Wave induced oscillations in harbors of arbitrary shape

Theoretical and experimental studies were conducted to investigate the wave induced oscillations in an arbitrary shaped harbor with constant depth which is connected to the open-sea.

A theory termed the “arbitrary shaped harbor” theory is developed. The solution of the Helmholtz equation, ∇²f + k²f = 0, is formulated as an integral equation; an approximate method is employed to solve the integral equation by converting it to a matrix equation. The final solution is obtained by equating, at the harbor entrance, the wave amplitude and its normal derivative obtained from the solutions for the regions outside and inside the harbor.

Two special theories called the circular harbor theory and the rectangular harbor theory are also developed. The coordinates inside a circular and a rectangular harbor are separable; therefore, the solution for the region inside these harbors is obtained by the method of separation of variables. For the solution in the open-sea region, the same method is used as that employed for the arbitrary shaped harbor theory. The final solution is also obtained by a matching procedure similar to that used for the arbitrary shaped harbor theory. These two special theories provide a useful analytical check on the arbitrary shaped harbor theory.

Experiments were conducted to verify the theories in a wave basin 15 ft wide by 31 ft long with an effective system of wave energy dissipators mounted along the boundary to simulate the open-sea condition.

Four harbors were investigated theoretically and experimentally: circular harbors with a 10° opening and a 60° opening, a rectangular harbor, and a model of the East and West Basins of Long Beach Harbor located in Long Beach, California.

Theoretical solutions for these four harbors using the arbitrary shaped harbor theory were obtained. In addition, the theoretical solutions for the circular harbors and the rectangular harbor using the two special theories were also obtained. In each case, the theories have proven to agree well with the experimental data.

It is found that: (1) the resonant frequencies for a specific harbor are predicted correctly by the theory, although the amplification factors at resonance are somewhat larger than those found experimentally,(2) for the circular harbors, as the width of the harbor entrance increases, the amplification at resonance decreases, but the wave number bandwidth at resonance increases, (3) each peak in the curve of entrance velocity vs incident wave period corresponds to a distinct mode of resonant oscillation inside the harbor, thus the velocity at the harbor entrance appears to be a good indicator for resonance in harbors of complicated shape, (4) the results show that the present theory can be applied with confidence to prototype harbors with relatively uniform depth and reflective interior boundaries.

Bayesian classification of acoustical waveforms under environmental variability

We present in this paper a new multivariate probabilistic approach to Acoustic Pulse Recognition (APR) for tangible interface applications. This model uses Principle Component Analysis (PCA) in a probabilistic framework to classify tapping pulses with a high degree of variability. It was found that this model, achieves a higher robustness to pulse variability than simpler template matching methods, specifically when allowed to train on data containing high variability. © 2011 IEEE.

Molecular phylogenetics of the family Cyprinidae (Actinopterygii : Cypriniformes) as evidenced by sequence variation in the first intron of S7 ribosomal protein-coding gene: Further evidence from a nuclear gene of the systematic chaos in the family

The family Cyprinidae is the largest freshwater fish group in the world, including over 200 genera and 2100 species. The phylogenetic relationships of major clades within this family are simply poorly understood, largely because of the overwhelming diversity of the group; however, several investigators have advanced different hypotheses of relationships that pre- and post-date the use of shared-derived characters as advocated through phylogenetic systematics. As expected, most previous investigations used morphological characters. Recently, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequences and combined morphological and mtDNA investigations have been used to explore and advance our understanding of species relationships and test monophyletic groupings. Limitations of these studies include limited taxon sampling and a strict reliance upon maternally inherited mtDNA variation. The present study is the first endeavor to recover the phylogenetic relationships of the 12 previously recognized monophyletic subfamilies within the Cyprinidae using newly sequenced nuclear DNA (nDNA) for over 50 species representing members of the different previously hypothesized subfamily and family groupings within the Cyprinidae and from other cypriniform families as outgroup taxa. Hypothesized phylogenetic relationships are constructed using maximum parsimony and Basyesian analyses of 1042 sites, of which 971 sites were variable and 790 were phylogenetically informative. Using other appropriate cypriniform taxa of the families Catostomidae (Myxocyprinus asiaticus), Gyrinocheilidae (Gyrinocheilus aymonieri), and Balitoridae (Nemacheilus sp. and Beaufortia kweichotvensis) as outgroups, the Cyprinidae is resolved as a monophyletic group. Within the family the genera Raiamas, Barilius, Danio, and Rasbora, representing many of the tropical cyprinids, represent basal members of the family. All other species can be classified into variably supported and resolved monophyletic lineages, depending upon analysis, that are consistent with or correspond to Barbini and Leuciscini. The Barbini includes taxa traditionally aligned with the subfamily Cyprininae sensu previous morphological revisionary studies by Howes (Barbinae, Labeoninae, Cyprininae and Schizothoracinae). The Leuciscini includes six other subfamilies that are mainly divided into three separate lineages. The relationships among genera and subfamilies are discussed as well as the possible origins of major lineages. (c) 2008 Published by Elsevier Inc.

陕西壳斗科植物新类群

在大量野外调查和标本整理的基础上 ,作者对陕西省壳斗科植物的分类与分布进行了系统研究。本文报道了新变种 3个 :太白槲栎 (QuercusalienaBl.var.taibaiensisW .H .Zhang)、陕西槲栎 (QuercusalienaBl.var.shaanxiensisW .H .Zhang)、星毛木包栎 (QuercusglanduliferaBl.var.stel latopilosaW .H .Zhang) ;新组合 2个 :城口青冈 (Cyclobalanopsisfargesii(Franch .)S.Z.QuetW .H .Zhang)、粉背青冈 (Cyclobalanopsishypargy rae(Seem .)W .H .Zhang) ;陕西省分布新记录 3个 :多穗石栎 (LithocarpuspolystachyusRehd.)、大叶栎 (QuercusgriffithiiHook.f.etThoms.)、长叶木包栎 (QuercusmonnulaY .C .HsuetH .W .Jen) ;同时 ,澄清了木包栎 (Q .glanduliferaBl.)命名上的一些问题

Framingham Heart Study 100K project: genome-wide associations for cardiovascular disease outcomes

BACKGROUND:Cardiovascular disease (CVD) and its most common manifestations - including coronary heart disease (CHD), stroke, heart failure (HF), and atrial fibrillation (AF) - are major causes of morbidity and mortality. In many industrialized countries, cardiovascular disease (CVD) claims more lives each year than any other disease. Heart disease and stroke are the first and third leading causes of death in the United States. Prior investigations have reported several single gene variants associated with CHD, stroke, HF, and AF. We report a community-based genome-wide association study of major CVD outcomes.METHODS:In 1345 Framingham Heart Study participants from the largest 310 pedigrees (54% women, mean age 33 years at entry), we analyzed associations of 70,987 qualifying SNPs (Affymetrix 100K GeneChip) to four major CVD outcomes: major atherosclerotic CVD (n = 142; myocardial infarction, stroke, CHD death), major CHD (n = 118; myocardial infarction, CHD death), AF (n = 151), and HF (n = 73). Participants free of the condition at entry were included in proportional hazards models. We analyzed model-based deviance residuals using generalized estimating equations to test associations between SNP genotypes and traits in additive genetic models restricted to autosomal SNPs with minor allele frequency [greater than or equal to]0.10, genotype call rate [greater than or equal to]0.80, and Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium p-value [greater than or equal to] 0.001.RESULTS:Six associations yielded p <10-5. The lowest p-values for each CVD trait were as follows: major CVD, rs499818, p = 6.6 x 10-6; major CHD, rs2549513, p = 9.7 x 10-6; AF, rs958546, p = 4.8 x 10-6; HF: rs740363, p = 8.8 x 10-6. Of note, we found associations of a 13 Kb region on chromosome 9p21 with major CVD (p 1.7 - 1.9 x 10-5) and major CHD (p 2.5 - 3.5 x 10-4) that confirm associations with CHD in two recently reported genome-wide association studies. Also, rs10501920 in CNTN5 was associated with AF (p = 9.4 x 10-6) and HF (p = 1.2 x 10-4). Complete results for these phenotypes can be found at the dbgap website http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/projects/gap/cgi-bin/study.cgi?id=phs000007.CONCLUSION:No association attained genome-wide significance, but several intriguing findings emerged. Notably, we replicated associations of chromosome 9p21 with major CVD. Additional studies are needed to validate these results. Finding genetic variants associated with CVD may point to novel disease pathways and identify potential targeted preventive therapies.

Genome-wide association study for subclinical atherosclerosis in major arterial territories in the NHLBI's Framingham Heart Study

INTRODUCTION:Subclinical atherosclerosis (SCA) measures in multiple arterial beds are heritable phenotypes that are associated with increased incidence of cardiovascular disease. We conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) for SCA measurements in the community-based Framingham Heart Study.METHODS:Over 100,000 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were genotyped (Human 100K GeneChip, Affymetrix) in 1345 subjects from 310 families. We calculated sex-specific age-adjusted and multivariable-adjusted residuals in subjects tested for quantitative SCA phenotypes, including ankle-brachial index, coronary artery calcification and abdominal aortic calcification using multi-detector computed tomography, and carotid intimal medial thickness (IMT) using carotid ultrasonography. We evaluated associations of these phenotypes with 70,987 autosomal SNPs with minor allele frequency [greater than or equal to] 0.10, call rate [greater than or equal to] 80%, and Hardy-Weinberg p-value [greater than or equal to] 0.001 in samples ranging from 673 to 984 subjects, using linear regression with generalized estimating equations (GEE) methodology and family-based association testing (FBAT). Variance components LOD scores were also calculated.RESULTS:There was no association result meeting criteria for genome-wide significance, but our methods identified 11 SNPs with p < 10-5 by GEE and five SNPs with p < 10-5 by FBAT for multivariable-adjusted phenotypes. Among the associated variants were SNPs in or near genes that may be considered candidates for further study, such as rs1376877 (GEE p < 0.000001, located in ABI2) for maximum internal carotid artery IMT and rs4814615 (FBAT p = 0.000003, located in PCSK2) for maximum common carotid artery IMT. Modest significant associations were noted with various SCA phenotypes for variants in previously reported atherosclerosis candidate genes, including NOS3 and ESR1. Associations were also noted of a region on chromosome 9p21 with CAC phenotypes that confirm associations with coronary heart disease and CAC in two recently reported genome-wide association studies. In linkage analyses, several regions of genome-wide linkage were noted, confirming previously reported linkage of internal carotid artery IMT on chromosome 12. All GEE, FBAT and linkage results are provided as an open-access results resource at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/projects/gap/cgi-bin/study.cgi?id=phs000007.CONCLUSION:The results from this GWAS generate hypotheses regarding several SNPs that may be associated with SCA phenotypes in multiple arterial beds. Given the number of tests conducted, subsequent independent replication in a staged approach is essential to identify genetic variants that may be implicated in atherosclerosis.

An Investigation into the Efficacy of a pH-Sensitive Material for Milk Spoilage Detection

Ambiguous expiration dates on milk cartons can mislead consumers into prematurely disposing unspoiled milk and potentially drinking spoiled milk. These misconceptions can lead to wastage that harms the environment, or potential discomfort and illness. The incorporation of pH-sensitive indicators into plastic milk cartons has the potential to replace stamped expiration dates as the traditional method of milk spoilage indication. We studied the correlation between bacteria count and milk pH to establish pH measurement as an effective indicator of milk quality. We then developed a method for incorporating bromothymol blue, a pH-sensitive color-changing dye, into a hydrogel made of polyacrylamide. This hydrogel can be added to existing packaging for milk or other products with detectable pH changes. Additionally, we conducted a consumer survey and analyzed current food packaging trends in the market. Our research indicates that a spoilage-indicating milk carton could have strong market potential as food industries increasingly adopt intelligent packaging designs.

DEAD-box helicase DP103 defines metastatic potential of human breast cancers

Despite advancement in breast cancer treatment, 30% of patients with early breast cancers experience relapse with distant metastasis. It is a challenge to identify patients at risk for relapse; therefore, the identification of markers and therapeutic targets for metastatic breast cancers is imperative. Here, we identified DP103 as a biomarker and metastasis-driving oncogene in human breast cancers and determined that DP103 elevates matrix metallopeptidase 9 (MMP9) levels, which are associated with metastasis and invasion through activation of NF-κB. In turn, NF-κB signaling positively activated DP103 expression. Furthermore, DP103 enhanced TGF-β-activated kinase-1 (TAK1) phosphorylation of NF-κB-activating IκB kinase 2 (IKK2), leading to increased NF-κB activity. Reduction of DP103 expression in invasive breast cancer cells reduced phosphorylation of IKK2, abrogated NF-κB-mediated MMP9 expression, and impeded metastasis in a murine xenograft model. In breast cancer patient tissues, elevated levels of DP103 correlated with enhanced MMP9, reduced overall survival, and reduced survival after relapse. Together, these data indicate that a positive DP103/NF-κB feedback loop promotes constitutive NF-κB activation in invasive breast cancers and activation of this pathway is linked to cancer progression and the acquisition of chemotherapy resistance. Furthermore, our results suggest that DP103 has potential as a therapeutic target for breast cancer treatment.

Euroopan unionin sotilaallinen kriisinhallinta vuonna 2030

Tulevaisuuden tutkimus on vielä nuori ja Maanpuolustuskorkeakoulun opinnäytetöissä suhteellisen vähän käytetty tutkimuksen ala. Se on kuitenkin merkittävä osa strategista suunnittelua ja johtamista, mikä tekee siitä myös merkittävän tutkimussuuntauksen puolustusvoimien toiminnan kannalta. Tämän Pro gradu -tutkielman tarkoituksena on arvioida tulevaisuudentutkimuksen tarjoamien menetelmien avulla Euroopan unionin sotilaallisen kriisinhallinnan kehittymistä vuoteen 2030 asti. Tutkimuksen tutkimusongelmana on: ”Mitä Euroopan unionin sotilaallinen kriisinhallinta on vuonna 2030?” Tutkimusongelman lisäksi vastaan tutkimuksessa kahteen tutkimuskysymykseen, jotka ovat: ”Minkälaisia tulevaisuusskenaarioita on mahdollista rakentaa Euroopan unionin sotilaalliseen kriisinhallintaan liittyen?” sekä ”Millaiset tekijät vaikuttavat Euroopan unionin sotilaallisen kriisinhallinnan kehittämiseen?” Tutkimuskysymysten avulla pyrin saamaan vastauksen tutkimusongelmaan. Tutkimusmenetelmänä käytän tulevaisuudentutkimuksen menetelmiin kuuluvaa skenaariomenetelmää. Skenaarioiden rakentamisen apumetodina käytän tulevaisuustaulukkoa. Tutkimuksessa käyttämäni tulevaisuustaulukko koostuu kuudesta Euroopan unionin toimintaympäristöä sekä sen sisäistä kehitystä kuvaavasta muuttujasta, joille kullekin on asetettu kolme eriävää muuttujan tulevaisuutta kuvaavaa arvoa. Päädyin käyttämään tutkimuksessa taulukkometodia koska se mahdollistaa laajan aihealueen hallitun käsittelyn sekä monipuolisten skenaarioiden rakentamisen. Taulukon avulla rakennan viisi unionin sotilaallisen kriisinhallinnan kehittymisen kannalta oleellista toimintaympäristöä kuvaavaa skenaariota. Näiden skenaarioiden perusteella rakennan edelleen viisi erilaista unionin sotilaallisen kriisinhallinnan kehityksen suuntaa kuvaavaa vaihtoehtoa.Tutkimuksen lähtökohtana on Euroopan unionin sotilaallisen kriisinhallinnan nykytila, jonka muutosta tarkkailen eri skenaarioiden antamien perusteiden mukaisesti. Tutkimusaineistona käy-tän ainoastaan julkista lähdemateriaalia. Aihealuetta lähestyn strategian ja kansainvälisen politii-kan tutkimuksen näkökulmasta. Tutkimuksessa selvisi, että Euroopan unionin kriisinhallinnan tulevaisuuden kehittymiseen vai-kuttavat merkittävästi sekä unioni-valtioiden sisäisten että ulkoisten suhteiden kehittyminen. Eri-tyisen merkittävänä unionin ulkopuolisena vaikuttajana tulee tulevaisuudessakin säilymään Yh-dysvallat. Taulukkometodin käyttöön liittyen selvisi, että muuttujien sekä muuttujien kehitysarvo-jen määrän rajallisuus vaikuttaa tutkimustuloksen luotettavuuteen. Samalla kuitenkin huomasin myös, että laajassa tulevaisuudentutkimuksessa kohteen käsittely on rajattava kurinalaisesti, jotta tutkimusmetodin tarkoitus täyttyy. Metodin käyttöön liittyen on myös huomioitava, että muuttuji-en valinta saattaa vaikuttaa suoranaisesti tutkimustulokseen. Kaikkien tutkimuksessa esittämieni Euroopan unionin sotilaallisen kriisinhallinnan kehityssuuntia vuonna 2030 kuvaavien vaihtoehtojen toteutuminen on mahdollista. Muita todennäköisimmiksi osoittautui kuitenkin kaksi vaihtoehtoa. Toinen vaihtoehdoista kuvaa EU:n sotilaallisen kriisin-hallinnan hillityn kehityksen jatkumista myös tulevaisuudessa ja toinen unionin kriisinhallinnan painopisteen siirtymistä perinteiseen rauhanturvaamiseen ja siviilikriisinhallintaan.

Ouvrages médicaux.

Harkasi fu

Ouvrages médicaux.

Harkasi fu