bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Role of Surgical Intervention for Cephalic Arch Stenosis in the “Fistula First” Era
Authors: Kian Kaveh , Unger Stephen W. , Mishler Rick , Schon Donald , Lenz Oliver , Asif Arif
Published: November 2007

Cephalic arch stenosis (CAS) is a frequent cause of vascular access dysfunction in patients with brachiocephalic fistulae. While percutaneous balloon angioplasty has been used to treat CAS, the results of this approach have been poor due to multiple factors including resistant nature of the stenosis, development of early restenosis, as well as poor patency and high vein rupture rates. In this analysis, we report the results of an alternative approach to manage this problem. Thirteen patients with frequently recurring CAS were referred for surgical intervention. Angiographic images recorded during the prior percutaneous procedures were made available to the surgeons. The surgical procedure entailed transecting the healthy portion of the cephalic vein distal to the stenotic segment in the arch, transposing and anastomosing it to the upper basilic/axillary vein. Following surgical revision, development of access dysfunction was treated with percutaneous balloon angioplasty. Patency rates for angioplasty before and after the surgical revision were evaluated. Primary patency rates for angioplasty before the surgical revision were 23%, 8% and 0% at 3, 6, and 12 months, respectively. Following surgical revision, all patients needed angioplasty procedure. However, primary patency increased to 92%, 69%, and 39% at 3, 6, and 12 months, respectively (p = 0.0001). Secondary patency before the surgical revision at 3, 6, and 12 months was 100%, 39%, and 8%, respectively, compared with 92% at 3, 6, and 12 months postsurgical revision (p = 0.0003). The results of this study demonstrate that surgical transposition of the cephalic vein in frequently recurring CAS is a viable option and yields better patency rates for future angioplasty procedures.
The value of comparing health outcomes in cohort studies: An example of self‐rated health in seven studies including 79 653 participants
Authors: Anstey Kaarin J , Butterworth Peter , Windsor Tim D , Burns Richard , Sargent‐Cox Kerry , Von Sanden Chwee , Christensen Helen , Booth Heather , Simons Leon A , Byles Julie E , Gibson Richard , Luszcz Mary A , Shaw Jonathan E , Broe Gerald A , Browning Colette , Mitchell Paul , Cumming Robert G , Kendig Hal
Published: November 2007

Objective:  To demonstrate the value of comparing data from multiple cohort studies using the example of self‐rated health (SRH).

Methods:  Seven Australian cohort studies including comparable data on SRH were identified. Comparisons of the distributions of SRH were conducted, and logistic regression was used to evaluate age, sex and education effects within studies. A nationally representative survey was used as a statistical reference to determine how studies differed from the Australian population in frequencies of responses.

Results:  Ratings of SRH declined with increasing age. Low education was associated with higher frequencies of fair/poor SRH even in young adulthood but there were no sex differences. Results for smaller studies did not necessarily differ from nationally representative studies.

Conclusion:  Collaborative reanalysis of Australian cohort permits analysis of health outcomes from a large numbers of participants. Health outcomes and their sociodemographic determinants may be more comprehensively evaluated through such collaborative projects.
Structures, Components and Functions of Secretory Tissues in Houttuynia cordata
Authors: Ni Xi‐Lu , Peng Li , Liu Wen‐Zhe
Published: November 2007

Houttuynia cordata Thunb., traditionally used as a therapeutic plant in folk medicine, has shown antioxidant and anticancer activities. The species, as a core component of paleoherbs, is normally characterized based on the presence of different types of secretory tissue: oil cells, three types of secretory cells and glandular hairs. The aim of this work was to study the structural, componential, and the functional characteristics of the secretory tissues in both the floral and vegetative parts. The results indicate that oil cells and secretory cells are distributed in all organs of the plant, while glandular hairs are situated on the aerial stems and leaves. Both oil cells and glandular hairs initiate from the protoderm, but their developmental processes are different. Although three types of secretory cells initiate from different primary meristems, the developmental patterns of different secretory cells are the same. Also, although the origins of secretory cells are different from oil cells, their early developmental processes are the same. Histochemical results show that oil cells, secretory cells and glandular hairs produce flavonoids, phenolic compounds, tannins, lipids, aldehyde and ketone‐compounds. In addition, there are terpenoids and pectic‐like substances in oil cells, alkaloids in secretory cells of aerial stems, and terpenoids and alkaloids in glandular hairs. These compounds play very important roles in protecting plants from being eaten by herbivores (herbivory) and infected by microbial pathogens. The oil cell and secretory cell, as unicellular secretory tissues, are intermediates between the primitive surface glandular and secretory cavity and canal during the evolution of secretory structures.
An Arabidopsis thaliana ABC transporter that confers kanamycin resistance in transgenic plants does not endow resistance to Escherichia coli
Authors: Burris Kellie , Mentewab Ayalew , Ripp Steven , Stewart C. Neal
Published: November 2007

Concerns have been raised about potential horizontal gene transfer (HGT) of antibiotic resistance markers (ARMs) from transgenic plants to bacteria of medical and environmental importance. All ARMs used in transgenic plants have been bacterial in origin, but it has been recently shown that an Arabidopsis thaliana ABC transporter, Atwbc19, confers kanamycin resistance when overexpressed in transgenic plants. Atwbc19 was evaluated for its ability to transfer kanamycin resistance to Escherichia coli, a kanamycin‐sensitive model bacterium, under simulated HGT, staged by subcloning Atwbc19 under the control of a bacterial promoter, genetically transforming to kanamycin‐sensitive bacteria, and assessing if resistance was conferred as compared with bacteria harbouring nptII, the standard kanamycin resistance gene used to produce transgenic plants. NptII provided much greater resistance than Atwbc19 and was significantly different from the no‐plasmid control at low concentrations. Atwbc19 was not significantly different from the no‐plasmid control at higher concentrations. Even though HGT risks are considered low with nptII, Atwbc19 should have even lower risks, as its encoded protein is possibly mistargeted in bacteria.
Homogeneity of the Geochemical Reference Material BRP‐1 (Paraná Basin Basalt) and Assessment of Minimum Mass
Authors: Cotta Aloísio J.B. , Enzweiler Jacinta , Wilson Stephen A. , Pérez Carlos A. , Nardy Antonio J.R. , Larizzatti João H.
Published: November 2007

Reference materials (RM) are required for quantitative analyses and their successful use is associated with the degree of homogeneity, and the traceability and confidence limits of the values established by characterisation. During the production of a RM, the chemical characterisation can only commence after it has been demonstrated that the material has the required level of homogeneity. Here we describe the preparation of BRP‐1, a proposed geochemical reference material, and the results of the tests to evaluate its degree of homogeneity between and within bottles. BRP‐1 is the first of two geochemical RM being produced by Brazilian institutions in collaboration with the United States Geological Survey (USGS) and the International Association of Geoanalysts (IAG). Two test portions of twenty bottles of BRP‐1 were analysed by wavelength dispersive‐XRF spectrometry and major, minor and eighteen trace elements were determined. The results show that for most of the investigated elements, the units of BRP‐1 were homogeneous at conditions approximately three times more rigorous than those strived for by the test of “sufficient homogeneity”. Furthermore, the within bottle homogeneity of BRP‐1 was evaluated using small beam (1 mm2) synchrotron radiation XRF spectrometry and, for comparison, the USGS reference materials BCR‐2 and GSP‐2 were also evaluated. From our data, it has been possible to assign representative minimum masses for some major constituents (1 mg) and for some trace elements (1‐13 mg), except Zr in GSP‐2, for which test portions of 74 mg are recommended.
Prevalence and Phylogenetic Analysis of Cryptosporidium in Pigs in Eastern China
Authors: Chen F. , Huang K.
Published: November 2007

Faecal samples from 1488 pigs were collected from six pig farms in Jiangsu province and Shanghai city, eastern China, stained by the modified acid‐fast staining technique (MAFS) and observed by light and phase contrast microscopy to identify Cryptosporidium oocysts. A total of 178 (12%) positive animals were detected. Three randomly selected MAFS‐positive samples from each farm were further analysed by reverse‐transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) using primers designed to amplify DNA fragments from the small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) gene. PCR products from two positive samples were sequenced. Phylogenetic analysis and a distances matrix generated from these sequences showed that the isolates belonged to the species C. parvum, and were most similar to the C. parvum‘mouse’ genotype. The identification of this C. parvum genotype in pigs has not been reported previously. These findings are discussed in the context of the epidemiology of Cryptosporidium on pig farms.
NS3 Peptide, a Novel Potent Hepatitis C Virus NS3 Helicase Inhibitor: Its Mechanism of Action and Antiviral Activity in the Replicon System
Authors: Gozdek Agnieszka , Zhukov Igor , Polkowska Agnieszka , Poznanski Jaroslaw , Stankiewicz-Drogon Anna , Pawlowicz Jerzy M. , Zagórski-Ostoja Wlodzimierz , Borowski Peter , Boguszewska-Chachulska Anna M.
Published: November 2007

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) chronic infections represent one of the major and still unresolved health problems because of low efficiency and high cost of current therapy. Therefore, our studies centered on a viral protein, the NS3 helicase, whose activity is indispensable for replication of the viral RNA, and on its peptide inhibitor that corresponds to a highly conserved arginine-rich sequence of domain 2 of the helicase. The NS3 peptide (p14) was expressed in bacteria. Its 50% inhibitory activity in a fluorometric helicase assay corresponded to 725 nM, while the ATPase activity of NS3 was not affected. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) studies of peptide-protein interactions using the relaxation filtering technique revealed that p14 binds directly to the full-length helicase and its separately expressed domain 1 but not to domain 2. Changes in the NMR chemical shift of backbone amide nuclei (
1
H and
15
N) of domain 1 or p14, measured during complex formation, were used to identify the principal amino acids of both domain 1 and the peptide engaged in their interaction. In the proposed interplay model, p14 contacts the clefts between domains 1 and 2, as well as between domains 1 and 3, preventing substrate binding. This interaction is strongly supported by cross-linking experiments, as well as by kinetic studies performed using a fluorometric assay. The antiviral activity of p14 was tested in a subgenomic HCV replicon assay that showed that the peptide at micromolar concentrations can reduce HCV RNA replication.
Implications of Rewiring Bacterial Quorum Sensing
Authors: Haseltine Eric L. , Arnold Frances H.
Published: November 2007

Bacteria employ quorum sensing, a form of cell-cell communication, to sense changes in population density and regulate gene expression accordingly. This work investigated the rewiring of one quorum-sensing module, the
lux
circuit from the marine bacterium
Vibrio fischeri
. Steady-state experiments demonstrate that rewiring the network architecture of this module can yield graded, threshold, and bistable gene expression as predicted by a mathematical model. The experiments also show that the native
lux
operon is most consistent with a threshold, as opposed to a bistable, response. Each of the rewired networks yielded functional population sensors at biologically relevant conditions, suggesting that this operon is particularly robust. These findings (i) permit prediction of the behaviors of quorum-sensing operons in bacterial pathogens and (ii) facilitate forward engineering of synthetic gene circuits.
The Native Bacterioplankton Community in the Central Baltic Sea Is Influenced by Freshwater Bacterial Species
Authors: Riemann L. , Leitet C. , Pommier T. , Simu K. , Holmfeldt K. , Larsson U. , Hagström Å.
Published: November 2007

The Baltic Sea is one of the largest brackish environments on Earth. Despite extensive knowledge about food web interactions and pelagic ecosystem functioning, information about the bacterial community composition in the Baltic Sea is scarce. We hypothesized that due to the eutrophic low-salinity environment and the long water residence time (>5 years), the bacterioplankton community from the Baltic proper shows a native “brackish” composition influenced by both freshwater and marine phylotypes. The bacterial community composition in surface water (3-m depth) was examined at a single station throughout a full year. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) showed that the community composition changed over the year. Further, it indicated that at the four extensive samplings (16S rRNA gene clone libraries and bacterial isolates from low- and high-nutrient agar plates and seawater cultures), different bacterial assemblages associated with different environmental conditions were present. Overall, the sequencing of 26 DGGE bands, 160 clones, 209 plate isolates, and 9 dilution culture isolates showed that the bacterial assemblage in surface waters of the central Baltic Sea was dominated by
Bacteroidetes
but exhibited a pronounced influence of typical freshwater phylogenetic groups within
Actinobacteria
,
Verrucomicrobia
, and
Betaproteobacteria
and a lack of typical marine taxa. This first comprehensive analysis of bacterial community composition in the central Baltic Sea points to the existence of an autochthonous estuarine community uniquely adapted to the environmental conditions prevailing in this brackish environment.
Colonization and Persistence of Antibiotic-Resistant
Enterobacteriaceae
Strains in Infants Nursed in Two Neonatal Intensive Care Units in East London, United Kingdom
Authors: Millar Michael , Philpott Alex , Wilks Mark , Whiley Angela , Warwick Simon , Hennessy Enid , Coen Pietro , Kempley Stephen , Stacey Fiona , Costeloe Kate
Published: November 2007

Stool samples were collected from infants nursed in two neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) in East London, United Kingdom. The aim of the study was to determine the incidence of and risk factors for the carriage of multiresistant
Enterobacteriaceae
strains (MRE; resistant to three or more classes of antibiotic) and the extent of the persistence of resistant strains following discharge. Sixty-two (50%) of 124 infants had acquired MRE by 2 weeks of postnatal age, and 69 (56%) infants had acquired MRE by discharge. The proportions of infants at 2 weeks carrying strains that were resistant to antibiotics were the following: tetracycline, 79%; amoxicillin, 78%; cephalosporins, 31%; trimethoprim, 20%; piperacillin-tazobactam, 11%; chloramphenicol, 9%; and aminoglycoside, 4%. A gestational age of less than 26 weeks was a risk factor for colonization with MRE at discharge, but not at 2 weeks. Analysis within a NICU showed that exposure of an infant to a specific antibiotic in the NICU was not a risk factor for the carriage of a strain resistant to that antibiotic. Estimates of persistence from discharge to 6 months were the following: for tetracycline, 57% (95% confidence intervals [CI], 0.35 to 0.87); chloramphenicol, 49% (95% CI, 0.20 to 0.83); trimethoprim, 45% (95% CI, 0.22 to 0.74); piperacillin-tazobactam, 42% (95% CI, 0.20 to 0.71); and augmentin, 34% (95% CI, 0.11 to 0.66). Strains resistant to cephalosporins or aminoglycosides showed lower levels of persistence. Nine of 34 infants (26.5%) with
Escherichia coli
and 4 (7.1%) of 56 infants with
Klebsiella
spp. at discharge carried strains indistinguishable by randomly amplified polymorphic DNA and antibiotic susceptibility patterns at 6 months. MRE were found at high frequency in the infants during their stay in the NICU and persisted in a proportion of infants.
RELATIVISTIC HADRONIC MATTER AND PHASE TRANSITIONS
Authors: PROVIDÊNCIA CONSTANÇA
Published: November 2007

A brief revision of different relativistic hadronic models, including the original sigma-omega model, models with nonlinear meson terms, density dependent coupling parameters and the quark-meson coupling, are presented. The inclusion of short range correlations is discussed. Dense stellar matter is described within the relativistic hadronic models introduced. We build the EoS for cold and warm hadronic and hybrid stars and discuss the star properties obtained within the different approaches. The low density thermodynamical and dynamical instabilities of stellar matter of interest for the discussion of the crust of neutron stars are investigated.
PHYSICS AND SIGNATURES OF STRINGS AND EXTRA DIMENSIONS
Authors: ANTONIADIS IGNATIOS
Published: November 2007

Lowering the string scale in the TeV region provides a theoretical framework for solving the mass hierarchy problem and unifying all interactions. The apparent weakness of gravity can then be accounted by the existence of large internal dimensions, in the submillimeter region, and transverse to a braneworld where we must be confined. I review the main properties of this scenario and its implications for observations at both particle colliders, and in non-accelerator gravity experiments.
COLOR SUPERCONDUCTIVITY IN DENSE QUARK MATTER
Authors: BUBALLA MICHAEL
Published: November 2007

The possible structure of the QCD phase diagram is discussed focusing on color superconducting quark matter in the region of low temperatures and moderately large densities which could be relevant for compact stars.
STABILITY OF NEUTRON STARS WITH LARGE AMOUNT OF STRANGENESS AND THE ROLE OF δ-MESON
Authors: RAZEIRA M. , MESQUITA A. , VASCONCELLOS C. A. Z. , BODMANN B. E. J. , DILLIG M. , MARRANGHELLO G. F.
Published: November 2007

We investigate the role of the strange σ*, ϕ and δ meson fields on the delineation of main properties of neutron stars using a parameterized Lagrangian density model in the effective baryon and meson sectors. We assume, strange quarks are localized within the hyperon fields, which carry the strangeness content of the model. Our main goal is to analyze stability conditions of neutron stars with large amount of strangeness per baryon. Our main result indicates the inclusion of the strange (anti-)quark containing meson field σ*, besides ϕ and δ into nuclear matter, turn the equation of state stiffer this way increasing the gravitational mass of the neutron star.
CHARGED PARTICLE RAPIDITY DISTRIBUTION, TRANSVERSE MOMENTUM DISTRIBUTION AND ELLIPTIC FLOW IN Cu+Cu COLLISIONS AT RHIC WITH NeXSPheRIO
Authors: DOS REIS A. L. V. R. , GRASSI F. , DE ANDRADE R. P. G. , HAMA Y. , NAVARRA F. S.
Published: November 2007

In this work we use the program SPheRIO1 (Smoothed Particle hydrodynamics evolution of Relativistic Ion collisions) to simulate the collision between two copper nuclei at 200 A GeV. SPheRIO is a numerical program that solves the hydrodynamics equations. We use the initial conditions provided by the program NeXus.2.
INFLUENCE OF THE EQUATION OF STATE ON THE MOMENTUM ANISOTROPY IN HADRODYNAMIC EVOLUTION OF RELATIVISTIC HEAVY ION COLLISIONS
Authors: ZSCHIESCHE DETLEF , FRAGA EDUARDO , KODAMA TAKESHI , KOIDE TOMOI , TAVARES BERNARDO , SCHRAMM STEFAN
Published: November 2007

We investigate the collective momentum anisotropy in relativistic heavy ion collisions in the BNL-RHIC energy regime with a three-dimensional hydrodynamical simulation code (SPHERIO) for different equations of state. We compare the widely used hadron gas-QGP bag model yielding a strong first order phase transition to other equations of state, which yield a smooth crossover as suggested by lattice QCD calculations.
THE SCHWINGER MODEL ON THE NULL-PLANE
Authors: CASANA R. , PIMENTEL B. M. , ZAMBRANO G. E. R.
Published: November 2007

We study the Schwinger Model on the null-plane using the Dirac method for constrained systems. The fermion field is analyzed using the natural null-plane projections coming from the γ-algebra and it is shown that the fermionic sector of the Schwinger Model has only second class constraints. However, the first class constraints are exclusively of the bosonic sector. Finally, we establish the graded Lie algebra between the dynamical variables, via generalized Dirac bracket in the null-plane gauge, which is consistent with every constraint of the theory.
RISK ANALYSIS UNDER PARTIAL PRIOR INFORMATION AND NONMONOTONE UTILITY FUNCTIONS
Authors: UTKIN LEV V.
Published: November 2007

The main objective of the paper is to investigate the risk analysis problems when a precise but unknown probability distribution of states of nature belongs to a set of continuous probability distributions restricted by some known lower and upper distributions and when utility functions are nonmonotone. Methods for choosing "optimal" distributions among the set of distributions and for computing the expected utilities are proposed. Some special cases of sets of distributions, including possibility distributions, step functions, belief functions are studied under the same conditions. Various numerical examples illustrate the proposed methods.
REACTION MECHANISM OF THE CCN RADICAL WITH NITROGEN DIOXIDE
Authors: JIN LIN , DING YI-HONG , WANG JIAN
Published: November 2007

The complex singlet and triplet potential energy surfaces (PESs) of the [ C 2 N 2 O 2] system are performed at the B3LYP and Gaussian-3//B3LYP levels in order to investigate the possibility of the carbyne radical CCN in removal of nitrogen dioxide. Thirty minimum isomers and 36 transition states are located. Starting from the very energy-rich reactant R CCN + NO 2, the terminal C -attack adduct NCCN ( O ) O (singlet at -48.6 and triplet at -48.1 kcal/mol) is first formed on both singlet and triplet PESs. Subsequently, the singlet NCCN ( O ) O takes an O -transfer to form the intermediate singlet cis- NCC ( O ) NO (-120.1), which can lead to the fragments NCCO + NO (-94.4) without barrier. The simpler evolution of the triplet NCCN ( O ) O is the direct N – O rupture to form the final fragmentation NCCNO + 3 O (-31.0). However, the lower lying products 3 NCNO + CO (-103.3) and NCNCO + 3 O (-86.5) are kinetically much less competitive. All the involved transition states for the generation of NCCO + NO and NCCNO + 3 O lie much lower than the reactants, and it indicates that this reaction can proceed effectively even at low temperatures. We expect that the reaction CCN + NO 2 can play a role in both combustion and interstellar processes. Comparison is made between the CCN + NO 2 and CH + NO 2 reaction mechanisms.
FIRM OWNERSHIP AND THE DETERMINANTS OF SUCCESS AND FAILURE IN NEW PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT: AN EMPIRICAL STUDY OF MANUFACTURING FIRMS IN THE GUANGDONG PROVINCE OF CHINA
Authors: JIN ZHONGQI , LI ZHIHONG
Published: November 2007

This paper generates a new perspective on the growing literature in new product development (NPD): firm ownership and the determinants of success and failure of NPD firms operating in a Chinese region which has experienced unprecedented change. Cooper and Kleinschmidt's conceptual framework is utilised. 126 new product projects, from 84 firms were investigated using a structured survey. Results are compared with those from studies in Canada, Korea, Japan and Slovenia. Contrary to other studies' findings, a hostile market environment was found to be facilitative rather than a major de-facilitator. We then further examined NPD activities in three different types of manufacturing firms in Guangdong: state-owned, joint venture/foreign owned and private firms. A comparison with an earlier study conducted in China focusing mainly on state-owned firms is made and the paper concludes by drawing out implications for managers operating in China.
Are Thoughts and Sentences Compositional? A Controversy between Abelard and a Pupil of Alberic on the Reconciliation of Ancient Theses on Mind and Language
Authors: Lenz Martin
Published: November 2007

This paper reconstructs a controversy between a pupil of Alberic of Paris and Peter Abelard which illustrates two competing ways of reconciling different ancient traditions. I shall argue that their accounts of the relation between sentences and thoughts are incompatible with one another, although they rely on the same set of sources. The key to understanding their different views on assertive and non-assertive sentences lies in their disparate views about the structure of thoughts: whereas Abelard takes thoughts to be compositional, the opponent's arguments seem to rely on the premise that the mental states which correspond to sentences cannot be compositional in the way that Abelard suggested. Although, at a first glance, Abelard's position appears to be more coherent, it turns out that his opponent convincingly argues against weaknesses in Abelard's semantic theory by proposing a pragmatic approach.
Intentionality and Truth-Making: Augustine's Influence on Burley and Wyclif 's Propositional Semantics
Authors: Cesalli Laurent
Published: November 2007

Walter Burley (1275-c.1344) and John Wyclif (1328-1384) follow two clearly stated doctrinal options: on the one hand, they are realists and, on the other, they defend a correspondence theory of truth that involves specific correlates for true propositions, in short: truth-makers. Both characteristics are interdependent: such a conception of truth requires a certain kind of ontology. This study shows that a) in their explanation of what it means for a proposition to be true, Burley and Wyclif both develop what we could call a theory of intentionality in order to explain the relation that must obtain between the human mind and the truth-makers, and b) that their explanations reach back to Augustine, more precisely to his theory of ocular vision as exposed in the De trinitate IX as well as to his conception of ideas found in the Quaestio de ideis.
Richard Billingham's Speculum puerorum, Some Medieval Commentaries and Aristotle
Authors: Bos Egbert
Published: November 2007

In the history of medieval semantics, supposition theory is important especially in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries. In this theory the emphasis is on the term, whose properties one tries to determine. In the fourteenth century the focus is on the proposition, of which a term having supposition is a part. The idea is to analyse propositions in order to determine their truth (probare). The Speculum puerorum written by Richard Billingham was the standard textbook for this approach. It was very influential in Europe. The theory of the probatio propositionis was meant to solve problems both in (empirically oriented) scientific propositions such as used by the Oxford Calculators, and theological propositions, especially those about the Trinity. The book is original, concise, but not clear in every respect. Studying medieval commentaries may help us to understand Richard's book. In the present paper three commentaries are presented. The commentators discussed problems about the status of Richard's book, and about its doctrine: what is the relation between probatio and truth, what is the relation between probatio and supposition, what exactly are mediate and immediate terms (e.g.is the pronoun 'this' mediate or immediate?). The commentators sometimes criticize Richard. For example, one of them argues, against Billingham, that the verb 'can' ampliates its subject term and is therefore mediate.
China's Rising Profile in Africa
Authors: Beri Ruchita
Published: November 2007

In recent years, China has strengthened its relations with African countries in all spheres—political, economic and military. China's rising profile in Africa is shaped by its desire to garner strategic support against the ‘America hegemony’, promote South-South cooperation, counter Taiwan's inroads in Africa, explore commercial opportunities and finally, and most importantly, the need to feed the rising domestic demand for natural resources. For Africa, China's renewed interest in the continent is a win-win situation. China provides an alternative ‘power direction’ and support of the developing world. The allure of replicating the Chinese model of development is another important factor. India's relations with Africa are quite distinct and it does not need to view Africa through the Chinese prism. Nevertheless, the scale and pace of China's engagement of Africa is way ahead of India's. At this juncture India should provide an alternative model based on promoting skills and technology-based partnership, the hallmark of Indian economic growth.
The Work–Family Time Squeeze
Authors: Edlund Jonas
Published: November 2007

The article analyzes work—family balance among working couples in 29 countries using data from ISSP 2002. Arguments derived from theories on family regimes and modernization are tested. The results indicate that respondents can be categorized into three clusters. The first comprises those having a work—family balance; the second, those having an occupational work-overload; and the third, those having a dual work-overload (i.e. those experiencing too strong demands from both work and family responsibilities). Across countries, cluster sizes vary tremendously. The results indicate that the wealth of a country is strongly associated with the likelihood of achieving a balanced work—family situation. Although the overall probability increases with economic wealth, the relative disadvantage for women compared to men persists. The female disadvantage is mainly a higher risk of occupational overload in the rich countries, whereas in poorer countries there is a higher risk of being in a dual work-overload situation. Among the wealthy industrialized democracies, a balanced work—family situation is more common in the familialist German-linguistic country grouping, followed by the Nordic countries characterized by de-familialization. Market-oriented countries perform less well. Within the perspective of the theory on family regimes, the similarity between the familialist and the de-familialist regimes is an unexpected result.
La libido réactionnaire? The recent fiction of J. G. Ballard
Authors: Noys Benjamin
Published: November 2007

This essay addresses the question of whether the contemporary British writer J. G. Ballard is reactionary. It uses the work of the psychoanalytic thinker Slavoj Žižek to analyse the ways in which his recent fiction, the novels Cocaine Nights (1996), Super-Cannes (2000), Millennium People (2003) and Kingdom Come (2006), poses disturbing questions concerning order, community and transgression within contemporary capitalist society. The analysis traces the shifting and ambiguous political e fects of Ballard's attempts to provide warnings concerning emergent cultural pathologies. This leads to an examination of how Ballard puts the generic conventions of contemporary fiction under pressure by his subversion of the crime/thriller novel. The conclusion focuses on the relative lack of controversy aroused by Ballard's provocative fiction in Britain.
Electromagnetic suspension control without airgap measurement
Authors: Goodall R.M.
Published: November 2007

Novel controllers for electromagnetic suspensions are investigated, the important feature of which is that measurement of the airgap is not needed. The paper explores the hypothesis that measurements of magnet current and airgap flux density should be sufficient for stable control, and it examines strategies by which such control can be achieved. A somewhat unexpected control strategy emerges from the investigation, and this is supported by a theoretical stability analysis and by simulation.
Transducers for the measurement of forces in textile machinery
Authors: Sharp J.M. , MacCarthy B.L. , Burns N.D.
Published: November 2007

This paper describes the development of sensitive transducers to measure dynamically forces associated with the interaction of cams, needles and yarn in the weft knit process. The design principles of cam and yarn force transducers are discussed and their integration into a microcomputer-based control system is described. The experimental results demonstrate the range of application and the sensitivity of the transducers. The transducers were particularly important in validating theoretical models of the system and highlighting their deficiencies. The system provides the basis for the development of future test and control instrumentation on this type of machinery.
Estimation of mass, damping and stiffness parameters in mechanical vibrating structures
Authors: Stanway Roger , Mottershead John E. , Tee T.K.
Published: November 2007

In this paper, the authors describe the development of a technique for estimating numerical values for the mass, damping and stiffness parameters in linearised models of mechanical vibrating structures. It is shown how an existing non-linear filtering algorithm has been transformed to the frequency domain and subsequently reformulated as a linear filter. Experimental case studies involving a portal-frame rig and a squeeze-film damper illustrate the application of the technique.
Twin-wire resistance probe for measuring differential pressures of liquids
Authors: Liu C.Y. , Ng K.L. , Poo A.N.
Published: November 2007

This paper presents the practicality of using a twin-wire resistance-probe water manometer for measuring pressure differences of liquids. Experiments were performed using the probe to measure the pressure difference across an orifice-plate water flowmeter and to measure the dynamic pressure in an open-channel flume. It was found that the output voltage from the manometer was linearly proportional to the difference in pressure. The limitations of measurement were also analysed.
Full linearisation with closed-loop observer
Authors: Daizhan Cheng  , Shuqing Huang  , Lee Won-Kyoo , Jiangbo Liu
Published: November 2007

In this paper the problem of full linearisation, which means linearising the state and output equations simultaneously, is tackled. First we present necessary and sufficient conditions for the full linearisation of a class of non-linear systems; then a method to design a closed-loop observer for linearised system is presented. Finally, the developed technique is used to investigate the control of an activated-sludge process. Some simulation results are given.
Analysis and design of piezoresistive pressure sensors using the finite-element method
Authors: Mirza M.K. , Abdullah F. , Finkelstein L.
Published: November 2007

A package for the analysis and design of piezoresistive pressure sensors has been developed. The finite-element analysis of the sensing diaphragm is based on Mindlin plate theory. The program is user friendly and can be used to determine the sensitivity and the nonlinearity of the device. It has been developed to run on an IBM compatible personal computer.
Multivariable control problems in dynamic structural testing
Authors: Pratt R.W. , Tsavdaras S.
Published: November 2007

The problem of designing controllers for multi-channel dynamic structural test systems is discussed. The structure under test, a uniform cantilever, is subjected to sinusoidal force inputs from two electromagnetic vibrators which are attached to the mid-point and the end of the beam. The deflection of the beam is measured at these locations and considered as the system output. Consequently, the system consists of two control loops which are cross-coupled through the dynamics of the beam. The aim is to minimise interaction in the two channels, so providing the opportunity for a systematic approach to the design of the controllers in the individual loops.

The Inverse Nyquist Array method is applied to an analytical model. It is shown that the design problem can be divided into three categories according to the relative stiffness of the beam to the vibrator. The results demonstrate that controllers, which give significant reductions in interaction, can be designed for each case.
A robust observer for a Maglev system
Authors: Szumko S. , Dunn M.J.
Published: November 2007

Details are presented of a robust observer design for a Maglev system. In contrast to previous efforts the design is made using the state space formulation of the system with the aid of relatively new robustness results for state space systems.
On-line process fault diagnosis using neural network techniques
Authors: Zhang J. , Roberts P.D.
Published: November 2007

A neural-network based on-line fault-diagnosis system for industrial processes is presented in this paper. A multi-layer feed-forward neural network is developed and trained with symptom-fault pairs from experience of the operation of a process or from simulation analysis of that process. The trained network can be used to diagnose faults in that it can associate the abnormalities in on-line measurements with corresponding faults. Compared with diagnosis systems based on expert-systems techniques, which have several limitations such as the time consuming nature of developing the knowledge base and the inability to cope with situations not presented in the knowledge base, the neural-network based fault-diagnosis system is easy to develop and performs robustly. The feasibility of applying such a diagnosis system to industrial processes is demonstrated by applying it to a pilot-scale mixing process and in a simulation study of a continuously-stirred tank reactor (CSTR) system. A series of experiments is carried out to investigate the performance of the neutral-network based on-line diagnosis system and it is shown that it can perform satisfactorily with partially incorrect and partially unavailable information. Therefore, to some extent, the system can tolerate measurement noise and model-plant mismatch.
Calibration and validation of on-line measurements
Authors: Hammond R.P.
Published: November 2007

Instrument test data are analysed to determine whether any adjustment is needed, if this adjustment affects zero shift only or gain and zero shift, and the magnitude of any adjustment needed. This paper uses practical data to demonstrate calibration hunting whereby successive tests require gain to be alternately increased and decreased, and tests for skew and bias. Other sections deal with confidence intervals, rejection of outlier results, regression methods, and the correlation coefficient.
An investigation of the force-time characteristics of needle insertions into Isobutene-Isoprene (Butyl) rubber bungs used in the pharmaceutical industry
Authors: Nock Ian , Parkin Robert , Dalay Brian
Published: November 2007

For reasons of hygiene, the preparation and parenteral administration of drugs utilises a fresh sterile needle for each injection. Automated systems, where the drug is prepared for later administration, are not likely to suffer from biological cross-contamination and thus needles may be utilised for multiple insertions, providing enhanced cost efficiency. In order to assess the optimum needle life, an experiment was conducted to investigate the change in the force required to effect penetration, into isobutene-isoprene rubber bungs, over a number of insertions.

Similarities between the injection process and that of metal die blanking have been noted, extending to the design of the needle. The experiments were conducted in an automated manner; a traversing mechanism provided the means of needle insertion and resultant forces were measured using a load cell. Force-time signatures, captured on a Digital Storage Oscilloscope, were transmitted to a microcomputer for incorporation into result documentation and disk storage. The characteristic signatures have been shown to demonstrate similarities to those of die blanking, thus vindicating the chosen model. Analysis of the insertion impulse, or change in momentum, as it varied with the number of insertions was expected to provide a measure of 'bluntness'. This is confirmed in the analysis of the initial small scale test results.
The state estimation of flow demands in gas networks from sparse pressure telemetry
Authors: Nichols N.K. , Stringer S.M.
Published: November 2007

This paper presents novel observer-based techniques for the estimation of flow demands in gas networks, from sparse pressure telemetry. A completely observable model is explored, constructed by incorporating difference equations that assume the flow demands are steady. Since the flow demands usually vary slowly with time, this is a reasonable approximation. Two techniques for constructing robust observers are employed: robust eigenstructure assignment and singular value assignment. These techniques help to reduce the effects of the system approximation. Modelling error may be further reduced by making use of known profiles for the flow demands. The theory is extended to deal successfully with the problem of measurement bias. The pressure measurements available are subject to constant biases which degrade the flow demand estimates, and such biases need to be estimated. This is achieved by constructing a further model variation that incorporates the biases into an augmented state vector, but now includes information about the flow demand profiles in a new form.
Parameter estimation on a fixed-point processor using the δ-operator
Authors: Terrett P. , Downing C.J.
Published: November 2007

The delta (δ) operator has been proposed as an alternative to the shift (z) operator in the analysis of discrete systems. There has been little reportage in the literature on the practical real-time implementation of δ-based control or estimation algorithms, whose stated advantage lies in the area of numerical robustness. This paper examines this claim by assessing the problems associated with the real-time implementation of a recursive least squares (RLS) identification scheme based on the δ-operator. It is shown that implementation depends on the introduction of a stable polynomial operator F(δ) and a novel technique for optimising the choice of F(δ) is developed. Results are presented which clearly, show the advantage of the δ-operator over the z-operator in implementing the RLS algorithm on the TMS320C25 fixed point digital signal processor.
Mismatched Smith Predictors
Authors: Whalley R. , Zeng Z.
Published: November 2007

Smith predictor regulators operating under conditions where the dynamics generated by the process model differ from those of the process are considered. Analysis procedures are proposed and illustrative results are presented.
Theoretical and experimental investigations of a capacitance variable area flowmeter
Authors: Liu C.Y. , Lua A.C. , Chan W.K. , Wong Y.W.
Published: November 2007

The principle of the capacitance variable area flowmeter or rotameter for gas measurements is developed. This method utilised the change of the annular gap between the float and the tapered bore at different positions to measure the corresponding change in capacitance in the form of voltage. From performance tests conducted for air on both a simulated rotameter and an actual rotameter constructed based on the principle described, good agreement was obtained between analytical and experimental results. It was found that the output voltage from this rotameter depended upon the relative sizes of the diameters of the tapered bore and the float, and the angle of the tapered tube.
A non-minimal state variable feedback approach to multivariable control of glasshouse climate
Authors: Lees M.J. , Young P.C. , Chotai A. , Tych W.
Published: November 2007

The paper discusses the multivariable modelling and control of a glasshouse micro-climate. A linear reduced-order control model is obtained from a nonlinear simulation model using novel data-based model reduction and linearisation techniques. This control model is then used to design two multivariable non-minimal state variable feedback (SVF) control systems. The first utilises an LQoptimal Proportional-Integral-Plus (PIP) design method incorporating multi-objective optimisation of the weighting matrices, achieving partial dynamic decoupling; while the second uses an algebraic approach to combined pole-assignment and full dynamic decoupling. These controllers are evaluated, to ensure robustness, using the nonlinear simulation model, prior to implementation and evaluation on the real glasshouse during the 1993-94 winter growing season. Control results are excellent with very tight control to the desired setpoints in all three climate variables. For example, air temperature is controlled to within 0.5°C of the setpoint for 85% of the validation period, and is shown to be very robust to model uncertainty and extreme weather conditions.
Neural network model-based predictive control of a distillation column—a neural network modelling methodology
Authors: Turner Paul , Agammenoni Osvaldo , Barton Geoff , Morris Julian , Montague Gary
Published: November 2007

This paper describes the collaborative results of a study between The University of Newcastle, Sydney University, ICI Engineering Technology and ICI Australia Pty Ltd into the application of neural networks to Model-Based Predictive Control. The results discussed will describe the methodology of extracting data from a real industrial process, pre-processing the data, selection of key inputs using dynamic correlation and multivariate stcrtistics, process modelling and control. The paper will emphasise the importance of combining engineering knowledge, advanced statistics and neural networks in order to obtain an extremely powerful modelling technique for dealing with non-linear systems. The implementation of the controller was carried out on a validated simulation of the actual process. This Speedup model had been developed by Sydney University over a period of 18 months and had been used previously to design other successful control strategies that are not on-line on the process.

The resultant Model-Based controller was benchmarked against a linear model-based controller and two PID controllers. The neural network- controller not only outperformed the linear MBPC by a 50% reduction in standard deviation but also reduced overshoot and settling time dramatically.
Industrial reactor modelling with artificial neural networks
Authors: Montague G.A. , Gent C. , Morris A.J. , Buttress J.
Published: November 2007

This paper describes the development of artificial neural network based models of a large-scale industrial reaction process. The process operates continuously but is subject to changes in product demand and variations in raw material quality. The models are required for the purpose of process optimisation which poses additional modelling demands as predictions of process constraints are also required. A blend of artificial neural network and standard linear regression models was found to be most appropriate. The models have subsequently been incorporated within an advisory system to provide the operators with advice on process set-points to maximise process profitability within the constraints. Results from process operation serve to demonstrate the predictive ability of the models and serve to highlight important application lessons. An overview of the advisory system concept is included to place the models in context.