bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development and validation of a NANOGold™ immunoassay for the detection of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in human serum using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry
Authors: Thompson David F. , Eborall William , Dinsmore Andrew , Smith Christopher J. , Duckett Catherine J.
Published: March 2010

This work aimed to develop and validate a NANOGold™ based assay, quantified using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP‐MS), for the detection of human vascular endothelial growth factor (hVEGF) in serum. The initial assay range based on calibration standards was 62.5–2000 pg/mL with a detection limit of approximately 30 pg/mL. After validation using spiked validation controls, a quantification range between 175 and 1928 pg/mL was obtained. The inter‐assay precision was between 2.3 and 18.9% with accuracy between −8.8 and −3.1%. Additional performance parameters, including dilutional linearity, matrix specificity and time‐factored drift, were within ±20%, as defined by the validation acceptance criteria for the validation of macromolecule immunoassays used within our clinical environment. Serum samples from healthy donors were analysed to determine the endogenous levels of VEGF present; these ranged from 164 to 580 pg/mL with a mean of 273 pg/mL. The intra‐ and inter‐assay precision obtained from the healthy donor samples were 1.3–10.7% and 4.2–17.5%, respectively. This demonstration of a validated immunoassay opens further possibilities, utilising the simultaneous detection capabilities of ICP‐MS for the detection of multiple analytes in a single validated immunoassay, for routine use within a clinical environment. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Selective linkage detection of O‐sialoglycan isomers by negative electrospray ionization ion trap tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Casal Enriqueta , Lebrón‐Aguilar Rosa , Moreno Francisco Javier , Corzo Nieves , Quintanilla‐López Jesús Eduardo
Published: March 2010

Sialylated O‐linked oligosaccharides are involved in many biological processes, such as cell‐cell interactions, cell‐substance adhesion, and virus‐host interactions. These activities depend on their structure, which is frequently determined by tandem mass spectrometry. However, these spectra are frequently analyzer‐dependent, which makes it difficult to develop widely applicable analytical methods. In order to deepen the origin of this behavior, two couples of isomers of sialylated O‐linked oligosaccharides, NeuAcα2‐3Galβ1‐3GalNAc‐ol/Galβ1‐3(NeuAcα2‐6)GalNAc‐ol and NeuGcα2‐3Galβ1‐3GalNAc‐ol/Galβ1‐3(NeuGcα2‐6)GalNAc‐ol, were analyzed by liquid chromatography/negative electrospray ionization ion trap tandem mass spectrometry (LC/ESI(−)‐MSn) using both an ion trap and a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer. Results clearly showed that while ions obtained in the triple quadrupole instrument fitted very well with the standard fragmentation routes, in the ion trap several intense ions could not be explained by these rules, specially a fragment at m/z 597. Furthermore, this ion was observed in the mass spectrum of those isomers that sialic acid binds to GalNAc by an α2‐6 linkage. From the MS3 spectrum of this ion an unexpected structure was deduced, and it led to propose alternative fragmentation pathways. Molecular mechanics calculations suggested that the found atypical route could be promoted by a hydrogen bond located only in α2‐6‐linked oligosaccharides. It has also been demonstrated that this process follows a slow kinetic, explaining why it cannot be observed using an ion beam‐type mass analyzer. In conclusion, ion traps seem to be more appropriate than triple quadrupoles to develop a reliable analytical method to distinguish between isomeric O‐linked glycans. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Optimization of electrospray interface and quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometer parameters in pesticide liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization mass spectrometry analysis
Authors: Kruve Anneli , Herodes Koit , Leito Ivo
Published: March 2010

Optimization of both the ionization process and ion transportation in the mass spectrometer is of crucial importance in order to achieve high sensitivity and low detection limits and acceptable accuracy in liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (LC/ESI‐MS) analysis. In this paper four optimization procedures of electrospray interface and quadrupole ion‐trap mass spectrometer parameters (ESI‐MS) (nebulizer gas and drying gas flow rate, end plate voltage, capillary voltage, skimmer voltage, octopoles direct current and radio frequency, trap drive and lens voltages) were studied on three pesticides – thiabendazole, aldicarb and imazalil. The results demonstrate that the methodology of optimization strongly influences the effectiveness of finding true optima of the operating parameters. Both eluent flow rate and composition during optimization have to mimic the situation during real analysis as closely as possible in order to achieve parameters giving the highest sensitivity. Therefore, post‐column addition of analyte to the mobile phase identical in composition to the one in which analyte elutes during real analysis combined with software‐based optimization was found to be the most effective and fastest method for achieving intensity maxima. The parameters most strongly affecting ion formation and transportation, hence sensitivity, were capillary voltage, direct current of the first octopole, trap drive and the second lens for all pesticides under study. In addition to sensitivity and detection limit matrix effect was considered in the optimization process. It was found that the matrix effect can be reduced but not eliminated by adjusting the ESI and MS parameters. The optimal parameters from the point of view of the matrix effect can only be found with factorial design. Parameters giving higher sensitivity tended to be more affected by matrix effect causing higher ionization suppression by co‐eluting compounds. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Theoretical and computational studies of organometallic reactions: successful or not?
Authors: Sakaki Shigeyoshi , Ohnishi Yu‐Ya , Sato Hirofumi
Published: March 2010

Theoretical and computational methods are powerful in studying transition metal complexes. Our theoretical studies of C–H σ‐bond activation of benzene by Pd(II)–formate complex and that of methane by Ti(IV)‐imido complex successfully disclosed that these reactions are understood to undergo heterolytic σ‐bond activation and the driving force is the formation of strong O–H and N–H bonds in the former and the latter, respectively. Orbital interactions are considerably different from those of σ‐bond activation by oxidative addition. The transmetallation, which is a key process in the cross‐coupling reaction, is understood to be heterolytic σ‐bond activation. Our theoretical study clarified how to accelerate this transmetallation. Also, we wish to discuss weak points in theoretical and computational studies of large systems including transition metal elements, such as the necessity to incorporate solvation effect and to present quantitatively correct numerical results. The importance of solvation effects is discussed in the oxidative addition of methyliodide to Pt(II) complex which occurs in a way similar to an SN2 substitution. To apply the CCSD(T) (coupled cluster singles and doubles with perturbative triples correction) method, which is the gold standard of electronic structure theory, to large system, we need to reduce the size of the system by employing a small model. But, such modeling induces neglects of electronic and steric effects of substitutents which are replaced in the small model. Frontier‐orbital‐consistent quantum‐capping potential (FOC‐QCP) was recently proposed by our group to incorporate the electronic effects of the substituents neglected in the modeling. The CCSD(T) calculation with the FOC‐QCP was successfully applied to large systems including transition metal elements. © 2010 The Japan Chemical Journal Forum and Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Chem Rec 10: 000–000; 2010: Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com) DOI 10.1002/tcr.200900019
Identification of Mxr1p‐binding sites in the promoters of genes encoding dihydroxyacetone synthase and peroxin 8 of the methylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris
Authors: Kranthi Balla Venkata , Vinod Kumar Hunsur Rajendra , Rangarajan Pundi N.
Published: March 2010

Expression of genes involved in methanol metabolism of Pichia pastoris is regulated by Mxr1p, a zinc finger transcription factor. In this study, we studied the target gene specificity of Mxr1p by examining its ability to bind to promoters of genes encoding dihydroxyacetone synthase (DHAS) and peroxin 8 (PEX8), since methanol‐inducible expression of these genes is abrogated in mxr1‐null mutant strains of P. pastoris. Different regions of DHAS and PEX8 promoter were isolated from P. pastoris genomic DNA and their ability to bind to a recombinant Mxr1p protein containing the N‐terminal 150 amino acids, including the zinc finger DNA‐binding domain, was examined. These studies reveal that Mxr1p specifically binds to promoter regions containing multiple 5′‐CYCC‐3′ sequences, although all DNA sequences containing the 5′‐CYCC‐3′ motif do not qualify as Mxr1p‐binding sites. Key DNA‐binding determinants are present outside 5′‐CYCC‐3′ motif and Mxr1p preferably binds to DNA sequences containing 5′‐CYCCNY‐3′ than those containing 5′‐CYCCNR‐3′ sequences. This study provides new insights into the molecular determinants of target gene specificity of Mxr1p, and the methodology described here can be used for mapping Mxr1p‐binding sites in other methanol‐inducible promoters of P. pastoris. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
No differences in outcomes between cemented and uncemented acetabular components after 12–14 years: results from a randomized controlled trial comparing Duraloc with Charnley cups
Authors: Bjørgul Kristian , Novicoff Wendy M. , Andersen S. T. , Brevig K. , Thu F. , Wiig M. , Åhlund O.
Published: March 2010

Background

Even though there are multiple studies documenting the outcome of the Charnley low-friction arthroplasty as well as abundant studies on uncemented arthroplasties, there is a dearth of comparative studies of the uncemented acetabular component and a cemented component. In this study we aimed to document the long-term clinical and radiographic outcome as well as component survival in a randomized controlled trial.

Materials and methods

Two hundred fifteen patients (240 hips) were randomly allocated to receive a cemented Charnley cup or uncemented Duraloc 1200 cup. All patients received cemented Charnley stems and were evaluated clinically and radiographically after 6 months, and 2, 5, and 10 years.

Results

Harris Hip Scores improved from 48.3 [95% confidence interval (CI) 45.0–51.6] to 90.2 [95% CI 87.9–92.6] in the Charnley group and from 49.3 [95% CI 86.9–91.3] in the Duraloc group at 6 months. After 10 years, the Charnley group’s Harris Hip Score was 89.8 [95% confidence interval (CI) 87.0–92.6], and the Duraloc group’s score was 87.3 (95% CI 84.1–90.6). In the radiographic analysis after 10 years, there was no statistical difference in the prevalence of radiographic signs of loosening. Nine cups were revised in the Charnley group, and five cups were removed in the Duraloc group. The difference was not statistically significant. There was no statistical difference between the cups when aseptic loosening was the end-point, nor in survival analyses.

Conclusions

There is no statistically significant difference in clinical or radiological outcome between the Charnley cup and the Duraloc after 10 years, and no difference in implant survival after 12–14 years. The uncemented Duraloc cup is as good as the cemented Charnley cup after 10 years.
Collection of Epithelial Cells from Rodent Mammary Gland Via Laser Capture Microdissection Yielding High-Quality RNA Suitable for Microarray Analysis
Authors: McGinley John N , Zhu Zongjian , Jiang Weiqin , Thompson Henry J
Published: March 2010

Laser capture microdissection (LCM) enables collection of cell populations highly enriched for specific cell types that have the potential of yielding critical information about physiological and pathophysiological processes. One use of cells collected by LCM is for gene expression profiling. Samples intended for transcript analyses should be of the highest quality possible. RNA degradation is an ever-present concern in molecular biological assays, and LCM is no exception. This paper identifies issues related to preparation, collection, and processing in a lipid-rich tissue, rodent mammary gland, in which the epithelial to stromal cell ratio is low and the stromal component is primarily adipocytes, a situation that presents numerous technical challenges for high-quality RNA isolation. Our goal was to improve the procedure so that a greater probe set present call rate would be obtained when isolated RNA was evaluated using Affymetrix microarrays. The results showed that the quality of RNA isolated from epithelial cells of both mammary gland and mammary adenocarcinomas was high with a probe set present call rate of 65% and a high signal-to-noise ratio.
An assessment of medical students’ awareness of radiation exposures associated with diagnostic imaging investigations
Authors: O’Sullivan Jennifer , O’Connor Owen J. , O’Regan Kevin , Clarke Bronagh , Burgoyne Louise N. , Ryan Max F. , Maher Michael M.
Published: March 2010

Objectives

This study assessed students’ awareness of radiation exposures and determined the impact a curriculum in clinical radiology (CICR) had on awareness.

Methods

Six hundred seventy medical students at one medical school were studied. CICR was delivered in yearly modules over the 5-year programme. Five hundred twenty-three students (years 1–5), exposed to increasing numbers of CICR modules and 147 students beginning medical school (year 0), represented the study and control groups, respectively. Students completed a multiple choice questionnaire assessing radiation knowledge and radiology teaching.

Results

Most students in the study population received CICR but 87% considered they had not received radiation protection instruction. The percentage of correctly answered questions was significantly higher in the study population than the control group (59.7% versus 38%, p < 0.001). Students who received CICR achieved higher scores than those who did not (61.3% compared with 42.8%, p < 0.001). Increasing exposure to CICR with each year of medical education was associated with improved performance.

Conclusions

Assessment of students’ awareness of radiation exposures in diagnostic imaging demonstrates improved performance with increasing years in medical school and/or increasing exposure to CICR. Findings support the Euroatom 97 directive position, advocating implementation of radiation protection instruction into the undergraduate medical curriculum.
Implementation of Peer Review into a Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Program and its Effect on Professionalism
Authors: Bonder Jaclyn , Elwood Douglas , Heckman Jeffrey , Pantel Austin , Moroz Alex
Published: March 2010

Objective

To examine the effects of implementing a peer review evaluation system on residents' attitudes and perceptions of professionalism, a core competency of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME), in a Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) program.

Design

Four classes of residents were divided prospectively into a control and an intervention group. All residents were asked to complete a survey regarding their attitudes and perceptions on both peer review and professionalism. Only 2 of these classes participated in a newly adopted peer review evaluation system, after which time all participants were again asked to fill out the surveys.

Setting

Residents were from a PM&R residency program at an urban tertiary care medical center.

Participants

All residents who completed the entire survey preintervention and postintervention were included.

Methods

The intervention was the introduction of peer review into residents' evaluation assessments. All residents filled out a survey with questions relating to peer review and professionalism before and after this intervention.

Main Outcome Measurements

Outcomes include understanding how residents perceive various attributes of professionalism, peer review, and the interconnection of the 2.

Results

Data analysis using SPSS was performed using survey scores for 46 residents preintrodution and postintroduction of a peer review evaluation system. Analysis revealed that residents who participated in the peer review process were more likely to agree that certain aspects of daily patient care, behaviors, and concepts were components of professionalism. However, they continued to believe that residents are ultimately not responsible for their colleagues' professionalism and that peer review might be harmful to a residency program.

Conclusion

This study introduces an interesting dichotomy. Peer review clearly influences resident outlook on professionalism and yet there is a high suspicion regarding its implementation. If appropriately implemented, peer review may be a potent method of enhancing the education of this ACGME requirement.
Courts and Political Institutions
Authors: Koopmans Tim
Published: March 2010

The frontier between 'law' and 'politics' is not always clear-cut. A large area exists where courts operate, but where governments and parliaments also make decisions. Tim Koopmans compares the way American, British, French and German law and politics deal with different issues: in many instances subjects which are highly 'political' in one country constitute legal issues in another. Is there, for example a 'sovereign Parliament' (as there is in Britain), or will courts control the compatibility of statutes with the Constitution (as in the United States and Germany)? How far can courts go in controlling the legality of administrative action? Are there general legal theories about the frontier between what courts and what politics can do? Koopmans considers case law on a range of issues, including human rights protection, federalism, separation of powers, equal protection and the impact of European and international law.
The Origin and Evolution of Planetary Nebulae
Authors: Kwok Sun
Published: March 2010

This authoritative volume provides a comprehensive review of the origin and evolution of planetary nebulae. It covers all the stages of their evolution, carefully synthesizes observations from across the spectrum, and clearly explains all the key physical processes at work. Particular emphasis is placed on observations from space, using the Hubble Space Telescope, the Infrared Space Observatory, and the ROSAT satellite. This book presents a thoroughly modern understanding of planetary nebulae, integrating developments in stellar physics with the dynamics of nebular evolution. It also describes exciting possibilities such as the use of planetary nebulae in determining the cosmic distance scale, the distribution of dark matter and the chemical evolution of galaxies. This book provides graduate students with an accessible introduction to planetary nebulae, and researchers with an authoritative reference. It can also be used as an advanced text on the physics of the interstellar medium.
The Last Byzantine Renaissance
Authors: Runciman Steven
Published: March 2010

During the last two centuries of its existence the Byzantine Empire was politically in a state of utter decadence, but, in contrast, its intellectual life has never before shone so brilliantly. In these four lectures the author discusses the leading scholars of the period, their erudition, their intense individualism, their controversies and their achievements.
Astronomy with your Personal Computer
Authors: Duffett-Smith Peter
Published: March 2010

The first edition of this very successful book was one winner of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific 'Astronomy Book of the Year' awards in 1986. There are a further seven subroutines in the new edition which can be linked in any combination with the existing twenty-six. Written in a portable version of BASIC, it enables the amateur astronomer to make calculations using a personal computer. The routines are not specific to any make of machine and are user friendly in that they require only a broad understanding of any particular problem. Since the programs themselves take care of details, they can be used for example to calculate the time of rising of any of the planets in any part of the world at any time in the future or past, or they may be used to find the circumstances of the next solar eclipse visible from a particular place. In fact, almost every problem likely to be encountered by the amateur astronomer can be solved by a suitable combination of the routines given in the book.
Early Native American Writing
Authors: Ruoff LaVonne Brown
Published: March 2010

This collection of critical essays discusses the works of American Indian authors who wrote between 1630 and 1940 and produced some of the earliest literature in North American history. The first collection of critical essays to concentrate on this body of writing, the book highlights the writings of the American Indian authors considered, many of whom only recently rediscovered, as important contributions to American letters. American Indians writing in English offer a permanent record of the dramatic and often tragic confrontation between native culture and the communities of settlers arriving in the New World over four centuries. As white settlers arrived, bringing with them disease, technology, and Christianity, they also brought the English language - a tool which native Americans, accustomed to an oral tradition, would adopt in an effort to cross the barriers of cultural difference. Serving in their own time as a means of addressing a heedless oppressor, native American writings have since become a vital record of an experience whose history, as written by the mainstream, is incomplete. The essays collected here seek to recuperate that history, while bringing new attention to the texts themselves.
The Limits of American Literary Ideology in Pound and Emerson
Authors: Wolfe Cary
Published: March 2010

In The Limits of American Literary Ideology in Pound and Emerson, Cary Wolfe analyses the dynamics and consequences of radical individualism and the sort of cultural critique it generates in Ralph Waldo Emerson and Ezra Pound. The main purpose of the book is to demonstrate that any form of individualism that is modelled on the logic and structure of private property will always reproduce the very contradictions and alienations that it set out to criticise and to remedy. Part of what makes this study unique and important is that it uses the ideology of individualism, still so powerful and seductive in contemporary America, to build a bridge between the two major figures from literary periods – Modernism and American Romanticism – which are often seen in stark opposition. In doing so, this study extends the critical paradigms and techniques of one of the most exciting new fields of cultural criticism (the so-called 'New Americanist' criticism) to cover a period (Modernism) and a type of writing (poetry) that it has largely ignored.
Beyond Sixty-Five
Authors: Haber Carole
Published: March 2010

This book investigates the changing roles and perceptions of old age in nineteenth-century America. It shows how the economic and social transformation of the nation affected the condition of the aged, as it altered beliefs about their abilities and needs. Focusing on the ideas of doctors, charity workers, and social planners, it traces the process by which their view of senescence was incorporated into geriatric medicine, the development of the nation's first old-age homes and mandatory retirement plans. With the adoption of these programmes, old age came to be seen as a widespread social problem. By the early twentieth century, it had become characterized as a time of dependence and disease - an attitude which continues to influence the way that modern Americans perceive and treat the elderly.
Essentials of Wireless Mesh Networking
Authors: Methley Steve
Published: March 2010

Are you involved in implementing wireless mesh networks? As mesh networks move towards large-scale deployment, this highly practical book provides the information and insights you need. The technology is described, potential pitfalls in implementation are identified, clear hints and tips for success are provided, and real-world implementation examples are evaluated. Moreover, an introduction to wireless sensor networks (WSN) is included. This is an invaluable resource for electrical and communications engineers, software engineers, technology and information strategists in equipment, content and service providers, and spectrum regulators. It is also a useful guide for graduate students in wireless communications, and telecommunications.
Does the Weather Really Matter?
Authors: Burroughs William James
Published: March 2010

• What has been the real impact of past weather extremes (e.g. cold winters, droughts, floods, heatwaves and hurricanes) on historic events?
• Is the frequency and impact of weather extremes changing?
• Can we predict how the climate will behave in the future and what will be the consequences of these changes?
• Are greater, less predictable changes just around the corner?
Bill Burroughs seeks to answer these questions by providing a balanced and accessible analysis of the current debate on climatic change. Combining a historical perspective, economic and political analysis, together with meteorological and climatological explanations of the impact of extreme weather events on all aspects of society, it provides a basis for interpreting what is known about climatic change and the ability to forecast future changes and their economic and political consequences. The book also includes extensive discussions on El Niño. It will be of interest to all those concerned with the future of human society.
Clinical Magnetoencephalography and Magnetic Source Imaging
Authors: Papanicolaou Andrew C.
Published: March 2010

This is the first volume to explore the field of clinical magnetoencephalography (MEG) and magnetic source imaging (MSI), the techniques measuring the magnetic fields generated by neuronal activity in the brain. Describing the empirical knowledge gained during the last two decades, this book will serve as a basis for the training of clinicians and scientists entering this new and exciting field. The book covers the methods for recording MEG and performing MSI in a clinical setting and includes practical examples of data collection and analysis. It explains why MEG should be used in the evaluation and treatment of patients being considered for epilepsy surgery, concluding with a section describing the potential for future applications of these methods. This is essential reading for graduate students in clinical neuroscience, residents in neurology and psychiatry, neuroradiology and neurosurgery, specialists in neurophysiology and epilepsy, and clinicians in a wide range of related brain sciences.
Biochemistry and Physiology of the Neutrophil
Authors: Edwards Steven W.
Published: March 2010

This book describes the role of the neutrophil in infection and inflammation and provides an up-to-date review of the biochemistry and physiology of these cells, highlighting the mechanisms by which they seek out and destroy pathogenic micro-organisms. The development of these cells during haematopoiesis is described and the mechanisms which lead to the production of reactive oxidants and the intracellular signal transduction systems which lead to the cell's activation are reviewed. The book also discusses recent discoveries concerning the role of cytokines in the regulation of neutrophil function together with the importance of the neutrophil as a generator of inflammatory cytokines. Finally there is a description of the biochemical defects that give rise to some of the neutrophil-associated human diseases.
A Virtuous Circle
Authors: Norris Pippa
Published: March 2010

Is the process of political communications by the news media and by parties responsible for civic malaise? A Virtuous Circle sets out to challenge the conventional wisdom that it is. Based on a comparative examination of the role of the news media and parties in 29 postindustrial societies, focusing in particular on Western Europe and the United States, this study argues that rather than mistakenly 'blaming the messenger' we need to understand and confront more deep-rooted flaws in systems of representative democracy. This 2000 book outlines appropriate standards for evaluating the performance of the news media and the methods available to study this issue. It also compares changes in the news media including the rise of the Internet and the development of post-modern election campaigns. Norris shows that although negative news can erode public support for specific policy issues, in general there is a consistently positive relationship between attention to the news media and political knowledge, trust and participation. For more information on the book, please visit the author's website at www.pippanorris.com.
Code-switching
Authors: Gardner-Chloros Penelope
Published: March 2010

It is quite commonplace for bilingual speakers to use two or more languages, dialects or varieties in the same conversation, without any apparent effort. The phenomenon, known as code-switching, has become a major focus of attention in linguistics. This concise and original study explores how, when and where code-switching occurs. Drawing on a diverse range of examples from medieval manuscripts to rap music, novels to advertisements, emails to political speeches, and above all everyday conversation, it argues that code-switching can only be properly understood if we study it from a variety of perspectives. It shows how sociolinguistic, psycholinguistic, grammatical and developmental aspects of code-switching are all interdependent, and findings in each area are crucial to others. Breaking down barriers across the discipline of linguistics, this pioneering book confronts fundamental questions about what a 'native language' is, and whether languages can be meaningfully studied outside of the individuals who use them.
Dynamic Spectrum Access and Management in Cognitive Radio Networks
Authors: Hossain Ekram , Niyato Dusit , Han Zhu
Published: March 2010

Are you involved in designing the next generation of wireless networks? With spectrum becoming an ever scarcer resource, it is critical that new systems utilize all available frequency bands as efficiently as possible. The revolutionary technology presented in this book will be at the cutting edge of future wireless communications. Dynamic Spectrum Access and Management in Cognitive Radio Networks provides you with an all-inclusive introduction to this emerging technology, outlining the fundamentals of cognitive radio-based wireless communication and networking, spectrum sharing models, and the requirements for dynamic spectrum access. In addition to the different techniques and their applications in designing dynamic spectrum access methods, you'll also find state-of-the-art dynamic spectrum access schemes, including classifications of the different schemes and the technical details of each scheme. This is a perfect introduction for graduate students and researchers, as well as a useful self-study guide for practitioners.
Performance Analysis of Communications Networks and Systems
Authors: Van Mieghem Piet
Published: March 2010

This rigourous and self-contained book describes mathematical and, in particular, stochastic methods to assess the performance of networked systems. It consists of three parts. The first part is a review on probability theory. Part two covers the classical theory of stochastic processes (Poisson, renewal, Markov and queuing theory), which are considered to be the basic building blocks for performance evaluation studies. Part three focuses on the relatively new field of the physics of networks. This part deals with the recently obtained insights that many very different large complex networks - such as the Internet, World Wide Web, proteins, utility infrastructures, social networks - evolve and behave according to more general common scaling laws. This understanding is useful when assessing the end-to-end quality of communications services, for example, in Internet telephony, real-time video and interacting games. Containing problems and solutions, this book is ideal for graduate students taking courses in performance analysis.
Practical Plant Identification
Authors: Cullen James
Published: March 2010

Practical Plant Identification is an essential guide to identifying flowering plant families (wild or cultivated) in the northern hemisphere. Details of plant structure and terminology accompany practical keys to identify 318 families into which flowering plants are divided. Specifically designed for practical use, the keys can easily be worked backwards for checking identifications. Containing descriptions of families and listings of the genera within, it also includes a section on further identification to generic and specific levels. A successor to the author's bestselling The Identification of Flowering Plant Families, this guide is updated, and retains the same concise user-friendly approach. Cullen skillfully leads the reader from restrictive disciplines of older taxonomy, into an era of increasing numbers of plant families defined by DNA analysis. Aimed primarily at students of botany and horticulture, this is a perfect introduction to plant identification for anyone interested in plant taxonomy.
Saddlepoint Approximations with Applications
Authors: Butler Ronald W.
Published: March 2010

Modern statistical methods use complex, sophisticated models that can lead to intractable computations. Saddlepoint approximations can be the answer. Written from the user's point of view, this book explains in clear language how such approximate probability computations are made, taking readers from the very beginnings to current applications. The core material is presented in chapters 1-6 at an elementary mathematical level. Chapters 7-9 then give a highly readable account of higher-order asymptotic inference. Later chapters address areas where saddlepoint methods have had substantial impact: multivariate testing, stochastic systems and applied probability, bootstrap implementation in the transform domain, and Bayesian computation and inference. No previous background in the area is required. Data examples from real applications demonstrate the practical value of the methods. Ideal for graduate students and researchers in statistics, biostatistics, electrical engineering, econometrics, and applied mathematics, this is both an entry-level text and a valuable reference.
Galois Theories
Authors: Borceux Francis , Janelidze George
Published: March 2010

Starting from the classical finite-dimensional Galois theory of fields, this book develops Galois theory in a much more general context, presenting work by Grothendieck in terms of separable algebras and then proceeding to the infinite-dimensional case, which requires considering topological Galois groups. In the core of the book, the authors first formalize the categorical context in which a general Galois theorem holds, and then give applications to Galois theory for commutative rings, central extensions of groups, the topological theory of covering maps and a Galois theorem for toposes. The book is designed to be accessible to a wide audience: the prerequisites are first courses in algebra and general topology, together with some familiarity with the categorical notions of limit and adjoint functors. The first chapters are accessible to advanced undergraduates, with later ones at a graduate level. For all algebraists and category theorists this book will be a rewarding read.
The Science of Crystallization
Authors: Tiller William A.
Published: March 2010

This book, together with its companion volume The Science of Crystallization: Macroscopic Phenomena and Defect Generation, make up a complete course that will teach an advanced student how to understand and analyse scientifically any of the phenomena that are observed during natural or technological crystallization from any medium and via any technique of crystallization. It is an advanced text that goes into considerable detail concerning the many elements of knowledge needed to understand quantitatively a crystallization event. This particular volume deals with the important atomistic-level processes occurring at the interface between a crystal and its nutrient. It also provides the necessary scientific background of both thermodynamics and kinetics needed for the understanding of crystallization for both bulk crystals and thin film formation.
The Concept of Moral Obligation
Authors: Zimmerman Michael J.
Published: March 2010

The principal aim of this book is to develop and defend an analysis of the concept of moral obligation. The analysis is neutral regarding competing substantive theories of obligation, whether consequentialist or deontological in character. What it seeks to do is generate solutions to a range of philosophical problems concerning obligation and its application. Amongst these problems are deontic paradoxes, the supersession of obligation, conditional obligation, prima facie obligation, actualism and possibilism, dilemmas, supererogation, and cooperation. By virtue of its normative neutrality, the analysis provides a theoretical framework within which competing theories of obligation can be developed and assessed. This study is a major contribution to metaethics that will be of particular interest to all philosophers concerned with normative ethical theory.
TinyOS Programming
Authors: Levis Philip , Gay David
Published: March 2010

Do you need to know how to write systems, services, and applications using the TinyOS operating system? Learn how to write nesC code and efficient applications with this indispensable guide to TinyOS programming. Detailed examples show you how to write TinyOS code in full, from basic applications right up to new low-level systems and high performance applications. Two leading figures in the development of TinyOS also explain the reasons behind many of the design decisions made and, for the first time, how nesC relates to and differs from other C dialects. Handy features such as a library of software design patterns, programming hints and tips, end-of-chapter exercises, and an appendix summarizing the basic application-level TinyOS APIs make this the ultimate guide to TinyOS for embedded systems programmers, developers, designers, and graduate students.
Health Care for Us All
Authors: Grinols Earl L. , Henderson James W.
Published: March 2010

Health Care for Us All challenges the common belief that health care problems in the United States are difficult and possibly insoluble. Americans want to get more for their health care spending, including insurance coverage for all that is personal, portable, and permanent. They want a system that respects incentives for quality care, exhibits a responsible approach to the budget, and is sustainable. Health Care for Us All adopts these five objectives and applies an efficiency filter to identify the virtually unique framework that meets all objectives. Impediments to achieving Americans' goals can be summarized under the rubrics of too little insurance, too little income, and too little properly functioning market. The efficient remedy for each is the subject of the book. Related philosophical as well as economic issues, such as why there should be government involvement in health care, are analyzed.
Insect Species Conservation
Authors: New T. R.
Published: March 2010

Insects are the most diverse and abundant animals that share our world, and conservation initiatives are increasingly needed and being implemented globally, to safe guard the wealth of individual species. This book provides sufficient background information, illustrated by examples from many parts of the world, to enable more confident and efficient progress towards the conservation of these ecologically indispensable animals. Writing for graduate students, academic researchers and professionals, Tim New describes the major ingredients for insect species management and conservation, and how these may be integrated into effective practical management and recovery plans.
Quirks of Human Anatomy
Authors: Held, Jr Lewis I.
Published: March 2010

With the emergence of the new field of evolutionary developmental biology we are witnessing a renaissance of Darwin's insights 150 years after his On the Origin of Species. Thus far, the exciting findings from 'evo-devo' have only been trickling into college courses and into the domain of non-specialists. With its focus on the human organism, Quirks of Human Anatomy opens the floodgates by stating the arguments of evo-devo in plain English, and by offering a cornucopia of interesting case studies and examples. Its didactic value is enhanced by 24 schematic diagrams that integrate a host of disparate observations, by its Socratic question-and-answer format, and by its unprecedented compilation of the literature. By framing the 'hows' of development in terms of the 'whys' of evolution, it lets readers probe the deepest questions of biology. Readers will find the book educational and enjoyable, as it revels in the fun of scientific exploration.
Mathematics for Physics
Authors: Stone Michael , Goldbart Paul
Published: March 2010

An engagingly-written account of mathematical tools and ideas, this book provides a graduate-level introduction to the mathematics used in research in physics. The first half of the book focuses on the traditional mathematical methods of physics – differential and integral equations, Fourier series and the calculus of variations. The second half contains an introduction to more advanced subjects, including differential geometry, topology and complex variables. The authors' exposition avoids excess rigor whilst explaining subtle but important points often glossed over in more elementary texts. The topics are illustrated at every stage by carefully chosen examples, exercises and problems drawn from realistic physics settings. These make it useful both as a textbook in advanced courses and for self-study. Password-protected solutions to the exercises are available to instructors at www.cambridge.org/9780521854030.
The World Without, the Mind Within
Authors: Gallois André
Published: March 2010

In this challenging study, André Gallois proposes and defends a thesis about the character of our knowledge of our own intentional states. Taking up issues at the centre of attention in contemporary analytic philosophy of mind and epistemology, he examines accounts of self-knowledge by such philosophers as Donald Davidson, Tyler Burge and Crispin Wright, and advances his own view that, without relying on observation, we are able justifiably to attribute to ourselves propositional attitudes, such as belief, that we consciously hold. His study will be of wide interest to philosophers concerned with questions about self-knowledge.
Managing in the Modern Corporation
Authors: Hassard John , McCann Leo , Morris Jonathan
Published: March 2010

In recent years, widespread organisational change in large corporations has almost invariably led to work intensification and increased stress for managers. Managing in the Modern Corporation explains how and why large companies have changed their organisational structures and philosophies, focusing in particular on how these changes affect the careers of middle managers. Based on in-depth interviews with over two hundred middle and senior managers working in large corporations in the USA, UK and Japan, it shows how the working lives of managers have been subjected to major disruption, involving work intensification and reduced opportunities for career progression. Furthermore, it argues that such widespread overwork and poor treatment of highly skilled and highly motivated staff has created a major international problem that must be addressed. The book presents a range of solutions to this important problem, suggesting that there are possibilities for saner, less brutal organisational environments.
Samuel Beckett
Authors: Kennedy Andrew Karpati
Published: March 2010

While providing a critical introduction for the student of Samuel Beckett's work and for other readers and theatre-goers who have been influenced by it, this study also presents an original perspective on one of the twentieth century's greatest writers of prose fiction and drama. Andrew Kennedy links Beckett's vision of a diminished humanity with his art of formally and verbally diminished resources, and traces the fundamental simplicity and coherence of Beckett's work beneath its complex textures. In the section on the plays, Dr Kennedy stresses the humour and tragicomic humanism alongside the theatrical effectiveness; and in a discussion of the fiction (the celebrated trilogy of novels) he relates the relentless diminution of 'story' to the diminishing selfhood of the narrator. An introduction outlines the personal, cultural and specifically literary contexts of Beckett's writing, while a concluding chapter offers up-to-date reflections on his œuvre, from the point-of-view of the themes highlighted throughout the book. This study, complete with a chronological table and a guide to further reading, will prove stimulating for both new and advanced students of Beckett.
The Spirit-Paraclete in the Gospel of John
Authors: Johnston George
Published: March 2010

This book attempts to make a contribution to the New Testament doctrine of the Spirit, with special reference to the paraclete problem. Dr Johnston begins with the use of the word 'spirit' in the Gospel of John and treats it as primarily 'impersonal'. It denotes divine power or energy. God acts by his spirit, both to create and to redeem. The Fourth Evangelist shows Jesus as the incarnate Word, a man uniquely inspired, whose absence after death is compensated for by an outburst of spiritual powers in his Church. The paraclete is representative of God or of Christ, and the Johannine teaching is that no angelmediator, no holy 'spirit' like the Archangel Michael, can take Christ's place. But truly inspired leaders - acting as teachers, exegetes, martyrs - and the inspired Church itself as a communion of love do embody the spirit-paraclete and do continue to represent Jesus. Special attention is paid to recent research on this subject, mainly in the area of the Dead Sea Scrolls. Dr Johnston argues that in insisting that the true spirit-paraclete must always exalt and interpret Jesus of Nazareth as the final revelation of God in man, John was in fact combating heretical views.
Melancholy, Medicine and Religion in Early Modern England
Authors: Lund Mary Ann
Published: March 2010

The Anatomy of Melancholy, first published in 1621, is one of the greatest works of early modern English prose writing, yet it has received little substantial literary criticism in recent years. This study situates Robert Burton's complex work within three related contexts: religious, medical and literary/rhetorical. Analysing Burton's claim that his text should have curative effects on his melancholic readership, it examines the authorial construction of the reading process in the context of other early modern writing, both canonical and non-canonical, providing a new approach towards the emerging field of the history of reading. Lund responds to Burton's assertion that melancholy is an affliction of body and soul which requires both a spiritual and a corporal cure, exploring the theological complexion of Burton's writing in relation to English religious discourse of the early seventeenth century, and the status of his work as a medical text.