bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Practical alternatives for estimating the failure probabilities of censored life data
Authors: Wasserman Gary S. , Reddy Isanaka Sreenivasulu
Published: July 2007

For censored life data, Kapur and Lamberson and O'Connor recommend the use of Johnson's formula for non‐parametric estimation of the failure distribution, F(t). The formula is used to calculate the adjusted ranks of the recorded failures, which are input into the median rank estimation equation of F(t). It is our experience that Johnson's formula is fairly difficult for the reliability practitioner to understand and implement. Fortunately, an alternative formula has been developed which is much easier to use. It is demonstrated that the calculated adjusted ranks may be used in either the mean rank or median rank equations for the estimation of F(t).

The question which we pose is the following: How does the performance of Johnson's estimator compare with that of the more commonly known and understood Kaplan‐Meier, or product‐limit, estimator?' To answer this question, the Kaplan‐Meier procedure is evaluated with respect to its equivalent adjusted rank of recorded failures. The two procedures are determined to be equivalent with respect to adjusted rank criteria. Therefore, it is proved that with Johnson's estimator adapted for use with the mean rank estimator, the two procedures will yield identical estimates of the failure probabilities. Based upon this finding, it is our recommendation thatthe reliability practitioner use the alternative formula for generation of the adjusted ranks, followed by use of either the mean or median rank formula.
Low frequency noise analysis to detect the influence of deep levels in AlGaAs/GaAs st
Authors: Labat N. , Bodi D. Ouro , Touboul A. , Danto Y. , Dumas J.‐M.
Published: July 2007

Low frequency noise measurements have been performed on conventional AlGaAs/GaAs HEMTs in the temperature range 110‐300K and in the frequency range 10 Hz‐25kHz. The characteristics of deep levels have been determined from the channel noise current spectral intensity evolution versus the temperature. The contribution of the DX centre to the channel noise current has been evaluated for different gate bias. A correlation between the parasitic MESFET operation in the HEMT and the channel noise behaviour has been found.
Optimization strategies in robust engineering design and computer‐aided design
Authors: Buck Robert J. , Wynn Henry P.
Published: July 2007

This paper reviews the fundamental ideas involved in robust engineering design (RED), and how they relate to computer‐aided design. There are several areas of RED that may be successfully resolved by the use of statistical methods or ideas. This paper gives a general overview of several popular statistical strategies in RED and discusses how these strategies approach the statistical problems involved.
Correlation between EMI‐induced failures and large‐signal response of fet‐input opamps
Authors: Golzio D. , Graffi S. , V.‐Kovács Zs. M. , Masetti G.
Published: July 2007

Correlation between EMI susceptibility of opamp circuits and asymmetry in the slew‐rates of the basic opamp is discussed with reference to FET‐input devices. For the LF355 opamp the role played by an internal feedback loop on the common‐mode, slew‐rate and susceptibility performances is analysed. Other FET‐input opamps, such as the OP42, which exhibit an almost symmetric slew‐rate, have a very small EMI susceptibility.
A comparison of deterministic and statistical sampling techniques for quality analysis of integrated circuits
Authors: Ilumoka A. A.
Published: July 2007

There has been a great amount of publicity aboutTaguchimethods which employ deterministic sampling techniques for robust design. Also given wide exposition in the literature istolerance designwhich achieves similar objectives but employs random sampling techniques. The question arises as to which approach—random or deterministic—is more suitable for robust design of integrated circuits. Robust design is a two‐step process and quality analysis—the first step—involves the estimation of ‘quality factors’, which measure the effect of noise on the quality of system performance. This paper concentrates on the quality analysis of integrated circuits. A comparison is made between the deterministic sampling technique based on Taguchi's orthogonal arrays and the random sampling technique based on the Monte Carlo method, the objective being to determine which of the two gives more reliable (i.e. more consistent) estimates of quality factors. Results obtained indicated that theMonte Carlo method gave estimates of quality which were at least 40 per cent more consistent than orthogonal arrays.Theaccuracy of prediction of quality by Taguchi's orthogonal arrays is strongly affected by the choice of parameter quantization levels—a disadvantage—since there is a very large number (theoretically infinite) of choices of quantization levels for each parameter of an integrated circuit. The cost of the Monte Carlo method is independent of the dimensionality (number of designable parameters), being governed only by the confidence levels required for quality factors, whereas the size of orthogonal array required for a given problem is partly dependent on the number of circuit parameters. Two integrated circuits—a 7‐parameter CMOS voltage reference and a 20‐parameter bipolar operational amplifier—were employed in the investigation. Quality factors of interest included performancevariability, acceptability(relative to customer specifications) and deviation from target.
A study of a storage reliability estimation problem
Authors: Zhao M. , Xie M. , Zhang Y. T.
Published: July 2007

Storage reliability, which describes the failure or deterioration of items in a dormant state, is considered in this paper. The study presented here is focused on the estimation of the storage reliability after a certain amount of storage time. We start with simple non‐parametric estimation of the current reliability and then study the problem of parametric estimation based on a simple Weibull distribution assumption. Both maximum likelihood estimation and graphical techniques are considered in this case. The study is useful for planning a storage environment and making a decision about the maximum length of storage. Furthermore, the information can be used in the design and improvement of products for which the storage is an important part of the product's life cycle. A numerical example is provided to enlighten the idea.
Evaluation of the hot‐carrier‐induced offset voltage of differential pairs in analogue CMOS circuits
Authors: Thewes Roland , Kivi Michael J. , Goser Karl F. , Weber Werner
Published: July 2007

Using a specifically developed measurement set‐up and a test structure typical for analogue applications, high precision measurements of the stress‐induced offset voltage degradation of differential pairs are presented. Extrapolation to operating conditions yields valuable information for analogue design in the sub‐micron CMOS regime.
Reconstruction of tomographic images from projections of a small number of views via mathematical programming
Authors: Kobayashi Fujio , Yamaguchi Shoichiro
Published: July 2007

The X‐ray CT devices presently in wide use reconstruct the tomogram of the transversal cross section of the human body. However, it often happens in the diagnosis that a longitudinal or arbitrary cross section is required. To determine the arbitrary cross section directly, it is necessary to develop an algorithm which can reconstruct the tomogram from the projection data along restricted directions. This paper presents a basic discussion for the reconstruction by mathematical programming, where the general tomogram is to be reconstructed from the projection data of a few number of views without imposing the condition of circular symmetry or periodicity. A system of linear equations is formulated from the X‐ray projections of a few number of views considering the virtual pixels passed by the X‐ray beam. Then the tomogram is reconstructed by determining the optimal solution minimizing the sum of absolute values of residual or square residuals by linear programming or by quadratic programming. By such a mathematical programming, an accurate solution is obtained by a relatively simple computation procedure and by a finite number of iterations. The relation between the number of pixels and the iterations to reach the convergence is examined. Using the model, the usefulness of the method is verified by computer simulation. The effects of the noise in the projection data and the resolution of the X‐ray detector on the reconstructed image are also examined by the simulation.
Algorithms of magnifying/reducing, rotation and border following using segmented block code
Authors: Okamoto Masayuki , Takahashi Nobuo , Kawata Kouichi
Published: July 2007

This paper describes algorithms of magnifying/reducing, rotation, and border following for binary document images by using a segmented block code. Document images such as facsimile images are composed of a large number of binary data. Thus it is difficult for a small‐sized conventional computer to process efficiently a whole document image in a pixel‐by‐pixel manner. Our algorithms described herein use segmented block coded data instead of pixel data. In the segmented block coding scheme, blocks which are two‐dimensional contiguous black pixel areas are extracted and coded by their locations and shapes. Since this coding scheme compresses the amount of data required to process and produce the data form which is suitable to deal with by conventional computer, our algorithms using this coded data work efficiently. Also, there is another advantage in that the results of magnifying/reducing or rotation of images are obtained in the form of a segmented block code. This means that we can manage document images in a unified manner.
English cai: A user—initiative cai system with machine translation techniques
Authors: Kudo Ikuo , Chung Moonkyung , Nonmembers Hideya Koshino,
Published: July 2007

This paper describes a construction of a new CAI model for language education employing a machine translation system. The model includes the machine translation and the error correction mechanisms. By the machine translation mechanism, the system can receive the input from the student and return the translation or instruct the syntax. When an incorrect sentence is given from the student, the machine utilizes the error‐correction mechanism to analyze the sentence and instruct how the error is produced. The curriculum for the CAI system is placed outside the system as a dedicated text, and the user is free to choose the test. Based on such a model, the authors have developed a CAI system (English CAI) to teach English to the junior high school student. The system is actually operated in an educational situation. A field test is demonstrated in which the mechanisms for machine translation and error‐correction functioned effectively as a means to answer questions, providing a good assistance to learning.
Spotting Phonemes and Syllables for Continuous Speech Recognition Using Time‐Delay Neural Networks
Authors: Sawai Hidefumi , Miyatake Masanori , Nonmember Alex Waibel, , Shikano Kiyohiro
Published: July 2007

Phoneme or syllable spotting if reliably achieved provides a good solution to the spoken word and/or continuous speech recognition problem. We would like to extend the encouraging performance of TDNN to word/continuous speech recognition. We show techniques for spotting Japanese phonemes/CV‐syllables in input speech based on TDNNs. We constructed the TDNN which can discriminate a single phoneme or CV‐syllable. Phoneme and syllable spotting experiments show excellent results, including phoneme and syllable spotting rates of 92 percent and 96.7 percent, respectively. These spotting techniques are proved to be a step toward continuous speech recognition.
A behavioral model of cracks and its applications to cg
Authors: Chiba Norishige , Wada Seiichi , Kaino Keimei , Muraoka Kazunobu
Published: July 2007

Cracks produced by drying mud‐like materials exhibit various patterns of form (including the crack patterns that occur on plate glass and on the ground) according to the stickiness of the materials. It is very interesting and important to develop a behavioral model of cracks, which produces realistic crack patterns, from not only a theoretical but a practical view, e.g., realistic image synthesis in CG.

In this paper, we first analyze the typical two crack patterns produced in different materials, one of which is only slightly sticky and the other is very sticky. We then show some basic assumptions useful for constructing a behavioral model of cracks.

Next, we present the behavioral model having one parameter of stickiness; and presenting several simulated crack patterns, we show that the constructed model is effective for visual simulation of crack patterns.

We then present CG images, synthesized by employing texture mapping techniques, of marble objects, china teacups, and a china vase, all of which have many cracks on their surfaces. Finally, we discuss further improvements for extending the model to one which works on any curved surface and produces more realistic crack patterns according to the shapes of the surfaces.
Coarse grain parallelism detection scheme of a fortran program
Authors: Honda Hiroki , Kasahara Hironori
Published: July 2007

This paper proposes a scheme for the automatic detection of parallelism among coarse grain tasks (macrotasks) in a Fortran program. In this scheme parallelism is represented as the EXECUTION START CONDITION for each macrotask in a program. This condition is represented by a logical expression that states when, in relation to other macrotasks, the execution of a certain macrotask can be started. This representation aids in scheduling a set of macrotasks onto processors.

To construct such an expression, a novel concept calledco‐control dependenceis introduced. Analyzing co‐control dependence together with control dependence and data dependences among macrotasks, the scheme detects and describes successfully the parallelism among all macrotasks in a program.
Position‐measuring method using omnidirectional image sensor with conic mirror
Authors: Yagi Yasushi , Kawato Shinjiro
Published: July 2007

Intensive work has already been done on vision‐based navigation of autonomous mobile robots. This paper proposes a new omnidirectional image sensor COPIS (COnic Projection Image Sensor) for guiding navigation of a mobile robot.

In addition, a conic projection image sensor (COPIS) is described along with its application to estimate locations of static objects relative to the robot. The COPIS system acquires an omnidirectional view around the robot in real‐time by using a conic mirror. Its feature is passive sensing of the omnidirectional environment in real‐time using a conic mirror. Because the conic mirror is used, its image is under conic projection. Here, the azimuth of each point in the scene appears in the image as its direction from the image center.

Under the assumption of constant motion of the robot, locations of objects around the robot can be estimated by detecting their azimuth changes in the omnidirectional image. Using this method, the robot generates an environmental map of an indoor scene while it is moving in the environment.
Backprojection with fourier series expansion and FFT
Authors: Makoto  , Yamamoto Hiroshi , Ueda Mitsuhiro
Published: July 2007

The filtered backprojection (FBP) method has recently been used for almost all the practical CT scanners because of its simple principle and high accuracy in reconstruction of images. However, it is difficult to use this method for some applications such as a real time display in which images are adjusted during displaying images, since a backprojection of the FBP method requires a very large amount of computation.

This paper introduces a method of backprojection in which the projection data compensated by a filter are expanded using Fourier series, and the sum of the series is evaluated by a high‐speed synthesis algorithm of complex exponential using Gaussian functions and the fast Fourier transform (FFT) method. The theory is explained based on a conventional FBP method; then the usefulness of the proposed method is demonstrated. The results show that the proposed method can realize interpolations with various frequency characteristics requiring about one‐sixth the amount of computation compared with a conventional backprojection using a linear interpolation.
Acquiring omnidirectional range information
Authors: Ishiguro Hiroshi , Yamamoto Masashi , Tsuji Saburo
Published: July 2007

This paper describes a method of obtaining a precise omnidirectional view and coarse ranges to objects by rotating a single camera. The omnidirectional view is obtained by arranging image data taken through a vertical slit on the image plane while the camera rotates around the vertical axis. The omnidirectional view contains precise azimuth information determined by the resolution of the camera rotation. The range is obtained from two omnidirectional images taken through two slits when the camera moves along a circular path. This range estimate contains errors due to a finite resolution of the camera rotation system, while a conventional binocular stereo method contains errors due to quantization of images. The representation of an environment, “panoramic representation,” by the omnidirectional view and range information is useful for a vision sensor of a mobile robot.
Design of an ultrahigher‐valued biocomputing system based on set‐valued logic networks
Authors: Aoki Takafumi , Kameyama Michitaka , Higuchi Tatsuo
Published: July 2007

If multiple‐valued digital systems can be extended to higher‐valued digital systems, potential advantages of high information density and efficient multiple‐valued hardware algorithms will be utilized.

This paper presents set‐valued logic networks based on biodevices to construct ultrahigher‐valued digital systems. The biodevices detect specific substrate molecules in solution using specificity enzymes and broadcast specific molecules to perform computation.

To design biodevice networks systematically, the concept of set‐valued logic is developed in which molecular information is considered a set of logic values characterized by varieties of molecules. The set‐valued logic enables 2r‐valued computation to be achieved usingrkinds of substrate molecules. It is shown that arbitrary set‐valued logic functions can be realized by highly parallel and very regular biodevice networks. Consequently, an approach to a parallel computing system without the restriction of interconnection problems is presented.
Headreader: Realtime motion detection of human head from image sequence
Authors: Mase Kenji , Watanabe Yasuhiko , Suenaga Yasuhito
Published: July 2007

Human motion plays a very important role in daily communication. If computers can directly read the meaning of human motion, man‐machine interaction will be improved. This paper presents a three‐dimensional head motion detection system called “headreader.” A simple but very fast algorithm is used which exploits the contrast of hair and face to recognize face orientation. The system extracts the head and face area and then estimates the head motion parameters from the change in position of each area centroids. The head motion is computed at nearly seven frames per second on an SUN4 workstation.
Data model generation in image database systems
Authors: Sakauchi Masao , Satoh Shin'ichi
Published: July 2007

There has been increased interest in the development of a next‐generation image database with advanced capabilities suitable for use with a variety of practical applications and also for modeling mixed image data. The important aspects of such an image database are discussed, and a new method for model generation is described, emphasizing automatic model acquisition. First, the method for specifying the data model and the corresponding method for entering the image recognition capabilities are integrated into a procedure called DataBase Vision. Next, a framework is proposed for the generation of an adaptive image recognition data model procedure. This procedure generates the data model structure in a stepwise manner with increasing complexity by adaptively combining image recognition from image subobject level recognition. In addition to this framework, two model generation examples are given: the first example treats object recognition levels as states within a bottom‐up/top‐down state‐transition model abstraction, and the other is an auxiliary image recognition tool used in conjunction with the data models for an existing database application. The techniques presented should provide insight into data model generation within an image database.
Three‐dimensional helical‐scan computed tomography using cone‐beam projections
Authors: Kudo Hiroyuki , Saito Tsuneo
Published: July 2007

In this paper, we propose an image reconstruction method and computed tomography (CT) equipment with high resolving power that generates three‐dimensional CT images at a high speed. In the proposed method, an X‐ray source that irradiates conical X‐rays and a two‐dimensional detector which consists of fan‐beam detector arrays stacked in the direction of the object's axis rotate continuously at the same time the bed carrying the object translates in the visual field. This method is called a helical scan because the object is fixed and the X‐rays move on a helix and the same measurement data are obtained. We have previously proposed a scanning method in which the X‐ray source moves on a helix [4, 6]. However, the physical implementation of the previous proposal was difficult because it was assumed that the X‐ray beam completely covers the object. In this paper, in order to solve this problem, the implementation of a helical scan is based on a practical model that combines continuous rotation of an X‐ray source and a two‐dimensional detector and translation of the object. We derive an approximate reconstruction method based on the convolution/back‐projection method for fan‐beam projections. We also perform simulation tests based on a model of the human head and demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Fundamental properties of multivalued kleenean functions
Authors: Takagi Noboru , Mukaidono Masao
Published: July 2007

In the real world, there are many propositions which cannot be determined to be true or false. In order to treat such propositions, multivalued logic systems which are permitted to take more than true (1) or false (0) values have been developed. In this paper, we will describe fundamental properties of multivalued Kleenean functions, which are effective for treating ambiguity. First, we will introduce a partial order relation into the set of truth values {0, 1/(m‐ 1), …, (m‐ 2)/(m‐ 1), 1}. It will be shown that any multivalued Kleenean function is monotone for this partial order relation. Next, it will be shown that any multivalued Kleenean function can be determined uniquely for inputs {0, 1/2, 1} only. Finally, we will describe P‐type logic functions for multivalued Kleenean functions which are capable of correcting input failures.
A method of landmark tracking for an autonomous vehicle
Authors: Chamnongthai Kosin , Ozawa Shinji
Published: July 2007

An autonomous vehicle to carry parts, etc., in an industrial plant must run on an orbit composed of straight lines and curves, all the while determining its positions.

This paper considers the case where the orbit is constructed using landmarks which are relatively easy to recognize in determining the run distance. Also, an autonomous vehicle system is developed which selects one of the landmarks to note and navigates on the orbit toward the object point.

In the autonomous vehicle based on the image processing, if there exists an error due to the quantization of the image, the orbit may not be determined accurately. A case may also exist where the vehicle goes out of the orbit due to an external disturbance such as a slip.

This paper also proposes a method which accurately determines the orbit for the vehicle and guides the run of the vehicle smoothly. In the proposed method, the range of the error in the image quantization is utilized positively and the object point is determined on the image with the accuracy of 0.5 pixel to determine the orbit on which to approach the next object point.

As the vehicle runs, the locus of the object point on the image is predicted based on the determined orbit; and the result is compared to the actual locus on the image. By this comparison, the orbit is corrected for each frame when the vehicle goes out of the orbit. In addition, when there exists an obstacle, the method is applied to guide the run so that the vehicle avoids the obstacle. The usefulness of the method is demonstrated by the result of an experiment.
Giant magnetothermal conductivity in the Ni–Mn–In ferromagnetic shape memory alloys
Authors: Zhang B. , Zhang X. X. , Yu S. Y. , Chen J. L. , Cao Z. X. , Wu G. H.
Published: July 2007

In this letter the authors present the observation of giant magnetothermal conductivity in NiMnIn single crystals. Upon cooling, a martensitic transformation is accompanied by a ferromagnetic metal→ferrimagnetic poor-metal transition. Most strikingly, this transition can be shifted to lower temperature and even totally suppressed by a magnetic field. The magnetic field-induced phase transition leads to a large magnetoresistance and a large magnetothermal conductivity up to 70% and 120%, respectively. The specific heat measurements indicate that the large magnetotransport properties are due to the increasing the density of free electrons, suggesting existence of superzone gap in the low-temperature, ferrimagnetic martensite.
Timur as Described by the 15th Century Court Historiographers
Authors: Polyakova E. A.
Published: July 2007

The representation of human beings in medieval chronicles in general and in Persian chronicles in particular is governed by a code of conventions. An individual historical figure is usually depicted according to his rank and to the role attributed to him by a historiographer. Although chronicles narrate actual events and depict real persons and therefore cannot technically be defined as fiction, nevertheless it is possible to distinguish the categorization of the images of historical figures which substantially departs from what must have actually been the case. The evolution of the image of the ideal monarch is of particular interest here. Authors of the earliest chronicles usually single out one or more ruler as an ideal manager of the general welfare. As a rule, historiographers were influenced in their choice of the ideal type by political considerations and tended to define a representative or the representatives of a ruling dynasty as the ideal.
High Status Immigrants: A Statistical Profile of Iranians in the United States
Authors: Bozorgmehr Mehdi , Sabagh Georges
Published: July 2007

Iranians constitute one of the most numerous new immigrant groups from the Middle East, and one of the highest status foreign-born groups in the United States. Yet there are few published studies documenting their immigration to the United States, and their characteristics. An understanding of different aspects of Iranian adaptation to the United States requires a basic knowledge of their immigration history, and demographic, social and economic characteristics.

This paper presents the first systematic and comprehensive profile of Iranians in the U.S. based on the most recent available statistical data. The sources for this analysis are: (1) all available published reports from the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) and from the 1980 U.S. Census; (2) INS data tapes on Iranian immigrants admitted to the U.S.from 1972 to 1986; and (3) the 5 percent sample tape from the 1980 U.S. Census of population.
Invisible Occidentalism: Eighteenth-Century Indo-Persian Constructions of the West
Authors: Cole Juan R. I.
Published: July 2007

Kublai Khan does not necessarily believe everything Marco Polo says when he describes the cities visited on his expeditions, but the emperor of the Tartars does continue listening to the young Venetian with greater attention and curiosity than he shows any other messenger or explorer of his. In the lives of emperors there is a moment which follows pride in the boundless extension of the territories we have conquered, and the melancholy and relief of knowing we shall soon give up any thought of knowing and understanding them.

—Italo Calvino, Invisible Cities

Marco Polo's encounter with Kublai Khan, which Italo Calvino made the framework for his exploration of the fantastic in urban life, stands as a useful parable for the nature of the interaction of West and East in the period between 1200 and 1700, when myriads of Europeans produced journals and accounts of their journeys into the rest of the world.
Cultural Dynamics of Iranian Post- Revolutionary Film Periodicals
Authors: Naficy Hamid
Published: July 2007

This essay is in two parts. Part I examines the dynamism and the political economy of the popular culture in Iran by focusing on the developments in the publication of film periodicals since the revolution of 1979. Part II provides a list of periodicals since the revolution that have dealt with cinema and the film industry.

Periodicals specializing in film and cinema as well as those which devote only a section of each issue to the motion-picture industry are all part of the larger cultural dynamics of what we might call the Iranian post-revolutionary popular culture. These specialized and allied periodicals cannot be considered in a vacuum since, as part of the dynamics of this popular culture, they are involved in a host of negotiations and conflicting relations with the clerical state, official censorship boards, advertisers, film producers, the publishing industry, and finally their own readers.
Between Minority Rights and Civil Liberties: Russia's Discourse Over “Nationality” Registration and the Internal Passport*
Authors: Simonsen Sven Gunnar
Published: July 2007

The registration of citizens' ethnicity (“nationality”) in official documents was commonplace and often obligatory in the Soviet Union, and the practice continued in the Russian Federation through the 1990s. In 1997, the Yeltsin government replaced the Soviet internal passport with a new one not featuring the “nationality” entry. The new document was met with an instant wave of protests from Russia's regions, above all the ethnically defined federal subjects. They objected to the removal of the “nationality” entry, and also because the passport (unlike the Soviet one) did not have a section in the federal subject's own language(s) besides Russian, and did not display the emblems of the region in question.
Putting the social into urban regeneration policy
Authors: Ginsburg Norman
Published: July 2007

Urban regeneration is a policy area which has been dominated by property development and economic forces, and is therefore relatively ignored as an element of social policy. Social regeneration, meaning the improved and appropriate delivery of welfare services in poor neighbourhoods and the empowerment of local communities in regeneration processes, has never been a prominent feature. Social regeneration came briefly onto the policy agenda in the late 1960s and early 1970s but largely withered away in the welfare crisis and the Thatcherite decade. In recent years a revived movement for social regeneration has emerged, which is having some impact on policy. This article reviews the emergence of this movement and the changing policy contexts, arguing that practical and conceptual tools may now have been developed to support successful social regeneration.
Student Drinking Patterns: Experience in an Australian Population
Authors: Wilks Jeffrey
Published: July 2007

Abstract: The drinking patterns of 232 undergraduate students at the University of Queensland were examined and comparisons made with other reports of alcohol consumption by tertiary youth. Several similarities in drinking patterns were revealed. Most students appear to be light‐moderate drinkers, with males consuming alcohol more frequently and in greater quantities than females. Sex differences were also noted in beverage preference. The need to standardize measures and increase comparability between studies is discussed.
Hospital Admissions From a Non‐Medical Alcohol Detoxification Unit
Authors: Pedersen C.M.
Published: July 2007

Transfers from an inner city, social setting alcohol detoxification unit to its parent hospital were examined for a 33 month period. 51 (1.2%) out of 4192 admissions during this period were subsequently transferred to hospital. 21 (43%) were for the management of acute alcohol withdrawal, representing 0.5% of total admissions to the detoxification unit. Analysis of transfers indicates that the unit provides a safe detoxification environment and process.
Screening and Early Intervention Strategies for Harmful Drinkers: Initial Lessons from the Amethyst Project
Authors: Babor Thomas F. , Korner Patricia , Wilber Charles , Good Susan Possidente
Published: July 2007

Abstract: This paper reviews recent advances in the secondary prevention of alcohol‐related problems. Demonstration projects, clinical trials and early identification programs are discussed. Special emphasis is given to theoretical assumptions, intervention strategies and barriers to implementation in the primary care setting. Common features of these programs include their low cost, minimal demands on health professionals' time and resources, emphasis on self‐help and behavioural self‐management strategies, and their apparent effectiveness in reducing hazardous drinking. The final part of this paper illustrates this new approach to secondary prevention by describing the design and initial implementation of the ‘Amethyst’ Project, a multinational field trial of early intervention strategies sponsored by the World Health Organization. It is concluded that while secondary prevention of alcohol‐related problems is still in its early stages, the promising initial findings warrant a more systematic effort to evaluate the cross‐national generalizability of early intervention strategies in primary care settings.
Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors Attenuate Ethanol Intake in Humans
Authors: Naranjo Claudio A. , Sellers Edward M.
Published: July 2007

Abstract: There are several problems with the drugs currently used to decrease alcohol consumption (i.e. alcohol‐sensitizing drugs). Their efficacy is unproven, they are associated with toxicity and there are several contraindications for use. New therapies are needed because alcohol‐related problems affect almost 20% of the adult population. A new strategy was developed that involves attenuation of alcohol intake via serotonin uptake inhibitors. Since several experiments showed that serotonin uptake inhibitors consistently attenuated ethanol intake in rats, we tested their effects in humans. In three randomized, double‐blind, cross‐over studies, the ethanol intake of early stage problem drinkers was significantly attenuated by the serotonin uptake inhibitors (zimelidine, citalopram and viqualine). Although marked variations in the pattern of response to serotonin uptake inhibitors were observed, 63% to 92% of the subjects responded to the drug treatments. Effects on ethanol intake are distinct from the antidepressant properties of these drugs and most likely can be explained by a facilitation of satiety signals. Our results suggest an innovative approach for moderating ethanol intake in problem drinkers.
Stress Measurement Using Grazing Incident Angle Scattering Geometry-Problem of Elastic Anisotropy
Authors: Baczmanski A. , Skrzypek S.J. , Lodini A.
Published: July 2007

A new method based on the grazing incident angle scattering geometry was applied for stress measurement in near surface layers. The advantage of this geometry is a constant penetration depth of the X-ray beam during experiment. The anisotropy of diffraction elastic constants has to be taken into account for the proper interpretation of experimental results.
Neutron Stress Measurements in the 21st Century
Authors: Krawitz Aaron D.
Published: July 2007

The end of the 20th century marks 20 years of neutron stress activity and seems a good time to survey the landscape with regard to facilities, instrumentation and software, outreach, science, problems, and the impact of synchrotrons. The number of neutron stress instruments, at reactor and pulsed sources, has grown (and is growing) substantially. Brief surveys of facilities and instrumentation and software are presented. Our considerable success in building instruments raises the issue of who will use them. Building a user community—outreach—may prove to be a bigger problem, particularly in the US. With regard to science, real time observations of changes due to thermal and/or mechanical treatment will become feasible at the new pulsed source instruments. At both the pulsed and newer reactor facilities, more substantial studies of anisotropic systems, effects that cause peak broadening, and measurements of general triaxial stress states are becoming possible. In all cases, smaller gage volumes are becoming a reality. The problem of determining stress-free reference values is more fully appreciated now but remains a challenge. Finally, the advent of the use of synchrotron radiation causes us to think more seriously about the best choice of radiation to use for diffraction stress measurements.
Modelling of the Residual Stresses (Order I and II) in Metallic Parts by Finite Elements with the Self-consistent Constitutive Law
Authors: Zattarin P. , Lipinski P.
Published: July 2007

Macroscopic behaviour of metallic parts is directly linked to the microstructural state evolution. Classical finite elements including phenomenological constitutive laws are nevertheless very efficient to predict behaviour. However, these models are not adapted to predict important distortion of the yield surface during a complex loading. In fact, microstructural variables have an essential role on yield surface evolution, as crystallographic textures and in particular internal (second order) stress field. On the basis of a crystallographic approach, the self-consistent model used to take into account the microstructural evolution. So this scheme is able to predict yield surface evolution and one can note a good agreement on comparison with the experimental data. The self-consistent scheme is to introduce a finite element code then it enables to predict second order residual stresses in a complex metallic part. These second order stresses is visualised through stored energy.
In Situ Neutron Diffraction Study of Stresses Generated by Shape Memory Alloys
Authors: Šittner P. , Luk´š P. , Nov´k V. , Neov D. , Ceretti M.
Published: July 2007

In situ neutron diffraction experiments on polycrystalline shape memory alloys/SMA/transforming in thermomechanical cycles were carried out with the aim to learn how to determine stress–strain–temperature responses of SMAs from the in situ neutron diffraction data. Results of a single experiment on NiTi polycrystal deformed in compression at constant temperature are reported. It is found that the macroscopic stress–strain response of the polycrystal can be evaluated from diffraction measured lattice strains (peak position) and integral intensities of a particular well chosen austenite hkl-reflection. The neutron diffraction technique may thus be possibly used to evaluate in situ stress–strain–temperature responses of otherwise inaccessible SMA elements embedded in the smart SMA-composites.
Measurement of Grinding Stresses with a Combination of Neutron and X-ray Diffraction
Authors: Bouzina A. , Balart M.J. , Edwards L. , Fitzpatrick M.E.
Published: July 2007

Abusive grinding conditions lead to near-surface residual stress in all work-piece materials. In this study, two techniques (X-ray and neutron diffraction) have been used to measure residual stress after grinding. Neutron diffraction has been used to validate near-surface X-ray stress measurements, using a novel surface scanning geometry to extend the neutron technique to the near-surface (< 100 µm) region. We demonstrate the potential benefit of using both techniques to measure stresses in critical aerospace and automotive components non-destructively, using X-ray diffraction for at-surface data, and neutron diffraction for the near-surface profile.
Mechanical Characterisation of Fatigued Austenitic Stainless Steel under Applied Loads by In-situ Neutron Diffraction
Authors: Daymond M.R. , Schreiber J. , Taran YU.V.
Published: July 2007

The fatigue behaviour of austenitic stainless steel, in which a martensitic phase is formed due to plastic deformation, is of some interest for practical reasons. We have studied two samples, subjected, respectively, to 6 × l05 (30% level of fatigue) and 1.2 × l06 (60%) tensile-compressive loading cycles at a frequency of 5 Hz, on the in situ stress rig of the ENGIN instrument at ISIS. The main results of this investigation are that (1) the macroscopic Young’s modulus (i.e. the elastic slope of the bulk stress-strain response) decreases with increasing fatigue, (2) the Rietveld determined elastic constants of the austenite and martensite phases for both the parallel and perpendicular directions are independent of the level of fatigue, (3) the Rietveld determined austenite elastic response is linear throughout the measured stress range (0–500MPa) whilst the martensite response is linear only up to 180–200MPa. the same stress level at which bulk plasticity is observed, (4) the ratio of the martensite elastic constants in the parallel and perpendicular directions is almost twice that expected based purely on the value of Poisson’s ratio.
Sin2 Ψ Stress Measurement Method with Maintaining Probing Depth
Authors: Yanase Etsuya , Zolotarev Konstantin Vladimirovich , Nishio Kozi , Kusumi Yukihiro , Arai Kazuo , Nakagawa Shigetomo
Published: July 2007

A new method was proposed to estimate the distribution of residual stress in a sample surface. When a sample surface has stress gradient, we cannot easily understand the stress distribution due to nonlinearity of Sin2 Ψ diagram. This non-linearity is because probing depth varies with Ψ angle. We discussed a new method to estimate Sin2 Ψ diagram with maintaining the X-ray incident angle. By using this method, we can obtain Sin2 Ψ diagram without changing the probing depth and measure the stress up to the depth in a sample. We report the results of stress measurement in ground stainless steel sample by using our method. The validity of our method is discussed.
High frequency dynamics of liquid metals
Authors: Bove L.E. , Petrillo C. , Sacchetti F.
Published: July 2007

High resolution inelastic neutron scattering measurements on a wide class of liquid metals are reported. The driving role of the electron density in the propagation and decay of collective excitations is emphasized. A quantitative relation between the anomalous sound velocity dispersion in liquid metals and the screening of the ionic potential due to the electron gas is found. In particular, a scaling law of the dispersion curves in heavy alkali metals is obtained by applying the Bohm–Staver (BS) model for the ion plasma. Furthermore, a unified description of the alkali and polyvalent metals dynamics is achieved by means of the introduction of electron correlation and ionic size effects.
“Edge” or “Vertex” Inversion at Phosphorus in the cis – trans Isomerization of Diazadiphosphetidines? Model MNDO and ab initio Molecular Orbital Calculations
Authors: Silaghi-Dumitrescu Ioan , Lara-Ochoa Francisco , Haiduc Ionel
Published: July 2007

Ab initio (3-21G(*), MP2/3-21G(*), MP2/3-21G(*)) molecular orbital calculations show that the cis - trans interconversion of diazadiphosphetidines proceeds rather via an “edge” inversion than the classical “vertex” inversion at phosphorus. The semiempirical MNDO results are largely of the same quality as those obtained with the 3-21G(*) basis.
The Reaction of Tin(II) Halides with Li(THF)2.5 Ge(SiMe3)3: The X-ray Crystal Structure of a New Cyclotetrastannane
Authors: Mallela Siva , Su Wu-Pei , Chen Yan-Song , Korp James D. , Geanangel R.A.
Published: July 2007

Reaction of SnCl2 with two equivalents of Li(THF)2.5Ge(SiMe3)3 in hexane at −78°C gave both red and colorless crystalline products. The latter was identified by m.p and NMR spectra as [(Me3Si)3Ge]2SnCl2. FAB mass spectra showed that the red crystals contained an Sn4 cluster and Ge(SiMe3)4. An X-ray structure determination on the red crystals was complicated by several types of disorder but the structure was solved with the aid of a new simulated annealing program revealing the product as the heteroleptic cyclotetrastannane, [(Me3Si)3GeSnC1]4. The product crystallized as a complex with two molecules of Ge(SiMe3)4 in the F23 (cubic) space group with a = 23.120(7) Å, ρ(ca1c) = 1.35 g-cm−3, Z = 4,996 data collected, R = 0.049. Similar reactions of SnX2, (X = F,I) appeared to result in reduction of the tin.
Regulation of Blood Flow in the Microcirculation
Authors: SEGAL STEVEN S.
Published: July 2007

The regulation of blood flow has rich history of investigation and is exemplified in exercising skeletal muscle by a concerted interaction between striated muscle fibers and their microvascular supply. This review considers blood flow control in light of the regulation of capillary perfusion by and among terminal arterioles, the distribution of blood flow in arteriolar networks according to metabolic and hemodynamic feedback from active muscle fibers, and the balance between peak muscle blood flow and arterial blood pressure by sympathetic nerve activity. As metabolic demand increases, the locus of regulating oxygen delivery to muscle fibers “ascends” from terminal arterioles, through intermediate distributing arterioles, and into the proximal arterioles and feed arteries, which govern total flow into a muscle. At multiple levels, venules are positioned to provide feedback to nearby arterioles regarding the metabolic state of the tissue through the convection and production of vasodilator stimuli. Electrical signals initiated on smooth muscle and endothelial cells can travel rapidly for millimeters through cell‐to‐cell conduction via gap junction channels, rapidly coordinating vasodilator responses that govern the distribution and magnitude of blood flow to active muscle fibers. Sympathetic constriction of proximal arterioles and feed arteries can restrict functional hyperemia while dilation prevails in distal arterioles to promote oxygen extraction. With vasomotor tone reflecting myogenic contraction of smooth muscle cells modulated by flow‐induced vasodilator production by endothelium, the initiation of functional vasodilation and its modulation by shear stress and sympathetic innervation dictate how and where blood flow is distributed in microvascular networks. A remarkable ensemble of signaling pathways underlie the integration of smooth muscle and endothelial cell function in microvascular networks. These pathways are being defined with new insight as novel approaches are applied to understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms of blood flow control.