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Effective Solutions (effective + solution)
Selected AbstractsUltralow-power CMOS/SOI circuit technologyELECTRICAL ENGINEERING IN JAPAN, Issue 3 2008Yuichi Kado Abstract We have introduced an example of a system that embodies the concept of a ubiquitous communication service and explained the importance of low power consumption in the communicator that will serve as the bridge between the real world and the network for real-time services in which sensor data is acquired every second. An effective solution to the problem of high energy efficiency is to employ the synergy of combining low-voltage analog circuit technology and FD-SOI devices. Taking advantage of that synergy to reduce the power consumption of the communicator during operation to about 10 mW and employing intermittent operation with an activity rate of less than l% would make it possible to support operation for 1 year or more with a commercial coin-type lithium battery. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 162(3): 38,43, 2008; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/eej.20543 [source] Effect of amino acid and glucose administration following exercise on the turnover of muscle protein in the hindlimb femoral region of ThoroughbredsEQUINE VETERINARY JOURNAL, Issue S36 2006A. MATSUI Summary Reasons for performing study: In man, muscle protein synthesis is accelerated by administering amino acids (AA) and glucose (Glu), because increased availability of amino acids and increased insulin secretion, is known to have a protein anabolic effect. However, in the horse, the effect on muscle hypertrophy of such nutrition management following exercise is unknown. Objectives: To determine the effect of AA and Glu administration following exercise on muscle protein turnover in horses. We hypothesise that administration of AA and Glu after exercise effects muscle hypertrophy in horses, as already shown in man and other animals. Methods: Measurements of the rate of synthesis (Rs) and rate of degradation (Rd) of muscle protein in the hindlimb femoral region of thoroughbred horses were conducted using the isotope dilution method to assess the differences between the artery and iliac vein. Six adult Thoroughbreds received a continuous infusion of L-[ring- 2H5]-phenylalanine during the study, the stable period for plasma isotope concentrations (60 min), resting periods (60 min), treadmill exercise (15 min) and recovery period (240 min). All horses were given 4 solutions (saline [Cont], 10% AA [10-AA], 10% Glu [10-Glu] and a mixture with 10% AA and 10% Glu [10-Mix]) over 120 min after exercise, and the Rs and Rd of muscle protein in the hindlimb measured. Results: The average Rs during the 75,120 min following administration of 10-Mix was significantly greater than for the other solutions (P<0.05). The second most effective solution was 10-AA, and there was no change in Rs after 10-Glu. Conclusions: Administration of AA following exercise accelerated Rs in the hindlimb femoral region, and this effect was enhanced when combined with glucose, because of increasing insulin secretion or a decreased requirement for AA for energy. Potential relevance: Further studies are required regarding the effect on muscle hypertrophy of supplementing amino acids and glucose in the feed of exercising horses. [source] A new method to discriminate between a valid IP response and EM coupling effectsGEOPHYSICAL PROSPECTING, Issue 6 2002Jianping Xiang ABSTRACT The problem of discrimination between a valid induced polarization (IP) response and electromagnetic (EM) coupling effects is considered and an effective solution is provided. First, a finite dimensional approximation to the Cole-Cole model is investigated. Using the least-squares approach, the parameters of the approximate model are obtained. Next, based on the analysis of overvoltage, a finite dimensional structure of the IP model is produced. Using this overvoltage-based structure, a specific finite dimensional approximation of the Cole-Cole model is proposed. Summarizing the analysis of the finite dimensional IP model, it is concluded that the proposed IP model, which fits the field data much better than the traditional Cole-Cole model, is essentially an RC-circuit. From a circuit-analysis point of view, it is well known that an electromagnetic effect can be described by an RL-circuit. The simulation results on experimental data support this conception. According to this observation, a new method to discriminate between a valid IP response and EM coupling effects is proposed as follows: (i) use a special finite dimensional model for IP,EM systems; (ii) obtain the parameters for the model using a least-squares approach; (iii) separate RC-type terms and RL-type terms , the first models the IP behaviour, the latter represents the EM part. Simulation on experimental data shows that the method is very simple and effective. [source] Energy Saving and Environmental Measures in Railway Technologies: Example with Hybrid Electric Railway VehiclesIEEJ TRANSACTIONS ON ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC ENGINEERING, Issue 1 2008Masamichi Ogasa Member Abstract The electric railway system is the highest class of energy efficient transportation means. This is due to two important points: (i) low running resistance (including low energy losses) and (ii) energy regeneration in braking. Regenerative braking of railway electric vehicles is effective when the other powering ones, in other words electrical load, exist near the regenerating train on the same electrified line. So, early in the morning and at midnight, or in the low-density district lines, regeneration cancellation phenomenon often occurs and the regenerative brake force cannot be operated in accordance with the recommended value. Newly appeared high-performance energy storage devices press the issues of energy storage and reuse technologies on ground and on vehicles. Hybrid energy source is one effective solution. In this paper, as an example, we show our trolley and on-board battery hybrid controlled tramcar, developed to reduce regeneration cancellation. With the trolley line collective power as well as charge and discharge power of the on-board lithium ion rechargeable battery, the hybrid energy providing and regenerating technology is achieved. The running test results show a maximum regenerative ratio of 44%, which is top class value in an electric railway system. Copyright © 2007 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. [source] High-Resolution Contact Printing with Chemically Patterned Flat Stamps Fabricated by Nanoimprint LithographyADVANCED MATERIALS, Issue 27 2009Xuexin Duan Chemically patterned flat stamps provide an effective solution to avoid mechanical stamp-stability problems currently encountered in microcontact printing. A new method is developed to fabricate chemical patterns on a flat PDMS stamp using nanoimprint lithography. Sub-100,nm gold patterns are successfully replicated by these chemically patterned flat PDMS stamps. [source] An effective IPv4,IPv6 translation mechanism for SIP applications in next generation networksINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS, Issue 8 2010Whai-En Chen Abstract In a next generation network, the IPv6-enabled IP multimedia subsystem (IMS) network may connect to an IPv4 network. When an IPv4/IPv6 dual-stack user equipment (UE) initiates a call by sending an IPv6 SIP INVITE message to an IPv4-only user agent (UA), the call cannot be established correctly. To resolve this problem, the IMS-application layer gateway solution, the redirect solution, and the interactive connectivity establishment solution have been proposed. In this paper, we propose an effective solution where only the IPv6 INVITE message is translated into an IPv4 INVITE message. Upon receipt of the IPv4 200 OK message replied from the IPv4-only UA, the dual-stack UE learns that the correspondent UA supports IPv4-only and utilizes IPv4 instead of IPv6 to send the subsequent SIP messages and real-time transport protocol (RTP) packets. The proposed solution is compared with the existing solutions in terms of network node modification, call setup complexity, and RTP transmission latency. Our study indicates that the proposed solution outperforms the other three solutions in the call setup and the RTP transmission. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Multiharmonic manipulation for highly efficient microwave power amplifiersINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RF AND MICROWAVE COMPUTER-AIDED ENGINEERING, Issue 6 2001Paolo Colantonio Abstract Multiharmonic manipulation is presented as the most effective solution to improve power amplifier (PA) efficiency performances. Remarkable improvements in output power, power gain and power-added efficiency (PAE) are demonstrated, properly manipulating the input and output second and third harmonics, as compared to more classical design approaches. Experimental results at 5GHz confirm the feasibility, the validity and effectiveness of the proposed approach, increasing the maximum measured power-added efficiency from 39% to 61% © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J RF and Microwave CAE 11: 366,384, 2001 [source] Design of a slim optical image stabilization actuator for mobile phone camerasPHYSICA STATUS SOLIDI (C) - CURRENT TOPICS IN SOLID STATE PHYSICS, Issue 12 2007Hsing-Cheng Yu Abstract Mechanical optical image stabilization actuator (OISA) will quickly become a standard feature in a high resolution mobile phone camera (MPC) and the quantity of MPC will exceed that of digital still cameras in several years. Whenever jitter arises from shaky hands or environment in taking photos, optical images projected upon an image sensor blur. Designing a slim OISA in MPC is an effective solution that addresses image quality. Therefore, this work presents a slim OISA utilized in MPC to compensate jitter form camera shake in taking photos. Two proportional-integral-derivative controllers based on transfer functions for dual axes of the slim OISA system in MPC obtained from system identification have been designed. The settling time of dual axes are less than 0.03 sec. Furthermore, a thrust ball bearing in this study has reduced the friction force between the movable and the stationary parts, so as to minimize the driving current to be less than 5 mA. Hence, the slim OISA has satisfied low power consumption requirement, and is also possible to reduce dimension in the MPC application. (© 2008 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source] Gender Quotas in Politics: The Greek System in the Light of EU LawEUROPEAN LAW JOURNAL, Issue 1 2010Panos Kapotas Positive action is currently gaining momentum in the European anti-discrimination discourse and policy-making as a necessary and effective tool to achieve the goal of full and effective equality in employment. Gender quotas in politics, however, are thought to remain outside the normative scope of Community law, the dominant view being that candidature for elected public office does not constitute employment in the sense of the relevant provisions. This article seeks to examine the Greek quota system for women in politics in its dialectical relationship to the general equality discourse and with reference to the current normative framework in Europe. The aims are threefold: to assess the legality of positive action in favour of women in politics from the point of view of EU law, to evaluate the effectiveness of the Greek system in achieving its gender equality goals, and to identify the problems that quotas in politics may pose with regard to the principle of democratic representation. It will, thus, be argued that positive measures in politics, though generally compatible with the fundamental principles of justice and representative democracy, may nevertheless be inadequate,at least in their current form,to provide effective solutions to the unequal distribution of social and political power. [source] High-confidence control: Ensuring reliability in high-performance real-time systemsINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INTELLIGENT SYSTEMS, Issue 4 2004Tariq Samad Technology transfer is an especially difficult proposition for real-time control. To facilitate it, we need to complement the "high-performance" orientation of control research with an emphasis on establishing "high confidence" in real-time implementation. Two particular problems are discussed and recent research directed at their solutions is presented. First, the use of anytime algorithms requires dynamic resource management technology that generally is not available today in real-time systems. Second, complex algorithms have unpredictable computational characteristics that, nevertheless, need to be modeled; statistical verification is suggested as a possible approach. In both cases, a synthesis of control engineering and computer science is required if effective solutions are to be devised. Simulation-based demonstrations with uninhabited aerial vehicles (UAVs) serve to illustrate the research efforts. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [source] IPv6 networks over DVB-RCS satellite systemsINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS AND NETWORKING, Issue 1 2008Ricardo Castellot Lou Abstract Satellite plays an important role in global information infrastructure (GII) and next generation networks (NGNs). Similarly, satellite communication systems have great advantages to support IPv6 (Internet Protocol version 6) networks as a technology that allows universal access to broadband e-services (audio, video, VPN, etc.). In the context of DVB-S2 (digital video broadcast-satellite) and DVB-RCS (digital video broadcast-return channel via satellite) standards, this paper presents the current SatSix project (satellite-based communications systems within IPv6 networks) within the European 6th Framework Programme, which is implementing innovative concepts and effective solutions (in relation with the economical cost) for broadband satellite systems and services using the technology presented above. This project is promoting the introduction of the IPv6 protocol into satellite-based communication systems. Moreover, through SatSix, the industry is addressing the next generation Internet, IPv6. It also enhances its competitive position in satellite broadband multimedia systems by exploiting the common components defined by the European DVB-S2 and DVB-RCS satellite broadband standards. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] From preparedness to partnerships: case study research on humanitarian logisticsINTERNATIONAL TRANSACTIONS IN OPERATIONAL RESEARCH, Issue 5 2009Rolando M. Tomasini Abstract Disasters are on the rise, more complex, and donor support is increasingly unpredictable. In response to this trend humanitarian agencies are looking for more efficient and effective solutions. This paper discusses the evolution of supply chain management in disaster relief and the role of new players like the private sector. It is based on research conducted by the Humanitarian Research Group at INSEAD. [source] Constructing robust crew schedules with bicriteria optimizationJOURNAL OF MULTI CRITERIA DECISION ANALYSIS, Issue 3 2002Matthias Ehrgott Abstract Optimization-based computer systems are used by many airlines to solve crew planning problems by constructing minimal cost tours of duty. However, today airlines do not only require cost effective solutions, but are also very interested in robust solutions. A more robust solution is understood to be one where disruptions in the schedule (due to delays) are less likely to be propagated into the future, causing delays of subsequent flights. Current scheduling systems based solely on cost do not automatically provide robust solutions. These considerations lead to a multiobjective framework, as the maximization of robustness will be in conflict with the minimization of cost. For example crew changing aircraft within a duty period is discouraged if inadequate ground time is provided. We develop a bicriteria optimization framework to generate Pareto optimal schedules for the domestic airline. A Pareto optimal schedule is one which does not allow an improvement in cost and robustness at the same time. We developed a method to solve the bicriteria problem, implemented it and tested it with actual airline data. Our results show that considerable gain in robustness can be achieved with a small increase in cost. The additional cost is mainly due to an increase in overnights, which allows for a reduction of the number of aircraft changes. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] The power of partnership to shape the future of nursing: the evolution of the clinical nurse leaderJOURNAL OF NURSING MANAGEMENT, Issue 5 2008FAAN, FACHE, JOLENE TORNABENI MA Aim(s), This article describes the evolution of the clinical nurse leader role and demonstrates the vital nature of partnerships between academia and practice in the design and implementation of this new role. Background, The health care system as it exists in the United States may put patients at risk in terms of safety and quality of care. Nursing leadership from across the US recognized a need for nursing practice and academia to work in partnership to develop workable and effective solutions. The vision was of a nurse generalist who would be prepared to address the complexities that make the current systems dysfunctional. Evaluation, Review, share experiences and discuss the benefits of engaging stakeholders with broad and diverse viewpoints. Key issues, Engaging a group of stakeholders with diverse backgrounds, varied world views and experiences for the purpose of developing common mutually beneficial goals, creates synergy and greater commitment to the goals, which results in success. Conclusion(s), The power of partnership in the development and implementation of the CNL is evident. Old ways of trying to ,go it alone' are no longer viable in a complex health care environment. Implications for nursing management, With continued collaboration, practice and academia can continue to confront challenges and develop effective solutions. [source] The black,white "achievement gap" as a perennial challenge of urban science education: A sociocultural and historical overview with implications for research and practice,JOURNAL OF RESEARCH IN SCIENCE TEACHING, Issue 10 2001Obed Norman A perennial challenge for urban education in the United States is finding effective ways to address the academic achievement gap between African American and White students. There is widespread and justified concern about the persistence of this achievement gap. In fact, historical evidence suggests that this achievement gap has existed at various times for groups other than African Americans. What conditions prevailed when this achievement gap existed for these other groups? Conversely, under what conditions did the gap diminish and eventually disappear for these groups? This article explores how sociocultural factors involved in the manifestation and eventual disappearance of the gap for these groups may shed some light on how to address the achievement gap for African American students in urban science classrooms. Our conclusion is that the sociocultural position of groups is crucial to understanding and interpreting the scholastic performance of students from various backgrounds. We argue for a research framework and the exploration of research questions incorporating insights from Ogbu's cultural, ecological theory, as well as goal theory, and identity theory. We present these as theories that essentially focus on student responses to societal disparities. Our ultimate goal is to define the problem more clearly and contribute to the development of research-based classroom practices that will be effective in reducing and eventually eliminating the achievement gap. We identify the many gaps in society and the schools that need to be addressed in order to find effective solutions to the problem of the achievement gap. Finally, we propose that by understanding the genesis of the gap and developing strategies to harness the students' responses to societal disparities, learning can be maximized and the achievement gap can be significantly reduced, if not eliminated entirely, in urban science classrooms. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 38: 1101,1114, 2001 [source] Investment risk allocation in decentralised electricity markets.OPEC ENERGY REVIEW, Issue 2 2008The need of long-term contracts, vertical integration None of the far-reaching experiments in electricity industry liberalisation was able to ensure the timely and optimal capacity mix development. The theoretical market model features market failures due to the specific volatility of prices, and the difficulty of creating complete markets for hedging. In this paper, we focused on a specific failure, i.e. the impossibility of allocating the various risks borne by the producer onto suppliers and consumers in order to allow capacity development. Promotion of short-term competition by mandating vertical de-integration tends to distort investments in generation by impeding efficient risk allocation. Following Joskow's (2006) line, we developed an empirical analysis of how to secure investments in generation through vertical arrangements between decentralised generators and large purchasers, suppliers or consumers. Empirical observations as risk analysis shows that adopting such arrangements may prove necessary. Various types of long-term contracts between generators and suppliers (fixed-quantity and fixed-price contract, indexed price contract, tolling contract, financial option) appear to offer effective solutions for risk allocation. Vertical integration appears to be another effective way to allocate risk. But it remains an important complementary condition to efficient risk allocation, i.e. that retail competition is sticky or legally limited in order to have a large part of risks borne by consumers on the different market segments. [source] Simple, reliable replacement of pilot balloons for a variety of clinical situationsPEDIATRIC ANESTHESIA, Issue 6 2010PETE G. KOVATSIS md Summary When a pilot balloon fails or is an impediment to an intubation, such as via a pediatric laryngeal mask, options are generally limited to a tracheal tube exchange. Simple and effective solutions are described to replace a pilot balloon in a variety of clinical situations by using equipment that is readily available in operating rooms. Equipment such as intravenous catheters or epidural clamp connectors provides reliable, light weight, and streamlined substitutions for pilot balloons when connected to the pilot-cuff inflation line. [source] Building a strong foundation for occupational health and safety: Action research in the workplaceAMERICAN JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE, Issue 8 2009Judith A. Daltuva MSW Abstract Background Action research (AR) holds promise as a method to improve occupational health and safety. Methods This case study explores the challenges and accomplishments during the first 6 months of an AR occupational health and safety committee at a manufacturing facility. Results Critical steps in the formative phase of the AR project included: (1) addressing differing power levels and perceived ownership of management and production committee members; (2) developing a collaborative approach to communication and problem solving; and (3) transitioning from dependence on university leadership to shared leadership among the committee. Conclusions AR can lead to greater empowerment to address occupational health and safety issues, and to improved dialoge between labor and management. AR can increase the likelihood that the problem will be understood, and effective solutions will be developed and their application supported and used throughout the organization. Am. J. Ind. Med. 52:614,624, 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Serially coupled microcolumn reversed phase liquid chromatography for shotgun proteomic analysisPROTEINS: STRUCTURE, FUNCTION AND BIOINFORMATICS, Issue 7 2009Dingyin Tao Abstract Microcolumn RPLC (,RPLC) is one of the optimum separation modes for shotgun proteomic analysis. To identify as many proteins as possible by MS/MS, the improvement on separation efficiency and peak capacity of ,RPLC is indispensable. Although the increase in column length is one of the effective solutions, the preparation of a long microcolumn is rather difficult due to the high backpressure generated during the packing procedure. In our recent work, through connecting microcolumns of 5, 10, and 15,cm length via unions with minimal dead volume, long microcolumns with length up to 30,cm were obtained, with which 318 proteins were identified from proteins extracted from Escherichia coli by ,RPLC-ESI MS/MS, and similar distributions of Mw and pI were found with single and various coupled microcolumns. Furthermore, by using MS/MS with improved sensitivity, with such a serially coupled 30,cm long microcolumn, 1692 proteins were identified within 7,h from rat brain tissue, with false positive rate (FPR) <1%. All these results demonstrated that serially couple microcolumns might be of great promising to improve the separation capacity of ,RPLC in shotgun proteomic analysis. [source] Understanding ,hot-spot' problems in catchments: the need for scale-sensitive measures and mechanisms to secure effective solutions for river management and conservationAQUATIC CONSERVATION: MARINE AND FRESHWATER ECOSYSTEMS, Issue S1 2010Malcolm Newson Abstract 1.Regulatory progress in controlling point sources of chemical river pollution has progressively thrown the attention of public policy towards anthropogenic physical impacts, many of which are scaled to the catchment via the runoff/sediment system. At the same time, concern over diffuse chemical pollution has reinforced ,catchment consciousness': land-use and land-management planning and control must be considered to conserve or restore river ecosystem integrity. 2.The scientific, political and legal elements of this scale change are, however, complex and uncertain: ,myths' abound. Landscape-scale consideration of ,pressures' suggests an unequal distribution of regulatory costs and benefits and large uncertainties in the evidence from a ,land-use hydrology' and fluvial geomorphology perspective. 3.,Hydrological connectivity' brings together a number of knowledge themes about catchment spatial organization which facilitate applying mitigation measures to much smaller areas, helping to offset uncertainty and reduce costs. 4.Instead of blanket ,remedies', more practical use is needed of process evidence from hydrology and fluvial geomorphology; this tends to suggest that ,hot-spots' dominate risks and impacts of factors such as leaching, surface flow generation and silt entrainment. 5.Set in a realistic policy framework, from strategic spatial planning to grant-aided best practice, a ,catchment acupuncture' approach to measures provides a cost-effective contribution to improving ecological status and may also increase resilience to the impacts of climate change. 6.The European Union's Water Framework Directive (WFD) encourages ,joined-up thinking' on this issue but it remains to be seen whether spatial scales, structures and concepts already enshrined in the WFD and the relevant UK national policies for land use and nature conservation can be exploited to permit the much-needed practical uptake of this new riparianism. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] | |||||||||||||||||||