bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Monopulse pattern‐forming method for an off‐focus RF sensor
Authors: Ueno Kenji
Published: July 2007

To improve the accuracy of the beam‐pointing direction of the satellite‐borne antenna, it is effective to attach an accurate RF sensor to such an antenna. On the other hand, it is not possible to place a monopulse horn for the RF sensor at the focal point of the antenna due to the use of the multihorn approach in the communication signal horn. Often the monopulse pattern is significantly degraded.

In this paper, a method is presented for forming a desired monopulse pattern even under such an adverse condition. The least‐square method is used for determination of the amount of adjustment for the amplitude and phase for each horn. It is shown that the type of tracking receiver is related to the evaluation of the obtained pattern. At the same time, the tracking receiver is related to the evaluation of the obtained pattern. At the same time, the tracking receiver is modeled and a pattern evaluation method is proposed by observing the angular detection error at the output end of the tracking receiver. As an example, the present method is applied to the RF sensor displaced by six times the 3‐dB beamwidth in an antenna with an aperture diameter of 350 wavelengths. It is found that a monopulse pattern is acquired with distortions as small as those for an RF sensor on the focal point and the angular detection error is about one‐fourth the results in the conventional method if three constraint points on the difference pattern are chosen.
Power loss distribution in a circular‐cylindrical human body model produced by electromagnetic wave irradiation from surface magnetic current sources
Authors: Araki Noriyuki , Morita Nagayoshi
Published: July 2007

Three‐dimensional power loss distributions for noninvasive electromagnetic hyperthermia are. analytically calculated. The dependence of the distributions along the longitudinal direction of the human body on the two types of polarization direction is investigated in detail. A uniform infinitely long dielectric circular cylinder is used as a model of the human body; magnetic current sources within limited regions on conducting planes are used as models of waveguide apertures.

Three types of models are considered for the exterior region of the human body: a model with a water layer and an air layer, a model using only air, and a model using only water. Power loss distributions are calculated for two typical types of polarization, TE‐ and TM‐types, and for 100 and 60 MHz. We conclude that for localization of power‐loss distribution along the longitudinal direction, the TE‐type is more desirable than the TM‐type and that the water‐bolus should be located along the longitudinal direction.
HPA arrangement method to improve isolation among output ports on a multiport amplifier
Authors: Yamamoto Kazuichi , Tanaka Masayoshi
Published: July 2007

A multiport amplifier (MPA), which has multiple input and output ports and is composed of an array of high‐power amplifiers (HPAs), is promising as an onboard high‐power amplifier for mobile satellite communications. It is necessary to keep the characteristics of the HP As and other components as uniform as possible to realize the MPA hardware. Since the deviation in characteristics degrades the isolation among the output ports of the MPA and causes signal interference problems, it is important to improve the isolation.

An effective MPA configuration and an HPA arrangement to improve the isolation are made clear from the viewpoint that the isolation among the output ports depends on the HPA arrangement when the HPAs have deviation in characteristics.

This paper describes the isolation improvement principle and an effective MPA configuration to improve the isolation. Also, proposed is an algorithm to determine the HPA arrangement that optimizes the MPA isolation without affecting the MPA output power. It is shown that almost an optimum HPA arrangement is obtained using the algorithm. The effectiveness is confirmed by experiment.
The application of a short‐time DFT to a hilbert transformer
Authors: Kishi Masahichi
Published: July 2007

There is an urgent need to reduce the frequency occupancy bandwidth over speech channels to prevent radio resources from being exhausted. A Hilbert transformer plays the role of efficiently reducing the occupied bandwidth in such high‐efficiency systems as single‐side band (SSB) or RZ SSB.

In this paper, it is shown that a Hilbert transformer may be implemented using the instantaneous spectrum concept and then applied in communications systems. The new Hilbert transformer described in this paper is based on the concept that the Hilbert transform is fully realized in the frequency domain by exchanging the complex real part with the complex imaginary part of the instantaneous spectrum, which is then analyzed using a short‐time DFT. The Hilbert transformed output signals are then synthesized from these exchanged instantaneous spectra through a short‐time IFT. The short‐time DFT Hilbert transformer is shown to be superior to the standard minmax Hilbert transformer proposed by Rabiner et al. by means of a discussion of the ideal unit response and through computer simulations. It is also shown that The concept can be applied in practical communications systems due to the fact that it has the property of being free from the synchronization of a DSP processing clock.
Affine transformations for compensating linear distortion: An application to linear signaling in mobile radio
Authors: Suzuki Hiroshi , Yoshino Hitoshi
Published: July 2007

With the progress in mobile communication as the background, researchers have become interested in digital signaling techniques. The quadrature modulator and the quadrature demodulator are employed in those techniques.

This paper aims at the suppression of the waveform distortion in such a quadrature modulator/demodulator and proposes the affine transformation distortion compensation for the linear distortion (ADC). The linear distortion is attributed to: (i) dc offset in the baseband signal; (ii) unbalance of I/Q amplitudes; and (iii) phase offset of quadrature reference carrier. It is shown that those can be eliminated by ADC. A method is shown which estimates the ADC parameters of the quadrature modulation from the output of the level detector for the modulated wave. A method is also shown which estimates the ADC parameters for quadrature demodulation from the detected component in the received wave. ADC is actually implemented in the QPSK transmission system using the decision feedback equalizer. The characteristics are examined experimentally, and the usefulness of the method is demonstrated.
Layering and partitioning of network architecture
Authors: Kajima Makoto , Uchinuma Hiroshi , Inoue Yuji
Published: July 2007

The telecommunication network is a large‐scale and complex network which is described by various expressions according to the purposes, e.g., the provision of services and operation of the network. Another point to note is that there are remarkable technical innovations in the network configuration. Also, there are shifts from the analog to digital system as well as the synchronous transfer mode (STM) to asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) in the digital system.

This paper presents two concepts, i.e., layering and partitioning, to arrive at the unified representation of the such a diversified and complex network based on the basic concept of the network architecture. It is expected that those concepts will have important roles in the future integrated networks, as the concepts that clearly specify the network structure, by pinpointing the essence of the network without being affected by the implementation techniques.
Multipath allocation control in a communication network by the cooperative distributed multiagent model
Authors: Minato Kenji , Okumura Yasuyuki , Kishimoot Ryozo
Published: July 2007

This paper proposes an application method of the cooperative distributed multiagent model in multipath allocation algorithm and confirms its valid calculation results by realizing this model in a distributed computer environment. The multiagent model in this paper is an environment where each agent has the same function of asynchronous and parallel calculation and no globally controlling agents exist.

To realize this model, this paper proposes an appropriate dividing method of the multipath allocation problem for asynchronous and parallel calculation, a unifying method of each agent's answers and interagent communication protocols. It also compares the required calculation time and the number of allocated paths of a single agent with that of the multiagents and shows the practical calculation ability of the multiagent model.
Performance analysis of end‐to‐end transfer delays for multipacket messages in packet‐switching networks
Authors: Inai Hiroshi , Murata Masayuki , Miyahara Hideo
Published: July 2007

When a long message such as file is to be transmitted in a packet‐switching network, the source node segments the message into a number of packets and the packets are transmitted to the network. Those packets are transferred to the destination node through several intermediate nodes and then reassembled into the message.

This paper models the packet‐switching network into a tandem queueing network. By analyzing the model, the performance of message transfer in the packet‐switching network is evaluated. The discrete‐time system is considered in the analysis.

An algorithm is presented which strictly derives the distribution of time needed in the transfer of all packets composing the message from the source node to the destination node (message transfer time).

In the numerical example, it is assumed that the service time at each node is composed of the packet processing time and the packet transmission time. The effect of the packet size on the mean and variance of the message transfer delay is analyzed. The case where the message size and the number of intermediate nodes are increased also is considered.
Conformal array antenna for mobile satellite communications
Authors: Chujo Wataru , Konishi Yoshihiko , Ohtaki Yukio , Fujise Masayuki
Published: July 2007

In the case of mobile satellite communication antennas for automobiles and aircraft, a necessary electrical characteristic is to scan the beam over a wide angle. Also, from the viewpoint of aerodynamics and design, conformal arrays are desirable which are fit to the shape of the moving body.

This paper discusses the radiation characteristics of a conformal array suitable for mobile satellite communications. In addition, a one‐piece fabrication of a conformal array is carried out and its electrical characteristics are evaluated.

First, it is shown by means of computation of a 16‐element partial spherical array with icosahedron arrangement that the radiation characteristics can be varied by adjusting the curvature in the conformal array and there exists an optimum value. Next, a trial fabrication is carried out to establish a one‐piece fabrication technique. The test results are described for a 16‐element hemispherical array made by a vacuum‐forming method and a 16‐element partial spherical array made by a roundfaced compression method which is employed to improve the fabrication accuracy of a thin partial spherical array. Excellent single‐element characteristics and array radiation characteristics are obtained with the 16‐element partial spherical array using the round‐faced compression method. Hence, the validity of the fabrication method is verified.
Analysis of annual maximal and minimal temperatures for some European cities by change point methods
Authors: Jarušková Daniela , Rencová Monika
Published: July 2007

The test statistics for detecting a change in a location parameter of annual maxima and minima series together with several methods for finding critical values were proposed. The methods were applied to temperature series measured at five meteorological sites—Bruxelles, Cadiz, Milan, St. Petersburg, and Stockholm. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Decomposition and parallelization strategies for solving large‐scale MDO problems
Authors: Grauer M. , Eschenauer Hans A.
Published: July 2007

During previous years, structural optimization has been recognized as a useful tool within the discriptines of engineering and economics. However, the optimization of large‐scale systems or structures is impeded by an immense solution effort. This was the reason to start a joint research and development (R& D) project between the Institute ofMechanics and Control Engineering and the Information and Decision Sciences Institute within the Research Center for Multidisciplinary Analyses and Applied Structural Optimization (FOMAAS) on cluster computing for parallel and distributed solution of multidisciplinary optimization (MDO) problems based on the OpTiX‐Workbench. Here the focus of attention will be put on coarsegrained parallelization and its implementation on clusters of workstations. A further point of emphasis was laid on the development of a parallel decomposition strategy calles PARDEC, for the solution of very complex optimization problems which cannot be solved efficiently by sequential integrated optimization. The use of the OptiX‐Workbench together with the FEM ground water simulation system FEFLOWis shown for a special water management problem. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Parameter identification with sensitivity assessment and error computation
Authors: Johansson H. , Runesson K. , Larsson F.
Published: July 2007

In this paper a particular framework for the parameter identification (calibration) of constitutive models is discussed. The framework involves the formulation of an optimization problem as the stationarity condition for a Lagrangian, whose arguments include an additional costate field in order to incorporate the state equation. This formulation has two distinct advantages: (1) The sensitivity of parameters with respect to uncertainties in the observed data can be assessed efficiently using a dual method, which compares favorably with the more conventional primal method, and (2) The errors arising from the FE discretization can be computed using the same dual method, which is an additional bonus. In fact, both the sensitivity and the discretization error can be estimated in an arbitrarily chosen “goal quantity” (or quantity of interest). Two numerical problems, one in terms of stationary groundwater flow (elliptic, in space) and another in terms of transient moisture diffusion in wood (parabolic, in space‐time) illustrate the salient features of the proposed algorithm(s). (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
On parameter identification for material and microstructural properties
Authors: Gerlach S. , Matzenmiller A.
Published: July 2007

The simulation of the mechanical behaviour of structures with the finite element method is one of the main tasks in engineering mechanics and requires both constitutive and structural parameters. In addition to a qualified geometrical approximation of the structure with the finite element discretization and the definition of initial and boundary conditions it is necessary to select material models for the realistic description of the mechanical system at hand. Furthermore, the material models chosen require reliable numerical data for the associated constitutive parameters, which are usually not known for most new materials like reinforced composites, if their properties are not listed in a database or if they consist of different constituents. Composites usually possess unknown microstructural properties, which cannot be assigned to typical specimen of homogeneous material distribution. Due to the imperfect manufacturing process the mechanical behaviour of composites can significantly vary and the associated material parameters must be determined from the overall behaviour of the composite. Therefore, the unknown material parameters, as the essential input data for the consitutive model for every finite element simulation, must be identified by solving an inverse problem before the complete structure is analyzed. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Association of axon guidance factor Semaphorin 3A with poor outcome in pancreatic cancer
Authors: Müller Michael W. , Giese Nathalia A. , Swiercz Jakub M. , Ceyhan Güralp O. , Esposito Irene , Hinz Ulf , Büchler Peter , Giese Thomas , Büchler Markus W. , Offermanns Stefan , Friess Helmut
Published: July 2007

Neural alterations and aberrantly expressed nerve‐specific factors promoting tumor progression are known to contribute to pancreatic cancer's extremely poor prognosis. Despite hints that axon guidance factor semaphorin 3A (SEMA3A) may function as a tumor inhibitor, its clinical importance and therapeutic potential have not yet been explored. The present study investigated the role of SEMA3A and its receptors—plexins A1–A4 (PLXNA1–A4) and neuropilin‐1 (NRP1)—in pancreatic cancer. QRT‐PCR and immunohistochemical analyses revealed overexpression of SEMA3A, NRP1 and PLXNA1 in metaplastic ducts, malignant cells and nerves of cancerous specimens, and showed that elevated levels of corresponding mRNA (6.8‐fold, 2.0‐fold and 1.5‐fold, respectively) clearly correlated with negative clinicopathological manifestations such as shorter survival (SEMA3A and PLXNA1) and a lesser degree of tumor differentiation (NRP1) in Stages I–III patients. High SEMA3A expression in pancreata of Stage IV M1 patients and in peritoneal metastases, and consequent functional studies indicated that poor clinical outcome might be related to the ability of SEMA3A to promote dissemination and invasiveness of pancreatic cancer cells through activation of multiple pathways involving Rac1, GSK3b or p42/p44 MAPK, but not E‐ to N‐cadherin switch, MMP‐9 or VEGF induction. Thus, this study is the first to quantify expression of the SEMA3A system in human malignancy and to show that overexpression of SEMA3A by nerves and transformed cells leads to a SEMA3A‐rich environment which may favor malignant activities of tumor cells. Furthermore, negative clinicopathological correlations suggest that SEMA3A might represent a novel intervention target but not a treatment option for pancreatic cancer patients. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Genetic polymorphisms in alcohol metabolism, alcohol intake and the risk of stomach cancer in Warsaw, Poland
Authors: Zhang Fang Fang , Hou Lifang , Terry Mary Beth , Lissowska Jolanta , Morabia Alfredo , Chen Jinbo , Yeager Meredith , Zatonski Witold , Chanock Stephen , Chow Wong‐Ho
Published: July 2007

Genetic variations increasing blood levels of acetaldehyde, the first metabolite of alcohol, refrain their carriers from drinking alcohol but may also put them at increased risk of cancer because of the mutagenic and carcinogenic effect of acetaldehyde. In a population‐based study of 305 cases and 428 controls in Warsaw, Poland, we evaluated the effect of polymorphisms in alcohol metabolizing genes, including ADH1B (Ex9+5C>T, Ex3+23A>G, Ex3+58A>T and Ex9+77A>G), ADH1C (Ex8‐56A>G and Ex6‐14G>A) and ALDH2 (Ex1+82A>G), on levels of alcohol drinking and susceptibility of stomach cancer. We found that among control subjects frequency of alcohol drinking varied by alcohol metabolizing genotype. In particular, the weekly consumption of individuals carrying the AA, GA and GG genotypes of ALDH2 Ex1+82A >G polymorphism were 3.75, 2.26 and 1.53 drinks, respectively (p= 0.04). However, none of the assessed polymorphisms in these 3 genes had a measurable effect on stomach cancer risk. When stratified by ALDH2 Ex1+82A>G polymorphism, alcohol‐related increases in stomach cancer risk were restricted to individuals with the AG/GG genotypes, with a more than 2‐fold risk among daily drinkers (OR = 2.63, 95% CI = 1.00–6.88) and 3‐fold risk (OR = 3.66, 95% CI = 1.19–11.24) among those with 40 or more drink‐years. In summary, our results suggested that the ALDH2 Ex1+82 G allele may be functionally deficient in eliminating acetaldehyde and discourage alcohol drinking. Furthermore, heavy drinkers of alcohol who were genetically prone to accumulate acetaldehyde may face an increased risk of stomach cancer. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Comparative effects of prolonged administration of cyanide, thiocyanate and chokecherry (Prunus virginiana) to goats
Authors: Soto‐Blanco B. , Stegelmeier B. L. , Pfister J. A. , Gardner D. R. , Panter K. E.
Published: July 2007

The aim of the present study was to determine and compare the clinical, hematological, biochemical and histopathological changes induced by cyanide, thiocyanate and chokecherry (Prunus virginiana) in goats. Sixteen Boer‐Spanish cross‐bred female goats were divided into four treatment groups: (1) control, (2) potassium cyanide (KCN) at 3.8 mg kg−1 day−1, (3) potassium thiocyanate (KSCN) at 4.5 mg kg−1 day−1 and (4) ground frozen chokecherry leaves and flowers at a target dose of 2.5 mg HCN kg−1 day−1, all for 4 weeks. Clinical signs were observed in two goats treated with chokecherry. Only sporadic changes were found in the hematological and blood chemical panel. Goats treated with chokecherry and thiocyanate had an increased number of vacuoles in the colloid of thyroid glands. Spongiosis and spheroids were found in the mesencephalon from goats treated with KCN and chokecherry. These findings suggest the thyroid lesions can be attributed to thiocyanate, whereas the effects on the nervous system were most likely caused by cyanide. Published in 2007 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Conformational analysis of arginine in gas phase—A strategy for scanning the potential energy surface effectively
Authors: Schlund Sebastian , Müller Robert , Graβmann Carsten , Engels Bernd
Published: July 2007

The determination of all possible low‐lying energy conformers of flexible molecules is of fundamental interest for various applications. It necessitates a reliable conformational search that is able to detect all important minimum structures and calculates the energies on an adequate level of theory. This work presents a strategy to identify low‐energy conformers using arginine as an example by means of a force‐field based conformational search in combination with high‐level geometry optimizations (RI‐MP2/TZVPP+). The methods used for various stages in the conformational search strategy are shown and various pitfalls are discussed. We can show that electronic energies calculated on a DFT level of theory with standard exchange‐correlation functionals strongly underestimate the intramolecular stabilization resulting from stacked orientations of the guanidine and carbonyl moiety of arginine due to the deficiency of DFT to describe dispersion effects. In this case by usage of electron correlation methods, low energy conformers comprising stacked arrangements that are counterintuitive become favorable. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2008
An efficient first‐principle approach for electronic structures calculations of nanomaterials
Authors: Gao Bin , Jiang Jun , Liu Kai , Wu Ziyu , Lu Wei , Luo Yi
Published: July 2007

An efficient parallel implementation has been realized for a recently proposed central insertion scheme (Jiang, Liu, Lu, Luo. J Chem Phys 2006, 124, 214711; J Chem Phys 2006, 125, 149902) that allows to calculate electronic structures of nanomaterials at various density functional theory levels. It has adopted the sparse‐matrix format for Fock/Kohn‐Sham and overlap matrices, as well as a combination of implicitly restarted Arnoldi methods (IRAM) and spectral transformation for computing selected eigenvalues/eigenvectors. A systematic error analysis and control for the proposed method has been provided based on a strict mathematical basis. The efficiency and applicability of the new implementation have been demonstrated by calculations of electronic structures of two different nanomaterials consisting of one hundred thousand electrons. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2008
A dimethylmaleic acid–melittin‐polylysine conjugate with reduced toxicity, pH‐triggered endosomolytic activity and enhanced gene transfer potential
Authors: Meyer Martin , Zintchenko Arkadi , Ogris Manfred , Wagner Ernst
Published: July 2007

Background

Poor endosomal release is one major barrier of gene delivery. Endosomolytic polyethylenimine‐melittin conjugates have shown to enhance gene transfer efficiency; however, cytotoxicity due to their general membrane‐destabilizing properties limits their application. To overcome this drawback we grafted a polycation with a masked pH‐responsive melittin derivate and investigated lytic activity, gene transfer efficiency and cytotoxicity of the resulting conjugate.

Methods

Melittin (Mel) was modified with dimethylmaleic anhydride (DMMAn) and covalently coupled to poly‐L‐lysine (PLL). The membrane lytic activity was analyzed after incubation at neutral or endosomal pH. PLL‐DMMAn‐Mel polyplexes were generated in HEPES‐buffered glucose and tested in transfection experiments using luciferase as reporter gene. Cellular cytotoxicity was analyzed by measurement of membrane integrity and metabolic activity.

Results

Covalent attachment of DMMAn‐modified melittin to PLL resulted in a pH‐responsive conjugate. No lytic activity was observed at neutral pH; after acidic cleavage of the protecting groups at pH 5 lytic activity was regained. Acute toxicity was greatly reduced (as compared to PLL‐Mel or even unmodified PLL) and high gene expression levels (up to 1800‐fold higher than unmodified PLL) were obtained.

Conclusions

Modification of the polycationic carrier PLL with DMMAn‐masked melittin not only enhances gene transfer efficiency, but also strongly reduces the acute toxicity of melittin and PLL. Hence this modification might be useful for optimizing polycationic gene carriers. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Culture as an environmental context for careers
Authors: Schein Edgar H.
Published: July 2007

Cultural factors influence career patterns in a variety of ways. Societal, occupational, and organizational cultures influence the structure of the external career, prestige associated with given careers, the legitimacy of certain motives underlying careers, success criteria, the clarity of the career concept itself, and the importance attached to career versus family and self development. How career occupants view their careers and the degree of variation in such views within given societies, occupations, and organizations is also culturally patterned. Both managers and career researchers must become more familiar with these cultural influences.
Research note: Job design and technology: A sociotechnical systems perspective
Authors: Pierce Jon L.
Published: July 2007

This study is a constructive replication of investigations into the technology‐job design relationship. It is hypothesized that the utilization of a preprogrammed/system controlled technology reduces environmental variance resulting in routine (simple) versus non‐routine (complex) job designs. Empirically it was noted that employees perceive and describe their jobs as routine when they interact with a system controlled technology.
The formation of blocs in an experimental study of coalition
Authors: Albers Wulf , Crott Helmut , Murnighan J. Keith
Published: July 2007

Any group that includes three or more people provides the opportunity for its members to form coalitions. This study used two three‐person games to investigate the formation of blocs, the joint action of two people against a third. The process as well as the outcomes of negotiations were observed: in addition to the two games, the secrecy of negotiations and the experience of the bargainers were studied. The results did not support either the applicable game theoretic predictions, or several hypotheses concerning the independent variables. Equal splits of the potential payoffs and altruistic blocs, who offered relatively high payoffs to the excluded third players, predominated. The results are discussed with respect to the political process or organizational groups.
Beyond testimonials: Learning from a quality circles programme
Authors: Mohrman Susan Albers , Novelli Luke
Published: July 2007

Quality circles programmes are based on the assumptions that employee participation leads to valued outcomes such as intrinsic satisfaction and recognition, and that it also results in the implementation of changes which enhance productivity and satisfaction. An in‐depth case study of one such programme finds that generally favourable testimonials by participants may be misleading. This programme yielded a few minor changes but little impact on productivity and attitudes in the unit as a whole. Causes for its demise are discussed.
Shedding light on the Hawthorne studies
Authors: Sonnenfeld Jeffrey A.
Published: July 2007

The Hawthorne Studies on social influences in the workplace have weathered decades of scholarly attack. Hawthorne critics have generally misunderstood or misrepresented the modest ideological and methodological presumptions of this pioneering research, which was intended to generate, not verify, hypotheses. This article reviews the decades of controversy within the historical context of the discipline of organizational behaviour. Original research records, and recent interviews with the actual study participants support the validity and importance of the original research reports.
Preconditions of three types of alienation in young managers and professionals
Authors: Lang Dorothy
Published: July 2007

The study tested predictions derived from Korman (1977) and from Sarason (1977) about factors leading to alienation among occupationally‐successful young adults. The sample consisted of 434 college graduates (median age = 29 years), 85 per cent of whom were employed full‐time. Respondents completed self‐report questionnaires including measures of family and college background; expectations at college graduation for positive outcomes in personal, interpersonal, and work areas; current fulfilment in each of these areas; and alienation (estrangement from self, other people, and occupation or profession). Results of subgroup analysis showed that respondents whose backgrounds included high socio‐economic status and graduation from elite colleges were more likely than other subjects to experience alienation when encountering lack of fulfilment. However, moderator regressions failed to show similar moderator effects, indicating that family and college backgrounds may produce discontinuous and qualitatively different subgroup effects. One implication of this study is to suggest more care in selecting individuals for high‐risk job assignments with low probability of success.
Achievement motive: A reconceptualization and new instrument
Authors: Tziner Aharon , Elizur Dov
Published: July 2007

A questionnaire based on a facet definition of achievement motive was devised to assess achievement tendencies amongst managers. The facet definition provided guidelines for the creation of items and the formulation of hypotheses concerning the structural relations among components of achievement motive. The questionnaire was then administered to a sample of 190 middle managers in a large industrial corporation in Israel.

As hypothesized, results reflected three facets of achievement motive.

(1) type of confrontation.

(2) time perspective of task performance and.

(3) behavioural modality.

Six measures formed from a combination of items related to the first two facets were found to be internally reliable. Moreover, three of these measures dealing with readiness to confront uncertainty, to solve problems and to take calculated risks were found to predict at a significant level actual manager performance. Discussion focused on a multifaceted rather than unitary approach to achievement motive and implications for assessing its relationship to performance in various settings.
Interrole conflict and marital functioning amongst employed fathers
Authors: Barling Julian
Published: July 2007

While the influence of maternal interrole conflict on marital functioning has been investigated, the issue of fathers' interrole conflict has been neglected. Consequently, 67 fathers' (M age = 38.51 years) interrole conflict and marital adjustment are investigated. In addition, the moderating role of personality hardiness is assessed. Using multiple moderator regression and sub‐group analyses, hardiness was shown to moderate negative effects of interrole conflict on marital adjustment. Conceptual and practical implications of these findings are discussed.
Life events and hassles as predictors of health symptoms, job performance, and absenteeism
Authors: Ivancevich John M.
Published: July 2007

Research on life events plays a prominent role in the stress literature. Unfortunately, cumulative life events have been found to positively correlate only weakly with health (Rabkin and Struening, 1976) and academic performance outcomes (Lloyd et al., 1980). The present study of 185 hourly employees examined the relationship of life events, daily hassles, and daily uplifts to general health symptoms, job performance, and absenteeism. Multiple regression analysis revealed that hassle frequency and intensity accounted for a significant portion of the variance in general health symptoms, with life events adding little to the variance explanation. Regression analysis also indicated that uplift frequency and intensity accounted for a significant portion of the variance in job performance and absenteeism. The present results suggest that additional organizational research on hassles and uplifts seems warranted when studying predictors of health symptoms, performance, and absenteeism.
Fathers' work experiences, the father‐child relationship and children's behaviour
Authors: Barling Julian
Published: July 2007

The effects of fathers' subjective work experiences on their children's behaviour have been largely neglected, despite increasing recognition accorded to the fathers' role in all aspects of child development. The present study redresses this issue by assessing whether (a) fathers' work experiences are related to children's behaviour, (b) the father‐child relationship moderates the effects of fathers' work experiences on children's behaviour, and (c) specific child behaviours are associated with paternal work experiences. One hundred and forty two fathers (M age = 39.55 years) and their eldest child (M age = 9.2 years; 66 boys, 76 girls) participated. Moderated multiple regressions demonstrated that fathers' job satisfaction was related to specific child behaviours, viz. conduct problems and hyperactivity. More importantly, the father‐child relationship moderated both these relationships: Where fathers were dissatisfied with their jobs, conduct problems and hyperactivity were significantly greater when the father‐child relationship was of a higher quality. Implications for studying the effects of both mothers' and fathers' work experiences on their children's behaviour are drawn.
Correlates of relocation intention and emotional responses to an Israeli plant relocation
Authors: Fox Shaul , Krausz Moshe
Published: July 2007

Prior to a relocation of a governmental organization in Israel, 155 workers responded to a questionnaire tapping three criteria: the intention to relocate, positive feelings, and stress reactions. The questionnaire also addressed potential correlates: biographical data, family‐related variables, perceived attitudes of co‐workers, job satisfaction and centrality, and anticipations regarding work and nonwork aspects. The intention to relocate was associated mainly with the perceived attitude of the spouse and the children. Stress experienced was most strongly related to the future job prospects, and the positive emotions were mostly correlated with the perceived favourability of the anticipated changes. The family‐related variables were found to be significantly correlated with all the criteria. These results suggest that organization should direct efforts on spouse and children in order to influence employees' decisions and feelings regarding relocation. This and other implications are discussed.
The effects of unions on blue collar role stresses and somatic strain
Authors: Shirom Arie , Kirmeyer Sandra
Published: July 2007

This study explored the effects of union membership versus nonmembership on role based stress (i.e. ambiguity, overload, and interrole conflict), somatic complaints, and on the relationship between role stress and somatic complaints. The data analyzed came from the 1977 Quality of Employment Survey (Quinn and Staines, 1979). Only those respondents (N = 251) who held full‐time nonsupervisory jobs in manufacturing were included in our sample. On the average, relative to nonmembers, union members reported higher levels of ambiguity and interrole conflict, but similar levels of overload and of somatic complaints. Union membership moderated the relationship between overload and somatic complaints. For union members, higher perceived performance of the union was associated with lower perceived stress and strain. We discuss the implications of those findings for further research on the impact of unions on stress, strain, and their interrelationship.
Implementing computer‐based automation in the office: A study of experienced stress
Authors: Dolan Shimon , Tziner Aharon
Published: July 2007

This study focuses on the impact of previous experience with automation implementations on experienced stress associated with different work aspects, following the introduction of computer‐based office automation.

One hundred and ninety‐one full‐time secretaries at a large university in Canada completed questionnaires related to stress perception and prior experience with office automation. Results indicated that those without previous experience reported higher levels of experienced stress associated with work content aspects such as task difficulty and interest in the task, whereas those with prior experience reported greater problems with contextual aspects such as training and instruction.

These findings are discussed in the context of research on ‘technological change as a source of organizational and occupational stress’.
Interrole conflict, family support and marital adjustment of employed mothers: A short term, longitudinal study
Authors: Macewen Karyl E. , Barling Julian
Published: July 2007

Previous research has found that employed mothers experience conflict between the roles of mother and employee, and that interrole conflict is negatively correlated with marital adjustment. Furthermore, research has shown that social support and personality hardiness moderate the interrole conflict/marital adjustment relationship. However, a longitudinal assessment of the effect of interrole conflict on marital adjustment has not been conducted, nor has the moderating role of social support and hardiness been considered within the same analysis. To address these two issues, the interrole conflict, family support, personality hardiness and marital adjustment of 51 employed mothers were assessed twice, three months apart. Using hierarchical regression analyses, interrole conflict and family support exerted main effects on marital adjustment at time 1, More importantly, a significant interrole conflict/family support interaction predicted change in marital adjustment over three months. High family support exerted a negative impact on marital adjustment when interrole conflict was high. The alternative hypothesis that initial levels of marital adjustment predict change in interrole conflict was tested but not supported.
Wide wavelength-tuning of a double-clad Yb3+-doped fiber laser based on a fiber Bragg grating array
Authors: Alvarez-Chavez J A , Martínez-Rios A , Torres-Gomez I , Offerhaus H L
Published: July 2007

We report wide wavelength tuning in a double-clad ytterbium-doped fiber laser. The laser cavity consists of an array of broadband high-reflection fiber Bragg gratings and a bulk grating as output coupler and wavelength selection element. The proposed fiber laser configuration combines low intra-cavity loss of fiber Bragg grating mirrors with wide wavelength tuning of bulk gratings. We demonstrate > 70 nm wavelength tuning range, limited only by the available fiber Bragg gratings.
Qualitative methodologies II: a brief guide to applying interpretative phenomenological analysis in musculoskeletal care
Authors: Hale Elizabeth D. , Treharne Gareth J. , Kitas George D.
Published: July 2007

In this paper, we conclude our two‐part series discussing how readers of Musculoskeletal Care might employ qualitative methods. In the first paper of the series, we focused upon some issues surrounding the distinctions and similarities between qualitative and quantitative approaches, and outlined the origins, typology and limitations of qualitative methods. We introduced one particular qualitative research process which readers may find useful: interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA). In this paper, we provide a guide to applying IPA via the design of an interview, a methodology with which it is particularly suited. We discuss some specific interview and interviewing processes and also some necessary ethical issues, including personal protection and participant well‐being. We also discuss how to proceed through analysis while considering questions about the generalizability, reliability, validity and application of results. Finally, we question the overall direction of qualitative research, which we hope will fuel debate among readers. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Intrinsic poroelasticity constants and a semilinear model
Authors: Cheng A. H.‐D. , Abousleiman Y.
Published: July 2007

This paper presents an intrinsic micromechanical model for poroelasticity that leads to an alternative set of material constants. In the intrinsic model, the deformations of the solid phase, the fluid phase, and the pore space are explicitly modeled, and porosity is considered as a primary variable. The averaging process distinguishes an external frame surface averaging and an internal phase volume averaging. The variational principle leads to a porosity equilibrium equation that defines the nonlinear deformation of pore volume. Three fundamental deformation modes with their intrinsic material constants are identified: the shape preserving volumetric deformation of the solid phase, the porosity change due to solid grain rearrangement, and the porosity change associated with the microanisotropy and microinhomogeneity of solid phase. The linearized model is fully consistent with the Biot theory of poroelasticity. A semilinear model considering only porosity deformation nonlinearity with linear material constant leads to a universal exponential strain hardening law. The theory is tested against laboratory data of sandstone. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Proteomics of human cerebrospinal fluid – the good, the bad, and the ugly
Authors: Zhang Jing
Published: July 2007

The development of MALDI ESI in the late 1980s has revolutionized the biological sciences and facilitated the emergence of a new discipline called proteomics. Application of proteomics to human cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) has greatly hastened the advancement of characterizing the CSF proteome as well as revealing novel protein biomarkers that are diagnostic of various neurological diseases. While impressive progressions have been made in this field, it has become increasingly clear that proteomics results generated by various laboratories are highly variable. The underlying issues are vast, including limitations and complications with heterogeneity of patients/testing subjects, experimental design, sample processing, as well as current proteomics technology. Accordingly, this review not only summarizes the current status of characterization of the human CSF proteome and biomarker discovery for major neurodegenerative disorders, i.e., Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease, but also addresses a few essential caveats involved in several steps of CSF proteomics that may contribute to the variable/contradicting results reported by different laboratories. The potential future directions of CSF proteomics are also discussed with this analysis.
THE HUPO Human Plasma Proteome Project
Authors: Omenn Gilbert S.
Published: July 2007

The Human Proteomics Organization (HUPO) Human Plasma Proteome Project (PPP) is a prominent example of the inherently collaborative nature of the overall community effort to characterize the proteome of humans in health and disease. The PPP Pilot Phase, called “Exploring the Human Plasma Proteome”, engaged 55 laboratories, four technical committees, and vendors and sponsors on an international scale. Among other outcomes, the PPP generated a Core Dataset of 3020 proteins identified with two or more peptides, fully accessible at EBI/PRIDE, ISB/PeptideAtlas, and University of Michigan websites, a rich resource for follow‐on analyses. The PPP provided extensive annotation, correlation of number of peptides with protein concentrations measured by immunoassay, an algorithm for choice of a representative protein for multiple proteins matching a given peptide, and independent analyses from the raw spectra. The next phase of the PPP will emphasize standardized procedures for specimen handling, potent new technology platforms for discovery and for targeted proteomics, and robust informatics efforts, including comparative analyses of other biofluids.
Validity of the postural control and balance for stroke test
Authors: Pyöriä Outi , Talvitie Ulla , Nyrkkö Hannu , Kautiainen Hannu , Pohjolainen Timo
Published: July 2007

Background and Purpose. To determine the construct and predictive validity and sensitivity of the sub‐scale items for postural changes, sitting balance and standing balance of the Postural Control and Balance for Stroke (PCBS) test over a 90‐day follow‐up.Method. In the initial phase of stroke the PCBS test scores were compared with values obtained for the Barthel Index (BI) and the four neuropsychological domains most widely studied in the literature: memory; language; visuo‐spatial functions; and visual inattention. The ability of the PCBS test at an early stage to predict functional status, as measured by the BI, and tendency to falls at 90 days after stroke was studied. The sensitivity of the PCBS test in evaluating postural control was studied by comparing the changes between the initial and 90 days' measures, and by examining the ability of the test to discriminate between healthy people and stroke patients. Forty stroke patients (aged 51–89 years), measured 7 and 90 days post‐stroke, and 35 healthy control subjects (aged 50–90 years) participated in the study.Results. Moderate correlations were found between the initial PCBS test and the BI (Spearman'sr= 0.56–0.79) and a negative correlation between the sum variables for visual inattention and postural changes (Spearman'sr= −0.39) and sitting balance (Spearman'sr= −0.55). The score for postural changes predicted functional capacity (p< 0.002) and standing balance predicted falls at the three‐month follow‐up (p< 0.007). The PCBS test proved to be sensitive to change: the median change in the PCBS test scores during the three‐month follow‐up was 6.06. The control subjects mostly obtained maximum scores, indicating that the PCBS test was able to discriminate between healthy individuals and those with stroke.Conclusions. The results confirm that the PCBS test has good construct validity, good ability to predict functional capacity and safe moving, and it is sensitive to changes in balance control after stroke. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.