bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Introducing Irreligious Experiences
Authors: Bullivant Stephen 
Published: October 2008

Reports of an emphatic awareness of the absence of God, or of unexplainable feelings of elation or despair at the thought of God’s non-existence, are well-documented from both believers and nonbelievers alike. Such irreligious experiences are, however, widely unknown, even among those engaged in the academic study of their “religious” counterparts. The purpose of this short article is to shed some light on an unjustly neglected phenomenon in the social sciences and religious studies. Although other reports are cited, the focus here is on fifteen contemporary case-studies (given in full as an appendix to the article). These are divided into two main genres, with common features identified.
Brief parallels are drawn to similar experiences in the Christian mystical tradition, before some remarks concerning the future study of irreligious experiences conclude the piece.
Innovative assessment tools to improve water quality and watershed management in farming areas
Authors: Merot Philippe , Aurousseau Pierre , Gascuel-Odoux Chantal , Durand Patrick 
Published: October 2008

Abstract
A lot of initiatives for improving water quality have been developed over the last 15 y in Brittany in response to degradation induced by intensive farming and under the pressure of European policy and environmental organizations. This has involved the partnerships of farmer organizations, organizations in charge of rural affairs, research and formation institutes, and environmental nongovernmental organizations. In this paper, we present 2 complementary aspects of an original, and possibly efficient, water policy within the framework of water management in a medium-sized watershed, including 1) development of new methods of diagnostic and decision support based on participative approaches and 2) development of new methods to assess the current status and effect of alternative scenarios, taking into account the complexity of a system with strong agricultural and hydrological variability and a relatively long response time. The 1st series of methods, which deals with the buffering capacity of landscape structures, is close to a social learning approach; the 2nd illustrates the importance, for policy makers, of a precisely defined protocol for data monitoring and analysis and of the use of spatially distributed and dynamic models when water policy is based on an obligation of results. In spite of the coexistence of all the necessary constituents of a coherent policy, it seems difficult to build. The state of current water quality illustrates the importance and limitations of incentive policy.
Inhibition of Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 by Vildagliptin During Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 Infusion Increases Liver Glucose Uptake in the Conscious Dog
Authors: Edgerton Dale S. , Johnson Kathryn M.S. , Neal Doss W. , Scott Melanie , Hobbs Charles H. , Zhang Xia , Duttaroy Alokesh , Cherrington Alan D. 
Published: October 2008

OBJECTIVE—This study investigated the acute effects of treatment with vildagliptin on dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) activity, glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) concentration, pancreatic hormone levels, and glucose metabolism. The primary aims were to determine the effects of DPP-4 inhibition on GLP-1 clearance and on hepatic glucose uptake.
RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—Fasted conscious dogs were studied in the presence (n = 6) or absence (control, n = 6) of oral vildagliptin (1 mg/kg). In both groups, GLP-1 was infused into the portal vein (1 pmol · kg−1 · min−1) for 240 min. During the same time, glucose was delivered into the portal vein at 4 mg · kg−1 · min−1 and into a peripheral vein at a variable rate to maintain the arterial plasma glucose level at 160 mg/dl.
RESULTS—Vildagliptin fully inhibited DPP-4 over the 4-h experimental period. GLP-1 concentrations were increased in the vildagliptin-treated group (50 ± 3 vs. 85 ± 7 pmol/l in the portal vein in control and vildagliptin-treated dogs, respectively; P &lt; 0.05) as a result of a 40% decrease in GLP-1 clearance (38 ± 5 and 22 ± 2 ml · kg−1 · min−1, respectively; P &lt; 0.05). Although hepatic insulin and glucagon levels were not significantly altered, there was a tendency for plasma insulin to be greater (hepatic levels were 73 ± 10 vs. 88 ± 15 μU/ml, respectively). During vildagliptin treatment, net hepatic glucose uptake was threefold greater than in the control group. This effect was greater than that predicted by the change in insulin.
CONCLUSIONS—Vildagliptin fully inhibited DPP-4 activity, reduced GLP-1 clearance by 40%, and increased hepatic glucose disposal by means beyond the effects of GLP-1 on insulin and glucagon secretion.
The Darkening Cloud of Diabetes
Authors: Eurich Dean T. , Gamble John-Michael , Simpson Scot H. , Johnson Jeffrey A. 
Published: October 2008

OBJECTIVE—We aimed to evaluate the changes in cardiovascular-related health care utilization (drug therapies, hospitalizations) and mortality for the diabetic population during a 9-year period in Saskatchewan, Canada.
RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—We identified annual diabetes prevalence rates for people aged ≥30 years between 1993 and 2001 from the administrative databases of Saskatchewan Health. Annual rates of evidence-based drug therapies (antihypertensives, ACE inhibitors, β-blockers, calcium channel blockers, 3-hydroxy-3-metaglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors [statins]), hospitalizations for cerebrovascular and cardiac events, and all-cause mortality were estimated. Rates were direct age and sex standardized using the 2001 Canadian population, and trends over time were assessed using Joinpoint regression.
RESULTS—From 1993 to 2001, diabetes prevalence increased 34% (4.7–6.5%, P &lt; 0.001) with the highest rates in men and those aged ≥65 years. The rate of increase in diabetes prevalence appeared to slow in those aged &lt;65 years (P &lt; 0.01 for trend). Significant increased use of evidence-based drug therapies was observed (41% increase in antihypertensive agents, 97% increase in ACE inhibitors, 223% increase in statin therapies; all P &lt; 0.05 for trend). During this period, both cerebrovascular and cardiac-related hospitalizations declined by 36% (9.5 vs. 6.1 per 1,000) and 19% (38.0 vs. 30.6 per 1,000) (P &lt; 0.05 for trends), respectively, with similar reductions regardless of sex. No change in all-cause mortality was observed (17.7 vs. 17.8 deaths per 1,000; P &gt; 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS—During our period of study, there was an increase in the utilization of evidenced-based drug therapies in people with diabetes and reductions in cardiovascular-related hospitalizations. Despite this, we observed no change in all-cause mortality.
A general construction of nonseparable multivariate orthonormal wavelet bases
Authors: Karoui Abderrazek 
Published: October 2008

Abstract
The construction of nonseparable and compactly supported orthonormal wavelet bases of L
2(R
n); n ≥ 2, is still a challenging and an open research problem. In this paper, we provide a special method for the construction of such wavelet bases. The wavelets constructed by this method are dyadic wavelets. Also, we show that our proposed method can be adapted for an eventual construction of multidimensional orthogonal multiwavelet matrix masks, candidates for generating multidimensional multiwavelet bases.
New Challenges in Dynamical Systems: The Networked Case
Authors: Bauer Peter 
Published: October 2008

New Challenges in Dynamical Systems: The Networked CaseThis paper describes new technical challenges that arise from networking dynamical systems. In particular, the paper takes a look at the underlying phenomena and the resulting modeling problems that arise in such systems. Special emphasis is placed on the problem of synchronization, since this problem has not received as much attention in the literature as the phenomena of packet drop, delays, etc. The paper then discusses challenges arising in prominent areas such as congestion control, sensor networks, as well as vehicle networks and swarms.
New Self-Checking Booth Multipliers
Authors: Hunger Marc , Marienfeld Daniel 
Published: October 2008

New Self-Checking Booth MultipliersThis work presents the first self-checking Booth-3 multiplier and a new self-checking Booth-2 multiplier using parity prediction. We propose a method which combines error-detection of Booth-3 (or Booth-2) decoder cells and parity prediction. Additionally, code disjointness is ensured by reusing logic for partial product generation. Parity prediction is applied to a carry-save-adder with the standard sign-bit extension. In this adder almost all cells have odd fanouts and faults are detected by the parity. Only one adder cell has an even fanout in the case of Booth-3 multiplication. Especially, for even-number Booth-2 multipliers parity prediction becomes efficient. Since that prediction slightly differs from previous work which describes CSA-folded adders, formulas to predict the parity are developed here. The proposed multipliers are compared experimentally with existing solutions. Only 102% of the area of Booth-2 without error detection is needed for the self-checking Booth-3 multiplier.
Address Sequences and Backgrounds with Different Hamming Distances for Multiple Run March Tests
Authors: Yarmolik Svetlana 
Published: October 2008

Address Sequences and Backgrounds with Different Hamming Distances for Multiple Run March TestsIt is widely known that pattern sensitive faults are the most difficult faults to detect during the RAM testing process. One of the techniques which can be used for effective detection of this kind of faults is the multi-background test technique. According to this technique, multiple-run memory test execution is done. In this case, to achieve a high fault coverage, the structure of the consecutive memory backgrounds and the address sequence are very important. This paper defines requirements which have to be taken into account in the background and address sequence selection process. A set of backgrounds which satisfied those requirements guarantee us to achieve a very high fault coverage for multi-background memory testing.
On the Development of SCILAB Compatible Software for the Analysis and Control of Repetitive Processes
Authors: Hładowski Łukasz , Cichy Błażej , Gałkowski Krzysztof , Rogers Eric 
Published: October 2008

On the Development of SCILAB Compatible Software for the Analysis and Control of Repetitive ProcessesIn this paper further results on the development of a Scilab compatible software package for the analysis and control of repetitive processes is described. The core of the package consists of a simulation tool which enables the user to inspect the response of a given example to an input, design a control law for stability and/or performance, and also simulate the response of a controlled process to a specified reference signal.
An Automatic Hybrid Method for Retinal Blood Vessel Extraction
Authors: Yang Yong , Huang Shuying , Rao Nini 
Published: October 2008

An Automatic Hybrid Method for Retinal Blood Vessel ExtractionThe extraction of blood vessels from retinal images is an important and challenging task in medical analysis and diagnosis. This paper presents a novel hybrid automatic approach for the extraction of retinal image vessels. The method consists in the application of mathematical morphology and a fuzzy clustering algorithm followed by a purification procedure. In mathematical morphology, the retinal image is smoothed and strengthened so that the blood vessels are enhanced and the background information is suppressed. The fuzzy clustering algorithm is then employed to the previous enhanced image for segmentation. After the fuzzy segmentation, a purification procedure is used to reduce the weak edges and noise, and the final results of the blood vessels are consequently achieved. The performance of the proposed method is compared with some existing segmentation methods and hand-labeled segmentations. The approach has been tested on a series of retinal images, and experimental results show that our technique is promising and effective.
Numerical calculations of behaviour of ship double-bottom structure during grounding
Authors: Niklas Karol 
Published: October 2008

Numerical calculations of behaviour of ship double-bottom structure during grounding
The idea of the CORET project consists in adding, to the existing construction, special polymer-concrete coatings intended for the increasing of ship's capability against losing structural tightness during collision or grounding. In order to correctly design the protective barriers, to perform relevant numerical simulations is necessary. The elaborating of numerical models of ship structure behaviour during collision is very complicated and requires auxiliary simulations (on submodels) to be performed. This paper is devoted to elaborating a numerical model of a fragment of ship double-bottom structure. On the basis of experimental tests it was possible to verify and calibrate the numerical model which may be used in further design work aimed at the increasing of crashworthiness of structure during collision.
Calculation of oil outflow from fuel oil tanks of a containership with polymer coatings applied to double bottom tanks — in the light of Resolution MEPC. 141(54) of IMO
Authors: Wtadziński Grzegorz , Rutkowski Zbigniew 
Published: October 2008

Calculation of oil outflow from fuel oil tanks of a containership with polymer coatings applied to double bottom tanks — in the light of Resolution MEPC. 141(54) of IMO
Introduction of the semi-elastic barrier into fuel tanks rise environmental protection level in case of ship collision or grounding. Last law regulations requires change of localisation of fuel tanks in ship structure in a such way to increasing distance between fuel and surounding water. Application of semielastic barrier into fuel tank make possible to localise fuel tanks in double bottomspace. Calculation of hipothetical outflow of fuel from damaged fuel tan in case of application of senielastic barier is presented.
Heavy metal content in soil and consumption yield in the vicinity of petrochemical plant
Authors: Karaczun Zbigniew , Indeka Leonard , Obidoska Grażyna 
Published: October 2008

Heavy metal content in soil and consumption yield in the vicinity of petrochemical plant
The research on soil and consumption yield quality at the impact zone of the petrochemical plant in Płock (ZRiP), conducted in the 1970s and 80s, proved that the emissions from the plant threatened the agricultural production within the area. As the emission levels from the ZRiP have significantly dropped in recent years, analyses were conducted in order to assess the current content of Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn in soils as well as in wheat grain and potato tuber cultivated within the area. The results showed that the soils were not contaminated with above mentioned heavy metals, but the level of cadmium was exceeded in potato tubers collected from three research points and in wheat grain collected from one point.
Use of computed tomography to evaluate a fracture associated with a subchondral pedal bone cyst in a horse
Authors: Del Chicca F. , Kuemmerle J. M. , Ossent P. , Nitzl D. , Fuerst A. , Ohlerth S. 
Published: October 2008

SummaryThe radiological examination of bone lesions can be challenging, considering the complex superimposition of the 3D anatomy of a region on to a 2D image. This report describes the findings achievable with different diagnostic imaging modalities (radiography, arthrography, spiral computed tomography) and the correlation with thepost mortemand histopathological findings in a horse with a fracture associated with an osseous cyst‐like lesion in the third phalanx. CT was highly superior to radiography to evaluate the spatial configuration and completeness of the fracture, relationship between the fracture and osseous cyst‐like lesion, architecture of the cyst, presence of its communication with the joint and secondary degenerative joint disease. In conclusion, CT represents an asset in these cases for an accurate prognosis and therapy.
The Effect of Cast Films of Bovine Mucin and Prosopis Gum Containing a CicatrinÂ® Powder on Wound Healing
Authors: Momoh MA , Adikwu MU , Eraga SO 
Published: October 2008

Orodispersible tablets of carbamazepine were prepared with a view to enhance patient compliance by direct compression method using 3Â² full factorial design. Crospovidone (2-10% w/w) was used as superdisintegrant and microcrystallinecellulose (0-30% w/w) was used as diluent, along with directly compressible mannitol to enhance mouth feel. The tablets were evaluated for hardness, friability, thickness, drug content uniformity, in vitro dispersion time, wetting time and water absorption ratio. Based on in vitro dispersion time (approximately 10 s); the formulation containing 2% w/w crospovidone and 30%w/w microcrystallinecellulose was found to be promising and tested for in vitro drug release pattern (in pH 6.8 phosphate buffer), short-term stability (at 40Âº/75 % RH for 3 w) and drug-excipient interaction. This formulation showed four-fold faster drug release (t25%) compared to the conventional commercial tablet formulation. Short-term stability studies on the formulation indicated that there are no significant changes in drug content and in vitro dispersion time (p < 0.05). Â Key words: mucin, Prosopis gum, cicatrin, healingDOI = 10.3329/dujps.v7i1.1200Dhaka Univ. J. Pharm. Sci. 7(1): 7-10, 2008 (June)
Evaluation of Dissolution Behavior of Paracetamol Suspensions
Authors: Azam Md Golam , Haider Syed Shabbir 
Published: October 2008

Ten brands of commercial paracetamol suspensions were investigated for their dissolution characteristics in 0.1 N HCl at a speed of 25 rpm using USP dissolution test apparatus II (Paddle method). It was observed that differences exist among the rate of paracetamol dissolution from the samples, particularly at the early stages. For nine of the brands, paracetamol dissolution varied between 72% and 100% at 15 minutes. One of the samples showed a very unsatisfactory rate and extent of drug dissolution as only 39% and 52% paracetamol was released after 15 and 30 minutes respectively. The effect of two commonly used suspending agents, CMC-Na and Avicel, on the release of paracetamol was studied using four laboratory-made suspensions. Retarded drug dissolution was observed which was related to the concentration of the suspending agents. Drug release kinetics followed first order as well Higuchi models. Viscosity of the samples and initial drug release was found to be inversely correlated (R2=0.9081 at 3 minutes) which faded away with the lapse of time. Key words: Paracetamol suspension, in vitro dissolution, suspending agents Â Â DOI = 10.3329/dujps.v7i1.1218 Dhaka Univ. J. Pharm. Sci. 7(1): 53-58, 2008 (June)
Development of Indomethacin Sustained Release Microcapsules using Ethyl Cellulose and Hydroxy Propyl Methyl Cellulose Phthalate by O/W Emulsification
Authors: Kamal Md Abu Hena Mostafa , Ahmed Maruf , Wahed Mir Imam Ibne , Amran Md Shah , Shaheen Sharif Md , Rashid Manunur , Anwar-Ul-Islam Md 
Published: October 2008

Indomethacin (IM) sustained release microcapsules were successfully prepared using ethyl cellulose (EC) and hydroxy propyl methyl cellulose phthalate (HPMCP) by o/w emulsification-solvent evaporation technique. The prepared microcapsules were evaluated for size, shape, drug content and in vitro drug release. The microcapsules show sustained release curves at pH 7.2 phosphate buffer for up to 6 h. The data obtained from the dissolution profiles were compared in the light of different kinetics models and the regression coefficients were compared. The in vitro dissolution study confirmed the Higuchi-order release pattern. Particle size and release data analysis from five consecutive batches prepared in the laboratory indicated suitable reproducibility of the solvent evaporation process. The release rate increased exponentially with the addition of HPMCP in EC. IM release rate was observed highest with the highest concentration of HPMCP (3:7 ratio of EC:HPMCP), used in the present studies. On the other hand, IM release rate was lowest when EC and HPMCP combination was used at the ratio of 10:0. When percent of HPMCP was increased, the particle size of microcapsules was decreased. Key words: Indomethacin, sustained release, microcapsule, HPMCP, EC, Higuchi-order Â DOI = 10.3329/dujps.v7i1.1223 Dhaka Univ. J. Pharm. Sci. 7(1): 83-88, 2008 (June)
Tunable Adhesive Superhydrophobic Surfaces for Superparamagnetic Microdroplets
Authors: Cheng Zhongjun , Feng Lin , Jiang Lei 
Published: October 2008

AbstractInspired by the gecko's ability to reversibly stick and unstick to a variety of solid surfaces during locomotion, a new superhydrophobic iron surface that has a tunable adhesive force with the superparamagnetic microdroplet as a function of the magnetic field was fabricated by a simple and inexpensive method. The as‐prepared surface is low adhesive, and a superparamagnetic microdroplet can roll easily on the surface. After the surface is magnetized, it becomes highly adhesive, which can pin a superparamagnetic microdroplet. Further demagnetizing the surface that has been magnetized, a superparamagnetic microdroplet can roll on the surface again, indicating that the surface returns to its initial low adhesive state. Reversible transition between the high adhesive pinning state and low adhesive rolling state can be achieved by simply magnetizing and demagnetizing the surface alternately. The tunable effect maybe attribute to the cooperation of the soft ferromagnetic property of iron plate and the microstructure on the surface. Such intelligent surface could potentially be used in a wide range of applications such as biochemical separation, no‐loss transport of microdroplet, and in situ detection.
Microtexture and Chitin/Calcite Orientation Relationship in the Mineralized Exoskeleton of the American Lobster
Authors: Al‐Sawalmih Ali , Li Chenghao , Siegel Stefan , Fabritius Helge , Yi Sangbong , Raabe Dierk , Fratzl Peter , Paris Oskar 
Published: October 2008

AbstractThe exoskeleton of the American lobster Homarus americanus is a hierarchical nanocomposite consisting of chitin–protein fibers, reinforced with amorphous calcium carbonate (ACC) and a small amount of crystalline calcite. Crystallographic pole‐figure analysis reveals two texture components of the crystalline α‐chitin in the exoskeleton. One component represents the well‐known twisted plywood structure of chitin–protein fibers within the cuticle plane, and the second component represents fibers oriented roughly perpendicular to the cuticle surface. These perpendicular fibers interpenetrate the open canals of the planar honeycomblike structure originating from the well‐developed pore‐canal system present in this material. The calcite crystallites reveal fiber texture with the crystallographic c‐axis oriented perpendicular to the cuticle surface, suggesting an orientation relationship between calcite and the organic chitin–protein fibers. Local orientation analysis using X‐ray microdiffraction reveals that the crystalline calcium carbonate fraction is associated with the chitin–protein fibers oriented perpendicular to the surface. Calcite is exclusively found in the exocuticle and is mostly restricted to a thin layer in the outermost region, while the major part of the exocuticle and the whole endocuticle contain ACC exclusively. It is therefore speculated that the most likely function of calcite in the exoskeleton of the American lobster is related to impact‐ and wear‐resistance.