bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Vertical Transmission of Hepatitis B Virus is the most Important Route of Transmission in Asymptomatic Carriers in Bangladesh
Authors: Harun-or-Rashid M , Alim Abdul , Ekram ARM Saifuddin , Mahmood Iftekhar , Hoque M Mahfuzul , Rahman K , Khan MM Rahman , Uddin Belal , Khan Mobin
Published: May 2010

To find out the route of the transmission of HBV in asymptomatic carrier and build up awareness against the transmission of HBV. It was a prospective study in the Dept. of Medicine (IPD & OPD) and Transfusion Medicine in Rajshahi Medical College Hospital from June 2005 to July 2007. 300 asymptomatic carriers of HBV were included. HBsAg was detected incidentally during routine screening tests done for blood donation programme, foreign mission and courses abroad. All the HBsAg positive patients were confirmed by doing HBsAg (ELISA) tests after 6 months. All were positive. Among 300 asymptomatic carriers male 270 and female 30. Age between 15 to 35 yrs. HBeAg positive only in 15 patients. ALT above 60 U/L in 17 patients, HBV-DNA (PCR) detectable in 15 patients, coarse liver echotexture in 20 patients, Oesophageal Varix small size in 02 patients. Serum Albumin, PT, AFP all were normal range. Screening of all the family members of the carriers was done. Among the 300 index cases 130 (43.33%) family members most likely mother,father, brother, sister or cousin were HBVmarkers positive. Liver related death was present in 50 families (16.66%} HBV transmission is preventable. Mass education is required about the transmission of HBV. Screening of HBV should be mandatory in all pregnant women. Bangladesh Government has integrated the HBV vaccination in EPI. DOI: 10.3329/taj.v22i1.5027 TAJ 2009; 22(1): 97-100
Studies on Socio-Demographic Pattern of Dermatomycoses Patients Attending in Rajshahi Medical College Out Patient Department
Authors: Nahar A , Habib MA , Asadi KASMZS , Islam MN , Alam MS , Ara S
Published: May 2010

A total of 2,194 fungal diseases patients (dermatophytoses and candidiasis) were interviewed about their socio-demographic characteristics attending the Skin and V.D. department of Rajshahi Medical College Hospital. It was found that high prevalence of diseases was in age group 21-30 years (46.63%) and females were the more suffered group (60.12%) than the males (39.88%). Among the different occupations, housewives ranked first (41.34%). Tinea corporis were highest in prevalence (44.67%) as compared to other clinical varieties of diseases. Majority of the patients were heavy sweating group (75.89%) and sweating shows a definite association with fungal diseases (P<0.001). It was observed that patients who use oil were less sufferers (37.33%) and who washed their cloths and bed sheets every day also suffered less (10.71%). DOI: 10.3329/taj.v22i1.5035 TAJ 2009; 22(1): 123-127
Congenital Left Atrial Aneurysm: A Case Report
Authors: Haque S , Paul PK , Uddin B , Hasnain SN , Hossain A , Siddiqui AB
Published: May 2010

Aneurysm of the left atrium is rare abnormalities. It can be congenital or acquired. Congenital aneurysm presents as isolated pathology. Presenting case was 10 years old girl suddenly developed dyspnea & mild cough, she had H/O recurrent exertional dyspnea which is relieved by rest since the age of 2 years. Left side chest bulge, movement restricted. Mediastinum shifted to right side, percussion note stony dull but chest x-ray shows homogenous opacity most of the left lung field and left costo-phrenic angle is not obliterated. No pleural fluid comes out during aspiration. Ultrasonography of chest suggests a ventricular aneurysm but CT scan of chest and echo- cardio graphy color Doppler suggests left atrial aneurysm. Because of the life threatening complication surgical excision is recommended. DOI: 10.3329/taj.v22i1.5036 TAJ 2009; 22(1): 128-131
Small Incision Cataract Surgery (SICS) with Posterior Chamber Intraocular Lens (PCIOL) Implantation is the Preferred Method of Community-Based Cataract Surgery: Study of 100 Cases
Authors: Tarafder AKM Shahidur Rahman , Kader M Anwarul , Karim SM Rezaul
Published: May 2010

To study "small incision cataract surgery (SICS)" for the rehabilitation of cataract visually impaired and blind patients, a retrospective study of 100 cases of cataract patients with small incision cataract surgery (SICS) with posterior chamber intraocular lens (PCIOL) implantation were done at Rajshahi Medical College Hospital. All cases were selected having corrected visual acuity less than 6/60 who were admitted at the Department of Ophthalmology for cataract surgery from March, 2006 to February, 2008. Age group of the patient range from 40 to 85 years. Age related senile cataract were selected any complicated cataract was excluded from the study. All these patients underwent SICS with 5.5 mm optic polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) non-foldable posterior chamber intraocular lens (PCIOL) were implanted by irrigation vectis. Intra operative complication were present in 8% cases among them 3 cases (3%) required to conversion to Conventional Extracapsular Cataract Extraction (ECCE). 2 cases (2%) had small posterior capsular rent (PCR), 1 case (1%) irido dialysis & 2 cases (2%) hyphaema occurred. Postoperative complications were found in 38 cases (38%) among them transient corneal oedema occurred in 18 cases (18%) iritis occurred in 13 cases (13%), decentering of intraocular lens (IOL) occurred in 2 cases, corrected visual acuity after 6 weeks of operation were 6/12 or better in 97 cases (97% cases achieved functional vision). Induced astigmatism ± 0.50 D to ± 1.00 D occurred in 94 cases (94%) and ± 1.500 to 2.50D in 6 cases (6%). So, SICS may be the choice of surgery in respect of visual outcome with the limited facilities and surgeons. DOI: 10.3329/taj.v22i1.5037 TAJ 2009; 22(1): 132-135
Adrenocortical Carcinoma in a 3 yrs GirlA Case Report
Authors: Ali M Nowshad , Miah S Hoq , Meharunnesa M , Badruddoza SM , Ahmed Mushtaque
Published: May 2010

Adrenocortical carcinoma is an uncommon tumour in the pediatric population. Account for only a small fraction of pediatric adrenal tumour. Most tumors in children are functional, and virilization is by far the most common presenting symptom, followed by Cushing's syndrome and precocious puberty. All patients with suspected adrenocortical carcinoma should be carefully evaluated for signs and symptoms of hormonal syndromes. DOI: 10.3329/taj.v22i1.5039 TAJ 2009; 22(1): 142-143
Transportation Injuries and the Affected Pedestrians
Authors: Rahman M Emdadur , Haque DM Enamul
Published: May 2010

Road traffic accident is one of the important causes of mortality and morbidity. Pedestrians frequently fall victim of injury and death. Among the causes of accidents are fault of victim, fault of driver, fault of vehicle, wrong signaling, type of vehicle etc. By means of identifying pattern of injuries, Police can ascertain the type of vehicle responsible for accident. DOI: 10.3329/taj.v22i1.5041 TAJ 2009; 22(1): 147-151
Pulmonary Embolism- A New Challenge In Diagnosis
Authors: Mahmood Iftekhar , Khan MM Rahman , Raman M Khalilur , Ekram ARM Saifuddin
Published: May 2010

Pulmonary embolism is one of the dreadful situations demanding immediate interventions. Any delay in instituting treatment would lead to death. We have dearth of idea about the condition, many patients go undiagnosed and underevaluated. Dyspnoea, tachypnoea, hypoxemia are cardinal features of PE. Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and PE have almost similar risk factors. Among the risk factors recent immobilization, major surgery, recent limb trauma /or surgery, pregnancy post partum etc. Important diagnostic tools like VQ scanning, assay of D-dimer could only be done only at highly specialized centers. If immediate treatment is undertaken many deaths could be averted. An X-ray chest, ECG, echocardiography could give some important diagnostic clues. DOI: 10.3329/taj.v22i1.5043 TAJ 2009; 22(1): 161-164
Dermatitis Herpetiformis- its Presentation and Management
Authors: Hossain M Moazzem
Published: May 2010

Dermatitis herpetiformis (DH) is a chronic, recurrent, intensely pruritic eruption occurring symmetrically on the extremities and the trunk and comprising tiny vesicles, papules and urticarial plaques that are arranged in groups. It is associated with gluten-sensitive enteropathy and IgA deposits in skin. Dermatitis herpetiformis responds well to dapsone 100mg/day and then reducing to 50mg/day. The dose of dapsone may further be reduced with gluten free diet. DOI: 10.3329/taj.v22i1.5044 TAJ 2009; 22(1): 165-167
Introduction
Authors: Begam Richard
Published: May 2010

Opera has generally been regarded as an art of extravagance, dedicated to the melodramatic, the hyperbolic, the sentimental, a form of expression that prefers feeling to thought, sensation to reflection. Given its interest in producing effects that are overdrawn and exaggerated - at times, even kitschy - opera would seem to stand at a substantial distance from the cool formalism we often associate with modernism. Admittedly, the idea that modernism is detached and abstracted - presided over by a God indifferently paring his fingernails - has been justifiably challenged in recent years.
Laughing at the Redeemer: Kundry and the Paradox of Parsifal
Authors: Smith Matthew Wilson
Published: May 2010

Matthew Wilson Smith discusses Wagner's “Parsifal” in relation to emerging discourses of psychology and aesthetics, and suggests that the work becomes in the process a proto-modern opera that dramatizes the increasingly problematic nature of both the self and representation.
The Handsome Sailor and the Man of Sorrows: Billy Budd and the Modernism of Benjamin Britten
Authors: Frantzen Allen J.
Published: May 2010

Allen Frantzen's essay examines Benjamin Britten's “Billy Budd” (1951) in relation to the Festival of Britain, treating the opera as an example of a more conservative “mid-century modernism.” Frantzen analyzes in depth the changes Britten's librettists, E. M. Forster and Eric Crozier, made to the novella by Melville, in order to conclude that Britten's opera offers an art that seeks to establish itself within English society and culture, but that nevertheless makes clear, both in its music and text, that change is on its way.
Towards a Characterization of Modern Opera
Authors: Lindenberger Herbert
Published: May 2010

Herbert Lindenberger regards the modern canon as “not quite opera” in its resistance to the theatricality of traditional opera, its forays into popular musical forms, and its use of imitation and parody to quote opera of the past. In his view, modern opera divides itself into two kinds: the “hard” and the “soft.” Lindenberger goes on to consider the question of postmodern opera, but he is less persuaded now than he was previously that this is a useful term, especially given the extent to which one can find so-called “postmodern” elements in “modernist” operas.
Editor's Introduction: Modernism, Aesthetics, Historiography
Authors: Moore Daniel
Published: May 2010

Aesthetics is the reflexive construction of the concepts necessary for the comprehension of the stakes and meaning of art in the light of the history of the dominant art of the second half of the 19th century and the first half of the 20th century: modernism. The task of aesthetics is to vindicate modernist art's own claim to mattering, to being significant, indeed unavoidable, for our collective selfunderstanding of ourselves as denizens of modernity. (J. M. Bernstein)
The Burden of the Past, the Dialectics of the Present: Notes on Virginia Woolf's and Walter Benjamin's Philosophies of History
Authors: Bahun Sanja
Published: May 2010

Writing in a Paris rife with war-anxieties, refugees and political plots, a stateless individual by the name of Walter Benjamin recorded on 11 January 1940: “Every line that we succeed in publishing today - given the uncertainty of the future to which we consign it - is a victory wrested from the power of darkness.” The fusion of desperation and mystical activism in the face of historical horror, expressed in Benjamin's last letter to Gershom Scholem, was echoed across the Channel. Only ten days later, Virginia Woolf - assailed by a mixture of historical, financial, creative and publishing worries - responded to a commission to write about peace by stating that the “views on peace […] spring from views on war.”
On Some Motifs in Benjamin: Historiography as an Ethical Mode
Authors: Johnson Keith Leslie
Published: May 2010

In his recent book on Deleuze, Slavoj Žižek writes, “One of the unwritten rules of today's academia, from France to America, is the injunction to love Spinoza.” Perhaps no other philosopher cuts so sympathetic a figure, appealing to quite so broad a range of typically opposed camps. Everyone it would seem has nice things to say about Spinoza. Even some Christian and Jewish pietists, ironically, smile upon him nowadays, though they call him by different names. Whether Benedict or Baruch, Spinoza is the philosopher one can't help but love; or can one? Žižek himself hints at the thorny nature of Spinoza's amenability in the very act of touting it: tellingly, the injunction - and why is it an injunction, a fiat, and by whom is it levied? - extends only “from France to America.”
Representing the Past in Photomontage: John Heartfield as a Visual Historian
Authors: Ruchel-Stockmans Katarzyna
Published: May 2010

The practice of history and the technique of montage seem to have met at some point of their development to forge a new way of thinking about the past. This new paradigm crystallized around the period between the First and the Second World War, when the proliferation of montage techniques in visual arts and film was accompanied by a broad theoretical discussion on the relevance of the new procedure in arranging and organizing photographic ‘facts’.
Putting the Past Out to Pasture: Nostalgia, Regional Aesthetics and the Mutualist Imagination of the 1890s
Authors: Funchion John
Published: May 2010

“Among the Corn-Rows,” a short story appearing in Hamlin Garland's Main-Travelled Roads (1891), opens with a telling dialogue between homesteader Rob Rodemaker and Seagraves, a local newspaper editor. At one point during their exchange, Rodemaker explains why he left his native Waupac County in Wisconsin to settle further west in the Dakota Territory: “We fellers workin' out back there got more ‘n’ more like hands, an' less like human beings. Y' know, Waupac is a kind of summer resort, and the people that use' t' come in summers looked down on us cusses in the fields an' shops. I couldn't stand it.”
Historical Psychology, Utopian Dreams and Other Fool's Errands
Authors: Hubble Nick
Published: May 2010

The initial premise of Georg Lukács's The Historical Novel is well-known and can be found outlined in its opening sentence: “The historical novel arose at the beginning of the nineteenth century at about the time of Napoleon's collapse (Scott's Waverley appeared in 1814)” (15). According to Lukács, the classical historical novel inaugurated by Sir Walter Scott was distinguished from what had preceded it by the conscious employment of a historical sense, already implicitly present in the realist fiction of Smollett and Fielding, combined with an understanding that progress is driven by the conflict of social forces.
Accessorizing Clarissa: How Virginia Woolf changes the clothes and the character of her lady of fashion
Authors: Gaipa Mark
Published: May 2010

The period following the first world war in England saw dramatic changes in women's clothing: the manufacturing of quality ready-made clothing brought fashion to the masses, and modern fashions helped liberate women with simpler, lighter, and more youthful designs. These changes, I argue, have great consequence for Virginia Woolf's lady of fashion, Clarissa Dalloway. In her story “Mrs Dalloway in Bond Street” (1922), Woolf produces an ultimately satirical portrait of Clarissa, who remains insulated, by class privilege and fashion sensibility, from the working world about her; but when Woolf rewrites her story as a novel (1925), Clarissa comes to feel deeply for her lower-class counterparts. The change reflects Woolf's modernist technique, which strips away Clarissa's material insulation. But Woolf's dematerialized modernism in turn echoes contemporary women's fashions, which likewise were revolting against heavy materials, exploring youthful looseness, and even allowing ladies and workers to become fashion doubles.
Image Database Indexing Techniques
Authors: Vassilakopoulos Michael , Corral Antonio , Rachev Boris , Valova Irena , Stoeva Mariana
Published: May 2010

Image Databases (IDBs) are a kind of Spatial Databases where a large number of images are stored and queried. In this chapter, techniques for indexing an IDB for efficiently processing several kinds of queries, like retrieval based on features, content, structure, processing of joins, and queries by example are reviewed. The main indexing techniques used in IDBs are either members of the R-tree family (data driven structures), or members of the quadtree family (space driven structures). Although, research on IDB indexing counts several years, there are still significant research challenges, which are also discussed in this chapter. IDBs and their indexing structures bring together two different disciplines (databases and image processing) and interdisciplinary research efforts are required. Moreover, dealing with the semantic gap (successful integrated retrieval based on low-level features and high-level semantic features) and querying between images and other kinds of spatial data are also significant future research directions.
Different Roles and Definitions of Spatial Data Fusion
Authors: Skogster Patrik
Published: May 2010

Geographic information is created by manipulating geographic (or spatial) data (generally known by the abbreviation geodata) in a computerized system. Geo-spatial information and geomatics are issues of modern business and research. It is essential to provide their different definitions and roles in order to get an overall picture of the issue. This article discusses about the problematic of definitions, but also the technologies and challenges within spatial data fusion.
Geoportals and the GDI Accessibility
Authors: Aditya Trias , Kraak Menno-Jan
Published: May 2010

The vision of “created once, used many times” has been spread out across the globe through the development of geospatial data infrastructure (GDI) initiatives, including their geoportals. Within the GDI, a geoportal facilitates discovery of and access to geospatial data. This chapter discusses some key considerations for the success of a geoportal in facilitating users to exploit the GDI potentials. The top priority is to offer a usable interface that facilitates visual thinking when users search and browse metadata items. Advanced support to enable geospatial and non geospatial web content integration and to advance group work activities through the geoportal are also considered of high importance.
Cognitive Maps
Authors: Hirtle Stephen
Published: May 2010

Cognitive maps are the representations that individuals use to understand, process, and navigate environments. The term cognitive map should not be taken as a literal metaphor as the internal representation will often violate principles of two-dimensional geometry, will rarely be either continuous or complete, and will often include non-spatial attributes, such as sights, sounds, or even aesthetic qualities, of a location. Research on cognitive mapping as made important contributions to both theory and application of geoinformatics by demonstrating how spatial information is acquired, structured, accessed, and schematized by the human information processing system. Theories of cognitive mapping have been expanded by through new frameworks, such as naïve geography, synergetic inter-representation networks, and geocognostics. Together, this body of research has provided a framework for the development of the next generation of user-centered geographic information systems.
Dealing with 3D Surface Models
Authors: Meenar Mahbubur R. , Sorrentino John A.
Published: May 2010

Three-dimensional surface modeling has become an important element in the processing and visualization of geographic information. Models are created from a finite sample of data points over the relevant area. The techniques used for these activities can be broadly divided into raster-based interpolation methods and vector-based triangulation methods. This chapter contains a discussion of the benefits and costs of each set of methods. The functions available using 3D surface models include elevation, queries, contours, slope and aspect, hillshade, and viewshed. Applications include modeling elevation, pollution concentration and run-off and erosion potential. The chapter ends with a brief discussion of future trends, and concludes that the choice among the methods depends on the nature of the input data and the goals of the analyst.
Aanbidding en prediking in missionale gemeentes – homileties- liturgiese beskouinge van missionêre gemeentebediening
Authors: Smit Guillaume H.
Published: May 2010

Worship and preaching in missional congregations – homiletic-liturgical perspectives on missionary congregational ministryIn the context of changes in society, and the resulting paradigm shifts in theological thinking, this article explores the development of a missional ministry praxis for church services in the reformed theological tradition. This is done through a basic overview of recent theological developments in missional ecclesiology, homiletics and liturgy, and a case study of a congregation who shifted to missional ministry praxis by renewing its church services. Opportunities for further research are identified, and the conclusion is reached that churches who make the theological paradigm shift to missional ministry should inherently change the character and planning of their church services to reflect and enhance this shift.
Forecasting characteristic earthquakes in a minimalist model
Authors: Vázquez-Prada M. , González Á. , Gómez J. B. , Pacheco A. F.
Published: May 2010

Abstract. Using error diagrams, we quantify the forecasting of characteristic-earthquake occurrence in a recently introduced minimalist model. Initially we connect the earthquake alarm at a fixed time after the ocurrence of a characteristic event. The evaluation of this strategy leads to a one-dimensional numerical exploration of the loss function. This first strategy is then refined by considering a classification of the seismic cycles of the model according to the presence, or not, of some factors related to the seismicity observed in the cycle. These factors, statistically speaking, enlarge or shorten the length of the cycles. The independent evaluation of the impact of these factors in the forecast process leads to two-dimensional numerical explorations. Finally, and as a third gradual step in the process of refinement, we combine these factors leading to a three-dimensional exploration. The final improvement in the loss function is about 8.5%.
Expectations Hypothesis
Authors: Sangvinatsos Antonios
Published: May 2010

The termexpectations hypothesis(EH) stands for numerous statements that link the behavior of short‐term and long‐term interest rates. The literature distinguishes between thepure expectations hypothesis(PEH), which postulates that (i) expected excess returns on long‐term over short‐term bonds are zero, (ii) yield term premia are zero, or (iii) forward term premia are zero, from the EH, which postulates that (i) expected excess returns are constant over time, (ii) yield term premia are constant, or (iii) forward term premia are constant over time. We present all the forms of the PEH in discrete time with discrete and continuous compounding and in continuous time (continuous compounding). We will see that the PEH expressions derived in all these models are not equivalent across models as well as within each model.
Hull–White Stochastic Volatility Model
Authors: Gauthier Pierre , Rivaille Pierre‐Yves H.
Published: May 2010

The Hull–White equity model (1987) is one of the first stochastic volatility models introduced. Introducing mean variance, a closed‐form option pricing formula is derived. Through numerical simulation, the impact of correlation on the volatility smile shape is shown. Hence various smiles can be fitted. However it lacks a mean reverting behaviorá laHeston for capturing the volatility term structure.
Hedge Funds
Authors: Kazemi Hossein , Liang Bing
Published: May 2010

As alternative investment vehicles, hedge funds have gained tremendous popularity in the last decade. This article summarizes hedge funds in terms of their characteristics, return distribution, performance and risk measures, and indices.
Universal Portfolios
Authors: Ordentlich Erik
Published: May 2010

The theory of universal portfolios forgoes the stochastic models and associated optimality criteria of classical portfolio optimization, and instead seeks universal portfolio selection strategies that perform well relative toallstrategies in a target class of allocation strategies, forallpossible sequences of asset price changes. This article reviews the theory as specialized to the target class of constant rebalanced portfolios. In this case, universal portfolios have been found that asymptotically achieve the rate of return of the best constant rebalanced portfolio in hindsight, irrespective of asset price behavior.
Stimuli‐Responsive Porous Hydrogels at Interfaces for Molecular Filtration, Separation, Controlled Release, and Gating in Capsules and Membranes
Authors: Tokarev Ihor , Minko Sergiy
Published: May 2010

A continuously growing area of controlled and tunable transport and separation of biomolecules and drugs has recently attracted attention to the structures which can be referred to as stimuli‐responsive porous hydrogel thin films. Because of spatial constraints, swelling/shrinking of the hydrogel films results in closing/opening (or vice versa) of the film's pores. Such responsive systems can be used in the configuration of plane films or capsules. The combination of a low thickness (translating into a low hydrodynamic flow resistance and rapid response) with well‐defined size and shape of pores (translating into better control of transport and separation), which can be closed, opened, or tuned by an external signal (allowing a large amplitude of changes in diffusivity of solutes in the thin film and a precise control of the pore size), makes these materials very attractive for a range of applications, such as molecular filtration, separation, drug delivery, sensors, and actuators.
Novel negatively charged hybrids. 2. Preparation of silica‐based hybrid copolymers and their applications for Cu2+ removal
Authors: Hu Keyan , Liu Junsheng , Wo Hengzhou , Li Tao
Published: May 2010

A series of negatively charged silica‐based hybrid copolymers were prepared via free radical polymerization of γ–methacryloxypropyl trimethoxy silane (MAPTMS), 4–vinylbenzylchloride (VBC), and styrene (St) monomers, and the sol–gel process. Their applications for Cu2+ removal from aqueous solution were investigated. TGA and DrTGA thermal analyses indicated that these hybrid copolymers can keep thermally stable up to 412°C. Their cation‐exchange capacities (CIECs) are within the range of 0.49–1.25 mmol g–1. Adsorption experiments indicated that the adsorption followed Langmuir isotherm model, suggesting that it is Langmuir monolayer adsorption. The electrostatic attraction between the ionic groups and Cu2+, the content of ionic groups and the existence of reactive chloromethyl groups might be responsible for such trend. Based on these findings, it can be concluded that the incorporation of VBC in the hybrid copolymers conduces to the advance of Cu2+ adsorption capacity; however, the incorporation of St makes little contribution to the raise of Cu2+ adsorption capacity, suggesting that the adsorption performances of these silica‐based hybrid copolymers can be artificially adjusted and have potentially application in the removal of Cu2+ from wastewater. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
Flocking coordination using active leader and local information
Authors: Etemadi Shahram , Alasty Aria , Vossoughi Gholam‐Reza
Published: May 2010

In this paper coordination of a group of agents by a coordinator agent, called the leader‐agent (LA), is discussed. Agents have identical finite sensing radii and access only the local information. Inter‐agent interactions bring them together as a multi‐agent network system. In a recently proposed flocking algorithm using a virtual leader, it is proved that if a fraction of agents are informed then the center of mass of the multi‐agent system tracks the virtual leader. The minimum number of the fraction is always greater than one. In this paper the only informed agent is the LA. Interaction functions are defined to make the model of the multi‐agent system suitable for the design of the coordination control algorithm. The leader‐agent accesses its local data and actively plans its motions through a nonlinear control method. It is proven in this paper that the multi‐agent system tracks the virtual leader and a locally defined point near the LA converges to the position of the virtual leader. It is also shown that in this case, center of mass of the multi‐agent system follows the virtual leader but with a finite distance. We have also discussed positive effects of the LA on network connectivity. Finally illustrative examples are added as well. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley and Sons Asia Pte Ltd and Chinese Automatic Control Society
Long‐term outcome in localized extranodal mucosa‐associated lymphoid tissue lymphomas treated with radiotherapy
Authors: Goda Jayant S. , Gospodarowicz Mary , Pintilie Melania , Wells Woodrow , Hodgson David C. , Sun Alexander , Crump Micheal , Tsang Richard W.
Published: May 2010

BACKGROUND:

This study was conducted to evaluate the long‐term outcomes in patients with stage IE and IIE mucosa‐associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphomas treated with involved field radiotherapy (RT).

METHODS:

Between 1989 and 2004, 192 patients with stage I and II MALT lymphomas were treated. The report focuses on 167 patients who received RT. The median age of patients was 58 years with a female predominance (2:1). Presenting sites were as follows: orbital adnexa in 71 patients, salivary glands in 28 patients, stomach in 25 patients, thyroid in 21 patients, and other sites in 22 patients. The median dose to nonorbital sites was 30 grays (Gy) (range, 17.5‐35 Gy) and was 25 Gy for the orbit (range, 25‐35 Gy). The median follow‐up was 7.4 years (range, 0.67‐16.20 years).

RESULTS:

Complete response and complete response, unconfirmed (CR/CRu) was noted in 166 (99%) patients. The 10‐year recurrence‐free rate (RFR) was 76%, the disease‐free survival (DFS) rate was 68%, the overall survival (OS) rate was 87%, and the cause‐specific survival rate was 98%. According to presenting site, the 10‐year RFR was 95% for thyroid, 92% for stomach, 68% for salivary glands, and 67% for orbit. Patients with thyroid and gastric MALTs had better outcome compared with patients with MALTs diagnosed at other sites (P = .004). Among those patients who achieved CR, 19% developed disease recurrence (n = 31), chiefly in distant sites or untreated contralateral‐paired organs. At the time of disease recurrence, 7 patients (23%) had transformed to diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma, 2 of whom died of lymphoma. The 5‐year OS rate after treatment failure was 83%.

CONCLUSIONS:

Patients with localized MALT lymphomas are reported to have excellent clinical outcome after moderate‐dose RT, and some are likely cured. In the current study, thyroid and gastric MALTs were found to have significantly less risk of distant recurrence. Despite disease recurrence, the overall survival remains excellent in these patients. Cancer 2010. © 2010 American Cancer Society.
Reduction of on‐resistance in ion‐implanted GaN/AlGaN/GaN HEMTs with low gate leakage current
Authors: Nomoto Kazuki , Satoh Masataka , Nakamura Tohru
Published: May 2010

Si ion‐implanted GaN/AlGaN/GaN HEMTs with extremely low gate leakage current and low source resistance prepared without any recess etching process are demonstrated. The source/drain regions were formed using Si ion implantation into undoped GaN/AlGaN/GaN on a sapphire substrate. After ion implantation into source/drain regions at an energy of 80 keV, the performance was significantly improved. The on‐resistance was reduced from 26.2 to 4.3 Ω‐mm. The saturation drain current and maximum trans‐conductance increased from 284 to 723 mA/mm and from 48 to 147 mS/mm. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn, 93(6): 19–24, 2010; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/ecj.10213
A coupled ecohydrological–three‐dimensional unsaturated flow model describing energy, H2O and CO2 fluxes
Authors: Cervarolo G. , Mendicino G. , Senatore A.
Published: May 2010

A soil–vegetation–atmosphere‐transfer (SVAT) scheme and a vegetation dynamic model (VDM) have been coupled to a three‐dimensional unsaturated flow model developed in a cellular automata (CA) environment, for reproducing the interactions between vegetation dynamics, subsurface flow processes, and water, energy and CO2 budgets. The performances of the model were verified through Leaf Area Index (LAI), ground energy and CO2 fluxes' measurements recorded by eddy covariance systems in a southern Italian site and in California (USA). The model proved to be a reliable tool for the estimation of CO2, energy and water fluxes, vegetation dynamics, and of the space–time distribution of soil moisture. Furthermore, a sensitivity analysis has been performed on 49 parameters plus five initial conditions, revealing that there are relatively few parameters significantly influencing the main output of the model. The most innovative feature of the model is that it was developed following a discrete approach based on an extension of the original CA computational paradigm, whose structure permits high computational efficiency on parallel architectures to be achieved. This allows the proposed model to be used on wide areas with a highly detailed description of the processes involved, especially the soil water diffusion dynamics, both along the vertical and the horizontal directions. A three‐dimensional test case is proposed with boundary conditions inducing a significant lateral flow. In this case the coupled model showed both the importance of a detailed modelling of the three‐dimensional water diffusion, and its potential in describing the reciprocal influences among soil water flow, water fluxes and CO2 fluxes at the surface in the case of bare soil and growing vegetation. Specifically, in the case of vegetation cover, root activity reduced the propagation of the wet front in the soil, involving percentage differences in soil moisture up to 16% after 15 days simulation. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Amination of Aryl Iodides Using a Fluorous‐Tagged Ammonia Equivalent
Authors: Nielsen Simon Dalsgaard , Smith Garrick , Begtrup Mikael , Kristensen Jesper Langgaard
Published: May 2010

A fluorous‐tagged ammonia equivalent for the Cu‐catalyzed amination of aryl iodides is described in which N‐Boc‐protected anilines are produced in high overall yield and purity. All purification steps are performed using Fluorous Solid‐Phase Extraction (F‐SPE) greatly simplifying and speeding up the isolation of the desired products.
Group entitativity and its perceptual antecedents in varieties of groups: A developmental perspective
Authors: Svirydzenka Nadzeya , Sani Fabio , Bennett Mark
Published: May 2010

The present study sought to determine whether children discriminate between different group types with respect to perceived entitativity, and if so, whether the group properties that determine their perceptions of entitativity differ from those of adults. Ten‐year‐old children and adults were required to rate 12 social groups on a number of properties, including entitativity. In a further task, participants also sorted 30 social groups into discrete group types. Two major findings emerged. First, over the two tasks both children and adults were found to classify groups in terms of at least four main group types: Intimacy groups, task groups, social categories and loose associations. Second, children and adults appeared to have different perceptions concerning which group properties determine the degree of entitativity of the different group types. In particular, children put much more emphasis on the level of interaction among group members whereas adults emphasized the importance of the group among its members. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Control of the earthquake and wind dynamic response of steel‐framed buildings by using additional braces and/or viscoelastic dampers
Authors: Mazza Fabio , Vulcano Alfonso
Published: May 2010

The insertion of steel braces equipped with viscoelastic dampers (VEDs) (‘dissipative braces’) is a very effective technique to improve the seismic or wind behaviour of framed buildings. The main purpose of this work is to compare the earthquake and wind dynamic response of steel‐framed buildings with VEDs and achieve optimal properties of dampers and supporting braces. To this end, a numerical investigation is carried out with reference to the steel K‐braced framed structure of a 15‐storey office building, which is designed according to the provisions of Eurocodes 1 and 3, and to four structures derived from the first one by the insertion of additional diagonal braces and/or VEDs. With regard to the VEDs, the following cases are examined: absence of dampers; insertion of dampers supported by the existing K‐braces in each of the structures with or without additional diagonal braces; insertion of dampers supported by additional diagonal braces. Dynamic analyses are carried out in the time domain using a step‐by‐step initial stress‐like iterative procedure. For this purpose, the frame members and the VEDs are idealized, respectively, by a bilinear model, which allows the simulation of the nonlinear behaviour under seismic loads, and a six‐element generalized model, which can be considered as an in‐parallel‐combination of two Maxwell models and one Kelvin model. Artificially generated accelerograms, whose response spectra match those adopted by Eurocode 8 for a medium subsoil class and for different levels of peak ground acceleration, are considered to simulate seismic loads. Along‐wind loads are considered assuming, at each storey, time histories of the wind velocity for a return period Tr=5 years, according to an equivalent spectrum technique. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Influence of the mean period of ground motion on the inelastic dynamic response of single and multi degree of freedom systems
Authors: Kumar M. , Castro J. M. , Stafford P. J. , Elghazouli A. Y.
Published: May 2010

This paper focuses on examining the effects of frequency content of the ground motion on the inelastic demands imposed on both single degree of freedom (SDF) and multi degree of freedom (MDF) steel‐framed systems. A detailed literature review is conducted to identify the indicator that best represents the frequency content of ground motion. The mean period (Tm) of ground motion is selected owing to its ability to distinguish between various spectral shapes of ground motion, and its relationship with magnitude, distance and site characteristics. Inelastic displacement demands on SDF systems for target ductility levels are first studied in the light of Tm, using a suite of 128 ground motion records. The study is then extended to MDF systems with the help of incremental dynamic analysis by employing the same ground motion ensemble to assess the influence of Tm on various engineering demand parameters. The results obtained indicate that, for SDF systems, the amplification of displacements occurs when the period ratio between elastic period (Te) and Tm is lower than unity. For MDF systems, the results demonstrate that the influence of higher modes on the base shear and maximum storey drift profile becomes more pronounced, as Tm approaches the higher mode periods of the structure. These observations, for both SDF and MDF systems, tend to be more evident for higher levels of inelasticity. The significance of the results, with particular reference to European seismic design procedures, is highlighted. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Rosenbrock‐based algorithms and subcycling strategies for real‐time nonlinear substructure testing
Authors: Bursi O. S. , Jia C. , Vulcan L. , Neild S. A. , Wagg D. J.
Published: May 2010

In this paper, Rosenbrock‐based algorithms originally developed for real‐time testing of linear systems with dynamic substructuring are extended for use on nonlinear systems. With this objective in mind and for minimal overhead, both two‐ and three‐stages linearly implicit real‐time compatible algorithms were endowed with the Jacobian matrices requiring only one evaluation at the beginning of each time step. Moreover, these algorithms were improved with subcycling strategies. In detail, the paper briefly introduces Rosenbrock‐based L‐Stable Real‐Time (LSRT) algorithms together with linearly implicit and explicit structural integrators, which are now commonly used to perform real‐time tests. Then, the LSRT algorithms are analysed in terms of linearized stability with reference to an emulated spring pendulum, which was chosen as a nonlinear test problem, because it is able to exhibit a large and relatively slow nonlinear circular motion coupled to an axial motion that can be set to be stiff. The accuracy analysis on this system was performed for all the algorithms described. Following this, a coupled spring‐pendulum example typical of real‐time testing is analysed with respect to both stability and accuracy issues. Finally, the results of representative numerical simulations and real‐time substructure tests, considering nonlinearities both in the numerical and the physical substructure, are explored. These tests were used to demonstrate how the LSRT algorithms can be used for substructuring tests with strongly nonlinear components. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Wind erosion characteristics of Sahelian surface types
Authors: Maurer Thomas , Herrmann Ludger , Stahr Karl
Published: May 2010

The assessment of wind erosion magnitudes for a given area requires knowledge of wind erosion susceptibilities of the dominant local surface types. Relative wind erosion potentials of surfaces can hardly be compared under field conditions, as each erosion event is unique in terms of duration, intensity and extent.

The objective of this study was to determine and compare relative wind erosion potentials of the most representative surface types over a transect comprising most parts of southwestern Niger. For this purpose, mobile wind tunnel experiments were run on 26 dominant surface types. The effects of surface disturbance were additionally determined for 13 of these surfaces. The results, namely measurements of wind fields and mass fluxes, can be classified according to specific surface characteristics.

Three basic surface groups with similar emission behaviour and aerodynamic characteristics were identified: (1) sand surfaces, (2) rough stone surfaces and (3) flat crusted surfaces. Sand surfaces feature a turbulent zone close to the surface due to the development of a saltation layer. Their surface roughness is medium to high, as a consequence of the loss of kinetic energy of the wind field to saltating particles. Sand surfaces show the highest mass fluxes due to the abundance of loose particles, but also fairly high PM10 fluxes, as potential dust particles are not contained in stable crusts or aggregates. Rough stone surfaces, due to their fragmented and irregular surface, feature the highest surface roughness and the most intense turbulence. They are among the weakest emitters but, due to their relatively high share of potential dust particles, PM10 emissions are still average. Flat crusted surfaces, in contrast, show low turbulence and the lowest surface roughness. This group of surfaces shows rather heterogeneous mass fluxes, which range from moderate to almost zero, although the share of PM10 particles is always relatively high. Topsoil disturbance always results in higher total and PM10 emissions on sand surfaces and also on flat crusted surfaces. Stone surfaces regularly exhibit a decrease in emission after disturbance, which can possibly be attributed to a reorganization which protects finer particles from entrainment.

The results are comparable with field studies of natural erosion events and similar wind tunnel field campaigns. The broad range of tested surfaces and the standardized methodology are a precondition for the future regionalization of the experimental point data. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Soil erosion in New Zealand is a net sink of CO2
Authors: Dymond John R.
Published: May 2010

Soil erosion in New Zealand exports much sediment and particulate organic carbon (POC) to the sea. The influence of this carbon export on carbon transfers between soils and the atmosphere has been largely unknown. Erosion models are used to estimate the net carbon transfer between soils and atmosphere due to soil erosion for New Zealand. The models are used to estimate the spatial distribution of erosion, which is combined with a digital map of soil organic carbon content to produce the spatial distribution of carbon erosion. The sequestration of atmospheric CO2 by regenerating soils is estimated by combining carbon recovery data with the age distribution of soils since erosion occurrence. The North Island of New Zealand is estimated to export 1·9 (with uncertainty of −0·5 and +1·0) million tonnes of POC per year to the sea and to sequester 1·25 (−0·3 /+0·6) million tonnes of carbon per year from the atmosphere through regenerating soils. The South Island of New Zealand is estimated to export 2·9 (−0·7/+1·5) million tonnes of POC per year and to sequester approximately the same amount. Assuming exported carbon is buried at sea with an efficiency of 80% gives New Zealand a net carbon sink of 3·1 (−2·0/+2·5) million tonnes per year; which is equivalent to 45% of New Zealand's fossil fuel carbon emissions in 1990. The net sink primarily results from a conveyor belt transfer of carbon from the atmosphere to soils regenerating from erosion to the sea floor where carbon is permanently buried. The net sink due to soil erosion can be further increased by reforestation of those terrains where erosion is excessive and there is no carbon recovery in the soils. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Air quality during demolition and recovery activities in post-Katrina New Orleans
Authors: Ravikrishna Raghunathan , Lee Han-Woong , Mbuligwe Stephen , Valsaraj K. T. , Pardue John H.
Published: May 2010

Air samples were collected during demolition and cleanup operations in the Lakeview district of New Orleans, Louisiana, USA, in late 2005 during the period immediately after Hurricane Katrina. Three different high-volume air samples were collected around waste collection areas that were created to temporarily hold the debris from the cleanup of residential properties in the area. Particulate concentrations were elevated and included crystalline fibers associated with asbestos. Metal concentrations on particulate matter resembled those measured in sediments deposited by floodwaters with the exception of Ba, which was elevated at all three locations. The highest organic contaminant concentration measured on particulates was the pesticide Ziram (Zinc, bis[diethylcarbamodithioato-S,S′]-, [T-4]-) at 2,200 µg/g of particulate matter during sampling period 2. Ziram is used in latex paint, adhesives, caulking, and wallboard as a preservative. Fungal isolates developed from particulate air samples included species associated with disease including Aspergillus and Penicillium species. These data represent the most comprehensive assessment of demolition activities during the period immediately after Hurricane Katrina. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2010;29:1438–1444. © 2010 SETAC