60 research outputs found
Genetics of Restless Legs Syndrome
The genetically complex restless legs syndrome (RLS) was tested for associations with genes using rare variant ExomeChip genotypes of 9,192 cases/controls. Candidate genes were sequenced together with candidate genes from a meta-GWAS using MIPseq in 1,456 cases/controls. A list of potential RLS genes was obtained. Furthermore, 843 individuals from 79 RLS families were genotyped/imputed for RLS risk SNPs. They were associated with RLS in 15 families and explained 17% to 100% of the phenotypic variance. « Ăbersetzte Kurzfassung: Das komplex-genetische Restless Legs Syndrom (RLS) wurde unter der Verwendung seltener Varianten aus dem ExomeChip von 9.192 FĂ€llen/Kontrollen auf Assoziationen mit Genen getestet. Die resultierenden Kandidatengene und weitere Kandidatengene aus einer Meta-GWAS wurden mittels MIPseq in 1.456 FĂ€llen/Kontrollen sequenziert. Eine Liste potentieller RLS Gene wurde erhalten. Auch wurden bekannte RLS-Risiko-SNPs in 843 Personen aus 79 RLS-Familien typisiert. Die SNPs waren mit RLS in 15 Familien assoziiert und erklĂ€rten 17 % bis 100 % der phĂ€notypischen Varianz
Statistical Mechanics of Canonical-Dissipative Systems and Applications to Swarm Dynamics
We develop the theory of canonical-dissipative systems, based on the
assumption that both the conservative and the dissipative elements of the
dynamics are determined by invariants of motion. In this case, known solutions
for conservative systems can be used for an extension of the dynamics, which
also includes elements such as the take-up/dissipation of energy. This way, a
rather complex dynamics can be mapped to an analytically tractable model, while
still covering important features of non-equilibrium systems. In our paper,
this approach is used to derive a rather general swarm model that considers (a)
the energetic conditions of swarming, i.e. for active motion, (b) interactions
between the particles based on global couplings. We derive analytical
expressions for the non-equilibrium velocity distribution and the mean squared
displacement of the swarm. Further, we investigate the influence of different
global couplings on the overall behavior of the swarm by means of
particle-based computer simulations and compare them with the analytical
estimations.Comment: 14 pages incl. 13 figures. v2: misprints in Eq. (40) corrected, ref.
updated. For related work see also:
http://summa.physik.hu-berlin.de/~frank/active.htm
An empirical test for cellular automaton models of traffic flow
Based on a detailed microscopic test scenario motivated by recent empirical
studies of single-vehicle data, several cellular automaton models for traffic
flow are compared. We find three levels of agreement with the empirical data:
1) models that do not reproduce even qualitatively the most important empirical
observations,
2) models that are on a macroscopic level in reasonable agreement with the
empirics, and 3) models that reproduce the empirical data on a microscopic
level as well.
Our results are not only relevant for applications, but also shed new light
on the relevant interactions in traffic flow.Comment: 28 pages, 36 figures, accepted for publication in PR
Criterion for traffic phases in single vehicle data and empirical test of a microscopic three-phase traffic theory
A microscopic criterion for distinguishing synchronized flow and wide moving
jam phases in single vehicle data measured at a single freeway location is
presented. Empirical local congested traffic states in single vehicle data
measured on different days are classified into synchronized flow states and
states consisting of synchronized flow and wide moving jam(s). Then empirical
microscopic characteristics for these different local congested traffic states
are studied. Using these characteristics and empirical spatiotemporal
macroscopic traffic phenomena, an empirical test of a microscopic three-phase
traffic flow theory is performed. Simulations show that the microscopic
criterion and macroscopic spatiotemporal objective criteria lead to the same
identification of the synchronized flow and wide moving jam phases in congested
traffic. It is found that microscopic three-phase traffic models can explain
both microscopic and macroscopic empirical congested pattern features. It is
obtained that microscopic distributions for vehicle speed difference as well as
fundamental diagrams and speed correlation functions can depend on the spatial
co-ordinate considerably. It turns out that microscopic optimal velocity (OV)
functions and time headway distributions are not necessarily qualitatively
different, even if local congested traffic states are qualitatively different.
The reason for this is that important spatiotemporal features of congested
traffic patterns are it lost in these as well as in many other macroscopic and
microscopic traffic characteristics, which are widely used as the empirical
basis for a test of traffic flow models, specifically, cellular automata
traffic flow models.Comment: 27 pages, 16 figure
Congested Traffic States in Empirical Observations and Microscopic Simulations
We present data from several German freeways showing different kinds of
congested traffic forming near road inhomogeneities, specifically lane
closings, intersections, or uphill gradients. The states are localized or
extended, homogeneous or oscillating. Combined states are observed as well,
like the coexistence of moving localized clusters and clusters pinned at road
inhomogeneities, or regions of oscillating congested traffic upstream of nearly
homogeneous congested traffic. The experimental findings are consistent with a
recently proposed theoretical phase diagram for traffic near on-ramps [D.
Helbing, A. Hennecke, and M. Treiber, Phys. Rev. Lett. {\bf 82}, 4360 (1999)].
We simulate these situations with a novel continuous microscopic single-lane
model, the ``intelligent driver model'' (IDM), using the empirical boundary
conditions. All observations, including the coexistence of states, are
qualitatively reproduced by describing inhomogeneities with local variations of
one model parameter.
We show that the results of the microscopic model can be understood by
formulating the theoretical phase diagram for bottlenecks in a more general
way. In particular, a local drop of the road capacity induced by parameter
variations has practically the same effect as an on-ramp.Comment: Now published in Phys. Rev. E. Minor changes suggested by a referee
are incorporated; full bibliographic info added. For related work see
http://www.mtreiber.de/ and http://www.helbing.org
Active Brownian Motion Models and Applications to Ratchets
We give an overview over recent studies on the model of Active Brownian
Motion (ABM) coupled to reservoirs providing free energy which may be converted
into kinetic energy of motion. First, we present an introduction to a general
concept of active Brownian particles which are capable to take up energy from
the source and transform part of it in order to perform various activities. In
the second part of our presentation we consider applications of ABM to ratchet
systems with different forms of differentiable potentials. Both analytical and
numerical evaluations are discussed for three cases of sinusoidal,
staircase-like and Mateos ratchet potentials, also with the additional loads
modeled by tilted potential structure. In addition, stochastic character of the
kinetics is investigated by considering perturbation by Gaussian white noise
which is shown to be responsible for driving the directionality of the
asymptotic flux in the ratchet. This \textit{stochastically driven
directionality} effect is visualized as a strong nonmonotonic dependence of the
statistics of the right versus left trajectories of motion leading to a net
current of particles. Possible applications of the ratchet systems to molecular
motors are also briefly discussedComment: 12 pages, 17 figure
Modeling Vortex Swarming In Daphnia
Based on experimental observations in \textit{Daphnia}, we introduce an
agent-based model for the motion of single and swarms of animals. Each agent is
described by a stochastic equation that also considers the conditions for
active biological motion. An environmental potential further reflects local
conditions for \textit{Daphnia}, such as attraction to light sources. This
model is sufficient to describe the observed cycling behavior of single
\textit{Daphnia}. To simulate vortex swarming of many \textit{Daphnia}, i.e.
the collective rotation of the swarm in one direction, we extend the model by
considering avoidance of collisions. Two different ansatzes to model such a
behavior are developed and compared. By means of computer simulations of a
multi-agent system we show that local avoidance - as a special form of
asymmetric repulsion between animals - leads to the emergence of a vortex
swarm. The transition from uncorrelated rotation of single agents to the vortex
swarming as a function of the swarm size is investigated. Eventually, some
evidence of avoidance behavior in \textit{Daphnia} is provided by comparing
experimental and simulation results for two animals.Comment: 24 pages including 11 multi-part figs. Major revisions compared to
version 1, new results on transition from uncorrelated rotation to vortex
swarming. Extended discussion. For related publications see
http://www.sg.ethz.ch/people/scfrank/Publication
Identification of novel risk loci for restless legs syndrome in genome-wide association studies in individuals of European ancestry : a meta-analysis
Background Restless legs syndrome is a prevalent chronic neurological disorder with potentially severe mental and physical health consequences. Clearer understanding of the underlying pathophysiology is needed to improve treatment options. We did a meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies (GWASs) to identify potential molecular targets. Methods In the discovery stage, we combined three GWAS datasets (EU-RLS GENE, INTERVAL, and 23andMe) with diagnosis data collected from 2003 to 2017, in face-to-face interviews or via questionnaires, and involving 15126 cases and 95 725 controls of European ancestry. We identified common variants by fixed-effect inverse-variance meta-analysis. Significant genome-wide signals (p Findings We identified and replicated 13 new risk loci for restless legs syndrome and confirmed the previously identified six risk loci. MEIS1 was confirmed as the strongest genetic risk factor for restless legs syndrome (odds ratio 1.92, 95% CI 1 85-1.99). Gene prioritisation, enrichment, and genetic correlation analyses showed that identified pathways were related to neurodevelopment and highlighted genes linked to axon guidance (associated with SEMA6D), synapse formation (NTNG1), and neuronal specification (HOXB cluster family and MYT1). Interpretation Identification of new candidate genes and associated pathways will inform future functional research. Advances in understanding of the molecular mechanisms that underlie restless legs syndrome could lead to new treatment options. We focused on common variants; thus, additional studies are needed to dissect the roles of rare and structural variations.Peer reviewe
Emissions- und abfallarme Giesserei - Entwicklung einer umweltvertraeglichen Formstofftechnologie auf Alkali-Silikat-Binderbasis Abschlussbericht
Available from TIB Hannover: F99B1327+a / FIZ - Fachinformationszzentrum Karlsruhe / TIB - Technische InformationsbibliothekSIGLEBundesministerium fuer Bildung und Forschung (BMBF), Bonn (Germany)DEGerman
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