D reduction factor (R), and fourfold maximal aliasing. The resultant activation detection in finger-tapping fMRI studies was robust, in full agreement with expected activation patterns based on prior knowledge, and with functional maps generated from full field of view (FOV) coverage of k -space using segmented acquisition. In all aspects the functional maps acquired with PI outperformed segmented coverage of full k -space. With a 1D R of 4, fMRI activation based on PI had higher statistical significance, up to 1.6-fold in an individual case and 1.25 ± .25 (SD) fold when averaged over six studies, compared to four-segment/full-FOV data in which the reduction in the image signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) due to k -space undersampling was compensated for by acquiring additional repetitions of the undersampled k -space. When this compensation for loss in SNR was not performed, the effect of PI was determined by the ratio of physiologically induced vs. intrinsic (thermal) noise in the fMRI time series and the extent to which physiological "noise" was amplified by the use of segmentation in the full-FOV data. The results demonstrate that PI is particularly beneficial at this ultrahigh field strength, where both the intrinsic image SNR and temporal signal fluctuations due to physiological processes are large. Magn Reson Med, 2006. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]

Feasibility and performance of breath-hold 3D true-FISP coronary MRA using self-calibrating parallel acquisition

MAGNETIC RESONANCE IN MEDICINE, Issue 1 2004
Jaeseok Park
Abstract Spatial resolution in 3D breath-hold coronary MR angiography (MRA) is limited by imaging time. The purpose of this work was to investigate the feasibility of improving the spatial resolution of coronary MRA using generalized autocalibrating partially parallel acquisition (GRAPPA) and fast imaging with steady state precession (True-FISP) data acquisition. Coronary data were acquired in 10 healthy volunteers. In five volunteers, the data were fully acquired in k -space and decimated for GRAPPA with an outer reduction factor (ORF) of 2. The coil calibration in GRAPPA was improved by segmented least-squares fitting along the frequency-encoding direction. More than 5% of the total k -space lines were required for the calibration to achieve acceptable artifact suppression despite slightly lower signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). In another five volunteers, coronary data were obtained with both conventional and accelerated data acquisitions in the same imaging time. GRAPPA allowed a submillimeter in-plane resolution, and improved coronary artery definition with an acceptable loss of SNR. In conclusion, 3D breath-hold coronary MRA by GRAPPA and True-FISP is highly feasible. Magn Reson Med 52:7,13, 2004. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]

A miniaturized patch antenna at 2.4 GHz using uni-planar compact photonic band gap structure

MICROWAVE AND OPTICAL TECHNOLOGY LETTERS, Issue 5 2008
Abdelnasser A. Eldek
Abstract This article presents a miniaturized patch antenna for wireless applications at 2.4 GHz. A conventional microstrip-fed patch antenna is firstly designed to operate close to 10 GHz. Then, the antenna is modified to operate at lower frequency without changing the antenna dimensions. First, the ground plane is replaced with a uniplanar-compact-photonic-band-gap (UC-PBG) structure. Then, a backed conductor is placed close to the UC-PBG and connected to it through four vias. These two modifications are utilized to decrease the lower operating frequency of the antenna from 9.7 to 2.42 GHz. Thus, a 75% size reduction factor is obtained. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 50: 1360,1363, 2008; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.23381 [source]

Photoreflectance study of the electronic structure of Si-doped InyGa1,yAs1,xNx films with x < 0.012

PHYSICA STATUS SOLIDI (C) - CURRENT TOPICS IN SOLID STATE PHYSICS, Issue 7 2005
Y.-S. Kang
Abstract The electronic structure of Si-doped InyGa1,yAs1,xNx films on GaAs substrates, grown by nitrogen-plasma-assisted MBE, was examined by photoreflectance (PR) spectroscopy at temperatures between 20 K and 300 K. The measured critical-point energies were described by a band anti-crossing (BAC) model with the addition of a Burstein-Moss band-filling term. The energy difference between the nitrogen impurity level and conduction band edge was (0.3004 ± 0.0101) eV at 20 K, and (0.3286 ± 0.0089) eV at 295 K; the BAC interaction parameter was (2.588 ± 0.071) eV. It was inferred from the magnitude of the Burstein-Moss shift that the near-surface carrier concentration, probed by PR, is reduced from the bulk (Hall effect) carrier concentration by a reduction factor of 0.266 ± 0.145. The effect of strain on the PR energies was too small to observe. (© 2005 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source]

Antibacterial Activity of an Atmospheric Pressure Plasma Jet Against Relevant Wound Pathogens in vitro on a Simulated Wound Environment

PLASMA PROCESSES AND POLYMERS, Issue 3-4 2010
Georg Daeschlein
Abstract The aim of the study was to test the efficacy of a hand-held atmospheric pressure plasma jet (APPJ) toward typical wound pathogens in vitro simulating antisepsis on wound surfaces. The plasma jet has been proved to be highly effective in vitro against the most commonly encountered pathogenic species of acute and chronic wounds reaching nearly the power of antiseptics. The following bacteria and fungi were treated on half rigid media (agar) imitating wound colonization: methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 1924 (MSSA), Enterococcus faecium ATCC 6057 (EF), Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 15442 (PA), Candida albicans ATCC 10231 (CA), and , -hemolyzing Streptococci of the Lancefield serogroup A (HSA). Highest reduction factor (RF) was obtained treating PA (RF 4.0) followed by HSA (3.2), MSSA (2.7), CA (2.0), and EF (1.9). Consequently, simulating wound surfaces with moist environment using semisolid agar media, the APPJ allowed bactericidal treatment of highly contaminated surfaces of 55,cm2 imitating skin and wound colonization within 6,min. This antibacterial reduction power together with its handsome flexibility of the APPJ could be a suited therapeutic option in the therapy of infected or colonized wounds. [source]

Planning-level source decay models to evaluate impact of source depletion on remediation time frame

REMEDIATION, Issue 4 2005
Charles J. Newell
A recent United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) Expert Panel on Dense Nonaqueous Phase Liquid (DNAPL) Source Remediation concluded that the decision-making process for implementing source depletion is hampered by quantitative uncertainties and that few useful predictive tools are currently available for evaluating the benefits. This article provides a new planning-level approach to aid the process. Four simple mass balance models were used to provide estimates of the reduction in the remediation time frame (RTF) for a given amount of source depletion: step function, linear decay, first-order decay, and compound. As a shared framework for assessment, all models use the time required to remediate groundwater concentrations below a particular threshold (e.g., goal concentration or mass discharge rate) as a metric. This value is of interest in terms of providing (1) absolute RTF estimates in years as a function of current mass discharge rate, current source mass, the remediation goal, and the source- reduction factor, and (2) relative RTF estimates as a fraction of the remediation time frame for monitored natural attenuation (MNA). Because the latter is a function of the remediation goal and the remaining fraction (RF) of mass following remediation, the relative RTF can be a valuable aid in the decision to proceed with source depletion or to use a long-term containment or MNA approach. Design curves and examples illustrate the nonlinear relationship between the fraction of mass remaining following source depletion and the reduction in the RTF in the three decay-based models. For an example case where 70 percent of the mass was removed by source depletion and the remediation goal (Cg/C0) was input as 0.01, the improvement in the RTF (relative to MNA) ranged from a 70 percent reduction (step function model) to a 21 percent reduction (compound model). Because empirical and process knowledge support the appropriateness of decay-based models, the efficiency of source depletion in reducing the RTF is likely to be low at most sites (i.e., the percentage reduction in RTF will be much lower than the percentage of the mass that is removed by a source-depletion project). Overall, the anticipated use of this planning model is in guiding the decision-making process by quantifying the relative relationship between RTF and source depletion using commonly available site data. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [source]

Experimentelle und numerische Untersuchungen zum Tragverhalten von Stahlbetondecken mit kugelförmigen Hohlkörpern

BETON- UND STAHLBETONBAU, Issue 6 2010
Marcin Abramski Dr.-Ing.
Abstract Massive Flachdecken erweisen sich in Hoch- und Industriebau häufig als insgesamt überlegenes Deckensystem. Die hohe Eigenlast dieser Decken kann ihren Anwendungsbereich jedoch einschränken. Eine sinnvolle Abhilfe schafft dann die Integration von Hohlkörpern in der neutralen Zone, weil hierdurch eine spürbare Gewichtsreduktion eintritt. Neben der Eigenlast wird auch der Verbrauch der unter ökologischen Gesichtspunkten wesentlichen Ressourcen Betonstahl und Zement deutlich verringert. Die Hohlräume beeinflussen vor allem die Querkrafttragfähigkeit solcher Decken. Vier Versuchsserien, die mit kugelförmigen Hohlkörperdecken des Systems "cobiax" durchgeführt wurden, werden in diesem Beitrag beschrieben. Aus den Versuchen wird ein Abminderungsfaktor zur Beschreibung des Querkrafttragverhaltens abgeleitet, der auch in die kürzlich erteilte allgemeine bauaufsichtliche Zulassung des Deckensystems eingegangen ist. Die Nachrechnung der Versuche mit der Finite-Elemente-Methode zeigt eine gute Übereinstimmung von Numerik und Experiment, so dass in der Weiterentwicklung Parameterstudien auf dieser Grundlage zur Ergänzung von Versuchen hilfreich sein werden. Experimental and Numerical Investigation of the Bearing Behaviour of Hollow Core Slabs Massive flat slabs have proven to be the most appropriate ceiling system for structural and industrial engineering. However the high dead load of these slabs might reduce their field of application. This problem can be solved by void formers that are placed in the neutral zone. These block-outs cause a noticeable reduction of weight. Furthermore, the masses of ecologically important resources like reinforcement steel and cement can be reduced as well. The shear bearing capacity is significantly influenced by these block-outs. This article describes four test series with spherical void former floors of the system "cobiax". A reduction factor for the shear bearing capacity is derived from these tests. That factor was also introduced in the technical approval for this slab system which has been issued recently. A comparison to a calculation with the finite element method shows that the numerical results and the results of the tests are quite similar. In future research, parameter studies based on the finite element method might be helpful additional to further tests. [source]

Validation of Surrogate Markers in Multiple Randomized Clinical Trials with Repeated Measurements

BIOMETRICAL JOURNAL, Issue 8 2003
Ariel Alonso
Abstract Part of the recent literature on the validation of biomarkers as surrogate endpoints proposes to undertake the validation exercise in a multi-trial context which led to a definition of validity in terms of the quality of both trial level and individual level association between the surrogate and the true endpoints (Buyse et al., 2000). These authors concentrated on continuous univariate responses. However, in many randomized clinical studies, repeated measurements are encountered on either or both endpoints. When both the surrogate and true endpoints are measured repeatedly over time, one is confronted with the modelling of bivariate longitudinal data. In this work, we show how such a joint model can be implemented in the context of surrogate marker validation. In addition, another challenge in this setting is the formulation of a simple and meaningful concept of "surrogacy". We propose the use of a new measure, the so-called variance reduction factor, to evaluate surrogacy at the trial and individual level. On the other hand, most of the work published in this area assume that only one potential surrogate is going to be evaluated. We also show that this concept will let us evaluate surrogacy when more than one surrogate variable is available for the analysis. The methodology is illustrated on data from a meta-analysis of five clinical trials comparing antipsychotic agents for the treatment of chronic schizophrenia. [source]

Validation of Surrogate Markers in Multiple Randomized Clinical Trials with Repeated Measurements: Canonical Correlation Approach

BIOMETRICS, Issue 4 2004
Ariel Alonso
Summary Part of the recent literature on the evaluation of biomarkers as surrogate endpoints starts from a multitrial context, which leads to a definition of validity in terms of the quality of both trial-level and individual-level association between the surrogate and true endpoints (Buyse et al., 2000, Biostatistics1, 49,67). These authors concentrated on cross-sectional continuous responses. However, in many randomized clinical studies, repeated measurements are encountered on either or both endpoints. A challenge in this setting is the formulation of a simple and meaningful concept of "surrogacy."Alonso et al. (2003, Biometrical Journal45, 931,945) proposed the variance reduction factor (VRF) to evaluate surrogacy at the individual level. They also showed how and when this concept should be extended to study surrogacy at the trial level. Here, we approach the problem from the natural canonical correlation perspective. We define a class of canonical correlation functions that can be used to study surrogacy at the trial and individual level. We show that the VRF and the R2 measure defined by Buyse et al. (2000) follow as special cases. Simulations are conducted to evaluate the performance of different members of this family. The methodology is illustrated on data from a meta-analysis of five clinical trials comparing antipsychotic agents for the treatment of chronic schizophrenia. [source]

Spectral analysis and design approach for high force-to-volume extrusion damper-based structural energy dissipation

EARTHQUAKE ENGINEERING AND STRUCTURAL DYNAMICS, Issue 2 2008
Geoffrey W. Rodgers
Abstract High force-to-volume extrusion damping devices can offer significant energy dissipation directly in structural connections and significantly reduce seismic response. Realistic force levels up to 400,kN have been obtained experimentally validating this overall concept. This paper develops spectral-based design equations for their application. Response spectra analysis for multiple, probabilistically scaled earthquake suites are used to delineate the response reductions due to added extrusion damping. Representative statistics and damping reduction factors are utilized to characterize the modified response in a form suitable for current performance-based design methods. Multiple equation regression analysis is used to characterize reduction factors in the constant acceleration, constant velocity, and constant displacement regions of the response spectra. With peak device forces of 10% of structural weight, peak damping reduction factors in the constant displacement region of the spectra are approximately 6.5,×, 4.0,×, and 2.8,× for the low, medium, and high suites, respectively. At T,=,1,s, these values are approximately 3.6,×, 1.8,×, and 1.4,×, respectively. The maximum systematic bias introduced by using empirical equations to approximate damping reduction factors in design analyses is within the range of +10 to ,20%. The seismic demand spectrum approach is shown to be conservative across a majority of the spectrum, except for large added damping between T,=,0.8 and 3.5,s, where it slightly underestimates the demand up to a maximum of approximately 10%. Overall, the analysis shows that these devices have significant potential to reduce seismic response and damage at validated prototype device force levels. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]

Estimation of strength reduction factors via normalized pseudo-acceleration response spectrum

EARTHQUAKE ENGINEERING AND STRUCTURAL DYNAMICS, Issue 6 2007
Debasis Karmakar
Abstract Estimation of design forces in ductility-based earthquake-resistant design continues to be carried out with the application of response modification factors on elastic design spectra, and it remains interesting to explore how best to estimate strength reduction factors (SRFs) for a design situation. This paper considers the relatively less explored alternative of modelling SRF spectrum via a given response spectrum. A new model is proposed to estimate the SRF spectrum in terms of a pseudo-spectral acceleration (PSA) spectrum and ductility demand ratio with the help of two coefficients. The proposed model is illustrated for an elasto-plastic oscillator, in case of 10 recorded accelerograms and three ductility ratios. The proposed model is convenient and is able to predict SRF spectrum reasonably well, particularly at periods up to 1.0 s. Coefficients of the proposed model may also be determined in case of a given design spectrum when there is uncertainty in SRF spectrum due to uncertainty in temporal characteristics of the ground motion. This is illustrated with the help of 474 accelerograms recorded in western U.S.A. and different scaled PSA spectra. It is shown that probabilistic estimates may be obtained in this situation for SRF spectrum by assuming the error residuals to be log normally distributed with period-dependent parameters. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]

Simplified non-linear seismic analysis of infilled reinforced concrete frames

EARTHQUAKE ENGINEERING AND STRUCTURAL DYNAMICS, Issue 1 2005
Matja
Abstract The N2 method for simplified non-linear seismic analysis has been extended in order to make it applicable to infilled reinforced concrete frames. Compared to the simple basic variant of the N2 method, two important differences apply. A multi-linear idealization of the pushover curve, which takes into account the strength degradation which occurs after the infill fails, has to be made, and specific reduction factors, developed in a companion paper, have to be used for the determination of inelastic spectra. It is shown that the N2 method can also be used for the determination of approximate summarized IDA curves. The proposed method was applied to two test buildings. The results were compared with the results obtained by non-linear dynamic analyses for three sets of ground motions, and a reasonable accuracy was demonstrated. A similar extension of the N2 method can be made to any structural system, provided that an appropriate specific R,µ,T relation is available. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]

Inelastic spectra for infilled reinforced concrete frames

Earthquake behavior of structures with copper energy dissipators

EARTHQUAKE ENGINEERING AND STRUCTURAL DYNAMICS, Issue 3 2004
Juan C. De la Llera
Abstract The earthquake behavior of structures with supplemental copper dampers is evaluated in this study. The investigation is divided into two parts: (i) an experimental work with seven pairs of hourglass copper dampers of different aspect ratios and side profiles; and (ii) a parametric study of 6-, 12-, and 25-story planar structures with elastic as well as inelastic behavior in the primary structure and copper dampers. The copper used in this study is electrolytic tough pitch (ETP) copper C11000; probably the most commonly used of all coppers; ductile, with a low-yield, and highly resistant to corrosion. Experimental results demonstrate that all copper plates reached stable angular distortions of the order of ,=25%, which implies transverse distortions in the devices larger than 40mm. The behavior of the devices is highly dependent on the aspect ratio of the plate, h/t, and a recommendation is made to use plates in the range 11 h/t,18. Plates beyond this range exhibit either large stress and strain concentrations in the neck of the device or a strong influence of axial deformations in their cyclic behavior. The inelastic earthquake response of structures with such devices shows that drift reduction factors of the order of 30 to 40% can be achieved with reasonably economic designs. It is also shown that the efficiency of these devices depends on the soil conditions and flexibility of the primary structure. Finally, it is concluded that supplemental copper dampers are a good alternative for drift reduction in a wide range of structural layouts, ranging from coupled shear-wall systems to moment-resisting frames, and for impulsive as well as non-impulsive ground motions. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]

The feasibility of electromagnetic gradiometer measurements

Calculating compensation for loss of future earnings: estimating and using work life expectancy

JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL STATISTICAL SOCIETY: SERIES A (STATISTICS IN SOCIETY), Issue 4 2008
Zoltan Butt
Summary., Where personal injury results in displacement and/or continuing disability (or death), damages include an element of compensation for loss of future earnings. This is calculated with reference to the loss of future expected time in gainful employment. We estimate employment risks in the form of reductions to work life expectancies for the UK workforce by using data from the Labour Force Survey with the purpose of improving the accuracy of the calculation of future lifetime earnings. Work life expectancies and reduction factors are modelled within the framework of a multiple-state Markov process, conditional on age, sex, starting employment state, educational attainment and disability. [source]

Improvements in parallel imaging accelerated functional MRI using multiecho echo-planar imaging,

MAGNETIC RESONANCE IN MEDICINE, Issue 4 2010
Heiko Schmiedeskamp
Abstract Multiecho echo-planar imaging (EPI) was implemented for blood-oxygenation-level-dependent functional MRI at 1.5 T and compared to single-echo EPI with and without parallel imaging acceleration. A time-normalized breath-hold task using a block design functional MRI protocol was carried out in combination with up to four echo trains per excitation and parallel imaging acceleration factors R = 1,3. Experiments were conducted in five human subjects, each scanned in three sessions. Across all reduction factors, both signal-to-fluctuation-noise ratio and the total number of activated voxels were significantly lower using a single-echo EPI pulse sequence compared with the multiecho approach. Signal-to-fluctuation-noise ratio and total number of activated voxels were also considerably reduced for nonaccelerated conventional single-echo EPI when compared to three-echo measurements with R = 2. Parallel imaging accelerated multiecho EPI reduced geometric distortions and signal dropout, while it increased blood-oxygenation-level-dependent signal sensitivity all over the brain, particularly in regions with short underlying T*2. Thus, the presented method showed multiple advantages over conventional single-echo EPI for standard blood-oxygenation-level-dependent functional MRI experiments. Magn Reson Med 63:959,969, 2010. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]

Joint design of trajectory and RF pulses for parallel excitation

MAGNETIC RESONANCE IN MEDICINE, Issue 3 2007
Chun-Yu Yip
Abstract We propose an alternating optimization framework for the joint design of excitation k-space trajectory and RF pulses for small-tip-angle parallel excitation. Using Bloch simulations, we show that compared with conventional designs with predetermined trajectories, joint designs can often excite target patterns with improved accuracy and reduced total integrated pulse power, particularly at high reduction factors. These benefits come at a modest increase in computational time. Magn Reson Med 58:598,604, 2007. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]

Algebraic multigrid and 4th-order discrete-difference equations of incompressible fluid flow

NUMERICAL LINEAR ALGEBRA WITH APPLICATIONS, Issue 4 2010
R. Webster
Abstract This paper investigates the effectiveness of two different Algebraic Multigrid (AMG) approaches to the solution of 4th-order discrete-difference equations for incompressible fluid flow (in this case for a discrete, scalar, stream-function field). One is based on a classical, algebraic multigrid, method (C-AMG) the other is based on a smoothed-aggregation method for 4th-order problems (SA-AMG). In the C-AMG case, the inter-grid transfer operators are enhanced using Jacobi relaxation. In the SA-AMG case, they are improved using a constrained energy optimization of the coarse-grid basis functions. Both approaches are shown to be effective for discretizations based on uniform, structured and unstructured, meshes. They both give good convergence factors that are largely independent of the mesh size/bandwidth. The SA-AMG approach, however, is more costly both in storage and operations. The Jacobi-relaxed C-AMG approach is faster, by a factor of between 2 and 4 for two-dimensional problems, even though its reduction factors are inferior to those of SA-AMG. For non-uniform meshes, the accuracy of this particular discretization degrades from 2nd to 1st order and the convergence factors for both methods then become mesh dependent. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]

Polymer Complexes: supramolecular assemblies and structures of poly[N -(2,-pyridyl)propenamide] complexes

APPLIED ORGANOMETALLIC CHEMISTRY, Issue 5 2004
A. T. A. Mubarak
Abstract A number of new polymer complexes of palladium(II), platinum(II) and copper(II) containing homopolymer (N -(2,-pyridyl)propenamide; APH) and various anions (Cl,, Br,, I, or NO3,) have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, magnetic susceptibility, electron paramagnetic resonance, IR and reflectance spectral measurements. The homopolymer shows three types of coordination behavior. In the mononuclear polymer complexes 1,6 and 9 it acts as a neutral bidentate ligand chelated through the pyridine-nitrogen and amide-oxygen atoms, whereas in the square-planar [Pd(APH)2X2] (X = Cl, Br) unidentate APH is coordinated through the pyridine-nitrogen atom alone. Under alkaline conditions APH is deprotonated in the presence of palladium(II) to form [Pd(AP)2] (10), AP being an anionic bidentate ligand and chelating through the pyridine-nitrogen and amide-oxygen atoms. The poly-chelates are of 1:1 and 1:3 (metal:homopolymer) stoichiometry and exhibit six-coordination. The polymer complexes of stoichiometric [(APH)2CuX2] contain square planar (APH)2 Cu2+ units and the anions X, are in the axial positions, giving distorted octahedral configurations. From the electron paramagnetic resonance and spectral data, the orbital reduction factors were calculated. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]