bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Autonomous contractile activity in the isolated rat bladder is modulated by a TRPV1 dependent mechanism
Authors: Gevaert Thomas , Vandepitte Joachim , Ost Dieter , Nilius Bernd , De Ridder Dirk 
Published: September 2006

AbstractAimsResiniferatoxin (RTX), a vanilloid compound and agonist of the transient receptor potential channel 1 (TRPV1), is known for its beneficial effects on neurogenic detrusor overactivity. The mainstream rationale for its use is the desensitization of TRPV1 on sensory bladder afferents. However, recent findings showed that TRPV1 is present in other cell types in the bladder. To eliminate the effects of RTX on spinal and central neural circuits, we investigated autonomous contractility in normal and neurogenic rat bladders after treatment with RTX.MethodsFemale Wistar rats were made paraplegic at vertebral level T8–T9. Animals were intravesically pre‐treated with vehicle (ethanol 5%) or RTX (100 nM) and sacrificed after 72 hr. Each bladder was excised and placed in a heated organ bath, where intravesical pressures were measured. Effects on contractile parameters of intravesical volume load, the non‐selective muscarinic receptor agonist carbachol (CA) and electrical stimulation (ES) of nerves were studied in both groups.ResultsIn RTX‐treated normal bladders we found shorter contractions with higher amplitude than in control bladders (P < 0.05). In RTX‐treated neurogenic bladders the amplitude and duration of autonomous contractions were increased compared with controls (P < 0.05). Furthermore RTX induced an increased response to CA and to ES (P < 0.05).ConclusionsRTX significantly affected the properties of autonomous bladder contractile activity. This provides evidence for local effects of RTX on bladder contractile activity, which are not mediated by afferent neural pathways and which may contribute to the beneficial effects on detrusor overactivity. TRPV1 and TRPV1+ cells seem to play an important role in (autonomous) bladder contractility. Neurourol. Urodynam. 26:424–432, 2007. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Robust coordination control of a pneumatic deburring tool
Authors: Kim Chang‐Hoon , Chung Jae H. 
Published: September 2006

AbstractAn efficient robotic deburring method was developed based on an active pneumatic tool. The developed method considers the interaction among the tool, the manipulator, and the workpiece and couples the tool dynamics and a control design that considers deburring process information. The active pneumatic tool was developed based on a single pneumatic actuator, with a passive chamber to provide compliance and reduce chattering caused by air compressibility. A coordination control method was developed for the efficient control of the system, which adopts two‐level hierarchical control structure based on a coordination scheme. Robust feedback linearization was utilized to minimize the undesirable effect of the disturbances, such as static and Coulomb frictions and the nonlinear compliance of the pneumatic cylinder stemming from air compressibility. The developed coordination control method demonstrated its efficacy in terms of deburring accuracy and speed. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Reconfigurable ankle rehabilitation robot for various exercises
Authors: Yoon Jungwon , Ryu Jeha , Lim Kil‐Byung 
Published: September 2006

AbstractThis paper presents a reconfigurable ankle rehabilitation robot to cover various rehabilitation exercise modes. The designed robot can allow desired ankle and foot motions, including toe and heel raising as well as traditional ankle rotations, since the mechanism can generate relative rotation between the fore and rear platforms as well as pitch and roll motions. In addition, the robotic device can be reconfigured from a range of motion (ROM)/strengthening exercise device to a balance/proprioception exercise device by simply incorporating an additional plate. Further, the action of the device is twofold in the sense that while a patient's foot is fastened firmly to the ROM/strengthening device for task specific training, that person can also stand on the balance/proproception device. To perform each mode of ROM, strengthening, and proproception exercises, aunified position‐based impedance controlis systematically developed taking into account the desired position and velocity. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Real‐time trajectory resolution for a two‐manipulator machining system
Authors: Owen W. S. , Croft E. A. , Benhabib B. 
Published: September 2006

AbstractRecent research has considered robotic machining as an alternative to traditional computer numerical control machining, particularly for prototyping applications. However, unlike traditional machine tools, robots are subject to relatively larger dynamic disturbances and operate closer to their torque limits. Combined with inaccurate models of the manipulators and the machining process, joint actuators can often saturate during operation. Once a joint is saturated, tool‐path tracking may not be possible and the blank and/or tool may be damaged. This paper presents a real‐time trajectory planner designed to mitigate the effect of unmodeled disturbances, thus avoiding controller saturation and potential tool/blank damage. The forces acting on the end effectors are monitored to identify the onset of a disturbance so that the system can be slowed down before saturation actually occurs. In response to disturbances, a time‐scaling method reduces the tool speed, thereby reducing the demand on the joint torques and allowing the precomputed process plan to continue. When there is sufficient torque available, the tool speed is returned to its planned magnitude. The effectiveness of the proposed time‐scaling algorithm has been demonstrated with simulations. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The chance that a convex body is lattice‐point free: A relative of Buffon's needle problem
Authors: Bárány Imre 
Published: September 2006

AbstractGiven a convex body K ⊂Rd, what is the probability that a randomly chosen congruent copy, K*, of K is lattice‐point free, that is, K*∩Zd = ∅︁? Here Zd is the usual lattice of integer points in Rd. Luckily, the underlying probability is well defined since integer translations of K can be factored out. The question came up in connection with integer programming. We explain what the answer is for convex bodies of large enough volume. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Random Struct. Alg., 2007
Incremental frequency count—a post BWT‐stage for the Burrows–Wheeler compression algorithm
Authors: Abel Jürgen 
Published: September 2006

AbstractThe stage after the Burrows–Wheeler transform (BWT) has a key function inside the Burrows–Wheeler compression algorithm as it transforms the BWT output from a local context into a global context. This paper presents the Incremental Frequency Count stage, a post‐BWT stage. The new stage is paired with a run length encoding stage between the BWT and the entropy coding stage of the algorithm. It offers high throughput similar to a Move To Front stage, and at the same time good compression rates like the strong but slow Weighted Frequency Count stage. The properties of the Incremental Frequency Count stage are compared to the Move To Front and Weighted Frequency Count stages by their compression rates and speeds on the Calgary and large Canterbury corpora. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Marking musical dictations using the edit distance algorithm
Authors: Tremblay G. , Champagne F. 
Published: September 2006

AbstractMusical dictations for ear training and training in music writing form a key practice of basic musical training. Marking students' dictation exercises for large groups of students can require a lot of work. In this paper, we present a tool, called CADiM, that can help automate the marking of such musical dictations. The edit distance, which computes the similarity between any two strings, has been used in various areas such as string/text analysis, protein/genome matching in bio‐computing and musical applications, for example music retrieval or musicological analysis. CADiM's marking algorithm is based on an earlier edit distance proposed for musical sequences, but adapted to reflect the marking heuristic used by a domain expert's specific approach to musical training. Computing an edit distance on musical scores requires using an appropriate representation. More precisely, given our specific context, a symbolic representation is required. We use MusicXML, an XML application for standard Western music notation. Given a Document Type Definition for MusicXML, existing Java tools can generate a MusicXML parser. Such a parser, given appropriate input files, then generates an intermediate form (DOM object) on which analyses and transformations are performed in order to compute the edit distance. In turn, the edit distance is used to give a mark as well as identify the key errors. CADiM has been applied to a number of test cases and the results compared with those obtained by a domain expert. Overall, the results are promising, namely, only 3% difference between the domain expert's marks and those produced by CADiM. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A complexity measure for UML component‐based system specification
Authors: Mahmood Sajjad , Lai Richard 
Published: September 2006

AbstractA component‐based system (CBS) is integration centric with a focus on assembling individual components to build a software system. In CBS, component source code information is usually unavailable. Each component also introduces added properties such as constraints associated with its use, interactions with other components and customizability properties. Recent research suggests that most faults are found in only a few system components. A complexity measure at a specification phase can identify these components. However, traditional complexity metrics are not adequate for a CBS as they focus mainly on either lines of code (LOC) or information based on object and class properties. There is therefore a need to develop a new technique for measuring the complexity of a CBS specification (CBSS). This paper describes a structural complexity measure for a CBSS written in Unified Modelling Language (UML) from a system analyst's point of view. A CBSS consists of individual component descriptions characterized by its syntactic, semantic and interaction properties. We identify three factors, interface, constraints and interaction, as primary contributors to the complexity of a CBSS. We also present an application of our technique to a university course registration system. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
High perinatal survival in monoamniotic twins managed by prophylactic sulindac, intensive ultrasound surveillance, and Cesarean delivery at 32 weeks' gestation
Authors: Pasquini L. , Wimalasundera R. C. , Fichera A. , Barigye O. , Chappell L. , Fisk N. M. 
Published: September 2006

AbstractObjectivesIncreased perinatal mortality in monoamniotic twin pregnancies is attributed to cord accidents in utero and at delivery. We evaluated the following parameters in monoamniotic pregnancies: (1) the incidence of cord entanglement; (2) the effect of sulindac on amniotic fluid volume and stability of fetal lie; and (3) the perinatal outcome with our current management paradigm.MethodsThis is a retrospective review of monoamniotic pregnancies of ≥20 weeks' gestation managed with serial ultrasound surveillance, medical amnioreduction and elective Cesarean delivery at 32 weeks' gestation. Mean amniotic fluid index (AFI) and change in AFI in monoamniotic pregnancies managed with oral sulindac was compared with 40 gestation‐matched monochorionic–diamniotic controls.ResultsAmong 44 monoamniotic pregnancies, 20 with two live structurally normal twins at 20 weeks' gestation satisfied the inclusion criteria. All fetuses survived to 28 days postnatally despite early prenatal cord entanglement in all but one case. Whereas AFI remained stable throughout gestation in the controls, the AFI fell in those patients on sulindac from a mean value of 21.0 cm (95% CI, 18.5–23.6 cm) at 20 weeks to a mean of 12.4 cm (95% CI, 10.1–14.6 cm) at 32 weeks (ANOVA P across gestation = 0.001) but mainly remained within normal limits. Fetal lie was stabilized in 11/20 cases in the monoamniotic group compared with 13/40 in the control group (P < 0.0001).ConclusionsCord entanglement appears unpreventable, as it typically occurs in early pregnancy. Sulindac therapy reduces AFI, leads to more stable fetal lie, and may prevent intrauterine death by diminishing the risk of constricting cords that are already entangled. Perinatal survival in monoamniotic pregnancies managed by a regime of sulindac from 20 weeks' gestation, close ultrasound surveillance and elective abdominal delivery at 32 weeks' gestation seems empirically higher than that in the literature. Copyright © 2006 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Naturally conceived twins with monochorionic placentation have the highest risk of fetal loss
Authors: Sperling L. , Kiil C. , Larsen L. U. , Qvist I. , Schwartz M. , Jørgensen C. , Skajaa K. , Bang J. , Tabor A. 
Published: September 2006

AbstractObjectiveThe aim of this study was to estimate the rate of fetal loss in dichorionic (DC) and monochorionic (MC) twin pregnancies stratified according to zygosity and method of conception.MethodsIn a prospective multicenter observational study women with a twin pregnancy had an ultrasound scan before 14 + 6 weeks' gestation in order to determine chorionicity. The fetal loss rate, the perinatal, neonatal and infant mortality rates and the frequency of very preterm labor were estimated for the different types of twin.ResultsAmong the 495 pregnancies (421 DC and 74 MC) 229 (46%) were conceived naturally and 266 (54%) by assisted reproduction (AR). Outcome data for 945 liveborn babies were obtained. The spontaneous miscarriage rate before 24 weeks' gestation was 10.9% (7/64) among naturally conceived MC compared to 3.0% (5/165) for naturally conceived DC twins (P < 0.05). For twins conceived by AR the corresponding figures were 0% (0/10) and 0.4% (1/256). The odds ratio (OR) for very preterm birth—before 28 weeks' gestation—was 4.2 for MC twins compared to DC twins. The relative risk of fetal loss or death among DC twins was 20% of the risk for MC twins.ConclusionThe risk of fetal loss, very preterm delivery and neonatal/infant death is significantly higher among twins with MC compared to DC placentation. Twins conceived by AR have a much lower risk of MC placentation. The risk of losing one or both twins seems higher among naturally conceived twins compared to twins conceived by AR, despite the fact that the maternal age was higher among the mothers of the AR twins. Copyright © 2006 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Biometry of the pubovisceral muscle and levator hiatus in nulliparous Chinese women
Authors: Yang J.‐M. , Yang S.‐H. , Huang W.‐C. 
Published: September 2006

AbstractObjectivesTo identify using three‐dimensional (3D) ultrasound the morphological features and normal biometry of the levator hiatus in nulliparous Chinese women and to explore ethnic differences between these measurements and those in nulliparous Caucasian women.Methods3D sonographic data from 59 nulliparous Chinese women (aged 19–38 years) who had no pelvic organ prolapse and no symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction were retrieved from an image dataset and analyzed by offline post‐processing. The pubovisceral muscle and levator hiatus were measured in the planes of maximal pubovisceral muscle thickness and minimum hiatal dimension, respectively. In addition, the genitohiatal and levator ani angles were measured. These values were compared with those in a published study of Caucasian women.ResultsIn Chinese women there was no relationship between minimum anteroposterior (AP) hiatal diameter and minimum lateral hiatal diameter. Body weight was correlated with hiatal area and minimum AP hiatal diameter (r = 0.391, P = 0.003 and r = 0.378, P = 0.004, respectively), whereas body mass index was correlated only with minimum AP hiatal diameter (r = 0.349, P = 0.008). There was a significant difference in average pubovisceral muscle thickness (P = 0.001) between nulliparous Chinese and Caucasian women.ConclusionsBody weight, body mass index, and ethnicity are factors affecting the biometry of the levator hiatus in Chinese nulliparous women. Copyright © 2006 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Advanced Power Supplies designed for Plasma Deposition and Etching
Authors: Ochs Dirk , Rettich Thomas 
Published: September 2006

AbstractPlasma deposition and etching processes are used for a wide range of applications as for example the production of semiconductor circuits, flat panel displays, solar cells, architectural glass and data storage media. To fulfill the special needs of each single process stable DC, MF and RF process power ranging from 50W to 200kW is needed.All generators need a high precision process control and a supreme arc management with adaptable parameters to provide minimal disturbances in the plasma process and to obtain optimized results in terms of film quality, homogeneity and uniformity over the whole substrate. The fast and flexible arc handling leads to an improvement in the film quality by minimizing flaws and defects and enables the use of very high sputter rates.To fit DC process demands a new concept for a modular DC system has been realized where up to four 30kW modules can be combined using master slave concept. The arc management and control of the DC module has an intelligent control enabling arc detection times of less than 1μs and a residual energy delivered to the process of only 6 mJ per kW.For MF processes a fast and effective arc management is an even more important tool for keeping reactive processes stable. The new generation of MF power supplies enables arc detection and shut off times of 5μs with a residual energy delivered to the process of only 5 mJ per kilowatt. This yields the additional advantage that even when the cathode material is almost used up and consequently the arc probability increases, the low residual energy values contribute to an extended service life of the cathode and to better utilization of the target material.Essentially, the outstanding feature of effective arc management is an undisturbed plasma during the whole operation time. The fast arc suppression minimizes the interruption in the sputtering process to negligibly small values. However, because arcs also serve to remove unwanted materials on the cathode, power supplies must be able to control and regulate the arc energy precisely. MF power supplies are available for process power up to 200kW.RF systems are based on two different concepts to fit the broad power range between 50W and 50kW. For the low energy range a fully transistorized and μC‐controlled RF generator was developed. This generator has been designed for a max. power of 3kW. Important features are the compact size, robustness, reliability and easy maintenanceTo have a cost effective design for a high power RF generator in this power range an oscillator ‐ amplifier concept has been chosen with a solid state driver in combination with a tube type end stage amplifier.To fit todays demands for advanced etching a dual frequency system consisting of a 13.6 MHz and a 3.4 MHz unit was developed. This enables the possibility to separately control plasma density and ion energy of the discharge.
Abschirmung von Kunststoffen durch Beschichtung im Vakuum
Authors: Gwinner Dieter 
Published: September 2006

AbstractDurch vakuumgestützte Verfahren lassen sich Abschirmschichten selektiv auf Kunststoffgehäuse aufbringen. Beeinträchtigungen der mechanischen Eigenschaften des Kunststoffmaterials treten nicht auf. Unbeschichtete Flächen behalten ihr Erscheinungsbild, sodass Nacharbeiten entfallen. Die hohe elektrische Leitfähigkeit von Aluminium‐ und Kupferschichten ergibt hohe Schirmdämpfungswerte für elektromagnetischen Wellen. Damit ausgestattete Geräte zum Einsatz in den unterschiedlichsten Industriebereichen erfüllen die Forderung nach elektromagnetischer Verträglichkeit (EMV).Durch ebenfalls im Vakuum abgeschiedene Schutzschichten steht dem Einsatz unter rauen Umgebungsbedingungen nichts entgegen. Auch Verknüpfungen von Eigenschaften, wie Abschirmung und Lötbarkeit lassen sich durch Beschichtung im Vakuum einstellen; z. B. mit Schichten aus Kupfer / Zinn..Werden Anforderungen wie Transparenz im sichtbaren Bereich verknüpft mit Vermeidung von statischer Aufladung oder Schwächung hochfrequenter Störungen kommen Indium – Zinn – Oxid – Schichten (ITO) zur Anwendung.
Can Community Change Be Measured for an Outcomes‐Based Initiative? A Comparative Case Study of the Success by 6® Initiative
Authors: Minich Lisa , Howe Steven , Langmeyer Daniel , Corcoran Kevin 
Published: September 2006

AbstractOne of the challenges facing nonprofit organizations today is the demand for measurable results. Increasingly, these organizations are focusing less on program outputs and program outcomes in favor of community outcomes or changes demonstrated in the larger community. Success by 6® is a popular United Way initiative that emphasizes defining and measuring community outcomes. In this paper, we describe our work with 24 Success by 6® initiatives around the country. It is clear that not all of these initiatives are measuring community outcomes. Of those initiatives that are experiencing some success measuring community outcomes, similar measurement strategies are reported. Additionally, our experience suggests several United Way employees express dissatisfaction with the logic model as a framework for defining and measuring community outcomes although no preferred alternative model is identified. Evaluators working with community‐wide initiatives must find ways to communicate the differences between program and community outcomes to key stakeholders and funders.
An optimal symbolic calculus on Besov algebras
Authors: Bourdaud Gérard , Moussai Madani , Sickel Winfried 
Published: September 2006

In this paper we consider Besov algebras on

\mathbb{R}

, that is Besov spaces

B_{p,q}^{s}(\mathbb{R})

for

s > 1/ p

. For

s > 1 + (1/ p)

,

p > 4/ 3

, and

q \geq p

, we prove that the above algebras have a maximal symbolic calculus in the following sense: for any function

f

belonging locally to

B_{p,q}^{s}(\mathbb{R})

and such that

f(0) = 0

, the associated superposition operator

T_{f}(g): = f\circ g

takes

B_{p,q}^{s}(\mathbb{R})

to itself.

Résumé

On considère les algèbres de Besov sur la droite réelle, autrement dit les espaces de Besov

B_{p,q}^{s}(\mathbb{R})

pour

s > 1/ p

. Sous les hypothèses

s > 1 + (1/ p)

,

p > 4/ 3

et

q \geq p

, on établit que ces algèbres possèdent un calcul symbolique maximal au sens suivant : pour toute fonction

f

appartenant localement à

B_{p,q}^{s}(\mathbb{R})

et telle que

f(0) = 0

, on a

f\circ g\in B_{p,q}^{s}(\mathbb{R})

pour tout

g\in B_{p,q}^{s}(\mathbb{R})

.
Leaseholders in Capitalist Arcadia: Bourgeois Hegemony and Peasant Opportunities in the Valencian Countryside during the Nineteenth Century
Authors: CALATAYUD SALVADOR , MILLÁN JESÚS , ROMEO M CRUZ 
Published: September 2006

Translated by Laura CunniffScholars tend to interpret the European peasantry's incorporation into mass politics at the beginning of the twentieth century in terms of two equally extreme situations, citing either the peasantry's support for traditional oligarchies, or its anti-capitalist radicalism. By contrast, this article explores how the confluence between a broad network of peasant families and leased agricultural properties in the Valencian region of Spain helped generate mass support for an anti-liberal (and eventually Francoist) legal system. The authors highlight the uniqueness of the social and productive context of Valencian agriculture during the late 1800s and early 1900s, as well as the tensions that existed between landowners and tenants. Such tensions, they argue, did not stop these two groups from efficiently collaborating in favour of an economic orientation that was both developmentalist and politically anti-liberal.