Guidelines for Permitting Overloads, Part 2: Statistical Analysis of Overload Vehicle Effects on Indiana Highway Bridges

This report summarizes an analytical investigation carried out to develop a set of guidelines for regulation of overload vehicles in Indiana. A formula based first phase evaluation of overload permit requests is developed through statistical study of the rating of a representative sample of the highway bridges in Indiana using a representative sample of overload vehicles observed in the state in 1990 and 1991 plus the HS 20 design vehicle and the two Indiana Toll Road loadings. A sample of 148 bridges is chosen from a total population of 3700 Indiana highway bridges using a proportionate stratified random sampling process. A sample of 25 trucks, with the truck parameters uniformly distributed over their ranges is compiled from the 1990 and 1991 truck population (permit vehicles obtained from INDOT and AASHTO HS Design Vehicle). The selected trucks are used to rate bridges in the selected sample using the Bridge Analysis and Rating System (BARS) program at the operating stress level. BARS is based on elastic line girder and truss analysis. The allowable load, W, is subjected to linear regression analysis with several bridge and truck parameters as regressor or independent variables

Breast cancer prognosis predicted by nuclear receptor-coregulator networks

Although molecular signatures based on transcript expression in breast cancer samples have provided new insights into breast cancer classification and prognosis, there are acknowledged limitations in current signatures. To provide rational, pathway-based signatures of disrupted physiology in cancer tissues that may be relevant to prognosis, this study has directly quantitated changed gene expression, between normal breast and cancer tissue, as a basis for signature development. The nuclear receptor (NR) family of transcription factors, and their coregulators, are fundamental regulators of every aspect of metazoan life, and were rigorously quantified in normal breast tissues and ERα positive and ERα negative breast cancers. Coregulator expression was highly correlated with that of selected NR in normal breast, particularly from postmenopausal women. These associations were markedly decreased in breast cancer, and the expression of the majority of coregulators was down-regulated in cancer tissues compared with normal. While in cancer the loss of NR-coregulator associations observed in normal breast was common, a small number of NR (Rev-ERBβ, GR, NOR1, LRH-1 and PGR) acquired new associations with coregulators in cancer tissues. Elevated expression of these NR in cancers was associated with poorer outcome in large clinical cohorts, as well as suggesting the activation of ERα -related, but ERα-independent, pathways in ERα negative cancers. In addition, the combined expression of small numbers of NR and coregulators in breast cancer was identified as a signature predicting outcome in ERα negative breast cancer patients, not linked to proliferation and with predictive power superior to existing signatures containing many more genes. These findings highlight the power of predictive signatures derived from the quantitative determination of altered gene expression between normal breast and breast cancers. Taken together, the findings of this study identify networks of NR-coregulator associations active in normal breast but disrupted in breast cancer, and moreover provide evidence that signatures based on NR networks disrupted in cancer can provide important prognostic information in breast cancer patients

Genome sequence of an Australian kangaroo, Macropus eugenii, provides insight into the evolution of mammalian reproduction and development.

BACKGROUND: We present the genome sequence of the tammar wallaby, Macropus eugenii, which is a member of the kangaroo family and the first representative of the iconic hopping mammals that symbolize Australia to be sequenced. The tammar has many unusual biological characteristics, including the longest period of embryonic diapause of any mammal, extremely synchronized seasonal breeding and prolonged and sophisticated lactation within a well-defined pouch. Like other marsupials, it gives birth to highly altricial young, and has a small number of very large chromosomes, making it a valuable model for genomics, reproduction and development. RESULTS: The genome has been sequenced to 2 × coverage using Sanger sequencing, enhanced with additional next generation sequencing and the integration of extensive physical and linkage maps to build the genome assembly. We also sequenced the tammar transcriptome across many tissues and developmental time points. Our analyses of these data shed light on mammalian reproduction, development and genome evolution: there is innovation in reproductive and lactational genes, rapid evolution of germ cell genes, and incomplete, locus-specific X inactivation. We also observe novel retrotransposons and a highly rearranged major histocompatibility complex, with many class I genes located outside the complex. Novel microRNAs in the tammar HOX clusters uncover new potential mammalian HOX regulatory elements. CONCLUSIONS: Analyses of these resources enhance our understanding of marsupial gene evolution, identify marsupial-specific conserved non-coding elements and critical genes across a range of biological systems, including reproduction, development and immunity, and provide new insight into marsupial and mammalian biology and genome evolution

High-Throughput 3D Screening Reveals Differences in Drug Sensitivities between Culture Models of JIMT1 Breast Cancer Cells

Peer reviewe

Comparison of effectiveness of two selected optimisation methods

W artykule zaprezentowano dwa stosunkowo nowe algorytmy stosowane do optymalizacji bez ograniczeń funkcji jednej lub wielu zmiennych. Są to algorytmy: ewolucji różnicowej oraz roju cząstek. Przedstawiono w skrócie cechy charakterystyczne algorytmów, najważniejsze informacje dotyczące zasad ich działania. Ponadto opisano sposób ich badania, mający na celu ocenę skuteczności tych algorytmów. Zamieszczono wyniki badań dotyczące kilku wybranych funkcji testowych oraz sformułowano uwagi dotyczące porównania skuteczności badanych metod.The paper presents two relatively new algorithms used for optimisation without limitations of single- or multi-variable functions. They are algorithms of differential evolution and particle swarm optimisation. The paper describes characteristic features of the two algorithms and provides vital information about their functioning. Moreover, the paper presents methods used to estimate the algorithm effectiveness. The comparison of efficiency was conducted on the basis of several specially selected test functions. The functions can be found in [5]. The optimum point is known for these functions. For each of the functions, numerous optimisations using various sequences of pseudorandom numbers were conducted [1]. The examination results for a few test function are given and the effectiveness of the tested methods is discussed. The algorithm of the differential evolution method is more reliable than that of the particle swarm method because the latter is often ineffective with multi-variable functions

Algorithm of selection geometrical parameters of Alsthom type coupling for locomotive driving gear

W pracy przedstawiono algorytm doboru parametrów geometrycznych sprzęgła typu Alsthom do układu napędowego lokomotywy. Celem analizy jest polepszenie właściwości dynamicznych sprzęgła, poprzez zmniejszenie odkształceń w przegubach oraz zmniejszenie sił bezwładności generowanych w badanym mechaniźmie. Przedstawiona metoda doboru parametrów może by stosowana do projektowania nowych układów napędowych przystosowanych do dużych prędkości.The aim of the paper is the analysis of the method of selection geometrical parameters of locomotive flexible clutch. In particular the aim of the analysis is improvement of dynamic propriety of the clutches, decrease of the deformations in joints, and also decrease inertia forces generated in mechanisms and transferred through units and the components of the driving gear. The introduced method of the selection of parameters can be used in the process of constructing new driving arrangements adapted to the high speeds. Deformation in joints, and also the inertia forces acting on the parts of the mechanism will be studied

Designation of contents alpha-amylase in the grain of the normal wheat on the basis of falling the number

W artykule przedstawiono aktywność alfa-amylazy w ziarnie pszenicy za pomocą pomiaru liczby opadania. Pomiar liczby opadania służy do określenia stanu aktywności enzymów w ziarnie, określa przydatność do wypieku - mąki uzyskanej z tego ziarna, a jednocześnie stan fizjologiczny ziarna, informujący o jego trwałości w przechowywaniu.In the article an activity was introduced alpha-amylase In a grain of wheat behind the help of falling the measurement of the number. The measurement of falling the number is serving for defining the state of the activity of enzymes in the grain, a usefulness for the baking is determining - of flour gotten of this grain, and at the same time the physiological state of the modicum, informing of its permanence in keeping

DNA Restriction Endonuclease Analysis Of Some Streptomyces Species

Relationships between some Streptomyces species were determined by restriction endonuclease analysis (REA). DNA isolated from twelve Streptomyces strains was analysed using SalI endonuclease. The results indicate that REA patterns can be used both to distinguish between species of Streptomyces and to recognize variation within species