bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
User-centeredness, situatedness, and designing the media of computer documentation
Authors: Johnson Bob
Published: November 2005

User-centeredness has become a concept of much interest in a number of fields. Systems engineering, architecture, usability research and computer documentation, to name a few, are all areas of study which have, to one degree or another, adopted the terminology of user-centered philosophy in order to come to grips with the problem of how to design for users' needs.

While there is much positive to be said about applying user-centered concepts to any discipline that wishes to pursue it, there is also a danger that the concept and philosophy of user-centered design could become, at best, empty rhetoric, and, at worst, fuel for lip service that could serve to undermine the humanitarian goals of a user-centered ethic.

One concept which has already suffered a similar fate is that of “problem-solving.” Problem-solving has become, essentially, a hollow term when used by certain disciplines or institutions. For example, it is commonplace to hear representatives of business and industry refer to the need for 'good problem-solvers' in the world of business.

One answer to this call has been the adoption of the terminology of problem-solving by the business curricula of many college and university business schools. At least one critic of current business school curricula has mentioned that theories of problem-solving have been diluted by the time they reach students (1). My own experience in teaching business writing at two universities has shown similar characteristics. Many of the business majors want to refer to themselves as “good problem-solvers” in their job application letters, but when asked to elaborate on or give an example of this, they often have simplified or inaccurate ideas of what should constitute an understanding of rich and powerful strategies.

Certainly, the research and theory-building of Simon and Newell (2), or G. Polya (3) is applicable to the academic and workplace settings of business, but somehow the terminology of the theory lost its relevance during the translation.

My purpose in this article is to discuss how user-centered computer documentation can avoid a similar fate. At present I fear our direction is veering in the direction of such a fate, and that one step toward correcting our course is to develop a clear theoretical understanding of what user-centeredness means to documentation. This means that although there may be a tacit theory which underlies current applications, it is important to make the theory visible, and thereby illuminate the gaps that may exist.

In addition, my focus will also be upon the contribution that user-centered theory can bring to our understanding of how to design for the different media of computer documentation. As we all know, online and hypermedia documentation is becoming a central charge of our profession, and user-centered theory can go a long way in helping us understand the similarities and differences among the different media.
Putting a local information system online using pre-packaged software
Authors: Dautermann Jennie
Published: November 2005

Many small organizations have the need for information storage and retrieval systems which they dream of putting on-line for ease of access. Such a project designed with modest equipment and pre-packaged software can achieve three important objectives:

allow users to design their own access tools

clarify the information needs of a community

improve information access.

These goals may be sufficient in themselves in many situations, but they may also become interim steps which prepare users for involvement in larger institutional projects at some later time by enabling them to think through their information needs in concrete and manageable terms.

During an information management project with the nursing department of a Midwest community hospital, a standard PC data base became the vehicle for introducing each of these benefits to the department and for preparing the department to participate in a larger main frame project already in progress in their hospital.
A stepwise approach to developing software documentation
Authors: Stimely Gwen L.
Published: November 2005

Published documentation development processes clearly explain how to break up the process into parts and which parts to do when. What they do not explain is how to merge documentation and software development so that documentation rework and catch-up are minimized. They also do not explicitly account for developing a document from one version to the next, or how to integrate multiple authors into the development process.
An interactive source commenter for Prolog programs
Authors: Roach David , Berghel Hal , Talburt John R.
Published: November 2005

Prolog meta-circular interpreters, i.e., interpreters for Prolog written in Prolog, perform at least two operations on an object program - they parse it and execute its instructions. There is a useful variant of the meta-circular interpreter, the meta-circular parser, which as its name suggests, parses an object program without executing its instructions. The value of such a parser is that it provides an elegant means to modify Prolog source code. As the object program is parsed, new information in the form of additional instructions, comments, etc., can be selectively inserted.

The Prolog source code commenter we describe is a meta-circular parser with facilities added to allow a user to interactively enter comments. As a Prolog program is parsed into its basic components, the user is allowed to view that component and enter an appropriate comment. The result is a new fully commented (and formatted) source program.
A MOLECULAR PERSPECTIVE OF CTLA-4 FUNCTION
Authors: Teft Wendy A. , Kirchhof Mark G. , Madrenas Joaquín
Published: November 2005

Within the paradigm of the two-signal model of lymphocyte activation, the interest in costimulation has witnessed a remarkable emergence in the past few years with the discovery of a large array of molecules that can serve this role, including some with an inhibitory function. Interest has been further enhanced by the realization of these molecules' potential as targets to modulate clinical immune responses. Although the therapeutic translation of mechanistic knowledge in costimulatory molecules has been relatively straightforward, the capacity to target their inhibitory counterparts has remained limited. This limited capacity is particularly apparent in the case of the cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen-4 (CTLA-4), a major negative regulator of T cell responses. Because there have been several previous comprehensive reviews on the function of this molecule, we focus here on the physiological implications of its structural features. Such an exercise may ultimately help us to design immunotherapeutic agents that target CTLA-4.
Reactive oxygen species production by mitochondria in endothelial cells exposed to reoxygenation after hypoxia and glucose depletion is mediated by ceramide
Authors: Therade-Matharan S. , Laemmel E. , Carpentier S. , Obata Y. , Levade T. , Duranteau J. , Vicaut E.
Published: November 2005

In endothelium, reoxygenation after hypoxia (H/R) has been shown to induce production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by complex III of the mitochondrial respiratory chain. The purpose of the present study was to test the involvement of ceramide in this phenomenon. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells underwent 2 h of hypoxia (Po2, ∼20 mmHg) without glucose and 1 h of reoxygenation (Po2, ∼120 mmHg) with glucose. ROS production was measured by the fluorescent marker 2′,7′-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate, and cell death by propidium iodide. We showed that 1) after 1 h of reoxygenation, fluorescence had risen and that ROS production was inhibited by desipramine, an inhibitor of sphingomyelinase, an enzyme responsible for ceramide production (126 ± 7% vs. 48 ± 12%, P < 0.05); 2) administration of ceramide ( N-acetylsphingosine) per se (i.e., in the absence of H/R) induced ROS production (65 ± 3%), which was inhibited by complex III inhibitor: antimycin A (24 ± 3%, P < 0.0001), or stigmatellin (31 ± 2%, P < 0.0001); 3) hypoxia/reoxygenation-induced ROS production was not affected by either ceramide-activated protein kinase inhibitor dimethyl aminopurine or mitochondrial permeability transition inhibitor cyclosporin A but was significantly inhibited by the antiapoptotic protein Bcl-2 (82 ± 8%, P < 0.05); 4) ceramide-induced ROS production was also inhibited by Bcl-2 (41 ± 4%, P < 0.0001). These results demonstrate that in endothelial cells submitted to hypoxia and glucose depletion followed by reoxygenation with glucose, the pathway implicated in mitochondrial complex III ROS production is ceramide dependent and is decreased by the antiapoptotic protein Bcl-2.
Several dissipativity and passivity implications in thelinear discrete‐time setting
Authors: Navarro-López Eva María
Published: November 2005

Some important features and implications of dissipativity and passivity properties in the discrete‐time setting are collected in this paper. These properties are mainly referred to as the stability analysis (feedback stability systems and study of the zero dynamics), the relative degree, the feedback passivity
property, and the preservation of passivity under feedback and parallel interconnections. Frequency‐domain characteristics are exploited to show some of these properties. The main contribution is the proposal of necessary and sufficient conditions in order to render a multiple‐input multiple‐output linear discrete‐time invariant system passive by means of a static‐state feedback and using the properties of the relative degree and zero dynamics of the system. A discrete‐time model for the DC‐to‐DC buck converter is used as an example to illustrate the passivation scheme proposed. In addition, dissipativity frequency‐domain properties
are related to some feedback stability criteria.
Modelling and optimization of computer network traffic controllers
Authors: Ahmed N. U. , Li Bo , Orozco-Barbosa Luis
Published: November 2005

During the past years, there has been increasing interest in the design and development of network traffic controllers capable of ensuring the QoS requirements of a wide range of applications. In this paper, we construct a dynamic model for the token‐bucket algorithm: a traffic controller widely used in various QoS‐aware
protocol architectures. Based on our previous work, we use a system approach to develop a formal model of the traffic controller. This model serves as a basis to formally specify and evaluate the operation of the token‐bucket algorithm. Then we develop an optimization algorithm based on a dynamic programming and genetic algorithm approach. We conduct an extensive campaign of numerical experiments allowing us to gain insight on the
operation of the controller and evaluate the benefits of using a genetic algorithm approach to speed up the optimization process. Our results show that the use of the genetic algorithm proves particularly useful in reducing the computation time required to optimize the operation of a system consisting of multiple token‐bucket‐regulated sources.
An anisotropic constitutive relation for the stress tensor of a rod‐like (fibrous‐type) granular material
Authors: Massoudi Mehrdad
Published: November 2005

We will derive a constitutive relationship
for the stress tensor of an anisotropic rod‐like assembly of granular
particles where not only the transverse isotropy (denoted by a unit vector
n, also called the fiber direction) is included, but also the
dependence of the stress tensor T on the density gradient, a
measure of particle distribution, is studied. The granular media is assumed
to behave as a continuum, and the effects of the interstitial fluid are
ignored. No thermodynamical considerations are included, and using
representation theorems, it is shown that in certain limiting cases,
constitutive relations similar to those of the Leslie‐Ericksen liquid
crystal type can be obtained. It is also shown that in this granular model,
one can observe the normal stress effects as well as the yield condition, if
proper structures are imposed on the material coefficients.
The effects of nonuniform surface tension on the axisymmetric gravity‐driven spreading of a thin liquid drop
Authors: Momoniat E.
Published: November 2005

The effects of nonuniform surface tension on the axisymmetric gravity‐driven spreading of a thin viscous liquid drop are investigated. A second‐order nonlinear partial differential equation modelling the evolution of the free surface of a thin viscous liquid drop is derived. The nonuniform surface tension is represented by a function Σ(r). The Lie group method is used to determine Σ(r) such that exact and approximate
invariant solutions admitted by the free surface equation can be determined. It is shown that the nonuniform
surface tension can be represented as a power law in r. The effect of this nonuniformity is to reduce the surface tension at the centre of the drop and increase it at the foot of the drop. This results in a deflection away from the solution for spreading under gravity only and the formation of a capillary ridge.
Increased α2 Subunit–Associated AMPK Activity and
PRKAG2
Cardiomyopathy
Authors: Ahmad Ferhaan , Arad Michael , Musi Nicolas , He Huamei , Wolf Cordula , Branco Dorothy , Perez-Atayde Antonio R. , Stapleton David , Bali Deeksha , Xing Yanqiu , Tian Rong , Goodyear Laurie J. , Berul Charles I. , Ingwall Joanne S. , Seidman Christine E. , Seidman J.G.
Published: November 2005

Background—

AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) regulatory γ2 subunit (
PRKAG2
) mutations cause a human cardiomyopathy with cardiac hypertrophy, preexcitation, and glycogen deposition.
PRKAG2
cardiomyopathy is recapitulated in transgenic mice overexpressing mutant
PRKAG2
N488I in the heart (TGγ2
N488I
). AMPK is a heterotrimeric kinase consisting of 1 catalytic (α) and 2 regulatory (β and γ) subunits. Two α-subunit isoforms, α1 and α2, are expressed in the heart; however, the contribution of AMPK utilization of these subunits to
PRKAG2
cardiomyopathy is unknown. Mice overexpressing a dominant-negative α2 subunit of AMPK (TGα2
DN
) provide a tool for selectively inhibiting α2, but not α1, subunit-associated AMPK activity.

Methods and Results—

In compound-heterozygous TGγ2
N488I
/TGα2
DN
mice, AMPK activity associated with α2 but not α1 was decreased compared with TGγ2
N488I
. The TGα2
DN
transgene reduced the disease phenotype of TGγ2
N488I
, partially or completely normalizing the ECG, cardiac function, cardiac morphology, and exercise capacity in compound-heterozygous mice. TGγ2
N488I
hearts had normal resting levels of high-energy phosphates and could improve cardiac performance during exercise. Cardiac glycogen content decreased in TGγ2
N488I
mice after exercise stress, indicating availability of the stored glycogen for metabolic utilization. No differences in glycogen-metabolizing enzymes were observed.

Conclusions—

The
PRKAG2
N488I mutation causes inappropriate AMPK activation, which leads to glycogen accumulation and conduction system disease. The accumulated glycogen can serve as an energy source, and the animals have contractile reserve during exercise. Because the dominant-negative α2 subunit attenuates the mutant
PRKAG2
phenotype, AMPK complexes containing the α2 rather than the α1 subunit are the primary mediators of the effects of
PRKAG2
mutations.
Personality and Religion: The Relationship between Psychological Type and Attitude toward Christianity
Authors: Francis Leslie J. , Jones Susan H. , Craig Charlotte L.
Published: November 2005

A sample of 552 first year undergraduate students, attending a university-sector college in Wales specialising in teacher education and liberal arts subjects, completed the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator together with the Francis Scale of Attitude toward Christianity. The data demonstrated that judging types held a more positive attitude toward Christianity than perceiving types. No significant differences in attitude toward Christianity were found between introverts and extraverts, between sensers and intuitives, or between thinkers and feelers.
Spirituality: The Story of a Concept in the Psychology of Religion
Authors: Řían Pavel R.
Published: November 2005

In the last decade the term spirituality has become popular in common discourse, as well as in psychological studies of religion. To many, it partly replaces the concept of religion, subsuming the aspects most important to psychology, while narrowing religion down to the formal, the institutional and the outer. At the same time spirituality, in contrast to religion, obtained a number of positive connotations. These changes seem to be sufficiently substantiated neither by new discoveries nor by radically new insights in our field.

Pargament offered a theoretical solution according to which spirituality is conceived as the key and unique function of religion, namely, the search for the sacred. This solution saves the concept of religion from losing its breadth and vitality while assigning the concept of spirituality a useful function in the psychology of religion. To support this solution, the author gives reasons for using the concept of spirituality, in scientific discourse, in the sense given to it by Pargament. When popularizing the psychology of religion and for facilitating communication with workers in other fields, the now usual, very broad and rather vague meaning of the term serves well. A brief review of questionnaires of spirituality is given. Their cursory content analysis confirms the author's conclusions.
Understanding Aztec Cannibalism
Authors: Burhenn Herbert
Published: November 2005

This essay seeks to examine the problem of explaining religious phenomena which appear very strange by focusing on a specific example, the Aztec complex of human sacrifice and cannibalism which reached its greatest intensity in the fifteenth and early sixteenth centuries. Three scholarly approaches to this complex are described and evaluated in regard to explanatory power and evidential support: (1) an approach which explicates the Aztecs’ own mythic self-understanding (historically likely but lacking much explanatory value); (2) an approach which tries to identify conscious and rational policy choices on the part of Aztec leaders (less likely but with greater explanatory power); (3) a materialist approach emphasizing ecological factors that sustained human sacrifice and cannibalism (poorly supported by evidence but with substantial explanatory power).

Though each of these explanatory strategies achieves some success, our puzzlement about Aztec human sacrifice and cannibalism persists. These efforts to make Aztec beliefs and practices appear coherent or rational do not keep them from being an affront to our notions of what it is to be human or overcome our surprise at horrendous violence inflicted without apparent hatred of the victims. There remains little danger that we shall explain away either Aztec violence or any other religious phenomenon.
Psychology of Religion and Neurobiology: Which Relationship?
Authors: Reich K. Helmut
Published: November 2005

Given that (a) psychologists of religion as a scientific community so far have shown little interest in neurobiology, and (b) neurobiology may become important for our field in the not too distant future, an attempt is made to present and discuss neurobiology and its conceivable interactions with psychology of religion. The long-standing debate about the philosophical grounding of the mind-body problem is recalled, as well as the scope of neurobiology and its research methods. Psychology of religion may assist neurobiology by providing research data that could serve as material for constructing testable neurobiological hypotheses, data resulting, for instance, from studying an individual's perception of God and the numinous, the psychological characteristics of meditation, deep prayer, contemplation, etc. Psychology of religion could benefit from neurobiology, (a) for assessing differing theoretical concepts regarding, for instance, religious experiences, and (b) for constructing dynamic models of religious development. Possible roadblocks on the way to connecting psychology of religion and neurobiology are pointed out and literature for further reading is provided.
Degrees of Hallucinatoriness and Christic Visions
Authors: Wiebe Phillip H.
Published: November 2005

This paper examines the feasibility of the claim that perceptual experience might lie on a continuum, so that lifelikeness, and correlatively, that hallucinatoriness might occur in degrees. The first-hand accounts of twenty-eight people reporting a vision of Christ provide the basis for identifying the categories by which experiences are compared. Three specific vision accounts are used to show the plausibility of claiming that hallucinatoriess might vary in degree. Some comments on the psychological aspects of these visionary experiences upon the lives of those who experience them are also made.
Charting the Inward Journey: Applying Blackmore's Model to Meditative Religious Experiences
Authors: Spickard James V.
Published: November 2005

This article applies Susan Blackmore's model of brain self-modeling to explain how people experience altered states of consciousness in meditative religions. Against the experience vs. over-belief model put forth by William James and Wayne Proudfoot, Blackmore's model provides a theoretical base for a social role in the formation of meditative experience itself, not just in its interpretation. Learning to meditate involves learning to attend to certain bodily and feeling states, which involves learning to construct a brain model that produces a different experience of the self. This is not just a matter of socially learned labeling, but of learning to generate authentic psycho-physical experience. Examples are drawn from the author's study of Quakers and practitioners of the Gurdjieff Work.
Guilt and Religion: The Influence of Orthodox Protestant and Orthodox Catholic Conceptions of Guilt on Guilt-Experience
Authors: Walinga Pieter , Corveleyn Jozef , van Saane Joke
Published: November 2005

This research examines whether religious conceptions of guilt in Protestant and Roman Catholic groups account for constructive or non-constructive guilt-reactions and for different guilt-frequency. Participants in three groups filled in the Leuven Guilt and Shame Scale (LEGSS), the Leuven Emotion Scale (LES) and the Post Critical Belief Scale (PCBS). Protestants were expected to experience more non-constructive guilt than Catholics, who were expected to experience more constructive guilt. Both were expected to have a higher frequency of guilt experience than the control group. Differences between the groups were found: Catholics show more constructive guilt reactions than the other groups. Differences in non-constructive guilt reactions were not found. The Protestant and Catholic group experienced guilt more frequently than the control group.
Religion as an Illusion: Prospects for and Problems with a Psychoanalytical Model
Authors: Aletti Mario
Published: November 2005

The hermeneutical model of illusion, just as that of projection, has always been part of the psychoanalytic views of religion. The author presents a brief critical summary on this subject, and underlines that in relational psychoanalysis, the concept of illusion refers not to religion as such, but to the subjective experiences of desire and relatedness, that is, the source of the desire for God in man. Because of personal conflicts and their outcome, besides illusions one encounters also in such experiences, disillusion, disappointment, and even delusion. The author, while challenging the views of many scholars taking part in this debate: a) maintains that psychoanalytic interpretation is not concerned with the question of religious truth but with the formation and transformation of the process of believing; b) calls for special attention to the fact when speaking of religious representation, the focus is on the process rather than on the objects represented; c) raises his criticism at the often used expression, “unconscious representation of God”, because according to him, religion gives a name to the object of desire only when placed at the conscious and cultural level. Coherent with his basic distinction between conscious religious behaviour and the deep psychological pre-conditions, the author underlines the differences (and not necessarily the connections) between the unconscious processes of desire and the religious concepts, particularly, between the representation of God and the concept of God; between the parental imagos and the transcendent God; and between the capacity to “believe in anything at all” (Winnicott) and religious faith. The author concludes that in the illusion model, it is suggested that as part of religious maturity, one could construct the representation of God as something that is deeply connected with primary objects, while at the same time, assuming the capacity to take the necessary distance from personal desires and projections.
Casenote: The Bustani Case Before the ILOAT
Authors: Wickremasinghe Chanaka
Published: November 2005

On one reading the decision of the International Labour Organisation Administrative Tribunal (ILOAT) on the complaint of Jose Bustani against Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) appears to take the law of international organisations in new directions in relation to the vexed question of judicial review of the acts of the political organs of international organisations. The judgment purports to set aside a decision of the plenary organ of the OPCW to remove its Director-General before the expiry of his fixed-term employment contract. However, the position of the chief administrative officer of an international organisation has a dual aspect, in that as well as being an employee of the organisation he or she also plays a significant "constitutional" role as part of the structure of the organisation, with significant responsibilities contributing to the fulfilment of its functions. The judgment of the ILOAT seeks as far as possible to treat the Director-General as simply an employee of the organisation and only occasionally focuses on his broader role within the organisation.
Interval Factor Method for Interval Finite Element Analysis of Truss Structures
Authors: Juan Ma , Jian‐jun Chen , Jian‐guo Zhang , Tao Jiang
Published: November 2005

The uncertainty of the interval variable is represented by interval factor, and the interval variable is described as its mean value multiplied by its interval factor. Based on interval arithmetic rules, an analytical method of interval finite element for uncertain structures but not probabilistic structure or fuzzy structure is presented by combining the interval analysis with finite element method. The static analysis of truss with interval parameters under interval load is studied and the expressions of structural interval displacement response and stress response are deduced. The influences of uncertainty of one of structural parameters or load on the displacement and stress of the structure are examined through examples and some significant conclusions are obtained.
Numerical Simulation of Wave Propagation Phenomena in Fluid‐Saturated Two‐Phase Porous Media
Authors: Yan Bo , Hu Ning , Lu Xin , Kameyama Masaki
Published: November 2005

The governing equations for dynamic transient analysis of a fluid‐saturated two‐phase porous medium model based on the mixture theory are presented. A penalty finite element formulation is derived with the general Galerkin procedure of the finite element method (FEM), and the obtained dynamic system equation can be solved with implicit or explicit time integration method, which is discussed in this paper. Using this method, a porous medium column under impulsive loading is analyzed and the results reveal the phenomena of one‐dimensional wave propagation, which are consistent with analytical solutions. Furthermore, two numerical examples of two‐dimensional problems demonstrate the existence of two body waves, i.e. longitudinal (P‐type) and transverse (S‐type) waves in porous media, and the Rayleigh wave in the vicinity of the surface of porous media.
Minimum Averaged Compliance Density Based Topology Optimization of Structures
Authors: Liu Shutian , Jia Haipeng , Wang Delun
Published: November 2005

Usually, an optimal topology is obtained by optimizing the material distribution within a prescribed domain; for example, a rectangular domain with a specified length and width for a plane problem. However, the dimensions (i.e. aspect ratio) of a rectangular design domain have significant influence on the resultant optimal topology. In this paper, a minimum Averaged Compliance Density (ACD) based method for topology optimization of structures is proposed. Unlike the conventional topology optimization method, the ACD is taken as the objective function, and the topology and domain dimensions of the structure are optimized simultaneously. As an example, the topology of a cantilever beam with large aspect ratio will be optimized, which is often difficult for traditional topology optimization algorithms. Through optimizing the topology and the dimensions of the design domain, a base structure is obtained, which is repeated to yield the whole, assembled beam. The influence of the relative values of shear force and moment is analyzed numerically. Results show that as the value of the bending moment increases relative to the shear force, the optimal topology changes from a truss‐like structure to a vertically stiffened box‐like structure.
On the Macroscopic Thermal Properties of Syntactic Metal Foams
Authors: Öchsner A. , Gr´cio J.
Published: November 2005

This paper attempts to cover the thermal processes in syntactic metal foams. Regularshaped cubic closed‐cell structures with spherical pores are investigated by means of the finite element method. Based on the numerical modelling of the microstructure, the effective macroscopic thermal properties are evaluated. Different relative densities (0.95 ‐ 0.5) and different base materials (aluminium and iron) are considered. Furthermore, the influence of the geometry, i.e. spherical ‐ cubical for 3D and circular ‐ rectangular for 2D models, is investigated. The focus is on such cellular materials where the transport of heat is dominated by solid conduction and thermal radiation; contributions from gaseous conduction and convection are neglected.
The Stress Field in the Vicinity of Two Parallel Symmetric Cracks Subjected to Anti‐plane Shear Loading in Functionally Graded Piezoelectric/Piezomagnetic Materials
Authors: Lin Li , Zhen‐Gong Zhou , Lin‐Zhi Wu
Published: November 2005

In this paper, the problem of two parallel symmetry permeable cracks in functionally graded piezoelectric/piezomagnetic materials subjected to an anti‐plane shear loading is investigated by use the Schmidt method. To make the analysis tractable, it is assumed that the material properties varied exponentially with coordinate vertical to the crack. Through the Fourier transform, the problem can be solved with the help of two pairs of dual integral equations, in which the unknown variables were the jumps of the displacements across the crack surfaces. To solve the dual integral equations, the jumps of the displacements across the crack surfaces were expanded in a series of Jacobi polynomials. Numerical examples are provided to show the effect of the geometry of the interacting crack and the functionally graded parameter upon the stress intensity factors. The relations among the electric filed, the magnetic flux field and the stress field are obtained. The shielding effect of two parallel cracks has been discussed.
Homogenization‐Based FEM Study of Transient Heat Transfer in Some Composite Materials
Authors: Kaminski Marcin , Pawlik Marcin
Published: November 2005

Effectiveness of the homogenization method for various heat transfer problems of engineering composites is the main aim of the paper. This comparative study is done for layered, fiber and particle reinforced Representative Volume Elements (RVE) for composites made of widely used components. Mathematical model is based on the effective modules method introduced for periodic composites ‐ effective heat conductivity is calculated in the closed form for specific spatial distribution of the components, while effective volumetric heat capacity is obtained from a simple spatial averaging. Such a homogenization scheme makes possible to significantly simplify the numerical analysis of transient heat transfer phenomena in various types of composites. The comparison of temperature histories obtained for the real and homogenized composite models is carried out using the Finite Element Method system ANSYS. As is demonstrated for various boundary problems, a homogenization technique in terms of composites types collected in the paper give satisfactory agreement with the real structure modeling; further numerical studies on composite cells discretization should increase modeling efficiency and diminish the numerical errors.
Performance Modeling and Analysis of Distributed Object-Oriented Software
Authors: Ammar Reda. , Abdel-raouf Amal. , Fergany Tahany A.
Published: November 2005

Information systems are basically distributed while object oriented brings new issues in software engineering. Pairing distributed systems with object paradigms results in a distributed object model. Choosing the appropriate distributed object model is a multi-criteria decision problem. Performance is a key criterion that makes software developers be able to select the object-oriented system that best fit their requirements. The accuracy of the performance evaluation depends strongly on the ability to model and analyze the features of the target software. Classical techniques and methodologies of performance analysis are either unsuitable or unnatural to capture performance behavior of Object-Oriented (OO) systems. In this paper, we present Performance-Based Model for Distributed Object-Oriented Software (DOOS) and a methodology to analyze and evaluate its performance. The new model evaluates the overall time cost of DOOS system considering the communication overheads while preserving the OO features such as encapsulations, information hiding, inheritance, ...etc.
On the performance of density functional theory methods in the prediction of the electric polarizability and hyperpolarizability of ozone
Authors: Maroulis George
Published: November 2005

We report a study of the performance of density functional theory (DFT) methods in the prediction of electric properties for the ozone molecule. We have used a large, flexible basis set for the calculation of the dipole moment and the dipole (hyper)polarizability with the B1LYP, B3LYP, B3P86, B3PW91, G96PW91 and MPW91PW91 methods. The results are compared to high-level, conventional ab initiomethods. We rely on a rigorous approach in order to evaluate the proximity and similarity of theoretical descriptions obtained via DFT and conventional ab initiomethods. We find that compared to the most accurate ab initio, DFT methods predict reliable dipole polarizabilities and second dipole hyperpolarizabilities for ozone. Agreement is less good for the dipole moment and the first dipole hyperpolarizability. Overall, the performance of the DFT is similar to that of the accurate ab initiomethods.
Semantic Heterogeneity: Problem and Solution Frameworks
Authors: Vaishnavi V. K. , Vandenberg A. , Zheng G. , Singh R. G.
Published: November 2005

The problem of semantic heterogeneity has gained ever increasing attention as the world’s digital information systems become more closely interconnected. Among the various interoperability problems faced by information integration solutions, the semantic interoperability problem has been growing in importance, with increasingly sophisticated approaches being proposed for its resolution. This article reviews the essential characteristics of the semantic heterogeneity problem and its solution approaches in various domains, and proposes frameworks for evaluating the problem and selecting an appropriate solution approach.
Facing the Conceptual Complexities in Business Domain Modeling
Authors: Hoppenbrouwers S.J.B.A. , Bleeker A.I. , Proper H.A.
Published: November 2005

This position paper focuses on business domain modeling as part of requirements engineering in software development projects. Domain modeling concerns obtaining and modeling the language (concepts, terminologies; ontologies) used by stakeholders to talk about a domain. Achieving conceptual clarity and consensus among stakeholders is an important yet often neglected part of requirements engineering. Domain modeling can play a key role in supporting it. This does, however, require a nuanced approach aspects of language and language change in domain modeling as well as ambition management concerning its goals. On top of the “classic” approach to modeling singular, stable domains, we distinguish aspects like incremental modeling, modeling of multiple terminologies within a domain, and domain evolution; we elaborate on the first two aspects.
On the use of ‘arc length’ and ‘defect’ for mesh selection for differential equations
Authors: Enright W. H.
Published: November 2005

In this note we will consider mesh selection techniques for ordinary differential equations (ODEs) and for partial differential equations (PDEs) based on arc length and defect. We assume we are trying to approximate y(x) for x ϵ [0; T] in the ODE case and u(x; y) for (x; y) ϵ Ω in the PDE case. The two specific areas of application that we have in mind are the numerical solution of boundary value problems (BVPs) in ODEs and the numerical solution of PDEs when a method of lines (MOL) approach is employed. The approach we develop is applicable to a wider class of PDEs including mixed-order problems and 3D problems.
Multi-attribute Services Brokering in Agent-based Virtual Private Networks
Authors: Manouselis Nikos , Maras Andreas M.
Published: November 2005

This paper presents the development of an agent-based Virtual Private Network (VPN) system that supports multimedia service brokering. The VPN agents employ multi-attribute preference models in order to represent the end-user preferences, and a multi-criteria decision making model to evaluate available services from network providers. A prototype multi-agent system demonstrating the proposed approach has also been implemented.
Soil–Atmosphere Exchange of Nitrous Oxide, Nitric Oxide, Methane, and Carbon Dioxide in Logged and Undisturbed Forest in the Tapajos National Forest, Brazil
Authors: Keller Michael , Varner Ruth , Dias Jadson D. , Silva Hudson , Crill Patrick , de Oliveira Raimundo Cosme , Asner Gregory P.
Published: November 2005

Selective logging is an extensive land use in the Brazilian Amazon region. The soil–atmosphere fluxes of nitrous oxide (N2O), nitric oxide (NO), methane (CH4), and carbon dioxide (CO2) are studied on two soil types (clay Oxisol and sandy loam Ultisol) over two years (2000–01) in both undisturbed forest and forest recently logged using reduced impact forest management in the Tapajos National Forest, near Santarem, Para, Brazil. In undisturbed forest, annual soil–atmosphere fluxes of N2O (mean ± standard error) were 7.9 ± 0.7 and 7.0 ± 0.6 ng N cm−2 h−1 for the Oxisol and 1.7 ± 0.1 and 1.6 ± 0.3 ng N cm−2 h−1 for the Ultisol for 2000 and 2001, respectively. The annual fluxes of NO from undisturbed forest soil in 2001 were 9.0 ± 2.8 ng N cm−2 h−1 for the Oxisol and 8.8 ± 5.0 ng N cm−2 h−1 for the Ultisol. Consumption of CH4 from the atmosphere dominated over production on undisturbed forest soils. Fluxes averaged −0.3 ± 0.2 and −0.1 ± 0.9 mg CH4 m−2 day−1 on the Oxisol and −1.0 ± 0.2 and −0.9 ± 0.3 mg CH4 m−2 day−1 on the Ultisol for years 2000 and 2001. For CO2 in 2001, the annual fluxes averaged 3.6 ± 0.4 μmol m−2 s−1 on the Oxisol and 4.9 ± 1.1 μmol m−2 s−1 on the Ultisol. We measured fluxes over one year each from two recently logged forests on the Oxisol in 2000 and on the Ultisol in 2001. Sampling in logged areas was stratified from greatest to least ground disturbance covering log decks, skid trails, tree-fall gaps, and forest matrix. Areas of strong soil compaction, especially the skid trails and logging decks, were prone to significantly greater emissions of N2O, NO, and especially CH4. In the case of CH4, estimated annual emissions from decks reached extremely high rates of 531 ± 419 and 98 ± 41 mg CH4 m−2 day−1, for Oxisol and Ultisol sites, respectively, comparable to wetland emissions in the region. We calculated excess fluxes from logged areas by subtraction of a background forest matrix or undisturbed forest flux and adjusted these fluxes for the proportional area of ground disturbance. Our calculations suggest that selective logging increases emissions of N2O and NO from 30% to 350% depending upon conditions. While undisturbed forest was a CH4 sink, logged forest tended to emit methane at moderate rates. Soil–atmosphere CO2 fluxes were only slightly affected by logging. The regional effects of logging cannot be simply extrapolated based upon one site. We studied sites where reduced impact harvest management was used while in typical conventional logging ground damage is twice as great. Even so, our results indicate that for N2O, NO, and CH4, logging disturbance may be as important for regional budgets of these gases as other extensive land-use changes in the Amazon such as the conversion of forest to cattle pasture.
Assessment of Tropical Forest Degradation with Canopy Fractional Cover from Landsat ETM+ and IKONOS Imagery
Authors: Wang Cuizhen , Qi Jiaguo , Cochrane Mark
Published: November 2005

Tropical forests are being subjected to a wide array of disturbances in addition to outright deforestation. Selective logging is one of the most common disturbances ongoing in the Amazon, which results in significant changes in forest structure and canopy integrity. Assessing forest canopy fractional cover (fc) is one way of measuring forest degradation caused by selective logging. In this study we applied a linear mixture model to a vegetation index domain to map canopy fractional cover in tropical forests in the Amazonian state of Mato Grosso, Brazil. The modified soil adjusted vegetation index (MSAVI) was selected as the optimal vegetation index in the model because it is most linearly related to green canopy abundance up to leaf area index = 4.0. In the canopy fc map derived from the Landsat Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus (ETM+) image, the fc distribution ranged from 0 to 0.4 in clear-cut areas, higher than 0.8 in undisturbed forests, and a wider range of 0.3–1.0 in degraded forests. The fc map was validated with the 1-m panchromatic sharpened IKONOS image. In the logged forests the ETM+ estimated fc values were clustered along the 1:1 line in the scatterplot with the IKONOS estimated fc and had a squared correlation coefficient (R2) of 0.8.
The Meaning of Saudi Elections
Authors: Al-Khuthaila Hend
Published: November 2005

Saudi Arabia experiences its first approach to citizen’s political participation. There are many significant questions over the acceptability of democracy in the society and the attitude of different Islamic understandings of democracy without any segregation between religion and the state, especially where the concept of democracy has not been materialized yet. This article raises a question that one might apply when thinking of democracy in a 100% Islamic state; if Arabs and Muslims have such an integrated legislative base represented in Islam, why were the democratic atmospheres absent in their societies? The Muslims and the Arabs in general are reluctant toward a democracy imposed by force and are more comfortable with a self-adopted democracy. Despite the fact that women have been absent in this primary election, Saudi Arabia has reinvented a unique approach to election that can accommodate both state and religion.
Tracking the 2004 Presidential Campaign Web Sites
Authors: Souley Boubacar , Wicks Robert H.
Published: November 2005

This study analyzed the content of news releases posted on the presidential candidate Web sites of George W. Bush and John Kerry during the 2004 election campaign. Findings suggest topics like terrorism and the war in Iraq received significant attention in the news releases, supplanting traditional campaign policy issues such as education, social security, and Medicare. The 2004 online campaign news releases also confirmed the prominence of attack over policy issues in the two major party candidates’ rhetoric. Also, 80% of the news releases posted by George Bush and John Kerry on their campaign Web sites contained an attack against the opposition. Finally, approximately 80% of the overall 2004 online news releases posted by Bush and Kerry on their campaign Web sites contained at least one reference to candidates’ personality traits.
The Repersonalization of Presidential Campaigning in 2004
Authors: Gronbeck Bruce E. , Wiese Danielle R.
Published: November 2005

This article examines the evolution of presidential campaigning in a digital era. The authors contend that changes in political processes brought on by an extended caucus system, voting initiatives, and advances in communication technology are inspiring the repersonalization of presidential elections. Cyberpolitics draw candidates, parties, and citizens into a tighter web of connections that reinvigorates the personalized style of campaigning popular in earlier times in U.S. political history.
A Snapshot of a Successful Public Relations Strategy
Authors: Prasaad K. Sai , Raghupathy Ramya
Published: November 2005

Legislative elections are held in India every 5 years; and in 2004, the election was held in four phases between April 20 and May 10. More than 670 million people were eligible to vote, electing 543 members of the 14th Lok Sabha and seven state legislatures. This case study is a chronological outline of the public relations activities that a politician, Raghuveera Reddy, undertook in his quest for a seat in the legislative assembly during the general election of 2004. He was successfully elected and is currently the minister for agriculture in the government of Andhra Pradesh. A deep analysis reveals that in India, like in any other part of the world, playing on people’s emotions and invoking the caste factor plays a significant role in electoral success.
Juvenile Referrals in Texas: An Assessment of Criminogenic Needs and the Gap Between Needs and Services
Authors: Kelly William R. , Macy Tammy S. , Mears Daniel P.
Published: November 2005

Researchers emphasize the importance of risk and criminogenic needs in developing intervention strategies for juvenile offenders. Yet, few jurisdictions collect information about the risk/needs profile of known youthful offenders or whether their needs are being addressed. This study estimated the prevalence of mental health, substance abuse, educational, and family-related needs for youths referred to seven juvenile probation departments in Texas, which represent 21% of referrals statewide. Analyses indicate that the most prevalent needs are problems associated with parental supervision, school behavior, school attendance, parental/family problems, disposition/self-image, and substance abuse. Additional analyses suggest that substantial gaps exist between the number of juveniles needing and receiving programs and services. It is concluded that such information is absolutely essential if policy makers are to formulate appropriate and adequate intervention strategies for court-involved youth.