Presents A Number (present a + number)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Thermodynamics of Hydrogen and Hydrogen-Helium Plasmas: Path Integral Monte Carlo Calculations and Chemical Picture

CONTRIBUTIONS TO PLASMA PHYSICS, Issue 3-4 2005
V. S. Filinov
Abstract In this paper we study thermodynamic properties of hydrogen and hydrogen-helium mixtures with the help of the direct path integral Monte Carlo simulations. The results are compared with available theoretical and experimental methods based, in particular, on chemical picture. We investigate the effects of temperature ionization in low-density hydrogen plasma. We also present a number of calculated isotherms for hydrogenhelium mixture with the mass concentration of helium Y = 0.234 in the range from 104 K to 2 · 105 K. In the density region where a sharp conductivity rise have been observed experimentally the simulations give indications for one or two plasma phase transitions, in accordance with earlier theoretical predictions. (© 2005 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source]


Multifocal structure of the T cell , dendritic cell synapse

EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 6 2005
Cédric Brossard
Abstract The structure of immunological synapses formed between murine naive T cells and mature dendritic cells has been subjected to a quantitative analysis. Immunofluorescence images of synapses formed in the absence of antigen show a diffuse synaptic accumulation of CD3 and LFA-1. In electron microscopy, these antigen-free synapses present a number of tight appositions (cleft size ,15,nm), all along the synapse. These tight appositions cover a significantly larger surface fraction of antigen-dependent synapses. In immunofluorescence, antigen-dependent synapses show multiple patches of CD3 and LFA-1 with a variable overlap. A similar distribution is observed for PKC, and talin. A concentric organization characteristic of prototypical synapses is rarely observed, even when dendritic cells are paralyzed by cytoskeletal poisons. In T,DC synapses, the interaction surface is composed of several tens of submicronic contact spots, with no large-scale segregation of CD3 and LFA-1. As a comparison, in T,B synapses, a central cluster of CD3 is frequently observed by immunofluorescence, and electron microscopy reveals a central tight apposition. Our data show that it is inappropriate to consider the concentric structure as a "mature synapse" and multifocal structures as immature. [source]


Downward approach to hydrological prediction

HYDROLOGICAL PROCESSES, Issue 11 2003
Murugesu Sivapalan
Abstract This paper presents an overview of the ,downward approach' to hydrologic prediction and attempts to provide a context for the papers appearing in this special issue. The downward approach is seen as a necessary counterpoint to the mechanistic ,reductionist' approach that dominates current hydrological model development. It provides a systematic framework to learning from data, including the testing of hypotheses at every step of analysis. It can also be applied in a hierarchical manner: starting from exploring first-order controls in the modelling of catchment response, the model complexity can then be increased in response to deficiencies in reproducing observations at different levels. The remaining contributions of this special issue present a number of applications of the downward approach, including development of parsimonious water balance models with changing time scales by learning from signatures extracted from observed streamflow data at different time scales, regionalization of model parameters, parameterization of effects of sub-grid variability, and standardized statistical approaches to analyse data and to develop model structures. This review demonstrates that the downward approach is not a rigid methodology, but represents a generic framework. It needs to play an increasing role in the future in the development of hydrological models at the catchment scale. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


Tensor visualizations in computational geomechanics

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR NUMERICAL AND ANALYTICAL METHODS IN GEOMECHANICS, Issue 10 2002
Boris Jeremi
Abstract We present a novel technique for visualizing tensors in three dimensional (3D) space. Of particular interest is the visualization of stress tensors resulting from 3D numerical simulations in computational geomechanics. To this end we present three different approaches to visualizing tensors in 3D space, namely hedgehogs, hyperstreamlines and hyperstreamsurfaces. We also present a number of examples related to stress distributions in 3D solids subjected to single and load couples. In addition, we present stress visualizations resulting from single-pile and pile-group computations. The main objective of this work is to investigate various techniques for visualizing general Cartesian tensors of rank 2 and it's application to geomechanics problems. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


Gaining ethical approval for research into sensitive topics: ,two strikes and you're out?',

BRITISH JOURNAL OF LEARNING DISABILITIES, Issue 4 2003
Sarah-Jane Hays
Summary Researching sensitive topics, such as the treatment of men with intellectual disabilities and sexually abusive behaviour, present a number of ethical issues for researchers. This paper describes our experiences in working with Multi-Centre Research Ethics Committees on a research proposal designed to assess the efficacy of cognitive behaviour therapy for men with intellectual disabilities who are at risk of sexual offending. After submitting to three Multi-Centre Research Ethics Committees and spending a year trying to get ethical approval, we questioned whether: , , the issue of study design should be part of the Multi-Centre Research Ethics Committees remit; , , Multi-Centre Research Ethics Committees were sufficiently responsive to concerns raised by researchers; , , Multi-Centre Research Ethics Committees always understood the research; and , , the Central Office for Research Ethics Committees should disallow re-submission after rejection by two Multi-Centre Research Ethics Committees (,two strikes and you're out'). [source]


Mobile Agent Computing Paradigm for Building a Flexible Structural Health Monitoring Sensor Network

COMPUTER-AIDED CIVIL AND INFRASTRUCTURE ENGINEERING, Issue 7 2010
Bo Chen
While sensor network approach is a feasible solution for structural health monitoring, the design of wireless sensor networks presents a number of challenges, such as adaptability and the limited communication bandwidth. To address these challenges, we explore the mobile agent approach to enhance the flexibility and reduce raw data transmission in wireless structural health monitoring sensor networks. An integrated wireless sensor network consisting of a mobile agent-based network middleware and distributed high computational power sensor nodes is developed. These embedded computer-based high computational power sensor nodes include Linux operating system, integrate with open source numerical libraries, and connect to multimodality sensors to support both active and passive sensing. The mobile agent middleware is built on a mobile agent system called Mobile-C. The mobile agent middleware allows a sensor network moving computational programs to the data source. With mobile agent middleware, a sensor network is able to adopt newly developed diagnosis algorithms and make adjustment in response to operational or task changes. The presented mobile agent approach has been validated for structural damage diagnosis using a scaled steel bridge. [source]


Obsessive,compulsive disorder: a review of the diagnostic criteria and possible subtypes and dimensional specifiers for DSM-V,

DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY, Issue 6 2010
James F. Leckman M.D.
Abstract Background: Since the publication of the DSM-IV in 1994, research on obsessive,compulsive disorder (OCD) has continued to expand. It is timely to reconsider the nosology of this disorder, assessing whether changes to diagnostic criteria as well as subtypes and specifiers may improve diagnostic validity and clinical utility. Methods: The existing criteria were evaluated. Key issues were identified. Electronic databases of PubMed, ScienceDirect, and PsycINFO were searched for relevant studies. Results: This review presents a number of options and preliminary recommendations to be considered for DSM-V. These include: (1) clarifying and simplifying the definition of obsessions and compulsions (criterion A); (2) possibly deleting the requirement that people recognize that their obsessions or compulsions are excessive or unreasonable (criterion B); (3) rethinking the clinical significance criterion (criterion C) and, in the interim, possibly adjusting what is considered "time-consuming" for OCD; (4) listing additional disorders to help with the differential diagnosis (criterion D); (5) rethinking the medical exclusion criterion (criterion E) and clarifying what is meant by a "general medical condition"; (6) revising the specifiers (i.e., clarifying that OCD can involve a range of insight, in addition to "poor insight," and adding "tic-related OCD"); and (7) highlighting in the DSM-V text important clinical features of OCD that are not currently mentioned in the criteria (e.g., the major symptom dimensions). Conclusions: A number of changes to the existing diagnostic criteria for OCD are proposed. These proposed criteria may change as the DSM-V process progresses. Depression and Anxiety, 2010. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


Panic disorder: a review of DSM-IV panic disorder and proposals for DSM-V,

DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY, Issue 2 2010
Michelle G. Craske Ph.D
Abstract This review covers the literature since the publication of DSM-IV on the diagnostic criteria for panic attacks (PAs) and panic disorder (PD). Specific recommendations are made based on the evidence available. In particular, slight changes are proposed for the wording of the diagnostic criteria for PAs to ease the differentiation between panic and surrounding anxiety; simplification and clarification of the operationalization of types of PAs (expected vs. unexpected) is proposed; and consideration is given to the value of PAs as a specifier for all DSM diagnoses and to the cultural validity of certain symptom profiles. In addition, slight changes are proposed for the wording of the diagnostic criteria to increase clarity and parsimony of the criteria. Finally, based on the available evidence, no changes are proposed with regard to the developmental expression of PAs or PD. This review presents a number of options and preliminary recommendations to be considered for DSM-V. Depression and Anxiety, 2010. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


The International Relations of Middle-earth: Learning from The Lord of the Rings

INTERNATIONAL STUDIES PERSPECTIVES, Issue 4 2008
Abigail E. Ruane
This article demonstrates how by using J.R.R. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings (LOTR) as a text in the classroom instructors can relay the international relations (IR) "Great Debates" and feminist "waves" to students through the framework of "where you stand depends on where you sit." It overviews how J.R.R. Tolkien's acclaimed trilogy is relevant to learning about IR and then presents a number of "cuts" into using LOTR to inform IR teaching of both problem solving and critical theory. It begins by parsing the three "Great Debates" of IR theory and three "waves" of feminist theory in terms of different worldviews by relating them to characters from the trilogy. Next, the paper suggests that a critical evaluation of this analysis conveys that concerns, goals, and understandings of problems and insecurities are influenced (although not determined) by context, such as gender, race, class, sexuality, and postcolonial position. It concludes by suggesting that further use of popular culture and the humanities can help IR teaching both illustrate and critically reflect on IR scholarship. [source]


A Reader's Companion to Against Prediction: A Reply to Ariela Gross, Yoram Margalioth, and Yoav Sapir on Economic Modeling, Selective Incapacitation, Governmentality, and Race

LAW & SOCIAL INQUIRY, Issue 1 2008
Bernard E. Harcourt
From parole prediction instruments and violent sexual predator scores to racial profiling on the highways, instruments to predict future dangerousness, drug-courier profiles, and IRS computer algorithms to detect tax evaders, the rise of actuarial methods in the field of crime and punishment presents a number of challenging issues at the intersection of economic theory, sociology, history, race studies, criminology, social theory, and law. The three review articles of Against Prediction: Profiling, Policing, and Punishing in an Actuarial Age by Ariela Gross, Yoram Margalioth, and Yoav Sapir, raise these challenges in their very best light. Ranging from the heights of poststructuralist and critical race theory to the intricate details of mathematical economics and criminological analysis, the articles apply different disciplinary lenses to the analysis of the actuarial turn offered in Against Prediction and set forth both substantive and structural challenges to the book. By means of a detailed reply to the three reviews, this article provides a reader's companion to Against Prediction. [source]


Consideration of regional difference in design and analysis of multi-regional trials,,

PHARMACEUTICAL STATISTICS: THE JOURNAL OF APPLIED STATISTICS IN THE PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY, Issue 3 2010
H. M. James Hung
Abstract Clinical trial strategy, particularly in developing pharmaceutical products, has recently expanded to a global level in the sense that multiple geographical regions participate in the trial simultaneously under the same study protocol. The possible benefits of this strategy are obvious, at least from the cost and efficiency considerations. The challenges with this strategy are many, ranging from trial or data quality assurance to statistical methods for design and analysis of such trials. In many regulatory submissions, the presence of regional differences in the estimated treatment effect, whether they are different only in magnitude or in direction, often presents great difficulty in interpretation of the global trial results, particularly for the acceptability by the local regulatory authorities. This article presents a number of useful statistical analysis tools for exploration of regional differences and a method that may be worth consideration in designing a multi-regional clinical trial. Published in 2010 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


Mapping full field deformation of auxetic foams using digital speckle photography

PHYSICA STATUS SOLIDI (B) BASIC SOLID STATE PHYSICS, Issue 11 2008
Fu-pen Chiang
Abstract Measuring strain in foam presents a number of challanges. In the case of polymeric foam, the material is so soft that a conventional strain gage is not applicable because the rigidity of gage and its associated glue is stronger than the foam itself. Transducers such as clip gage, etc. may not be suitable either because the strain field may not be uniform within the gage length. Thus it is desirable that a non-contact and full field strain measurement technique be available. In this paper we introduce a speckle photography technique that is non-contact and can measure the full field deformation of a foam specimen. We use the natural texture of the pattern. Digitized images of the foam specimen under different loads are "compared" using a special algorithm called CASI, to yield deformation maps of the specimen. Examples of applying this technique to testing PVC foam composites are presented in the paper. (© 2008 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source]


Religion, spirituality and cancer: Current status and methodological challenges

PSYCHO-ONCOLOGY, Issue 6 2005
Michael Stefanek
The role of religion and spirituality in health has received increasing attention in the scientific and lay literature. While the scientific attention to this issue has expanded, there continue to be methodological and measurement concerns that often prevent firm conclusions about health and adjustment benefits. Limited attention has been provided to the role of spirituality and religion in cancer. This is true when both disease outcome and adjustment are considered. A recent ,levels of evidence' review examining the link between physical health and religion or spirituality found little overall support for the hypotheses that religion or spirituality impact cancer progression or mortality. Studies examining their impact on quality of life and adjustment are decidedly mixed. In sum, research specifically focusing on the role of religion or spirituality on cancer outcomes has been surprisingly sparse. Such research presents a number of methodological and measurement challenges. Due to these unmet challenges in the literature to date, it is premature to determine what role religion and spirituality play in disease, adjustment, or quality of life outcomes in cancer. A number of suggestions are made for continued research in this area. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


Knowledge Accession and Knowledge Acquisition in Strategic Alliances: The Impact of Supplementary and Complementary Dimensions

BRITISH JOURNAL OF MANAGEMENT, Issue 4 2009
Peter J. Buckley
This paper advances the concepts of knowledge accession and knowledge acquisition in strategic alliances by identifying supplementary and complementary dimensions to these knowledge transfer modes. Complementary knowledge transfer reflects the similarity of knowledge that the partners have and is conducted in pursuit of higher efficiency and productivity to enhance partner firms' existing competitiveness. Supplementary knowledge transfer occurs when partners each possess distinctive core competences and the information that is acquired or accessed increases the business scope of partners. As knowledge accession entails knowledge amalgamation that does not involve organizational learning, costs associated with the transfer process are lower and trust is easier to establish than in the case of knowledge acquisition. The paper reviews the implications of these transfer modes on trust building in alliances and their costs implications and presents a number of propositions for further exploration. [source]


Prose, Psychopaths and Persistence: Personal Perspectives on Publishing

CANADIAN JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS, Issue 2 2002
David J. Pannell
The process of attempting to publish a paper in a refereed journal can be rather stressful. This paper presents a number of personal reflections on the publishing process, with the aim of helping aspiring journal authors to appreciate the nature of the challenge, and some of the requisites for success. The challenges in dealing with referees include the element of luck involved in securing sympathetic referees, the poor quality of the reports prepared by some referees, and the slowness of the review and editorial process. A number of examples from my experiences in agricultural economics journals are presented. These reveal that one of the most important characteristics that a journal author needs is persistence. Publier un article dans un périodique scientifique s'avère parfois une tâche éprouvante. L'auteur nous fait part de ses réflexions sur le monde de l'édition, le but étant d'aider les auteurs en herbe à apprécier la nature du défi et de comprendre certaines conditions préalables au succès. Trailer avec un comité de lecture anonyme suppose une certaine intervention du hasard. En effet, il faut non seulement dénicher des lecteurs bienveillants mais aussi composer avec la piètre qualité de certains comptes rendus et la lenteur du processus de lecture et de correction. Suivent maints exemples tirés de périodiques d'économie agricole. Ces exemples révèlent qu'une des principales qualités des auteurs d'articles pour périodique scientifique est la ténacité. [source]


Insulin treatment in children and adolescents

ACTA PAEDIATRICA, Issue 4 2004
RM Williams
The management of diabetes in children presents a number of challenges. The ideal is to achieve optimal glycaemic control using an insulin regimen that is acceptable to the child and family, which improves glycaemic control, whilst avoiding hypoglycaemia. The paediatric population differ from their adult counterparts in several ways, such as variability of exercise and eating patterns, and the hormonal influences of puberty, which means that the insulin regimen must be tailored to suit an individual child and their family. Conclusion: This review will focus on the particular difficulties of managing diabetes in children and, in particular, the problem of avoiding hypoglycaemia while maintaining adequate glycaemic control. [source]