bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
High‐efficiency, electrophosphorescent polymers with porphyrin–platinum complexes in the conjugated backbone: Synthesis and device performance
Authors: Zhuang Wenliu , Zhang Yong , Hou Qiong , Wang Lei , Cao Yong
Published: May 2006

A series of soluble, conjugated, electrophosphorescent copolymers with (meso‐tetraphenylporphyrinato‐κ4N)platinum(II) (PtTPP) complexes incorporated into the polymer main chain were synthesized through the copolymerization of narrow‐band‐gap monomeric porphyrin–platinum(II) complexes and wide‐band‐gap dialkyl‐substituted fluorene monomers by a modified Suzuki coupling reaction. The study of the photoluminescence decay indicated that poly[2,7‐(9,9‐dioctylfluorene)‐co‐2,12‐((meso‐tetraphenylporphyrinato‐κ4N)platinum(II))] (PFO–PtTPP) was a triplet emitter. The electroluminescence emission from the fluorene segment was completely quenched for copolymers with PtTPP contents as low as 0.5 mol %. The PFO–PtTPP copolymers emitted deep red light. The device based on the porphyrin–platinum(II) copolymer PFO–5PtTPP (with 5 mol % PtTPP in the copolymer) showed the highest external quantum efficiency of 1.95% with an emission peak at 684 nm in an indium tin oxide/poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene)/polyvinylcarbazole (PVK)/70:30 (w/w) PFO–5PtTPP: 2‐(biphenyl‐4‐yl)‐5‐(4‐tert‐butylphenyl)‐1,3,4‐oxadiazole/Ba/Al device configuration. In comparison with the PFO–PtTPP copolymers synthesized via a postpolymerization metalation route, copolymerization from Pt metal complexes proved to be a more efficient synthetic route for high‐efficiency electrophosphorescent polymers. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 4174–4186, 2006
Preparation and characterization of magnetic polymeric composite particles by miniemulsion polymerization
Authors: Lu Shulai , Forcada Jacqueline
Published: May 2006

A water‐based magnetite ferrofluid, with an average size of about 10 nm, was prepared in a first step by the chemical coprecipitation of ferrous and ferric salts. Oil‐based styrene (St) magnetite ferrofluid was obtained by the acidification of the water‐based magnetite ferrofluid and the dispersion of the acidified magnetite in St. Magnetic polymeric composite particles (MPCPs) were prepared by miniemulsion polymerization in the presence of the oil‐based St magnetite ferrofluid with hexadecane as a hydrophobe, 2,2′‐azobisisobutyronitrile as an initiator, and sodium dodecyl sulfate as an emulsifier. Methacrylic acid was used as a comonomer, and hydroxyethyl cellulose and polyvinylpyrrolidone were used as aid stabilizers subsequently. With the aim of improving the encapsulation degree of magnetite, avoiding pure polymer particles and exposed magnetite particles, and obtaining the narrowest particle size distributions, the encapsulation conditions of magnetite were investigated in detail. The results show that miniemulsion polymerization is an effective method for encapsulating magnetite into a hydrophobic polymer successfully. Exposed magnetite particles and pure polymer particles can be avoided completely by the selection of the appropriate preparation conditions. All the resulting MPCPs exhibited superparamagnetism and possessed some magnetic response. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 4187–4203, 2006
Core–shell‐type multiarm star polyethylenimine‐block‐poly(ε‐caprolactone): Synthesis and guest encapsulation potential
Authors: Liu Huaji , Shen Zhong , Stiriba Salah‐Eddine , Chen Yu , Zhang Wenqin , Wei Liuhe
Published: May 2006

Novel multiarm star copolymers with poly(ϵ‐caprolactone) (PCL) as the arms and hyperbranched polyethylenimine (HPEI) as the core have been successfully prepared by the tin(II) 2‐ethylhexanoate catalyzed ring‐opening polymerization of ϵ‐caprolactone (CL) with HPEI used directly as a macroinitiator. Not only primary but also secondary amine groups of HPEI participate in initiating the ring‐opening polymerization of CL with almost 100% initiation efficiency. The average degree of polymerization of the PCL arms can be controlled by the feed ratio of the monomers to the initiating sites. Because of the polarity difference of the PCL arms and HPEI core, the obtained multiarm star polymers display an inverted micellar structure with potential extraction and encapsulation of water‐soluble guests. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 4165–4173, 2006
Pesticide exposure assessment in rice paddies in Europe: a comparative study of existing mathematical models
Authors: Karpouzas Dimitrios G. , Cervelli Stefano , Watanabe Hirozumi , Capri Ettore , Ferrero Aldo
Published: May 2006

A comparative test was undertaken in order to identify the potential of existing mathematical models, including the rice water quality (RICEWQ) 1.6.4v model, the pesticide concentration in paddy field (PCPF‐1) model and the surface water and groundwater (SWAGW) model, for calculating pesticide dissipation and exposure in rice paddies in Europe. Previous versions of RICEWQ and PCPF‐1 models had been validated under European and Japanese conditions respectively, unlike the SWAGW model which was only recently developed as a tier‐2 modelling tool. Two datasets, derived from field dissipation studies undertaken in northern Italy with the herbicides cinosulfuron and pretilachlor, were used for the modelling exercise. All models were parameterized according to field experimentations, as far as possible, considering their individual deficiencies. Models were not calibrated against field data in order to remove bias in the comparison of the results. RICEWQ 1.6.4v provided the highest agreement between measured and predicted pesticide concentrations in both paddy water and paddy soil, with modelling efficiency (EF) values ranging from 0.78 to 0.93. PCPF‐1 simulated well the dissipation of herbicides in paddy water, but significantly underestimated the concentrations of pretilachlor, a chemical with high affinity for soil sorption, in paddy soil. SWAGW simulated relatively well the dissipation of both herbicides in paddy water, and especially pretilachlor, but failed to predict closely the pesticide dissipation in paddy soil. Both RICEWQ and SWAGW provided low groundwater (GW) predicted environmental concentrations (PECs), suggesting a low risk of GW contamination for the two herbicides. Overall, this modelling exercise suggested that RICEWQ 1.6.4v is currently the most reliable model for higher‐tier exposure assessment in rice paddies in Europe. PCPF‐1 and SWAGW showed promising results, but further adjustments are required before these models can be considered as strong candidates for inclusion in the higher‐tier pesticide regulatory scheme. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry
Detection of resistance to acetolactate synthase inhibitors in weeds with emphasis on DNA‐based techniques: a review
Authors: Corbett Cheryl‐Ann L , Tardif François J
Published: May 2006

Resistance to herbicides inhibiting acetolactate synthase (ALS) has been increasing at a faster rate than in any other herbicide group. The great majority of these cases are due to various single‐nucleotide polymorphisms in the ALS gene endowing target site resistance. Many diagnostic techniques have been devised in order to confirm resistance and help producers to adopt the best management strategies. Recent advances in DNA technologies coupled with the knowledge of sequence information have allowed the development of accurate and rapid diagnostic tests. While whole plant‐based diagnostic techniques such as seedling bioassays or enzyme‐based in vitro bioassays provide accurate results, they tend to be labour‐ and/or space‐intensive and will only respond to the particular herbicides tested, making resolution of cross‐resistance patterns more difficult. Successful DNA‐based diagnosis of ALS inhibitor resistance has been achieved with three main techniques, (1) restriction fragment length polymorphism, (2) polymerase chain reaction amplification of specific alleles and (3) denaturing high‐performance liquid chromatography. All DNA‐based techniques are relatively rapid and provide clear identification of the mutations causing resistance. Resistance based on non‐target mechanisms is not identified by these DNA‐based methods; however, given the prevalence of target site‐based ALS inhibitor resistance, this is a minor inconvenience. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry
Rodenticide grain bait ingredient acceptance by Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus), California ground squirrels (Spermophilus beecheyi) and pocket gophers (Thomomys bottae)
Authors: Salmon Terrell P , Dochtermann Ned A
Published: May 2006

Vertebrate pest control in California is often accomplished through the use of rodenticide grain baits. These grain baits are composed of steam‐rolled oats (SRO), a toxicant, an indicator dye and an oil combination. A series of tests were performed to determine the effects of various dye and oil formulations on acceptance of grain bait by Norway rats [Rattus norvegicus (Berk)], California ground squirrels [Spermophilus beecheyi (Richardson)] and pocket gophers (Thomomys bottae Eyd & Gerv). Seven different dyes, four oil formulations and clean (untreated) oats were tested for acceptance. The addition of the selected oils and dyes to grain resulted in no significant differences in consumption. This indicates that there is a wide variety of dyes that could be used in the formulation of rodenticides. These alternatives could aid in proper pesticide use, the deterrence of bait consumption by birds and possibly in ingredient adhesion to the finished bait. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry
Anomalous charge transport in RB12 (R = Ho, Er, Tm, Lu)
Authors: Sluchanko N. , Bogomolov L. , Glushkov V. , Demishev S. , Ignatov M. , Khayrullin Eu. , Samarin N. , Sluchanko D. , Levchenko A. , Shitsevalova N. , Flachbart K.
Published: May 2006

High precision measurements of Hall RH(T) and Seebeck S(T) coefficients have been carried out for the first time on single crystals of rare earth dodecaborides RB12 (R = Ho, Er, Tm, Lu) at temperatures 1.8–300 K. Low temperature anomalies detected on the temperature dependencies of RH(T) and S(T) are associated with antiferromagnetic phase transitions in HoB12, ErB12 and TmB12 compounds. The observed discrepancy between the change of charge carriers' mobility and de‐Gennes factor (g – 1)2 J(J + 1) (J – angular momentum of the 4f shell) in the set of HoB12–TmB12 allows us to conclude about the appreciable influence of spin fluctuations on the charge transport in these compounds with B12 atomic clusters. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
The protein fraction of Phyllanthus niruri plays a protective role against acetaminophen induced hepatic disorder via its antioxidant properties
Authors: Bhattacharjee Rajesh , Sil Parames C.
Published: May 2006

The aim of this study was to investigate the hepatoprotective action of the protein fraction of Phyllanthus niruri against acetaminophen (APAP) hepatotoxicity. The partially purified protein fraction of P. niruri was injected intraperitoneally in mice either prior to (preventive) or after the induction of toxicity (curative). Levels of different liver marker enzymes in serum and different antioxidant enzymes, as well as lipid peroxidation in total liver homogenates were measured in normal, control (toxicity induced) and P. niruri protein fraction‐treated mice. P. niruri significantly reduced the elevated glutamate pyruvate transaminase (GPT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels in the sera of toxicity induced mice, compared with the control group. Lipid peroxidation levels were also reduced in mice treated with P. niruri protein fraction compared with the APAP treated control group. Among the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione–S‐transferase (GST) levels were restored to almost normal levels compared with the control group. P. niruri treatment also enhanced reduced hepatic glutathione (GSH) levels caused by APAP administration. The results demonstrated that the protein fraction of P. niruri protected liver tissues against oxidative stress in mice, probably acting by increasing antioxidative defense. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Economic design of the integrated multivariate EPC and multivariate SPC charts
Authors: Yang Ling , Sheu Shey‐Huei
Published: May 2006

The goal of engineering process control (EPC) is to minimize variability by adjusting some manipulative process variables. The goal of statistical process control (SPC) is to reduce variability by monitoring and eliminating assignable causes of variation. As suggested by Box and Kramer and others, it is possible to reduce both special cause and common cause variations by integrating EPC and SPC. In the integrated multivariate EPC (MEPC) and multivariate SPC (MSPC) charts, we propose some statistical and economic criteria, such as the average Euclidean distance from the target vector and the average quality cost (AQC) to evaluate the performance of the MEPC/MSPC charts. The traditional average run length (ARL), average Euclidean distance and AQC of three MSPC charts are investigated and compared. The results of the simulations show that the MEPC/MGWMA chart is more effective and more economical than both the MEPC/MEWMA chart and the MEPC/Hotelling multivariate chart in detecting small shifts of the mean vector. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Using economically designed Shewhart and adaptive ―X charts for monitoring the quality of tiles
Authors: Nikolaidis Yiannis , Rigas George , Tagaras George
Published: May 2006

This paper presents the economic design of ―X control charts for monitoring a critical stage of the main production process at a tile manufacturer in Greece. Two types of ―X charts were developed: a Shewhart‐type chart with fixed parameters and adaptive charts with variable sampling intervals and/or sample size. Our prime motivation was to improve the statistical control scheme employed for monitoring an important quality characteristic of the process with the objective of minimizing the relevant costs. At the same time we tested and confirmed the applicability of the theoretical models supporting the economic design of control charts with fixed and variable parameters in a practical situation. We also evaluated the economic benefits of moving from the broadly used static charts to the application of the more flexible and effective adaptive control charts. The main result of our study is that, by redesigning the currently employed Shewhart chart using economic criteria, the quality‐related cost is expected to decrease by approximately 50% without increasing the implementation complexity. Monitoring the process by means of an adaptive ―X chart with variable sampling intervals will increase the expected cost savings by about 10% compared with the economically designed Shewhart chart at the expense of some implementation difficulty. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A change point method for linear profile data
Authors: Mahmoud Mahmoud A. , Parker Peter A. , Woodall William H. , Hawkins Douglas M.
Published: May 2006

We propose a change point approach based on the segmented regression technique for testing the constancy of the regression parameters in a linear profile data set. Each sample collected over time in the historical data set consists of several bivariate observations for which a simple linear regression model is appropriate. The change point approach is based on the likelihood ratio test for a change in one or more regression parameters. We compare the performance of this method to that of the most effective Phase I linear profile control chart approaches using a simulation study. The advantages of the change point method over the existing methods are greatly improved detection of sustained step changes in the process parameters and improved diagnostic tools to determine the sources of profile variation and the location(s) of the change point(s). Also, we give an approximation for appropriate thresholds for the test statistic. The use of the change point method is demonstrated using a data set from a calibration application at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Langley Research Center. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Blocking Two‐level Factorial Experiments
Authors: Kulahci Murat
Published: May 2006

Blocking is commonly used in experimental design to eliminate unwanted variation by creating more homogeneous conditions for experimental treatments within each block. While it has been a standard practice in experimental design, blocking fractional factorials still presents many challenges due to differences between treatment and blocking variables. Lately, new design criteria such as the total number of clear effects and fractional resolution have been proposed to design blocked two‐level fractional factorial experiments. This article presents a flexible matrix representation for two‐level fractional factorials that will allow experimenters and software developers to block such experiments based on any design criterion that is suitable with the experimental conditions. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Profit Maximizing Warranty Period with Sales Expressed by a Demand Function
Authors: Ladany Shaul P. , Shore Haim
Published: May 2006

The problem of determining the optimal warranty period, assumed to coincide with the manufacturer's lower specification limit for the lifetime of the product, is addressed. It is assumed that the quantity sold depends via a Cobb–Douglas‐type demand function on the sale price and on the warranty period, and that both the cost incurred for a non‐conforming item and the sale price increase with the warranty period. A general solution is derived using Response Modeling Methodology (RMM) and a new approximation for the standard normal cumulative distribution function. The general solution is compared with the exact optimal solutions derived under various distributional scenarios. Relative to the exact optimal solutions, RMM‐based solutions are accurate to at least the first three significant digits. Some exact results are derived for the uniform and the exponential distributions. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
On‐line Identification and Quantification of Mean Shifts in Bivariate Processes using a Neural Network‐based Approach
Authors: Guh Ruey‐Shiang
Published: May 2006

Many statistical process control (SPC) problems are multivariate in nature because the quality of a given process or product is determined by several interrelated variables. Various multivariate control charts (e.g. Hotelling's $T^2$, multivariate cumulative sum and multivariate exponentially weighted moving average charts) have been designed for detecting mean shifts. However, the main shortcoming of such charts is that they can detect an unusual event but do not directly provide the information required by a practitioner to determine which variable or group of variables has caused the out‐of‐control signal. In addition, these charts cannot provide more detailed shift information, for example the shift magnitude, which would be very useful for quality practitioners to search the assignable causes that give rise to the out‐of‐control situation. This work proposes a neural network‐based model that can identify and quantify the mean shifts in bivariate processes on‐line. The performance evaluation performed by the simulation demonstrates that the proposed model outperforms the conventional multivariate control schemes in terms of average run length, and can accurately estimate the magnitude of the shift of each of the shifted variables in a real‐time mode. Extensive simulation is also carried out to examine the effects of correlation on the performance of the proposed model. A numerical example is presented to illustrate the usage of the proposed model. Although a mean shift identification and quantification tool for bivariate SPC is the particular application presented here, the proposed neural network‐based methodology can be applied to multivariate SPC in general. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Transformation of Carbohydrate Derived 4‐Azidopentanals Into Highly Functionalized Pyrrolidines Via a Tandem Staudinger/aza‐Wittig/Ugi Multicomponent Reaction
Authors: Bonger Kimberly M. , Wennekes Tom , de Lavoir Sebastiaan V. P. , Esposito Davide , van den Berg Richard J. B. H. N. , Litjens Remy E. J. N. , van der Marel Gijs A. , Overkleeft Herman S.
Published: May 2006

The preparation of highly functionalized pyrrolidines by a tandem Staudinger/aza‐Wittig/Ugi Three‐Component Reaction (SAWU‐3CR) is presented. The SAWU‐3CR was applied on two different carbohydrate derived 4‐azidopentanals and two libraries of chemically diverse products were prepared.
Hopping matrix elements from first‐principles studies of overlapping fragments: Double exchange parameters in manganites
Authors: Stoyanova A. , Sousa C. , De Graaf C. , Broer R.
Published: May 2006

We recently developed a scheme for first‐principles calculations of hopping matrix elements between localized states in extended systems. We apply the scheme to the determination of double exchange (DE) parameters in lightly hole‐doped LaMnO3 and electron‐doped CaMnO3. DE is one of the important factors for understanding the properties of doped manganites. The calculations are based on the construction of wave functions for localized hole states or localized electron states for large embedded clusters. The wave functions of these clusters are expressed in terms of localized orbitals, obtained from calculations on smaller units, or “fragments,” centered around a transition metal ion. The starting point of electronic states expressed in terms of localized orbital sets is conceptually attractive. It also allows for a rigorous treatment of local electron correlation and electronic relaxation effects. In the present study, the fragments are embedded [MnO6] units. The large clusters contain either two or four Mn ions and all neighboring oxygen ligands. The results are compared with conventional embedded cluster calculations. In both compounds, the effective hopping matrix elements, or “double exchange” (DE) parameters, in the ab planes (in the Pbnm space group) are larger than along the c axes. We found nearly perfect agreement with the Anderson–Hasegawa model for the spin dependence of the DE parameters. Nearest‐neighbor parameters are more than one order of magnitude larger than next nearest‐neighbor parameters. In LaMnO3 the DE in the ab planes is ≈ −0.26 eV. If there were no Jahn–Teller distortion present in the material, it would have been twice as large. In CaMnO3, the corresponding nearest‐neighbor DE parameter for hopping of a doped electron in the ab planes is only ≈ −0.17 eV, due to the antiparallel spin coupling. However, since this interaction is much larger than the exchange coupling, we suggest that it induces local ferromagnetic clusters around the doped electrons. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2006
The resource‐based theory: dissemination and main trends
Authors: Acedo Francisco José , Barroso Carmen , Galan Jose Luis
Published: May 2006

Papers published on the resource‐based theory (RBT) have made clear its widespread application, heterogeneity, and usefulness as a strategic approach. This paper empirically analyzes the assumptions underlying the theory from an inductive perspective. The paper differs from previous works by identifying the main trends within the theory and by noting their diffusion among the leading management‐oriented journals. Three main trends are shown to coexist within RBT: the resource‐based view, the knowledge‐based view, and the relational view. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Technological diversity, related diversification, and firm performance
Authors: Miller Douglas J.
Published: May 2006

Previous findings that related diversification creates value have been called into question over concerns about methodology and measures. Reviewing existing theory to consider how a firm's knowledge base interacts with its product market activity, I address several of these concerns by creating a measure of technological diversity based on citation‐weighted patents. The measure indicates a firm's opportunity for corporate diversification based on economies of scope in valuable knowledge assets, is defined for both single‐ and multibusiness firms, and is not correlated with more fundamental aspects of diversification, such as the number of businesses in the corporate portfolio. Evidence from a large sample of firms shows the positive relationship between diversification based on technological diversity and market‐based measures of performance, controlling for R&D intensity and capital intensity as further indicators of the type of assets underlying diversification. Results hold when controlling for the endogeneity of diversification and performance in a cross‐sectional sample or when controlling for unobserved factors using panel data. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Foreign and domestic ownership, business groups, and firm performance: evidence from a large emerging market
Authors: Douma Sytse , George Rejie , Kabir Rezaul
Published: May 2006

We adopt a multi‐theoretic approach to investigate a previously unexplored phenomenon in extant literature, namely the differential impact of foreign institutional and foreign corporate shareholders on the performance of emerging market firms. We show that the previously documented positive effect of foreign ownership on firm performance is substantially attributable to foreign corporations that have, on average, larger shareholding, higher commitment, and longer‐term involvement. We document the positive influence of corporations vis‐á‐vis financial institutions with respect to domestic shareholdings as well. We also find an interesting dichotomy in the impact of these shareholders depending on the business group affiliation of firms. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The impact of socialist imprinting and search on resource change: a study of firms in lithuania
Authors: Kriauciunas Aldas , Kale Prashant
Published: May 2006

Firms in transition economies experienced a large exogenous shock in their external business environment in the late 1980s when these economies moved from a socialist‐oriented economic environment to a more market‐oriented economic environment. This paper examines the following research question in the context of this change: What are some factors that influence transition economy firms to successfully change their operating know‐how or knowledge sets to reflect the demands of their new environment? Building on some core ideas from literature on organizational imprinting, knowledge‐based view of the firm, and firm search, we suggest that two factors have a profound impact on a firm's ability to change. The imprinting effect of firms' prior socialist institutional and market environment adversely impacts their ability to change their operating knowledge. At the same time, firms that search for new knowledge from distant sources (located in mainly non‐socialist countries) are able to successfully change their knowledge to meet the demands of the new market‐oriented economy. Both of these aspects also have joint interdependent effects on the success of change; distant search mitigates some of the adverse impact of socialist market imprinting, but that is not the case for the impact of socialist institutional imprinting. These findings have interesting implications for both researchers and practitioners involved in transition economy settings. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Miller team legacy—role models for cosmopolitan scholars and innovative futurists
Authors: Harris Philip R.
Published: May 2006

There are those who join our earthly pilgrimage. James Grier Miller and Jessie Louise Miller were such people. As a close colleague and friend during their last 20 years, I focus here on just two aspects of their gifts to us—namely, as role models and innovators. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Recollections: an appreciation of the Millers in a personal memoir
Authors: Troncale Len
Published: May 2006

I have been asked to reflect on the personal traits of Jim and Jessie Miller in the context of their work in systems theory and from the perspective of occasional encounters with them. These notes record soon‐to‐be‐lost personal conversations, cameos of institutional history, some middle (as opposed to early) development of the field of general systems theory, personal anecdotes, reflections, impressions, and most of all, unexpected connections experienced across thirty years of interaction with the Millers. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Living systems theory and social entropy theory
Authors: Bailey Kenneth D.
Published: May 2006

Although Living Systems Theory (LST) has been widely recognized for its major contributions to scholarship in general and systems theory in particular, the full extent of its contribution has never been explicitly presented. The purpose of this paper is twofold: first to discuss LST, and then to relate it to Social Entropy Theory (SET). The paper first presents 20 major contributions of LST. This is not an exhaustive list, but is simply designed to present simultaneously the wide range of contributions made by Miller, some of which have not been sufficiently recognized nor appreciated. Miller's contributions focused upon the actions of concrete components in fulfilling the critical subsystems processes required by systems at each level. He placed less emphasis on the key systems variables such as population and technology. Fortunately, Social Entropy Theory has explicated a set of key variables. The second part of the paper discusses Social Entropy Theory, and shows how it complements and extends LST. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The system symbols, from deep‐insights to universal applications
Authors: Samuelson Kjell
Published: May 2006

This research paper surveys the system symbols, and their development, notation, mnemonics and depiction are explained. The history, stages and praxis over more than four decades are relayed. Today the elaborated system symbols have matured into a consistent repertoire of universals as a frame of reference for drawing board representation, architectural design, sketching and structural modelling. Furthermore there exists a scientific base‐plate, and formalizations for measurement and testing in a multitude of uses. Methodology foundations derived out of assembled insights can be retrieved from the quoted bibliographic references. As now experienced, a few different systems approaches when combined constitute integrative complements. They can display the flow‐dynamics and entailment loops of propagation‐pattern‐recognition to harvest a breed of deep‐insights cumulation towards global applicability. Here is a rapprochement, merging general living systems theory, cybernetics, informatics networks and sociotechnical methods. Organizational redesign, development, constructive balance and subsystems harmony are ultimately dependent on systemic nature‐laws, physical principles and experience rules. They are intrinsic to this domain of time‐longitudinal deep‐insights grown as a resource generated by years and praxis. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Functional modelling in engineering design: a perspectival approach featuring living systems theory
Authors: Cowan F. Scott , Allen Janet K. , Mistree Farrokh
Published: May 2006

Complex engineering systems (e.g. aeronautic vehicles and automobiles) consist of many different interfacing parts and are subject to numerous requirements and constraints regarding aspects of performance, manufacturability, economics, etc. Their design requires the collaboration between people from various disciplines—each retaining different, but necessary, perspectives of the system under design. Here, perspective is defined as a particular context that a human utilizes to create personally meaningful understanding. The key, then, to developing complex engineering systems lies in accommodating and negotiating different perspectives such that a comprehensive and highly integrated design is achieved. We offer a methodology for performing design that explicitly incorporates the multiplicity and diversity of perspective encountered when developing complex engineering systems. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Technical and social innovation determinants of behaviour
Authors: Simms James R.
Published: May 2006

Technical and social innovations are relatively new in human history. These innovations appeared in the last two‐tenths of one per cent of the time that humans have lived on earth. Prior to innovations, human behaviours could be described and quantified in terms of the same determinants of behaviour as other living systems. A living system science has been developed that is equivalent to the other natural sciences for all, except humans that exhibit innovation behaviours. A brief description of that living systems science is given herein that provides a foundation for treating the technical and social determinants of recent human behaviours. This article treats technical and social determinants of human behaviour as they relate to that living systems science. The article also relates the science back to James G. Miller's seminal work in living systems theory. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Integrating living system process analysis and concrete process analysis with balanced scorecard
Authors: Louderback W. Thomas , Merker Stephen L.
Published: May 2006

Living Systems Process Analysis and Concrete Process Analysis are practical applications of Living Systems Theory, which emerged soon after the publication of James Grier Miller's Living Systems in 1978. The first application identifies quantifiable variables directly related to critical subsystems of organizations, as defined by Living Systems Theory, while the second application builds on the first by elaborating mathematical equations which can be used to sort measurements of the same critical subsystems, from interpretations of those measurements, in traditional financial information. In 1996, Robert Kaplan and David Norton elaborated an eclectic management process based on four strategic perspectives in their popular book Balanced Scorecard. This paper suggests that these three frameworks would be very compatible if applied together and examines the similarities among them. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A living systems analysis of student design projects at the Royal Institute of Technology (KTH)
Authors: Ahari Parviz
Published: May 2006

Student evaluations of courses are routinely obtained by questionnaire in higher education. That student feedback is used for, among other purposes, the planning of future courses. Whether such questionnaires consider, in specific situations, all aspects of the educational processes, or even the important ones, is an open question. This study examines that question with reference to a particular engineering design course. It investigates how groups of students process information in their design projects. The study uses the breakthrough, or full‐spectrum, thinking explained by Nadler, Hibino, with Farrell to understand the uniqueness of the situation and to clarify the purposes of the research. Living systems theory instructs the design of research instruments and of a research hypothesis. The results show that significant differences in information processing exist between lower performing and higher performing groups. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Earth: beyond the levels of life
Authors: Frändberg Tage , Swanson G. A.
Published: May 2006

James Grier and Jesse Miller identified the Earth in the context of living systems theory (LST). In that context, it is a system, but not a living one. Miller clearly defines LST as an evolutionary scientific (empirical) theory in harmony with the scientific thought of the time. The philosophical inspiration of LST is acknowledged to be Whitehead's theory of organism. This article discusses Miller's view of the earth system in the context of Whitehead's philosophy. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Onion storage ability and an inventory of onion post‐harvest fungi in Tunisia
Authors: Rafika Sta Baba , Mejda Daami‐Remadi , Mohamed Ben Kheder , Hatem Chaar
Published: May 2006

Of 13 onion cultivars, red onions had longer storage life than white onions. Storage life was correlated with dry matter content. Botrytis spp., Aspergillus spp., Fusarium oxysporum and Penicillium spp. were frequently isolated from rotted bulbs. Fusarium oxysporum pathogenicity tested on healthy bulbs led to a typical basal rot; this is the first report of Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. cepae in Tunisia. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
Performance of sorghum/soyabean mixtures at varying planting arrangements and nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer rates in the Northern Guinea savanna of Nigeria
Authors: Haruna IM , Rahman SA , Alhassan U
Published: May 2006

Sorghum/soyabean intercrops were more effective and gave a better economic return with alternate row arrangement and the application of 100 kg N/ha and 13.2 kg P/ha. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
Suppression of rice pathogens by phyllosphere associated microflora of different rice varieties in Sri Lanka
Authors: De Costa DM , Pinto MTC , Geethanjalee HDN , Dissanayake N
Published: May 2006

Phyllosphere epiphytic microorganisms of 15 Sri Lankan rice varieties were determined and 81 different recognizable taxonomic units of microbes were isolated. Three bacterial and 18 fungal isolates inhibited the growth of Magnaporthe grisea and Rizoctonia solani in vitro. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
Attempts to biologically control anthracnose disease in chilli peppers
Authors: Jebessa Mitiku Tesso , Ranamukhaarachchi SL
Published: May 2006

Sixteen different strains causing anthracnose disease on chilli pepper plants and fruits were identified as Colletotrichum gloeosporioides. These isolates were grown on potato‐dextrose agar medium containing three Trichoderma species as possible biocontrol agents. All the Trichoderma species promoted growth, especially T. koningii. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
Discordant anatomically corrected malposition of the great vessels and Ebstein's malformation: fetal and neonatal findings
Authors: Williams I. A. , Sharma J. , Kleinman C. S.
Published: May 2006

Discordant anatomically corrected malposition of the great vessels (ACM) is a rare congenital cardiac malformation that is often associated with other cardiac lesions. To our knowledge, a fetal diagnosis of this lesion has not yet been reported in the literature. We present a case of ACM associated with Ebstein's malformation, diagnosed by fetal echocardiography. Copyright © 2006 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Convergence of Rothe's scheme for the Navier‐Stokes equations with slip conditions in 2D domains
Authors: Mucha P.B. , Rautmann R.
Published: May 2006

We investigate Rothe's scheme for the Navier‐Stokes equations in two dimensional bounded domains with slip boundary conditions admitting flow across the boundary. The structure of the model enables to reformulate it into the coupled system of the vorticity and velocity problems. The obtained convergence of our first order approximation is the same as for case in domains without boundaries although we admit inhomogeneous boundary data. The method is based on the maximum principle for the vorticity equation which delivers a new bound for the solutions. However our study can be realized only under a geometrical constraint which restricts the shape of the domain.
Long‐term culture of porcine esophageal epithelial cells without use of feeder layers
Authors: Mhaisalkar Priyadarshini , Sin Chian Kerm
Published: May 2006

Epithelial cells from normal pig esophagus survived in culture for about 4 months undergoing about 12 passages and nearly 40 doublings before showing signs of slow proliferation and senescence. Epithelial cells did not show any attachment and proliferation in serum free media, compared to cells supplemented with 10% serum, where the doubling time was between 48 and 60 h. Fibroblasts never became the prominent cell type in these cultures at any given time point. The epithelial cells reacted with antibodies to keratin AE1/AE3, keratin 14 and to involucrin, the differentiating marker.
Type II diabetic mice exhibit contractile dysfunction but maintain cardiac output by favourable loading conditions
Authors: Van den Bergh An , Flameng Willem , Herijgers Paul
Published: May 2006

Background

Cardiomyopathy in type II diabetes is incompletely understood. The leptin receptor‐deficient (db/db) mouse is a well‐accepted model of type II diabetes. To date, left ventricular contractility has not been studied in animal models of type II diabetes with in vivo load‐independent parameters.

Aim

To determine cardiac function in db/db mice in vivo.

Methods

Cardiac function in 12‐ and 24‐week‐old db/db and wild‐type mice was assessed using a microtip‐pressure‐conductance catheter.

Results

Left ventricular contractile dysfunction, measured by load‐independent parameters (preload recruitable stroke work, end‐systolic elastance, dP/dt‐Ved), is present in diabetic mice from age 24 weeks onwards. Despite this contractile dysfunction, the conventional parameters cardiac output, ejection fraction and dP/dtmax were maintained, which was due to an increased preload and decreased afterload. Ventriculo‐arterial coupling was increased and mechanical efficiency significantly reduced in db/db mice.

Conclusion

Our results demonstrate that, despite impaired cardiac contractility and mechanical efficiency, cardiac output is maintained in db/db mice by favourable loading conditions and that in vivo load‐independent measurements are necessary to fully characterize cardiac performance in animal models of pathophysiological states.
Ventricular pre‐excitation and cardiac hypertrophy mimicking hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in a Turkish family with a novel PRKAG2 mutation
Authors: Bayrak Fatih , Komurcu‐Bayrak Evrim , Mutlu Bulent , Kahveci Gokhan , Basaran Yelda , Erginel‐Unaltuna Nihan
Published: May 2006

Background:

Mutations in PRKAG2, the gene for the γ2 regulatory subunit of AMP‐activated protein kinase, cause cardiac hypertrophy and electrophysiological abnormalities. We identified a novel mutation in PRKAG2 causing familial ventricular pre‐excitation and severe cardiac hypertrophy.

Methods and results:

We studied 30 members of one family and 120 healthy controls. Molecular analysis of PRKAG2 gene revealed one missense mutation in exon 14 which was confirmed by restriction enzyme digestion. We identified a G to A transition, resulting in a Glu506Lys substitution in the PRKAG2 gene in 8 of the family members, who all had cardiac hypertrophy and ventricular pre‐excitation. High incidence of right ventricular hypertrophy and left ventricular outflow tract obstruction are other prominent features of this novel PRKAG2 mutation. Family members without mutation had no cardiac disease. The 120 unrelated healthy individuals did not show this mutation.

Conclusions:

Coexistence of unexplained ventricular hypertrophy and pre‐excitation should prompt the diagnosis of PRKAG2 mutations and these patients should be referred for genetic analysis. The possible alteration of AMP‐activated protein kinase activity due to genetic defects in PRKAG2 may serve as a template for developing more specific therapies in the treatment of patients with this mutation.
Continuous brachial plexus blockade in combination with the NMDA receptor antagonist memantine prevents phantom pain in acute traumatic upper limb amputees
Authors: Schley M. , Topfner S. , Wiech K. , Schaller H.E. , Konrad C.J. , Schmelz M. , Birbaumer N.
Published: May 2006

Background: Hyperexcitability of N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate acid (NMDA) receptors may play an important role in the development of phantom limb pain (PLP).

Aim of the study: To investigate whether early treatment with the NMDA antagonist memantine attenuates phantom pain memory formation in traumatic amputees.

Methods: In a randomized, double‐blind, controlled trial 19 patients with acute traumatic amputation of the upper extremity were investigated. All patients received postoperative analgesia by continuous brachial plexus anesthesia (ropivacaine 0.375% 5ml/h) for at least 7 days. In addition, the patients received either memantine (20–30mg daily, n=10) or placebo (n=9) for 4 weeks.

Results: Memantine treatment reduced the number of requested ropivacacine bolus injections during the first week and resulted in a significant decrease of PLP prevalence and intensity at 4 weeks and 6 months follow up, but not at 12 months follow up.

Conclusions: We conclude that memantine can reduce intensity of phantom limb pain and might also prevent the development of PLP. However, despite the very early begin of treatment; no long‐term effect on established PLP was evident.
Cellular stability of Rho‐GTPases glucosylated by Clostridium difficile toxin B
Authors: Genth Harald , Huelsenbeck Johannes , Hartmann Birgit , Hofmann Fred , Just Ingo , Gerhard Ralf
Published: May 2006

Mono‐glucosylation of Rho, Rac, and Cdc42 by Clostridium difficile toxin B (TcdB) induces changes of actin dynamics and apoptosis. When fibroblasts were treated with TcdB, an apparent decrease of the cellular Rac1 level was observed when applying anti‐Rac1(Mab 102). This decrease was not based on degradation as inhibition of the proteasome by lactacystin did not stabilise cellular Rac1 levels. The application of anti‐Rac1 (Mab 23A8) showed that the cellular Rac1 level slightly increased in TcdB‐treated fibroblasts; thus, the apparent loss of cellular Rac1 was not due to degradation but due to impaired recognition of glucosylated Rac1 by anti‐Rac1 (Mab 102). In contrast, recognition of RhoA by anti‐RhoA (Mab 26C4) and Cdc42 by anti‐Cdc42 (Mab 44) was not altered by glucosylation; a transient decrease of cellular RhoA and Cdc42 in TcdB‐treated fibroblasts was indeed due to proteasomal degradation, as inhibition of the proteasome by lactacystin stabilised both cellular RhoA and Cdc42 levels. The finding that the apparent decrease of Rac1 reflects Rac1 glucosylation offers a valuable tool to determine Rac1 glucosylation.
Stretch‐grown axons retain the ability to transmit active electrical signals
Authors: Pfister Bryan J. , Bonislawski David P. , Smith Douglas H. , Cohen Akiva S.
Published: May 2006

Little is known about extensive nervous system growth after axons reach their targets. Indeed, postnatal animals continue to grow, suggesting that axons are stretched to accommodate the expanding body. We have previously shown that axons can sustain stretch‐growth rates reaching 1 cm/day; however, it remained unknown whether the ability to transmit active signals was maintained. Here, stretch‐growth did not alter sodium channel activation, inactivation, and recovery or potassium channel activation. In addition, neurons generated normal action potentials that propagated across stretch‐grown axons. Surprisingly, Na and K channel density increased due to stretch‐growth, which may represent a natural response to preserve the fidelity of neuronal signaling.