The empirical process of some long-range dependent sequences with an application to U-statistics

Let (Xj)∞ j = 1 be a stationary, mean-zero Gaussian process with covariances r(k) = EXk + 1 X1 satisfying r(0) = 1 and r(k) = k-DL(k) where D is small and L is slowly varying at infinity. Consider the two-parameter empirical process for G(Xj), $\bigg\{F_N(x, t) = \frac{1}{N} \sum^{\lbrack Nt \rbrack}_{j = 1} \lbrack 1\{G(X_j) \leq x\} - P(G(X_1) \leq x) \rbrack; // -\infty < x < + \infty, 0 \leq t \leq 1\bigg\},$ where G is any measurable function. Noncentral limit theorems are obtained for FN(x, t) and they are used to derive the asymptotic behavior of some suitably normalized von Mises statistics and U-statistics based on the G(Xj)'s. The limiting processes are structurally different from those encountered in the i.i.d. case

Quick attach and release fluid coupling assembly is self-aligning, self-sealing

Fluid coupling assembly that is self-aligning, self-sealing and contains a bellow ball and socket coupling for quick attach and release is highly reliable and can handle cryogenic fluids where icing is encountered. The fluid coupling assembly is used in many fluid systems but is particularly applicable to cryogenic systems

Power of Change-Point Tests for Long-Range Dependent Data

We investigate the power of the CUSUM test and the Wilcoxon change-point test for a shift in the mean of a process with long-range dependent noise. We derive analytiv formulas for the power of these tests under local alternatives. These results enable us to calculate the asymptotic relative efficiency (ARE) of the CUSUM test and the Wilcoxon change point test. We obtain the surprising result that for Gaussian data, the ARE of these two tests equals 1, in contrast to the case of i.i.d. noise when the ARE is known to be $3/\pi$

Power of change-point tests for long-range dependent data

We investigate the power of the CUSUM test and the Wilcoxon change-point tests for a shift in the mean of a process with long-range dependent noise. We derive analytic formulas for the power of these tests under local alternatives. These results enable us to calculate the asymptotic relative efficiency (ARE) of the CUSUM test and the Wilcoxon change point test. We obtain the surprising result that for Gaussian data, the ARE of these two tests equals 1, in contrast to the case of i.i.d. noise when the ARE is known to be 3/π.Herold Dehling and Aeneas Rooch were supported in part by the German Research Foundation (DFG) through the Collaborative Research Center SFB 823 Statistical Modelling of Nonlinear Dynamic Processes. Murad S. Taqqu was supported in part by NSF grant DMS-1309009 at Boston University. (SFB 823 - German Research Foundation (DFG); DMS-1309009 - NSF at Boston University)Published versio

Clinical and functional characterisation of a novel TNFRSF1A c.605T > A/V173D cleavage site mutation associated with tumour necrosis factor receptor-associated periodic fever syndrome (TRAPS), cardiovascular complications and excellent response to etanercept treatment.

Objectives: To study the clinical outcome, treatment response, T-cell subsets and functional consequences of a novel tumour necrosis factor (TNF) receptor type 1 (TNFRSF1A) mutation affecting the receptor cleavage site. Methods: Patients with symptoms suggestive of tumour necrosis factor receptor-associated periodic syndrome (TRAPS) and 22 healthy controls (HC) were screened for mutations in the TNFRSF1A gene. Soluble TNFRSF1A and inflammatory cytokines were measured by ELISAs. TNFRSF1A shedding was examined by stimulation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate followed by flow cytometric analysis (FACS). Apoptosis of PBMCs was studied by stimulation with TNFa in the presence of cycloheximide and annexin V staining. T cell phenotypes were monitored by FACS. Results: TNFRSF1A sequencing disclosed a novel V173D/ p.Val202Asp substitution encoded by exon 6 in one family, the c.194–14G.A splice variant in another and the R92Q/p.Arg121Gln substitution in two families. Cardiovascular complications (lethal heart attack and peripheral arterial thrombosis) developed in two V173D patients. Subsequent etanercept treatment of the V173D carriers was highly effective over an 18-month follow-up period. Serum TNFRSF1A levels did not differ between TRAPS patients and HC, while TNFRSF1A cleavage from monocytes was significantly reduced in V173D and R92Q patients. TNFa-induced apoptosis of PBMCs and T-cell senescence were comparable between V173D patients and HC. Conclusions: The TNFRSF1A V173D cleavage site mutation may be associated with an increased risk for cardiovascular complications and shows a strong response to etanercept. T-cell senescence does not seem to have a pathogenetic role in affected patients

Decoupling of Mechanical Structures with Piezoceramic Stacks

A review of the development and realisation of an adaptive interface for decoupling of two mechanical systems is presented. An approach is utilized to design an adaptronical system by means of rapid-prototyping on the basis of a simulation. The method includes the calculation of the dynamic behaviour of the mechanical structure with the help of FEM. The FE-model of the mechanical structure is reduced and embedded as modal state-space-model with the numerical simulation software MATLAB/ Simulink. Actuators and sensors are integrated into the mechanical structure. Based on the resulting dynamical behaviour of the mechanical structure an adaptive control algorithm for the decoupling of structural vibrations is developed. Experimental tests are performed to confirm and to update the simulations. The hardware-in-the-loop-simulation is performed with the commercial rapid-prototyping dSpace-system. This procedure allows the development and the evaluation of more complex adaptive mechanical structures