Playing with Maude

This paper is an introduction to rule-based programming in Maude. We illustrate in particular the use of operator attributes to structure the state of a system, and the difference between equations and rules. We use well-known mathematical games and puzzles for our examples illustrating the expressive power of Maude.     

Challenges in the Application of Stochastic Modal Identification Methods to a Cable-Stayed Bridge

This paper presents an analysis of the data collected in the ambient vibration test of the International Guadiana cable-stayed Bridge, which links Portugal and Spain, based on different output-only identification techniques: peak-picking, frequency domain decomposition, covariance-driven stochastic subspace identification, and data-driven stochastic subspace identification. The purpose of the analysis is to compare the performance of the four techniques and evaluate their efficiency in dealing with specific challenges involved in the modal identification of the tested cable-stayed bridge, namely the existence of closely spaced modes, the perturbation produced by the local vibration of stay-cables, and the variation of modal damping coefficients with wind velocity. The identified natural frequencies and mode shapes are compared with the corresponding modal parameters provided by a previously developed numerical model. Additionally, the variability of some modal damping coefficients is related with the variation of the wind characteristics and associated with a component of aerodynamic damping.     

Electrostatic Droplet Growth in a Neutrally Buoyant Emulsion

Droplet growth is examined in a water-in-oil type emulsion where the droplets are subjected exclusively to viscous and dielectrophoretic forces. The latter are produced by the interaction of the droplets with an otherwise uniformly imposed electric field. Theoretical considerations are presented as a basis for understanding and interpreting the experiments. An emulsion consisting of deionized water droplets in a silicone oil of specific gravity I is subjected to a uniform 60 Hz, ac electrostatic field. Initially, the droplets are fairly monodisperse with mean diameters of approximately 25 , sm. The changes in droplet size distributions with time are examined with a laser diffraction system for water volume fractions ranging from 0.001 to 0.1 and applied fields ranging from 52 to 520 kVm-1. The average droplet size increases exponentially with time; we examine the exponent's dependence on average field strength and droplet volume fraction.     

Interleukin 8 (IL-8) induces the expression of kinin B1 receptor in human lung fibroblasts

Near-haploidy is a rare cytogenetic finding in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) and is associated with a poor prognosis. A second hyperdiploid line, occurring presumably by endoreduplication of the near-haploid stemline, is often observed. We present a case of common ALL in relapse characterized morphologically by a dual population of small and large lymphoblasts. Cytogenetic analysis supplemented with fluorescence in-situ hybridization (FISH) studies localized near-haploidy and hyperdiploidy to the small and large blast population respectively. DNA ploidy determination confirmed two abnormal clones with near-haploidy as the predominant one. A novel t(9;12)(q11;q13) was present in the near-haploid clone and was duplicated in the hyperdiploid clone. This finding identified cells bearing near-haploidy to be the clonogenic population following malignant transformation and confirmed endoreduplication as the mechanism for the presence of associated hyperdiploidy.     

An expert system with temporal reasoning for alarm processing inpower system control centers

The alarm lists presented to control center operators are usually difficult to interpret. The authors present an expert system that processes the alarm lists in Portuguese control centers. This system makes an intelligent synthesis of the available information and presents it in a flexible and structured way. It uses an original approach to deal with temporal reasoning and real-time constraints. The system incorporates an explanation module that enables its use as a tutor for novice operators     

Elderly rheumatoid arthritis patients on steroid treatment tolerate physical training without an increase in disease activity

The effects of physical training on elderly, fragile patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who are on low-dose steroids were investigated. The controlled study included 24 patients who had been treated with low-dose steroids for 2 years. Each patient was assigned either to a treatment group receiving training or to an untrained control group. The training took place over a 3-month period and was based on a protocol using progressive interval training consisting of bicycle exercises, heel lifts, and step-climbing. The exercises were performed twice weekly for 45 minutes. Comparison of the two groups showed that disease activity did not increase in the trained group and that fewer, but not significantly fewer, swollen joints were observed in this group (p = 0.06). No significant changes were noticed in erythrocyte sedimentation rate, tender joints, or morning stiffness. The work capacity of the trained patients were doubled and the numbers of repetitions increased 76%. Individually adapted exercise programs can therefore be recommended for elderly rheumatoid arthritis patients on steroid treatment.     

Effects of retinoic acid (all-trans and 9-cis) on tumor progression in small-cell lung carcinoma

ON direction-selective (DS) ganglion cells were identified by electrophysiological recordings in DAPI labeled, isolated rabbit retinas. Their responses to a flashing spot were sustained. Their responses to moving stimuli were strong in the preferred direction and weak in the null direction. Injection of the recorded cells with Lucifer yellow revealed that the cells had a distinct dendritic morphology, consistent with that described previously (Buhl & Peichl, 1986; Amthor et al., 1989; Famiglietti, 1992a). When neighboring cells were injected, an extensive dendritic co-fasciculation was observed. The pattern of fasciculation restricts the possible synaptic connections of the ON DS cell.     

Kinetics of catalyzed and non-catalyzed oxidation of soot from a diesel engine

To comply with the new regulations on particulate matter, car manufacturers more and more commonly use diesel particulate filters (DPF). The working of these systems needs to periodically burn soot that has been accumulated during the loading of the DPF. This paper describes the kinetics of the non-catalytic and catalytic oxidation of real diesel soot with oxygen. From these experiments, mechanisms for catalyzed and non-catalyzed soot oxidation have been proposed.