New Procedure For Analysis Research Articles

A new procedure for analysis of ride quality in roads using multi-body dynamic simulation

A new procedure for analysis of ride quality in roads using multi-body dynamic simulation

The results of quantitative evaluation of postradiation changes in lung cancer patients, which were obtained using a new procedure for analysis of dynamic X-ray computed tomography imaging of thoracic organs

Objective: to reveal a relationship of lung changes to time after radiotherapy (RT), its dose, and irradiated volume, by using a new procedure to quantitatively evaluate lung tissue density changes according to the data of dynamic X-ray computed tomography (X-ray CT) imaging.Subjects and methods. Data on 29 cancer patients who had received RT to the chest area using 3D planning, 2-5-Gy fractions, and a total focal RT dose of 16 to 84 Gy in the lung tissue were retrospectively selected. Each patient underwent at least two X-ray CT studies (before and after RT); a total of 83 studies were analyzed. The new diagnostic procedure developed by the authors was used to quantitatively analyze lung tissue density changes in the areas with a selected dose range.Results. On days 1 to 15-30 after completion of RT, the quantitative analysis revealed no significant density changes. On days 70-80, there was an increase in changes that were different from those in the nonirradiated areas. On 80 to 100-120 days, there was a decline of radiation reactions with preserved changes in the areas irradiated at a dose of 19-20 Gy. From 120 days onwards, the changes were preserved in the areas irradiated at a dose of over 32-37 Gy through the formation of post-radiation pulmonary fibrosis. In addition, eight (27.6%) patients treated with less than 20 Gy were detected to have changes associated with the initial density values, which can be regarded as an increased individual radiosensitivity.Conclusion. The time course of a quantitative change in the median lung tissue density in the areas irradiated at different doses allows radiation-induced lung injury to be detected at X-ray CT until the visual signs of pneumonitis appear. A continuous, quantitative scale of changes will assist in more reliably and accurately studying post-radiation changes at a later time, and the time course of spaciotemporal changes will be able to compare and quantify lung injury when exploring new treatment methods and policies.

Integral- and differential-decay-curve methods for recoil distance measurements of nuclear lifetimes

A new procedure of analysis for the measurement of nuclear lifetimes with the Recoil Distance Method is presented and discussed. In comparison with the standard Differential Decay Curve method, the new procedure avoids the difficulties related to the variation of the average velocity of decaying nuclei with the target–stopper distance, which can result from a large spread in the angular and velocity distributions. This can be particularly useful when a relatively thick target must be used due to the weak beam current, as in measurements with radioactive beams. Moreover the “integral” form of the method can be useful when the most significant points lie at the border of the explored region, where the evaluation of derivatives is subject to larger uncertainties.

Dynamical evolution of sodium anisotropies in the exosphere of Mercury

Despite the recent MESSENGER measurements, the exosphere of Mercury, the tenuous collisionless cloud of gas surrounding the planet, still needs a comprehensive view of its generation mechanisms. In fact, it is the result of the diverse interactions between many systems, which are: the surface, the interplanetary medium (Solar wind, photons and meteoroids), the planetary and the interplanetary magnetic fields. Many ground-based observations allowed the detection of intense and variable sodium emissions at global and local spatial scales, the latter being mostly concentrated in the mid-to-high latitude regions. These regions are indeed the preferred location of solar wind precipitation on the surface of the planet.In the present paper, by using high resolution Na observations obtained at the Canary Islands with the THEMIS solar telescope, we analyze the variability of the sodium exosphere on time-scale of 1h and investigate the possible mechanisms that could explain the exospheric sodium emission distribution and its dynamics. A new procedure of analysis is applied to make the data fully comparable among each other and allow a proper analysis of the evolution of the observed peak. Our interpretation relates the observed North/South sodium asymmetries to the combined effects of plasma and photons impacts onto the Mercury's surface and of sodium diffusion through the upper layer of the surface. Simulations of the exosphere generation and of the possible coupling between IMF and planetary magnetosphere suggest that observations could be interpreted as the effects of a combination of both the magnetic reconnection regimes of pulsed and quasi-steady reconnection. In addition to this, a progressive broadening of the peak regions together with an increase of the equatorial region seem to corroborate the role of photon stimulated desorption, in association with the ion sputtering and with subsequent global sodium migration around Mercury, as the causes of the observed Na peak regions evolution.

New procedure for analysis of complex mixtures by use of multidimensional planar chromatography in combination with diode-array scanning densitometry and high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with diode-array detection

The purpose of this paper is to report a new procedure for analysis of analytes in complex mixtures by combination of different modes of multidimensional planar chromatography (MDPC) on monolayer or multiphase plates. The procedure described for separation of complex mixtures of compounds is inexpensive and can be applied to routine analysis of analytes in samples of natural origin, e.g., in water or plant extracts, after preliminary clean-up and concentration, e.g., by solid-phase extraction (SPE). Application of multidimensional planar chromatography (MDPC) and modern fiber optical TLC densitometric scanners with DAD is especially useful for correct identification of components of difficult, complicated mixtures, e.g., pesticides in plant extracts (clofentezine in Herba Thymi).

Application of SPE-HPLC-DAD and SPE-HPTLC-DAD to the analysis of pesticides in lake water

Summary The objective of this paper is to present a new procedure for analysis of pesticides in water by use of solid-phase extraction (SPE) and high-performance chromatography with diode-array detector (HPLC–DAD) and high-performance thin-layer chromatography with diode-array scanning (HPTLC–DAD). Pesticides in lake water were enriched by solid-phase extraction (SPE) on C18/SDB-1, C18, C18 Polar Plus, and CN cartridges. SPE was used not only for preconcentration of the analytes but also for their fractionation. The analytes were eluted first with methanol then with dichloromethane. Methanol eluates were analyzed by HPLC–DAD, the dichloromethane eluates by HPTLC–DAD. The method was validated for precision, repeatability, and accuracy. In HPLC–DAD calibration plots were linear between 0.1 and 50.0 μg mL –1 for all pesticides, with correlation coefficients, r, between 0.9992 and 1.000. In HPTLC–DAD the best fit for the calibration plots was obtained when the calibration data were analyzed by second-degree polynomial regression. Calibration plots between 0.1 and 17 μg per spot were obtained for all pesticides; the correlation coefficients, r, were between 0.9974 and 0.9997. The limit of detection (LOD) was between 0.04 and 0.65 μg per spot for HPTLC–DAD and between 0.01 and 1.56 μg mL–1 for HPLC–DAD. The limit of quantification (LOQ) was between 0.12 and 1.92 μg per spot for HPTLC–DAD and between 0.04 and 4.72 μg mL –1 for HPLC–DAD.

Tensor theory of electromagnetic radiometry

A theory of electromagnetic radiometry is built on the premise that the electromagnetic generalised radiance has a tensor structure, represented by the electric, magnetic and mixed generalised radiance tensors as fundamental quantities. They allow overcoming the limitations due to the scalar generalised radiances, proposed for characterizing stationary random electromagnetic sources. Furthermore, they provide a unified framework for completely describing the energy flux and the states of spatial coherence and polarization of random electromagnetic fields. So, the fundamental quantities of both the scalar generalised radiometry and the classical radiometry or photometry are deduced as particular cases of the tensor theory. A new procedure of analysis of (second-order) correlations, subject to the accomplishment of conservation laws, is also introduced. It reveals that (1) the primary sources of the measurable radiometric quantities associated to the random electromagnetic fields in any states of spatial coherence and polarization are the individual radiators of the radiant source (the correlations of the electric and magnetic field vectors only modulate the contributions given by those radiators) and (2) there are two physical mechanisms for the transport of measurable radiometric quantities by the electromagnetic field, i.e. the propagation of the contributions from individual radiators and their redistribution over each wavefront on propagation. The term redistribution refers to the transfer of portions of the measurable quantity over the wavefronts on propagation, without change its total value over each wavefront. In this context, a physical meaning is given to the negative values of the generalised radiance, which gives new insight about the Poynting’s theory of energy transport.

Steady electro-optic characteristics of noninteracting colloidal particles

In previous papers on the electro-optic effects of β-FeOOH particles we proposed a new procedure for analysis of the low frequency behavior of charged particles. The procedure is based on comparison of characteristic field intensity curves on an appropriate scale and helps to test the dependence of the slow effects on particle surface electric polarizability (relaxing in the kilohertz domain). The results stimulated us to test the applicability of the method to other samples and to reconsider the literature data on the electro-optic behavior of charged colloids in the hydrodynamic domain. The aim of the present paper is to demonstrate on a series of samples similar features of the electro-optic responses of charged particles in the relaxation interval of particle rotation. The analysis leads to a new hypothesis for explanation of the complicated low frequency behavior of charged particles. The superposition of two slow effects (linear and quadratic with field intensity), relaxing in the relaxation interval of particle rotation, can explain the complicated frequency curves in this domain. One of the slow effects is observed for all polarizable particles. It is of negative sign and displays the features of an induced dipole effect dependent on the “kilohertz” induced moment. It corresponds to a slow stage of the surface polarization process related to electrokinetic charge. The linear slow effect shows permanent dipole like behavior and appears only at certain ionic content of the medium. It shows no direct dependence on counterion mobility and on the “kilohertz” induced moment and is probably due to surface charge nonuniformity.

A Simple Method of Analysis of Data on Barrier Height extracted from Current-Reverse Voltage Characteristic in Schottky Diodes

A new procedure of analysis of data extracted from the common reverse-biased current characteristic of the Schottky diodes (SD) with native oxide layer is proposed. Analytical modeling of the behavior of current, barrier height and surface charge for SD at reverse bias is performed within the extended thermoionic-emission model. Taking into account some interface effects, analytical expressions are derived. The barrier lowering and drift-diffusion motion of carriers across the depletion region are incorporated. The barrier lowering includes some basic interface effects. Assuming the full filling of interface centers with reverse bias a possible behavior of the barrier height and current is considered. In the data analysis, the dependence of effective barrier height on space charge is used under different surface corrections to the barrier height. A method of determination of the barrier height and interface centers parameters is developed. The experimental data obtained on Au/n-Si radiation detectors were compared with the predictions of the analytical model involved and good agreement was achieved.

Random telegraph noise analysis in time domain

A new procedure for analysis of random telegraph signals in time domain has been developed and applied to the analysis of voltage fluctuations in the current induced dissipative state in superconducting thin films. The procedure, based entirely on the difference in the statistical properties of discrete Marcovian telegraph fluctuations and Gaussian background noise, ascribes each point of the experimental time record to one of the telegraph states. The average statistical lifetimes and amplitudes of the telegraph signal are then determined in an iterative way by fitting the amplitude histogram of thus obtained record of the redistributed data to the two-Gaussian histogram of the original experimental signal. The procedure allows for analyzing “noisy” random telegraph signals with low ratio between the signal amplitude and the intensity of the background noise that cannot be analyzed by the classical approach. Separation of the time record into two subrecords relative to two telegraph states also enables in-depth analysis of the spectral properties of the background noise observed together with the telegraph fluctuations.

Role of orbital overlap and local dynamics in long-distance electron transfer in photosynthetic reaction centres and model systems

The following approaches have been developed to estimate the factors affecting electron transfer (ET) in proteins: (1) an analysis of the correlation between the rate constants of ET ( k ET) in a donor-acceptor (DA) pair and the dynamic parameters of various modes of relaxation of media traced by spin, fluorescent, triplet and Mössbauer labelling methods; (2) the use of spin exchange (SE) data in biradicals and complexes of transition metals with paramagnetic ligands and triplet-triplet energy transfer (TTET) data, which are considered as simple models of ET, for the estimation of the attenuation parameter ( γ X) of superexchange through an individual chemical group X and through homogeneous “conducting” and “non-conducting” media. The application of the aforementioned approaches to ET in photosynthetic reaction centres (RCs) and DA pairs in simple liquids and proteins is reviewed. The mechanism of ET in the systems under consideration is discussed. A new procedure of analysis of kinetic-thermodynamic relationships, including predictions by Marcus theory, is proposed.

A modified computer-assisted colorimetric microtitre assay (MTT) to assess in vitro radiosensitivity of V79, CaSki, HeLa and WiDr cells.

The non-clonogenic MTT assay, based on the reduction of a tetrazolium salt to a purple formazan precipitate by living cells, was modified and a new procedure of analysis is proposed. The colorimetric assay could be performed semi-automatically using microtitre plate reader connected to a personal computer. Data are processed and plotted with a customized program. To ensure that both control and irradiated microtitre plates contain exponentially growing cells at the time of analysis, the calculation of relative survival is based on a series of well-defined cell numbers initially seeded. To make the two endpoints of non-clonogenic and clonogenic assays comparable, i.e. counting of living cells versus counting of colonies, radiation-induced progression delay was incorporated into the calculation. Radiation-induced cell killing and progression delay could be determined in a single analysis, but in an independent way. X-ray survival curves were generated for V79, CaSki, WiDr and HeLa cells using the non-clonogenic and a standard clonogenic assay. Using the linear-quadratic formula, the resulting parameters alpha, beta and the mean inactivation dose were not significantly different. The described assay is a feasible and reproducible technique for determination of cellular survival, which may be able to incorporate progression delay. The equivalence to a clonogenic survival assay could be proven.

Analysis of Tracked-Vehicle Suspension Systems Using a Frictional Contact Problem Formulation

ABSTRACT A new procedure for analysis of tracked-vehicle suspension systems under a track length constraint, based on a frictional contact problem formulation, is presented. Impenetrability, inextensibility, unilateral behavior of track, and friction conditions are expressed in complementarity form. The resulting problem is then amenable to efficient numerical algorithms, such as the modified simplex method. This approach is demonstrated through numerical applications to a model of a tracked-vehicle suspension system.

A new procedure for analysis of single-mode-fiber far-field data

Abstract A new procedure for analysis of far-field data on single-mode fibers is proposed; it allows one to obtain mode field diameters with reproducibility of ±0.05 μm or better and to reconstruct reliably and unambiguously the refractive-index profile even for dispersion-modified fibers with moderate requirements on dynamic range of the measurements.

Three subroutines for the analysis of suspension bridges

A new procedure for analysis of suspension bridges has been recently presented (Franciosi and Franciosi, Comput. Struct. 26, 499–512, 1987), in which the so-called cell method was employed in order to obtain static and dynamic response of a one-span suspension bridge. In the present paper three efficient subroutines are introduced, which allow us to calculate the strain energy matrix, Lagrangian mass matrix and participation factors of each vibration mode. Every matrical operation is avoided, so that the proposed method is very fast and manageable. Both the matrices can be immediately built, and a standard eigenvalue package will furnish eigenvalues and eigenvectors. Then, the third subroutine calculates the participation factors of the modes, for synchronous and asynchronous earthquakes. A numerical example shows that the cell method leads to good approximations, even when the discretization is very rough.

Somatization disorder in a US southern community: use of a new procedure for analysis of medical classification.

The authors examine somatization disorder in a community population, using grade of membership analysis, a new multivariate analytical technique for the analysis of medical classification. The technique is used to examine whether somatic symptoms will cluster into a clinical syndrome resembling somatization disorder, as defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-III), if no a priori assumptions are made about the interrelationship of somatic symptoms or their clustering into clinical syndromes. Grade of membership analysis is applied to all respondents in the US National Institute of Mental Health Epidemiological Catchment Area Project of the Piedmont region of North Carolina reporting three or more somatic symptoms from the somatization disorder section of the Diagnostic Interview Schedule. The analysis indicates that seven 'pure' types, roughly analogous to clusters in cluster analysis, best describe the interrelationship of the symptoms included in the analysis. One 'pure' type in the analysis is nearly identical to DSM-III somatization disorder and is associated with demographic characteristics consistently found among patients with DSM-III somatization disorder. The present results demonstrate that symptoms associated with this disorder do cluster in a highly predictable fashion and represent a strong validation of the natural occurrence of an entity resembling somatization disorder.

A New Procedure for Analysis of Medical Classification

A number of classification techniques have been applied to the analysis of medical diagnostic systems and decision making. Commonly used approaches such as cluster analysis, linear discriminant analysis and Bayesian classification are subject to logical and statistical limitations. In this paper we present a methodology, called »grade of membership« analysis, which resolves many of those limitations. This methodology deals simultaneously with the dual problems of case clustering and estimation of discriminant coefficients. The methodology also permits the assessment of the reliability of externally defined medical diagnoses, multiple diagnoses for individuals, disease progression and severity, and permits the representation of patient heterogeneity within diagnostic category. Maximum likelihood principles are invoked both to obtain parameter estimates and as a basis for likelihood ratio testing of complex hypotheses about the model structure. The model is illustrated by an analysis of data on abdominal symptoms and disease.

A New Procedure for Analysis of Medical Classification

A number of classification techniques have been applied to the analysis of medical diagnostic systems and decision making. Commonly used approaches such as cluster analysis, linear discriminant analysis and Bayesian classification are subject to logical and statistical limitations. In this paper we present a methodology, called »grade of membership« analysis, which resolves many of those limitations. This methodology deals simultaneously with the dual problems of case clustering and estimation of discriminant coefficients. The methodology also permits the assessment of the reliability of externally defined medical diagnoses, multiple diagnoses for individuals, disease progression and severity, and permits the representation of patient heterogeneity within diagnostic category. Maximum likelihood principles are invoked both to obtain parameter estimates and as a basis for likelihood ratio testing of complex hypotheses about the model structure. The model is illustrated by an analysis of data on abdominal symptoms and disease.