Centrifuge modelling of building response to tunnel excavation

Understanding the building response to tunnelling-induced settlements is an important aspect of urban tunnelling in soft ground. Previous centrifuge modelling research demonstrated significant potential to study this tunnel–soil–structure interaction problem. However, these recent studies were limited by simplified building models, which might result in uncertainties when interpreting the building performance to tunnelling subsidence. This paper presents an experimental modelling procedure and the results of a series of centrifuge tests, involving relatively complex surface structures subjected to tunnelling in sand. Powder-based three-dimensional (3D) printing was adopted to fabricate building models with realistic layouts, facade openings and foundations. The 3D printed material had a Young's modulus and a brittle response similar to historic masonry. Modelling effects and boundary conditions are quantified. The good agreement between the experimentally obtained results and previous research demonstrates that the soil–structure interaction during tunnel excavation is well replicated. The experimental procedure provides a framework to quantify how building features affect the response of buildings to tunnelling subsidence.The authors are grateful to EPSRC grant EP/K018221/1 and Crossrail for the financial support

Stepped wedge cluster randomized controlled trial designs: a review of reporting quality and design features

Background The stepped wedge (SW) cluster randomized controlled trial (CRCT) design is being used with increasing frequency. However, there is limited published research on the quality of reporting of SW-CRCTs. We address this issue by conducting a literature review. Methods Medline, Ovid, Web of Knowledge, the Cochrane Library, PsycINFO, the ISRCTN registry, and ClinicalTrials.gov were searched to identify investigations employing the SW-CRCT design up to February 2015. For each included completed study, information was extracted on a selection of criteria, based on the CONSORT extension to CRCTs, to assess the quality of reporting. Results A total of 123 studies were included in our review, of which 39 were completed trial reports. The standard of reporting of SW-CRCTs varied in quality. The percentage of trials reporting each criterion varied to as low as 15.4%, with a median of 66.7%. Conclusions There is much room for improvement in the quality of reporting of SW-CRCTs. This is consistent with recent findings for CRCTs. A CONSORT extension for SW-CRCTs is warranted to standardize the reporting of SW-CRCTs.This work was supported by the Wellcome Trust (grant number 099770/Z/12/Z to MJG); the Medical Research Council (grant number MC_UP_1302/2 to APM) and the National Institute for Health Research Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre (MC_UP_1302/4 to JMSW)

Pairwise Meta-Modeling of Multivariate Output Computer Models Using Nonseparable Covariance Function

<div><p></p><p>The Gaussian process (GP) model is a popular method for emulating deterministic computer simulation models. Its natural extension to computer models with multivariate outputs employs a multivariate Gaussian process (MGP) framework. Nevertheless, with significant increase in the number of design points and the number of model parameters, building a MGP model is a very challenging task. Under a general MGP model framework with nonseparable covariance functions, we propose an efficient meta-modeling approach featuring a pairwise model building scheme. The proposed method has excellent scalability even for a large number of output levels. Some properties of the proposed method have been investigated and its performance has been demonstrated through several numerical examples. Supplementary materials of this paper are available online. </p></div

Association between pseudodrusen and incidence of late age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in the fellow eye.

<p>Association between pseudodrusen and incidence of late age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in the fellow eye.</p

The prevalence rate of pseudodrusen in the fellow eye of patients with unilateral neovascular age-related macular degeneration.

<p>The prevalence rate of pseudodrusen in the fellow eye of patients with unilateral neovascular age-related macular degeneration.</p

Association between pseudodrusen and incidence of the neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) in the fellow eye.

<p>Association between pseudodrusen and incidence of the neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) in the fellow eye.</p

The Selection of Studies for the Meta-analysis.

<p>The Selection of Studies for the Meta-analysis.</p

Pairwise Estimation of Multivariate Gaussian Process Models With Replicated Observations: Application to Multivariate Profile Monitoring

<p>Profile monitoring is often conducted when the product quality is characterized by profiles. Although existing methods almost exclusively deal with univariate profiles, observations of multivariate profile data are increasingly encountered in practice. These data are seldom analyzed in the area of statistical process control due to lack of effective modeling tools. In this article, we propose to analyze them using the multivariate Gaussian process model, which offers a natural way to accommodate both within-profile and between-profile correlations. To mitigate the prohibitively high computation in building such models, a pairwise estimation strategy is adopted. Asymptotic normality of the parameter estimates from this approach has been established. Comprehensive simulation studies are conducted. In the case study, the method has been demonstrated using transmittance profiles from low-emittance glass. Supplementary materials for this article are available online.</p

Bioconversion of glycerol by GDH and GDH-NOX.

<p>Bioconversion of glycerol by GDH and GDH-NOX.</p

Structural Characterization of the Complex of SecB and Metallothionein-Labeled proOmpA by Cryo-Electron Microscopy

<div><p>ProOmpA is a preprotein that is translocated across the plasma membrane by the general secretory pathway in <em>Escherichia coli</em>. The molecular chaperon SecB in Sec pathway can recognize and bind proOmpA for its translocation. However, the structure of the SecB/proOmpA complex remains unknown. Here, we constructed an uncleavable proOmpA fused with metallothionein at its C-terminus and labeled it with metals <em>in vitro</em> for the study of cryo-electron microscopy. Using single particle cryo-electron microscopy, we reconstructed 3D structure of the stable SecB/proOmpA complex. The structure shows that the major portion of preprotein locates on one side of SecB tetramer, resulting in an asymmetric binding pattern. This work also provides a possible approach to the structure determination of small protein complexes by cryo-electron microscopy.</p> </div