bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Australia and the DPRK: A Sixty‐Year Relationship
Authors: Petrov Leonid A.
Published: November 2008

The record of relations between Australia and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) is one of the oddest and most checkered in diplomatic history. A short period of recognition and cultural cooperation was followed by the resurgent nuclear crisis and the drug‐smuggling ship incident, which proved to be hard tests for this shaky relationship. The closure of the DPRK embassy to Australia in January 2008 once again left the public confused and the pundits guessing about the true reasons behind this quiet démarche.

This paper examines the major ups and downs in the history of Australia–DPRK bilateral relations and offers some clues as to what might have been wrong in Australian policy and attitudes toward the isolated communist nation. Australian involvement in the US‐led Proliferation Security Initiative and the ban on the supply of “luxury goods” to North Korea will be discussed. Interviews with serving and veteran diplomats, declassified Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade archival material and international media reports provided the basis for this research.
Explaining the Functional Expansion of a Regional Organization: The Case of Security Cooperation within APEC*
Authors: Yu Hyun Seok
Published: November 2008

This study is an attempt to explain the functional expansion of Asia–Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) to include the security issue. The hegemonic stability version of realist theory that emphasizes the role of the hegemon in the emergence and change of international institutions seems to provide a plausible explanation. The fundamental limitation of the power‐based explanation to the transformation of APEC is that it tends to treat the hegemon's intention and outcome as the same and does not pay attention to the process in which the hegemon's intentions come to fruition. It is obvious that the intention of the hegemon is not in itself sufficient to produce the desired outcome. Thus, the power‐based explanation leaves the very important process of transformation unexplained.

This study focuses on the process in which other countries accept the agenda of the USA. Two ideational factors (connecting security and trade and the human security concept) played roles and the USA has been deeply involved in inventing and distributing these ideas. The USA has persuaded other member countries that security and economic issues are inseparable. Building up a logical connection between security and trade in effect contributed to a new way of understanding anti‐terrorism issues by other member states. The introduction of the human security concept also contributed to the acceptance of security cooperation within APEC by member countries. Human security was much more easily accepted, even by skeptic members, than counter‐terrorism because human security is less controversial and seems to be more concerned with the public good. This paper does not deny the role of the hegemon in the transformation of the regional organization. Instead, it wants to analyze the process in which the hegemon's intention is realized. In this process the abilities of the hegemon such as diplomatic practice, norm creation, and the ability to provide alternative ideas play an important role.
The US–ROK Alliance: Security Implications of the South Korea–US Free Trade Agreement*
Authors: Heo Uk
Published: November 2008

South Korea and the USA maintained a strong alliance relationship throughout the Cold War. However, changes in the international security environment surrounding the Korean peninsula with the end of the Cold War and changes among South Korean political elites brought about different perceptions of North Korea and the USA. These changes led to sharp turns in South Korea's policy toward the North and its relationship with the USA. The Seoul government has often downplayed North Korea's military threat from nuclear weapons and missile programs, and Washington and Seoul have had serious disagreements in dealing with North Korea. There has also been a rise in anti‐American sentiment in South Korea. The USA recently agreed to transfer wartime operational control to South Korea in 2012. In June 2007, however, the USA and South Korea signed a free trade accord. The Korea–US Free Trade Agreement has significant security implications in addition to economic benefits for both countries.
Workpiece Positioning Analyses: The Exact Solutions and a Quadratic Variation Approximation Using the Method of Moments
Authors: Cao Jun , Lai Xinmin , Cai Wayne , Jin Sun , Lin Zhongqin
Published: November 2008

This paper presents algorithms for workpiece positioning analysis under locating errors. Workpiece constraint equations are first constructed using the method of homogenous coordinate transformation. These constraint equations are solved numerically for exact workpiece positional deviations by means of deterministic analysis (using the Newton–Raphson method) and variation analysis (i.e., random analysis using a Monte Carlo simulation). To enhance numerical efficiency in variation analysis, we further propose a quadratic approximation solution using the method of moments instead of the Monte Carlo method. Several case studies are presented to exemplify the proposed algorithms, with comparisons to prior literature results on linear and quadratic analyses. The criterion for using the proposed quadratic variation analysis versus the linear method and Monte Carlo simulation is also presented. By using the proposed algorithms, the exact workpiece positioning errors or quadratic variation approximations can be calculated, with consideration of workpiece surface nonlinearity, interactions between locating errors, and the impact of noninfinitesimal locating errors. This paper represents algorithmic advancement in the field where exact solutions and approximations can all be obtained at users’ choice.
Dynamic Simulations of Alumina Membrane Fouling From Recycling of Semisynthetic Metalworking Fluids
Authors: Wentz John E. , Kapoor Shiv G. , DeVor Richard E. , Rajagopalan N.
Published: November 2008

The recycling of semisynthetic metalworking fluids (MWFs) using alumina membranes is significantly impacted by aggregated MWF microemulsions that cause partial and complete blocking of membrane pores. In this paper, computational fluid dynamic methods are employed to model both a portion of a sintered alumina membrane with tortuous pores and the microemulsions passing through it. Several particle size distributions, measured experimentally at various times through the membrane service life and under two different cross-flow velocities, were used to determine the particle sizes simulated in the flow. Simulated MWF particles smaller than the largest pore diameter were found to completely block the pore through the build-up of a network of particles that blocked smaller diameter inlets and outlets. The results demonstrate as well that significant membrane flux reduction can occur by partial blocking of pore inlets and outlets even in the absence of complete blocking.
Analytical Modeling of Metal Transfer for GMAW in the Globular Mode
Authors: Ersoy U. , Kannatey-Asibu E. , Hu S. J.
Published: November 2008

A lumped parameter dynamical model is developed to describe the metal transfer for gas metal arc welding in the globular mode. The oscillations of molten drop are modeled using a mass-spring-damper system with variable mass and spring coefficient. An analytical solution is developed for the variable coefficient system to better understand the effect of various model parameters on the drop oscillations. The effect of welding drop motion on the observed current and voltage signals is investigated, and the model agrees well with the experimental results. Furthermore, the effect of wire feeding rate (or welding current) on the metal transfer cycle time is studied, and the model successfully estimates the cycle times for different wire feeding rates. Possible regions of unstable metal transfer are investigated both by the model and experiments. The model can be used to identify the range of welding wire feed rates that results in stable metal transfer during the globular mode of metal transfer.
Numerical Analysis on the Feasibility of Laser Microwelding of Metals by Femtosecond Laser Pulses Using ABAQUS
Authors: Lee Dongkyun , Kannatey-Asibu Elijah
Published: November 2008

Ultrafast lasers of subpicosecond pulse duration have the potential for laser microwelding of micronscale fusion zone. Due to the extremely short pulse duration, laser-metal interaction involving ultrafast laser pulses should be analyzed using the two-temperature model. In this study, the two-temperature model is analyzed using ABAQUS to study the feasibility of laser microwelding with ultrafast laser. A material model is constructed using material properties and the subsurface boiling model. The model is validated using experimental results from the literature. Laser processing parameters of repetition rate, pulse duration, and focal radius are then investigated, in terms of molten pool generated in the material and requirements on those parameters for laser microwelding using ultrafast lasers are discussed.
Summing the molecular contributions to skylight
Authors: Smith Glenn S.
Published: November 2008

The skylight that we observe on a clear day is the result of the scattering of sunlight by the gas of the atmosphere. In the literature, two approaches have been used to account for this scattering. The first approach involves the direct summation of the sunlight scattered by the individual molecules of the gas and is the method originally used by Rayleigh. The second approach involves the scattering of sunlight by fluctuations in the relative permittivity of the gas and is the method developed by Smoluchowski and Einstein. In discussions of the origin of skylight, only one of these two approaches is generally followed, and it is sometimes stated or implied that the other approach is inaccurate or not applicable to the scattering of light by the atmosphere. In this paper, a simple model is adopted for the gas in the atmosphere. Then this model is used to obtain the irradiance for the sunlight scattered by the molecules contained in a coherence volume. The irradiance involves the statistical evaluation of a sum, and this sum is taken as the common starting point for investigating the two approaches mentioned before. Simple numerical calculations, based on a random number generator, are used to perform the statistical calculations, and in the end, the observed irradiances are shown to be the same for both approaches.
Measuring anharmonicity in a large amplitude pendulum
Authors: Gil Salvador , Legarreta Andrés E. , Di Gregorio Daniel E.
Published: November 2008

We investigate the anharmonicity of a large amplitude pendulum and develop a novel technique to detect the high Fourier components as a function of the amplitude for large amplitudes close to 180°. The technique involves doing a Fourier analysis on each half-cycle of the amplitude versus time. The presence of the third and fifth harmonics is detected and the variations of the corresponding Fourier coefficients with amplitude are studied. The experimental setup is inexpensive and simple to implement.
Quantum mechanical sum rules for two model systems
Authors: Belloni M. , Robinett R. W.
Published: November 2008

Sum rules have played an important role in the development of many branches of physics since the earliest days of quantum mechanics. We present examples of one-dimensional quantum mechanical sum rules and apply them to the infinite well and the single δ-function potential. These examples illustrate the different ways in which these sum rules can be realized and the varying techniques by which they can be confirmed. We use the same methods to evaluate the second-order energy shifts arising from the introduction of a constant external field, namely the Stark effect.
Complementarity in the Einstein–Bohr photon box
Authors: Dieks Dennis , Lam Sander
Published: November 2008

The Bohr–Einstein photon box thought experiment is a forerunner of the EPR experiment: a packet of radiation escapes from a box, and the box-plus-radiation state remains entangled. Hence, a measurement on the box makes a difference for the state of the far-away radiation long after its escape. This consequence is analogous to the EPR experiment, but an additional aspect of the Bohr–Einstein box is that complementary magnitudes of the escaped radiation seem correlated to jointly measurable box quantities, which appears to imply a violation of the uncertainty relations. We show how the details of the dynamics make this latter paradox disappear. This calculation makes Bohr’s qualitative arguments in defense of the uncertainty relations precise and reinforces the EPR-like behavior that Einstein later claimed to have had in mind. The calculation reveals that the quantum description of the far-away radiation depends on exactly when the box measurement is performed.
Magnetometer construction and applications for introductory physics
Authors: Baird William H.
Published: November 2008

Student-constructed magnetometers and commonly available software illustrate the use of autocorrelation functions to extract low-amplitude signals from background noise. The magnetometers are later used to measure forces at sampling rates over 50Hz, providing data for an introduction to numerical integration.
Electric fields in steady-state superconductivity according to London theory
Authors: Nasmith B. , Gauthier N.
Published: November 2008

We show that a London superconductor in a steady uniform external magnetic field must support an electric field in its interior. The existence of an electric field implies that a superconductor has a nonvanishing charge in its interior, a fact consistent with measurements of charge imbalance in steady-state superconductivity. We model the superconducting state as a collisionless zero-temperature electron gas. The London relation between the supercurrent velocity field and the vector potential is used to show the existence of an induced electric field. We argue that the inhomogeneities in the charge density give rise to a pressure gradient which we describe with the Fermi gas model. By analyzing the electric field, we show that there are two length scales in the system — the London penetration depth and a length associated with the compressibility of the electron gas. We determine the net electric potential in the interior of the superconductor.
The optimal journey from A to B
Authors: Anderson D. , Andersson F. , Andersson P. , Billander A. , Desaix M. , Lisak M.
Published: November 2008

How fast can you comfortably travel between two points A and B? This question is formulated as a minimization problem of a functional where the discomfort is quantified in terms of the integral of the square of the acceleration between A and B. The problem is solved in terms of the corresponding Euler–Lagrange equation and approximately using a direct variational approach based on trial functions and Ritz optimization. The main purpose of the analysis is to introduce undergraduate students to variational calculus in an interesting and pedagogical way.
Dilated cardiomyopathy: a review
Authors: Luk A , Ahn E , Soor G S , Butany J
Published: November 2008

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a common cardiac diagnosis that may result as a consequence of a variety of pathologies. The differential diagnosis remains quite broad since many pathologies can present as DCM, and as a result the approach to diagnosis may, at times, be quite difficult. This review article discusses genetic and acquired causes of DCM, pathophysiology of myocardial damage, pathology, and diagnostic criteria. An approach to management is also included, in the hope of informing physicians of a clinical entity that afflicts a substantial number of people worldwide.
Non-melanocytic mimics of melanoma, part II: intradermal mimics
Authors: Tong L C B , Kamil Z S , Al Habeeb A , Ghazarian D
Published: November 2008

Intradermal melanoma diagnosis poses a great deal of confusion on many occasions since it can mimic almost any tumour within the dermis. In part I, the different features of intraepidermal mimics were discussed. In this part, there is discussion of the clinical, cytomorphological and immunohistochemical features of intradermal mimics of melanoma and how to distinguish these conditions from melanoma. There is also a description of the ultrastructural features of some of these conditions that may help to distinguish melanoma from its mimics. It is hoped that this approach, together with part I of the non-melanocytic mimics of melanoma, will aid in better overall understanding of melanoma and its mimics.
A panel study of air pollution in subjects with heart failure: negative results in treated patients
Authors: Barclay J L , Miller B G , Dick S , Dennekamp M , Ford I , Hillis G S , Ayres J G , Seaton A
Published: November 2008

Objectives:

To investigate preclinical adverse effects of ambient particulate air pollution and nitrogen oxides in patients with heart failure.

Methods:

A cohort of 132 non-smoking patients living in Aberdeen, Scotland, with stable chronic heart failure were enrolled in a repeated-measures panel study. Patients with atrial fibrillation or pacemakers were excluded. Participants were studied for 3 days every 2 months for up to 1 year with monitoring of pollutant exposure and concurrent measurements of pathophysiological responses. Measurements included daily area concentration of particulate matter with a median aerodynamic diameter of <10 micrometres (PM10), particle number concentration (PNC) and nitrogen oxides; daily estimated personal concentration of particulate matter with a median aerodynamic diameter of <2.5 micrometres (PM2.5) and PNC exposures; and 3-day cumulative personal nitrogen dioxide (NO2). Concurrent meteorological data were recorded. Blood was taken at the end of each 3-day block for assays of markers of endothelial activation, inflammation and coagulation. Cardiac rhythm was monitored by ambulatory Holter monitor during the final 24 h of each block.

Results:

The average 24 h background ambient PM10ranged from 7.4 to 68 μg.m−3and PNC from 454 to 11 283 particles.cm−3. No associations were demonstrated between the incidence of arrhythmias, heart rate variability or haematological/biochemical measures and any variations in pollutant exposures at any lags.

Conclusion:

Assuming that low-level pollution affects the parameters measured, these findings may suggest a beneficial effect of modern cardioprotective therapy, which may modify responses to external risk factors. Widespread use of such drugs in susceptible populations may in future reduce the adverse effects of air pollution on the heart.
Birth weight and fetal growth in infants born to female hairdressers and their sisters
Authors: Axmon A , Rylander L
Published: November 2008

Objectives:

To investigate birth weight and fetal growth in female hairdressers, while controlling for intergenerational effects and effects related to childhood exposures.

Methods:

A cohort of women who had attended vocational schools for hairdressers were compared to their sisters with respect to birth weight and fetal growth (measured as small for gestational age (SGA) or large for gestational age (LGA), respectively) in their infants. In total, 6223 infants born to 3137 hairdressers and 8388 infants born to 3952 hairdressers’ sisters were studied.

Results:

Among the infants born to the hairdressers’ sisters, the distribution of birth weights were wider than that among the infants born to the hairdressers. This was also reflected in that hairdresser cohort affiliation tended to be protective against both SGA (odds ratio 0.80; 95% confidence interval 0.49 to 1.31) and LGA (0.77; 0.54 to 1.09). For LGA, this effect was even more pronounced among women who had actually worked as hairdressers during at least one pregnancy (0.60; 0.39 to 0.92). The infants born to these women also had a significantly lower mean birth weight (3387 g vs 3419 g; p = 0.033).

Conclusions:

The results from the present study suggest that infants born to hairdressers have a decreased risk of being LGA. This is most likely not caused by a shift in birth weight distribution or abnormal glucose metabolism.
The effects of work-related and individual factors on the Work Ability Index: a systematic review
Authors: van den Berg T I J , Elders L A M , de Zwart B C H , Burdorf A
Published: November 2008

This paper systematically reviews the scientific literature on the effects of individual and work-related factors on the Work Ability Index (WAI)

Studies on work ability published from 1985 to 2006 were identified through a structured search in PubMed, and Web of Science. Studies were included if the WAI was used as measure of work ability and if quantitative information was presented on determinants of work ability.

In total, 20 studies were included with 14 cross-sectional studies and six longitudinal studies. Factors associated with poor work ability, as defined by WAI, were lack of leisure-time vigorous physical activity, poor musculoskeletal capacity, older age, obesity, high mental work demands, lack of autonomy, poor physical work environment, and high physical work load.

The WAI is associated with individual characteristics, lifestyle, demands at work, and physical condition. This multifactorial nature of work ability should be taken into account in health promotion programmes aimed at maintaining and promoting the participation of the labour force and improvement of the performance at work.
Degreasing and risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma: Table 1
Authors: Purdue M P , Severson R K , Colt J S , Stewart P , De Roos A J , Cerhan J R , Cozen W , Davis S , Hartge P , Schenk M , Blair A
Published: November 2008

Objective:

To investigate the relationship between selected solvent-related workplace tasks (degreasing, painting, gluing, stripping paint, staining) and risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL).

Methods:

We analysed occupational data from a large population-based case-control study of NHL conducted in the USA. For participants reporting occupations with possible exposure to organic solvents, job-specific interview modules were administered to elicit in-depth information on solvent-related workplace tasks and other exposure-related factors (225 cases, 189 controls). Unconditional logistic regression models were fit to calculate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% CI for average frequency, maximal frequency and cumulative number of hours having performed each task. Individuals with jobs rated as unexposed to organic solvents in the workplace (180 cases, 213 controls) were used as a reference group.

Results:

We observed an increased risk of NHL among subjects in the highest category of maximal degreasing frequency (>520 h/year: OR 2.1, 95% CI 0.9 to 4.9, trend test p = 0.02). We found similar associations for the highest levels of average frequency and, among men, cumulative number of hours. Other solvent-related tasks were not associated with NHL.

Conclusion:

Findings from this case-control analysis of solvent-related tasks suggest that frequent degreasing work may be associated with an elevated risk of NHL.
The effect of pain on sickness absence among middle-aged municipal employees
Authors: Saastamoinen P , Laaksonen M , Lahelma E , Leino-Arjas P
Published: November 2008

Objectives:

To study the effects of pain on sickness absence, taking into account physical and psychosocial work load and socio-economic position.

Methods:

Data consisted of City of Helsinki personnel register data on sickness absence and a cross-sectional questionnaire survey which was carried out among employees of the City of Helsinki who reached the age of 40, 45, 50, 55 or 60 years during the years 2000–2002 (n = 8960, response rate 67%). Data sets were combined for those who gave permission for such linkage (78%). The main statistical method was negative binomial regression analysis.

Results:

The burden of pain on sickness absence was dependent on the duration of absence: the longer the duration, the higher the burden. Self-certified absence was equally predicted by acute and chronic pain, but medically certified absence was more clearly predicted by chronic pain. Adjustments for a range of work load factors and socio-economic position showed that pain was a relatively independent determinant of subsequent sickness absence, but in particular physical work load and socio-economic position explained a small proportion of the association. Overall, pain accounted for 13% of self-certified absence among women and 8% among men. Corresponding figures were 23% and 25% for medically certified 4–14-day sickness absence and 37% and 30% for absence of over 2 weeks.

Conclusions:

The burden of pain on medically certified sickness absence is considerable. Prevention of pain problems is vital for reducing sickness absence rates.
Occupational exposure to pesticides and lymphoid neoplasms among men: results of a French case-control study
Authors: Orsi L , Delabre L , Monnereau A , Delval P , Berthou C , Fenaux P , Marit G , Soubeyran P , Huguet F , Milpied N , Leporrier M , Hemon D , Troussard X , Clavel J
Published: November 2008

Objectives:

Investigating the relationship between occupational exposure to pesticides and the risk of lymphoid neoplasms (LNs) in men.

Methods:

A hospital-based case-control study was conducted in six centres in France between 2000 and 2004. The cases were incident cases with a diagnosis of LN aged 18–75 years. During the same period, controls of the same age and sex as the cases were recruited in the same hospital, mainly in the orthopaedic and rheumatological departments. Exposures to pesticides were evaluated through specific interviews and case-by-case expert reviews. Four hundred and ninety-one cases (244 cases of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL), 87 of Hodgkin’s lymphoma (HL), 104 of lymphoproliferative syndromes (LPSs) and 56 of multiple myeloma (MM) cases) and 456 controls were included in the analyses. The odds ratios (ORs) and 95% CI were estimated using unconditional logistic regressions.

Results:

Positive associations between HL and occupational exposure to triazole fungicides and urea herbicides were observed (OR = 8.4 (2.2 to 32.4), 10.8 (2.4 to 48.1), respectively). Exposure to insecticides, fungicides and herbicides were linked to a threefold increase in MM risk (OR = 2.8 (1.2 to 6.5), 3.2 (1.4 to 7.2), 2.9 (1.3 to 6.5)). For LPS subtypes, associations restricted to hairy-cell leukaemia (HCL) were evidenced for exposure to organochlorine insecticides, phenoxy herbicides and triazine herbicides (OR = 4.9 (1.1 to 21.2), 4.1 (1.1 to 15.5), 5.1 (1.4 to 19.3)), although based on small numbers. Lastly, despite the increased ORs for organochlorine and organophosphate insecticides, carbamate fungicides and triazine herbicides, no significant associations were evidenced for NHL.

Conclusions:

The results, based on case-by-case expert review of occupation-specific questionnaires, support the hypothesis that occupational pesticide exposures may be involved in HL, MM and HCL and do not rule out a role in NHL. The analyses identified specific pesticides that deserve further investigation and the findings were consistent with those of previous studies.
Which tools best predict the incidence of work-related sensitisation and symptoms
Authors: Suarthana E , Malo J-L , Heederik D , Ghezzo H , L’Archevêque J , Gautrin D
Published: November 2008

Background/aim:

This study used information from the questionnaire alone or in conjunction with clinical tests, such as skin-prick testing (SPT) and bronchial responsiveness (BR) testing at entry, to develop models for estimating the probability of the occurrence of specific IgE-sensitisation to and respiratory symptoms in contact with laboratory animal (LA) allergens after 32 months’ training in an animal health technology programme.

Methods:

Four multivariable logistic regression models were developed for each endpoint, consisting of: (1) questionnaire; (2) questionnaire and SPT; (3) questionnaire and BR testing; and (4) questionnaire, SPT and BR testing. The prognostic models were derived from a cohort of Canadian animal health technology apprentices. The models’ internal validity and diagnostic accuracy were evaluated and compared.

Results:

Symptoms indicative of asthma and allergic symptoms at baseline composed the final questionnaire model for the occurrence of occupational sensitisation and symptoms. Both questionnaire models showed a good discrimination (area under the receiver operating characteristics curve were 0.73 and 0.78, respectively) and calibration (Hosmer-Lemeshow test p value >0.10). Addition of SPT and/or BR testing increased the specificity of the questionnaire model for LA sensitisation, but not for symptoms at work. To facilitate their application in practice, the final questionnaire models were converted to easy-to-use scoring system.

Conclusions:

Questionnaire is an easy tool that can give accurate prediction of the incidence of occupational sensitisation and symptoms.
Risks for the development of outcomes related to occupational allergies: an application of the asthma-specific job exposure matrix compared with self-reports and investigator scores on job-training-related exposure
Authors: Suarthana E , Heederik D , Ghezzo H , Malo J-L , Kennedy S M , Gautrin D
Published: November 2008

Background and aim:

Risks for development of occupational sensitisation, bronchial hyper-responsiveness, rhinoconjunctival and chest symptoms at work associated with continued exposure to high molecular weight (HMW) allergens were estimated with three exposure assessment methods.

Methods:

A Cox regression analysis with adjustment for atopy and smoking habit was carried out in 408 apprentices in animal health technology, pastry making, and dental hygiene technology with an 8-year follow-up after training. The risk of continued exposure after training, estimated by the asthma-specific job exposure matrix (JEM), was compared with self-reports and investigator scores on job-training-related exposure. Associations between outcomes and work duration in job(s) related to training were also evaluated.

Results:

Exposure to animal-derived HMW allergens, subsequent to the apprenticeship period, as estimated by the JEM, was associated with a significantly increased risk for occupational sensitisation (hazard ratio (HR) 6.4; 95% CI 2.3 to 18.2) and rhinoconjunctival symptoms at work (HR 2.6; 95% CI 1.1 to 6.2). Exposure to low molecular weight (LMW) agents significantly increased the risk of developing bronchial hyper-responsiveness (HR 2.3; 95% CI 1.1 to 5.4). Exposure verification appeared to be important to optimise the sensitivity and the specificity, as well as HRs produced by the JEM. Self-reports and investigator scores also indicated that further exposure to HMW allergens increased the risk of developing occupational allergies. The agreement between self-reports, investigator scores, and the JEM were moderate to good. There was no significant association between respiratory outcomes and work duration in jobs related to training.

Conclusion:

The asthma-specific JEM could estimate the risk of various outcomes of occupational allergies associated with exposure to HMW and LMW allergens, but it is relatively labour intensive. Exposure verification is an important integrated step in the JEM that optimised the performance of the matrix.
The joint association of air pollution and noise from road traffic with cardiovascular mortality in a cohort study
Authors: Beelen R , Hoek G , Houthuijs D , van den Brandt P A , Goldbohm R A , Fischer P , Schouten L J , Armstrong B , Brunekreef B
Published: November 2008

Objectives:

Associations between cardiovascular mortality and air pollution and noise together were investigated.

Methods:

Data from the ongoing Netherlands Cohort Study on Diet and Cancer (120 852 subjects; follow-up 1987–1996) were used. Cox proportional hazard analyses were conducted for the association between cardiovascular mortality and exposure to black smoke, traffic intensity on the nearest road and road traffic noise at the home address.

Results:

The correlations between traffic noise and background black smoke, and traffic intensity on the nearest road were moderate at 0.24 and 0.30, respectively. Traffic intensity was associated with cardiovascular mortality, with highest relative risk (95% confidence interval) for ischaemic heart disease (IHD) mortality being 1.11 (1.03 to 1.20) (increment 10 000 motor vehicles/24 h). Relative risks for black smoke concentrations were elevated for cerebrovascular (1.39 (0.99 to 1.94)) and heart failure mortality (1.75 (1.00 to 3.05)) (increment 10 μg/m3). These associations were insensitive to adjustment for traffic noise. There was an excess of cardiovascular mortality in the highest noise category (>65 dB(A)), with elevated risks for IHD (1.15 (0.86 to 1.53)) and heart failure mortality (1.99 (1.05 to 3.79)). After adjustment for black smoke and traffic intensity, noise risk reduced to unity for IHD mortality and was slightly reduced for heart failure mortality.

Conclusions:

Associations between black smoke concentrations and traffic intensity on the nearest road with specific cardiovascular causes of death were not explained by traffic noise in this study.
POTENTIAL IN MULTI-CHOICE COOPERATIVE TU GAMES
Authors: HWANG YAN-AN , LIAO YU-HSIEN
Published: November 2008

This paper is devoted to the study of solutions for multi-choice transferable-utility (TU) games which admit a potential, such as the potential associated with a solution in the context of multi-choice TU games. Several axiomatizations of the family of all solutions that admit a potential are offered and, as a main result, it is shown that each of these solutions can be obtained by applying the weighted associated consistent value proposed in this paper to an appropriately modified game. We also characterize the weighted associated consistent value by means of the weighted balanced contributions and the associated consistency.
THE PRICING STRATEGY OF COMPLETE PRE-ORDERED MERCHANDISE UNDER DISCOUNTED PROFIT FOR MAXIMIZING
Authors: CHEN MIAO-SHENG , TSAI FU-CHIEN
Published: November 2008

When a customer steps into a complete pre-ordered store, he will review the merchandise and consider his demands based on the merchandise price levels and price variability at that point in time. However, after declaring his intention to purchase said merchandise, the store assistant informs him that the merchandise will not be available for a period of time. This is a typical stock-out merchandise scenario in which customers may only place an order for delivery at a later point in time. Therefore, whether or not customer purchases merchandise does not just depend on the price at that moment. It is also influenced by the expected future increase or decrease of the price of the merchandise and the length of time before the store can supply the merchandise. In this study, we will explore how to set price levels at each point in time during the stock-out period in order to maximize the discounted profit after considering the influence of the price level, price variability, and waiting time on customer demand. The main assumption in this study is that customers' potential demand rate function at a given point during the stock-out period is a linear function of the price level and price variability at that point. Also, the ratio function of customers willing to wait for the merchandise is an exponential function of the length of time before the merchandise will be delivered. Constructing a mathematical model that is concrete to discuss the above problem, to derive the optimal price function of the merchandise at each point in time, and to discuss the characteristics of this function are the main parts of this study.
AN EXTENDED NUMERATION METHOD FOR SOLVING FREE DISPOSAL HULL MODELS IN DEA
Authors: KESHVARI ABOLFAZL , DEHGHAN HARDOROUDI NASIM
Published: November 2008

Production Possibility Set (PPS) based on Free Disposal Hull assumption describes the minimum PPS for evaluating efficiency of DMUs and presents one reference for each unit. Tulkens (Journal of Productivity Analysis, 4(1), 183–210) proposed a mathematical program and a procedure for solving FDH model that can be used for only VRS technology. In this paper, we extend the method for solving all four standard technologies (VRS, CRS, NDRS and NIRS) by a numeration algorithm without using LP or MILP regular solving methods.
THE CIRCULAR LOOP EQUATION OF A COSMIC STRING WITH TIME-VARYING TENSION
Authors: CHENG HONGBO , LIU YUNQI
Published: November 2008

The equation of circular loops of cosmic string with time-dependent tension is studied in the Minkowski spacetime and Robertson–Walker universe. We found that, in the case where the tension depends on some power of the cosmic time, cosmic string loops with time-varying tension should not collapse to form a black hole if the power is lower than a critical value.
EXACT SOLUTIONS OF THE KLEIN–GORDON EQUATION FOR THE ROSEN–MORSE TYPE POTENTIALS VIA NIKIFOROV–UVAROV METHOD
Authors: REZAEI AKBARIEH A. , MOTAVALI H.
Published: November 2008

The exact solutions of the one-dimensional Klein–Gordon equation for the Rosen–Morse type potential with equal scalar and vector potentials are presented. First, we briefly review Nikiforov–Uvarov mathematical method. Using this method, wave functions and corresponding exact energy equation are obtained for the s-wave bound state. It has been shown that the results for Rosen–Morse type potentials reduce to the standard Rosen–Morse well and Eckart potentials in the special case. The PT-symmetry for these potentials is also considered.
AVOIDING THE UNCERTAINTY FROM CORRELATION BETWEEN $|\Delta m_{31}^2|$ AND CP PHASE δ IN νμ → νμ LONG BASELINE EXPERIMENTS
Authors: KIMURA KEIICHI , TAKAMURA AKIRA , YOSHIKAWA TADASHI
Published: November 2008

We introduce a new index [Formula: see text] to find the best setup of the baseline length and energy to avoid as well as possible the uncertainty from the correlation between [Formula: see text] and cos δ in νμ → νμ long baseline experiments.
GRAVITATIONAL FIELD OF SPHERICAL BRANES
Authors: GOGBERASHVILI MERAB
Published: November 2008

The warped solution of Einstein's equations corresponding to the spherical brane in five-dimensional AdS is considered. This metric represents interiors of black holes on both sides of the brane and can provide gravitational trapping of physical fields on the shell. It is found that the analytic form of the coordinate transformations from the Schwarzschild to co-moving frame that exists only in five dimensions. It is shown that in the static coordinates active gravitational mass of the spherical brane, in agreement with Tolman's formula, is negative, i.e. such objects are gravitationally repulsive.
LOCALIZATION OF NONLOCAL LAGRANGIANS AND MASS GENERATION FOR NON-ABELIAN GAUGE FIELDS
Authors: SEVOSTYANOV ALEXEY
Published: November 2008

We introduce and study the four-dimensional analogue of a mass generation mechanism for non-Abelian gauge fields suggested in the paper, Phys. Lett. B403, 297 (1997), in the case of three-dimensional space–time. The construction of the corresponding quantized theory is based on the fact that some nonlocal actions may generate local expressions for Green functions. An example of such a theory is the ordinary Yang–Mills field where the contribution of the Faddeev–Popov determinant to the Green functions can be made local by introducing additional ghost fields. We show that the quantized Hamiltonian for our theory unitarily acts in a Hilbert space of states and prove that the theory is renormalizable to all orders of perturbation theory. One-loop coupling constant and mass renormalizations are also calculated.
CANONICAL AND LIE-ALGEBRAIC TWIST DEFORMATIONS OF κ-POINCARÉ AND CONTRACTIONS TO κ-GALILEI ALGEBRAS
Authors: DASZKIEWICZ MARCIN
Published: November 2008

We propose canonical and Lie-algebraic twist deformations of κ-deformed Poincaré Hopf algebra which leads to the generalized κ-Minkowski space–time relations. The corresponding deformed κ-Poincaré quantum groups are also calculated. Finally, we perform the nonrelativistic contraction limit to the corresponding twisted Galilean algebras and dual Galilean quantum groups.
TACHYON-FREE NONSUPERSYMMETRIC STRINGS ON ORBIFOLDS
Authors: KAKUSHADZE ZURAB
Published: November 2008

We discuss tachyon-free examples of (Type IIB on) noncompact nonsupersymmetric orbifolds. Tachyons are projected out by discrete torsion between orbifold twists, while supersymmetry is broken by a Scherk–Schwarz phase (+1/-1 when acting on space–time bosons/fermions) accompanying some even order twists. The absence of tachyons is encouraging for constructing nonsupersymmetric D3-brane gauge theories with stable infrared fixed points. The D3-brane gauge theories in our orbifold backgrounds have chiral [Formula: see text] supersymmetric spectra, but nonsupersymmetric interactions.
SEARCH FOR DARK MATTER
Authors: GELMINI GRACIELA B.
Published: November 2008

The search for dark matter is a very wide and active field of research, and I necessarily concentrate here only in some aspects of it. I will review the prospects for direct and indirect dark matter searches of Weakly Interacting Massive Particles in the dark halo of our galaxy and focus in particular on the data of GLAST, PAMELA and DAMA.
THEORETICAL OVERVIEW OF NEUTRINO PROPERTIES
Authors: XING ZHI-ZHONG
Published: November 2008

I give an overview of some basic properties of massive neutrinos. The first part of this talk is devoted to three fundamental questions about three known neutrinos and to their flavor issues — the mass spectrum, mixing pattern and CP violation. The second part of this talk is to highlight a few hot topics at the frontiers of neutrino physics and neutrino astrophysics, including the naturalness and testability of TeV seesaw mechanisms at the LHC, effects of nonstandard interactions on neutrino oscillations, flavor distributions of ultrahigh-energy cosmic neutrinos at neutrino telescopes, collective flavor oscillations of supernova neutrinos, flavor effects in thermal leptogenesis, the GSI anomaly and Mössbauer neutrino oscillations, and so on. I finally make some concluding remarks for the road ahead.
ANALYSIS OF REDISTRIBUTION OF RADIATION DEFECTS TAKING INTO ACCOUNT DIFFUSION AND SEVERAL SECONDARY PROCESSES
Authors: PANKRATOV E. L.
Published: November 2008

In this paper, we analyzed the evolution of concentration of radiative defects, which is generated in a semiconductor sample during ion implantation. Approximate analytical approach for the description of the evolution of concentration of radiative defects with account diffusion and some secondary processes (recombination of the point defects and generation of divacancies) has been used. Discontinuity of the ions in space and time has been also accounted. The main results are: (i) the estimation of dependencies of the defect concentration from depth at different values of dose (irradiation time), (ii) the different amorphization doses from the density of current of the ions for the more common case in comparison with those considered in literature. As an example, we consider the implantation of ions of neon into a sample of the silicon.
GREEN FUNCTION CALCULATIONS FOR THE THREE-DIMENSIONAL HOLSTEIN MODEL
Authors: HUANG XINCHENG , LUO QIANG
Published: November 2008

The many-body Green functions for the three-dimensional electron–phonon Holstein model are calculated via the Feynman diagram technique. The lowest-order contributions to the one-electron self-energy are considered (the Hartree–Fock approximation). The chemical potential is adjusted to yield the desired band-filling. The temperature dependence of the chemical potential has the correct asymptotic form in the non-interacting limit. The behavior of the one-electron occupancy factor is examined for various parameter values of the model. Tian's theorem is satisfied at half-filling. Luttinger liquid behavior is observed in the strong electron–phonon coupling regime.
THE ANALYSIS OF INTENSITY PROFILES OF PUMP AND SIGNAL LIGHT IN Er-DOPED WAVEGUIDE AMPLIFIER
Authors: DAI YAJUN , JIN GUOLIANG , SHAO GONGWANG
Published: November 2008

The model used for analyzing the gain characteristics of Er -doped waveguide amplifier (EDWA) is based on the rate-propagation equations with intensity profiles of pump and signal light (IPPSL). This simulation indicates that the IPPSL have significant effect on the gain of signal light. The results show that a gain change 2.3 dB of signal light at 1534 nm is obtained for a 4 cm long channel waveguide amplifier with different intensity profiles pumped by 80 mW at 980 nm. Experiment also shows that a gain change about 2.31 dB at 1534 nm for the channel waveguide of 4 cm length is obtained for different IPPSL. Thus, the effect of IPPSL should be considered to enhance the pump efficiency in the design of EDWA.
INFLUENCE OF TIME DELAY ON STOCHASTIC RESONANCE IN THE TUMOR CELL GROWTH MODEL
Authors: CAI JIANCHUN , MEI DONGCHENG
Published: November 2008

We study the effects of time delay on stochastic resonance (SR) in the tumor cell growth model driven by two coupled noises and a weak external periodic signal. Under the condition of small delay time, we obtained the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) R SNR from the quasi-steady-state probability distribution function through the adiabatic elimination method and the SR theory about a two-state transition. By the numerical computations, we discussed the effects of the delay time τ on the SNR as a function of the multiplicative noise intensity D, the additive noise intensity α and the cross-correlated strength λ respectively. The appearance of a peak in these curves represents the SR phenomenon. It is found that with the increase of τ, the SR is suppressed in the D–R SNR plot and weakened in the α–R SNR plot. However, the SR is strengthened with the increase of τ in the λ–R SNR plot.
SMALL SCALE EFFECT ON THE FREE VIBRATION OF MULTI-WALLED CARBON NANOTUBES
Authors: YAN Y. , WANG W. Q. , ZHANG L. X.
Published: November 2008

This paper is concerned with the free vibration of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) with simply supported ends. Based on the non-local elasticity theory, Timoshenko beam model with the small scale effect and the van der Waals (vdW) interaction is derived and then solved analytically. The results reveal that the small scale effect is quite significant for small aspect ratios, large scale parameters and high radial vibration modes, whereas it is insensitive to the number of layers of MWCNTs and is weakly-dependent on the wall thickness of MWCNTs.
INFLUENCE OF DETUNING ON THE INTERACTION OF A FOUR-LEVEL ATOM WITH TWO-MODE CAVITY FIELD
Authors: ABDEL-WAHAB N. H.
Published: November 2008

The atomic system on which we focus is a single four-level atom interacting with two-mode cavity fields. We obtain the wavefunction when the atom is initially in an excited state. The result presented in this context is employed to discuss the collapses–revivals phenomenon, the photon statistics and frequency sum squeezing phenomenon. The influence of the detuning on these phenomena are investigated for two four-level atomic systems. We found that the presence of the detuning leads to an increase of the collapse time while the amount of squeezing decreases. Also, the photon statistics is affected by the existence of the detuning parameters where the anti-bunching effect appears.
COMPARISON OF HIGH AND LOW FIELD ELECTRON TRANSPORT IN Al0.2Ga0.8N, AlN AND GaN
Authors: ARABSHAHI H. , ROKN-ABADI M. REZAEE , DASTRAS M.
Published: November 2008

We present a comprehensive study of the transport dynamics of electrons in the binary and ternary compounds AlN , GaN and Al 0.2 Ga 0.8 N . Calculations are made using a non-parabolic effective mass energy band model, Monte Carlo simulation that includes all of the major scattering mechanisms. The band parameters used in the simulation are extracted from optimized pseudopotential band calculations to ensure excellent agreement with experimental information and ab initio band models. The effects of alloy scattering on the electron transport physics are examined. The steady-state velocity field curves and low field mobilities are calculated at room temperature. The results are in fair agreement with other recent calculations.