bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Constructivism about Practical Reasons1
Authors: JAMES AARON
Published: July 2007

Philosophers commonly wonder what a constructivist theory as applied to practical reasons might look like. For the methods or procedures of reasoning familiar from moral constructivism do not clearly apply generally, to all practical reasons. The paper argues that procedural specification is not necessary, so long as our aims are not first‐order but explanatory. We can seek to explain how there could be facts of the matter about reasons for action without saying what reasons we have. Explanatory constructivism must assume constructive “norms of practical reasoning” which yield particular truths without assuming them. But philosophers often mistakenly assume that only “formal” norms of reasoning could fulfill this role. The paper describes a further possibility: norms of reasoning can be “situation‐specific” and yet retain truth‐independent authority. Though we might doubt whether such norms can be independently defended, we should not doubt the possibility or coherence of constructivism about practical reasons.
A Pragmatic Dissolution of Harman’s Paradox
Authors: DOUVEN IGOR
Published: July 2007

There is widespread agreement that we cannot know of a lottery ticket we own that it is a loser prior to the drawing of the lottery. At the same time we appear to have knowledge of events that will occur only if our ticket is a loser. Supposing any plausible closure principle for knowledge, the foregoing seems to yield a paradox. Appealing to some broadly Gricean insights, the present paper argues that this paradox is apparent only.
Bacteroides
sp. Strain D8, the First Cholesterol-Reducing Bacterium Isolated from Human Feces
Authors: Gérard Philippe , Lepercq Pascale , Leclerc Marion , Gavini Françoise , Raibaud Pierre , Juste Catherine
Published: July 2007

The microbial community in the human colon contains bacteria that reduce cholesterol to coprostanol, but the species responsible for this conversion are still unknown. We describe here the first isolation and characterization of a cholesterol-reducing bacterium of human intestinal origin. Strain D8 was isolated from a 10
−8
dilution of a fresh stool sample provided by a senior male volunteer with a high capacity to reduce luminal cholesterol to coprostanol. Cholesterol-to-coprostanol conversion by strain D8 started on the third day, while cells were in stationary phase, and was almost complete after 7 days. Intermediate products (4-cholesten-3-one and coprostanone) were occasionally observed, suggesting an indirect pathway for cholesterol-to-coprostanol conversion. Resting-cell assays showed that strain D8 could reduce 1.5 μmol of cholesterol/mg bacterial protein/h. Strain D8 was a gram-negative, non-spore-forming, rod-shaped organism identified as a member of the genus
Bacteroides
closely related to
Bacteroides vulgatus
, based on its morphological and biochemical characteristics. The 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain D8 was most similar (>99.5%) to those of two isolates of the recently described species
Bacteroides dorei
. Phylogenetic tree construction confirmed that
Bacteroides
sp. strain D8 clustered within an independent clade together with these
B. dorei
strains. Nevertheless, no cholesterol-reducing activity could be detected in cultures of the
B. dorei
type strain. Based on
Bacteroides
group-specific PCR-temporal temperature gradient gel electrophoresis, there was no correlation between the presence of a band comigrating with the band of
Bacteroides
sp. strain D8 and cholesterol conversion in 11 human fecal samples, indicating that this strain is unlikely to be mainly responsible for cholesterol conversion in the human population.
The central role of adenosine in statin-induced ERK1/2, Akt, and eNOS phosphorylation
Authors: Merla Ramanna , Ye Yumei , Lin Yu , Manickavasagam Saraswathy , Huang Ming-He , Perez-Polo Regino J. , Uretsky Barry F. , Birnbaum Yochai
Published: July 2007

Statins activate phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase, which activates ecto-5′-nucleotidase and phosphorylates 3-phosphoinositide-dependent kinase-1 (PDK-1). Phosphorylated (P-)PDK-1 phosphorylates Akt, which phosphorylates endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS). We asked if the blockade of adenosine receptors (A1, A2A, A2B, or A3 receptors) could attenuate the induction of Akt and eNOS by atorvastatin (ATV) and whether ERK1/2 is involved in the ATV regulation of Akt and eNOS. In protocol 1, mice received intraperitoneal ATV, theophylline (TH), ATV + TH, or vehicle. In protocol 2, mice received intraperitoneal injections of ATV, U0126 (an ERK1/2 inhibitor), ATV + U0126, or vehicle; 8 h later, hearts were assessed by immunoblot analysis. In protocol 3, mice received intraperitoneal ATV alone or with 8-sulfophenyltheophylline (SPT); 1, 3, and 6 h after injection, hearts were assessed by immunoblot analysis. In protocol 4, mice received intraperitoneal ATV alone or with SPT, 1,3-dipropyl-8-cyclopentylxanthine (DPCPX), 1,3,7-trimethyl-8-(3-chlorostyryl)xanthine (CSC), alloxazine, or MRS-1523; 3 h after injection, hearts were assessed by immunoblot analysis. ATV increased P-ERK, P-PDK-1, Ser473 P-Akt, Thr308 P-Akt, and P-eNOS levels. TH blocked ATV-induced increases in P-ERK, Ser473 P-Akt, Thr308 P-Akt, and P-eNOS levels without affecting the induction of P-PDK-1 by ATV. U0126 blocked the ATV induction of Ser473 P-Akt and Thr308 P-Akt while attenuating the induction of P-eNOS. A detectable increase in P-ERK, Ser473 P-Akt and P-eNOS was seen 3 and 6 h after injection but not at 1 h. DPCPX, CSC, and alloxazine partially blocked the ATV induction of P-ERK, Ser473 P-Akt, and P-eNOS. In conclusion, blockade of adenosine A1, A2A, and A2B receptors but not A3 receptors inhibited the induction of Akt and eNOS by statins. Adenosine was required for ERK1/2 activation by statins, which resulted in Akt and eNOS phosphorylation.
Can We Write the History of the Russian Revolution? A Belated Response to Eric Hobsbawm
Authors: Murphy Kevin
Published: July 2007

Ten years ago, Eric Hobsbawm presented his Deutscher Lecture on 'Can We Write the History of the Russian Revolution?' This essay argues that Hobsbawm articulated a perspective on the Russian Revolution that was shared by a much wider audience on the Left after the fall of the Soviet Union and that many of these arguments continue to resonate today. Placing the contours of the historiographical discussion of the Russian Revolution within a broader political context, I argue that Hobsbawm has underestimated the extent to which the standard academic accounts intentionally have marginalised Marxist interpretations. Hobsbawm's own ambivalence toward the October Revolution and his lack of clarity on the origins of Stalinism are not supported by the latest empirical research and concede much ground to strident anti-Marxists. Rather than refuting the Marxist classics, new evidence from the archives of the former Soviet Union actually offers substantial support. The renewed academic attacks on the Russian Revolution, including the deliberate omission of evidence that support the Marxist interpretation, should be challenged rather than embraced by socialists.
From forecasting to ‘la prospective’ a new way of looking at futures
Authors: Godet Michel
Published: July 2007

Although‘La Prospective’is not well known in the Anglo‐Saxon forecasting literature, it has been for many years widely used in France and other Latin countries with considerable success. Lately, because of the inaccuracy of forecasting and the large forecasting errors that have been experienced, it is suggested that the Prospective approach can be used as a way of dealing with these problems. The main characteristics of‘La Prospective’are that it does not look at the future as a continuation of the past but rather as the outcome of the wishes of various actors and the constraints imposed on them by the environment. Its purpose is to assist in creating alternative futures and then select some alternative that allows for maximum freedom of action.
The leading indicator approach to economic forecasting—retrospect and prospect
Authors: Klein Philip A. , Moore Geoffrey H.
Published: July 2007

Our purpose in this paper is to explain briefly the theory and rationale underlying the leading, coincident and lagging indicators, describe the more important statistical procedures used, and review the evidence on how the indicators have performed in practice. The tests of performance concentrate on data not used in the selection of the indicators, in the United States and nine other countries. We conclude with some suggestions for future research and development, including the application of the approach to the analysis of inflation.
The importance of the forecast
Authors: Klein L. R.
Published: July 2007

Careful forecasts, as accurate as possible, are central to the successful implementation of policy. There are fundamental reasons why policy makers cannot ‘play by ear’, adjusting policy quickly to each unexpected deviation in economic outcomes. Specific incidents are described where economic policy went awry because of faulty forecasts. The policy process is described in detail to show precisely where the forecast enters. Forecasting as a validation tool for establishing credibility in policy formation is analysed and discussed. Some estimated measure of forecast accuracy is presented, together with commentary on the necessary degrees of precision for successful implementation of policy.
Public sector management improvement in sub‐saharan Africa: The world bank experience
Authors: Adamolekun Ladipo
Published: July 2007

During the 1980s, the World Bank paid increasing attention to Public Sector Management (PSM), particularly to free‐standing loans for institutional development in Sub‐Saharan Africa (SSA). So far, based upon a recent study of 19 of these SSA projects, more ambitious PSM efforts have usually failed, although modest achievements have been recorded in some countries. The World Bank needs to intensify its efforts, combining civil service reform with strengthening economic and financial management and donor coordination. However, the Bank must constantly assess and insist upon the borrower's commitment.
Promoting African decentralization
Authors: Adamolekun Ladipo
Published: July 2007

The decentralization efforts begun by many Sub‐Saharan African (SSA) countries in recent years have been undermined by a number of factors, including: (a) delegation of authority to field staff (deconcentration) rather than to locally elected leaders (devolution); (b) the impact of the one‐party system; (c) the financial weaknesses of local governments; and (d) inadequate monitoring of local government expenditures. The experiences of Kenya and Nigeria illustrate decentralization problems in countries of Sub‐Saharan Africa (SSA). Research and training are priorities that deserve more attention by SSA governments and by bilateral and multilateral donors.

This article was initially written for the EDI publication, Adamolekun, L., Robert, R. and Laleye, M. (eds) (1990). Decentralization Policies and Socio‐economic Development in Sub‐Saharan Africa, World Bank, Washington, D.C.
Multilateral development banks and environmental management
Authors: Turnham David
Published: July 2007

This article aims to review the increased attention and initiative which the multilateral development banks (MDBs)—more specifically the World Bank and Asian Development Bank (ADB) —have taken in recent years with respect to environmental concerns. Although the MDBs made some responses to environmental concern during the 1970s and 80s, until the late 1980s the resources devoted to this area were rather limited, and the banks came under increasing criticism for their lack of more substantial commitment. Since 1988 fundamental staffing and structural changes have brought environmental considerations, both into the evaluation of all project proposals and also as an approach to planning in its own right.

There is still much uncertainty regarding the appropriateness of various techniques available to improve environmental management in developing countries. The article reviews the potential use of economic instruments, ‘command and control’ regulatory approaches, and the importance of macroeconomic policy as determinant of the success of environmental programmes. Developing country governments are increasingly prioritizing the environment, and bank efforts are currently focusing heavily on programmes that address poverty and the environment simultaneously. But it will be necessary to carry out adequate research, monitoring and evaluation of current programmes if these are to progress satisfactorily.
Urban local government finance in Zimbabwe: The case of Harare City Council
Authors: Wekwete Kadmiel
Published: July 2007

Since Zimbabwe won its independence in 1980, the country's leaders have embarked on an ambitious programme of decentralization and local government reform. At the same time, urban conditions in the country have become increasingly difficult. This paper examines major aspects of urban local government finances in this environment of reform and growing fiscal pressures, with special reference to the experience of Harare City Council. It is argued that some relative successes have been recorded, although a number of undesirable elements of colonial practices and various fiscal problem persist.
Public sector personnel management in three African countries: Current problems and possibilities
Authors: Taylor Harry
Published: July 2007

Following visits to three less developed countries (LDCs) in Sub‐Saharan Africa (Tanzania, Kenya and Zimbabwe) to study public sector personnel systems, the author offers a review of personnel practice in Civil Service and parastatal organizations. In the main, despite a recognition that personnel issues were crucial to organizational success and thereby, ultimately, to economic development, the personnel function was found to be a largely reactive administrative operation, often combined with non‐personnel ‘housekeeping’ roles and lacking a strategic role within the organization. Reasons for this restricted role are suggested and include a lack of alternative models of best personnel practice, the historical legacy of colonial administration, and the continuing need for administrative controls in the face of favouritism and corruption. Prospects for reform are considered in the light of current conditions and the view is advanced that changes in the personnel practices and policy are most desirable and urgent in the parastatal sector, and that a reformed parastatal sector might serve as a model for selective improvements to personnel management in the Civil Service.
Employee buy‐outs and privatization: Issues and implications for LDCs and post‐communist countries of UK experience
Authors: Wright Mike , Buck Trevor
Published: July 2007

Privatization has become an international phenomenon. Most attention has been devoted to privatization by stock market flotation or by sales to third parties. Management and employee buy‐outs present a third main possibility for transferring assets from the public to the private sector. This paper discusses the scope for privatization buy‐outs in LDCs and ‘post‐communist’ economies in the light of conceptual issues and UK experience. The positive aspects of privatization by management and employee buy‐outs concern: ownership incentives; the introduction of control mechanisms by institutional investors and various types of financing instruments; indigenous ownership, decentralized privatization; greater incentives in firms where specific skills are involved; the ability to improve trading relationships between a privatized supplier (the buy‐out) and its former parent, which remains in the public sector where the supplier is heavily dependent on its former parent; and the general contribution of buy‐outs to a redrawing of a state firm's spread of activities to create a more viable entity. The potential problems with buy‐outs concern such issues as: absence of entrepreneurial skills; the scope of their applicability; the potentially restrictive effects of debt and debt‐like finance; the need to deal with investment requirements of firms; the lack of personal wealth; the use of inside information by managers to purchase a firm at a price which is to the detriment of the public interest; and the possibility of social and political problems if individuals are perceived to enhance their personal wealth significantly as an accident of where they work. There are means by which many of these potential problems can be dealt with and the paper addresses these.
Enhancing organizational effectiveness in developing countries: The training and visit system revisited
Authors: Hulme David
Published: July 2007

Improving the effectiveness of public sector organizations in developing countries has become a major focus for national governments and foreign aid agencies. This study reviews the experience of a major organizational reform strategy, the training and visit system of extension, that has operated for more than 20 years. Several lessons drawn from this experience are that aid donors must: (i) eschew their preference for organizational blueprints and recognize the contingent nature of reforms; (ii) recognize that many public sector organizations have only a small ‘controlled’ decision‐making space and thus pay more attention to ‘influenceable’ decision‐making opportunities; (iii) acknowledge that machine model approaches are likely to reinforce the negative aspects of hierarchical control in bureaucracies, and; (iv) pay much more attention to organizational sustainability in terms of finance and strategic management capacity.
Zweikomponentige Spinorfelder zur Beschreibung beliebiger Teilchen vom Spin 1/2 und ihre Anwendung auf die schwachen Wechselwirkungen
Authors: Theis W. R.
Published: July 2007

A relativistic field theory for arbitrary spin 1/2‐particles is given that contains only two‐component field operators. Traditional and well proved arguments of simplicity for the choice of interactions of these fields yield an almost unique and therefore universal four fermion interaction which violates parity in a definite way. The resulting couplings already published in a previous note are the same as those of Feynman and Gell‐Mann and others [7–10].
Realizations of the Unitary Representations of the Inhomogeneous Space‐Time Groups II. Covariant Realizations of the Poincaré Group
Authors: Niederer U. H. , O'Raifeartaigh L.
Published: July 2007

The aim of Part II of this paper is to try to give a unified, systematic description of the different covariant wave‐functions (Dirac, Fierz, Bargmann‐Wigner etc.) which can be used to carry the same physical representation of the Poincaré group. The procedure is based on the observation that the most important physical properties of the wave‐functions, in particular the transformation law, the wave‐equation, and the inner‐product, depend only on the representation of the Lorentz group to which the wave‐functions belong and the spin‐projection. Accordingly, a formalism is set up which is valid for all (finite‐dimensional) representations of the Lorentz group and all spin projections and so allows all the various wave‐equations which are possible for a given mass and spin to be discussed collectively. The formalism is relatively simple and transparent (possibly even more simple and transparent than any of the special cases it embraces) and it allows the various conventional wave‐functions and wave‐equations to be easily identified as special cases. The topics covered in the discussion are listed in the table of contents, and Part II of the paper has been made self‐contained so that it can be read independently of Part I.
Investigation of Photonuclear Reactions Leading to Spontaneously Fissioning Isomers
Authors: Gangrsky Yu. P. , Markov B. N. , Tsypenyuk Yu. M.
Published: July 2007

The excitation functions of the (γ, n) and (γ, γ′) reactions leading to the formation of the 239Pu, 241Pu, 240Am, 242Am and 243Am spontaneously fissioning isomers have been measured. The experiments have been carried out using a 17‐orbit microtron. A spark counter with pulsed feeding served as a fission fragment detector. From the excitation functions measured, the parameters of a two‐humped fission barrier have been obtained and compared with other experimental results and theoretical calculations.
Renormalization of Quantum Electrodynamics in an Arbitrarily Strong Time Independent External Field
Authors: Dosch H. G. , Müller V. F.
Published: July 2007

Extending the inductive renormalization procedure of Epstein and Glaser which is essentially based on locality, we show that quantum electrodynamics in an external time independent electromagnetic field has a renormalizable formal perturbation expansion. The interaction involving the quantized radiation field but not the action of the external field is treated by perturbation theory. It turns out that vacuum polarization is undetermined in the framework of such a theory.
Solitons and Confinement
Authors: Swieca J. A.
Published: July 2007

The Thirring and the Schwinger models both massless and massive are discussed as prototypes for theories with topological quantum numbers and confinement respectively.

Bosonization of the fermion field is introduced from the beginning allowing a unified treatment of various models. An analysis of their charge sectors clarifies the relation between the periodicity of the potential in the bosonized version of those models and the existence of an additive quantum number.

A brief outline of the essential features discussed which may survive in 4‐dimensional space‐time is made in the last section.
Fiber Bundles in Non‐relativistic Quantum Mechanics
Authors: Moylan P.
Published: July 2007

The problem of describing a quantum mechanical system with symmetry by a fiber bundle is considered. The quantization of a fiber bundle is introduced. Fiber bundles for the Kepler problem and the rotator are constructed. The fiber bundle concept provides a new model for a physical system: it provides us with a model for an elementary particle with extension having integral values of spin.
Fock‐Space Methods for Identical Classical Objects
Authors: Grassberger P. , Scheunert M.
Published: July 2007

Fock‐Space (annihilation/creation operator) methods are introduced to describe systems of identical classical objects. Specific examples to which this formalism is applied are branching processes (including age dependent ones), chemical reactions, deterministic (Hamiltonian) systems, and generalized kinetic equations. Finally, a generalization to stochastic quantum systems is proposed which is applied to a gas of spinning molecules.
Two‐Dimensional Field Theories
Authors: Berkov A. V. , Nikitin Yu. P. , Rosental I. L.
Published: July 2007

Quantum field theories in space with the dimensionality 1 + 1 are considered. Quantum electrodynamics, quantum chromodynamics, sufficiently nonlinear models (with soliton solutions) and gravitational theory are discussed from the common viewpoint.

The possible correspondence of two‐dimensional field models to physical reality is analyzed.
A Survey of Polarization Asymmetries Predicted by QCD
Authors: Baldracchini F. , Craigie N. S. , Roberto V. , Socolovsky M.
Published: July 2007

We give a comprehensive review of the polarization asymmetries predicted by QCD and the parton model for hard processes. The article discusses the interrelation between these processes which include deep inelastic inclusive, massive lepton pairs, reflected and transmitted asymmetries in hadron production at large pT, prompt photon production, etc. We also discuss the validity of the formulae derived and the potential effects of non‐leading logarithmic and power orders.
An empirical bayes strategy for analysing manufacturing data in real time
Authors: Sturm George W. , Feltz Carol J. , Yousry Mona A.
Published: July 2007

This paper discusses and develops a real‐time strategy to monitor manufacturing process control data. The strategy presented in this paper is designed to intercept, analyse and monitor data as measurements are generated from a high‐volume information‐intensive manufacturing process. Empirical Bayes theory is used to develop a method to monitor and analyse continuous type measurements generated by a manufacturing process in real time. Several specific techniques will be proposed for detecting manufacturing process problems and examples of applying these techniques will be shown.
ESD induced degradation mechanisms of InGaAsP/InP lasers
Authors: Magistrali F. , Sala D. , Salmini G. , Vanzi M. , Fantini F. , Giansante M. , Zazzetti L.
Published: July 2007

The sensitivity of InGaAsP/InP buried crescent lasers to ESD phenomena was deeply analysed, starting from the need to explain and prevent sudden failures during equipment manufacturing and test. Failure analysis allowed us to localize the degradation, which can be explained by means of a simple phenomenological model; finally a physical model was implemented trying to correlate the results of the failure analysis with the proposed failure mechanism.
A method of identifying latent human errors in work systems
Authors: Nakajo Takeshi
Published: July 2007

Work system improvements are implemented in various manufacturing processes to prevent problems caused by human errors. However, they are almost always applied to problems which have already occurred. This paper examines a method of identifying latent human errors existing within the work systems beforehand. A procedure for applying failure mode and effect analysis to this identification problem was defined based on over 1000 empirical errors: a work system decomposition criterion and fundamental error modes for listing latent human errors, and then applied to three practical manufacturing processes in order to evaluate its effectiveness.
Using sneak circuit analysis in aerospace product assurance
Authors: Deckers Jürgen , Schäbe Hendrik
Published: July 2007

In this paper sneak circuit analysis is introduced. Sneak circuit analysis is a method that detects functional deficiencies that can usually not be detected by other reliability methods. Sneak path analysis as a special technique is presented. The method is applied to a pneumatic system.
Operational life testing of power transistors switching unclamped inductive loads
Authors: White G. L.
Published: July 2007

This paper describes three types of high voltage power transistors that are in widespread use in the electronics industry today, and their susceptibility to reverse‐biased second breakdown while switching unclamped inductive loads. It provides a brief explanation of the phenomenon of second breakdown in transistors under both forward‐biased and reverse‐biased conditions. It describes a stress circuit that has been developed to incorporate switching of unclamped inductive loads as an integral part of operational life testing. A case history incorporating this technique is presented for the 2SD1739 high voltage NPN bipolar power transistor.
Numerical differences in the survival probabilities obtained by the cumulative‐hazard and kaplan–meier estimators of the reliability function
Authors: Bohoris G. A.
Published: July 2007

The paper examines two very important non‐parametric estimators of the reliability function which are frequently used in reliability practice to estimate survival probabilities. The paper proves that when both of them are calculated for the same data set, the survival probabilities obtained using the cumulative hazard approach are larger in magnitude than the ones given by the method proposed by Kaplan and Meier, and provides the mathematical formula quantifying the magnitude of this difference.
Component lifetime modelling
Authors: Verweij J. F. , Brombacher A. C. , Lunenborg M. M.
Published: July 2007

There are two approaches to component lifetime modelling. The first one uses a reliability prediction method as described in the (military) handbooks with the appropriate models and parameters. The advantages are:

It takes into account all possible failure mechanisms.

It is easy to use.

The disadvantages are:

It assumes a constant failure rate which is often not the case (infant mortality).

It contains no designable parameters and therefore it cannot be used for built‐in reliability.

The second approach is to model the different degradation mechanisms and to incorporate this into an (existing) circuit simulator. Here we have also advantages and disadvantages which are mostly complementary to those of the first method.
Observation of submicronic contacts and vias by scanning ion and electron microscopy
Authors: Pantel R. , Mascarin G. , Gonchond J. P. , Lafond D.
Published: July 2007

Scanning ion and electron microscopy of focused ion beam cross‐sections has been used to observe 0·6 μm contacts and 0·7 μm vias of a 0·5 μm CMOS technology. Three different kinds of cross‐sections have been tested to improve the observation quality. The comparison of images obtained with ions and electrons provides information on ion and electron contrast mechanisms. This technique has been used to identify very small defects in interconnection structures and to evaluate the 0·5 μm CMOS metallization process.
Study on reliability modelling of a hydraulic excavator system
Authors: Majumdar S. K.
Published: July 2007

The failure patterns of a well‐known brand of a hydraulic excavator system used in different environments were modelled adequately with an NHPP (non‐homogeneous Poisson process) having time‐dependent log‐linear peril rate functions. Using the fitted model, the reliability of the excavator system was estimated in different environments (cement plant, coal mine, iron ore mine, etc.). The system reliability was found to be very poor during the initial phase of operation and gradually improved with an increase in cumulative operating hours regardless of change in environment. Notwithstanding this general trend, the system reliability differed significantly in different environments for any given duration of operation and was particularly very poor in cement plants. With the help of the FMEA technique, high risk prone failure modes of the excavator system of the given model were identified and appropriate corrective measures were initiated. The failure patterns of the modified excavator system changed regardless of environment, so much so that an HPP (homogeneous Poisson process) model with constant peril rate could be fitted adequately to characterize the failure pattern of the system. The system reliability improved considerably in the initial phase of operation since start‐up.
Computer simulation for quality and reliability engineering
Authors: Robinson Stewart , Higton Neil
Published: July 2007

Computer simulation has been used widely in many industries for many applications. A simulation model mimics a real world system, enabling an investigation of its operation. More recently simulation models have incorporated a visual display and interactive features to aid understanding and enhance the investigation. Computer simulation has many potential uses in quality and reliability engineering, for instance, modelling equipment failures, quality control strategies, maintenance requirements and operational logistics. A case study shows how simulation has been used to study the throughput, flexibility and robustness of a manufacturing plant design. Alternative simulation software packages are briefly discussed.
Determination of human error patterns: The use of published results of official enquiries into system failures
Authors: Bradley Edgar A.
Published: July 2007

Official enquiries into large scale system failures may be used to interpret events according to the various types of human error which were committed. For example there are errors in operation of the system, in maintenance practices etc. Twelve well documented disasters are analysed and the conclusion emerges that operator error predominates. This fact is not suprising, reflecting as it does the short time span in which operators have to make decisions, compared to the other players such as designers, maintenance men etc.

This conclusion has implications for the other human disciplines involved. For example designers should conceive systems which will be less prone to operator error, while management should support operators in whatever way possible to increase their effectiveness.
Practical multiprocessor scheduling algorithms for efficient parallel processing
Authors: Kasahara Hironori , Narita Seinosuke
Published: July 2007

This paper describes practical optimization/approximation algorithms for scheduling a set of partially ordered computational tasks with different processing times onto a multiprocessor system so that the schedule length is minimized. Since this problem belongs to the class of “strong” NP hard problems, we must eliminate the possibility of constructing not only pseudopolynomial time optimization algorithms, but also fully polynomial time approximation schemes unless P = NP.

This paper proposes a heuristic algorithm CP/MISF (Critical Path/Most Immediate Successors First) and an optimization/approximation algorithm DF/IHS (Depth First/ Implicit Heuristic Search). DF/IHS is an excellent scheduling method which can reduce markedly the space complexity and average computation time by combining the branch‐and‐bound method with CP/MISF; it allows us to solve very large‐scale problems with a few hundred tasks.
Real‐time edge detection of fish school echo image by two‐dimensional exponential smoothing
Authors: Shigeyasu Kuniyuki , Ogasawara Motoyasu
Published: July 2007

The boundaries of fish school echo image, which is usually displayed in black and white shades, are not well defined and the necessity for clear edge display has long been felt. Edge detection is also important in the continuous recognition of the sea bed or in the measurement of the school size. Unfortunately, a typical echo sounder image fluctuates severely, prohibiting edge detection with the original image. We propose an edge detection method in which the image is smoothed first by the two‐dimensional exponential smoothing method, and the difference of expected values of data obtained during this processing is compared with a given threshold value to determine the edge. Three ways of taking the difference are conceivable, namely, difference in the radial direction, in the lateral direction, and in the oblique direction; each may be considered as the difference of two‐dimensional data or a weighted slope average. The proposed method effectively performs the conventional smoothing by masking and the edge detection by Laplacian processing simultaneously. Thus, real‐time edge detection of school or sea bed images has become possible in a simple way. This paper describes the theory of edge detection by the above three methods and compares their effectiveness.
Automated extraction of cancer lesions with convergent fold patterns in double contrast x‐ray images of the stomach
Authors: Hasegawa Jun‐Ichi , Tsutsui Taketoshi , Members Jun‐Ichiro Toriwaki,
Published: July 2007

This paper describes an automatic detection system which extracts pathological areas from double contrast stomach x‐ray images developed for computer‐assisted diagnosis of stomach x‐ray images. This paper examines the image for stomach cancer, especially the convergent fold pattern of the stomach wall which is inherent to the early stage of cancer, and extracts the pattern from the x‐ray image.

The actual processing procedure is divided largely into the following four stages: (1) extraction of the border of the fold region; (2) extraction of contrasted regions of the bowel; (3) evaluation of the fold convergence; and (4) extraction of the lesion candidates.

In this paper, a new feature parameter called convergence index is defined to represent quantitatively the extent of convergence of the folds on the stomach wall. The detailed computation procedures for the convergence index are presented. Finally, an experiment is presented for the actual 25 examples of double contrast stomach x‐ray images, and it is demonstrated that the proposed system has a fairly high detection performance for the cancer lesion with fold convergence. No study has been presented on the recognition of the pathological pattern for the stomach cancer in the double contrast stomach x‐ray image, and the result in this paper is expected to provide an important clue to the realization of the future automatic diagnosis of the stomach x‐ray images.
3‐D object recognition using functional models
Authors: Yamamoto Tsutomu , Kato Hirokazu , Sato Kosuke , Inokuchi Seiji
Published: July 2007

Many human activities are based on visual recognition of a scene. Development of scene recognition capability on computer is essential to the development of an intelligent robot.

This paper proposes a three‐dimensional (3‐D) object recognition system using functional models. In conventional geometric model‐based recognition, one reference model must be provided for each possible object shape in the same category. This paper proposes a functional model that will allow flexibility in representation of objects belonging to the same category.

Experiments were conducted to provide measurement data for demonstrating this functional model‐based object recognition technique. Scene segmentation uses both gray scale image and range image to provide superior segmentation results. The performance of a functional model‐based method for recognizing objects with different shapes that belong to the same functional category is demonstrated.
High resolution infrared spectra of the linear carbon cluster C7: The ν4 stretching fundamental band and associated hot bands
Authors: Neubauer-Guenther P. , Giesen T. F. , Schlemmer S. , Yamada K. M. T.
Published: July 2007

High resolution infrared spectra of the ν4 fundamental antisymmetric stretching mode and associated hot bands of the linear carbon cluster C7 were recorded using a tunable diode laser spectrometer in the frequency range of 2135–2141cm−1. Spectra of the ν4 fundamental, ν4+ν11−ν11, ν4+2ν11−2ν11, and ν4+ν8−ν8, bands have been analyzed and are compared to recent experimental results and high level ab initio calculations. In particular, the presented results give experimental evidence for the rigidity of C7 and confirm theoretical predictions of a rather regular chain molecule, similar to the cases of C4, C5, and C9. For the two energetically low-lying bending modes, ν8 and ν11, the rotational constants differ by less than 0.2%, from the ground state value, B0=0.0306244(28)cm−1, in good agreement with the recent calculations by Botschwina [Chem. Phys. Lett. 354, 148 (2002)]. From the hot band analysis and the ℓ-type doubling constant q, experimental values for the band origins of the ν8 and ν11 fundamentals have been derived.
Perpendicular recording media for hard disk drives
Authors: Piramanayagam S. N.
Published: July 2007

Perpendicular recording technology has recently been introduced in hard disk drives for computer and consumer electronics applications. Although conceptualized in the late 1970s, making a product with perpendicular recording that has competing performance, reliability, and price advantage over the prevalent longitudinal recording technology has taken about three decades. One reason for the late entry of perpendicular recording is that the longitudinal recording technology was quite successful in overcoming many of its problems and in staying competitive. Other reasons are the risks, problems, and investment needed in making a successful transition to perpendicular recording technology. Iwasaki and co-workers came up with many inventions in the late 1970s, such as single-pole head, CoCr alloy media with a perpendicular anisotropy, and recording media with soft magnetic underlayers [S. Iwasaki and K. Takemura, IEEE Trans. Magn. 11, 1173 (1975); S. Iwasaki and Y. Nakamura, IEEE Trans. Magn. 14, 436 (1978); S. Iwasaki, Y. Nakamura, and K. Ouchi, IEEE Trans. Magn. 15, 1456 (1979)]. Nevertheless, the research on perpendicular recording media has been intense only in the past five years or so. The main reason for the current interest comes from the need to find an alternative technology to get away from the superparamagnetic limit faced by the longitudinal recording. Out of the several recording media materials investigated in the past, oxide based CoCrPt media have been considered a blessing. The media developed with CoCrPt-oxide or CoCrPt–SiO2 have shown much smaller grain sizes, lower noise, and larger thermal stability than the perpendicular recording media of the past, which is one of the reasons for the success of perpendicular recording. Moreover, oxide-based perpendicular media have also overtaken the current longitudinal recording media in terms of better recording performance. Several issues that were faced with the soft underlayers have also been solved by the use of antiferromagnetically coupled soft underlayers and soft underlayers that are exchange coupled with an antiferromagnetic layer. Significant improvements have also been made in the head design. All these factors now make perpendicular recording more competitive. It is expected that the current materials could theoretically support areal densities of up to 500–600Gbits∕in.2. In this paper, the technologies associated with perpendicular recording media are reviewed. A brief background of magnetic recording and the challenges faced by longitudinal recording technology are presented first, followed by the discussions on perpendicular recording media. Detailed discussions on various layers in the perpendicular recording media and the recent advances in these layers have been made. Some of the future technologies that might help the industry beyond the conventional perpendicular recording technology are discussed at the end of the paper.
Constant-bandwidth constant-temperature hot-wire anemometer
Authors: Ligęza P.
Published: July 2007

A constant-temperature anemometer (CTA) enables the measurement of fast-changing velocity fluctuations. In the classical solution of CTA, the transmission band is a function of flow velocity. This is a minor drawback when the mean flow velocity does not significantly change, though it might lead to dynamic errors when flow velocity varies over a considerable range. A modification is outlined, whereby an adaptive controller is incorporated in the CTA system such that the anemometer’s transmission band remains constant in the function of flow velocity. For that purpose, a second feedback loop is provided, and the output signal from the anemometer will regulate the controller’s parameters such that the transmission bandwidth remains constant. The mathematical model of a CTA that has been developed and model testing data allow a through evaluation of the proposed solution. A modified anemometer can be used in measurements of high-frequency variable flows in a wide range of velocities. The proposed modification allows the minimization of dynamic measurement errors.
RPA and ATR link transcriptional stress to p53
Authors: Derheimer Frederick A. , O'Hagan Heather M. , Krueger Heather M. , Hanasoge Sheela , Paulsen Michelle T. , Ljungman Mats
Published: July 2007

The mechanisms by which DNA-damaging agents trigger the induction of the stress response protein p53 are poorly understood but may involve alterations of chromatin structure or blockage of either transcription or replication. Here we show that transcription-blocking agents can induce phosphorylation of the Ser-15 site of p53 in a replication-independent manner. Furthermore, microinjection of anti-RNA polymerase II antibodies into the nuclei of cells showed that blockage of transcription is sufficient for p53 accumulation even in the absence of DNA damage. This induction of p53 occurs by two independent mechanisms. First, accumulation of p53 is linked to diminished nuclear export of mRNA; and second, inhibition specifically of elongating RNA polymerase II complexes results in the phosphorylation of the Ser-15 site of p53 in a replication protein A (RPA)- and ATM and Rad3-related (ATR)-dependent manner. We propose that this transcription-based stress response involving RPA, ATR, and p53 has evolved as a DNA damage-sensing mechanism to safeguard cells against DNA damage-induced mutagenesis.
The Eclipse of the Kubravīyah in Central Asia
Authors: DeWeese Devin
Published: July 2007

From the 12th to the 14th centuries three major Sufi orders took shape in Central Asia: the Yasavīyah, derived from Khoja Ahmad Yasavī of the town known later as Turkistan; the Kubravīyah, founded by Najm al-Dīn Kubrā in Khwarazm; and the Naqshbandīyah, named after Bahā’ al-Dīn Naqshband of Bukhārā. Of the three, the Yasavīyah remained an almost exclusively Central Asian ṭarīqah with particular appeal to the Turkic population, while the Naqshbandīyah became a truly international order active throughout the Islamic world, rising to phenomenal power and prestige within Central Asia and spreading far beyond its confines, most dynamically to India and the Ottoman lands. The Kubravīyah, however, found its greatest development outside Central Asia, and indeed, by the end of the 16th century, was almost entirely displaced in its native region by the increasingly dominant Naqshbandīyah.
The Economic Status of A Timurid Sufi Shaykh: A Matter of Conflict or Perception?
Authors: Gross Jo-Ann
Published: July 2007

The word “Sufi” is believed by some to be derived from the word “suf,” denoting a kind of woolen garment worn by ascetics. The wearing of this garment symbolizes the Sufi's renunciation of material, worldly concerns and his complete absorption in God. Throughout the history of the Sufi orders, this symbol of the humble woolen cloak has often stood in contrast with the actual economic status attained by many Sufi shaykhs. In her bookMystical Dimensions of Islam,A. Schimmel drew attention to this contrast:

The history of the political role assumed by mystical leaders in Islamic communities has still to be written. And one enigma remains to be resolved: how so many of those who preached poverty as their pride became wealthy landlords and fitted perfectly into the feudal system, amassing wealth laid at their feet by poor, ignorant followers.
The Politics of Heresy in Medieval Khurasan: The Karramiyya in Nishapur
Authors: Malamud Margaret
Published: July 2007

In the history of the medieval Middle East, Khurasan deserves special attention for a number of reasons. After the collapse of the ‘Abbasid Empire by the middle of the tenth century, local regimes and new elites replaced central governmental control throughout the provinces of the old empire. Khurasan was the first settled society that the Turkish Ghaznavid dynasty (established c. 994-98) and the Saljuqs (by 1040) encountered, and it served as a testing ground for the new elite's relations with Muslim communal organizations. Over the centuries, the ulama had developed their own structures of authority and organization (the madhhabs) independent of the state. These religious associations had come to represent Islam in its social and doctrinal aspects. In Khurasan, the religious prestige, judicial authority, and organization of the ulama made them a focus of identity and loyalty and gave them a broad base of popular support.
ALCOHOL AND PEPTIC OESOPHAGITIS
Authors: Foy A. , Duggan J. M.
Published: July 2007

The alcohol intake of a series of 27 unselected patients with oesophagitis was compared with that of a matched control group. Men with oesophageal disease drank significantly more than controls, but no such relationship was demonstrated for women. In a parallel study, the stated alcohol take of 41 unselected patients with benign oesophageal stricture was compared with that of a matched control group. Males drank more alcohol than controls to a clinically and statistically significant degree, but in females the differences were minor. Treatment must include a consideration of the patient's alcohol intake, especially in males.