bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Thermal solitons and solectrons in nonlinear conducting chains
Authors: Chetverikov Alexander P. , Ebeling Werner , Velarde Manuel G.
Published: May 2009

We present a model for nonlinear excitations in bio(macro)‐molecules stable at room temperature and offering a possible mechanism for electron transfer over long distances (e.g., 100 Å and beyond). It is based on the excitation of generally supersonic solitons in a heated one‐dimensional lattice with Morse interactions in a temperature range from low to physiological level. We study the influence of these supersonic excitations on electrons moving in the lattice. The lattice units (considered as “atoms”) are treated by classical Langevin equations. The densities of the core electrons are in a first estimate represented by Gaussian densities, thus permitting to visualize lattice compressions as enhanced density regions. The evolution of excess, added free electrons is modeled in the tight‐binding approximation using first Schrödinger equation and, subsequently, the assumption of local canonical equilibrium corresponding to an adiabatic approximation. The relaxation to thermal equilibrium is studied in a perturbative approach by means of the Pauli master equation. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2010
Four‐center Slater‐type orbital molecular integrals without orbital translations
Authors: Hoggan Philip E.
Published: May 2009

This article advocates the use of atomic orbitals which have direct physical interpretation, i.e., hydrogen‐like orbitals. They are exponential‐type orbitals (ETOs). Convenient nodeless linear combinations are used, namely Slater‐type orbitals (STOs), with a product of a single power of r and an exponential as radial factor. Until 2008, such orbital products on different atoms were difficult to manipulate for the evaluation of two‐electron integrals. The difficulty was mostly due to cumbersome orbital translations involving slowly convergent infinite sums. These are completely eliminated using Coulomb resolutions. They provide an excellent approximation that reduces these integrals to a sum of one‐electron overlap‐like integral products that each involve orbitals on at most two centers. Such two‐center integrals are separable in prolate spheroidal coordinates. They are thus readily evaluated. Only these integrals need to be re‐evaluated to change basis functions. The above is still valid or three‐center integrals. In four‐center integrals, the resolutions require translating one potential term per product. This is outlined here and detailed elsewhere. Numerical results are reported for the H2 dimer. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2010
Ab initio quantum‐mechanical prediction of the IR and Raman spectra of Ca3Cr2Si3O12 Uvarovite garnet
Authors: Valenzano L. , Pascale F. , Ferrero M. , Dovesi R.
Published: May 2009

The IR and Raman spectra of uvarovite (Ca3Cr2Si3O12) garnet were simulated with the periodic ab initio CRYSTAL code by adopting an all‐electron Gaussian‐type basis set and the B3LYP Hamiltonian. The two sets of 17 F1u Transverse‐Optical (TO) and Longitudinal‐Optical (LO) frequencies are generated, together with their intensities. As regards the IR experimental spectrum, only five peaks are available, that are in excellent agreement with the calculated data (mean absolute difference $\vert\overline\Delta\vert$ smaller than 5.2 cm−1). The analysis of the TO‐LO eigenvalue overlaps permits to establish a correspondence between LO and TO modes. The set of experimental Raman peaks is much reacher (23 out of 25) and the agreement with our calculations excellent ($\vert\overline\Delta\vert$
smaller than 6 cm−1). Isotopic substitution is used to identify the zones of the spectrum where Cr and Ca contributions are relevant. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2010
Mining abnormal patterns from heterogeneous time‐series with irrelevant features for fault event detection
Authors: Fujimaki Ryohei , Nakata Takayuki , Tsukahara Hidenori , Sato Akinori , Yamanishi Kenji
Published: May 2009

We address the issue of detecting fault events in multivariate time series. We suppose the following realistic and challenging situations: (A) the features to which multivariate time series correspond are heterogeneous; (B) only a small number of examples of fault events are available in advance relative to a large number of normal examples; and (C) many features irrelevant to fault events are included. To resolve these situations, detecting faults specifically in machine systems such as automobile, train, etc. is usually required. We propose an algorithm to resolve the issue. Key ideas in it include: (1) transforming the time‐series for each feature into a sequence of anomaly scores, in order to map heterogeneous features to homogeneous ones (an anomaly score indicates the degree of anomalousness relative to an ordinal sequence) and then representing the pattern of a fault event in terms of fault anomaly score vectors; (2) selecting features specifying a fault event by means of iterative optimization using both normal and fault anomaly score vectors. We then monitor the degree of anomalousness with respect to target anomaly score vectors by comparing them with the abnormal patterns. We demonstrate the effectiveness of our proposed algorithm through an application to an actual automobile fault diagnosis data set as well as an artificial dataset. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Statistical Analysis and Data Mining 2: 1‐17, 2009
Dynamic analysis of combat vehicle accidents
Authors: Minami Nathan A. , Madnick Stuart
Published: May 2009

To the chagrin of well‐intentioned Army leaders, dozens of soldiers are killed each year as a result of combat vehicle accidents. The objective of this study is to look beyond the events and symptoms of accidents which normally indicate human error, and instead study the upper‐level organizational processes and problems that constitute the actual root causes of accidents. After a short review of the literature we report on our development of a system dynamics model. We then discuss the results of several simulations; these suggest that high‐level decisions that balance mission rate and operations tempo with troop availability, careful management of the work–rest cycle for deployed troops, and improvement of the processes for evaluating the lessons learned from accidents would lead to a reduction in Army combat vehicle accidents. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The essence of transformation in a self‐organizing team
Authors: Tu Yi‐ming , Wang Wei‐yang , Tseng Ya‐tsai
Published: May 2009

This study explores the process through which a team dismantles its existing order and rebuilds a new one via innovations and changes spontaneously initiated by team members. With the quantitative system dynamics model built in this study, the essence of adaptation of the navigation teams is examined and some self‐organization characteristics of the dynamic adaptation process are further identified and discussed. Although the system dynamics model is based solely on the case of a navigation team, the distributed cognition properties and mechanisms that are essential to social systems support the belief of this study that the model represents the common self‐organization mechanisms in the evolutionary process of a team's shared working structure. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Two‐dimensional semiparametric density ratio modeling of testicular germ cell data
Authors: Kedem Benjamin , Kim Eun‐young , Voulgaraki Anastasia , Graubard Barry I.
Published: May 2009

Bivariate semiparametric inference based on a two‐dimensional density ratio model is discussed and applied in testing the significance of risk factors regarding testicular germ cell tumors. The results from the joint analysis of height and weight data from a case–control study show that jointly these two factors are significant, whereas body mass index, which is a function of height and weight, is not a significant risk factor. Published in 2009 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Bayesian semiparametric analysis of structural equation models with mixed continuous and unordered categorical variables
Authors: Song Xin‐Yuan , Xia Ye‐Mao , Lee Sik‐Yum
Published: May 2009

Recently, structural equation models (SEMs) have been applied for analyzing interrelationships among observed and latent variables in biological and medical research. Latent variables in these models are typically assumed to have a normal distribution. This article considers a Bayesian semparametric SEM with covariates, and mixed continuous and unordered categorical variables, in which the explanatory latent variables in the structural equation are modeled via an appropriate truncated Dirichlet process with a stick‐breaking procedure. Results obtained from a simulation study and an analysis of a real medical data set are presented to illustrate the methodology. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A comparison of several approaches for choosing between working correlation structures in generalized estimating equation analysis of longitudinal binary data
Authors: Shults Justine , Sun Wenguang , Tu Xin , Kim Hanjoo , Amsterdam Jay , Hilbe Joseph M. , Ten‐Have Thomas
Published: May 2009

The method of generalized estimating equations (GEE) models the association between the repeated observations on a subject with a patterned correlation matrix. Correct specification of the underlying structure is a potentially beneficial goal, in terms of improving efficiency and enhancing scientific understanding. We consider two sets of criteria that have previously been suggested, respectively, for selecting an appropriate working correlation structure, and for ruling out a particular structure(s), in the GEE analysis of longitudinal studies with binary outcomes. The first selection criterion chooses the structure for which the model‐based and the sandwich‐based estimator of the covariance matrix of the regression parameter estimator are closest, while the second selection criterion chooses the structure that minimizes the weighted error sum of squares. The rule out criterion deselects structures for which the estimated correlation parameter violates standard constraints for binary data that depend on the marginal means. In addition, we remove structures from consideration if their estimated parameter values yield an estimated correlation structure that is not positive definite. We investigate the performance of the two sets of criteria using both simulated and real data, in the context of a longitudinal trial that compares two treatments for major depressive episode. Practical recommendations are also given on using these criteria to aid in the efficient selection of a working correlation structure in GEE analysis of longitudinal binary data. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The estimation of average hazard ratios by weighted Cox regression
Authors: Schemper Michael , Wakounig Samo , Heinze Georg
Published: May 2009

Often the effect of at least one of the prognostic factors in a Cox regression model changes over time, which violates the proportional hazards assumption of this model. As a consequence, the average hazard ratio for such a prognostic factor is under‐ or overestimated. While there are several methods to appropriately cope with non‐proportional hazards, in particular by including parameters for time‐dependent effects, weighted estimation in Cox regression is a parsimonious alternative without additional parameters. The methodology, which extends the weightedk‐sample logrank tests of the Tarone‐Ware scheme to models with multiple, binary and continuous covariates, has been introduced in the nineties of the last century and is further developed and re‐evaluated in this contribution. The notion of an average hazard ratio is defined and its connection to the effect size measureP(X<Y) is emphasized. The suggested approach accomplishes estimation of intuitively interpretable average hazard ratios and provides tools for inference. A Monte Carlo study confirms the satisfactory performance. Advantages of the approach are exemplified by comparing standard and weighted analyses of an international lung cancer study. SAS and R programs facilitate application. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Limitations to interorganizational knowledge acquisition: the paradox of corporate venture capital
Authors: Dushnitsky Gary , Shaver J. Myles
Published: May 2009

By highlighting conditions under which viable interorganizational relationships do not materialize, we explore the limitations of interorganizational knowledge acquisition. In the empirical context of corporate venture capital (CVC), we analyze a sample of 1,646 start‐up‐stage ventures that received funding during the 1990s. Under a regime of weak intellectual property protection (IPP), an entrepreneur‐CVC investment relationship is less likely to form when the entrepreneurial invention targets the same industry as corporate products. In contrast, under a strong IPP regime, industry overlap is associated with an increase in the likelihood of an investment relationship. Our findings suggest that many relationships do not form because the corporation will not invest unless the entrepreneur discloses his or her invention, and the entrepreneur may be wary of doing so, fearing imitation. To the extent that a CVC has greater capability and inclination to target same‐industry ventures, such industry overlap would exacerbate imitation concerns under a weak IPP regime, yet facilitate an investment relationship under a strong IPP regime. Beyond CVC, this insight may explain patterns of other interorganizational relationships, including research and development alliances and technology licensing between start‐ups and incumbents. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The continuing validity of the strategy‐structure nexus: new findings, 1993–2003
Authors: Galan Jose I. , Sanchez‐Bueno Maria J.
Published: May 2009

This study analyzes whether a diversification strategy facilitates subsequent divisionalization (and hence that ‘structure follows strategy’), and/or whether the multidivisional structure leads to a diversification strategy (and hence that ‘strategy follows structure’). In theoretical terms, this study is original in that it institutes a debate between the Chandler thesis and other perspectives that challenge the generalizability of the strategy‐structure nexus. Interestingly, this new study with contemporaneous data for the period 1993–2003 sheds light on this contested issue and postulates that despite the criticism of Chandler's contribution, it still works. Our results show that strategic diversification affects structural divisionalization, and in turn, structural divisionalization affects strategic diversification. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Rapid assessment of seismic demand in existing building structures
Authors: Tsang Hing‐Ho , Su Ray K. L. , Lam Nelson T. K. , Lo S. H.
Published: May 2009

Seismic assessment of building structures can be a very involved process. This paper presents a simplified and rational manual procedure for rapid predictions of maximum inter‐storey drift demand in tall buildings, which does not require frame analysis nor finite element analysis to be carried out and can be expedited by the use of a spreadsheet program. The methodology comprises a series of stages, beginning with the development of an elastic design response spectrum (or a uniform hazard spectrum) for specifying the level of seismic hazard, followed by the inclusion of a site‐specific factor that represents the effects of soil amplification. The maximum seismic inter‐storey drift demand of the building is then predicted from the displacement response spectrum for a given height and the estimated lateral natural periods of the building. The proposed manual procedure can be further developed to cater for limited ductility demand behaviour in the building. The predicted drift demand is an important indicator of potential seismic damage (risk), and may be utilized for the rapid assessment of damage and loss (cost) for considered earthquake scenarios. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Efficient data aggregation and transport in wireless sensor networks
Authors: Díaz Mario. O. , Leung Kin K.
Published: May 2009

We consider the problem of reporting events using wireless sensor networks. To reduce the data volume generated by each event, the correlated data from the (neighboring) nodes that detect the event must be brought together to be processed and compressed before relaying the result across several hops to the data sink. This process is supported by an aggregation tree, which specifies the flow of information towards the sink. For efficiency, aggregation trees should compress the data close to their sources. We propose two solutions to the event‐triggered reporting problem. Firstly, we propose the first protocol to use a staggered schedule in the construction of the aggregation tree. Due to the use of such a schedule, our protocol divides the tree‐construction time by roughly the number of hops in the network, and this advantage comes only at the expense of a small degradation of the quality of the obtained aggregation tree. Secondly, we consider a multi‐hop cluster‐based topology with fixed aggregation points. This topology is appropriate for large networks with unreliable radio links. We approximate the optimal cluster size distribution and evaluate the improvement over a uniform cluster size distribution. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An efficient scheduling scheme with diverse traffic demands in IEEE 802.16 networks
Authors: Hou Fen , Ho Pin‐Han , Shen Xuemin (Sherman)
Published: May 2009

In IEEE 802.16 networks, a subscriber station (SS) could be a single mobile user, a residence house, or an office building providing Internet service for multiple customers. Considering the heterogeneity among SSs which have diverse traffic demands, in this paper, we introduce the weighted proportional fair (WPF) scheduling scheme for the Best Effort (BE) service in IEEE 802.16 networks to achieve the flexible and efficient resource allocation. We develop an analytical model to investigate the performance of WPF in terms of spectral efficiency, throughput, resource utilization, and fairness, where the Rayleigh fading channel and the adaptive modulation and coding (AMC) technique are considered. Extensive simulations are conducted to illustrate the efficiency of the WPF scheduling scheme and verify the accuracy of the analytical model. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Opportunistic user cooperative relaying in TDMA‐based wireless networks
Authors: Yuan Guangxiang , Peng Mugen , Wang Wenbo
Published: May 2009

This paper proposes a novel protocol based on cooperative relaying between users. The protocol takes advantage of the fact that data traffic is bursty and silent periods exist between data bursts. Rather than wasting these idle time slots, users can take advantage of them to perform cooperative relaying, obviating the need for dedicated system resources for relaying, hence using the spectrum more efficiently. The benefit of this user cooperation for the higher network layers is analyzed. The system was modeled in terms of the maximum stability region and the maximum stable throughput. Our results show that our proposed protocol provides significant performance gains compared to conventional time‐division multiple‐access (TDMA) systems, as well as cooperative relaying protocols, namely selection relaying and incremental relaying. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Top‐down particle fabrication: control of size and shape for diagnostic imaging and drug delivery
Authors: Canelas Dorian A. , Herlihy Kevin P. , DeSimone Joseph M.
Published: May 2009

This review discusses rational design of particles for use as therapeutic vectors and diagnostic imaging agent carriers. The emerging importance of both particle size and shape is considered, and the adaptation and modification of soft lithography methods to produce nanoparticles are highlighted. To this end, studies utilizing particles made via a process called Particle Replication In Non‐wetting Templates are discussed. In addition, insights gained into therapeutic cargo and imaging agent delivery from related types of polymer‐based carriers are considered. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

This article is categorized under:

Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Emerging Technologies
Physicochemical factors that affect metal and metal oxide nanoparticle passage across epithelial barriers
Authors: Elder Alison , Vidyasagar Sadasivan , DeLouise Lisa
Published: May 2009

The diversity of nanomaterials in terms of size, shape, and surface chemistry poses a challenge to those who are trying to characterize the human health and environmental risks associated with incidental and unintentional exposures. There are numerous products that are already commercially available that contain solid metal and metal oxide nanoparticles, either embedded in a matrix or in solution. Exposure assessments for these products are often incomplete or difficult due to technological challenges associated with detection and quantitation of nanoparticles in gaseous or liquid carriers. The main focus of recent research has been on hazard identification. However, risk is a product of hazard and exposure, and one significant knowledge gap is that of the target organ dose followingin vivoexposures. In order to reach target organs, nanoparticles must first breach the protective barriers of the respiratory tract, gastrointestinal tract, or skin. The fate of those nanoparticles that reach physiological barriers is in large part determined by the properties of the particles and the barriers themselves. This article reviews the physiological properties of the lung, gut, and skin epithelia, the physicochemical properties of metal and metal oxide nanoparticles that are likely to affect their ability to breach epithelial barriers, and what is known about their fate followingin vivoexposures. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

This article is categorized under:

Toxicology and Regulatory Issues in Nanomedicine > Toxicology of Nanomaterials
Releasing the Tourniquet in Carpal Tunnel Surgery
Authors: Hutchinson Douglas T. , Wang Angela A.
Published: May 2009

The purpose of this study was to determine if letting down the tourniquet prior to closure after carpal tunnel release decreases the amount of post-operative ecchymosis and subsequent post-operative pain. We prospectively studied 18 consecutive patients who were undergoing bilateral open carpal tunnel releases. The side done first was randomized and the tourniquet was released to obtain hemostasis prior to closure on this side only. The second side was completed, closed, and dressed prior to letting the tourniquet down. The patients' pre-operative and post-operative pain scores were recorded, as was an ecchymosis score at the 10-day follow-up visit. The results showed no significant difference between the two groups in either pain or ecchymosis. We conclude that the added surgical time required for letting the tourniquet down and obtaining hemostasis prior to closure in a carpal tunnel is unnecessary.
Political Cooperation in EUREGIO: Democratic Dimensions in Cross-Border Cooperation
Authors: Van Winsen Bart
Published: May 2009

Having developed a successful example of cross-border cooperation in public governance, EUREGIO has played and continues to play an important role in cohesion policy in the context of multi-level governance of the European Union. Van Winsen explores the legitimacy of the EUREGIO Council noting that there is still room for improvement in this context. By increasing the competences of the Council and putting in place direct elections, more legitimacy could be achieved. On the other hand, however, Van Winsen praises the 50-year-old initiative, underlining how positively it has been able to serve the interests of citizens in areas such as the labour market, cross-border healthcare and infrastructure across Europe.
Interreligious Peacebuilding: A New Engagement of Religious Actors in European Politics?
Authors: Bokern Friedrich
Published: May 2009

The European Union has witnessed substantial changes in religion and politics since the advent of eastern enlargement. Religion continues to affect ethical convictions and the exercise of political power in spite of the functional separation of religious and political powers. This paper explores how religion has been used on the one hand as a motive for conflict as well as a powerful weapon in times of conflict, and on the other hand as a basis for peace and prosperity. Given that globalisation is continuously bringing various communities of different cultural backgrounds closer together, often leading to disorder, the author raises the important question of whether such conflicts may be overcome by engaging in intercultural and interreligious dialogue for the purpose of peacebuilding.
Moving forward
Authors: Reinfeldt Fredrik
Published: May 2009

The economic recession is receiving continuous media attention worldwide yet what is essentially occurring today is a more general international crisis leading to unemployment, further social exclusion and anti-integration tendencies, to name only a few of the consequences. In times like these, argues the author, actions taken by individual nations to combat such issues are simply not enough. Although many people readily blame globalisation for their everyday problems, it may in fact be the much-needed solution to combat problems which are common to all states. Reinfeldt thus concludes that development in a number of fields can be achieved only by integrating different economies and cultures.
Phylogenetic analysis indicates transitions from vegetative to sexual reproduction in theLobaria retigeragroup (Lecanoromycetidae, Ascomycota)
Authors: CORNEJO Carolina , CHABANENKO Svetlana , SCHEIDEGGER Christoph
Published: May 2009

Phylogenetic relationships among the hypothetical species pairsLobaria kurokawae/L. retigeraandL. pseudopulmonaria/L. isidiosawere investigated based on TLC techniques and the phylogenetic analysis of the internal transcribed spacers (ITS) nrDNA. Results of TLC demonstrate thatL. retigeraandL. kurokawaecan be chemically distinguished fromL. isidiosaandL. pseudopulmonariaby the absence of retigeranic acid. Parsimony analysis of 18 specimens shows two monophyletic clades – aL.retigeralineage and aL. isidiosalineage—both including their apotheciate counterparts. Unlike the original hypothesis of species pairs, our study reveals transitions from isidiate morphs that have the potential to rarely form apothecia, towards apotheciate morphs that produce no vegetative propagules.
Caloplaca himalayana, a new epiphytic lichen from the Indian subcontinent
Authors: JOSHI Yogesh , UPRETI Dalip K. , SATI Suresh C.
Published: May 2009

Twenty-three species of epiphyticCaloplacaare recognized in India, of whichCaloplaca himalayanaJoshi, Y. & Upreti, characterized by thin, continuous, yellowish thallus, numerous ferruginous-red to brownish red, flat to subconvex apothecia with a persistent proper margin and lignicolous habitat, is described here as a new species. Because of the ferruginous coloured apothecial disc, the new species is provisionally placed in theferrugineagroup until a taxonomic treatment of the whole group has been carried out. Theferrugineagroup is characterized by a whitish to grey (rarely yellowish) crustose thallus, a ferruginous to rarely blackish apothecial disc, biatorine to lecanorine exciple, thick-walled spore septa and the chemosyndrome C. The taxonomic affinities of the new taxa with several other taxa, including species offerrugineagroup, are discussed. Two new records for India are also recorded:Caloplaca alnetorumGiralt, Nimis & Poelt andC. crocea(Kremp.) Hafellner & Poelt. A key to all the corticolousCaloplacaspecies occurring in the Indian subcontinent is also provided.
A new species of Graphis (Graphidaceae) from Venezuela
Authors: NEUWIRTH Gerhard , LÜCKING Robert
Published: May 2009

A corticolous Graphis discovered in the southern part of Venezuela is described as new to science. The new species, Graphis breussii sp. nov., is characterized by rather large, prominent lirellae with striate labia and apically thin complete thalline cover, a completely carbonized exciple, four submuriform ascospores per ascus, and norstictic acid; it belongs in the Graphis acharii group.
Two new conidial lichenicolous fungi from Spain indicate the distinction ofLichenodiplisandMinutoexcipula
Authors: ATIENZA Violeta , PÉREZ-ORTEGA Sergio , ETAYO Javier
Published: May 2009

Two new conidial lichenicolous fungi are described from Spain:Lichenodiplis crespoaeonCyphelium notarisiiandMinutoexcipula tephromelaeonTephromela atra.Lichenodiplis crespoaediffers from all the described species of the genus in the narrower and shorter conidia, and the hostCyphelium notarisii.Minutoexcipula tephromelaeis characterized by subglobose, conidiogenous cells occasionally bearing 1–2 long proliferating extensions, short conidia and by the hostTephromela atra.
Offline decoupled path planning approach for effective coordination of multiple robots
Authors: Chiddarwar Shital S. , Babu N. Ramesh
Published: May 2009

In this paper, a decoupled offline path planning approach for determining the collision-free path of end effectors of multiple robots involved in coordinated manipulation is proposed. The proposed approach for decoupled path planning is a two-phase approach in which the path for coordinated manipulation is generated with a coupled interaction between collision checking and path planning techniques. Collision checking is done by modelling the links and environment of robot using swept sphere volume technique and utilizing minimum distance heuristic for interference check. While determining the path of the end effector of robots involved in coordinated manipulation, the obstacles present in the workspace are considered as static obstacles and the links of the robots are viewed as dynamic obstacles by the other robot. Coordination is done in offline mode by implementing replanning strategy which adopts incremental A* algorithm for searching the collision-free path. The effectiveness of proposed decoupled approach is demonstrated by considering two examples having multiple six degrees of freedom robots operating in 3D work cell environment with certain static obstacles.
An adaptive niching genetic algorithm approach for generating multiple solutions of serial manipulator inverse kinematics with applications to modular robots
Authors: Tabandeh Saleh , Melek William W. , Clark Christopher M.
Published: May 2009

Inverse kinematics (IK) is a nonlinear problem that may have multiple solutions. A modified genetic algorithm (GA) for solving the IK of a serial robotic manipulator is presented. The algorithm is capable of finding multiple solutions of the IK through niching methods. Despite the fact that the number and position of solutions in the search space depends on the position and orientation of the end-effector as well as the kinematic configuration (KC) of the robot, the number of GA parameters that must be set by a user are limited to a minimum through the use of an adaptive niching method. The only requirement of the algorithm is the forward kinematics (FK) equations which can be easily obtained from the Denavit–Hartenberg link parameters and joint variables of the robot. For identifying and processing the outputs of the proposed GA, a modified filtering and clustering phase is also added to the algorithm. For the postprocessing stage, a numerical IK solver is used to achieve convergence to the desired accuracy. The algorithm is validated on three KCs of a modular and reconfigurable robot (MRR).
The functions of English in Nigeria from the earliest times to the present day
Authors: Taiwo Rotimi
Published: May 2009

The use of the English language in Nigeria dates back to the late sixteenth and early seventeenth century when British merchants and Christian missionaries settled in the coastal towns called Badagry, near Lagos in the present day South Western Nigeria and Calabar, a town in the present day South Eastern Nigeria. The merchants initially traded in slaves until the slave trade was abolished in 1807, at which time freed slaves of Nigerian origin returned to the country. Many of them, who had been exposed to Western education and Christianity, later served as translators or interpreters for the Christian missionaries. The primary aim of the Christian mission was not to make their converts speak English; rather, it was to make them literate enough to read the bible in their indigenous languages. This must be the reason why Samuel Ajayi Crowder translated the English bible into Yoruba, the major language in South Western Nigeria.

With the attainment of independence, English gradually grew to become the major medium for inter-ethnic communication. Like most African nations, the country, after independence, had to grapple with multi-ethnicity and acute multilingualism. In this article, we shall examine the expansion in the functions of English during the post-colonial period.
English railway announcements in Singapore
Authors: Poole Brian
Published: May 2009

Singapore's Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) railway system is a highly effective and rather inexpensive way of getting around the Lion City, although locals sometimes complain about overcrowding in the carriages and about noise levels experienced in apartment blocks situated near the lines. Generally speaking, passengers are well provided with information too, including maps of the MRT system in the stations, screen data about train arrivals, and clearly enunciated announcements (in English, Mandarin, Malay and Tamil) inside the carriages about upcoming stations and connections. However, one quibble can be raised about the English version of these announcements, which sometimes features the verb ‘to alight’. This is explored.
‘World English’ and the Latin analogy: where we get it wrong
Authors: Rajagopalan Kanavillil
Published: May 2009

Will World English go the way of Latin? The phrase ‘Latin analogy’ was, it seems, coined by McArthur (1987), who distinguished a pessimistic or what he called ‘Babelesque’, perspective from an optimistic and a neutral (or pragmatic) perspectives to the comparison. The comparison continues to be made even today and generally it comes with a dire warning: the days of English as an international language, or a lingua franca for peoples from different parts of the world, are numbered. It will, sooner or later, break up into a number of different, mutually incomprehensible languages just the way good old Latin did. What is worse, in some cases this apprehension seems only to grow with the passage of time.
The final future of t
Authors: Bulley Michael
Published: May 2009

Will the final t become totally bottled up? It was about 15 years ago, I suppose, that I was told by an 18-year-old student that you shouldn't pronounce the final t in words like went. She meant in no circumstances. So struck was I by this that I reflected on my own practice, as a British English speaker, with such words. I decided that, in general, I released a final t before a following vowel, before a pause and before ‘soft’ consonants like h or w, but might sometimes keep it in before a ‘strong’ consonant, like m or b. So, I would say ‘I went away’, ‘What?’ and ‘That hospital’, but, pre-consonantal, either ‘He sent bottled water’ or ‘He sen’ bottled water’. You would, of course, refer also to words spelled with te at the end, like mate, as being pronounced with a final t.

Since that time, and particularly in recent years, I have noticed an increase in the non-released version of final t, pre-vowel or pre-pause, from BrE speakers in contexts where before I would not have expected it, as, for example, from BBC newsreaders.
‘Sweet as!’: the intensifier as in New Zealand and Australian English
Authors: Sowa Joseph
Published: May 2009

The use of ‘as’ as a post-modifying intensifier is a construction that has become well-established in Australian and New Zealand English but is rare elsewhere. Only recently has its usage begun to be studied. In 2002, Laurie Bauer and Winifred Bauer included adj + as in their study of intensifier usage among middle-school aged children in New Zealand. Later, in 2006, Michael Head and Peter Petrucci built on Bauer and Bauer's work by studying this specific construction using the Wellington Corpus of Spoken New Zealand English (WSC) and quotations in newspaper articles. Since these studies, adj + as has become increasingly grammaticalised, as evidenced by its use in the predicate and attributive positions, its modification by adverbs, and its use as an adverb. The usage is further examined in this article.
Conference Report: IAWE14, Hong Kong, 1–5 December 2008
Authors: van Rooy Bertus
Published: May 2009

A report on the Fourteenth Annual Conference of the International Association for World Englishes was held from 1–5 December 2008 at the City University of Hong Kong. The Conference Theme was ‘World Englishes and World's Languages: Convergence, Enrichment or Death?’ On the first two days, three pre-conference workshops and an open forum discussion were held, addressing theory and methodology in the world Englishes classroom, creativity in world Englishes and the implications of language variation for classroom teaching. This was followed by three packed days of presentations, including a keynote, plenary and presidential address, four focus lectures, and eight streams of parallel paper presentations or special panels/thematic sessions. In total, more than 150 presentations were made, and the conference was attended by well over 200 delegates.
CENTRAL LIMIT THEOREMS FOR WEIGHTED SUMS OF LINEAR PROCESSES: LP -APPROXIMABILITY VERSUS BROWNIAN MOTION
Authors: Mynbaev Kairat T.
Published: May 2009

Standardized slowly varying regressors are shown to be Lp-approximable. This fact allows us to provide alternative proofs of asymptotic expansions of nonstochastic quantities and central limit results due to P.C.B. Phillips, under a less stringent assumption on linear processes. The recourse to stochastic calculus related to Brownian motion can be completely dispensed with.
ADMISSIBLE INVARIANT SIMILAR TESTS FOR INSTRUMENTAL VARIABLES REGRESSION
Authors: Chernozhukov Victor , Hansen Christian , Jansson Michael
Published: May 2009

This paper studies a model widely used in the weak instruments literature and establishes admissibility of the weighted average power likelihood ratio tests recently derived by Andrews, Moreira, and Stock (2004, NBER Technical Working Paper 199). The class of tests covered by this admissibility result contains the Anderson and Rubin (1949, Annals of Mathematical Statistics 20, 46–63) test. Thus, there is no conventional statistical sense in which the Anderson and Rubin (1949) test “wastes degrees of freedom.” In addition, it is shown that the test proposed by Moreira (2003, Econometrica 71, 1027–1048) belongs to the closure of (i.e., can be interpreted as a limiting case of) the class of tests covered by our admissibility result.
COPULA-BASED CHARACTERIZATIONS FOR HIGHER ORDER MARKOV PROCESSES
Authors: Ibragimov Rustam
Published: May 2009

In this paper, we obtain characterizations of higher order Markov processes in terms of copulas corresponding to their finite-dimensional distributions. The results are applied to establish necessary and sufficient conditions for Markov processes of a given order to exhibitm-dependence,r-independence, or conditional symmetry. The paper also presents a study of applicability and limitations of different copula families in constructing higher order Markov processes with the preceding dependence properties. We further introduce new classes of copulas that allow one to combine Markovness withm-dependence orr-independence in time series.
Rate of convergence for multiscale homogenization of Hamilton—Jacobi equations
Authors: Marchi Claudio
Published: May 2009

This paper concerns the homogenization problem for fully nonlinear first-order equations of Hamilton—Jacobi type with a finite number of scales. Under some coercivity and periodicity assumptions we provide an estimate of the rate of convergence. Finally, some examples arising from optimal control and deterministic differential games are discussed.
Weighted regularity criteria for the three-dimensional Navier—Stokes equations
Authors: Zhou Yong
Published: May 2009

We establish some regularity criteria in terms of the velocity field with weight for the Navier—Stokes equations in ℝ3. It is proved that if the weak solution satisfies

or

then the weak solution actually is regular up to time T.
Endomorphism rings of p-local finite spectra are semi-perfect
Authors: Pavešić Petar
Published: May 2009

Let X be a finite spectrum. We prove that R(X(p)), the endomorphism ring of the p-localization of X, is a semi-perfect ring. This implies, among other things, a strong form of unique factorization for finite p-local spectra. The main step in the proof is that the Jacobson radical of R(X(p)) is idempotent-lifting, which is proved by a combination of geometric properties of finite spectra and algebraic properties of the p-localization.
The existence of equilibria of many-particle systems
Authors: Stańczy R.
Published: May 2009

In this paper we obtain the existence of a radial solution for some elliptic non-local problem with constraints. The problem arises from some mean field equation which models, among other things, a system of self-gravitating particles when one looks for its stationary solutions. We include the cases of Maxwell—Boltzmann, Fermi—Dirac and polytropic statistics.
RNAi-mediated functional analysis of pathways influencing cancer cell drug resistance
Authors: Lee Alvin J.X. , Kolesnick Richard , Swanton Charles
Published: May 2009

Acquired drug resistance limits the efficacy of cytotoxics used in the management of haematological and solid tumours and is responsible for the declining clinical benefit following successive treatment regimens in metastatic cancers. Treatment failure has a major impact on quality of life and survival in advanced disease. Defining pathways of intrinsic and acquired drug resistance may provide new targets to prolong drug efficacy and time to disease progression. Predicting the intrinsic drug sensitivity of human tumours in advance of cytotoxic therapy is of paramount importance in order to limit unnecessary toxicity and optimise treatment outcome. RNA interference (RNAi) provides a powerful tool to annotate gene function and systematically define drug-resistance pathways. High-throughput screening RNAi technology has provided evidence for drug-specific resistance pathways as well as novel pathways implicated in multidrug sensitivity. The challenge is how to integrate these data with biological samples to define relevant drug-resistant pathways in vivo.
Delivery of Complex Organic Compounds from Planetary Nebulae to the Solar System
Authors: Kwok Sun
Published: May 2009

Infrared spectroscopic observations of planetary nebulae and proto-planetary nebulae have shown that complex organic compounds are synthesized in these objects over periods as short as a thousand years. These compounds are ejected into the interstellar medium and spread throughout the Galaxy. Evidence from meteorites has shown that these stellar grains have reached the Solar System, and may have showered the Earth during the heavy bombardment stage of the Early Earth. In this paper, we discuss the chemical structure of stellar organic grains and compare them to the organic matter found in meteorites, comets, asteroids, planetary satellites, and interplanetary particles. The possibility that the early Solar System was chemically enriched by organic compounds ejected from distant stars is presented.
The interplay between central and sub-central levels: the development of a systemic standard based programme for governing medical performance in Denmark
Authors: VRANGBAEK KARSTEN
Published: May 2009

This paper analyses the introduction of a systemic standards based programme for governing medical performance in Denmark. The programme combines clinical, organisational, and patient related standards and measures, and contains both external evaluation and self-assessment based on standards. The substance of the programme is new compared to the previous decentralised or professionally driven state of affairs that was based on a largely voluntary introduction of clinical standards, combined with a case-by-case evaluation of malpractice incidents. The programme strengthens hierarchy-based forms of governance; these co-exist with salient components of network-based governance as well as some elements of market-based governance. Institutional and contextual factors are important in explaining why a systemic standards based programme emerged as a result of the policy negotiation processes. In particular, the programme reflects stronger governance ambitions from the government in response to claims of a relative decline in the quality of the regional health services. However, the actual design is mediated by institutionalised negotiation processes among the state, decentralised authorities, and health professionals.
Capacity and authority: comments on governing doctors and health care
Authors: WHITE JOSEPH
Published: May 2009

This stimulating set of articles provides intriguing information and comments about medical governance in four countries. The commentary argues that the typology of governance approaches is not as useful as one would want for understanding either the political prospects or policy effects of governance measures. The politics of governance measures is distinctly related to efforts to avoid blame, and the effects of measures are better understood in terms of state capacity and a term, ‘authority’, that advocates of ‘governance’ usually avoid. Close attention to the requisites of authority provides some insight into the patterns of adoption and consequences of measures. These patterns are highlighted by comparing the four cases reviewed to experience in the United States.
Freshwater composition of the waters off southeast Greenland and their link to the Arctic Ocean
Authors: Sutherland David A. , Pickart Robert S. , Peter Jones E. , Azetsu‐Scott Kumiko , Jane Eert A. , Ólafsson Jón
Published: May 2009

The freshwater composition of waters on the southeast Greenland shelf and slope are described using a set of high‐resolution transects occupied in summer 2004, which included hydrographic, velocity, nutrient, and chemical tracer measurements. The nutrient and tracer data are used to quantify the fractions of Pacific Water, sea ice melt, and meteoric water present in the upper layers of the East Greenland Current (EGC) and East Greenland Coastal Current (EGCC). The EGC/EGCC system dominates the circulation of this region and strongly influences the observed distribution of the three freshwater types. Sea ice melt and meteoric water fractions are surface intensified, reflecting their sources, and generally increase southward from Denmark Strait to Cape Farewell, as well as shoreward. Significant fractions of Pacific Water are found in the subsurface layers of the EGCC, supporting the idea that this inner shelf branch is directly linked to the EGC and thus to the Arctic Ocean. A set of historical sections is examined to investigate the variability of Pacific Water content in the EGC and EGCC from 1984 to 2004 in the vicinity of Denmark Strait. The fraction of Pacific Water increased substantially in the late 1990s and subsequently declined to low levels in 2002 and 2004, mirroring the reduction in Pacific Water content reported previously at Fram Strait. This variability is found to correlate significantly with the Arctic Oscillation index, lagged by 9 years, suggesting that the Arctic Ocean circulation patterns bring varying amounts of Pacific Water to the North Atlantic via the EGC/EGCC.