bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Effect of Independence on Decisions concerning Additional Audit Work: A European Perspective
Authors: Arnold Donald F. , Bernardi Richard A. , Neidermeyer Presha E.
Published: December 2008

This research examines the importance of previously identified factors (i.e., investor needs, client retention, professional values and obligations, and time budget pressures) on independence in two scenarios. The sample includes 198 auditors from Big 6 auditing firms located in Denmark, Ireland, Italy, Spain, Sweden, The Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. In Case 1 (2), auditor judgment (stockholders' reliance on the thoroughness of the audit) was the primary factor for doing more work prior to signing off on the audit. The second most important factor was fear of losing the client (time-budget problems). Hofstede's (1980) individualism was associated with auditor judgment, fear of losing the client, and stockholders' reliance on the audit in Case 1 and relying on auditing rules in Case 2. Wingate's (1997) litigation index was higher for countries with reduced perceptions of the importance of auditing rules and the obligation to be an independent representative in Case 2.
The Effects of Internal Audit Outsourcing on Perceived External Auditor Independence
Authors: Lowe D. Jordan , Geiger Marshall A. , Pany Kurt
Published: December 2008

The accounting profession is currently attempting to redefine its role and is expanding the types of services provided. With this expansion, however, comes a concern regarding the potential lack of independence between the auditor and the client requesting these services. This exploratory study examines whether the outsourcing of the internal audit function to the company's external auditor affects financial statement users' perceptions of auditor independence oand financial statement reliability, as well as loan decisions. The overall objective of this study is to assess reactions to various internal-audit outsourcing arrangements, and in doing so, to evaluate the accounting profession's current position regarding the acceptability of performing this type of “extended audit service” to audit clients.

Results indicate significant differences across the various outsourcing groups involving the company's external auditor and the nonoutsourced group. Specifically, auditor performance of management functions had a significantly negative impact on users' perceptions of auditor independence and financial statement reliability, and resulted in the lowest percentage of loan approvals. However, the separation of audit-firm staff performing the outsourced internal audit from those performing the financial statement audit had a significantly positive impact on financial statement users' perceptions and loan approvals. The findings of this study support the AICPA's current position on internal audit outsourcing and also suggest that a requirement be established that provides a distinct separation of staff between a CPA firm's internal and external audit teams.
The Impact on IPO Assurance Fees of Commercial Bank Entry into the Equity Underwriting Market
Authors: Fargher Neil L. , Fields L. Paige , Wilkins Michael S.
Published: December 2008

Changes in the provisions of the United States Banking Act of 1933 have allowed the entry of commercial banks into the initial public offering (IPO) underwriting market. In this paper, we examine the effect of commercial bank equity underwriting on the fees paid to auditors. We predict that IPO assurance fees will be higher for equity offerings underwritten by commercial banks than for offerings handled by traditional underwriters because (1) commercial banks are relatively inexperienced in bringing firms public, requiring additional assistance from accounting firms in the IPO process; (2) new entrants into the underwriting market may manage lower quality issues that require additional assurance services; and/or (3) since commercial banks have greater resources than do traditional investment banks, they are likely to be exposed to greater litigation risk, providing incentives for commercial bank underwriters to ensure that the IPO firm purchases greater assurance from the auditor. However, we expect fees to decrease if a previous lending relationship existed between the commercial bank and its client. Our findings, based on a sample of issues brought to market between 1991 and 1997, support these expectations.
The Impact of Electronic Commerce Assurance on Financial Analysts' Earnings Forecasts and Stock Price Estimates (Retracted)
Authors: Hunton James E. , Benford Tanya , Arnold Vicky , Sutton Steve G.
Published: December 2008

The objective of this study is to assess the impact of electronic commerce (EC) assurance on earnings forecasts and stock price estimates of financial analysts. The theoretical foundation of the current study is based on the information hypothesis (Fama and Laffer 1971; Wallace 1980), which supports the notion that EC assurance is a means of reducing information asymmetry and uncertainty for financial market participants. In the first phase of this study, a survey of 37 financial analysts indicates the importance of vendor- and outcome-based risk factors when forecasting the financial performance of firms engaged in EC. In the second phase, 87 analysts participate in a 2(high and low vendor-based risk)×2(high and low outcome-based risk) experiment. As hypothesized, EC assurance significantly increases earnings forecasts and stock price estimates in the high-risk, as compared to the low-risk, condition. In addition, a significant interaction term is obtained such that EC assurance yields a pronounced impact when both vendor- and outcome-based risks are high. The findings suggest that EC assurance reduces risk for market participants, thereby generating higher expectations of firm performance and value.
Negotiations over Accounting Issues: The Congruency of Audit Partner and Chief Financial Officer Recalls
Authors: Gibbins Michael , McCracken Susan A. , Salterio Steven E.
Published: December 2008

Much of what takes place in auditor-client management negotiations occurs in unobservable settings and normally does not result in publicly available archival records. Recent research has increasingly attempted to probe issues relating to accounting negotiations in part due to recent events in the financial world. In this paper, we compare recalls from the two sides of such negotiations, audit partners, and chief financial officers (CFOs), collected in two field questionnaires. We examine the congruency of the auditors' and the CFOs' negotiation recalls for all negotiation elements and features that were common across the two questionnaires (detailed analyses of the questionnaires are reported elsewhere). The results show largely congruent recall: only limited divergences in recall of common elements and features. Specifically, we show a high level of congruency across CFOs and audit partners in the type of issues negotiated, parties involved in resolving the issue, and the elements making up the negotiation process, including agreement on the relative importance of various common accounting contextual features. The analysis of the common accounting contextual features suggests that certain contextual features are consistently important across large numbers of negotiations, whether viewed from the audit partner's or the CFO's perspective, and hence may warrant future study. Finally, the comparative analysis allows us to identify certain common elements and contextual features that may influence both audit partners and CFOs to consider the accounting negotiation setting as mainly distributive (win-lose).
Audit Research after Sarbanes-Oxley
Authors: DeFond Mark L. , Francis Jere R.
Published: December 2008

The scrutiny auditing received following Enron's failure and the accounting scandals at Worldcom and other companies provides compelling evidence that auditing matters and is important. What is unclear, however, is whether auditing was sufficiently “broken” in the first place to warrant the radical reforms and changes effected by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (SOX). While there have been some high profile corporate failures and accounting scandals, the number of demonstrated audit failures as evidenced by successful litigation or U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) sanctions is quite small and approaches an annual failure rate of close to zero. In addition, our interpretation of the academic research suggests that many of the “solutions” embodied in SOX are not only unlikely to solve the profession's alleged problems; they may well have serious unintended negative consequences. So the disconnect is large between the scientific evidence on audit quality and institutional changes premised on the assumption that auditing is broken. This paper attempts to stimulate research into some of the important questions implicitly raised by SOX regarding the audit profession's potential failings. An outline of our primary observations and suggestions are presented in the paper's Introduction.
Twenty-Five Years of Audit Deregulation and Re-Regulation: What Does it Mean for 2005 and Beyond?
Authors: Kinney William R.
Published: December 2008

This paper explores broad trends in regulation of the auditing profession from 1981–2005, the first 25 years of Auditing: A Journal of Practice & Theory. It begins with a sketch of the 1980 regulatory environment, three constants over the next 25 years, and three external developments or “shocks” that dramatically affected audit regulation activity. The initial conditions, constants, and shocks are then related to audit regulation beginning with the audit risk model in the 1980s as the basis for selfregulated auditing standards, continuing with a vision of unregulated, non-mandated value-adding assurance services in the 1990s, and finally, the 2002 statutory adoption of independent regulation of registered accounting firms and a government-sanctioned corporate governance role for auditors. I close with some implications of the 2005 audit regulation environment for future auditing scholars and practitioners.
Entropy of charged dilaton-axion black hole with minimal length revisited
Authors: Wang Chunyan , Gui Yuanxing , Xing Lili
Published: December 2008

Using the generalized uncertainty principle, we calculate the entropy of the charged dilaton-axion black hole for both asymptotically flat and non-flat cases by counting degrees of freedom near the horizon. The divergence of density of states and free energy appearing in the thin film brick-wall model is removed without any cutoff. The entropy proportional to the horizon area is derived from the contribution of the vicinity of the horizon.
Wavelength-tunable picosecond pulses from a passively mode-locked figure-eight Erbium-doped fiber laser with a Sagnac fiber filter
Authors: Ibarra-Escamilla B. , Pottiez O. , Haus J. W. , Kuzin E. A. , Bello-Jiménez M. , Flores-Rosas A.
Published: December 2008

We experimentally demonstrated a wavelength-tunable passively mode-locked Erbium-doped figure-eight fiber laser. Wide tunability is achieved using a high-birefringence (hi-bi) fiber Sagnac loop. The filter transmission pass wavelength is controlled by thermally adjusting the hi-bi fiber loop length. The output pulses are wavelength tunable over a range from 1525 nm to 1555 nm. The FWHM of the autocorrelation trace is about 3.1 ps and the pulse spectrum has a FWHM of 1.5 nm. The pulse temporal and spectral widths remain constant over the tunable range.
Fourier transformed picosecond synchronously pumped optical parametric oscillator without spectral filtering element
Authors: Ryasnyanskiy Aleksandr , Dubreuil Nicolas , Delaye Philippe , Frey Robert , Roosen Gerald
Published: December 2008

An optical parametric oscillator for the infrared region pumped by a picosecond Ti:Sapphire laser is demonstrated. Fourier transform limited pulses of 15 and 10 ps, for signal and idler wavelengths respectively, have been obtained using a periodically poled stoechiometric lithium tantalate nonlinear crystal, without any spectral filtering. A complete experimental study of the influence of the cavity length detuning on the spectral and temporal dynamic of the output radiation is discussed.
Polarization conversion with a photonic crystal slab
Authors: Laroche Marine , Marquier François , Vandenbem Cédric , Greffet Jean-Jacques
Published: December 2008

We show that a photonic crystal slab can enable efficient polarization conversion. Two mechanisms are identified. The first mechanism relies on the anisotropy of the bulk properties of the metamaterial and is mediated by interferences. The second mechanism is due to the resonant excitation of leaky surface waves at the interface of the photonic crystal. The latter is analogous to the polarization conversion by excitation of surface plasmons on a metallic grating. This is another example of the possibility of mimicking plasmonics with photonic crystals.
Henry Edward Richard Bright: a forgotten pioneer of the geological and palaeontological exploration of Lesotho in the 1870s
Authors: MASTER S.
Published: December 2008

All existing accounts of the geology of Lesotho (formerly Basutoland), in southern Africa, refer to the pioneering efforts of the Revd S. S. Dornan, published between 1905 and 1908, as the first geological works in this country. However, one Henry Edward Richard Bright had already published two papers on Basutoland geology in the Cape monthly magazine, in 1873 and 1874. The first paper dealt with an uneconomic twelve-inch coal seam south of Maseru. It was accompanied by a sketch map and the first published geological cross-section through any part of Lesotho. In the second paper, dealing with the geology of Basutoland, Bright described the sedimentary strata and first fossil plants from western Basutoland, in rocks today assigned to the upper Karoo Supergroup. Bright erroneously assumed that the whole country was made up of these strata – being unaware of the existence of thick basaltic lava flows that occupied the mountainous high ground. He also recorded the oldest known earthquake from Lesotho (near Maseru, February 1873). Among his mineralogical finds was ilmenite, which we now know as occurring in kimberlitic intrusions. For his various discoveries, Bright deserves to be recognized as a pioneer in the geological and palaeontological exploration of Lesotho.
John Lawson's A new voyage to Carolina: notes on the publication history of the London (1709) edition
Authors: SIMPSON MARCUS B. , SIMPSON SALLIE W.
Published: December 2008

John Lawson's A new voyage to Carolina, an important source document for American colonial natural history, was first printed in 1709 in A new collection of voyages and travels, a two-volume set that also contained travel books translated by John Stevens. Lawson's publishers were leaders in the book trade of early eighteenth century London, and the New voyage is typical of the resurgent popular interest in foreign travel narratives and exotic flora and fauna that began in the late 1600s. The New collection was among the earliest examples of books published in serial instalments or fascicles, a marketing strategy adopted by London booksellers to broaden the audience and increase sales. Analysis of London issues of the New voyage indicates that the 1709, 1711, 1714, and 1718 versions are simply bindings of the original, unsold sheets from the 1709 New collection edition, differing only by new title-pages, front matter, and random stop-press corrections of type-set errors. Lawson's New voyage illustrates important aspects of the British book trade during the hand press period of the early eighteenth century.
Pre-Linnaean pictures of the secretarybird, Sagittarius serpentarius (J. F. )
Authors: KINZELBACH RAGNAR K.
Published: December 2008

The secretarybird, the only species of the family Sagittariidae (Falconiformes), inhabits all of sub-Saharan Africa except the rain forests. Secretarybird, its vernacular name in many languages, may be derived from the Arabic “saqr at-tair”, “falcon of the hunt”, which found its way into French during the crusades. From the same period are two drawings of a “bistarda deserti” in a codex by the Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II (1194–1250). The original sketch obviously, together with other information on birds, came from the court of Sultan al-Kâmil (1180–1238) in Cairo. Careful examination led to an interpretation as Sagittarius serpentarius. Two archaeological sources and one nineteenth century observation strengthened the idea of a former occurrence of the secretarybird in the Egyptian Nile valley.

André Thevet (1502–1590), a French cleric and reliable research traveller, described and depicted in 1558 a strange bird, named “Pa” in Persian language, from what he called Madagascar. The woodcut is identified as Sagittarius serpentarius. The text reveals East Africa as the real home of this bird, associated there among others with elephants. From there raises a connection to the tales of the fabulous roc, which feeds its offspring with elephants, ending up in the vernacular name of the extinct Madagascar ostrich as elephantbird.
Rewriting Renaissance ornithology: Jean Baptiste Faultrier's “Traitté general des oyseaux” (1660)
Authors: CHARMANTIER I. , GREENGRASS M. , BIRKHEAD T. R.
Published: December 2008

“Traitté general des oyseaux” was written in 1660 by Jean Baptiste Faultrier, a taxman working in Louis XIV's royal hunting lodge. The 787-page, un-illustrated manuscript was dedicated to the all-powerful Nicolas Fouquet, Louis XIV's superintendent of the finances. Faultrier used an impressive variety of sources, from the natural history treatises of Aldrovandi and Belon, to falconry treatises, Italian bird-keeping manuals, Thevet's travel literature, and husbandry books. Faultrier's work brought together many facets of ornithology, and placed natural history, hunting and bird-keeping on the same level. Although on a par with Jonston's De avibus (1650), Faultrier's “Traitté” was never printed and remained unknown until 2004. Analysis of the content reveals how Faultrier worked and his aim in writing such a manuscript, which is one of the only ornithology works of seventeenth-century France.
The states and printing history (1861–1864) of John Henry Gurney's A descriptive catalogue of the raptorial birds in the Norfolk and Norwich Museum
Authors: WILLIAMS R. B. , CALLERY BERNADETTE G.
Published: December 2008

The first and only part published of A descriptive catalogue of the raptorial birds in the Norfolk and Norwich Museum by John Henry Gurney (senior) is usually dated 1864. But a copy with a variant title-page dated 1861 exists, raising the question of whether there are two editions or issues. Typographical errors indicate that all copies, whatever dated, constitute a single impression from one type setting. All copies dated 1864 have a cancelled title-leaf. The copy dated 1861 is apparently unique, an accidental survival that escaped the cancellation; its title-page never appeared in commercially available copies. Printing of the whole book, on three batches of paper, was demonstrated by internal evidence to have been protracted over three years from 1861 to 1864. Therefore, there is only one edition, published in 1864, with the title-page in two states. This study demonstrates how differences between batches of printing-paper can facilitate recognition of cancelled conjugate pairs of leaves that would otherwise be undetectable unless a copy without the cancellation were found. Examination of the cloth types, spine titles, endpapers and various printed insertions, indicates that probably two different casings of the whole edition were carried out simultaneously, rather than consecutively, contrary to the usual practice of Victorian publishers. The surviving original manuscript suggests that the protracted printing resulted from indecision about some taxonomic and nomenclatural points; but complications in Gurney's private life probably also contributed. No further parts of the catalogue were published, probably because of Gurney's disastrous business problems between 1866 and 1869. The potential relevance of the book to avian nomenclature is appraised.
Speed-gradient Entropy Principle for Nonstationary Processes
Authors: Fradkov Alexander
Published: December 2008

The speed-gradient variational principle (SG-principle) for nonstationary far from equilibrium systems is formulated and illustrated by examples. The SG-model of transient (relaxation) dynamics for systems of a finite number of particles based on maximum entropy principle is derived. It has the form dX(t)/dt = AlnX(t); where X(t) is the vector of the cell populations, A is a symmetric matrix with two zero eigenvalues corresponding to mass and energy conservation laws.
Gender Specific Differences in the Pros and Cons of Smoking among Current Smokers in Eastern Kentucky: Implications for Future Smoking Cessation Interventions
Authors: Hazen Dana  A. , Mannino David M. , Clayton Richard
Published: December 2008

This study investigated gender differences in the perceived “pros” and “cons” of smoking using the constructs of decisional balance (DB) and stage of change from the Transtheoretical Model. The population distribution for stage of change among a population-based, cross-sectional survey of 155 current smokers over 40 years was: precontemplation (22.6%), contemplation (41.9%), preparation (35.5%). Results of stepwise regression models indicated significant gender differences in DB were in the preparation stage of change; scores on the DB measure increased 3.94 points (95% CI: 1.94, 5.93) for male smokers. Interventions targeting the “pros” and “cons” of smoking may need to be gender specific.
Towards Integration of Environmental and Health Impact Assessments for Wild Capture Fishing and Farmed Fish with Particular Reference to Public Health and Occupational Health Dimensions
Authors: Watterson Andrew , Little David , Young James A. , Boyd Kathleen , Azim Ekram , Murray Francis
Published: December 2008

The paper offers a review and commentary, with particular reference to the production of fish from wild capture fisheries and aquaculture, on neglected aspects of health impact assessments which are viewed by a range of international and national health bodies and development agencies as valuable and necessary project tools. Assessments sometimes include environmental health impact assessments but rarely include specific occupational health and safety impact assessments especially integrated into a wider public health assessment. This is in contrast to the extensive application of environmental impact assessments to fishing and the comparatively large body of research now generated on the public health effects of eating fish. The value of expanding and applying the broader assessments would be considerable because in 2004 the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization reports there were 41,408,000 people in the total ‘fishing’ sector including 11,289,000 in aquaculture. The paper explores some of the complex interactions that occur with regard to fishing activities and proposes the wider adoption of health impact assessment tools in these neglected sectors through an integrated public health impact assessment tool.
A Nutritional Approach for the Management of Deoxynivalenol (DON) Toxicity in the Gastrointestinal Tract of Growing Chickens
Authors: Awad Wageha , Ghareeb Khaled , Böhm Josef , Zentek Jürgen
Published: December 2008

It has been shown that DON has negative effects on the active transport of some nutrients in the small intestine of chickens. The plausible interactions between food contaminants and natural components could be high. The present study investigated the effects of DON on the presence or absence of dietary inulin on the electrophysiological response of the gut to glucose. Ussing chamber studies were conducted with isolated jejunal epithelia at the age of 35 days. Electrophysiology of the epithelia was recorded and the changes of the short-circuit current (Isc) were determined. The addition of Dglucose on the luminal side of the isolated mucosa increased (P < 0.05) the Isc in the control group and inulin supplemented group. The oligosaccharides did not increase glucose absorption in young healthy chickens compared with the controls. In the second experiment, after preincubation of tissues with DON, the addition of glucose did not increase the Isc in jejunum and colon in the control group (P > 0.05). However, in the dietary inulin supplemented group in both jejunum and colon, the addition of glucose after preincubation of tissues with DON increased the Isc, suggesting that the dietary inulin supplementation of the broilers regulated and improved the glucose absorption in the presence of DON and kept it at normal levels.
Horizontal Positional Accuracy of Google Earth’s High-Resolution Imagery Archive
Authors: Potere David
Published: December 2008

Google Earth now hosts high-resolution imagery that spans twenty percent of the Earth’s landmass and more than a third of the human population. This contemporary highresolution archive represents a significant, rapidly expanding, cost-free and largely unexploited resource for scientific inquiry. To increase the scientific utility of this archive, we address horizontal positional accuracy (georegistration) by comparing Google Earth with Landsat GeoCover scenes over a global sample of 436 control points located in 109 cities worldwide. Landsat GeoCover is an orthorectified product with known absolute positional accuracy of less than 50 meters root-mean-squared error (RMSE). Relative to Landsat GeoCover, the 436 Google Earth control points have a positional accuracy of 39.7 meters RMSE (error magnitudes range from 0.4 to 171.6 meters). The control points derived from satellite imagery have an accuracy of 22.8 meters RMSE, which is significantly more accurate than the 48 control-points based on aerial photography (41.3 meters RMSE; t-test p-value < 0.01). The accuracy of control points in more-developed countries is 24.1 meters RMSE, which is significantly more accurate than the control points in developing countries (44.4 meters RMSE; t-test p-value < 0.01). These findings indicate that Google Earth highresolution imagery has a horizontal positional accuracy that is sufficient for assessing moderate-resolution remote sensing products across most of the world’s peri-urban areas.
Sparse Detector Imaging Sensor with Two-Class Silhouette Classification
Authors: Russomanno David , Chari Srikant , Halford Carl
Published: December 2008

This paper presents the design and test of a simple active near-infrared sparse detector imaging sensor. The prototype of the sensor is novel in that it can capture remarkable silhouettes or profiles of a wide-variety of moving objects, including humans, animals, and vehicles using a sparse detector array comprised of only sixteen sensing elements deployed in a vertical configuration. The prototype sensor was built to collect silhouettes for a variety of objects and to evaluate several algorithms for classifying the data obtained from the sensor into two classes: human versus non-human. Initial tests show that the classification of individually sensed objects into two classes can be achieved with accuracy greater than ninety-nine percent (99%) with a subset of the sixteen detectors using a representative dataset consisting of 512 signatures. The prototype also includes a Webservice interface such that the sensor can be tasked in a network-centric environment. The sensor appears to be a low-cost alternative to traditional, high-resolution focal plane array imaging sensors for some applications. After a power optimization study, appropriate packaging, and testing with more extensive datasets, the sensor may be a good candidate for deployment in vast geographic regions for a myriad of intelligent electronic fence and persistent surveillance applications, including perimeter security scenarios.
Retrieval of Surface Air Specific Humidity Over the Ocean Using AMSR-E Measurements
Authors: Kubota Masahisa , Hihara Tsutomu
Published: December 2008

We have developed a new algorithm to estimate the surface air specific humidity over the ocean from AMSR-E data. It should be noted that remarkably reduced random errors of the estimated surface air specific humidity result from using the surface air specific humidity provided by reanalysis data. We validated our new algorithm using independent ship and buoy data. The bias, RMS error, and correlation coefficient of the products obtained using our algorithm for global buoys are 0.38 g/kg, 0.61 g/kg and 0.99, respectively. It should be noted that surface specific humidity having similar accuracy to the reanalysis data near in situ data could be derived from AMSR-E data by the present algorithm.
Measurements of Impedance and Attenuation at CENELEC Bands for Power Line Communications Systems
Authors: Cavdar I. Hakki , Karadeniz Engin
Published: December 2008

Power line impedance is a very important parameter on the design of power line communications (PLC) modem architecture. Variations on the impedance of the power line affect the communications circuit performance. In order to determine impedance of the power lines, measurements were carried out in Turkey at frequencies ranging from 10 to 170 kHz, (CENELEC A,B,C,D bands). Measurements were conducted in three categories: rural, urban and the industrial power lines. Experimental results are presented in graphical form. The measured impedances were determined as 3-17 ohms, 1-17 ohms, and 1-21 ohms for rural, urban and the industrial lines, respectively. A set of the formulas between impedance and frequency are developed on the power lines using the regression analysis from the obtained empirical data. Signal attenuations on the power lines in the CENELEC band are also measured for rural, urban and industrial regions. Attenuation measurements are repeated for phase-neutral, phase-ground and the neutral-ground conductors. Signal attenuations are found to be 4-30 dB, for different power lines. To establish validity of obtained results for the design of PLC systems, the results are compared with previous investigations. The effects of some household appliances such as TV, PC, UPS, lighting and cooling systems on the impedances and the attenuations for power line communications systems are observed. Some suggestions and proposals are presented for PLC modem designers.
Energy Options for Wireless Sensor Nodes
Authors: Knight Chris , Davidson Joshua , Behrens Sam
Published: December 2008

Reduction in size and power consumption of consumer electronics has opened up many opportunities for low power wireless sensor networks. One of the major challenges is in supporting battery operated devices as the number of nodes in a network grows. The two main alternatives are to utilize higher energy density sources of stored energy, or to generate power at the node from local forms of energy. This paper reviews the state-of-the art technology in the field of both energy storage and energy harvesting for sensor nodes. The options discussed for energy storage include batteries, capacitors, fuel cells, heat engines and betavoltaic systems. The field of energy harvesting is discussed with reference to photovoltaics, temperature gradients, fluid flow, pressure variations and vibration harvesting.
The Temporal Relationship of Raynaud’s Phenomenon and Features of Connective Tissue Disease in Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: POPE JANET E. , AL-BISHRI JAMAL , AL-AZEM HAFSAH , OUIMET JANINE M.
Published: December 2008

Objective

In a prospective cohort study we examined the relationship between Raynaud’s phenomenon (RP) onset and other connective tissue disease (CTD) characteristics in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) to determine if RP is predictive of RA severity and associated with other CTD signs, and if late onset RP in RA has an effect on prognosis compared to other patients with RA.

Methods

Using a standardized assessment, data were collected on 328 subjects with RA [mean age 60.3 ± 0.7; 77% women; 76% erosions, 75% positive rheumatoid factor (RF)] seen at one London, Ontario, rheumatology clinic. The data included RA disease duration; presence and duration of RP; presence of nodules, joint damage, telangiectasia, and sclerodactyly; and RF status (+/−), RF value, antinuclear antibodies, and E-nuclear antibodies.

Results

The mean RA disease duration was 12 ± 0.6 years. Seventy-one (22%) had RP and the mean RP duration was 9.2 ± 1.5 years. Patients presented with RP a mean of 3.8 ± 1.4 years after the diagnosis of RA. RP status was positively associated with the presence of sclerodactyly (p < 0.001), but not nodules or erosions. Higher RF values were associated with longer RA disease duration (p < 0.002) and longer RP duration (p < 0.01).

Conclusion

Idiopathic RP may have a different clinical effect on RA than secondary RP; the latter is correlated with more severe RA. Sclerodactyly is associated with erosive arthritis and RP in RA. Higher RF values were indicative of increased RA and RP duration.
Increased Serum Soluble OX40 in Patients with Systemic Sclerosis
Authors: KOMURA KAZUHIRO , YOSHIZAKI AYUMI , KODERA MASANARI , IWATA YOHEI , OGAWA FUMIHIDE , SHIMIZU KAZUHIRO , WAYAKU TAKAMASA , YUKAMI TORU , MURATA MAKI , HASEGAWA MINORU , FUJIMOTO MANABU , TAKEHARA KAZUHIKO , SATO SHINICHI
Published: December 2008

Objective

To determine levels of serum soluble OX40 (also termed CD134, a member of the tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily) and their clinical associations in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc).

Methods

Serum soluble OX40 levels were examined by ELISA in 53 patients with SSc, 15 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and 32 healthy individuals.

Results

OX40 levels were significantly elevated in SSc patients (125.7 ± 5.7 pg/ml) compared to patients with SLE (80.7 ± 1.7 pg/ml; p < 0.005) and controls (88.2 ± 3.0 pg/ml; p < 0.0001). Elevated OX40 levels were found to be associated with disease duration of less than 2 years (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Our results suggest that serum soluble OX40 levels correlate with the early-onset of SSc disease.
Dose Effects of Corticosteroids on the Development of Osteonecrosis in Rabbits
Authors: MOTOMURA GORO , YAMAMOTO TAKUAKI , IRISA TAKAHIKO , MIYANISHI KEITA , NISHIDA KENJIRO , IWAMOTO YUKIHIDE
Published: December 2008

Objective

The relationship between dose of corticosteroids and the prevalence of osteonecrosis (ON) has not been established. We examined the dose effects of corticosteroids on the development of ON in a rabbit model.

Methods

Rabbits were injected once intramuscularly with 1 (12 rabbits), 5 (12 rabbits), 20 (20 rabbits), and 40 (25 rabbits) mg/kg of methylprednisolone acetate (MPSL) into the right gluteus medius muscle. Four weeks after the MPSL injection, the proximal and distal parts of both the femora and humeri were histopathologically examined for the presence of ON. Hematological examinations were performed before and after the corticosteroid injection.

Results

In rabbits with 1, 5, 20, and 40 mg/kg MPSL, the incidence of ON was 0, 42%, 70%, and 96%, respectively. The dose of MPSL showed a significant association with the incidence of ON. Histologically, reparative tissues around the ON sites were observed in the rabbits with 5 mg/kg MPSL, but not observed in rabbits with 20 and 40 mg/kg MPSL. On hematological examination, hyperlipidemia and thrombocytopenia were most apparent in the rabbits receiving 40 mg/kg MPSL.

Conclusion

The study suggested that the dose of corticosteroids plays an important role in the development of ON in rabbits. The repair process was also found to be influenced by the dose of corticosteroids. Corticosteroid-induced hyperlipidemia and thrombocytopenia seemed to be associated with the incidence of ON.
The Interleukin 1β Pathway in the Pathogenesis of Osteoarthritis
Authors: DAHESHIA MASSOUD , YAO JIAN Q.
Published: December 2008

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a major disabling disease and is ranked as a major cause of chronic pain in adults. The pathology of the illness is characterized by a loss of articular cartilage leading to narrowing of joint space, increased joint friction, potential structural remodeling, persistent pain, and functional impairment. The proinflammatory cytokine interleukin 1β (IL-1β) has several chemical and bioactive characteristics allowing this catabolic protein to be involved in initiation and progression of OA. We review the current understanding of the pathogenesis of OA, and how upregulation of IL-1β initiates a cascade of intracellular events that can culminate in activation…
MEFV Mutations Modify the Clinical Presentation of Henoch-Schönlein Purpura
Authors: ÖZÇAKAR Z. BÝRSÝN , YALÇINKAYA FATOS , ÇAKAR NÝLGÜN , ACAR BANU , KASAPÇOPUR ÖZGÜR , ÜGÜTEN DENÝZ , SOY DERYA , KARA NAZLI , UNCU NERMÝN , ARÝSOY NÝL , EKÝM MESÝHA
Published: December 2008

Objective

To investigate the prevalence of MEFV gene mutations in Turkish patients with Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) but with no symptoms of familial Mediterranean fever (FMF). In addition, we assessed the clinical and laboratory characteristics of HSP patients with and without MEFV mutations.

Methods

Eighty pediatric patients with HSP (44 boys and 36 girls) were enrolled. Blood for mutation analysis was obtained either at the time of the diagnosis of HSP or during followup visits in previously diagnosed patients. No patient had the diagnosis of FMF in their history and in the followup period. Exon 10 of the MEFV gene was screened, together with p.E148Q mutation analysis.

Results

Twenty-seven (34%) patients were found to be heterozygous for one of the screened MEFV mutations; p.M694V in 16, p.M680I in 5, p.V726A in 3, and p.E148Q in 3 patients. Patients with MEFV mutations were younger than those without mutations and they had edema and arthritis more frequently. Also, the frequencies of elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein values were found to be significantly higher in patients who had MEFV mutations.

Conclusion

Alterations in the MEFV gene are important susceptibility factors for the development of HSP and also affect the clinical presentation of it.
Evidence for the consumption of arboreal, diurnal primates by bonobos (Pan paniscus)
Authors: Surbeck Martin , Fowler Andrew , Deimel Caroline , Hohmann Gottfried
Published: December 2008

We present evidence for the consumption of a diurnal, arboreal, group living primate by bonobos. The digit of an immature black mangabey (Lophocebus aterrimus) was found in the fresh feces of a bonobo (Pan paniscus) at the Lui Kotale study site, Democratic Republic of Congo. In close proximity to the fecal sample containing the remains of the digit, we also found a large part of the pelt of a black mangabey. Evidence suggests that the Lui Kotale bonobos consume more meat than other bonobo populations and have greater variation in the mammalian species exploited than previously thought [Hohmann & Fruth, Folia primatologica 79:103–110]. The current finding supports Stanford's argument [Current Anthropology 39:399–420] that some differences in the diet and behavior between chimpanzees (P. troglodytes) and bonobos are an artefact of the limited number of bonobo study populations. If bonobos did obtain the monkey by active hunting, this would challenge current evolutionary models relating the intra‐specific aggression and violence seen in chimpanzees and humans to hunting and meat consumption [Wrangham, Yearbook of Physical Anthropology 42:1–30]. Am. J. Primatol. 71:171–174, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Self‐Assembly of One‐ and Two‐Dimensional Hemoprotein Systems by Polymerization through Heme–Heme Pocket Interactions
Authors: Kitagishi Hiroaki , Kakikura Yasuaki , Yamaguchi Hiroyasu , Oohora Koji , Harada Akira , Hayashi Takashi
Published: December 2008

Supramolekulare Proteinpolymere: Wenn eine Hämeinheit an der Oberfläche einer Apo‐Cytochrom‐b562(H63C)‐Mutante eingeführt wird, entstehen durch nichtkovalente Wechselwirkungen zwischen Hämtaschen supramolekulare Polymere. Der Einbau einer Hämtriade als Angelmolekül in das Proteinpolymer führt zu einer zweidimensionalen Proteinnetzwerkstruktur, die mithilfe der Rasterkraftmikroskopie im intermittierenden Modus sichtbar gemacht wurde (siehe Bild).

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CuI/PPh3‐catalyzed Sonogashira coupling reaction of aryl iodides with terminal alkynes in water in the absence of palladium
Authors: Guan Jin Tao , Yu Guang‐Ao , Chen Lei , Qing Weng Tan , Yuan Jing Jing , Liu Sheng Hua
Published: December 2008

The Sonogashira cross‐coupling of aryl iodides with terminal alkynes catalyzed by a simple and inexpensive catalyst system of CuI/PPh3 in water as the sole solvent has been reported. In the presence of CuI/PPh3, with KOH used as a base, a number of aryl iodides were treated with alkynes to afford the corresponding products in moderate to excellent yields. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis and characterization of new water‐soluble metal–polymer complex and its application for arsenite retention
Authors: Rivas Bernabé L. , Aguirre María del Carmen , Yáñez Jorge
Published: December 2008

New water‐soluble metal–polymers of poly(acrylic acid)s (AA) with different amounts of tin (3, 5, 10, and 20 wt %) were synthesized and characterized. The materials were characterized by 1H NMR and FTIR spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction (XRD), specific area by isotherm of CO2, and thermogravimetry‐differential scanning calorimetry (TG‐DSC). The synthesized material is crystalline and shows an average crystal size 90–130 nm and has a high thermal stability (>200°C). Texturally, they are complexes of small specific area, which decreases when the crystal size increases with the tin content. Presumably, the Sn(II) ions coordinate through 2‐4 carboxylate groups by a conventionally bidentate structure; however, they are not symmetric. Studies have been dedicated to support of tin in polymers to increase its efficiency in eliminating pollutants. The tin‐metal salt is added to the poly(AA) matrix to increase its ability to remove As(III) from an aqueous solution. The liquid‐phase polymer‐based retention technique is applied to retain and separate contaminants from water. The analysis of As(III) and As(V) species was made by combining liquid high‐resolution chromatographic coupled to hydride generation absorption atomic spectrophotometer (HPLC‐HG‐AAS). All indicated that As(III) was the predominant species bound to the polymer complex for the pH range 4–8. The polymers containing 10 and 20 wt % Sn presented the highest retention of 70 and 90% As(III), respectively. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009
Effects of filler–filler and polymer–filler interactions on rheological and mechanical properties of HDPE–wood composites
Authors: Huang Han‐Xiong , Zhang Jing‐Jing
Published: December 2008

High‐density polyethylene (HDPE)–wood composite samples were prepared using a twin‐screw extruder. Improved filler–filler interaction was achieved by increasing the wood content, whereas improved polymer–filler interaction was obtained by adding the compatibilizer and increasing the melt index of HDPE, respectively. Then, effects of filler–filler and polymer–filler interactions on dynamic rheological and mechanical properties of the composites were investigated. The results demonstrated that enhanced filler–filler interaction induced the agglomeration of wood particles, which increased the storage modulus and complex viscosity of composites and decreased their tensile strength, elongation at break, and notched impact strength because of the stress concentration. Stronger polymer–filler interaction resulted in higher storage modulus and complex viscosity and increased the tensile and impact strengths due to good stress transfer. The main reasons for the results were analyzed. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009
Kriging‐based sequential inspection plans for coordinate measuring machines
Authors: Pedone P. , Vicario G. , Romano D.
Published: December 2008

Kriging models have been extensively used to predict spatial data in geostatistics and, more recently, to approximate the output of deterministic simulation. This paper presents a novel application of kriging in the field of industrial metrology. Exploiting the recognized predictive capability of kriging models, we use them to drive the online construction of sequential plans for inspecting industrial parts on coordinate measuring machines. These machines are universally adopted to check the compliance of parts to dimensional and geometric specifications. In two analyzed case studies kriging‐based inspection plans outperform fixed‐sample plans widespread in industry. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Generalized mixtures in reliability modelling: Applications to the construction of bathtub shaped hazard models and the study of systems
Authors: Navarro Jorge , Guillamón Antonio , Ruiz María del Carmen
Published: December 2008

In this paper, we obtain and discuss some general properties of hazard rate (HR) functions constructed via generalized mixtures of two members. These results are applied to determine the shape of generalized mixtures of an increasing hazard rate (IHR) model and an exponential model. In addition, we note that these kind of generalized mixtures can be used to construct bathtub‐shaped HR models. As examples, we study in detail two cases: when the IHR model chosen is a linear HR function and when the IHR model is the extended exponential‐geometric distribution. Finally, we apply the results and show the utility of generalized mixtures in determining the shape of the HR function of different systems, such as mixed systems or consecutive k‐out‐of‐n systems. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
DIN 1052:2004 – Neue Grundlagen für Entwurf, Berechnung und Bemessung von Holzbauwerken – Teil 4 (2): Bemessung von Verbindungen und stiftförmigen und sonstigen mechanischen Verbindungsmitteln
Authors: Lißner Karin , Rug Wolfgang , Steinmetz Dieter
Published: December 2008

Es werden Holzbau‐Verbindungsmittel beschrieben und die Regeln für die Bemessung erklärt.
Computer‐based teaching of Kanji construction and writing in a student with developmental disabilities
Authors: Sugasawara Hiroshi , Yamamoto Jun‐ichi
Published: December 2008

Students with developmental disabilities often have difficulty with writing skills such as tracing, copying, and dictation writing. A student with writing difficulties participated in the present study, which used computer‐based teaching applied in the home. We examined whether a student could copy Japanese Kanji characters after training with a constructed response matching‐to‐sample (CRMTS) procedure. The procedure was designed to teach identity Kanji construction. The results showed that the student not only acquired the constructed responses through this procedure but also to spelling generalized to copy trained and untrained Kanji characters. The results are discussed in terms of the effect of the CRMTS procedure on the acquisition and transfer of writing characters and the applicability of computer‐based home teaching. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.