Moment Matching-Based Distribution Fitting with Generalized Hyper-Erlang Distributions

This paper describes a novel moment matching based fitting method for phase-type (PH) distributions. A special sub-class of phase-type distributions is introduced for the fitting, called generalized hyper-Erlang distributions. The user has to provide only two parameters: the number of moments to match, and the upper bound for the sum of the multiplicities of the eigenvalues of the distribution, which is related to the maximal size of the resulting PH distribution. Given these two parameters, our method obtains all PH distributions that match the target moments and have a Markovian representation up to the given size. From this set of PH distributions the best one can be selected according to any distance function

Spin-Electromagnetic Hydrodynamics and Magnetization Induced by Spin-Magnetic Interaction

The hydrodynamic model including the spin degree of freedom and the electromagnetic field was discussed. In this derivation, we applied electromagnetism for macroscopic medium proposed by Minkowski. For the equation of motion of spin, we assumed that the hydrodynamic representation of the Pauli equation is reproduced when the many-body effect is neglected. Then the spin-magnetic interaction in the Pauli equation was converted to a part of the magnetization. The fluid and spin stress tensors induced by the many-body effect were obtained by employing the algebraic positivity of the entropy production in the framework of the linear irreversible thermodynamics, including the mixing effect of the irreversible currents. We further constructed the constitutive equation of the polarization and the magnetization. Our polarization equation is more reasonable compared to another result obtained using electromagnetism for macroscopic medium proposed by de Groot-Mazur.Comment: 24 pages, no figure, the discussion for the modifed thermodynamic relation is added, several errors are corrected, accepted for publication in PR

Creating the cultures of the future: cultural strategy, policy and institutions in Gramsci. Part three: Is there a theory of cultural policy in Gramsci’s prison notebooks?

In this article, I argue that Gramsci’s prison notes on questions of cultural strategy, policy and institutions, which have so far been largely overlooked by scholars, provide further analytical insights to those offered by his more general concepts. Together they enrich the theoretical underpinnings for critical frameworks of analysis as well as for radical practices of cultural strategy, cultural policy-making and cultural organisation. On the basis of a detailed analysis of these notes, I then answer the question of whether they amount to a theory of cultural policy

Alpha glucocorticoid receptor expression in different experimental rat models of acute lung injury

Background and objectives: Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a frequent form of hypoxiemic respiratory failure caused by the acute development of diffuse lung inflammation. Dysregulated systemic inflammation with persistent elevation of circulating inflammatory cytokines is the pathogenetic mechanism for pulmonary and extrapulmonary organ dysfunction in patients with ARDS. Glucocorticoids (GCs) have a broad range of inhibitory inflammatory effects, including inhibition of cytokines transcription, cellular activation and growth factor production. They inhibit the inflammatory pathways through two specific intracellular glucocorticoid receptors (GRs), named GRα and GRβ. The aim of our study was to evaluate the histologic evidence of inflammatory injury and the GRα uptake of resident and inflammatory cells in different experimental models of acute lung injury (ALI). Methods: We studied four groups of rats: three different experimental rat models of lung injury and a control group. The ALI was caused by barotrauma (due to an overventilation), oleic acid injection and mechanical ventilation. Results were compared to nonventilated rat control group. The duration of mechanical ventilation was of 2.5 h. At the end of each experiment, rats were sacrificed. Lung biopsies were evaluated for morphologic changes. The immunohistochemistry was performed to study GRα expression. Results: Histologic evidence of lung injury (alveolar and interstitial edema, vascular congestion, alveolar haemorrhage, emphysema, number of interstitial cells and neutrophils, and destruction of alveolar attachments) were present in all ventilated groups. Barotrauma lead to an additional inflammatory response. GRα expression significantly increased in the three ventilated groups compared with nonventilated groups. GRα expression was highest in barotrauma group. Conclusions: These data indicate that ALI is associated with diffuse alveolar damage, up-regulation of the inflammatory response and GRα overexpression. Barotrauma is the most effective mechanism inducing acute lung inflammation and GRα overexpression. © 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Methodologies synthesis

This deliverable deals with the modelling and analysis of interdependencies between critical infrastructures, focussing attention on two interdependent infrastructures studied in the context of CRUTIAL: the electric power infrastructure and the information infrastructures supporting management, control and maintenance functionality. The main objectives are: 1) investigate the main challenges to be addressed for the analysis and modelling of interdependencies, 2) review the modelling methodologies and tools that can be used to address these challenges and support the evaluation of the impact of interdependencies on the dependability and resilience of the service delivered to the users, and 3) present the preliminary directions investigated so far by the CRUTIAL consortium for describing and modelling interdependencies

Pedagogia crítica e direitos humanos: fundamentos para uma proposta pedagógico-crítica em direitos humanos

Este artigo reflete sobre a necessidade de encontrar uma teoria pedagógica que ofereça sustentação à ação educativa em Direitos Humanos, apresentando uma proposta pedagógico-crítica alicerçada nos pressupostos da teoria e da pedagogia críticas, privilegiando a pedagogia freireana, numa perspectiva atualizada para os Direitos Humanos. Nesse sentido, o trabalho tem o propósito de discutir um fundamento teórico-crítico para a Educação em Direitos Humanos, buscando novas formas de investigação e de análise para sua compreensão, apropriando-se de conceitos críticos como conscientização, autonomia, diálogo e emancipação. Finalmente, considera que uma prática pedagógica crítica em Direitos Humanos contribui para a leitura do mundo do excluído, para sua inclusão na sociedade e para a compreensão de que é possível desconstruir relações e práticas sociais injustas.(undefined

Perivascular fibrosis and IgG4-related disease : a case report

Immunoglobulin G4-related disease (IgG4-RD) is a newly recognized fibroinflammatory condition which can potentially involve any organ. Some characteristic histopathologic features with lymphoplasmacytic infiltrate, an increased number of IgG4+ cells, storiform fibrosis and obliterative phlebitis are the mainstay for diagnosis. Serum IgG4 levels often increase. We report the case of a patient with perivascular fibrotic lesions involving the aortic arch and the splenic hilum, with a surgical biopsy-proven diagnosis of IgG4-related disease. The patient is now undergoing a low-dose corticosteroid maintenance therapy without evidence of new localizations of the disease. This case highlights the need for increasing awareness and recognition of this new, emerging clinical condition