Home About us Contact
|
Home About us Contact | ||
|
|
||
Paper Points (paper + point)
Selected AbstractsComposite adaptive and input observer-based approaches to the cylinder flow estimation in spark ignition automotive enginesINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ADAPTIVE CONTROL AND SIGNAL PROCESSING, Issue 2 2004A. Stotsky Abstract The performance of air charge estimation algorithms in spark ignition automotive engines can be enhanced using advanced estimation techniques available in the controls literature. This paper illustrates two approaches of this kind that can improve the cylinder flow estimation for gasoline engines without external exhaust gas recirculation (EGR). The first approach is based on an input observer, while the second approach relies on an adaptive estimator. Assuming that the cylinder flow is nominally estimated via a speed-density calculation, and that the uncertainty is additive to the volumetric efficiency, the straightforward application of an input observer provides an easy to implement algorithm that corrects the nominal air flow estimate. The experimental results that we report in the paper point to a sufficiently good transient behaviour of the estimator. The signal quality may deteriorate, however, for extremely fast transients. This motivates the development of an adaptive estimator that relies mostly on the feedforward speed-density calculation during transients, while during engine operation close to steady-state conditions, it relies mostly on the adaptation. In our derivation of the adaptive estimator, the uncertainty is modelled as an unknown parameter multiplying the intake manifold temperature. We use the tracking error between the measured and modelled intake manifold pressure together with an appropriately defined prediction error estimate to develop an adaptation algorithm with improved identifiability and convergence rate. A robustness enhancement, via a ,-modification with the ,-factor depending on the prediction error estimate, ensures that in transients the parameter estimate converges to a pre-determined a priori value. In close to steady-state conditions, the ,-modification is rendered inactive and the evolution of the parameter estimate is determined by both tracking error and prediction error estimate. Further enhancements are made by incorporating a functional dependence of the a priori value on the engine operating conditions such as the intake manifold pressure. The coefficients of this function can be learned during engine operation from the values to which the parameter estimate converges in close to steady-state conditions. This feedforward learning functionality improves transient estimation accuracy and reduces the convergence time of the parameter estimate. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Cracking the Incremental Paradigm of Japanese CreativityCREATIVITY AND INNOVATION MANAGEMENT, Issue 4 2004Tony Proctor This paper points out the differences between incremental and paradigm shift approaches to creativity in management that exists between Japanese and Western schools of thought. A number of examples are used to illustrate how a systematic incremental process that places emphasis on continuous improvement is key to Japanese creativity in management. A framework that captures the cornerstones of Japanese creativity is outlined. The paper concludes by discussing the contribution of this research and outlines a plan for further work. [source] Performance Measures for Selection of Metamodels to be Used in Simulation OptimizationDECISION SCIENCES, Issue 1 2002Anthony C. Keys ABSTRACT This paper points out the need for performance measures in the context of simulation optimization and suggests six such measures. Two of the measures are indications of absolute performance, whereas the other four are useful in assessing the relative performance of various candidate metamodels. The measures assess performance on three fronts: accuracy of placing optima in the correct location, fit to the response, and fit to the character of the surface (expressed in terms of the number of optima). Examples are given providing evidence of the measures' utility,one in a limited scenario deciding which of two competing metamodels to use as simulation optimization response surfaces vary, and the other in a scenario of a researcher developing a new, sequential optimization search procedure. [source] ACCRUAL ACCOUNTING REFORMS: ONLY FOR BUSINESSLIKE (PARTS OF) GOVERNMENTSFINANCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY & MANAGEMENT, Issue 1 2008Johan Christiaens Based on governmental accounting experiences and on the rising criticism of accrual accounting, this paper proposes that accrual accounting in governments will only succeed in businesslike (parts of) governments in the coming years. This proposition leans on the inappropriate transfer of the accrual accounting framework from the profit sector, the underestimation of difficulties considering accrual budgeting and the lack of attention to the political dimension. This paper points out that the advocates of accrual accounting have neglected some important considerations. [source] Real-time polymerase chain reaction quantification of Epstein,Barr virus in chronic periodontitis patientsJOURNAL OF PERIODONTAL RESEARCH, Issue 4 2005Antonis Konstantinidis Background:, Although herpes viruses have been implicated in the pathogenesis of chronic and aggressive periodontitis, few data in the literature refer to quantification of these viruses in periodontal sites, especially in relation to serological findings. Objective:, The aim of the present study was to compare Epstein,Barr virus (EBV) DNA load in subgingival specimens from chronic periodontitis patients and in periodontally healthy subjects, in relation to serologic testing of IgM and IgG antibodies to EBV. Methods:, A total of 22 chronic periodontitis patients and 13 controls participated in the present study. Seventy-nine subgingival specimens (one pooled, one from a deep and one from a shallow site), sampled with paper points, were analysed with real-time polymerase chain reaction for EBV. Subjects were also examined for anti-EBV IgG and IgM levels in serum, using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results:, One subject was seronegative for EBV. Three subjects (one patient and two controls) displayed anti-EBV IgM. Their data were excluded from further analysis. All three displayed EBV in their subgingival samples. Nine out of the remaining 20 chronic periodontitis patients and 10 out of 11 controls did not display EBV subgingivally. A statistically significant difference in viral load was observed between pooled and shallow-pocket samples from periodontitis patients but not between samples from deep and shallow pockets (Kruskall,Wallis anova, Dunn's multiple comparisons test). Conclusions:, Data from the present study do not strongly support the pathogenetic significance of EBV in chronic periodontitis lesions. The data do, however, suggest that parallel serological assessments provide a useful insight into the association of viruses with periodontal disease. [source] Do VIP programs always work well?PSYCHOLOGY & MARKETING, Issue 7 2009The moderating role of loyalty This paper addresses some important issues involving the effective deployment of ever-increasing VIP program budgets. Recent research results on the effects of VIP programs have been somewhat mixed. Some studies have found a positive influence on consumer behavior, while others report no significant impact. The purpose of this research is to provide a possible explanation for such contradictory evidence in the literature. The results of this study reveal that customer responses to VIP programs depend on their loyalty traits. Specifically, two loyalty dimensions,behavioral loyalty and attitudinal loyalty,interact with each other in moderating the impact of VIP programs on customer response. A VIP program may produce positive results even for customers who are low in behavioral loyalty, with low spending levels, if their attitudinal loyalty is high. Conversely, such a program may not produce significant results even for high-spending customers if their attitudinal loyalty is not high enough. Thus, analysis that overlooks the moderating role of loyalty dimensions may have led to erroneous conclusions. Finally, at the managerial level, this paper points out the potential problems of relying solely on behavioral loyalty measures, such as purchase amount, in identifying VIP customers. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [source] I,What is the Normative Role of Logic?ARISTOTELIAN SOCIETY SUPPLEMENTARY VOLUME, Issue 1 2009Hartry Field The paper tries to spell out a connection between deductive logic and rationality, against Harman's arguments that there is no such connection, and also against the thought that any such connection would preclude rational change in logic. One might not need to connect logic to rationality if one could view logic as the science of what preserves truth by a certain kind of necessity (or by necessity plus logical form); but the paper points out a serious obstacle to any such view. [source] Permeability and toxicological profile estimation of organochlorine compounds by biopartitioning micellar chromatographyBIOMEDICAL CHROMATOGRAPHY, Issue 4 2009L. Escuder-Gilabert Abstract This paper points out the usefulness of biopartitioning micellar chromatography (BMC) as a high-throughput primary screening tool providing key information about the oral absorption, skin permeability (Kp), brain,blood distribution coefficient (BB) and ecotoxicological parameters such as median lethal concentration (LC50) and bioconcentration factors of 15 organochloride compounds. The retention data of compounds in BMC conditions were interpolated in previously developed quantitative,retention activity relationships by our research group. Results show that the compounds studied readily cross the intestinal barrier (oral absorption >ercnt;) and the blood,brain barrier (log BB >p;0.4). In addition, the organochlorines DDE, chlorobenzene, 1,3-dichlorobenzene and 1,2-dichlorobenzene are the compounds which can more quickly cross the skin barrier (log Kp >nus;0.74 cm/h). From a ecotoxicological point of view, it can be concluded that the most retained compounds, DDE, DDD, hexachlorobenzene and dicofol, are the most toxic and bioacumulative. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] A Clinical, Radiographic, and Microbiologic Comparison of Astra Tech and Brånemark Single Tooth ImplantsCLINICAL IMPLANT DENTISTRY AND RELATED RESEARCH, Issue 2 2000Lorena Puchades-Roman BDS, M Clin Dent ABSTRACT Background: The soft tissues around single tooth implants differ fundamentally from the gingiva around natural teeth. There are very limited data comparing soft tissues around different implant systems. Aim: To assess whether the design characteristics of dental implants, particularly the implant-abutment junction, may affect the dimensions and health of the peri-implant soft tissues and radiographic bone levels. Subjects and Method: Fifteen Astra Tech and 15 Brånemark single tooth implants that had been in function for a minimum of 2 years in 30 partially dentate subjects were examined for plaque accumulation, probing depth, and bleeding on probing and compared to contralateral healthy teeth. Standardized radiographs were taken to measure the most coronal bone to implant contact on the mesial and distal surfaces. In addition, samples of subgingival plaque were taken on paper points and examined by darkfield microscopy. Results: Significantly higher mean probing depths (p < .001) and higher mean percentage of spirochetes (p= .003) were found at implants compared to teeth. In this sample, the Brånemark implants had significantly higher probing depths than the Astra Tech implants (median and interquartile range: Astra Tech 2.7 mm [2,3], Brånemark 3.3 mm [3,3.7] p= .026) and the most coronal bone to implant contact was closer to the implant,abutment junction in the Astra Tech implants (Astra Tech 0.6 mm [0.2,0.9], Brånemark 1.6 mm [1.4,2.0]. p < .001). Conclusion: Although there were statistically significant differences between the two implant systems, the clinical differences were small and probably reflect differences in the biologic width in relation to the location and design of the implant-abutment junction. [source] Clinical and microbiological analysis of subjects treated with Brånemark or AstraTech implants: a 7-year follow-up studyCLINICAL ORAL IMPLANTS RESEARCH, Issue 4 2008S. Renvert Abstract Aims: To assess the impact of different implant systems on the clinical conditions and the microbiota at implants, and whether the presence of bacteria at tooth sites was predictive of the presence at implant sites. Materials and methods: Subjects with either AstraTech or Brånemark in function for 7 years were enrolled. Sub-gingival bacterial samples at tooth and implant sites were collected with sterile endodontic paper points, and analyzed by the checkerboard DNA,DNA hybridization method (40 species). Results: Fifty-four subjects, 27 supplied with AstraTech (n=132 implants) and 27 with Brånemark (n=102) implants, were studied. Test tooth sites had significantly less evidence of bleeding on probing (P<0.001) and presence of plaque (P<0.001) than implant test sites. Implant sites presented with deeper probing pocket depth than tooth sites (mean difference: 1.1 mm, standard error of differences: 0.08, 95% confidence intervals (CI): 0.9,1.3, P<0.001). Tannerella forsythia (P<0.05), Capnocytophaga sputigena (P<0.05), Actinomyces israelii (P<0.05) and Lactobacillus acidophilus (P<0.05) were found at higher levels at tooth surfaces. No differences in bacterial load for any species were found between the two implant systems. The odds of being present/absent at tooth and implants sites were only significant for Staphylococcus aureus [odds ratio (OR): 5.2 : 1, 95% CI: 1.4,18.9, P<0.01]. Conclusions: After 7 years in function, implants presented with deeper probing depths than teeth. S. aureus was commonly present at both teeth and implants sites. S. aureus at tooth sites was predictive of also being present at implant sites. [source] Regularized Intergovernmentalism: France,Germany and Beyond (1963,2009)FOREIGN POLICY ANALYSIS, Issue 2 2010Ulrich Krotz Regularized intergovernmentalism refers to a distinct kind of foreign policy practice that connects and intertwines foreign policy processes in particular ways. This paper puts forth a concept to properly capture and expose such distinctive foreign policy realities characterizing certain periods and places. With this concept, the article systematically scrutinizes the intergovernmental fabric of bilateral Franco,German relations from 1963 to 2009. The characteristic features of Franco,German regularized intergovernmentalism represent a crucial foreign policy connection, foundational for European affairs of the past half century and a defining feature of Europe's post-war order and regional governance. Exploring key aspects of what it is that links France and Germany in particular ways, this paper offers a historically deeply grounded constitutive analysis. Based on its constitutive inquiries, the papers points at new possibilities of causal theorizing and explores some of regularized intergovernmentalism's hypothesized effects and limitations. Franco,German intergovernmental affairs may be the most developed instance of this practice. But regularized bilateral intergovernmentalism is not a Franco,German idiosyncrasy. Rather, it is an important and apparently growing approach to structuring foreign policy conduct, and seems an increasingly prominent aspect of how the world is organized. [source] | ||||||||||||||||