bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Necrose do coto do ducto cístico após colecistectomia videolaparoscópica
Authors: Maia Daniel Santos , Ferreira-Júnior Mirayr , Viegas Ricardo Gomes , Silva Elkin Ebret Charris , Oliveira Paulo de Tarso Vaz de , Silva Renato Corgozinho A. da , Caetano Alexandre Justino
Published: June 2010

INTRODUÇÃO: Lesões das vias biliares, embora não frequentes, podem ser visualizadas ou percebidas no ato operatório. Porém, as derivadas de necrose por manipulação são tardias e não reconhecíveis durante a operação. RELATO DO CASO: Paciente submetida à colecistectomia videolaparoscópica apresentou coleperitônio no pós-operatório. Em re-operação observou-se ducto cístico fistuloso no local da clipagem dupla. Realizada drenagem intra-cística. Evoluiu com bilioma associado que necessitou também de drenagem por aspiração. Evoluiu satisfatoriamente e com cura em um mês. CONCLUSÃO: Por ser uma situação rara, ainda não existe consenso sobre suas principais causas e incidência.
Malondialdeído e troponina I cardíaca em equinos da raça Puro Sangue Árabe submetidos ao exercício e à suplementação com vitamina E
Authors: Yonezawa Letícia Andreza , Machado Luciana Pereira , Silveira Veridiana Fernandes da , Watanabe Marcos Jun , Saito Mere Erika , Kitamura Sandra Satiko , Kohayagawa Aguemi
Published: June 2010

Para avaliar o efeito do exercício físico, do treinamento e da suplementação com vitamina E sobre o malondialdeído (MDA) e a troponina I cardíaca (cTnI) séricos, foram utilizados 16 equinos da raça Puro Sangue Árabe, sem treinamento, divididos em dois grupos de oito: controle e suplementado com vitamina E. Ambos os grupos foram submetidos a provas de exercício progressivo em esteira de alta velocidade inclinada a +7%, antes (P1) e após (P2) o período de treinamento de 20 dias. Foram determinadas as concentrações séricas de MDA, vitamina E e cTnI e realizou-se o eletrocardiograma de repouso antes e após as provas P1 e P2. Os resultados sugerem a ocorrência do estresse oxidativo ocasionado pelo exercício, determinado por meio do aumento de MDA sérico. Em alguns animais, houve um discreto aumento de cTnI associado à detecção de complexos ventriculares prematuros, mas que não representou lesão cardíaca expressiva. Não houve efeito do treinamento sobre o estresse oxidativo. Portanto, é possível concluir que o exercício físico progressivo promoveu a lipoperoxidação nessas condições, que não foi prevenida pela suplementação com vitamina E nem pelo treinamento, mas não foi suficiente para causar uma lesão cardíaca significativa.
Inserção social e habitação: um caminho para a avaliação da situação de moradia de portadores de transtorno mental grave no Brasil
Authors: Furtado Juarez Pereira , Nakamura Eunice , Generoso Cláudia Maria , Guerra Andréa Máris Campos , Campos Florianita Braga , Tugny Augustin de
Published: June 2010

No que concerne às suas necessidades de moradias, os portadores de transtorno mental grave no Brasil possuem duas perspectivas: os Serviços Residenciais Terapêuticos (SRTs) ou formas alternativas, como o apoio de familiares e/ou da rede de saúde mental do SUS, sobretudo os Centros de Atenção Psicossocial (Caps). Parece fundamental avaliar como os portadores de sofrimento mental grave constituem suas habitações (habitus) e inserção social nessas experiências, a partir dos elementos estruturais da moradia (abrigo, privacidade, segurança e conforto) e de suporte (rede social e de serviços), bem como o acompanhamento ofertado pelos serviços, em um contexto de desinstitucionalização. Para isso, são discutidos pressupostos, categorias de análise e possíveis contribuições de um método de investigação avaliativa qualitativa e interdisciplinar, elaborado por pesquisadores de distintas áreas do saber (antropologia, arquitetura, psicanálise e saúde coletiva), de modo a propiciar uma aproximação mais sistemática acerca dessa importante temática.
Análise da eficiência de empresas familiares brasileiras
Authors: Oro Ieda Margarete , Beuren Ilse Maria , Hein Nelson
Published: June 2010

O artigo analisa a eficiência, relacionando, por meio da técnica Análise Envoltória de Dados, a estrutura de capital e o lucro operacional das empresas familiares que integram a lista das 500 maiores empresas do Brasil, conforme a revista Exame - “Melhores e Maiores de 2005”. A pesquisa realizada é descritiva relacional, do tipo levantamento, com abordagem quantitativa. Das 175 empresas com controle acionário brasileiro, 59 responderam ao questionário informando serem empresas familiares, constituídas como limitadas ou sociedades anônimas. Excluídas as empresas limitadas, a amostra final restringiu-se a 39 empresas. Os resultados demonstram com relação à estrutura de capital, que a primeira e a terceira geração utilizam mais capital próprio do que capital de terceiros. O lucro e a lucratividade são maiores na terceira geração. A Análise Envoltória de Dados indicou três empresas em cada geração como as mais eficientes. Conclui-se que, nas empresas analisadas, a terceira geração apresentou mais eficiência nas variáveis analisadas.
Análise do desempenho econômico-financeiro de empresas de saúde
Authors: Veloso Germany Gonçalves , Malik Ana Maria
Published: June 2010

O objetivo do artigo é avaliar o desempenho econômico-financeiro de empresas da área de Saúde, principalmente sua rentabilidade, comparando hospitais, operadoras de planos de saúde e empresas em geral. Foram usados dados dos balanços financeiros do exercício de 2006 compilados da publicação Balanço Anual 2007 da Gazeta Mercantil. Os dados foram comparados utilizando-se os testes não paramétricos da mediana e do qui quadrado. Comparando-se as maiores empresas de cada categoria, seus retornos sobre o ativo total não têm diferenças estatísticas significantes. Os maiores hospitais e operadoras tiveram lucratividade igual entre si, porém inferior à das empresas em geral. Os hospitais tiveram lucros antes de juros, impostos, depreciação e amortização (LAJIDA) maior e cresceram menos que as operadoras em 2006. Conclusão: a rentabilidade de hospitais com maiores receitas não parece diferir significantemente da de outras empresas da economia. Adicionalmente, observou-se que não existe distinção significante entre hospitais com e sem finalidade lucrativa, no que diz respeito à margem LAJIDA, margem líquida e retorno sobre ativos totais.
Introdução ao teorema de Nash e às Branas-mundo
Authors: Capistrano A.J.S. , Odon P.I.
Published: June 2010

Apesar dos modelos de Branas-mundo terem recebido atenção considerável nos últimos anos por fornecerem várias opções à física contemporânea, seus mecanismos não são completamente entendidos ou apropriadamente justificados. Tendo em vista tal dificuldade, neste trabalho fornecemos uma contribuição pedagógica dirigida especialmente aos alunos de pós-graduação em física, fazendo uma abordagem introdutória a um dos temas importantes em física e geometria no que diz respeito aos fundamentos da teoria de imersão de variedades. Apresentamos uma descrição do teorema de imersão de Nash de 1956 que mostra como fazer uma imersão local entre variedades Riemaniannas mantendo a regularidade e diferenciabilidade das funções de imersão, e de como isso é aplicado à física sob o ponto de vista das Branas-mundo.
¿Disponen los estudiantes de secundaria de una comprensión adecuada de los conceptos de trabajo y calor y de su relación con la energía?
Authors: Doménech J.L. , Martínez-Torregrosa J.
Published: June 2010

El propósito de este trabajo es profundizar en el conocimiento de que disponen los estudiantes de secundaria de los conceptos de trabajo y de calor. Se proponen diferentes actividades a 170 alumnos del último curso de la secundaria postobligatoria (17/18 años) y se entrevistan a otros cinco. Las diferentes tareas pretenden, en esencia, averiguar en qué medida los alumnos disponen de ideas cualitativas sobre el trabajo y el calor, y también, si relacionan dichos conceptos con las variaciones de energía experimentadas por los sistemas. Las propuestas y argumentos utilizados por los alumnos nos permiten afirmar que terminan sus estudios con un escaso aprendizaje de dichos conceptos.
The role of the amino-terminal domain in the interaction of unliganded peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ-2 with nuclear receptor co-repressor
Authors: Suzuki Sadako , Sasaki Shigekazu , Morita Hiroshi , Oki Yutaka , Turiya Daisuke , Ito Takeshi , Misawa Hiroko , Ishizuka Keiko , Nakamura Hirotoshi
Published: June 2010

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ-2 (PPARG2) is a ligand-dependent transcriptional factor involved in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance. In the presence of a ligand, PPARG2 associates with co-activators, while it recruits co-repressors (CoRs) in the absence of a ligand. It has been reported that the interaction of liganded PPARG2 with co-activators is regulated by the amino-terminal A/B domain (NTD) via inter-domain communication. However, the role of the NTD is unknown in the case of the interaction between unliganded PPARG2 and CoRs. To elucidate this, total elimination of the influence of ligands is required, but the endogenous ligands of PPARG2 have not been fully defined. PPARG1-P467L, a naturally occurring mutant of PPARG1, was identified in a patient with severe insulin resistance. Reflecting its very low affinity for various ligands, this mutant does not have transcriptional activity in the PPAR response element, but exhibits dominant negative effects (DNEs) on liganded wild-type PPARG2-mediated transactivation. Using the corresponding PPARG2 mutant, PPARG2-P495L, we evaluated the role of the NTD in the interaction between unliganded PPARG2 and CoRs. Interestingly, the DNE of PPARG2-P495L was increased by the truncation of its NTD. NTD deletion also enhanced the DNE of a chimeric receptor, PT, in which the ligand-binding domain of PPARG2 was replaced with that of thyroid hormone receptor β-1. Moreover, NTD deletion facilitated the in vitro binding of nuclear receptor CoR with wild-type PPARG2, mutant P495L, and the PT chimera (PPARG2-THRB). Inter-domain communication in PPARG2 regulates not only ligand-dependent transactivation but also ligand-independent silencing.
Participation in sustainability appraisal planning policy
Authors: Giddings B. , Porter G. , Paterson E. , Theobald K.
Published: June 2010

UK spatial planning guidance now recognises the importance of engaging stakeholders in appraisal processes at an early stage in the plan-making process. Regional planning authorities are required to consult with a wide range of stakeholders on the development of planning policy and the sustainability appraisal of that policy. However, there is no clear indication as to how they might go about this process, other than to confront the various stakeholders with a sustainability appraisal report. Participation in sustainability appraisal therefore still relies on reaction to a technical appraisal of an existing plan – and in this situation stakeholders might lack the incentive to participate. More thoughtful ways need to be devised to involve people in the sustainability debate so that spatial policy more accurately reflects their knowledge and aspirations. The focus of this paper is to investigate ways in which sustainability appraisal of spatial plans can be made more accessible and transparent within the context of wider governance mechanisms. Of particular interest is the public examination of a regional spatial strategy. A number of questions arise as to how engagement with stakeholders can be achieved and their knowledge elicited in a proactive manner.
Globally Networked Union Education and Labour Studies: The Past, Present and Future
Authors: Taylor Jeffery
Published: June 2010

The literature on globally networked learning environments (GNLEs) has predominantly focused on research or classroom partnerships in higher education that usually involve traditional students enrolled in traditional degree programmes. However, the driving motivation behind GNLEs – learning in partnership across institutional and national boundaries to address issues of globalization – also has significant relevance for global labour education. To what extent, then, are labour educators taking advantage of such partnered learning environments to learn with and from each other across national boundaries? In order to explore this issue, this article provides a historical overview of e-learning initiatives in labour education to identify the challenges labour educators may need to address in order to facilitate such partnered learning environments.
From Nanofabrication to Self-fabrication – Tailored Chemistry for Control of Single Molecule Electronic Devices
Authors: Moth-Poulsen Kasper , Bjørnholm Thomas
Published: June 2010

Single molecule electronics is a field of research focused on the use of single molecules as electronics components. During the past 15 years the field has concentrated on development of test beds for measurements on single molecules. Bottom–up approaches to single molecule devices
are emerging as alternatives to the dominant top–down nanofabrication techniques. One example is solution-based self-assembly of a molecule enclosed by two gold nanorod electrodes. This article will discuss recent attempts to control the self-assembly process by the use of supramolecular
chemistry and how to tailor the electronic properties of a single molecule by chemical design.
No correlation between mandibular and non-mandibular measurements in osteoporotic men
Authors: Çakur Binali , Dağistan Saadettin , Sümbüllü Muhammed Akif
Published: June 2010

Background: Screening for low bone mineral density (BMD) using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) has been the traditional method for determining osteoporosis. Panoramic radiography is widely used in dentistry.

Purpose: To determine the relationships between the values of dental panoramic indices (the mental index (MI), antegonial index (AI), panoramic mandibular index (PMI)) and the values of skeletal BMD (femoral BMD (f-BMD), and vertebral BMD (v-BMD)) in 25 osteoporotic men.

Material and Methods: In the panoramic radiographs obtained from a total of 25 male individuals with osteoporosis, the means were calculated for MI, AI, and PMI values measured in the right and left mandible. DXA measurements of the femur and lumbar vertebrae BMD were also calculated. The correlation between these variables was assessed.

Results: No correlation was found between the BMD values of the femur and lumbar vertebrae and values of MI, AI, and PMI.

Conclusion: No significant correlation was found between the mandibular and non-mandibular measurements in men with osteoporosis. MI, AI, and PMI indices should not be used in the evaluation of the skeletal status, because they are not reliable tools in screening for osteoporosis.
Parenthood—A Contributing Factor to Childhood Obesity
Authors: Huffman Fatma G. , Kanikireddy Sankarabharan , Patel Manthan
Published: June 2010

Prevalence of childhood obesity and its complications have increased world-wide. Parental status may be associated with children’s health outcomes including their eating habits, body weight and blood cholesterol. The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) for the years 1988–1994, provided a unique opportunity for matching parents to children enabling analyses of joint demographics, racial differences and health indicators. Specifically, the NHANES III data, 1988–1994, of 219 households with single-parents and 780 dual-parent households were analyzed as predictors for primary outcome variables of children’s Body Mass Index (BMI), dietary nutrient intakes and blood cholesterol. Children of single-parent households were significantly (p < 0.01) more overweight than children of dual-parent households. Total calorie and saturated fatty acid intakes were higher among children of single-parent households than dual-parent households (p < 0.05). On average, Black children were more overweight (p < 0.04) than children of other races. The study results implied a strong relationship between single-parent status and excess weight in children. Further studies are needed to explore the dynamics of single-parent households and its influence on childhood diet and obesity. Parental involvement in the development of school- and community-based obesity prevention programs are suggested for effective health initiatives. Economic constraints and cultural preferences may be communicated directly by family involvement in these much needed public health programs.
Citizen-Consumers as Agents of Change in Globalizing Modernity: The Case of Sustainable Consumption
Authors: Spaargaren Gert , Oosterveer Peter
Published: June 2010

The roles that individuals can adopt, or get assigned, in processes of global environmental change, can be analyzed with the help of three ideal-type forms of commitment: as environmental citizens, as political consumers, and as individual moral agents. We offer a discussion of the three roles in the context of sustainability changes in everyday life practices of consumption. Sociological accounts of (sustainability) transitions are discussed with respect to their treatment of the concept of agency vis à vis the objects, technologies, and infrastructures implied in globalizing consumption practices. Using consumption practices as basic units of analysis helps to avoid individualist and privatized accounts of the role of citizen-consumers in environmental change, while making possible a comprehensive analysis of the relationship between the personal and the planetary in the process of greening everyday life consumption.
Uncoupling of T Cell Receptor Zeta Chain Function during the Induction of Anergy by the Superantigen, Staphylococcal Enterotoxin A
Authors: Cornwell William D. , Rogers Thomas J.
Published: June 2010

Staphylococcus aureus enterotoxins have immunomodulatory properties. In this study, we show that Staphylococcal enterotoxin A (SEA) induces a strong proliferative response in a murine T cell clone independent of MHC class II bearing cells. SEA stimulation also induces a state of hypo-responsiveness (anergy). We characterized the components of the T cell receptor (TCR) during induction of anergy by SEA. Most interestingly, TCR zeta chain phosphorylation was absent under SEA anergizing conditions, which suggests an uncoupling of zeta chain function. We characterize here a model system for studying anergy in the absence of confounding costimulatory signals.
Effect of vegetable oil oxidation on the hydrogenation reaction process
Authors: Kalantari Faranak , Bahmaei Manochehr , Ameri Majid , Shoaei Ehsan
Published: June 2010

Hydrogenation has been carried out in a batch reactor with three different oxidized bleached oils in order to discover the effect of oxidation on the hydrogenation reaction process. Specifications of hydrogenated oils such as melting point, Iodine value, solid fat content and fatty acid composition of the oxidized oils were compared with their un-oxidized reference oils. Oxidized bleached sunflower oil was hydrogenated to target melting points (34, 39 and 42°C) at higher iodine values vs. its reference oil with the same reaction time. Oxidized bleached soybean and canola oils were hydrogenated to target melting points (34, 39 and 42°C) at higher iodine values as well, but reaction times were longer than their reference oils. The resulting solid fat content and total trans fatty acids of all hydrogenated oils were less than their references. A peroxide value above 0.5meq O2/kg for non auto-oxidized oils and above 5meq O2/kg for auto-oxidized oils will significantly change the hydrogenation process.
Perceived Risk Management
Authors: Dubosson Magali , Fragnière Emmanuel
Published: June 2010

The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the theoretical work on service-perceived risk management of knowledge-based services (i.e., intangible and heterogeneous) and experience-based services and to suggest a framework that helps to formalize these risks and the value associated with their management, by arguing that this risk management relies on a sequence of risks (Threat, Event, Ignorance and Damage, called the TEID model) and on three categories of control measures (preventative, detective and protective). By categorizing customer-perceived risks, and by integrating control measures and assurances into their offer, providers can design new and valuable services. Service value-chains involve various providers (implicitly or otherwise) who may engender annoyance and damages as risks are a sequence of events. This paper holds the potential to contribute to extending an understanding and management capacity of customer-perceived risks of knowledge-based services. It brings into play a new framework and new risk management process. It also helps with formalizing and making tangible customer added-value.
Analyzing Requirements and Approaches for Sourcing Software Based Services
Authors: Gangadharan G.R. , Fielt Erwin
Published: June 2010

Increasingly, software is no longer developed as a single system, but rather as a smart combination of so-called software services. Each of these provides an independent, specific and relatively small piece of functionality, which is typically accessible through the Internet from internal or external service providers. There are no standards or models that describe the sourcing process of these software based services (SBS). The authors identify the sourcing requirements for SBS and associate the key characteristics of SBS (with the sourcing requirements introduced). Furthermore, this paper investigates the sourcing of SBS with the related works in the field of classical procurement, business process outsourcing, and information systems sourcing. Based on the analysis, the authors conclude that the direct adoption of these approaches for SBS is not feasible and new approaches are required for sourcing SBS.
Levels of Self-Efficacy among Harassed Teachers
Authors: Cantón Isabel , Morán Consuelo
Published: June 2010

The aim of this study was to examine the differences among harassed teachers and un-harassed ones, regarding coping strategies, self-efficacy, and locus of control. Participants were 255 teachers (163 women and 92 men) who completed a set of three questionnaires, the Mobbing Perceived Questionnaire, a battery of control expectancies, and the Brief COPE to assess, respectively, mobbing perceived at work, self-efficacy, locus of control, and cooping strategies. The results showed differences in self-efficacy, locus of control, and use of coping strategies depending on the teachers’ degree of mobbing perceived. The authors believe that the efforts for preventing mobbing made by educational organizations must be intensified, as they not only affect teachers’ quality of life but also the quality of the educational system, furthermore new technologies can have a relevant role on this side by making available all information on those phenomena.
Glass Ceilings in Portugal?
Authors: Mendes Raquel
Published: June 2010

Despite the evidence of female progress with regard to women’s role in the labor market, gender inequality remains. Women are still less likely to be employed than men, occupational gender segregation continues, and females continue to earn less than males. The gender wage gap remains wide in several occupational sectors, among which is the information technology (IT) sector. This paper focuses the determinants of gender wage inequality. More precisely, it investigates for statistical evidence of a glass ceiling effect on women’s wages. Based on the quantile regression framework, the empirical analysis extends the decomposition of the average gender wage gap to other parts of the earnings distribution. The main objective is to empirically test whether gender-based wage discrimination is greater among high paid employees, in line with glass ceiling hypothesis. Larger unexplained gaps at the top of the wage distribution indicate the existence of a glass ceiling effect in Portugal.
Extended Mobile IPv6 Route Optimization for Mobile Networks in Local and Global Mobility Domain
Authors: Prakash Arun , Verma Rajesh , Tripathi Rajeev , Naik Kshirasagar
Published: June 2010

Network mobility (NEMO) route optimization support is strongly demanded in next generation networks; without route optimization the mobile network (e.g., a vehicle) tunnels all traffic to its Home Agent (HA). The mobility may cause the HA to be geographically distant from the mobile network, and the tunneling causes increased delay and overhead in the network. It becomes peculiar in the event of nesting of mobile networks due to pinball routing, for example, a Personal Area Network (PAN) inside a vehicle. The authors propose an Extended Mobile IPv6 route optimization (EMIP) scheme to enhance the performance of nested mobile networks in local and global mobility domain. The EMIP scheme is based on MIPv6 route optimization and the root Mobile Router (MR) performs all the route optimization tasks on behalf of all active Mobile Network Nodes (MNNs). Thus, the network movement remains transparent to sub MRs and MNNs and modifies only MRs and MNNs leaving other entities untouched and is more efficient than the Network Mobility Basic Support protocol (NEMO BS). The authors carried out an extensive simulation study to evaluate the performance of EMIP.
Pertinent Prosodic Features for Speaker Identification by Voice
Authors: Sayoud Halim , Ouamour Siham
Published: June 2010

Most existing systems of speaker recognition use “state of the art” acoustic features. However, many times one can only recognize a speaker by his or her prosodic features, especially by the accent. For this reason, the authors investigate some pertinent prosodic features that can be associated with other classic acoustic features, in order to improve the recognition accuracy. The authors have developed a new prosodic model using a modified LVQ (Learning Vector Quantization) algorithm, which is called MLVQ (Modified LVQ). This model is composed of three reduced prosodic features: the mean of the pitch, original duration, and low-frequency energy. Since these features are heterogeneous, a new optimized metric has been proposed that is called Optimized Distance for Heterogeneous Features (ODHEF). Tests of speaker identification are done on Arabic corpus because the NIST evaluations showed that speaker verification scores depend on the spoken language and that some of the worst scores were got for the Arabic language. Experimental results show good performances of the new prosodic approach.
Options for WiMAX Uplink Media Streaming
Authors: Saleh Salah , Fleury Martin
Published: June 2010

IEEE 802.16e (mobile WiMAX) uplink behavior is a relatively neglected area of investigation, but emerging interactive media services have highlighted the need for closer investigation of uplink issues. In this simulation study of uplink queue management, the authors found that media streaming by TCP-Friendly Rate Control (TFRC) has advantages. However, temporal behavior of the queuing disciplines exhibits oscillations in buffer occupancy with build-up of delay during video streaming. This paper suggests a possible remedy lies in the choice of the more complex H.264/AVC Main profile, but this will impact upon mobile devices. It was also found that WiMAX video delivery is sensitive to choice of transmission frame size.
Innovation, Information Systems Strategic Alignment and Business Value
Authors: Loukis Euripidis , Sapounas Ioakim
Published: June 2010

For more than two decades the strategic alignment of information systems (IS) is one of the most important issues that IS and business managers face and at the same time a major research topic in the IS domain. In this paper the authors present an empirical study of the business value of IS strategic alignment, which examines IS strategic alignment both at the strategy formulation and implementation level. Also, investigated in this paper are the effects of adopting an innovation strategy on IS strategic alignment. The study is based on firm-level data from Greek companies, which are used for estimating econometric models of firm output based on the Cobb-Douglas production function. It is concluded that IS strategic alignment, both at the strategy formulation and implementation level, generates significant business value, increasing considerably the contribution of ICT investment to firm output. Finally, the adoption of innovation strategy has a positive effect on the strategic alignment of IS both at the strategy formulation and implementation level, as it puts pressure on firms to direct their IS investment towards the support of their new innovative products/services, and increases the involvement of organizational units.
Development of a Methodology to Assess Mechanical Impulse Effects Resulting from Lightning Attachment to Lightweight Aircraft Structures
Authors: Featherston C.A. , Eaton Mark J. , Evans S.L. , Holford Karen M. , Pullin Rhys , Cole Matthew
Published: June 2010

The effect of lightning attachment to structures and vehicles is a cause of major concern to a number of different industries, in particular the aerospace industry, where the consequences of such an event can be catastrophic. In 1963, a Boeing 707 was brought down in Maryland killing 81 people on board, triggering the improvement of lightning protection standards. However, commercial jets are still struck on average once every 10,000 hours of flight time and between 1963 and 1989 forty lightning related accidents were recorded within the U.S.A alone. The rapid increase in the use of composite materials in aircraft design and the consequent increase in complexity when determining the effects of a lightning strike, has led to new challenges in aircraft protection and the requirement for improved understanding and standardisation.
Identification of the Shape of Curvilinear Beams and Fibers
Authors: François Marc L.M. , Semin Benoit , Auradou Harold
Published: June 2010

This work concerns the shape identification of curvilinear objects, for example bent
beams or wires in mechanics. The beam’s digital picture is analyzed with the introduced Virtual
Image Correlation method. This one consists in finding the optimal correlation between the
beam’s image and a virtual beam, whose curvature field is described by a truncated series. The
gray level and amplitude of the virtual beam does not need to reproduce exactly the ones of the
physical beam image. The analytical form of the optimal shape allows one to derive mechanical
properties: the identification of the Young’s modulus of a bar is given as an example. We will
also show the robustness of the method with regards to the quality of the image.
Designing a Hollow Langevin Transducer for Ultrasonic Coring
Authors: Harkness P. , Cardoni Andrea , Russell J. , Lucas Margaret
Published: June 2010

A number of architectures for a hollow Langevin ultrasonic transducer are proposed and evaluated. One of these is optimised by finite element modelling and is then manufactured and analysed experimentally. The preload on the transducer ceramics is increased and the effect on the performance is measured. At maximum preload the results of an experimental modal analysis are used to determine the natural frequency and response of both the operating longitudinal mode and unwanted bending modes. The performance of the hollow transducer is compared to a solid commercial transducer containing the same volume of piezoceramic material. The efficiency is shown to be comparable. Higher ultrasonic displacement amplitudes are achieved with the hollow transducer although a lower Q-factor is found.
Optimization of PEM Fuel Cell System Using Dynamic Model
Authors: Xuan Dong Ji , Li Zhen Zhe , Cheng Tai Hong , Shen Yun De
Published: June 2010

The output power efficiency of the fuel cell system depends on the anode pressure, cathode pressure, temperature, demanded current, air and hydrogen humidity. Thus, it is necessary to determine the optimal operation condition for maximum power efficiency. In this paper, we developed a dynamic model of fuel cell system which contains mass flow model, membrane hydration and electro-chemistry model. Experiments have been performed to evaluate the dynamical Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC) stack model. In order to determine the maximum output power and minimum use of hydrogen in a certain condition, response surface methodology optimization based on the proposed PEMFC stack model is presented. The results provide an effective method to optimize the operation condition under varied situations.
Application of Sanger Operator with Lateral Connection in Fitting Micro-Drill’s Main Lips
Authors: Ge Dong Yuan , Yao Xi Fan , Xiang Wen Jiang , Gu Ying Zhi
Published: June 2010

A new approach for straightness fitting of micro-drill’s main lips is proposed. While its chips are measured, micro-drill’s projective images are collected with high precision automatic test system of PCB Micro-drill, and sub-pixel edge features are extracted. The sum of square distances' from the coordinates of sample points to fitted line is taken as objective function. Then a Sanger neural network with lateral connection is designed, where a self-adaptive minor component extracting method is adopted. When the system comes to equilibrium, the eigenvector of minimum eigen value is the fitted line coefficient, from which chips of micro-drill main lips are obtained. The proposed approach is the novel application of Sanger neural network in straightness fitting.
Development of Fuel Cell Hybrid Electric Vehicle Simulator and HCU
Authors: Xuan Dong Ji , Ning Qian , Li Zhen Zhe , Cheng Tai Hong , Shen Yun De
Published: June 2010

Based on the Matlab/Simulink module modeling for Fuel Cell Hybrid Electric Vehicle was carried out, which is comprised of the fuel cell stack model, a DC/DC converter model, a battery model, a motor model, avehiclemodel and a driver model, and Hybrid Control Unit(HCU) was developed. The HCU control strategy also incorporates regenerative braking and recharge for battery capacity recovery. Vehicle speed effect is evaluated in New Europe Driving Cycle. The simulation result that the control strategy implemented by HCU is achievable, and which proves that the mode of Start, Accele_FCBat, Cruise, RE_Brake, Power_FC and Pause operate sequently as well as reliably.
CFD Simulation of Gas-Solid Flow in Dense Phase Bypass Pneumatic Conveying Using the Euler-Euler Model
Authors: Wang Y. , Williams K.C. , Jones M.G. , Chen B.
Published: June 2010

The pressure drop predictions across a bypass pipeline in dense phase pneumatic conveying were investigated numerically. The simulation was conducted using the commercial Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) software Fluent with the Euler- Euler model accounting for four-way coupling. Experiments and calculations were conducted using flyash powder conveyed in a horizontal pipeline. The influence of the pipe length on pressure drop prediction was also investigated. The results indicate that pressure prediction of the CFD simulation model for a bypass pipe is promising. The conclusion is that this investigation can offer improved insight and initial design modelling capability for bypass pneumatic conveying systems.
The Narrow Pulse-Width Laser-Diode End-Pumped Nd:Yvo4/Lbo Green Laser
Authors: Yu Wen Bing , He Chen Pen
Published: June 2010

A high stable 9.2W and 12.06 ns pulse-width acousto-optic Q- switch solid- state green laser was reported. Through theoretical analysis and experimental research , the resonator was designed and optimized in order to compress pulse-width. In experiment , the double acousto-optic Q- switch was employed with single Nd:YVO4 rod and LBO crystal was applied for frequency doubling. The resonator is the flat-concave type. Under the pumping current of 30A ,a maximum green power of 9.2W was generated at 40kHz repetition rate and 8.164 ns pulse-width.
Achieving Flexible Reconfiguration via Mechatronic Modules
Authors: Jin Mao Zhu , Zhao Zhi Wei
Published: June 2010

With shortening product life cycle, modern production facilities require rapid adaptation to new requirements. In addition, easier maintainability is called for in order to achieve a higher availability. This can be accomplished by means of modular and reconfigurable machines and facilities. For this purpose, machine modules with new system boundaries have to be designed as mechatronic and self-sustaining units to achieve reconfigurable machining systems. Thus new generations of machine configurations must be created. In this article, the analysis of interfaces for new mechatronic autonomous modules is developed, which will result in new modular machine concepts which are firstly applied on a transfer line where the machines represent the modules and secondly on machining centre where machine components are defined as modules. Thereby it is proven that by integration of functions and by setting new system boundaries, mechatronic autonomous modules are developable.
A Robust Design for a Complex System Based Satisfactory Optimization
Authors: Song Hua Ming , Ma Yi Zhong
Published: June 2010

A robust design method for complex product is presented in this paper, and the purpose of this work is to find a solution that maximum the range of variation of design factors and constraints while variation of response is limited in the given tolerance. First, the model of robust design is given, then an alternative model based satisfactory is developed. A numerical instance for piston design problem is put up to illustrate the method. Comparative analysis shows that the robust design method is more effective in the view of robustness than that of method existed.
B-Spline Surfaces Modified Geometry with Control Vertices of Weighted Constrained Optimization
Authors: Zhao Yue , Wang Hui , Wang Zai Gang
Published: June 2010

B-spline surfaces are widely suitable for the computer-aided geometric design (CAGD) and the modified geometry is one of the important technologies in CAGD. According to variations and weighting coefficients of single or multiple control vertices, the control vertices are modified by the method of weighted constrained optimization, the method of least squares was used for the optimal positions of control vertices on surfaces, and finally the modified B-spline surfaces are worked out by use of the variations of control vertices which had been calculated. The proposed approach not only can realize several modified geometry and deformation, but also is convenient for interaction design. The efficiency of the proposed approaches is illustrated by a practical application.
Research on Trade Model of Transaction Costs Based on Ecommerce
Authors: Yang Zhi Xue
Published: June 2010

Transaction cost is one of these costs, but mostly mentioned with trade barriers. The trade barrier, also called tariff barracks or non- tariff barracks, focus on the problems that affect transactions in international trade. Transaction cost in economics can be defined as a cost incurred in making an economic exchange. There are a number of kinds of transaction cost have been researched by economists, “search and information costs” (such as those incurred in determining that the required good is available on the market, who has the lowest price.), “Bargaining costs” (the costs required to come to an acceptable agreement with the other party to the transaction, drawing up an appropriate contract and so on.), “Policing and enforcement costs” (the costs of making sure the other party sticks to the terms of the contract, and taking appropriate action if this turns out not to be the case.). Along with the fast development of e-commerce, a new kind of trade barriers, which is called e-commerce barrier, based on information technology appears quietly, in recent years. Though the emergence of this barracks does not been focused by world, it has profoundly affected international trade already.
Nonlinear Analysis of Piercing Rolling Process by Element-Free Galerkin Method
Authors: Hu Jian Hua , Shuang Yuan Hua
Published: June 2010

During piercing rolling simulation, extreme mesh deformation cannot be solved by the finite element method (FEM). Re-meshing is necessary to prevent the effect of severe mesh distortion. However, the element-free method can solve this problem because the continuous body is discretized with a set of nodes, not meshes. In this paper, three-dimension rigid-plastic element-free Galerkin Method (EFG) is introduced to analyze the piercing rolling process. The approximation functions are calculated considering a moving least squares (MLS) approach. The Newton-Raphson method is used for the solution of the nonlinear system of equations. The equivalent stress, the equivalent plastic strain and the equivalent plastic strain rate obtained by EFG and rigid-plastic FEM are analyzed and compared. The simulation results of the EFG method are in agreement with those obtained by using the rigid-plastic FEM and the effectiveness of the model is verified.
A System for Data Processing on Supply-Chain Distributed Simulation Platform Based on Agent
Authors: Sun Zhi Xun , Lin Jie
Published: June 2010

To deal with the result data of the supply-chain simulation, such as data storage, analysis and display, a data system based on agent has been developed. Utilize agent’s intelligence and interaction; realize the dynamic display of the real-time simulation status and statistics analysis. The simulation performance can then be viewed and analyzed to provide the decision making. The system, as an indispensible part of the simulation platform, supports the simulation system effectively.
Heterogeneous IS Resources Acquisition: A Case Study
Authors: Hu Bao Liang
Published: June 2010

Combined with the deep case study of Wahaha, this paper probe into the issue of enterprise heterogeneous information systems(IS) resources acquisition. And the findings show: learning by doing and learning by using are the effective approaches for the enterprise to acquire the heterogeneous IS human capital; initiative is crucial to acquire heterogeneous IS partnership; the preferred contractor is the important model for the enterprises to acquire the heterogeneous IS infrastructure. These findings not only enrich the theory of IS resources, but also expand the scope of existing research.
Application of Similitude Theory for Welding Deformation Prediction of Large Hydraulic Excavator
Authors: Dai Qing Hua , Ji Peng , Yin Chen Bo , Yi Di Sheng , Wang Bin , Zhu Jie
Published: June 2010

A high Computational Complexity of welding deformation Simulation for large hydraulic excavator is visible. Similitude theory is a better way to solve the problem. When neglecting the energy change caused by elastic and plastic deformation, and supposing the geometry similitude of plastic deformation zone, and having the same stress for the plastic deformation zone of the same materials, similar rules of the single-pass welding based on temperature field had been deduced. But we don’t know whether they are effectual for the multi-layer-pass welding. For validating it, a numerical simulation was carried out through simulating the welding process of large hydraulic excavator’s swing arm. And we got the better results. The similar rules deduced on the single-pass welding are also applicable for multi-layer-pass welding under the conditions of the same weld numbers and the same welding sequence.
Research of Enterprise Information System Based on SOA Architecture
Authors: Peng Min , Tang Jun
Published: June 2010

This paper describes the basic theory of SOA architecture and the related technologies to achieve SOA, presents a simplified information system architecture design based on SOA architecture, one by one analyzes the function of each layer, and in detail designs the object-oriented layer, SOA service bus, finally analyzes the SOA application in enterprise information management systems and its prospect.
A Method to Compute Resource Circuits in a Class of Petri Nets
Authors: Wang Shou Guang , Wang Cheng Ying , Yu Yan Ping
Published: June 2010

Methods based on resource circuits have become a research hotspot in the field of deadlock control recent years. Based on resource subnet and the trees of resource places, this paper proposes an effective method to compute all the resource circuits in a class of Petri nets called S3PR. When the proposed method is used in deadlock prevention policies, the computational efficiency can be significantly improved. An example is used to illustrate the application of the proposed method.
The Application of Fuzzy Theory and Gray-Based Rough Set Theory in the Supplier Selection Decision Making
Authors: Leng Kai Jun , Zhang Shu Hong
Published: June 2010

This work presents the combination of fuzzy theory and rough set theory to solve facility location selection problems under the condition of involving different objective/subjective attributes. We try to utilize individual merits for each method and combine it to form a reliable selection of alternative suppliers. An empirical example is illustrated to show the effectiveness of the integrated method. Our results showed that the integrated method can allow decision makers to get the best candidate of supplier location, and is recommended in the practice therefore.
An Improved Ant Colony Optimization Algorithm for Solving the TSP Problem
Authors: Du Zhan Wei , Yang Yong Jian , Sun Yong Xiong , Zhang Chi Jun , Li Tuan Liang
Published: June 2010

This paper presents a modified Ant Colony Algorithm(ACA) called route-update ant colony algorithm(RUACA). The research attention is focused on improving the computational efficiency in the TSP problem. A new impact factor is introduced and proved to be effective for reducing the convergence time in the RUACA performance. In order to assess the RUACA performance, a simply supported data set of cities, which was taken as the source data in previous research using traditional ACA and genetic algorithm(GA), is chosen as a benchmark case study. Comparing with the ACA and GA results, it is shown that the presented RUACA has successfully solved the TSP problem. The results of the proposed algorithm are found to be satisfactory.
An Improved Noise Reduction Algorithm Based on Manifold Learning and Its Application to Signal Noise Reduction
Authors: Wang Guang Bin , Huang Liang Pei
Published: June 2010

In the noise reduction algorithm based on manifold learning, phase space data may be distorted and reduction targets are chosen at random, it made efficiency and effect of noise reduction lower.To solve this problem, a improved noise reducation method (local tangent space mean reconstruction) was proposed.The process of global array by affine transformation will be replaced with mean reconstruction,and the intrinsic dimension was estimate as dimension of reduction targets by using maximum likehood estimation method, the data in addition to intrinsic dimension space will be eliminated.Noise reduction experiment to fan vibration signal with noise shows this method had better noise reduction effect.
Modeling on the Ground Wafer Shape in Wafer Rotational Grinding
Authors: Tang Ke Yan , Kang Ren Ke
Published: June 2010

During the silicon wafer grinding, the different process parameters could cause the silicon wafer shape greatly different. Based on the rotational coordinate principle of kinematics, a theoretical model of the ground wafer shape in rotational grinding process is developed, in which many critical factors are considered in this paper. These factors mainly include the parameters of the dressing vacuum chuck and wafer grinding etc. And the mathematical equation of the ground wafer shape is derived. Moreover, as one of the important indexes, TTV(total thickness variation) is researched and analyzed. The equation of TTV is given. The built model can offer a theoretical foundation for further experimental researching. The research results are significant to effectively control the ground wafer shape in a certain.This paper applied the Autonomous Intelligent System(AIS) to deal with the intelligent activities intelligently and automatically, and thereof provided a new method for the Supply Chain Management(SCM) on MC manufacture. First, a new supply chain model based on E-HUB was presented according to the requirements of MC manufacture, and then the structure and operation of AIS were designed to support that SCM. Finally, the development technology of AIS was discussed.