bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Paraglacial Modifications of Glacial Sediments Over Millennial to Decadal Time-Scales in the High Arctic (Billefjorden, Central Spitsbergen, Svalbard)
Authors: Rachlewicz Grzegorz 
Published: September 2010

Paraglacial Modifications of Glacial Sediments Over Millennial to Decadal Time-Scales in the High Arctic (Billefjorden, Central Spitsbergen, Svalbard)
The paper discuss the morphologic expression and sedimentological record left after the operation of glacial episodes in the area of Billefjorden, central Spitsbergen, in the period of Late Pleistocene ice-sheet development and in the last advance of glaciers in the Little Ice Age (LIA) around the beginning of the 20th century. No evidence is found for other Holocene glacier advances. Paraglacial activity during several millennia erased the surface expression of Pleistocene glacial deposits, leaving a widespread set of reworked material that adopts features of slope, fluvial, aeolian or littoral environments. Glacial features generated during the past century, and still forming in front of retreating glaciers, undergo intense paraglacial modifications limited to the maximum depth of permafrost thaw during the summer. They deliver vast amounts of erosion-susceptible material from mass movements on buried ice fragments, through the glaciofluvial system to aeolian and littoral activity.
Strength Testing and Analysis of Fatigue Crack Growth in Selected Aircraft Materials
Authors: Kłysz Sylwester , Lisiecki Janusz 
Published: September 2010

Strength Testing and Analysis of Fatigue Crack Growth in Selected Aircraft MaterialsThe study has been intended to determine the most essential mechanical and fatigue properties as well as impact strength of the 30HGSNA steel, to gain own data on the above-mentioned characteristics of materials to be used further on in numerical analyses of life estimates of aeronautical structural components. The scope of the study comprised the following assignments:- determination of the most fundamental mechanical properties and impact strength of materials- low-cycle fatigue testing and evaluation of the Manson-Coffin curves- high-cycle fatigue testing and evaluation of the Wöhler curves- investigation into fatigue crack growth rates at constant and variable load-cycle amplitudes (determination of curves da/dN = f(ΔK, R), coefficients in Paris and NASGRO equations, coefficients in the Wheeler models of delay, the value of Kth(R))- crack toughness testing under the plane-state-of-strain conditions at room temperature (determination of the KIc(R)).The strength/fatigue testing was carried out in the Laboratory for Materials Strength Testing of the AFIT's Division for Aeronautical Systems Reliability and Safety, the lab being accredited by the Polish Centre for Accreditation (Accreditation Certificate No.: AB 430).
Experimental and Theoretical Investigations of Fatigue Crack Growth in D16 Alloy
Authors: Śnieżek Lucjan 
Published: September 2010

Experimental and Theoretical Investigations of Fatigue Crack Growth in D16 AlloyIn this work the arising and development of fatigue crack in aluminium alloy D16, taking into consideration the influence of notch in the form of hole with incisions which were done on its sides were tested. The process of working out of tests' programme was preceded by numeric analysis of stresses pattern and strains distribution in the zone of notch's influence which was focused on determination of stresses' face values. To examine stress and strain distributions, the specialised FEM software (MSC. Patran and MSC. Nastran) was applied. Findings have been presented in the form of a statement of σmax and εmax values, and functions of the following factors: aσ, aε, and ak, computed on the grounds of these values for both different distances from the bottom of the notch and assumed levels of loading the specimens. Theoretical analysis has been supplemented with experimental investigation into the microstructure of fatigue-fracture surfaces in the area of crack initiation and that of fatigue of a propagating crack. The paper has been intended to present a model of the probabilistic estimation of fatigue life of structural members. The model has been based on the deterministic description of the cracking. Analyzed were components with notches in the form of centrally located holes with side cuts. In the method of probabilistically approaching the crack propagation, some dependences have been used that take account of the presence of areas showing plastic strains in front of crack tips. It has been assumed that the cracking can be modeled on the grounds of some general-purpose quantity used to describe the energy state in the area of the crack tip, i.e. the Rice's integral (J). The formulated computational model has been used to estimate fatigue life of model components made of D16 alloy. Experimental work was carried out using some flat specimens with centrally positioned holes. They were exposed to flat bending at R = 0. Analytical and experimental results have shown pretty good conformity.
Large Data Stream Processing - Embedded Systems Design Challenges
Authors: Handzlik Adam , Jabłonski Andrzej 
Published: September 2010

Large Data Stream Processing - Embedded Systems Design ChallengesThe following paper describes an application of reconfigurable hardware architectures for processing of huge data streams. Radar, sonar and high speed internet networks are typical sources of data that require extreme computing power and resources to enable real time acquisition, processing and management. An approach to monitoring of real time multi-gigabit internet network has been described as a practical application of FPGA based board, designed for fast data processing.
A Novel Multi-Exponential Function-based Companding Technique for Uniform Signal Compression over Channels with Limited Dynamic Range
Authors: Moazzeni Taleb , Selvaraj Henry , Jiang Yingtao 
Published: September 2010

A Novel Multi-Exponential Function-based Companding Technique for Uniform Signal Compression over Channels with Limited Dynamic Range
Companding, as a variant of audio level compression, can help reduce the dynamic range of an audio signal. In analog (digital) systems, this can increase the signal-to-noise ratio (signal to quantization noise ratio) achieved during transmission. The μ-law algorithm that is primarily used in the digital telecommunication systems of North America and Japan, adapts a companding scheme that can expand small signals and compress large signals especially at the presence of high peak signals. In this paper, we present a novel multi-exponential companding function that can achieve more uniform compression on both large and small signals so that the relative signal strength over the time is preserved. That is, although larger signals may get considerably compressed, unlike μ-law algorithm, it is guaranteed that these signals after companding will definitely not be smaller than expanded signals that were originally small. Performance of the proposed algorithm is compared with μ-law using real audio signal, and results show that the proposed companding algorithm can achieve much smaller quantization errors with a modest increase in computation time.
Software Engineering for Mapping Radio Frequency Pollution
Authors: Chaczko Zenon , Aboura Khalid , Agbinya Johnson 
Published: September 2010

Software Engineering for Mapping Radio Frequency PollutionElectromagnetic fields radiation has raised concerns within several segments of the population in the past three decades. Many studies proved inconclusive, in part due to the scarcity of data. We propose the idea of a geographical model based radiation pollution database. We discuss networked sensing technology for detection and monitoring of electromagnetic fields. We elaborate on software engineering issues for the visualization in real time of electromagnetic field mappings and the dissemination of information through various means and levels of access. We propose the database be complimented by a data algorithmic software solution for the extraction of patterns.
Mapping and Recognition of Radio Frequency Clutter in Various Environments in Australia
Authors: Agbinya Johnson , Lee Vivian , Aboura Khalid , Chaczko Zenon 
Published: September 2010

Mapping and Recognition of Radio Frequency Clutter in Various Environments in AustraliaRadio frequency spectrum mapping allows determining the radio frequency signatures prevalent within an environment. We address the primary frequency bands used for cellular, wireless Local Area Network (LAN), Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) and Ultra-wideband (UWB) communications. The purpose of the experiment presented in this paper is to map the detected radio frequencies within an environment and display the collated data on a graphical user interface. A program identifies the presence of the aforementioned radio frequency signatures and recognizes signal levels which exceed the exposure standards enforced by the Australian Communication and Media Authority. The results assist in the understanding of the ramifications of long-term exposure to radio frequency radiation associated with the continued proliferation of wireless devices.
Comparison of Evolutionary Algorithm and Heuristics for Flow Optimization in P2P Systems
Authors: Kucharzak Michal , Siwek Adam , Walkowiak Krzysztof 
Published: September 2010

Comparison of Evolutionary Algorithm and Heuristics for Flow Optimization in P2P SystemsNowadays, many Internet users make use of Peer-to-Peer (P2P) systems to download electronic content including music, movies, software, etc. Growing popularity in P2P based protocol implementations for file sharing purposes caused that the P2P traffic exceeds Web traffic and in accordance with to many statistics, P2P systems produce a more than 50% of the whole Internet traffic. Therefore, P2P systems provide remarkable income for Internet Service Providers (ISP). However, at the same time P2P systems generates many problems related to traffic engineering, optimization, network congestion. In this paper we focus on the problem of flow optimization in P2P file sharing systems. Corresponding to BitTorrent-based systems behaviour, the optimization of P2P flows is very complex and in this work we consider different heuristic strategies for content distribution and moreover we propose a new evolutionary algorithm (EA) for this problem. We compare results of the algorithms against optimal results yielded by CPLEX solver for networks including 10 peers and relation to random algorithm for 100-node systems. According to numerical experiments, the EA provides solutions close to optimal for small instances and all of the heuristics exhibit a superior performance over random search.
Recognizing Sharp Features of 2-D Shapes
Authors: Gewali Laxmi , Scanlan Joseph 
Published: September 2010

Recognizing Sharp Features of 2-D Shapes
We present an efficient algorithm for recognizing and extracting sharp-features from complex polygonal shapes. The algorithm executes in O(n2) time, where n is the number of vertices in the polygon. Sharp-feature extraction algorithms can be useful as a pre-processing step for measuring shape-similarity between polygonal shapes.
Evaluation Scheme for NoC-based CMP with Integrated Processor Management System
Authors: Zydek Dawid , Selvaraj Henry , Koszałka Leszek , Poźniak-Koszałka Iwona 
Published: September 2010

Evaluation Scheme for NoC-based CMP with Integrated Processor Management SystemWith the opportunities and benefits offered by Chip Multiprocessors (CMPs), there are many challenges that need to be addressed in order to exploit the full potential of CMPs. Such aspects as parallel programs, interconnection design, cache arrangement and on-chip cores allocation become a limiting factor. To ensure validity of approaches and research, we propose an evaluation system for CMPs with Network-on-Chip (NoC) and processor management system integrated on one die. The suggested experimentation system is described in details. The proposed system that is used for tests and results of the experiments are presented and discussed. As decision making criteria, we consider energy efficiency of Processor Allocator (PA) and NoC, as well as NoC traffic characteristic (load balance). In order to improve the system understanding, brief overview on most important NoC and PA architectures is also presented. Analyzed results reveal that CMP with a PA controlled by IFF allocation algorithm for mesh systems and torus-based NoC driven by DORLB routing with express-virtual-channel flow control achieved the best traffic balance and energy characteristic.
WiMAX Cell Level Simulation Platform Based on ns-2 and DSP Integration
Authors: Flizikowski Adam , Kozik Rafał , Gierszal Henryk , Przybyszewski Marcin , Hołubowicz Witold 
Published: September 2010

WiMAX Cell Level Simulation Platform Based on ns-2 and DSP IntegrationThe WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access) system based on the IEEE 802.16 family of standards is a promising technology for last-mile access. Both IEEE 802.16 and 3GPP-LTE systems candidate for becoming the 4G network of choice. The need to evaluate multiple performance enhancing techniques like MIMO, OFDM(A), novel channel coding schemes like non-binary LDPC codes, together with development of standards like IEEE 802.21, that aims at enabling handover and interoperability between heterogeneous network types, make rapid prototyping-based simulations an important issue. This paper presents a novel approach to 4G-oriented simulation environment that integrates popular network simulator (ns-2) and a Digital Signal Processing (DSP) to enable comprehensive link layer and cell level simulations. Proposed simulation environment is intended as an evaluation platform for assessing QoS/QoE and Connection Admission Control (CAC) algorithms designed for WiMAX systems. Moreover we study ways to improve simulation time (with focus on AWGN channel simulation) by using CUDA parallel processing technology for NVIDIA graphic cards.
A Pilot Study Examining the Effectiveness of Physical Therapy as an Adjunct to Selective Nerve Root Block in the Treatment of Lumbar Radicular Pain From Disk Herniation: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Thackeray Anne , Fritz Julie M. , Brennan Gerard P. , Zaman Faisel M. , Willick Stuart E. 
Published: September 2010

BackgroundTherapeutic selective nerve root blocks (SNRBs) are a common intervention for patients with sciatica. Patients often are referred to physical therapy after SNRBs, although the effectiveness of this intervention sequence has not been investigated.ObjectiveThis study was a preliminary investigation of the effectiveness of SNRBs, with or without subsequent physical therapy, in people with low back pain and sciatica.DesignThis investigation was a pilot randomized controlled clinical trial.SettingThe settings were spine specialty and physical therapy clinics.ParticipantsForty-four participants (64% men; mean age=38.5 years, SD=11.6 years) with low back pain, with clinical and imaging findings consistent with lumbar disk herniation, and scheduled to receive SNRBs participated in the study. They were randomly assigned to receive either 4 weeks of physical therapy (SNRB+PT group) or no physical therapy (SNRB alone [SNRB group]) after the injections.InterventionAll participants received at least 1 SNRB; 28 participants (64%) received multiple injections. Participants in the SNRB+PT group attended an average of 6.0 physical therapy sessions over an average of 23.9 days.MeasurementsOutcomes were assessed at baseline, 8 weeks, and 6 months with the Low Back Pain Disability Questionnaire, a numeric pain rating scale, and the Global Rating of Change.ResultsSignificant reductions in pain and disability occurred over time in both groups, with no differences between groups at either follow-up for any outcome. Nine participants (5 in the SNRB group and 4 in the SNRB+PT group) underwent surgery during the follow-up period.LimitationsThe limitations of this study were a relatively short-term follow-up period and a small sample size.ConclusionsA physical therapy intervention after SNRBs did not result in additional reductions in pain and disability or perceived improvements in participants with low back pain and sciatica.
The Japanese Revolution in Paris Fashion
Authors: Kawamura Yuniya 
Published: September 2010

Despite recent challenges from New York, London and Milan, Paris is renowned as the greatest fashion capital in the world. Its distinctive categorization of haute couture, demi-couture, and prt--porter reflects a highly structured and tightly controlled system that non-western designers have had difficulty penetrating. Yet a number of the most influential Japanese designers have broken into this scene and made a major impact. How?
Paris couturiers and designers operate a gate-keeping system that is not only exclusive and rigorous but highly demanding. But, Kawamura asks, does the system facilitate or inhibit new forms of creativity? She shows how traditional French fashion has been both disturbed and strengthened by the addition of outside forces such as Kenzo Takada, Issey Miyake, Yohji Yamamoto, Rei Kawakubo and Hanae Mori. At the same time she considers many other key questions the contemporary fashion industry should be asking itself. Has it, for example, become primarily preoccupied with the commercial projection of product images rather than with the clothing itself? And what direction will French fashion take without Saint Laurent, Miyake and Kenzo?
This insightful book provides the first in-depth study of the Japanese revolution in Paris fashion and raises provocative questions for the future of the industry.
The azygos anterior cerebral artery bypass: double reimplantation technique for giant anterior communicating artery aneurysms
Authors: Mirzadeh Zaman , Sanai Nader , Lawton Michael T. 
Published: September 2010

The authors introduce the azygos anterior cerebral artery (ACA) bypass as an option for revascularizing distal ACA territories, as part of a strategy to trap giant anterior communicating artery (ACoA) aneurysms. In this procedure, the aneurysm is exposed with an orbitozygomatic-pterional craniotomy and distal ACA vessels are exposed with a bifrontal craniotomy. The uninvolved contralateral A2 segment of the ACA serves as a donor vessel for a short radial artery graft. The contralateral pericallosal artery (PcaA) and the callosomarginal artery (CmaA) are connected to the graft in the interhemispheric fissure using the double reimplantation technique. Three anastomoses create an azygos system supplying the entire ACA territory, enabling the surgeon to trap the aneurysm incompletely. Retrograde flow from the CmaA supplies the ipsilateral recurrent artery of Heubner, and the aneurysm lumen thromboses.
The azygos bypass was successfully performed to treat a 47-year-old woman with a giant, thrombotic ACoA aneurysm supplied by the A1 segment of the left ACA, with left PcaA and CmaA originating from the aneurysm base.
The authors conclude that the azygos ACA bypass is a novel option for revascularizing PcaA and CmaA, as part of the overall treatment of giant ACoA aneurysms.
Atypical pituitary adenomas: incidence, clinical characteristics, and implications
Authors: Zada Gabriel , Woodmansee Whitney W. , Ramkissoon Shakti , Amadio Jordan , Nose Vania , Laws Edward R. 
Published: September 2010

Object
The 2004 WHO classification of pituitary adenomas now includes an “atypical” variant, defined as follows: MIB-1 proliferative index greater than 3%, excessive p53 immunoreactivity, and increased mitotic activity. The authors review the incidence of this atypical histopathological subtype and its correlation with tumor subtype, invasion, and surgical features.

Methods
The records of 121 consecutive patients who underwent transsphenoidal surgery for pituitary adenomas during an 18-month period were retrospectively reviewed for evidence of atypical adenomas.

Results
Eighteen adenomas (15%) met the criteria for atypical lesions; 17 (94%) of the 18 were macroadenomas. On imaging, 15 (83%) demonstrated imaging evidence of surrounding invasion, compared with 45% of typical adenomas (p = 0.004). Atypical tumors occurred in 12 female (67%) and 6 male (33%) patients. Patient age ranged from 16 to 70 years (mean 48 years). Nine patients (50%) had hormonally active tumors, and 9 had nonfunctional lesions. Four (22%) of the 18 patients presented to us with recurrent tumors. Immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated the following tumor subtypes: GH-secreting adenoma with plurihormonal staining (5 patients [28%]); null-cell adenoma (5 patients [28%]); silent ACTH tumor (3 patients [17%]), ACTH-staining tumor with Cushing's disease (2 patients [11%]), prolactinoma (2 patients [11%]), and silent FSH-staining tumor (1 patient [6%]). The MIB-1 labeling index ranged from 3% to 20% (mean 7%).

Conclusions
Atypical tumors were identified in 15% of resected pituitary adenomas, and they tended to be aggressive, invasive macroadenomas. More longitudinal follow-up is required to determine whether surgical outcomes, potential for recurrence, or metastasis of atypical adenomas vary significantly from their typical counterparts.
Chronic subdural hematoma in the elderly: not a benign disease
Authors: Miranda Lucas Bernardes , Braxton Ernest , Hobbs Joseph , Quigley Matthew R. 
Published: September 2010

Object
Chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) is perceived to be a “benign,” easily treated condition in the elderly, but reported follow-up periods are brief, usually limited to acute hospitalization.

Methods
The authors conducted a retrospective review of data obtained in a prospectively identified consecutive series of adult patients admitted to their institution between September 2000 and February 2008 and in whom there was a CT diagnosis of CSDH. Survival data were compared to life-table data.

Results
Of the 209 cases analyzed, 63% were men and the mean age was 80.6 years (range 65–96 years). Primary surgical interventions performed were bur holes in 21 patients, twist-drill closed-system drainage in 44, and craniotomies in 72. An additional 72 patients were simply observed. Reoperations were recorded in 5 patients—4 who had previously undergone twist-drill drainage and 1 who had previously undergone a bur hole procedure (p = 0.41, chi-square analysis). Thirty-five patients (16.7%) died in hospital, 130 were discharged to rehabilitation or a skilled care facility, and 44 returned home. The follow-up period extended to a maximum of 8.3 years (median 1.45 years). Six-month and 1-year mortality rates were 26.3% and 32%, respectively.
In the multivariate analysis (step-wise logistic regression), the sole factor that predicted in-hospital death was neurological status on admission (OR 2.1, p = 0.02, for each step). Following discharge, the median survival in the remaining cohort was 4.4 years. In the Cox proportional hazards model, only age (hazard ratio [HR] 1.06/year, p = 0.02) and discharge to home (HR 0.24, p = 0.01) were related to survival, whereas the type of intervention, whether surgery was performed, size of subdural hematoma, amount of shift, bilateral subdural hematomas, and anticoagulant agent use did not affect the long- or short-term mortality rate.
Comparison of postdischarge survival and anticipated actuarial survival demonstrated a markedly increased mortality rate in the CSDH group (median survival 4.4 vs 6 years, respectively; HR 1.94, p = 0.0002, log-rank test). This excess mortality rate was also observed at 6 months postdischarge with evidence of normalization only at 1 year.

Conclusions
In this first report of the long-term outcome of elderly patients with CSDH the authors observed persistent excess mortality up to 1 year beyond diagnosis. This belies the notion that CSDH is a benign disease and indicates it is a marker of other underlying chronic diseases similar to hip fracture.