bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Investigation of fatique crack growth rate of Al 5484 ultrafine grained alloy after ECAP process
Authors: Brynk Tomasz , Rasiński Marcin , Pakieła Zbigniew , Olejnik Lech , Kurzydłowski Krzysztof J. 
Published: April 2010

AbstractDuring the last decade equal‐channel angular pressing (ECAP) has emerged as a widely used fabrication route of ultrafine‐grained (UFG) metals and alloys. Enhanced mechanical properties of UFG materials produced by severe plastic deformation, with a grain size smaller than 1 µm, have been reported in a large number of publications. However, the higher strength does not imply higher resistance to fatigue both high‐ and low‐cyclic. In fact, due to reduced plasticity, higher fatigue crack propagation rates are reported for UFG materials, particularly in low‐amplitude range. The aim of this work was to investigate fatigue crack propagation in samples of Al 5483 alloy subjected to ECAP treatment. Because of small dimensions of the coupons processed by ECAP, non‐standard, mini‐samples were used in a crack propagation tests. Two test procedures were used to estimate stress intensity factor (K). The first was based on optical measurements of crack length from images recorded during the test. The second method was based on digital image correlation (DIC), which was used to determine K value directly from displacement field near the crack tip. Comparison of these two methods is made and the relationship between the intensity of ECAP process (measured in terms of the number of ECAP passes) and fatigue crack propagation rates proposed. In addition to fatigue resistance, the results of tensile tests carried out with mini‐samples are presented. Applicability of such samples in the investigations of the mechanical properties of UFG materials is discussed.
Grain refinement in CuCrZr by SPD processing
Authors: Kulczyk Mariusz , Zysk Beata , Lewandowska Małgorzata , Kurzydłowski Krzysztof J. 
Published: April 2010

AbstractCuCrZr alloys exhibit relatively high strength (due to precipitation hardening) and high thermal and electrical conductivity which make them attractive for variety of applications, e.g. as heat sinks and electrodes. In the present study, a CuCrZr alloy was subjected to severe plastic deformation (SPD) to increase its strength by grain refinement without modification of the chemical composition. A combination of the multi‐pass equal channel angular pressing (ECAP) followed by cumulative hydrostatic extrusion (HE) was applied with a total true strain of 11.5. The microstructure of SPD samples was evaluated by transmission and scanning electron microscopy. The grain sizes were quantitatively described. The resulting mechanical properties were determined in tensile tests and via microhardness measurements. The results show that the applied SPD route, combining ECAP and HE, leads to high grain size refinement accompanied by high increase of strength.
Global tracking sliding mode control for a class of nonlinear systems via variable gain observer
Authors: Peixoto Alessandro Jacoud , Oliveira Tiago Roux , Hsu Liu , Lizarralde Fernando , Costa Ramon R. 
Published: April 2010

AbstractA novel output‐feedback sliding mode control strategy is proposed for a class of single‐input single‐output (SISO) uncertain time‐varying nonlinear systems for which a norm state estimator can be implemented. Such a class encompasses minimum‐phase systems with nonlinearities affinely norm bounded by unmeasured states with growth rate depending nonlinearly on the measured system output and on the internal states related with the zero‐dynamics. The sliding surface is generated by using the state of a high gain observer (HGO) whereas a peaking free control amplitude is obtained via a norm observer. In contrast to the existing semi‐global sliding mode control solutions available in the literature for the class of plants considered here, the proposed scheme is free of peaking and achieves global tracking with respect to a small residual set. The key idea is to design a time‐varying HGO gain implementable from measurable signals. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A new discretized Lyapunov–Krasovskii functional for stability analysis and control design of time‐delayed TS fuzzy systems
Authors: Mozelli L. A. , Souza Fernando O. , Palhares R. M. 
Published: April 2010

AbstractThis paper proposes a new Lyapunov–Krasovskii functional to cope with stability analysis and control design for time‐delay nonlinear systems modeled in the Takagi–Sugeno (TS) fuzzy form. The delay‐dependent conditions are formulated as linear matrix inequalities (LMIs), solvable through several numerical tools. By using the Gu's discretization technique and by employing an appropriated fuzzy functional, less conservative conditions are obtained. Numerical results illustrate the efficiency of the proposed methods. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Structural adaptation and robustness of Dictyostelium ligand–receptor kinetics for low and high ligand concentrations
Authors: Kim Jongrae , Heslop‐Harrison Pat , Postlethwaite Ian , Bates Declan G. 
Published: April 2010

AbstractLigand–receptor interactions are responsible for adaptation and robustness of all cellular life to most chemical external stimuli, and are mediated by cellular networks whose structure appears to be highly conserved among different organisms. Although many ligand–receptor networks exhibit a common structure, the dynamic response to variations in the ligand concentration can be vastly different from network to network. This suggests that certain parameters of the network have evolved by nature to provide appropriate performance and robustness characteristics for different situations. We investigate the system's response in the cases of low and and high concentrations of external cAMP, corresponding to two distinct stages of the Dictyostelium life cycle. Our analysis reveals highly robust responses from the ligand‐bound receptor kinetics for low ligand concentration, and such high levels of robustness are likely to be required from each individual Dictyostelium cell to survive this stage of its life cycle. We show that overshoot is prohibited by the structure of network regardless of the kinetic constants values, and the particular values chosen in the original model are shown to lead to a critically damped response. On the other hand, for high ligand concentrations an extreme reduction in the magnitude of the network response to external signals is observed, and this may be responsible for the completely different physiological behaviour of the organism as groups of up to 105 Dictyostelium cells aggregate to form a slug. The receptor–ligand interaction networks may have evolved to provide an optimal trade‐off between maximizing the speed of response and prohibiting overshoot as it follows external oscillatory signals. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
BIBO stability and stabilization of networked control systems with short time‐varying delays
Authors: Zhang Wen‐An , Yu Li 
Published: April 2010

AbstractThis paper presents a robust control approach to solve the stability and stabilization problems for networked control systems (NCSs) with short time‐varying delays. A new discrete‐time linear uncertain system model is proposed to describe the NCS, and the uncertainty of the network‐induced delay is transformed into the uncertainty of the system matrix. Based on the obtained uncertain system model, a sufficient BIBO stability condition for the closed‐loop NCS is derived by applying the small gain theorem. The obtained stability condition establishes a quantitative relation between the BIBO stability of the closed‐loop NCS and two delay parameters, namely, the delay upper bound and the delay variation range bound. Moreover, design procedures for the state feedback stabilizing controllers are also presented. An illustrative example is provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
On the fairness of return channel capacity allocation in DVB‐RCS‐based satellite networks
Authors: Chatziparaskevas P. , Koltsidas G. , Pavlidou F.‐N. 
Published: April 2010

AbstractBroadband satellite access (BSA) systems can form an alternative path for the provision of Internet access in areas with poor network infrastructure. The DVB‐RCS standard introduced the specifications of an interaction channel for two‐way BSA networks. In this study, a new dynamic scheduling strategy for the interaction channel of GEO satellite networks is proposed, evaluated and compared with a typical Round Robin scheme. The main idea of the proposed strategy is to change, prior to each allocation, the sequence according to which bandwidth is assigned to the satellite terminals. The new sequence is fully specified by a set of fairness indices, each one related to a unique terminal and updated after each allocation. Along with the examined scheduling strategies, two capacity request calculation techniques found in the literature are also evaluated and compared through a series of simulations. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
ThyssenKrupp Headquarter in Verbundbauweise
Authors: Sauerborn Norbert , Fastabend Michael , Constantin Roland , Schücker Barbara 
Published: April 2010

AbstractMit der Entscheidung, mehrere Verwaltungsstandorte auf dem historischen Krupp‐Gelände in Essen zu konzentrieren, wurden neue Gebäude für die Firmenverwaltung erforderlich, deren städtebauliche und architektonische Ausgestaltung im Rahmen eines internationalen Wettbewerbes gefunden wurde. Sieger des Wettbewerbes waren die Architekten Chaix et Morel / JSWD, die als Landmarke des neuen ThyssenKrupp Quartiers das innovative Headquarter entwarfen. Die Innovation setzte sich neben Funktion und Gestaltung auch in den Konzepten der Tragwerksplanung fort, die das Grundthema des Konzerns – Stahl – in vielfältiger Weise interpretierten. So wurden nahezu alle Stützen des Gebäudes als Verbundkonstruktion konzipiert. Gleichermaßen wurde das Tragwerk von Bauwerksbrücken mit integrierten Stahlfachwerken entworfen. Letztlich sind Erschließungsbrücken und Kommunikationsplattformen in sehr schlanker Stahlkonstruktion ausgeführt worden.ThyssenKrupp Headquarter in Composite Construction. With the decision to concentrate several administrative sites on the historic ground of the Krupp concern in Essen, new buildings for the administration became necessary. Its urbanistic and architectural definition was found within the scope of an international competition, in which the architects Chaix et Morel / JSWD came out ahead and designed the innovative Headquarter as a landmark of the new ThyssenKrupp Quarters. This innovation was carried on not only in aspects of function and design but also in the planning of structural framework which continues the general theme of the concern – steel – in many ways. Thus, all the columns of the building were designed as a composite construction. Likewise, the frame of the structural bridges was designed with integrated steel frameworks. Finally, access bridges as well as communication platforms were constructed in a very slender steelwork design.
Cholecystectomy using single‐incision laparoscopic surgery with a new SILS port
Authors: Ito Masahiro , Asano Yukio , Horiguchi Akihiko , Shimizu Tomohiro , Yamamoto Toshiyuki , Uyama Ichiro , Miyakawa Shuichi 
Published: April 2010

AbstractIntroductionSingle‐incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS) offers the potential advantages of reduced postoperative pain and a lower incidence of port‐site complications. Moreover, careful attention to closure can reduce the scarring after surgery. Consequently, this method is a promising technique for reducing postoperative pain, decreasing complications, and improving cosmesis. We have performed cholecystectomy in eight patients by SILS. The umbilicus was the point of entry to the abdomen in all patients.MethodsBetween May 2009 and October 2009, 31 patients underwent cholecystectomy at our hospital. The umbilicus was the point of entry to the abdomen in all patients. Three SILSs were performed using a new SILS port, and five SILSs were performed by the conventional method in which three ports are inserted into the umbilicus; the remaining ten patients underwent multiple‐incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy (standard cholecystectomy). The results for the patients who underwent standard cholecystectomy, conventional SILS, and SILS using the new port were compared using the Mann–WhitneyU test. The data are expressed as mean ± standard deviation.ResultOf the eight cholecystectomies carried out, three were performed by SILS using the new port. No complications or mortalities were associated with this technique. The mean operating times for conventional SILS, SILS with the new port, and standard cholecystectomy were 154 ± 57, 120 ± 11, and 100 ± 51 min, respectively; these inter‐group differences are not significant. The blood loss in conventional SILS, SILS with the new port, and standard cholecystectomy was 9 ± 16, 1, and 6.1 ± 11 g, respectively; these inter‐group differences are not significant. All umbilical incisions were concealed within the umbilicus.ConclusionCholecystectomy performed using SILS with the new port is a safe and feasible approach with reasonable operation times.
Infertility support sought from local government: preliminary survey of needs among people who attended public lecture
Authors: Watanabe Mika , Goto Maki , Iwase Akira 
Published: April 2010

AbstractPurposeSupport both from medical centers and from local government is indispensable to the growing number of infertile couples who are seeking treatment after advances in medical technology.MethodsA self‐administered questionnaire survey of the demand for infertility support was conducted among those who attended a public lecture offered by Aichi Prefecture, asking specifically about their requests for Aichi Prefectural government aid.ResultsThe survey results indicated that information was obtained about financial support by administrative and infertility support programs in Aichi Prefecture. Because most people usually received this information at medical institutions, local government coordinated with medical institutions. Men and women were found to have different demands for infertility support—while women typically sought psychological support, for example counseling, men usually sought learning opportunities in study groups. In particular, women sought opportunities to interact with interested parties, which suggested that the establishment of peer activities would be a helpful form of support.ConclusionsWe need collaboration of government services with medical institutions, support, and investigation to form an infertility network that accepts sex differences.
Effects of whey protein isolate on body composition, lipids, insulin and glucose in overweight and obese individuals
Authors: Pal Sebely , Ellis Vanessa , Dhaliwal Satvinder 
Published: April 2010

The health benefits currently associated with increased dairy intake may be attributable to the whey component of dairy proteins. The present study evaluated the effects of whey protein supplementation on body composition, lipids, insulin and glucose in comparison to casein and glucose (control) supplementation in overweight/obese individuals for 12 weeks. The subjects were randomised to whey protein, casein or glucose supplementation for 12 weeks according to a parallel design. Fasting blood samples and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry measurements were taken. Seventy men and women with a mean age of 48·4 (sem 0·86) years and a mean BMI of 31·3 (sem 0·8) kg/m2 completed the study. Subjects supplemented with whey protein had no significant change in body composition or serum glucose at 12 weeks compared with the control or casein group. Fasting TAG levels were significantly lowered in the whey group compared with the control group at 6 weeks (P = 0·025) and 12 weeks (P = 0·035). There was a significant decrease in total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol at week 12 in the whey group compared with the casein (P = 0·026 and 0·045, respectively) and control groups (P < 0·001 and 0·003, respectively). Fasting insulin levels and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance scores were also significantly decreased in the whey group compared with the control group (P = 0·049 and P = 0·034, respectively). The present study demonstrated that supplementation with whey proteins improves fasting lipids and insulin levels in overweight and obese individuals.
Differences in postprandial inflammatory responses to a ‘modern’ v. traditional meat meal: a preliminary study
Authors: Arya Fatemeh , Egger Sam , Colquhoun David , Sullivan David , Pal Sebely , Egger Garry 
Published: April 2010

A low-grade inflammatory response (‘metaflammation’) has been found to be associated with certain chronic diseases. Proposed inducers of this have been aspects of the modern lifestyle, including newly introduced foods. Plasma TAG, and the inflammatory cytokines C-reactive protein (CRP), TNF-α and IL-6 were compared in a randomised, cross-over trial using ten healthy subjects before and after eating 100 g of kangaroo, or a ‘new’ form of hybridised beef (wagyu) separated by about 1 week. Postprandial levels for 1 and 2 h of TAG, IL-6 and TNF-α were significantly higher after eating wagyu compared with kangaroo (P = 0·002 for TAG at 1 h, P < 0·001 at 2 h; P < 0·001 for IL-6 and TNF-α at 1 and 2 h). CRP was significantly higher 1 h postprandially after wagyu (P = 0·011) and non-significantly higher 2 h postprandially (P = 0·090). We conclude that the metaflammatory reaction to ingestion of a ‘new’ form of hybridised beef (wagyu) is indicative of a low-grade, systemic, immune reaction when compared with lean game meat (kangaroo). Further studies using isoenergetic intake and isolating fatty acid components of meats are proposed.
Grounding Global Norms in Domestic Politics: Advocacy Coalitions and the Convention on the Rights of the Child in Argentina
Authors: GRUGEL JEAN , PERUZZOTTI ENRIQUE 
Published: April 2010

AbstractHow do global rights regimes promote compliance? Can they form the basis for effective advocacy campaigns at the domestic level? In this paper, we address these questions via a case study of the role played by the Convention on the Rights of the Child in Argentinian politics. We argue that ratification of the convention strengthened the coherence and leverage of rights-based domestic activists and ultimately led to the introduction of a new rights-inspired legal code for children. We trace the emergence of a local compliance coalition for children's rights and the subsequent campaign for rights-based reform. Our analysis suggests that global rights conventions can alter the domestic political opportunity for advocacy, strengthen rights-based claims and bring about changes on the ground.
Of Indians and Terrorists: How the State and Local Elites Construct the Mapuche in Neoliberal Multicultural Chile
Authors: RICHARDS PATRICIA 
Published: April 2010

AbstractThis paper examines the production of neoliberal multiculturalism in Chile as well as ideas about race, ethnicity and nation mobilised among local elites in the Chilean South. It argues that the process of creating neoliberal multicultural citizens is not only imposed from above, but also informed by local histories, attitudes and social relationships. Official neoliberal multiculturalism is shaped by transnational and national priorities, and involves constructing some Mapuche as terrorists while simultaneously promoting multicultural policies. Local elites contribute to the shape that neoliberal multiculturalism takes on the ground by actively feeding into the terrorist construction but refusing to consent to multicultural values. Altogether, understanding neoliberal multiculturalism depends on examining the transnational, the national and the local, and discerning the ways in which social forces at each level reinforce, interact with and depart from one another.
Grandparental investment and the epiphenomenon of menopause in recent human history
Authors: Broadfield Douglas C. 
Published: April 2010

AbstractThe effects of grandparental investment in relatives are apparent in human groups, suggesting that a postreproductive period in humans is selective. Although investment of relatives in kin produces obvious benefits for kin groups, selection for a postreproductive period in humans is not supported by evidence from chimpanzees. Instead, grandparental investment is likely a recent phenomenon of longevity, rather than an evolved feature.
Grandparental altruism: Expanding the sense of cause and effect
Authors: Fantino Edmund , Stolarz-Fantino Stephanie 
Published: April 2010

AbstractGrandparental altruism may be partially understood in the same way as other instances of altruism. Acts of altruism often occur in a context in which the actor has a broader sense of cause and effect than is evident in more typical behavioral interactions where cause and effect appear relatively transparent. Many believe that good deeds will ultimately produce good results.
Motivating grandparental investment
Authors: Friedman Debra , Hechter Michael 
Published: April 2010

AbstractWhat makes the question of grandparental investment so very interesting is trying to tease out the underlying motivations. Grandparental investment is variable and grandparental altruism, if it exists at all, is also variable. Neither evolutionary theory nor rational choice theory has an easy time explaining this variation, and insight is further impeded by the absence of any compelling empirical studies designed for the purpose of testing alternative explanations of variations in grandparental investment.
Grandparental transfers and kin selection
Authors: Hames Raymond 
Published: April 2010

AbstractIn the analysis of intergenerational transfer, several improvements can be made. First, following kin selection theory, grandparents have kin other than grandchildren in which to invest and therefore any investigation into grandparents should take this perspective. Secondly, how transfers actually enhance the survivorship of younger relatives such as grandchildren must be better measured, especially in the ethnographic literature. Finally, the problem of indirect investments or targeting must be considered.
Grandparental investment facilitates harmonization of work and family in employed parents: A lifespan psychological perspective
Authors: Hoppmann Christiane A. , Klumb Petra L. 
Published: April 2010

AbstractThe target article emphasizes the need to identify psychological mechanisms underlying grandparental investment, particularly in low-risk family contexts. We extend this approach by addressing the changing demands of balancing work and family in low-risk families. Taking a lifespan psychological perspective, we identify additional motivators and potential benefits of grandparental investment for grandparents themselves and for subsequent generations.
Measures of grandparental investment as a limiting factor in theoretical and empirical advancement
Authors: Michalski Richard L. 
Published: April 2010

AbstractTo refine our understanding of grandparental investment and its consequences, we need to understand what grandparents do for their grandchildren. Knowing the landscape of grandparental investment will facilitate a better understanding of the impact of grandparental investment on grandchildren and will allow inroads to be made in bridging the different levels of analysis.
Evolutionary psychology's notion of differential grandparental investment and the Dodo Bird Phenomenon: Not everyone can be right
Authors: Voracek Martin , Tran Ulrich S. , Fisher Maryanne L. 
Published: April 2010

AbstractIntegration of different lines of research concerning grandparental investment appears to be both promising and necessary. However, it must stop short when confronted with incommensurate arguments and hypotheses, either within or between disciplines. Further, some hypotheses have less plausibility and veridicality than others. This point is illustrated with results that conflict previous conclusions from evolutionary psychology about differential grandparental investment.