2,223 research outputs found
An analysis of constant pressure steam injection in an unsaturated porous medium
No full textIn this paper the unsteady process of constant pressure steam injection into an unsaturated porous medium (e.g. contaminated soil) is studied. Darcy's law, an overall mass balance and an energy balance at the steam front are applied to determine the position of the front. The solution, in closed form, reveals that the front position is proportional to ...t. Furthermore, an asymptotic analysis provides an approximate expression for the front position. This result quantifies the case of negligible conductive heat transfer
Decision-Making in Early Internationalization: A Structured Expert Judgement Approach
No full textThe aim of this chapter is to show how a structured approach to elicit expert judgement (SEJ) can guide the practice of early internationalization. We applied SEJ to forecast some critical issues upon which an innovative start-up wished to base their decision of whether to expand their initial operations in Poland and Czech Republic to Brazil. Sixteen participants of an Executive MBA program acted as experts and underwent the procedure for eliciting their judgements. The performance of experts was quantified in terms of statistical accuracy and informativeness, which were combined to provide a performance-based weight for each expert according to Classical Model. The combination of weighted expert judgements led to improved statistical accuracy and informativeness of the forecast. The procedure demonstrates how entrepreneurs can take advantage of expert knowledge in deciding about risky endeavours when lacking their own experiences and reliable data that can guide their choices.Accepted author manuscriptApplied Probabilit
An In-Depth Perspective on the Classical Model
No full textThe Classical Model (CM) or Cooke’s method for performing Structured Expert Judgement (SEJ) is the best-known method that promotes expert performance evaluation when aggregating experts’ assessments of uncertain quantities. Assessing experts’ performance in quantifying uncertainty involves two scores in CM, the calibration score (or statistical accuracy) and the information score. The two scores combine into overall scores, which, in turn, yield weights for a performance-based aggregation of experts’ opinions. The method is fairly demanding, and therefore carrying out a SEJ elicitation with CM requires careful consideration. This chapter aims to address the methodological and practical aspects of CM into a comprehensive overview of the CM elicitation process. It complements the chapter “Elicitation in the Classical Model” in the book Elicitation (Quigley et al. 2018). Nonetheless, we regard this chapter as a stand-alone material, hence some concepts and definitions will be repeated, for the sake of completeness.Applied Probabilit
Single- and Multi-carrier Quadrature Amplitude Modulation: Principles and Applications for Personal Communications, WATM and Broadcasting: 2nd
No full textSingle- and Multi-carrier Quadrature Amplitude Modulation Principles and Applications for Personal Communications, WLANs and Broadcasting L. Hanzo Department of Electronics and Computer Science, University of Southampton, UK W. Webb Motorola, Arlington Heights, USA formerly at Multiple Access Communications Ltd, Southampton, UK T. Keller Ubinetics, Cambridge Technology Centre, Melbourn, UK formerly at Department of Electronics and Computer Science, University of Southampton, UK Motivated by the rapid evolution of wireless communication systems, this expanded second edition provides an overview of most major single- and multi-carrier Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (QAM) techniques commencing with simple QAM schemes for the uninitiated through to complex, rapidly-evolving areas, such as arrangements for wide-band mobile channels. Targeted at the more advanced reader, the multi-carrier modulation based second half of the book presents a research-orientated outlook using a variety of novel QAM-based arrangements. * Features six new chapters dealing with the complexities of multi-carrier modulation which has found applications ranging from Wireless Local Area Networks (WLAN) to Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB) * Provides a rudimentary introduction for readers requiring a background in the field of modulation and radio wave propagation * Discusses classic QAM transmission issues relevant to Gaussian channels * Examines QAM-based transmissions over mobile radio channels * Incorporates QAM-related orthogonal techniques, considers the spectral efficiency of QAM in cellular frequency re-use structures and presents a QAM-based speech communications system design study * Introduces Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) over both Gaussian and wideband fading channels By providing an all-encompassing self-contained treatment of single- and multi- carrier QAM based communications, a wide range of readers including senior undergraduate and postgraduate students, practising engineers and researchers alike will all find the coverage of this book attractive
A novel self-lipid antigen targets human T cells against CD1c(+) leukemias
No full textT cells that recognize self-lipids presented by CD1c are frequent in the peripheral blood of healthy individuals and kill transformed hematopoietic cells, but little is known about their antigen specificity and potential antileukemia effects. We report that CD1c self-reactive T cells recognize a novel class of self-lipids, identified as methyl-lysophosphatidic acids (mLPAs), which are accumulated in leukemia cells. Primary acute myeloid and B cell acute leukemia blasts express CD1 molecules. mLPA-specific T cells efficiently kill CD1c(+) acute leukemia cells, poorly recognize nontransformed CD1c-expressing cells, and protect immunodeficient mice against CD1c(+) human leukemia cells. The identification of immunogenic self-lipid antigens accumulated in leukemia cells and the observed leukemia control by lipid-specific T cells in vivo provide a new conceptual framework for leukemia immune surveillance and possible immunotherapy
Development of a pulsed high magnetic field laboratory at Huazhong University of Science and Technology
No full textAbstract: A pulsed high magnetic field laboratory is to be funded and established at Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST), Wuhan, China by the Chinese Development and Reform Committee. In order to cover a wide spectrum of the experimental possibilities, the pulsed field coils are planned in the range of 50-80 T with pulse durations from 20 ms to 1000 ms. Experience in the construction of the pulsed power supplies, pulsed magnet and the experimental equipment has been gained from a pilot laboratory at HUST since 2002. The lab building and the installation of a 1 MJ, 25 kV capacitor bank and the 100 MVA pulse generator have been completed. Two pulsed magnets with a 18 mm bore were made at KU.Leuven in the context of the bilateral project between two universities. The magnets have been tested to 42 T and installed in two measuring stations. As the first experiment, the magneto-resistance of the high temperature superconductor La2-xSrxCuO4 was measured.sponsorship: Cheng Wang; Xian Zhong Duan; Ke Xun Yu; Tao Peng; Zheng Cai Xia; Hong Fa Ding; Liang Li; Huazhong Univ. of Sci. & Technol., Wuhan, Chinastatus: Publishe
Studies of suppression using monoclonal regulatory T cells and the importance of co-receptor Lck coupling ratios for negative selection
No full textNormal physiology is not given without immunological tolerance. Depending on the origin of induction, tolerance can be divided into central and peripheral tolerance. Central tolerance comprises depletion of autoreactive T cells in the thymus (i.e. negative selection), and with this prevents autoimmunity. Peripheral tolerance critically depends on regulatory T cells (Tregs) maintaining lymphocyte homeostasis. Hallmark features of CD4+ Tregs are the expression of high surface IL-2-Rα (CD25) and the transcription factor Forkhead box protein P3 (Foxp3). Expression of non-functional Foxp3 results in lethal multi-organ lymphocytic infiltrations and cytokine secretions. Numerous data agree on an indispensable role for Tregs enabling physiological immunity. Yet an understanding of how Tregs function at a cellular and molecular level has not been fully elucidated.
In the first part of the thesis we made use of a RagKO TCR transgenic mouse expressing a Foxp3 transgene. This mouse provides a source of monoclonal CD4+, Foxp3+ T cells with a defined specificity. We show that monoclonal B3K506 Tregs are fully functional in vitro and in vivo and clearly require cognate antigen to be suppressive. We further show that the strength of Treg stimulation determines the strength of Treg mediated suppression. Finally we analysed various suppressive mechanisms used by monoclonal Tregs and found that Treg-Tconv proximity is an important parameter, which correlates with effective suppression.
In the second part of the thesis we aimed to understand the molecular mechanism underlying the affinity threshold for negative selection. We quantified the amount of Lck coupled to CD8 or CD4 coreceptors. We found that CD4 co-receptors have higher Lck coupling ratios than do CD8 co-receptors. In addition we determined the absolute numbers of surface molecules (i.e. CD8α, CD4 and CD3ε) on double positive (DP) thymocytes in B6 and MHC- class I restricted, TCR Tg mouse strains. A model, explaining how the TCR measures antigen affinity to initiate a negative selection signal, was generated. Here we show that the affinity threshold for different co-receptors depends on the probability that a peptide-MHC- TCR complex will collide with a co-receptor carrying Lck during the time pMCH binds to the TCR (Stepanek, O. et al. Cell, 2014
George T. Furukawa
No full textGEORGE T. FURUKAWA
Inducted: 2003
Citation:
For his wide-ranging studies in thermodynamics and thermometry, including high-precision measurements of temperature reference transitions, calorimetry, and the analysis of low-temperature thermodynamic properties.
Tenure: 1948 - 1985
Birth: 1921, Cupertino, California
Education:
Central College, Fayette, Missouri, 1943
University of Wisconsin, PhD (Physical Chemistry), 1948
Positions held:
Physicist/Chemist
Senior Researcher
Honors:
Department of Commerce: Silver Medal, 1973
American Society of Testing and Materials, Award of Merit, 1986
Memberships:
American Chemical Society
American Physical Society
American Society of Testing and Materials
Sigma Xi
Standards Alumni Association
Publications:
Author or coauthor of over 100 scientific reports, monographs, and journal publications related to thermodynamic data and thermometry, including:
“Heat Capacities” (with T.B. Douglas) in American Institute of Physics Handbook, McGraw-Hill, 1957, 1963, and 1972 editions.
Critical Analysis of the Heat-Capacity Data of the Literature and Evaluation of Thermodynamic Properties of Copper, Silver, and Gold from 0 to 300 K (with coauthors), NSRDS-NBS 18 (1968)
Platinum Resistance Thermometry (with coauthors), NBS Monograph 126 (1973)
Application of Some Metal SRM’s as Thermometric Fixed Points (with coauthors), NBS Special Publication 260-77 (1982)
“Effects of Different Methods of Preparation of Ice Mantles of Triple Point of Water Cells on the Temporal Behavior of the Triple-Point Temperatures,” (with coauthors), Metrologia, (1997)
“Investigation of the Non-Uniqueness of the ITS-90 in the Range 600 ºC to 962 ºC” (with G.F. Strouse), Proceedings of TEMPMEKO 2001, 2002
Characterisation of T cell defects in acute myeloid leukaemia
No full textPhDUnderstanding the immune system in patients with cancer and how it interacts with malignant cells is critical for the development of successful immunotherapeutic strategies at a time when novel cancer treatment approaches are required. Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) results in widespread interaction between the malignant cells and T cells and as such, offers an opportunity to study these interactions. A flow cytometric analysis of T cells in the peripheral blood of patients presenting with AML illustrated that the absolute number of T cells is increased in AML compared with healthy controls. Furthermore, a large population of CD3+56+ cells was identified. These cells are not natural killer T cells but effector T cells that may represent a failing immunosurveillance mechanism. Two technical issues were explored: how to separate T cells from the peripheral blood of newly diagnosed AML patients and the impact of the method of immunomagnetic cell separation on the gene expression profile of healthy T cells. Gene expression profiling was subsequently performed on T cells from AML patients compared with healthy controls. Global differences in transcription were observed suggesting aberrant T cell activation patterns in AML. As differentially regulated genes involved in actin cytoskeletal formation were noted, a functional assessment of the ability of T cells from AML patients to form immunological synapses was performed. This illustrated that although T cells from AML patients can form conjugates with autologous blasts, their ability to form immune synapses and recruit phosphotyrosine signalling molecules to that signalling interface is impaired. Taken together, these findings demonstrate that numerically T cells are plentiful in AML however they are abnormal in terms of the genes they are transcribing and in their interactions with tumour cells. Targeting immunological synapse formation may represent an important means of improving T cell recognition of tumour cells across a range of cancers
Selections of vine structures and their applications
No full textCopulas are important models that allow to capture the dependence among variables. There are many types of bivariate parametric copula families, which allow to model data sets with different properties: symmetric and asymmetric dependence, upper (lower) tail dependence. In higher dimensions popular families of copulas, e.g., Gaussian, Student-t and canonical Archimedean are not sufficiently flexible in representing different types of dependence that they can realize. By decomposing the multivariate copula into a sequence of bivariate (conditional) copulas, based on a graph called vine (which is a nested set of trees), one is able to construct a n dimensional copula with the bivariate copulas that can have different types of dependence (e.g., tail behavior and asymmetries). The model constructed this way is called the vine copulamodel...Applied Probabilit
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