bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Design of multichannel communication system of the MPEG video data streams using adaptive QoS control
Authors: Ogawa Kentaro , Kobayashi Aki , Yamaoka Katsunori , Sakai Yoshinori 
Published: April 2004

AbstractThis paper considers the stored MPEG video multi‐channel transmission, and discusses the design of dynamic band assignment scheme considering the picture quality, together with the result of implementation. In the proposed scheme, the parameter representing the picture degradation characteristic of each video picture is used in numerical form, in the assignment of the band to the streams. By preparing the transmission schedule beforehand, which indicates the band assignment to the streams along the time‐axis direction, the change of the picture degradation characteristic due to the scene changes in each stream is handled. There arises, however, the following problem. Since GOP (group of pictures) of the stream is not synchronized, the transmission following the schedule may become impossible, if the scene changes occur very frequently, due to the increase of the streams. From such a viewpoint, this paper proposes a scheme where the whole streams are partitioned into groups, and each group executes the independent transmission process. Furthermore, a method to estimate the optimal number of groups is proposed, which minimizes the picture degradation, based on the parameters, such as the average scene length and GOP length. Those control schemes are implemented on LAN and the transmission experiment is run on the stored MPEG video, and the effectiveness of the proposed band assignment method in the multichannel transmission is demonstrated. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn Pt 1, 87(10): 81–92, 2004; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/ecja.10155
Investigation on an electrical patching method of a gap between apertures by loading parasitic elements
Authors: Sugawara Akira , Takano Tadashi , Hanayama Eiji , Kami Yoshio 
Published: April 2004

AbstractIn the future, an ultralarge space antenna with a diameter of 1 km will be needed. If medium‐size aperture antennas are used as the array elements, physical areas without electromagnetic fields are generated between the elements. Therefore, antenna gain deterioration, generation of grating lobes, and other degradations of the radiation characteristics occur. In this paper, in order to resolve these problems, a method is proposed to load parasitic elements between the elements. Experimental and theoretical studies of a model are carried out. In the experiment, it is demonstrated that the gain is improved by 0.9 dB (a 10% improvement in aperture efficiency) at the maximum by loading 10 parasitic elements at appropriate locations. With regard to the radiation pattern, it is found that the side lobe levels are decreased. In the theoretical analysis, the scattered field from parasitic elements placed near the horn is derived based on the nearby radiated field including the diffraction effect. The validity of the experimental results and the effectiveness of the proposed analysis model and analysis technique are demonstrated. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn Pt 1, 87(10): 58–66, 2004; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/ecja.10170
A study of optical wireless mobile communications with movable cells employing cycle emissions
Authors: Takano Hiroshi , Shimamoto Shigeru 
Published: April 2004

AbstractThis paper considers the application of optical wireless communications to mobile communications. We consider an optical mobile communications system using cycle emission cells and allowing a reduction of the shadowing effect, which is a problem in optical wireless communications. The proposed system uses multiple transmitters with cycle emissions (DTCE). By varying the number of transmitters, the error rate performance is compared via computer simulation. It is anticipated in particular that when the proposed method is applied to mobile communications, multiple transmitters will be placed in the service area, and the distance between the transmitters and the synchronization among the transmitters will greatly affect the error rate performance. The performance is calculated by varying these parameters via computer simulation, and the results are evaluated. Furthermore, the result is compared to other models which have been proposed in order to reduce the shadowing effect, and the effectiveness of the DTCE system regarding optical wireless mobile communications is demonstrated. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn Pt 1, 87(10): 45–57, 2004; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/ecja.10172
Input current wave‐shaping technique using inductor voltage sensing for high‐power‐factor flyback rectifier
Authors: Tanitteerapan Tanes , Mori Shinsaku 
Published: April 2004

AbstractIn this paper, a simple input current waveform shaping method for a rectifier with a high power factor using the induced voltage of a flyback transformer is proposed. The duty ratio of the present shaping circuit is obtained by comparison of the integration signal of the rectified induced voltage and the ramp carrier waveform with a negative slope. By means of the proposed method, the input voltage sensor, current control loop, multiplier, and inductance current sensor can be eliminated, simplifying the control circuit. In order to confirm the proposed method, a flyback rectifier circuit for 100 W is fabricated for an experimental investigation. The results confirm that the input current waveform of the rectifier becomes closer to a sinusoidal shape and harmonic components become smaller by the use of the present shaping method. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn Pt 1, 87(10): 26–35, 2004; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/ecja.10188
Noise filter using a transmission line formed in lossy ferrite medium
Authors: Yamamoto Hidetoshi , Uchida Katsuyuki , Kaneko Toshimi , Kami Yoshio 
Published: April 2004

AbstractA noise filter used for suppression of electromagnetic noise in electronic devices is formed by means of the transmission loss of a transmission line implemented in ferrite. By using this method, the electromagnetic noise can be absorbed within the component itself so that there is a possibility of developing a noise filter with a small reflection coefficient in the attenuation region. Hence, application to digital circuits, in which the distortion of the signal waveform due to reflection is a problem, is desirable. First, the transmission characteristics of a transmission line formed in ferrite are calculated. Based on the characteristics, the material properties of ferrites suitable for a noise filter are discussed. Subsequently, a prototype is fabricated. It is confirmed that formation of a noise filter within a small chip component several millimeters square is possible. The difference between the measured and theoretical values is less than 3 dB in the frequency range from 10 MHz to 1 GHz. Although the properties of noise absorption within the component are confirmed, further improvement is necessary. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn Pt 1, 87(10): 1–9, 2004; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/ecja.10194
Solid‐phase aroma concentrate extraction (SPACE™ ): a new headspace technique for more sensitive analysis of volatiles
Authors: Ishikawa Masashi , Ito Osamu , Ishizaki Susumu , Kurobayashi Yoshiko , Fujita Akira 
Published: April 2004

AbstractThe SPACE™ (solid‐phase aroma concentrate extraction) method is a modiﬁed version of the SPME (solid‐phase micro extraction) technique for headspace analysis, with increased area of the adsorbent to enable more sensitive analysis of volatiles. The SPACE™ rod used in the technique is fabricated from stainless steel coated with an adsorbent mixture, consisting mainly of a graphite carbon. Initially, the SPACE™ rod is ﬁxed in the head of a closed ﬂask, where it adsorbs the aroma. Next, the rod is thermally desorbed on‐line with a high‐resolution gas chromatography–mass spectrometer (HRGC–MS). In the present experiments, SPACE™ sampling reproducibility was determined by analysing a standard mixture and roasted coffee beans. The SPACE™ rod collected the analytes with good reproducibility, with the exception of high polar compounds. Similar analyses of coffee powder were performed by SPME and other methods for comparison with the SPACE™ method. The SPACE™ method proved to have superior capabilities with high concentrations, and it produced a well‐balanced chromatogram. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A virtual boundary method with improved computational efficiency using a multi‐grid method
Authors: Revstedt Johan 
Published: April 2004

AbstractThe flow around spherical, solid objects is considered. The boundary conditions on the solid boundaries have been applied by replacing the boundary with a surface force distribution on the surface, such that the required boundary conditions are satisfied. The velocity on the boundary is determined by extrapolation from the flow field. The source terms are determined iteratively, as part of the solution. They are then averaged and are smoothed out to nearby computational grid points. A multi‐grid scheme has been used to enhance the computational efficiency of the solution of the force equations. The method has been evaluated for flow around both moving and stationary spherical objects at very low and intermediate Reynolds numbers. The results shows a second order accuracy of the method both at creeping flow and at Re=100. The multi‐grid scheme is shown to enhance the convergence rate up to a factor 10 as compared to single grid approach. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The impact of organizational climate and strategic fit on firm performance
Authors: Burton Richard M. , Lauridsen Jørgen , Obel Børge 
Published: April 2004

AbstractA firm's organizational climate—its degree of trust, morale, conflict, rewards equity, leader credibility, resistance to change, and scapegoating—helps determine its success. Likewise, organizational strategy—the firm's commitment to capital investment, innovation, quality, and the like—has also been found to be an important determinant of firm performance. However, prior work has most often explored the impact of climate and strategy separately, and not in tandem. In our study, we develop a measure of organizational climate comprised of tension, resistance to change, and conflict, and go on to show that at least for some pairings of a firm's climate and its strategy, there is a negative effect on return on assets (ROA). © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Managing internal auditing in a post‐SOA world
Authors: Moeller Robert 
Published: April 2004

AbstractInternal auditing is a necessary but often misunderstood function in today's corporation—especially since the sweeping Sarbanes‐Oxley Act (SOA) was passed. How was the role of internal auditing changed by the SOA? And how should you manage internal auditing in this tougher, new environment? © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Investigation of commercial lecithin by 31P NMR in a ternary CUBO solvent
Authors: Cremonini Mauro A , Laghi Luca , Placucci Giuseppe 
Published: April 2004

AbstractMany different ways have been devised over the years for analysing phospholipids in solution by 31P NMR. One promising method entails the use of the so‐called CUBO solvent, a ternary mixture of dimethylformamide, triethylamine and guanidinium hydrochloride. As this interesting system seems to have been overlooked in the literature, we present here a study on the quantification of phospholipids and lysophospholipids contained in 10 samples of commercial lecithin using the CUBO/31P NMR method. Cluster analysis and principal component analysis of the NMR data showed clear differences among the samples according to the actual lecithin producer. Multivariate analysis of the chemical and physical parameters of the samples confirmed these differences. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry
Quality of mango fruits during storage: effect of synthetic and eco‐friendly films
Authors: Srinivasa Ponnachanna C , Susheelamma Nuggenahalli S , Ravi R , Tharanathan Rudrapatnam N 
Published: April 2004

AbstractMango (Mangifera indica) cv ‘Alphonso’ fruits, harvested 40–50 days after flowering, were stored at 27 ± 1 °C and 65% RH under three conditions of packaging: (1) perforated plastic boxes, (2) wax lined cartons sealed with low‐density polyethylene (LDPE) film, and (3) wax lined cartons sealed with chitosan films. The weight loss, firmness, Hunter colour values and acidity were determined periodically during storage. Sensory analysis was carried out to determine colour, firmness, flavour qualities and also defective spots. Principal component analysis (PCA) of the results indicated that fruits stored in perforated plastic boxes and LDPE film‐sealed cartons differed significantly with respect to mango flavour, firmness and development of defective spots, while those in chitosan film sealed cartons retained the desirable qualities for a longer period (up to 20 days) without developing defective spots. The higher level of carbon dioxide and lower level of oxygen, or lower rate of oxygen transmission, associated with chitosan films delay ripening, and the higher water vapour transmission rate minimizes the rate of transpiration and prevents condensation of water droplets on the film. This helps in establishing equilibrium moisture content of mangoes in the cartons, which, in turn, extends the shelf life of fruits for a longer period. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry
e‐democracy: in search of tools and methods for effective participation
Authors: Grönlund Åke 
Published: April 2004

AbstractThe field of e‐democracy has approached the problem of improving democratic decision making by emphasizing encouraging broad participation. This is due to a perceived lack of credibility on part of politicians, indicated by decline in both turnout in elections and recruitment to political parties. Experiences so far show that while in local contexts use of electronic tools in combination with redesigned democratic processes have indeed affected participation positively, both scaling and quality requires more sophisticated technical tools of at least two kinds. One kind, recognized by the e‐democracy community, are tools supporting cooperative work for facilitating communication among humans. Another kind, this paper argues, is tools for more formal problem modelling. The e‐democracy field has so far almost exclusively been concerned with encouraging and—at best—modelling, moderating, and reviewing discussions. Experiences from e.g. citizen juries point to the importance of expert participation. Decision Support Systems could provide—mediated—expert participation in virtual groups and in communication with the public. To achieve this, there is a need to carefully consider both the usability of Decision Support Systems and their role in the overall democratic system. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fabric evolution during hydromechanical loading of a compacted silt
Authors: Cuisinier Olivier , Laloui Lyesse 
Published: April 2004

AbstractA study was undertaken on a compacted silt to determine fabric modifications induced by suction and/or stress variations. The link between fabric and hydromechanical behaviour was also investigated. A suction‐controlled oedometer, using air overpressure, was developed for this purpose and mercury intrusion porosimetry was employed to determine sample fabric. The initial samples fabric was made of macro and micropores. It was shown that suction increase produced a strong decrease in the macroporosity associated with an increase in microporosity. However, some macropores were not significantly affected by the suction increase; this phenomenon might be related to the initial fabric of the samples. Second, it appears that loading under saturated conditions also produces strong fabric modification: the higher the applied stress, the lower the macroporosity. Soil fabric depends on the maximum stress experienced by the soil. Finally, some tests have shown the influence of suction, as well as the role of the degree of saturation, on the deformation process and the mechanical behaviour. The test results show that in the case of unsaturated mechanical loading, all macropores are not destroyed by the mechanical loading. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Experimental study of stick‐slip behaviour
Authors: Adjemian Florence , Evesque Pierre 
Published: April 2004

AbstractSimple axi‐symmetric uni‐axial compression tests have been realized on dry loose samples of glass beads (diameters d: d=0.2 ± 0.05 mm, 0.75 ± 0.1 mm, or 3 mm) and on Hostun sand under small lateral confinement, σ3<60 kPa, using different sample sizes. The experiments with the two smallest spheres (d=0.2 and 0.75 mm) exhibit stick‐slips, which are characterized by (i) a rapid release Δq of the deviatoric stress q and by (ii) the strain Δε1 separating two events. The samples which exhibit stick‐slip also present a weakening of strength q(ε1) as the rate of deformation dε1/dt is increased. No stick‐slip is generated during the first part of the q−ε1 curve, i.e. when q grows fast with ε1. Four different parameters helped us determine the statistics of Δq and Δε: the lateral pressure σ3′, the rate of deformation dε1/dt, the sample height H, and the diameter D. The statistics do not depend on rate history. They look like exponentials in small samples and/or in (large sample+fast dε1/dt), and they look like Poissonian or Gaussian in (Large sample+small dε1/dt). This change in statistics is attributed to a varying of triggering process starting from a single random event in small samples to multiple random events. We have interpreted this change of statistics as due to some finite size effect so that the representative elementary volume shall contain at least (200)3 grains. Localization of deformation is visible at the end of compression but cannot be detected from stick‐slip statistics nor from q vs ε curve. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Electrons and bursting waterworks
Authors: van der Marel Dirk 
Published: April 2004

AbstractThe Expert Opinion is written by a distinguished scientist and presents his/her personal view on important and relevant new results of research, highlighting their significance and putting the work into perspective for a broader audience. Please send comments to pss@wiley‐vch.de or to the author.The text by Dirk van der Marel refers to the Rapid Research Note by M. Matlak et al., Chemical potential induced phase transitions, published in this issue of phys. stat. sol. (b) 241, R23 (2004). (© 2004 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Biological activity of barbados cherry (acerola fruits, fruit of Malpighia emarginata DC) extracts and fractions
Authors: Motohashi Noboru , Wakabayashi Hidetsugu , Kurihara Teruo , Fukushima Hidetaka , Yamada Tomoko , Kawase Masami , Sohara Yoshitaka , Tani Satoru , Shirataki Yoshiaki , Sakagami Hiroshi , Satoh Kazue , Nakashima Hideki , Molnár Annamária , Spengler Gabriella , Gyémánt Nóra , Ugocsai Katalin , Molnár Joseph 
Published: April 2004

AbstractFractionation of barbados cherry (acerola fruit, a fruit of Malpighia emarginata DC.) extracts were performed by organic solvent extractions and column chromatographies, using two extraction methods. Higher cytotoxic activity was concentrated in fractions A4 and A6 (acetone extract), and H3 and HE3 (hexane extract). These four fractions showed higher cytotoxic activity against tumor cell lines such as human oral squamous cell carcinoma (HSC‐2) and human submandibular gland carcinoma (HSG), when compared with that against normal cells such as human periodontal ligament ﬁbroblasts (HPLF) and human gingival ﬁbroblasts (HGF). HE2 (hexane extract), AE2 (ethyl acetate extract), AE3, AE4, AE5, A8, A9 and A10 showed some relatively higher anti‐bacterial activity on the Gram‐positive Staphylococcus epidermidis ATCC 1228 but were ineffective on the representative Gram‐negative species E. coli and Ps. aeruginosa. The fractions were inactive against Helicobacter pylori, two representative Candida species, and human immunodeﬁciency virus (HIV). H3, H4 and HE3, which displayed higher tumor‐speciﬁc cytotoxicity also showed higher multidrug resistance (MDR) reversal activity, than (±)‐verapamil as positive control. ESR spectroscopy shows that the radical‐mediated oxidation is not involved in the induction of tumor‐speciﬁc cytotoxic activity. The tumor speciﬁc cytotoxic activity and MDR reversal activity of barbados cherry may suggest its possible application for cancer therapy. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Quality of Life Associated with Surgery for Esophageal Cancer: Differences between Collar and Intrathoracic Anastomoses
Authors: Schmidt Christian E. , Bestmann Beate , Küchler Thomas , Schmid Andreas , Kremer Bernd 
Published: April 2004

AbstractPostoperative survival and complication rates have traditionally been the standard parameters of outcome after oncologic surgery. In tumors with poor patient survival, such as esophageal cancer, studies about quality of life are rare. The objectives of this study were to assess outcomes in terms of quality of life in patients with esophageal cancer when investigating differences between two surgical reconstructive procedures: intrathoracic anastomosis and collar anastomosis. A total of 108 patients with esophageal cancer had undergone surgery for esophageal cancer in our department from 1992 to 2000. Median survival was 36 months with no significant differences between patients undergoing collar or intrathoracic anastomosis. After determining the survival status, questionnaires on quality of life were sent to all patients 1 to 2 years after surgery. We received data from 46 patients. The responders were divided into groups of intrathoracic anastomosis (n = 24) and collar anastomosis (n = 22). Patients with the collar anastomosis showed significantly better physical and social functioning and global health status. From the viewpoint of postoperative quality of life, reflux‐related symptoms were the major problem for patients with an intrathoracic anastomosis. These symptoms cause significant insomnia and impair social and physical function. The study showed that assessing quality of life with specific and general instruments is helpful for determining the differences between surgical procedures where standard parameters such as survival have their limitations.