The determination of the elastic T-term using higher order weight functions

It has been shown in a recent work [1] that the elastic T-term at the tip of a mixed mode crack can be determined by the so-called second order weight functions through a work-conjugate integral that is akin to that of the Bueckner-Rice weight function method for evaluating stress intensity factors. In this paper, the development of the second order weight functions is reviewed. These second order weight functions are determined using a unified finite element method introduced in [2]. The finite element procedure handles both traction and displacement boundaries and it permits the Bueckner-Rice weight functions and the second order weight functions for the elastic T-term to be determined in one single finite element run. The accuracy of the computed weight functions is assessed by comparing the computed results with special closed form solutions. The numerical values of the elastic T-term for single edge notch specimens under tension, pure bending and three-point bend are given. The corresponding second order weight functions are tabulated.     

Generic number systems and haplotype analysis

Three simple and elegant algorithms involving binary and mixed-radix numbers are presented as C subroutines and applied to gene-counting procedure. The first, a multikey radix-sorting subroutine, is used to tally individuals with similar genetic marker information. The second, a subroutine for N-ary number addition, is used to enumerate all possible phases of a heterozygote. The third, a mixed-radix number subroutine, is used to generate all haplotypes and indexing single array of haplotype frequencies. Examples exposing these algorithms are also given. The sorting algorithm entails broad application while the N-ary and mixed-radix number algorithms are very efficient for generic looping. Implementation of gene-counting using these algorithms avoids use of multilocus genotype identifier and improves its portability to other analysis.     

Transmission disequilibrium analysis of a triplet repeat within the hKCa3 gene using family trios with schizophrenia

We evaluated the long-term outcome of farmer's lung (FL) patients and matched control farmers using high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT). The study population consisted of 88 FL patients and 83 control farmers, matched by age, sex, and smoking habits. The mean time after the first diagnosed episode of FL was 14 yr. The great majority, 82%, of the studied subjects were nonsmokers. Clinical studies included HRCT, spirometry, and pulmonary diffusing capacity. Emphysema was found significantly more often (23%) in FL patients than in control farmers (7%) (p = 0.006). The presence of emphysema was 18% in nonsmoking and 44% in smoking FL patients, the respective values being 4% and 20% in control farmers. Patients with recurrent attacks of FL tended to have emphysema more often (p = 0. 08) than patients who had experienced only a single attack. Fibrosis was observed in 17% of the FL patients and in 10% of the control farmers (p = 0.2). Miliary changes were found in 12% of the FL patients compared with 4% of the control farmers (p = 0.07). Both emphysematous and fibrotic but not miliary changes correlated significantly with impaired pulmonary function. In conclusion, farmer's lung disease seems to be associated with an increased risk of developing emphysema.