bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Science and ethics: Some issues for education
Authors: Andrew Jennifer , Robottom Ian 
Published: August 2002

AbstractEthical issues concerning pain and suffering of animals are necessarily a consideration when it comes to killing “pest” or “feral” species in Australia. Within a continent where there are no large predators, many introduced animal species such as rabbits, foxes, horses, donkeys, camels, goats, and mice have been able to thrive, competing with the interests of farmers and graziers, and livestock and food production. These species, thus, gain the label of “pest.” Many methods now exist to kill these species and, consequently, ethical issues arise concerning the possible pain and suffering caused as a direct result of these methods. Yet within government and scientific communities, ethical issues are reduced to a secondary consideration without serious debate or contention. Ethical issues appear to be at odds with scientific agendas. How can environmental ethics be incorporated as part of science‐based decision making that appeals to objectivity and scientific evidence? Within educational institutions as well, the same dilemma exists: How can ethical issues be addressed within the science curriculum and in the classroom? A greater understanding of various perspectives on the subject of environmental ethics and the value positions advocated by proponents of these perspectives may help teachers consider ways of handling such issues in the science classroom. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Sci Ed 85:769–780, 2001.
An algorithm for region extraction based on an elastic–plastic deformation model
Authors: Ikuta Mikito , Minagawa Akihiro , Gotoh Toshiyuki 
Published: August 2002

AbstractThis paper proposes a new region extraction method, in which a two‐dimensional pixel image or three‐dimensional voxel image is modeled as an elastic film or body with an elasticity distribution corresponding to the density gradient or some other image property, and is segmented according to this elasticity distribution. The proposed method uses a higher‐dimension space formed by introducing a deformation axis that is orthogonal to the two‐dimensional image plane or the three‐dimensional image space, making it possible to calculate the equilibrium state at low computational cost. Region extraction then consists of simulating elastic–plastic deformation by displacing the internal pixels of the region in the direction of the deformation axis, with the ends of the image fixed. Experimental results show that the method is effective when applied to two‐dimensional real pixel images and three‐dimensional real voxel images. © 2001 Scripta Technica, Syst Comp Jpn, 32(5): 46–54, 2001
DIPS: Diagrammatic arithmetic problem solver
Authors: Murata Tsuyoshi , Kato Hiroki , Shimura Masamichi , Numao Masayuki 
Published: August 2002

AbstractWhen solving a problem, humans often draw diagrams in order to acquire useful information such as the conditions that are not clearly specified. The importance of using diagrams for reasoning and problem solving lies not only in clarifying humans' intellectual activities, but also in developing efficient user interfaces. There are several studies in the field of problem solving systems that use diagrammatic information such as those of determining object positions in physics problems, and those of corresponding between diagrams and given problem descriptions. However, there are few studies for the processes of drawing diagrams derived from the textual description of the problem and for enumerating quantities or finding patterns. This paper proposes a method for solving arithmetic problems using diagrams, and describes our problem solver called Diagrammatic Arithmetic Problem Solver (DIPS). DIPS employs an extended semantic network as its representation of diagrams, and it successfully solves arithmetic problems by drawing diagrams from the descriptions of the problems. It also has the abilities of discovering formulas from the regularities of drawn diagrams. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Syst Comp Jpn, 33(6): 112–120, 2002; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/scj.1138
Adhesion imaging of carbon‐fibre‐reinforced materials in the pulsed force mode of the atomic force microscope
Authors: Pfrang A. , Hüttinger K. J. , Schimmel Th. 
Published: August 2002

AbstractThe microstructure and microscopic mechanical and adhesive properties of carbon‐fibre bundles infiltrated with pyrolytic carbon were investigated using a combination of different scanning force techniques. Contact mode atomic force microscopy imaging was combined with lateral force imaging and adhesion force and local stiffness imaging in the pulsed force mode of the atomic force microscope. A clear material contrast was obtained between carbon fibre and pyrocarbon matrix in the adhesion and stiffness images, as well as in the friction force images, which gives valuable information about the different microscopic properties of the fibre and matrix. The significantly higher adhesive forces determined on the fibres compared with the carbon matrix may be attributed to a higher concentration of polar groups on the fibre cross‐sections due to the high degree of orientation of the graphene layers along the fibre axis. In addition, a much higher degree of spatial variation of adhesive and frictional forces is observed within the fibre compared with the matrix, indicating a higher degree of homogeneity within the pyrocarbon matrix. The data derived from the experiments give microscopic information that is essential for a more detailed understanding of the resulting macroscopic properties of these materials. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Adsorption of alginic acid to titanium investigated using x‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy
Authors: Brizzolara Robert A. 
Published: August 2002

AbstractX‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) have been used to characterize the adsorption of alginic acid to titanium as a function of alginic acid solution pH. It was found that alginic acid adsorbs in greater quantity at acidic pH than at basic pH. The results provide evidence for an anion‐exchange adsorption mechanism at weakly acidic pH. Addition of calcium chloride to the alginic acid solution results in a reduction of alginic acid adsorption at acidic pH and an increase at basic pH. This behavior can be explained by inhibition of anion exchange by the calcium cation at acidic pH and mediation of a bond between alginic acid and the titanium surface at basic pH. Elucidation of the adsorption chemistry of biofilm components to the surfaces of engineering materials is a prerequisite to developing surface modification strategies to reduce biofouling adhesion. Data presented herein can be used in the future as a baseline for comparison with data for such modified surfaces. Published in 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Characterization of the spatial distributions of entrapped polymers following the surface engineering of poly(lactic acid)
Authors: Quirk Robin A. , Briggs David , Davies Martyn C. , Tendler Saul J. B. , Shakesheff Kevin M. 
Published: August 2002

AbstractIn earlier studies we have demonstrated physical entrapment as a method of surface‐modifying poly(lactic acid) (PLA) by immobilizing poly(L‐lysine) (PLL) and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) at the PLA surface. In this study, we have used a combination of time‐of‐flight (ToF) SIMS and XPS image analysis to determine the surface homogeneity of these systems. The ToF‐SIMS imaging was used to investigate the effect of various surface‐engineering conditions on the lateral distribution of PLL‐modified PLA. The PLA surface modification was revealed to produce micron‐scale PLL‐rich domains following prolonged exposure to the partial solvent system that is used during the entrapment process. As the static SIMS analysis of PEG/PLA surfaces did not produce distinguishing ions of a sufficient intensity between the two polymers, this technique could not generate lateral contrast, and imaging XPS was therefore employed to determine the surface distributions of these two species. Phase separation was again detected under extended surface engineering conditions. With both systems, optimization of the process conditions was shown to inhibit the creation of a heterogeneous surface. Surface segregation may result in suboptimal performance of the biomaterial and this study therefore highlights the importance of determining spatial organizations when modifying polymer interfaces. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Quantification of the surface composition of low‐work function surfaces using low‐energy ion scattering
Authors: Cortenraad R. , Denier van der Gon A. W. , Brongersma H. H. , Ermolov S. N. , Glebovsky V. G. 
Published: August 2002

AbstractQuantification of the surface composition of low‐work function systems using low‐energy noble gas ion scattering is strongly influenced by resonant neutralization. Below a certain threshold in the work function, resonant neutralization to the first excited level of the ion is possible and the neutralization probability of the ions increases exponentially with decreasing work function. We show how to correct for the influence of the work function and perform the quantification using the characteristic velocity method. The discussion and conclusions here are relevant for all ion scattering studies using low‐energy noble gas ions on surfaces with a work function below ∼4 eV. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Discussion: Teaching hypothesis tests: time for significant change?
Authors: Palmer Christopher R. 
Published: August 2002

AbstractThis is an opportune time to ask whether there should be important changes in the statistical syllabus for today's medical students, and in particular with regard to hypothesis tests, given the justified trend for preferring the confidence interval approach to inference. In discussing Jonathan Sterne's paper, I focus on teaching aspects, rather than the philosophical or historical elements, beginning with broader questions concerning overall course aims and objectives. To raise statistical awareness among future doctors, I argue that precisely what we teach is actually less important than how we teach. I discuss implications that only some medical students go on to become producers, as opposed to consumers, of research. I conclude that, for the time being at least, p‐values are here to stay and hence still need to be taught but only alongside careful description of their various limitations. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Statistical perspectives on confidentiality and data access in public health
Authors: Fienberg Stephen E. 
Published: August 2002

AbstractConfidentiality and disclosure limitation are topics that are inherently statistical but, until recently, they have received limited attention from statistical methodologists. That situation has changed considerably in the present decade. In this paper, we provide an introduction and overview of some statistical disclosure limitation issues that are of special relevance to public health studies and surveys, and the linkages to current research on bounds for multi‐dimensional contingency table entries and ‘simulated’ categorical data. We also describe how these research methods relate to a new data access query system being developed for use by NCHS and other statistical agencies. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Power comparison of robust approximate and non‐parametric tests for the analysis of cross‐over trials
Authors: Correa José A. , Bellavance François 
Published: August 2002

AbstractThe main advantage of cross‐over designs in practice is the use of a smaller number of subjects to produce treatment comparisons with sufficient precision. Bellavance and Tardif proposed a non‐parametric approach to test the hypotheses of direct treatment and carry‐over effects for the three‐treatment three‐period and six sequences cross‐over design and showed the high asymptotic efficiency of their approach relative to the classical F‐test based on ordinary least squares (OLS). In a more recent paper, Öhrvik suggested another non‐parametric method for the analysis of cross‐over trials. The power of these two non‐parametric approaches is evaluated for small sample sizes via simulations, and compared to the power of the usual analysis of variance model based on OLS and a modified F‐test approximation that take into account the correlation structure of the repeated measurements within subjects. Different covariance structures, sample sizes, and probability distributions for the responses, namely normal and gamma, are used in the simulations to evaluate the power and robustness of these different methods of analysis. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Two‐phase shelf‐life estimation
Authors: Shao Jun , Chow Shein‐Chung 
Published: August 2002

AbstractUnlike most drug products, some drug products must be stored at several temperatures, such as −20°C, 5°C and 25°C, in order to maintain the stability of the drug products. Drug products of this kind are usually referred to as frozen drug products. The determination of shelf‐life for frozen drug products involves the estimation of drug shelf‐lives at different temperatures, which requires multiple phase linear regression. Mellon suggested obtaining a combined shelf‐life by determining shelf‐lives based on data available at different temperatures. This method, however, does not account for the fact that the shelf‐life at the second‐phase would depend on the shelf‐life at the first phase. As an alternative, we propose a method for determination of drug shelf‐lives for the two phases using a two‐phase regression analysis based on the statistical principle described in the FDA guideline and the ICH guideline. A numerical example is presented to illustrate the proposed method. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Group sequential monitoring of years of life saved with paired censored survival data
Authors: Murray Susan 
Published: August 2002

AbstractThis research develops non‐parametric methodology for sequential monitoring of paired time‐to‐event data when comparing years of life saved, or years where any unpleasant outcome is delayed, is of interest. The recommended family of test statistics uses integrated differences in survival estimates that are available during the study period, where adjustments are made for dependence in the survival and censoring outcomes under comparison. In the context of paired censored survival data, the joint asymptotic closed form distribution of these sequentially monitored test statistics is developed and shown to have a dependent increments structure. Simulations verifying nice operating characteristics of the proposed monitoring methods also reveal consequences of ignoring an underlying paired data structure in terms of size and power properties. A motivating example is also presented via the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study, which did not have methods available for sequentially monitoring paired censored survival data at the time. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Is there a liability of foreignness in global banking? An empirical test of banks' X‐efficiency
Authors: Miller Stewart R. , Parkhe Arvind 
Published: August 2002

AbstractWhen a company operates outside of its home country, it may suffer a ‘liability of foreignness.’ Does this a priori theoretical expectation hold in the global banking industry? Banks increasingly compete outside of their home countries, and operating environments often differ sharply across countries, both in terms of financial markets and credit risk. In this paper, we report the results of an empirical test of the liability of foreignness in the global banking industry, using Fitch–IBCA BankScope data for the period 1989–96. Our findings strongly support the liability of foreignness hypothesis. Further, the data show some evidence that the X‐efficiency of a foreign‐owned bank is strongly influenced by the competitiveness of its home country and the host country in which it operates. Lastly, we find that in some environments U.S.‐owned banks are more X‐efficient than other foreign‐owned banks in some environments, but less X‐efficient in others. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Asset accumulation, interdependence and technological change: evidence from pharmaceutical drug discovery
Authors: Thomke Stefan , Kuemmerle Walter 
Published: August 2002

AbstractAlthough the resource‐based view of the firm has been written about extensively, the process by which firm assets are accumulated has not been explored in detail. That is, we know little about the micro‐level mechanisms by which assets are built, nor do we have sufficient empirical evidence why some assets are more difficult to imitate, trade, or substitute. In this exploratory paper, we attempt to provide a better understanding of asset accumulation via an empirical research program in pharmaceutical drug discovery. Using a combination of field research, discovery data from nine pharmaceutical firms, and data on 218 alliances involving new technologies for experimentation and testing, three causes affecting asset accumulation are identified and described. First, the difficulty of imitating a particular asset is affected by interdependencies with other assets. Second, trading of assets can be impeded by structural inertia in the core of a firm that is adopting the technology asset. And third, fully specifying all factors affecting imitation and trading ex ante is very difficult, if not nearly impossible, under conditions of rapid technological change. We propose that the complex interactions of these causes can give rise to imperfections in factor markets. Finally, implications for further research are discussed as well. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Case study: a maintenance practice used with real‐time telecommunications software
Authors: Popović Miroslav , Atlagić Branislav , Kovačević Vladimir 
Published: August 2002

AbstractIn this paper we present a case study of the software maintenance practice that has been successfully applied to real‐time distributed systems, which are installed and fully operational in Moscow, St. Petersburg, and other cities across Russia. In this paper we concentrate on the software maintenance process, including customer request servicing, in‐field error logging, role of information system, software deployment, and software quality policy, and especially the software quality prediction process. In this case study, the prediction process is shown to be integral and one of the most important parts of the software maintenance process. We include a software quality prediction procedure overview and an example of the actual practice. The quality of the new software update is predicted on the basis of the current update's quantity metrics data and quality data, and new update's quantity metrics data. For management, this forecast aids software maintenance efficiency, and cost reduction. For practitioners, the most useful result presented is the process for determining the value for the break point. We end this case study with five lessons learned. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Optimization schemas for parallel implementation of non‐deterministic languages and systems
Authors: Gupta Gopal , Pontelli Enrico 
Published: August 2002

AbstractNaive parallel implementation of non‐deterministic systems (such as a theorem proving system) and languages (such as logic, constraint, or concurrent constraint languages) can result in poor performance. We present three optimization schemas, based onflattening of the computation tree,procrastination of overheads, andsequentialization of computationsthat can be systematically applied to parallel implementations of non‐deterministic systems/languages to reduce the parallel overhead and to obtain improved efficiency of parallel execution. The effectiveness of these schemas is illustrated by applying them to the ACE parallel logic programming system. The performance data presented show that considerable improvement in execution efficiency can be achieved. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Processes for software in safety critical systems
Authors: Benediktsson O. , Hunter R. B. , McGettrick A. D. 
Published: August 2002

AbstractTwo complementary standards are compared, both of which are concerned with the production of quality software. One, IEC 61508, is concerned with the safety of software intensive systems and the other, ISO/IEC TR 15504, takes a process view of software capability assessment. The standards are independent, though both standards build on ISO/IEC 12207. The paper proposes a correspondence between the safety integrity levels (SILs) of 61508 and the capability levels (CLs) of 15504, and considers the appropriateness of the 15504 reference model as a framework for assessing safety critical software processes. Empirical work from the SPICE trials and COCOMO II is used to support the arguments of the paper as well as to investigate their consequences. The development of a 15504 compatible assessment model for software in safety critical systems is proposed. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons Ltd
Rating the process attribute utilizing AHP in SPICE‐based process assessments
Authors: Jung Ho‐Won 
Published: August 2002

AbstractIn SPICE (Software Process Improvement and Capability dEtermination) assessments, the rating of a process attribute is determined by the aggregated achievements of associated MPs (management practices). Previous rating scale usability studies revealed that experienced assessors had difficulty distinguishing the boundaries between adjacent ratings: Fully and Largely, Largely and Partially, and Partially and Not achieved. To cope with these boundary problems, this study presents an AHP (analytic hierarchy process) approach as an objective aggregation method for the achievements of MPs. This research analyzed assessors' responses to our questions. Results indicated that the AHP approach was a systematic method and helpful in determining assessors' consensus in boundary problems. Furthermore, respondents answered that they would again use the AHP approach for tackling boundary problems for future assessments. In addition, they felt that the AHP approach could provide the assessors with confidence in the results of an assessment. While assessors responded that the AHP approach was easy to understand, some assessors had difficulty in creating an AHP comparison matrix in detail. Assessors with AHP experience expressed their support through such statements as ‘reduce the assessment effort’ and ‘provide confidence in the assessment results’. These results suggest the AHP approach could be employed as a method in solving the boundary problem in SPICE‐based process assessments. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Analysing IT ethics
Authors: Taylor M. J. , Moynihan E. 
Published: August 2002

AbstractFor a systems analyst there can be many ethical questions related to the activities of systems analysis and systems design. In this paper we examine the ethical problems that can arise for a systems analyst, discuss potential sources of ethical guidance for systems analysts, and outline a framework for analysing ethical issues in information technology projects. A case study is examined in a large insurance company which demonstrates how analysis of ethical issues can be embedded in a proprietary methodology such as SSADM. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Nipple aspiration in diagnosis of breast cancer
Authors: Shao Zhi‐Ming , Nguyen Mai 
Published: August 2002

AbstractIt has been shown that early detection of breast cancer saves lives. Mammography and physical examination are currently the most commonly utilized screening methods for breast cancer. Research is being carried out to optimize these screening methods, as well as to develop new techniques. This review summarizes the findings of the research focusing on the diagnostic techniques involving the breast ductal system to date. These tests include nipple fluid cytology, nipple fluid tumor markers, ductogram, and ductoscopy. Semin. Surg. Oncol. 20:175–180, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.