A comparison between the time-domain and the frequency-domain diakoptic methods of solving field problems by transmission-line modelling

The nature and significance of time-domain approximations needed for a diakoptic solution using transmission-line modelling (TLM) are examined. Truncation, filtering and repeated convolution of time responses result in severe restrictions in the accuracy of time-domain diakoptics. The frequency-domain diakoptic method has several advantages, including speed and simplicity, and warrants further study.     

Coupling between electromagnetic fields and multimode transmission systems using TLM

The coupling between incident electromagnetic fields and lossless, multimode, multiconductor, transmission systems is studied using transmission-line modelling (TLM). Model predictions compared well with experimental multimode results. The model presented is suitable for studying electromagnetic compatibility problems in the time-domain.     

Experimental study of free convection in a window with a heated between-panes blind

An experimental study has been conducted to examine free convection in a window with an enclosed aluminum venetian-type blind. The unique feature of this experiment was that the blind slats were heated electrically to simulate absorbed solar radiation. Convective heat transfer measurements and temperature field visualization were obtained using a Mach-Zehnder laser interferometer. Optical measurements were made for two glazing spacings, two blind slat angles, two blind heat flux levels, and two glazing temperature differences. Both local and average convective heat flux data were obtained in the center region of the tall air-filled enclosure. At the widest glazing spacing, the temperature field was found to be unsteady. For these cases, the temporal fluctuation of the local convective heat transfer was time-averaged using a high speed camera. The experimental results have been compared to a simplified method in the literature for predicting the center-glass heat flux for this configuration.     

Exploratory data analysis and model criticism with posterior plots

The use of techniques of exploratory data analysis and model criticism represent important stages in many statistical investigations. One of the attractive features of a Bayesian analysis is that it can lend itself well to graphical summary. To produce this graphical summary it is generally necessary to restrict attention to a small number of key parameters. The graphical approach described can be adopted whenever an appropriate likelihood function can be specified. Solutions to some of the principal computational problems associated with implementing a graphical Bayesian analysis based on posterior plots are presented. Nuisance parameters are handled in two ways: by incorporating them directly into the computation of exact posterior distributions; and by integrating them out of a conditional analysis at an early stage when the former approach is infeasible. The latter proposal facilitates the handling of higher dimensional nuisance parameter vectors. Examples taken from the areas of time series and microeconomics are presented to illustrate the efficacy of the approach.     

Disposition of 14C-eptifibatide after intravenous administration to healthy men

Eptifibatide, a synthetic peptide inhibitor of the platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor, has been studied as an antithrombotic agent in a variety of acute ischemic coronary syndromes. The purpose of the present study was to characterize the disposition of 14C-eptifibatide in man after a single intravenous (i.v.) bolus dose. 14C-Eptifibatide (approximately 50 microCi) was administered to eight healthy men as a single 135-microgram/kg i.v. bolus. Blood, breath carbon dioxide, urine, and fecal samples were collected for up to 72 hours postdose and analyzed for radioactivity by liquid scintillation spectrometry. Plasma and urine samples were also assayed by liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry for eptifibatide and deamidated eptifibatide (DE). Mean (+/- SD) peak plasma eptifibatide concentrations of 879 +/- 251 ng/mL were achieved at the first sampling time (5 minutes), and concentrations then generally declined biexponentially, with a mean distribution half-life of 5 +/- 2.5 minutes and a mean terminal elimination half-life of 1.13 +/- 0.17 hours. Plasma eptifibatide concentrations and radioactivity declined in parallel, with most of the radioactivity (82.4%) attributed to eptifibatide. A total of approximately 73% of administered radioactivity was recovered in the 72-hour period following 14C-eptifibatide dosing. The primary route of elimination was urinary (98% of the total recovered radioactivity), whereas fecal (1.5%) and breath (0.8%) excretion was small. Eptifibatide is cleared by both renal and nonrenal mechanisms, with renal clearance accounting for approximately 40% of total body clearance. Within the first 24 hours, the drug is primarily excreted in the urine as unmodified eptifibatide (34%), DE (19%), and more polar metabolites (13%).     

Effects of induced hypertension on transcranial Doppler ultrasound velocities in patients after subarachnoid hemorrhage

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Transcranial doppler ultrasound (TCD) is used after subarachnoid hemorrhage to detect cerebral vasospasm and is often treated with induced hypertension. Cerebral autoregulation, however, may be disturbed in this population, raising the possibility that TCD velocities may be elevated by induced hypertension. To study this possibility, we performed continuous TCD monitoring of the middle cerebral artery during the induction and withdrawal of induced hypertension in patients after subarachnoid hemorrhage. METHODS: Twenty-eight patients were studied during the induction and withdrawal of hypertension using primarily phenylephrine. Continuous monitoring was performed on the middle cerebral artery with the highest flow velocity. Treatment was based on rising TCD velocities or clinical evidence for cerebral vasospasm. Mean arterial pressure and mean TCD velocities were recorded every minute. A change of > 15% from starting TCD values was considered significant. Cerebral autoregulation was calculated as a percentage of intact autoregulation. Patients were subsequently divided into groups of disturbed and intact autoregulation. RESULTS: In 10 of 19 patients (53%), TCD velocities changed by > 15% and paralleled changes in mean arterial pressure. This directly altered the TCD interpretation of the grade of vasospasm in 7 of 19 patients (36%). Three additional patients had smaller absolute changes in TCD velocities. No clinical difference could be identified between patients with disturbed and intact autoregulation. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with disturbed autoregulation after subarachnoid hemorrhage, induced hypertension can alter cerebral blood flow velocities. The level of autoregulation needs to be considered when interpreting TCD velocities in patients after subarachnoid hemorrhage.     

Mapping of B epitopes in GRA4, a dense granule antigen of Toxoplasma gondii and protection studies using recombinant proteins administered by the oral route

GRA4, a dense granule protein of Toxoplasma gondii elicits both mucosal and systemic immune responses following oral infection of mice with cysts. We studied the antigenicity and immunogenicity of truncated and soluble forms of GRA4 expressed as glutathione S-transferase fusion proteins in Escherichia coli. Protein C (amino-acids 297-345) was particularly well recognized by serum IgG antibodies, milk IgA antibodies and intestinal IgA antibodies from T. gondii infected mice and by serum IgG antibodies from T. gondii infected humans and T. gondii infected sheep. One major B epitope was localized within the last 11 C-terminal residues of GRA4. A second epitope, recognized with lower frequency, was mapped within the region 318-334. In contrast, the N domain of GRA4 (amino acids 25-276) was poorly recognized. Oral immunization of C57BL/6 mice with N, C or NC (amino acids 25-276 fused to 297-345) in association with cholera toxin induced a significant production of serum anti-GRA4 IgG antibodies but a weak and inconsistent intestinal anti-GRA4 IgG antibody response and afforded partial resistance to oral infection with T. gondii. These results provide new molecular and immunological understanding of GRA4 and indicate that it is a potential candidate for oral vaccination against T. gondii.