19 research outputs found
Weighted Automata and Logics for Infinite Nested Words
Nested words introduced by Alur and Madhusudan are used to capture structures
with both linear and hierarchical order, e.g. XML documents, without losing
valuable closure properties. Furthermore, Alur and Madhusudan introduced
automata and equivalent logics for both finite and infinite nested words, thus
extending B\"uchi's theorem to nested words. Recently, average and discounted
computations of weights in quantitative systems found much interest. Here, we
will introduce and investigate weighted automata models and weighted MSO logics
for infinite nested words. As weight structures we consider valuation monoids
which incorporate average and discounted computations of weights as well as the
classical semirings. We show that under suitable assumptions, two resp. three
fragments of our weighted logics can be transformed into each other. Moreover,
we show that the logic fragments have the same expressive power as weighted
nested word automata.Comment: LATA 2014, 12 page
Low Mannose-Binding Lectin Concentration Is Associated with Severe Infection in Patients with Hematological Cancer Who Are Undergoing Chemotherapy
Background. Mannose-binding lectin (MBL) is a serum lectin involved in innate immune response. Low serum MBL concentration may constitute a risk factor for infection in patients receiving myelosuppressive chemotherapy. Methods. We conducted a prospective, observational study that assessed MBL concentration as a risk factor for infection in patients with hematological malignancy who were hospitalized to undergo at least 1 chemotherapy cycle. MBL deficiency was defined using an algorithm that considered the serum MBL concentration and the MBL genotype. The primary end point was the ratio of duration of febrile neutropenia to the duration of neutropenia. Secondary end points included the incidence of severe infection (e.g., sepsis, pneumonia, bacteremia, and invasive fungal infection). Logistic regression analysis was conducted, and Fisher's exact test was used to analyze binary outcomes, and Kaplan-Meier estimates and log rank tests were used for time-to-event variables. Results. We analyzed 255 patients who received 569 cycles of chemotherapy. The median duration of neutropenia per cycle was 7 days (interquartile range, 0-13 days). Sixty-two patients (24%) were found to have MBL deficiency. Febrile neutropenia occurred at least once in 200 patients. No difference in the primary outcome was seen. The incidence of severe infection was higher among MBL-deficient patients than among non-MBL-deficient patients (1.96 vs. 1.34 cases per 100 days for analysis of all patients [P = .008] and 1.85 vs. 0.94 cases per 100 days excluding patients with acute leukemia [P < .001]). Conclusions. MBL deficiency does not predispose adults with hematological cancer to more-frequent or more-prolonged febrile episodes during myelosuppressive chemotherapy, but MBL-deficient patients have a greater number of severe infections and experience their first severe infection earlier, compared with nondeficient patient
Zitterbewegung in External Magnetic Field: Classic versus Quantum Approach
We investigate variations of the Zitterbewegung frequency of electron due to
an external static and uniform magnetic field employing the expectation value
quantum approach, and compare our results with the classical model of spinning
particles. We demonstrate that these two so far compatible approaches are not
in agreement in the presence of an external uniform static magnetic field, in
which the classical approach breaks the usual symmetry of free particles and
antiparticles states, i.e. it leads to CP violation. Hence, regarding the
Zitterbewegung frequency of electron, the classical approach in the presence of
an external magnetic field is unlikely to correctly describe the spin of
electron, while the quantum approach does, as expected. We also show that the
results obtained via the expectation value are in close agreement with the
quantum approach of the Heisenberg picture derived in the literature. However,
the method we use is capable of being compared with the classical approach
regarding the spin aspects. The classical interpretation of spin produced by
the altered Zitterbewegung frequency, in the presence of an external magnetic
field, are discussed.Comment: 16 pages, no figure
Biological response of an in vitro human 3D lung cell model exposed to brake wear debris varies based on brake pad formulation
Wear particles from automotive friction brake pads of various sizes, morphology, and chemical composition are significant contributors towards particulate matter. Knowledge concerning the potential adverse effects following inhalation exposure to brake wear debris is limited. Our aim was, therefore, to generate brake wear particles released from commercial low-metallic and non-asbestos organic automotive brake pads used in mid-size passenger cars by a full-scale brake dynamometer with an environmental chamber simulating urban driving and to deduce their potential hazard in vitro. The collected fractions were analysed using scanning electron microscopy via energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) and Raman microspectroscopy. The biological impact of the samples was investigated using a human 3D multicellular model consisting of human epithelial cells (A549) and human primary immune cells (macrophages and dendritic cells) mimicking the human epithelial tissue barrier. The viability, morphology, oxidative stress, and (pro-)inflammatory response of the cells were assessed following 24 h exposure to similar to 12, similar to 24, and similar to 48 A mu g/cm(2) of non-airborne samples and to similar to 3.7 A mu g/cm(2) of different brake wear size fractions (2-4, 1-2, and 0.25-1 A mu m) applying a pseudo-air-liquid interface approach. Brake wear debris with low-metallic formula does not induce any adverse biological effects to the in vitro lung multicellular model. Brake wear particles from non-asbestos organic formulated pads, however, induced increased (pro-)inflammatory mediator release from the same in vitro system. The latter finding can be attributed to the different particle compositions, specifically the presence of anatase.Web of Science9272351233
Lowbrasys brake wear cycle - 3h LACT
This dataset is brake wear cycle that was used as a reference cycle in the EU co-funded project LOWBRASYS which aims at particle reduction from automotive brakes. One task within the LOWBRASYS project was to define a real-drive braking schedule. This cycle is a short version of an existing brake procedure (Los Angeles City Traffic (LACT)) that was generated from actual on-road driving data and addresses typical urban, extra-urban and highway drive conditions.
It is noteworthy that another real-world cycle has been developed [Mathissen et al. 2018]. The main difference between the two newly developed cycles is that the present LOWBRASYS cycle is based on a limited dataset from a specific region, while the other cycle is based on the WLTP database, which covers much more use-case and driving conditions. The PMP IWG has decided to use the present cycle as a backup cycle for future brake wear emissions evaluation
WLTP-based Real-World Brake Wear Cycle
WLTP based brake wear cycle including:
Second-by-second data of the speed/time trace.
Location and duration of trip breaks.
Cycle edges: Since the cycle is rectified there are only certain points needed to reproduce the cycle. These data points that build up the speed/time trace are listed here.
Stop overview: Each of the 303 stops is listed with indiviudal stop nr., start time within the cycle (without any trip breaks), initial and final velocity as well as brake duration and deceleration
Low mannose-binding lectin concentration is associated with severe infection in patients with hematological cancer who are undergoing chemotherapy
Mannose-binding lectin (MBL) is a serum lectin involved in innate immune response. Low serum MBL concentration may constitute a risk factor for infection in patients receiving myelosuppressive chemotherapy.SCOPUS: ar.jinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe