bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Approximations of tolerance intervals for normally distributed data
Authors: Jensen Willis A. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractTolerance intervals are lesser known relatives of confidence and prediction intervals. They can be very useful in many situations to make product or process quality assessments. Even for normally distributed data, their calculation is less trivial than confidence and prediction intervals, which makes them underutilized in practice. In addition, they are not always readily available in statistical software packages. As a result, there have been several approximate methods proposed in the literature to calculate them. After a review of tolerance intervals and their variations, we investigate those approximations and compare them with the exact values for one‐sided and two‐sided intervals. We first propose a modification of an approximation for a one‐sided interval. Then we propose new approximations for two‐sided intervals based on Bonferroni's Inequality. We find that these approximations are extremely satisfactory for practical applications. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Wireless digital control of continuous passive plants over token ring networks
Authors: Kottenstette Nicholas , Antsaklis Panos J. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractIn a recent paper we have shown howwave variablescan be used to interconnectpassiveplants withpassivecontrollers such that the system remainsl2‐stable in spite of time‐varying delays and data dropouts. The present paper further enhances these results by providing a detailed model that captures time‐varying delays, data dropouts and network capacity for wireless ring token networks. It also provides a new theorem showing how an asynchronous controller can be implemented, which maintains anl2‐stable system. Simulations show that the asynchronous control of apassivemotor reduces the overall distortion when compared with a synchronous controller which relies on lossy data reduction techniques. These two distinct results pave the way to study high‐performance rate‐adaptive control schemes that minimize their control rate in order to match the network capacity. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Global continuous finite‐time tracking of robot manipulators
Authors: Su Yuxin 
Published: November 2008

AbstractThis paper addresses the global finite‐time tracking of robot manipulators. The commonly used linear proportional‐derivative (PD) plus (PD+) scheme is extended to achieve the global finite‐time tracking by replacing the linear errors with nonsmooth but continuous exponential errors. The global finite‐time stability of the closed loop with the proposed nonlinear PD plus control is shown using Lyapunov's direct method and finite‐time stability. Simulations performed on a two‐degree‐of‐freedom manipulator are provided to illustrate the effectiveness and the improved performance of the formulated algorithm. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Vaastu Shastra: Towards sustainable development
Authors: Patra Reena 
Published: November 2008

AbstractThis article discusses Vaastu Shastra (an ancient Indian knowledge of architecture) in relation to the idea of sustainable development. It informs the complicated problems of urbanization and overpopulated cities of today. By drawing attention towards Vaastu Shastra, this paper discusses the built form of Indian settlements and explores the possibility of creating a living environment that is self‐sufficient, ecologically balanced and culturally stimulating. It explains the concept of sustainable development based on ancient Indian traditional knowledge, through its culture, heritage and orientation towards forest sustainability, as a way to address elements within sustainable development. Further, the fundamental principles, the relevance of Vaastu‐Purusha‐Mandala and the history of Vaastu Shastra are highlighted with discussions on its philosophical and social aspects. Last, an attempt has also been made to create a close relationship between Vaastu Shastra and sustainable development that can redefine the present form of planning human settlement. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
A Simplified Isolation of High‐Amylose Maize Starch Using Neutral Proteases
Authors: Wittrock Eric , Jiang Hongxin , Campbell Mark , Campbell Margaret , Jane Jay‐lin , Anih Edjike , Wang Ya‐Jane 
Published: November 2008

AbstractBreeding projects aimed at increasing starch amylose would benefit by having a rapid starch extraction method requiring only non‐hazardous reagents and leaving the native granule intact for functional analyses. A study was, therefore, designed to investigate the use of a neutral protease for the removal of protein during the starch extraction process from the grain of high‐amylose corn. Sets of F2 ears presumed to be homozygous for the recessive amylose‐extender (ae) allele and segregating high amylose modifier gene(s) were used in the study and ranged in amylose content from 55% to around 70%, although several non‐mutant genotypes (˜25%) occurred because of visual misclassification of the ae kernels. Starches from samples were all initially extracted by grinding and filtering, then further treated in three ways including either 1) no protein removal, 2) toluene and saline washes or 3) use of neutral proteases. In general, amylose values corresponded among samples extracted using the three methods. Samples purified using proteases had higher mean amylose values (62.5%) attributed to the lower presence of contaminating protein compared to samples prepared with toluene (61%) and grinding/filtration only (57.5%). Little change occurred among the starches as a result of the protease treatments according to thermal properties obtained using differential scanning calorimetry. In addition, gel permeation chromatography profiles (GPC) were unaffected by this treatment. A low level of amylase activity from the protease was found which degraded less than 1% of the starch sample. The results demonstrated that this protease method gave an increased yield of starch with a quality similar to that of starch prepared with toluene.
Aliphatic Amidediol and Glycerol as a Mixed Plasticizer for the Preparation of Thermoplastic Starch
Authors: Zhang Jian‐she , Chang Peter R. , Wu Ying , Yu Jiu‐gao , Ma Xiao‐fei 
Published: November 2008

AbstractThe synthesis of 2‐hydroxy‐N‐[2‐(2‐hydroxy‐propionylamino)‐ethyl]propionamide (“aliphatic amidediol”) is described. Aliphatic amidediol and glycerol were used as a novel mixed plasticizer for corn starch to prepare thermoplastic starch. Fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR) spectroscopy proved that the mixture of aliphatic amidediol and glycerol could form more stable and strong hydrogen bonds with starch molecules than glycerol alone. By scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X‐ray diffraction (XRD) it was proven that native starch granules and crystalline structures were broken and starch was plasticized. Tensile testing revealed that TPS plasticized by aliphatic amidediol and glycerol (AGPTPS) showed a better mechanical properties than TPS plasticized by glycerol (GPTPS). Furthermore, the water resistance of AGPTPS was better than that of GPTPS. In addition, dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA) showed that both storage modulus and glass transition temperature (Tg) of AGPTPS were higher than those of GPTPS.
Results of an Observational Study in Carotid Surgery Using Absorbable Suture Material
Authors: Aleksic Marko , Uedelhoven Jan , Matoussevitch Vladimir , Luebke Thomas , Tomagra Salvatore , Krug Barbara , Brunkwall Jan 
Published: November 2008

AbstractBackgroundAbsorbable sutures are not well accepted for reconstruction in high‐pressure arterial segments because the suture line might break and aneurysmal changes could develop. This hypothesis was checked in the clinical setting of carotid surgery.MethodsThe morphology of the carotid artery was evaluated by color‐coded ultrasound in four groups of patients: group A, 25 patients who underwent standard carotid endarterectomy and patchplasty, including a transverse plication for which absorbable sutures had been used; group B, 10 patients who underwent eversion endarterectomy and reinsertion using absorbable sutures; group C, 15 patients who underwent standard carotid endarterectomy and patchplasty without a transverse placation; group D, 20 patients who suffered from atherosclerotic disease but did not have previous carotid surgery or other carotid pathology. All operations had been performed at least 3 years earlier than the actual examination.ResultsAlong the internal carotid artery, where an aneurysmal change would have been expected to occur, no differences in absolute size or calculated elliptical cross‐sectional vessel area were found. Patients after eversion endarterectomy did not show signs of aneurysmal changes in the area of reinsertion at the carotid bifurcation.ConclusionsEven in the long‐term, for this group of patients, no significant aneurysmal changes of arterial reconstructions in carotid surgery performed with absorbable sutures were observed.
From market to plan: Lessons from Brazilian power reforms on reducing risks in the provision of public services
Authors: Tankha Sunil 
Published: November 2008

Abstract
After suffering through severe electricity rationing in 2001, Brazilian power planners developed a New Model for the Electric Power Industry. The model eschews typical decentralised wholesale power market designs in favour of a modified single buyer market. Prioritising security of supply, this model seeks to balance state and private sector roles and integrate planning and competitive elements to reduce speculation and volatility in power markets. This article explains how problems with the Brazilian power reforms led to this innovative model and illustrates useful lessons for developing countries searching concrete policy proposals to reform their power sectors.
Relationship between nasal cavity volume changes and nasalance
Authors: Birkent H , Erol U , Ciyiltepe M , Eadie T L , Durmaz A , Tosun F 
Published: November 2008

AbstractObjectives:The patency and volume of the nasal cavity affect the acoustic characteristics of the voice. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a nasal decongestant on nasal volumes and nasalance scores, and to determine the relationship between these measures.Methods:Acoustic rhinometry and nasometry were performed in a group of 21 adult volunteers both prior to and following application of a nasal decongestant. The relationship between changes in nasalance scores and acoustic rhinometric parameters was investigated.Results:After the application of nasal decongestant, statistically significant increases were observed in nasalance scores and in all of the acoustic rhinometric parameters assessed (i.e. minimal cross-sectional area, three cross-sectional areas, three volumes and total volume). However, no significant correlation was found between the changes in nasalance scores and acoustic rhinometric parameters.Conclusions:Nasal decongestion causes an increase in nasalance scores and nasal cavity volumes. However, the findings of this study indicate that changes in nasalance scores may result from factors other than nasal cavity volume changes.
Large vestibular aqueduct syndrome and endolymphatic hydrops: two presentations of a common primary inner-ear dysfunction?
Authors: Spiegel J H , Lalwani A K 
Published: November 2008

AbstractObjective:To present the theory that large vestibular aqueduct syndrome (i.e. the recognised existence of an enlarged vestibular aqueduct with progressive sensorineural hearing loss) and endolymphatic hydrops are due to a common primary dysfunction of inner-ear fluid homeostasis.Method:Case report and review of the world literature concerning large vestibular aqueduct syndrome and endolymphatic hydrops.Results:We report a family in which one sibling suffered from large vestibular aqueduct syndrome while the other had classic Ménière's disease. This suggests that large vestibular aqueduct syndrome and endolymphatic hydrops, in some cases, may be due to a common primary dysfunction of inner-ear fluid homeostasis.Conclusion:To our knowledge, this is the first report in the world literature to postulate that variation in the relative compliance of inner-ear membranes could be the factor that determines the manifestation of the disorder as either endolymphatic hydrops or large vestibular aqueduct syndrome.
The influence of emotion clarity on emotional prosody identification in paranoid schizophrenia
Authors: Bach D. R. , Buxtorf K. , Grandjean D. , Strik W. K. 
Published: November 2008

BackgroundIdentification of emotional facial expression and emotional prosody (i.e. speech melody) is often impaired in schizophrenia. For facial emotion identification, a recent study suggested that the relative deficit in schizophrenia is enhanced when the presented emotion is easier to recognize. It is unclear whether this effect is specific to face processing or part of a more general emotion recognition deficit.MethodWe used clarity-graded emotional prosodic stimuli without semantic content, and tested 25 in-patients with paranoid schizophrenia, 25 healthy control participants and 25 depressive in-patients on emotional prosody identification. Facial expression identification was used as a control task.ResultsPatients with paranoid schizophrenia performed worse than both control groups in identifying emotional prosody, with no specific deficit in any individual emotion category. This deficit was present in high-clarity but not in low-clarity stimuli. Performance in facial control tasks was also impaired, with identification of emotional facial expression being a better predictor of emotional prosody identification than illness-related factors. Of those, negative symptoms emerged as the best predictor for emotional prosody identification.ConclusionsThis study suggests a general deficit in identifying high-clarity emotional cues. This finding is in line with the hypothesis that schizophrenia is characterized by high noise in internal representations and by increased fluctuations in cerebral networks.
HIGH AND LOW: TIES OF DEPENDENCE IN THE FRANKISH KINGDOMS
Authors: Rio Alice 
Published: November 2008

ABSTRACTOur understanding of ties of loyalty and dependence formed at the level of the Carolingian political elite has been much improved by a great deal of excellent recent research. As mutually beneficial relationships freely entered into, they tend to be sharply distinguished from ties of dependence involving members from the lower echelons of society: the latter ties, on the contrary, are usually seen as the result of coercion, and they were long seen as emblematic of the increasingly oppressive control of local lords. Commendation for these less powerful members of society is thus often seen as tantamount to forfeiting free status. Because oppression, for legitimate reasons, has been so strongly emphasised in historical treatments of this type of relationship, paradoxically little attention has been given to what influence the lower-status party may have had on the proceedings, the extent of their negotiating ability or the range of duties and benefits involved in such agreements. But not all lower-status people made the same deals: the Frankish formularies, an important source of evidence regarding such arrangements, show a complicated situation, indicating that ties formed at this lower level need to be treated with as much nuance as higher-status relationships.
TEXT, VISUALISATION AND POLITICS: LONDON, 1150–1250
Authors: Keene Derek 
Published: November 2008

ABSTRACTFocusing on London, the paper discusses the interaction between theoretical, descriptive and quasi-historical writing about cities, a growing capacity to visualise city landscape and activities, and forms of graphic representation that drew on those ideas. Reading this interplay as a political space, the paper explores the structure, content and purposes of the ‘London Collection’ of national laws, pseudo-laws and city customs put together in London at about the time of Magna Carta. Though no more than a preliminary investigation, the exercise reveals the extent to which London interests, especially with regard to the politics of international trade, the ‘law of London’, earlier episodes of communal activism and a sense of London's historic destiny within that of the nation pervade the collection as a whole. This casts some doubt on the supposed antiquity of some of the London laws in the collection, which may well have been adjusted for the occasion.
THE LANGUAGE AND SYMBOLISM OF CONQUEST IN IRELAND,c. 1790–1850
Authors: Hill Jacqueline 
Published: November 2008

ABSTRACTThe question of whether Ireland had been conquered by England has received some attention from historians of eighteenth-century Ireland, mainly because it preoccupied William Molyneux, author of the influentialThe Case of Ireland . . . Stated(1698). Molyneux defended Irish parliamentary rights by denying the reality of a medieval conquest of Ireland by English monarchs, but he did allow for what could be called ‘aristocratic conquest’. The seventeenth century, too, had left a legacy of conquest, and this paper examines evidence of consciousness among Irish Protestants of descent from ancestral conquerors. It considers how and why this consciousness took a more pronounced sectarian turn during the 1790s. Williamite anniversaries, increasingly associated with the Orange Order, became identified in the Catholic mind as symbolic reminders of conquest. Thanks to the protracted struggle for ‘Catholic emancipation’, this issue continued to feature in political debate about Ireland well into the nineteenth century, while the passing of the Act of Union (1800) revitalised the older debate about whether England could be said to have conquered Ireland. Liberal Protestants and Catholics contended that England had invariably intervened to prevent any possibility of reconciliation between conquerors and conquered. Thus the language of conquest remained highly adaptable.
Direct and indirect cues to knowledge states during word learning
Authors: SAYLOR MEGAN M. , CARROLL C. BROOKE 
Published: November 2008

ABSTRACTThe present study investigated three-year-olds' sensitivity to direct and indirect cues to others' knowledge states for word learning purposes. Children were given either direct, physical cues to knowledge or indirect, verbal cues to knowledge. Preschoolers revealed a better ability to learn words from a speaker following direct, physical cues to their knowledge state. Implications for children's emerging pragmatic competence are discussed.
Uniqueness of nodal radial solutions superlinear elliptic equations in a ball
Authors: Tanaka Satoshi 
Published: November 2008

The Dirichlet problemis considered, where B = {x ∈ ℝN : |x| < 1}, N ≥ 3, p > 1, K ∈ C2[0, 1] and K(r) > 0 for 0 ≤ r ≤ 1. A sufficient condition is derived for the uniqueness of radial solutions of (*) possessing exactly k − 1 nodes, where k ∈ ℕ. It is also shown that there exists K ∈ C∞[0, 1] such that (*) has at least three radial solutions possessing exactly k − 1 nodes, in the case 1 < p < (N + 2)/(N − 2).
Risk factors for antibiotic-resistantE. coliin children in a rural area
Authors: SEIDMAN J. C. , ANITHA K. P. , KANUNGO R. , BOURGEOIS A. L. , COLES C. L. 
Published: November 2008

SUMMARYWe surveyed antimicrobial susceptibility in faecalEscherichia coliin primary schoolchildren in rural Tamil Nadu, India. Resistance profiles ofE. colisamples from local water sources were also obtained. We investigated sociodemographic characteristics as risk factors for resistance and local paediatric prescription patterns. In 119 stool samples, carriage of resistance to ⩾1 antibiotic was 63% and multiple drug resistance was 32%. Resistance outcomes were associated with school of attendance, having a sibling attend the same school, younger age, and less crowded households. Eight of nine water samples were resistant to ⩾1 antibiotic. Recent history of medication use was not associated with resistance carriage. Resistance patterns may have been influenced by local paediatric prescription patterns and veterinary antibiotic use. Frequent, low-cost surveillance of commensal resistance can guide development of locally appropriate treatment guidelines. School-based hygiene programmes should be considered as means of limiting the spread of antibiotic resistance.
Effect of acute variations of insulin and glucose on plasma concentrations of asymmetric dimethylarginine in young people with Type 1 diabetes
Authors: Marcovecchio M. Loredana , Widmer Barry , Dunger David B. , Dalton R. Neil 
Published: November 2008

ADMA (asymmetric dimethylarginine), an endogenous inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase, is considered a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease and progression of renal disease. In the present study we aim to investigate the effect of acute variations in plasma glucose and insulin on plasma ADMA levels in young people with T1D (Type 1 diabetes). Fifteen young patients (ten males) with T1D, median age 18.3 (13.2–24.4) years, HbA1c (glycated haemoglobin) 9% (6.4–13.6%), underwent an overnight (18:00–08:00 hours) variable insulin infusion for euglycaemia, followed by a hyperinsulinaemic–euglycaemic clamp (08:00–12:00 hours). Blood samples were collected every 15 min for determination of ADMA, SDMA (symmetric dimethylarginine), valine, phenylalanine, arginine, creatinine and glucose. Insulin levels were assessed every 30 min. During the overnight period, glucose levels increased following the evening meal. In response to the protein intake there was a significant increase in ADMA, arginine, valine, phenylalanine and creatinine. For the remaining part of the night, glucose levels progressively decreased reaching 5 mmol/l by 04:00 hours. ADMA and SDMA did not change significantly. During the hyperinsulinaemic clamp, a significant fall in ADMA was observed, from 0.468±0.056 to 0.364±0.050 μmol/l (P&lt;0.001). A significant fall was also found in SDMA, valine, phenylalanine, arginine and the ADMA/SDMA ratio (all P&lt;0.001), but not in creatinine levels. No correlation was found between insulin sensitivity and ADMA. We conclude that acute changes in glycaemia do not significantly affect plasma ADMA levels whereas infusion of insulin significantly reduces ADMA, suggesting an important role for insulin in the regulation of this cardiovascular risk factor.
Prolonged gene knockdown in the tsetse fly Glossina by feeding double stranded RNA
Authors: Walshe D. P. , Lehane S. M. , Lehane M. J. , Haines L. R. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractReverse genetic studies based on RNA interference (RNAi) have revolutionized analysis of gene function in most insects. However the necessity of injecting double stranded RNA (dsRNA) inevitably compromises many investigations particularly those on immunity. Additionally, injection of tsetse flies often causes significant mortality. We demonstrate, at transcript and protein level, that delivering dsRNA in the bloodmeal to Glossina morsitans morsitans is as effective as injection in knockdown of the immunoresponsive midgut‐expressed gene TsetseEP. However, feeding dsRNA fails to knockdown the fat body expressed transferrin gene, 2A192, previously shown to be silenced by dsRNA injection. Mortality rates of the dsRNA fed flies were significantly reduced compared to injected flies 14 days after treatment (Fed: 10.1%± 1.8%; injected: 37.9% ± 3.6% (Mean ± SEM)). This is the first demonstration in Diptera of gene knockdown by feeding and the first example of knockdown in a blood‐sucking insect by including dsRNA in the bloodmeal.