bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
VIII. The US and the EU in CEA Relations with Regional Powers
Authors: Amineh Mehdi Parvizi , Houweling Henk 
Published: April 2004

Abstract
The US and the EU are important external actors in the post-Soviet CEA region. One challenge confronting US policymakers is balancing commercial interests in the region with security interests and foreign policy goals. These include a desire to contain Iran, partly because of its support for radical Islamic forces in the Middle East, to prevent regional conflicts, assist NATO-member Turkey—a critical ally in an area that is of top US-security interest, and to normalize its relations with China, whose military potential and alliance with Russia is perceived as a threat to its own security interests. Commercially, the EU is not as involved in CEA as the US. The main powers in the EU—Britain, France and Germany— give priority to other regions over CEA. Britain puts emphasis on the Baltic States, France focuses on North Africa, and Germany has been more preoccupied with the development of Eastern Europe. As a group, the member countries of the EU act mostly in the context of economic assistance and diplomatic contacts. Military agreements have been signed on a bilateral basis mostly with Georgia.
XII. A Transnational Policy for Conflict Reduction and Prevention in the South Caucasus
Authors: Cutler Robert 
Published: April 2004

AbstractThis article examines conflicts in the South Caucasus with a view towards means for their interdependent resolution. It begins by reviewing briefly in succession situations in Georgia: Abkhazia, Ajaria, Javakhetia, and Tskhinvali (South Ossetia). A comparative qualitative analysis then follows that is heuristic rather than definitive. The situation in Mountainous Karabagh is juxtaposed to this, and complicating factors are identified. On that basis, a policy initiative for the South Caucasus is described, building upon the extensive considerations previously elaborated on in a report by the Centre for European Policy Studies. A focus on nongovernmental actors in particular leads to reflections on how to create potential transgovernmental and transsocietal sociopolitical coalitions for conflict reduction and prevention. Specifically, possibilities are considered for moving toward an institution such as a transnational Assembly for Regions and Peoples of the South Caucasus. Issues of institutional design are considered and assessed on the basis of existing comparative work on international parliamentary formations.
A thermomechanical model of a direct injection diesel engine piston
Authors: Abbes M Tahar , Maspeyrot P , Bouif A , Frene J 
Published: April 2004

This article presents a three-dimensional finite element full analysis, which describes the thermomechanical behaviour of a direct injection diesel engine piston. The piston moving in a complex environment is exposed to several interactions during engine operation. The thermomechanical model takes in account the most important load. The piston is subjected to the coupled action of the thermal loads due to the transfer of heat from the head to the body and the mechanical load represented by the combustion pressure and the inertial load due to the important change of direction of the piston in the cylinder bore. The response of the simulated model by critical loads makes it possible to know and to analyse the operating temperatures, the corresponding thermal expansion and the thermomechanical deformations and stresses. The results obtained will be the source data for the development of a global elastohydrodynamic model and will provide a good tool for piston design.
Experimental investigation of the effect of thin-wall substrates and spark timing retard on total hydrocarbon emissions during cold start for super-ultra-low-emission vehicle application
Authors: Myung Cha-Lee , Park Simsoo , Kim Han-Sang , Min Kyoungdoug , Choi Myung-Sik 
Published: April 2004

As the basic approach to improve the emission performance under cold start engine operation to meet stringent emission regulations, the effects of thin wall catalysts and spark timing retard on total hydrocarbon (THC) emission characteristics were investigated by engine performance and vehicle emissions tests. From this study, the effects of cell density on back pressure and engine performance were studied for thin-wall catalysts. The light-offtime reduction of the thin-wall catalysts was also demonstrated through vehicle emission tests. The effect of spark timing retard from minimum spark advance for best torque on THC emission reduction under the cold-start condition was also studied quantitatively using a fast flame ionization detector and a flame visualization technique. As the spark timing is retarded, THC emission at the exhaust manifold is effectively reduced regardless of the air-fuel ratio. From flame visualization, as the spark timing is retarded, the flame propagation speed becomes slower and the duration of the main flame is longer. It was also found that the reduction in THC emission at the beginning of the engine start is essential to meet the more stringent emission regulations. As a result, the adoption of a high-cell-density catalyst (900 cells/2.0 mil) and the spark timing retard technique (spark advance retard case, after top dead centre 8 ° crank angle) makes it possible to meet the super-ultra-low-emission vehicle emission regulation if effectively combined along with a metallic catalyst and exhaust gas-flow-optimized exhaust manifold.
Über einige lokal verallgemeinernde Speicher und ihre Weiterentwicklung, Teil 2: Delaunay Triangulation (One some Locally Generalizing Storage Methods and their further Development, Part 2: Delaunay Triangulation)
Authors: Tolle Henning 
Published: April 2004

Abstract
Bei der Modellierung, Steuerung und Regelung nichtlinearer Prozesse werden häufig zwei- bzw. mehrdimensionale Kennfelder eingesetzt. Sie können äußerst effektiv in lokal verallgemeinernden Speichern abgelegt werden. Der Beitrag stellt an Hand von drei Beispielen und ihren Weiterentwicklungen dar, dass sehr verschiedenartige Ansätze möglich sind und die Auswahl gemäß ihren inherenten Vor- und Nachteilen von der ins Auge gefassten Anwendung bestimmt werden sollte. Teil II behandelt als dritten Ansatz eine Methode, die von einer mathematischen Darstellung beliebig geformter Flächen im Raum inspiriert wurde und fasst die Aussagen der beiden Teile des Aufsatzes zusammen.
Die virtuelle Lernumgebung SMARTFRAME – Kodierung und didaktische Aufbereitung von Lernmaterialien durch Lernobjekte (The Virtual Learning Environment SMARTFRAME)
Authors: Reiners Torsten , Reiß Dirk , Sassen Imke , Voß Stefan 
Published: April 2004

Zusammenfassung
Die Darstellung von Lernmaterialien erfolgt in den meisten Fällen durch statische, mit interaktiven Applets aufgewertete HTML-Seiten. Ein ganzheitliches Lernerlebnis mit individueller Adaptivität wird mit dieser einfachen Kodierung von Lernmaterialien allerdings nur in einem stark eingeschränkten Sinne ermöglicht. Erst durch eine verstärkte Einbindung von interaktiven Lernelementen in Kombination mit dynamisch generierten Seiten und einer individuellen Adaption der Lernumgebung an den jeweilig Lernenden kann echter Mehrwert im Sinne weitergehender didaktischer Unterstützung erzielt werden. Zunächst präsentieren wir die mediendidaktische Konzeption und Umsetzung der virtuellen Lernumgebung SMARTFRAME (www.smartframe.de). Aus konzeptioneller Sichtweise soll aufgezeigt werden, wie eine ganzheitliche Adaption der Lernumgebung an individuelle Lernprozesse erreicht werden kann, die über die bereits übliche Interaktivität einzelner Lernmodule und benutzerspezifischer Eingangskonfigurationen hinausgeht. Im Anschluss wird schematisch die technische Realisierung des Transformationsprozesses der XML-kodierten Lernobjekte beschrieben, der sich durch eine dynamische – d.h. beim Abruf der Inhalte – lernerspezifische Adaptivität der Lernmaterialien in Bezug auf deren Zusammensetzung und Präsentation auszeichnet.
Praxisgemeinschaft als didaktische Konzeption: Neue Ansätze medienunterstützter Projektarbeit in der angewandten Informatik (Communities of Practice as Didactical Concept: New Approaches for Media-Supported Project Work in Applied Computer Science Teaching)
Authors: Rohde Markus , Jarke Matthias , Klamma Ralf , Wulf Volker 
Published: April 2004

Zusammenfassung
Im vorliegenden Beitrag werden die Erfahrungen mit einer praxisorientierten Lehrveranstaltung im Informatikstudium an der RWTH Aachen vorgestellt. Im Rahmen der kombinierten Veranstaltung „Entrepreneurship and New Media” wurde neben einem Projektpraktikum eine begleitende Vorlesungsreihe mit externen Dozenten angeboten. In Projektgruppen bearbeiteten die Studierenden Praxisaufgaben, die von zwei Start-Up Unternehmen gestellt und betreut wurden. Die Studierenden wurden dabei miteinander und mit ihren verschiedenen Betreuern durch ein Community-System vernetzt. Es werden die Konzeption und der lerntheoretische Hintergrund der Lehrveranstaltung dargestellt. Außerdem werden die Ergebnisse einer Studie präsentiert, die die didaktische Grundkonzeption und die Nutzung des Community-Systems evaluierte. Abschließend wird die Bedeutung von Praxisgemeinschaften für die Lehre der angewandten Informatik diskutiert.
Rechnergestützte Brettspiele für die Erlebniswelten der Zukunft (Computer Augmented Tabletop Games for the Experience Worlds of the Future)
Authors: Magerkurth Carsten , Stenzel Richard 
Published: April 2004

Zusammenfassung
In diesem Beitrag wird STARS, eine Plattform zur Realisierung rechnergestützter Brettspiele, vorgestellt. Mit STARS lassen sich hybride Brettspielsysteme entwickeln, die die spielerische Interaktion zwischen Menschen durch den Einsatz von Informationstechnologie unterstützen. Neben der Beschreibung der Hard- und Softwarekomponenten sowie des Interaktionsdesigns werden exemplarisch realisierte Spiele vorgestellt und von ersten Erfahrungen mit der STARS-Plattform berichtet. Bei dem vorliegenden Artikel handelt es sich um eine aktualisierte und erweiterte Version des Beitrags auf der Mensch und Computer 2003-Tagung, der den ersten Platz im Wettbewerb um den Best-Paper-Award gewinnen konnte.
Monitoring prenatal alcohol exposure
Authors: Floyd R. Louise , Sidhu Jasjeet S. 
Published: April 2004

AbstractAlcohol use during pregnancy is a leading, preventable cause of birth defects and developmental disabilities in the United States, with fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) being one of the most severe outcomes. Current survey statistics find that approximately one in eight pregnant women (500,000 per year) report alcohol use, with approximately 80,000 reporting binge drinking. While annual rates have fluctuated, trends analysis finds that there has been no significant change in rates of prenatal alcohol exposure over the past 10‐year period. Development of effective programs to prevent FAS and to monitor the success of prevention efforts requires epidemiological data systems to inform these activities. This article describes alcohol use patterns among childbearing‐age women and data sources that can be used in monitoring this behavior. Published 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Fetal, infant, and child mortality in a context of alcohol use
Authors: Burd Larry , Wilson Harry 
Published: April 2004

AbstractAlcohol is an important element in the causal chain of risk for fetal, infant, and childhood mortality. Mortality risk is influenced by interactions of alcohol with other environmental and genetic factors and temporal periods of susceptibility. In this paper we discuss four time periods (preconceptual, gestational, infancy, and childhood) where alcohol use may create a context of risk. Alcohol use in one period increases the risk of alcohol use in subsequent periods. Gestational alcohol use can influence risk of mortality from abuse of mother/fetus, can cause other adverse outcomes, and can result in fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs). In infancy alcohol use can increase risk from impairment of arousal in adults who use alcohol. Infants with gestational exposure can be behaviorally difficult with sleep disturbance, irritability, and colic. This can increase the risk of harm or death, especially during periods of caretakers' alcohol use. Caretakers' alcohol use and smoking are strongly correlated. The all‐cause mortality rate in people diagnosed with fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is over 5%. All‐cause mortality in siblings of diagnosed cases of FAS is increased 530% compared to siblings of matched controls. We recommend that a context of alcohol use be considered as a marker for multifactorial risk in all fetal, infant, and child deaths. A schema to collect data on alcohol use is provided to increase awareness of alcohol use as an environmental risk marker for mortality. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Medieval trabecular bone architecture: The influence of age, sex, and lifestyle
Authors: Agarwal S.C. , Dumitriu M. , Tomlinson G.A. , Grynpas M.D. 
Published: April 2004

AbstractOsteoporosis has become a growing health concern in developed countries and an extensive area of research in skeletal biology. Despite numerous paleopathological studies of bone mass, few studies have measured bone quality in past populations. In order to examine age‐ and sex‐related changes in one aspect of bone quality in the past, a study was made of trabecular bone architecture in a British medieval skeletal sample. X‐ray images of 5‐mm‐thick coronal lumbar vertebral bone sections were taken from a total of 54 adult individuals divided into three age categories (18–29, 30–49, and 50+ years), and examined using image analysis to evaluate parameters related to trabecular bone structure and connectivity. Significant age‐related changes in trabecular bone structure (trabecular bone volume (BV/TV), trabecular number (Tb.N), trabecular separation (Tb.Sp), and anisotropic ratio (Tb.An)) were observed to occur primarily by middle age with significant differences between the youngest and two older age groups. Neither sex showed continuing change in trabecular structure between the middle and old age groups. Age‐related changes in bone connectivity (number of nodes (N.Nd) and node‐to‐node strut length (Nd.Nd)) similarly indicated a change in bone connectivity only between the youngest and two older age groups. However, females showed no statistical differences among the age groups in bone connectivity. These patterns of trabecular bone loss and fragility contrast with those generally found in modern populations that typically report continuing loss of bone structure and connectivity between middle and old age, and suggest greater loss in females. The patterns of bone loss in the archaeological samples must be interpreted cautiously. We speculate that while nutritional factors may have initiated some bone loss in both sexes, physical activity could have conserved bone architecture in old age in both sexes, and reproductive factors such as high parity and extended periods of lactation could have played a key role in female bone maintenance in this historic population. The study of qualitative elements (such as trabecular architecture) is vital if we are to understand bone maintenance and fragility in the past. Am J Phys Anthropol, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Eyasi 1 and the suprainiac fossa
Authors: Trinkaus Erik 
Published: April 2004

AbstractA reexamination of Eyasi 1, a later Middle Pleistocene east African neurocranium, reveals the presence of a suite of midoccipital features, including a modest nuchal torus that is limited to the middle half of the bone, the absence of an external occipital protuberance, and a distinct transversely oval suprainiac fossa. These features, and especially the suprainiac fossa, were considered to be uniquely derived for the European and western Asian Neandertals. These observations therefore indicate that these features are not limited to Neandertal lineage specimens, and should be assessed in terms of frequency distributions among later archaic humans. Am J Phys Anthropol, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Mitochondrial phylogeny and systematics of baboons (Papio)
Authors: Newman Timothy K. , Jolly Clifford J. , Rogers Jeffrey 
Published: April 2004

AbstractBaboons (Papio, s.s.) comprise a series of parapatric allotaxa (subspecies or closely related species) widely distributed in sub‐Saharan Africa. Despite extensive studies of their ecology, morphology, and behavior, disagreement about their phylogenetic relationships continues, as expressed in the current coexistence of at least three major, competing taxonomic treatments. To help resolve this situation, we sequenced ∼900 bases of mitochondrial DNA of 40 individuals from five of the widely recognized “major” allotaxa. Total sequence diversity (>5%) is high compared to most primate species. Major mitochondrial clades correspond to recognized allotaxa, with the important exception that haplotypes from yellow and olive baboons form a single, monophyletic clade within which the two allotaxa do not comprise mutually exclusive clusters. The major clades fall unambiguously into the pattern: (chacma (Guinea (hamadryas (yellow + olive)))). This phylogeny does not support taxonomies that oppose hamadryas to all other baboons (“desert” vs. “savanna”), but is compatible with the view that all definable allotaxa should be recognized as coordinates, either as “phylogenetic” species or “biological” subspecies. The close relationship and unsegregated distribution of haplotypes from Kenyan and Tanzanian yellow and olive baboons are unexplained, but may reflect introgression across the documented hybrid zone. The overall phylogeny, when combined with paleontological data, suggests a southern African origin for extantPapiobaboons, with all extant lineages sharing a common mitochondrial ancestor at approximately 1.8 Ma. Am J Phys Anthropol, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Oligonucleotide synthesis onto poly(N‐acryloylmorpholine‐co‐N‐acryloxysuccinimide): Assessment of the resulting conjugates in a DNA sandwich hybridization test
Authors: Minard‐Basquin Claire , Chaix Carole , D'Agosto Franck , Charreyre Marie‐Thérèse , Pichot Christian 
Published: April 2004

AbstractA water‐soluble statistical poly(N‐acryloylmorpholine‐co‐N‐acryloxysuccinimide) [poly(NAM/NAS)] copolymer was studied for polymer–oligonucleotide (ODN) conjugate elaboration and for further use in diagnostic applications. Three different copolymers were first prepared by free‐radical solution polymerization with different N‐acryloylmorpholine (NAM) and N‐acryloxysuccinimide (NAS) molar ratios (80/20, 70/30, and 60/40). Their number‐average molecular weights ranged from 98,000 to 120,000 g/mol, as determined by aqueous size exclusion chromatography with an online light‐scattering detector. Then, polymer–ODN conjugates were obtained via a strategy consisting of the direct synthesis of ODNs onto polymer chains previously grafted onto a controlled pore glass support. Before the grafting of the polymer onto the solid support, a preliminary step was performed to bind a nucleotide starter along the polymer chain (via the reactive NAS units) to initiate automated DNA synthesis. To multiply the number of ODNs growing from starters, a branched phosphoramidite synthon [bearing two O‐dimethoxytrityl groups] was introduced at the first step of ODN elongation as a short sequence of four branched synthons alternated with three thymidine residues. Conjugates were assessed in a DNA sandwich hybridization test developed for hepatitis B virus detection. Sensitivity limits were evaluated and compared to those obtained with an other polymer, poly(maleic anhydride‐alt‐methyl vinyl ether) [poly(MA/MVE)]. A sensitivity limit of 2.6 × 107 DNA copies/mL was reached with the poly(MA/MVE)–ODN conjugate at the capture phase and with the poly(NAM/NAS)–branched ODN conjugate at the detection phase of the test. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 92: 3784–3795, 2004
Effect of polyvinylpyrrolidone on morphology and performance of hemodialysis membranes prepared from polyether sulfone
Authors: Barzin J. , Madaeni S. S. , Mirzadeh H. , Mehrabzadeh M. 
Published: April 2004

AbstractFlat‐sheet hemodialysis membranes were prepared by phase inversion technique using polyether sulfone (PES) dissolved in dimethylacetamide (DMAc) with and without the addition of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP). The effect of the composition of the casting solution on membrane morphology and performance were investigated. The performances of membranes were elucidated on the basis of removal of uremic toxins (urea, uric acid, and creatinine) from human blood serum. The membrane prepared from 12 wt % PES with 2.8 wt % PVP demonstrated better performance compared to the other compositions. The membrane performance is a consequence of membrane morphology. Membranes with channel‐like or long finger‐like structures provide superior removal efficiencies. If the morphology turns to a sponge structure, the effectiveness is diminished. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 92: 3804–3813, 2004
Hydrolytic aging of polypropylene studied by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy
Authors: Massey S. , Adnot A. , Roy D. 
Published: April 2004

AbstractX‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) was used to study the hydrolytic aging of polypropylene according to the pHs of degrading buffer solutions and the time of aging. The study was concentrated over periods of 3, 6, and 9 months for values of pH close to the real environments of use of the material (pH of 6, 7, and 8). The polypropylene underwent an oxidation of its polymeric matrix, independently of the range of pH values, by the production of COH, CO, and OCO groups. These chemical functions were observed in high resolution XPS spectra around C1sand O1speaks. Beginning with these results and from mechanisms of (photochemical, thermal, and others) aging proposed in the literature, it was then possible to propose mechanisms of hydrolytic ageing of polypropylene. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 92: 3830–3838, 2004
Adhesion mechanisms in the solid‐state bonding technique using submicrometer aromatic thermosetting copolyester adhesive
Authors: Xu Kun , Selby John C. , Shannon Mark A. , Economy James 
Published: April 2004

AbstractThe adhesion mechanism between polyimides and aromatic thermosetting copolyester (ATSP) involved in the solid‐state bonding technique using submicrometer ATSP coatings was evaluated. The adhesion strength at the interface between ATSP and polyimide is strongly related to the diffusion of ATSP into the polyimide base layer. We used dynamic secondary ion mass spectrometry to study the interface width between deuterated ATSP and polyimides and found that the interface between ATSP and poly(4,4′‐diphenylether pyromellitimide) (PMDA‐ODA) is wider than the interface between ATSP and poly(p‐phenylene biphenyltetracarboximide) (BPDA‐PPD) because of the less rigid chain in the PMDA‐ODA. By partially curing both polyimides, the interface width was greatly increased, which could lead to an improved adhesion at the interface between polyimide BPDA‐PPD and ATSP. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 92: 3843–3856, 2004