Northwestern University

About: Northwestern University is a education organization based out in Evanston, Illinois, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Transplantation. The organization has 75430 authors who have published 188857 publications receiving 9463252 citations. The organization is also known as: Northwestern & NU.

Hyperbolic Stress-Strain Response: Cohesive Soils

Abstract: The divergent concepts of a stability analysis, as compared with a load-deformation approach to soil mechanics, are shown to be compatible within the framework of a hyperbolic stress-strain relation. The two-constant hyperbolic form of the stress-strain response is such that the ultimate shear strength of the soil is contained within the general formulation and appears in the mathematical limit of the stress as the strain becomes excessive. This is quantiatively demonstrated for a remolded cohesive soil tested in consolidated-undrained triaxial compression. The variables contained in the hyperbolic stress-strain relation include the preconsolidation pressure, rebound stress, lateral pressure during the test, vertical normal stress, strain, and rate of strain. History effects are included in terms of the overconsolidation ratio. The general formulations obtained for the consolidated-undrained triaxial tests are compared with the results reported in the literature by other investigators for both drained and undrained consolidated triaxial tests under various conditions.

Subcortical brain volume abnormalities in 2028 individuals with schizophrenia and 2540 healthy controls via the ENIGMA consortium

Abstract: The profile of brain structural abnormalities in schizophrenia is still not fully understood, despite decades of research using brain scans. To validate a prospective meta-analysis approach to analyzing multicenter neuroimaging data, we analyzed brain MRI scans from 2028 schizophrenia patients and 2540 healthy controls, assessed with standardized methods at 15 centers worldwide. We identified subcortical brain volumes that differentiated patients from controls, and ranked them according to their effect sizes. Compared with healthy controls, patients with schizophrenia had smaller hippocampus (Cohen's d=-0.46), amygdala (d=-0.31), thalamus (d=-0.31), accumbens (d=-0.25) and intracranial volumes (d=-0.12), as well as larger pallidum (d=0.21) and lateral ventricle volumes (d=0.37). Putamen and pallidum volume augmentations were positively associated with duration of illness and hippocampal deficits scaled with the proportion of unmedicated patients. Worldwide cooperative analyses of brain imaging data support a profile of subcortical abnormalities in schizophrenia, which is consistent with that based on traditional meta-analytic approaches. This first ENIGMA Schizophrenia Working Group study validates that collaborative data analyses can readily be used across brain phenotypes and disorders and encourages analysis and data sharing efforts to further our understanding of severe mental illness.

Validation of proposed diagnostic criteria (the "budapest Criteria") for Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

Abstract: Current IASP diagnostic criteria for CRPS have low specificity, potentially leading to overdiagnosis. This validation study compared current IASP diagnostic criteria for CRPS to proposed new diagnostic criteria (the "Budapest Criteria") regarding diagnostic accuracy. Structured evaluations of CRPS-related signs and symptoms were conducted in 113 CRPS-I and 47 non-CRPS neuropathic pain patients. Discriminating between diagnostic groups based on presence of signs or symptoms meeting IASP criteria showed high diagnostic sensitivity (1.00), but poor specificity (0.41), replicating prior work. In comparison, the Budapest clinical criteria retained the exceptional sensitivity of the IASP criteria (0.99), but greatly improved upon the specificity (0.68). As designed, the Budapest research criteria resulted in the highest specificity (0.79), again replicating prior work. Analyses indicated that inclusion of four distinct CRPS components in the Budapest Criteria contributed to enhanced specificity. Overall, results corroborate the validity of the Budapest Criteria and suggest they improve upon existing IASP diagnostic criteria for CRPS.

CONWIP: a pull alternative to kanban

Abstract: SUMMARY This paper describes a new pull-based production system called CONWIP. Practical advantages of CONWIP over push and other pull systems are given. Theoretical arguments in favour of the system are outlined and simulation studies are included to give insight into the system's performance.

An empirical investigation of continuous-time equity return models

Abstract: This paper extends the class of stochastic volatility diffusions for asset returns to encompass Poisson jumps of time-varying intensity. We find that any reasonably descriptive continuous-time model for equity-index returns must allow for discrete jumps as well as stochastic volatility with a pronounced negative relationship between return and volatility innovations. We also find that the dominant empirical characteristics of the return process appear to be priced by the option market. Our analysis indicates a general correspondence between the evidence extracted from daily equity-index returns and the stylized features of the corresponding options market prices. MUCH ASSET AND DERIVATIVE PRICING THEORY is based on diffusion models for primary securities. However, prescriptions for practical applications derived from these models typically produce disappointing results. A possible explanation could be that analytic formulas for pricing and hedging are available for only a limited set of continuous-time representations for asset returns and risk-free discount rates. It has become increasingly evident that such "classical" models fail to account adequately for the underlying dynamic evolution of asset prices and interest rates. Not surprisingly, the inadequacy of these specifications also shows up in bond and derivatives pricing, where the standard representations falter systematically. For example, the BlackScholes pricing formula, although widely used by practitioners, is well known to produce pronounced and persistent biases in the pricing of options. Devi