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Last year scientists created a stir with a report in the periodical 'Science,' suggesting that people who use the party drug ecstasy may damage their dopamine neurons, raising their risk of Parkinson's disease. This week they published a retraction. Owing to a mislabeled bottle, they used the wrong drug in their experiments. Toxic effects that they ascribed to ecstasy were caused by a sister drug, methamphetamine, which is known to be toxic to dopamine neurons.

The article offers information on a research paper titled "The Sloan Digital Sky Survey: Technical Summary" published in "The Astronomical Journal." Containing 5,230 words, including the text of its 39 footnotes, and has 45 references, the paper listed 144 authors. According to John Hudson, professor of economics at the University of Bath, papers with large group of writers could lead to a growth in impenetrable prose and confused arguments. An ethicist cites curriculum vitae-boosting as the factor that encourages large lists of contributors.

This article reports that the National Multiple Sclerosis Society in the U.S. published an expert opinion paper entitled "Recommendations Regarding the Use of Cannabis in Multiple Sclerosis" in 2008. The paper is the result of research into the effectiveness of marijuana compared with other oral administration to control spasticity. The recommendations cited by the paper are outlined.

The article reports that two types of papers are being sought for CLIMA 2007 which will be held on June 10 to 14, 2007 in Helsinki, Finland. Papers will focus on creating well-being in indoor environments in a sustainable manner. It should report original scientific work, recent innovations, results of research and development or case studies. October 15, 2006 is the deadline for submission of abstracts.

The article focuses on the announcement made by the Association of College and Research Libraries that it is offering Student Paper Awards for its 13th National Conference "Sailing into the Future--Charting out Destiny," to be held in Baltimore, Maryland on March 29 to April 1, 2007. The Student Paper Awards will be awarded for research papers authored by library school students. Papers should be 1,800 to 2,500 words and should be scholarly, well organized, clearly written, and rigorously argued.

The article presents research papers regarding eating disorders. A qualitative research on the experiences and feelings reported by obese adults was conducted by Bidgood and Buckroyd. Godspeed and Boersma presented a paper on adults' explanations for obesity. The research from Treasure and Schmidt focuses on how the brain is affected by anorexia nervosa.

Reports on the increasing number of scientific papers published in China. Reflection on the scientific strength of the country; Number of papers entered into the international retrieval system; Comparison with the volume of papers entered by other countries.

The article discusses research about climate consensus among scientist, with reference to a study published in the issue of the journal "Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences." Findings of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) show that the convinced group of scientists had an average of 172 citations of the word climate in their published papers while the unconvinced group had 105 citations. Criticism on the study argued over the grouping of researchers and the selection of scientists to study.

The article announces that the papers of the late Diane Blair will be available to researchers on March 9, 2010 at the University of Arkansas Libraries in Fayetteville. The collection includes biographical and research materials, correspondence and newspaper clippings. The materials are divided into five series namely, personal and family materials, professional materials, Bill and Hillary Clinton materials, general political materials, and photographs and audio materials.

This section presents a list of research papers from India published in various journals between January 1,1999 and August 31, 2009 including "Overview No. 144: Mechanical Behaviour of Amorphous Alloys," by Christopher A. Schuh, Todd C. Hufnagel and Upadrasta Ramamurt, "Crystal Engineering: A Holistic View," by Gautam R. Desiraju, and "Pi-organogels of Self-assembled P-phenylenevinylenes: Soft Materials With Distinct Size, Shape, and Functions," by Ayyappanpillai Ajayaghosh and Vakayil K. Praveen.

A list of highly cited papers in classical studies since 2000 is presented.

A list of most cited papers of the 2008 Nobel Laureates in various field of research is presented including "Increasing Returns and Economic Geography," by Paul Krugman, "A Papillomavirus DNA From a Cervical Carcinoma and Its Prevalence in Cancer Biopsy Samples From Different Geographical Regions," by Harald zur Hausen and "CP Violation in Renormalizable Theory of Weak Interaction," by Makoto Kobayashi and Toshishide Maskawa.

Objective. To determine the level of stability or change in topic areas published by public health journals in Latin America and the Caribbean, using Keywords: and co-word analysis, in order to support evidence-based research planning. Methods. Keywords: were extracted from papers indexed in Scopus® that were published by the Revista de Salud Pública (RSP; Colombia), the Salud Pública de México (SPM; Mexico), and the Revista Peruana de Medicina Experimental y Salud Pública (RPMESP; Peru) for three periods: 2005 - 2007, 2008 - 2010, and 2011 - 2013. Co-word analysis was used to examine keywords extracted. Textual information was analyzed using centrality measures (inbetweenness and closeness). The hypothesis of stability/change of thematic coverage was tested using the Spearman's rho correlation coefficient. VOSviewer was used to visualize the co-word maps. Results. A moderate level of change in thematic coverage was observed in 2005 - 2010, as evidenced by the correlation coefficients for two of the 3-year periods, 2005 - 2007 and 2008 - 2010: 0.545 for RSP and 0.593 for SPM. However, in 2008 - 2013, more keywords remained constant from one period to the next, given the size of the correlation coefficients for the last 3-year periods: 2008 -- 2010 and 2011 - 2013: 0.727 for RSP and 0.605 for SPM. Conclusion. The research hypothesis was partially accepted given that just two consecutive 3-year periods showed a statistically-significant degree of stability in thematic coverage in public health studies. In that sense, this study provides compelling evidence of the effectiveness of using a combined approach for examining the dynamics of thematic coverage: centrality measures for identifying the main keywords and visual inspection for detecting the structure of textual information. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents information on the 8th International Effects of Oil on Wildlife Conference to be held in Newfoundland on August 3 to 5, 2005. Topics covered by the conference; Information on Tri-State Bird Rescue & Research, Inc., he host of the conference; Invitation to submit abstracts for papers and posters on the effects of oil on wildlife and other related topics.

This article reports that the National Conference Executive Committee of the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) is inviting interested parties to submit a proposal for the 12th National Conference of the ACRL. Proposals for contributed papers, panel sessions, workshops, and preconferences are due May 28. As the premier educational event for academic and research librarians, the ACRL National Conference brings together more than 2,200 librarians and related professionals.

Focuses on the scientific papers published by China in 2002.

Reports on the development of electronic-ink displays on flexible plastic sheets by researchers at the Philips Research Laboratories in Netherlands, in a major step toward electronic paper that works like a computer monitor. Components and mechanism of the ink; Pattern of the circuitry; Description of the displays made by the researchers.

Provides information on a research paper developed by non-profit organization PAWSitive Interaction indicating the role of pets in the lives of senior citizens. Highlights of the research; Findings on seniors with pets.

The article offers information on the Robert Sommer Award from the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) Section on Environmental Psychology for graduate and undergraduate students who are researching aspects of environmental psychology.

The article reports on a draft report released by the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) on March 14, 1991 which concludes that crucial data underpinning a 1986 scientific paper by immunologist Thereza Imanishi-Kari, along with Nobel laureate David Baltimore and four others, are fraudulent. Imanishi-Kari and her colleagues reported their study in the April 25, 1986 issue of Cell. For the most part, the NIH report does not challenge the molecular data contributed by Baltimore's laboratory at the Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research in Cambridge, Massachusetts. However, it does question his strident defense of Imanishi-Kari in the face of mounting evidence that her serological data posed serious problems. Baltimore acknowledged that the draft report raises serious questions about the veracity of Imanishi-Kari's data. The controversy began when Margot O'Toole, a postdoctoral scientist working for Imanishi-Kari, stumbled across some raw data used in the Cell paper. O'Toole became convinced that the data did not support the paper's conclusion. While Imanishi-Kari received the heaviest blow in the draft report, NIH and the U.S. Congress may now turn their attention to her coauthors. The report calls attention to Baltimore's deeply troubling views regarding the NIH probe.

Purpose – As a traditional area, engineering management has always been at the core of the research study in academia. In the current uncertain world, more and more attention is paid to risk management. New risks in many practical engineering management problems require new computational methods and tools. The purpose of this paper is to introduce the state-of-the-art research in engineering management and risk management in China. Design/methodology/approach – The collected papers are briefly reviewed and positioned in existing work. Findings – The special issue includes a variety of perspectives on engineering management and risk management from the Great China area. Originality/value – The paper shows that all the papers address interesting research problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is increasingly recognized that large-scale technologies such as EFT have the potential for aiding in the solution of current societal problems. Yet, these technologies also generate problems. This symposium presents selected papers from a conference that sought to discover what is currently known about EFT impacts in society and what research is needed in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reports on the growth in the number of scientific papers published by European and Japanese commercial firms during the period 1980 to 1989. Study conducted by the Science Policy Research Unit at Sussex University; Firms' purpose of gaining scientific credibility.

Purpose – For solving the dilemma between the cognitive cost and value of the uncertainty and negative feedback loop formed by them in the knowledge transfer process, the purpose of this paper is to attempt to construct a new web-based knowledge flow model to find an alternative diffusion path which had become the inevitable choice in achieving Industry-University collaboration. Design/methodology/approach – In view of this, based on the statistical data compilation of the Universities of Science and Technology of China from 2002 to 2008, the visual diagrams, econometric model and grey incidence model were used to analyze the situation of the technology innovation and technology transformation on the combined learning with research in Jiangsu. Then, the conceptual model and the organization management pattern for network-based Industry-University-Research collaboration was put forward. Findings – The results are convincing: the new web-based knowledge flow model in this paper could overcome barriers in the knowledge flow process of the Industry-University collaboration with the innovation and the integration of the cross-border and also promote the exchange of knowledge especially for tacit knowledge and value-added mobile and can also improve the regional technological innovation ability and technology transformation capabilities. Originality/value – The paper succeeds in constructing the web-based knowledge flow model to develop the Industry-University collaboration and help improve regional innovation and technology transformation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to propose a new system frame named ACPI for research and development (R&D) management of complex equipments according to the ideas of artificial societies, computational experiments, parallel execution and interactive optimization. Design/methodology/approach – An artificial system which can effectively model, simulate and recur the main features and behaviors of a real R&D system of complex equipment is established at first. The structure and function of the system and its subsystems, and the relation of factors in the system are analyzed. Then one can perform computation experiment, modeling and simulation in the artificial system to obtain the optimal solutions. Finally, practice these solutions in a real system and at the same time perform the solutions in artificial system, forecasting and warning the possible new situations and problems in a realistic process, and provide controlling scheme. Findings – The typical characteristics and solutions of the R&D system of complex equipment are analyzed. The sketch scheme of ACPI, the system frame of ACPI for R&D management of complex equipments are proposed, and the key technologies used in implementing ACPI of R&D system of complex equipment are studied. Practical implications – The outcome of this paper can be used in computation experiments, management and optimization of R&D systems of complex equipment. Originality/value – The sketch scheme of ACPI, the system frame of ACPI for R&D management of complex equipments are proposed first. The ACPI system can supply a high-performance, open and interactive platform for the analog simulation and computation experiments of the R&D process management of complex equipment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to discuss a numerical method for solving Fredholm integral equations of the first kind with degenerate kernels and convergence of this numerical method. Design/methodology/approach – By using sinc collocation method in strip, the authors try to estimate a numerical solution for this kind of integral equation. Findings – Some numerical results support the accuracy and efficiency of the stated method. Originality/value – The paper presents a method for solving first kind integral equations which are ill-posed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose |!|#8211; The purpose of this paper is to develop a new method for classification of power quality (PQ) disturbances such as the sag, interruption, swell, harmonic, notch, oscillatory transient and impulsive transient. Design/methodology/approach |!|#8211; A PQ disturbances classification system based on wavelet packet energy and multiclass support vector machines (MSVM) is proposed to discriminate seven types of PQ disturbances. The PQ disturbance signals are first decomposed into components in different subbands using discrete wavelet packet transform (DWPT). Statistical features of the decomposed signals are required to characterize the PQ disturbances. A MSVM classifier follows to classify the PQ disturbances. Findings |!|#8211; The proposed method could effectively detect information from disturbance waveforms using DWPT and MSVM techniques, which is verified on over 700 samples. Research limitations/implications |!|#8211; The classification stage of the proposed method does not differentiate the disturbances occurred simultaneously. Practical implications |!|#8211; The proposed method possesses high recognition rate, so it is suitable for the PQ monitoring system for detection and classification of disturbances. Originality/value |!|#8211; The paper describes a new and efficient way of classification of PQ disturbances. In this paper, an attempt has been made to extract efficient features of the PQ disturbances using DWPT. It is observed that these features can help correctly classify the PQ disturbances, even under noisy conditions. The MSVM is compared with artificial neural network (ANN) and it is found that the MSVM classifier gives the better result. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose |!|#8211; The purpose of this paper is to identify a new and simple two-end algorithm for fault location identification and characterization, in electrical distribution systems. Design/methodology/approach |!|#8211; The developed diagnostic algorithm is based on a simple model of the network using a lumped parameters representation. Findings |!|#8211; Test results have proved the approach to be efficient, allowing a precise fault identification and location while not requiring synchronized measures from the two ends. Research limitations/implications |!|#8211; There is a need for measurement systems at all MV/LV substations. Practical implications |!|#8211; Applicability with limited investments is not possible where metering systems are not so diffused, although smart grids and DG units require such infrastructures. Moreover, utilities are quite interested in such issues, since the new required quality standards put severe constraints on faults management and clearance. Originality/value |!|#8211; The paper presents a new and easier diagnostic algorithm for faults diagnosis in distribution systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose |!|#8211; The purpose of this paper is to develop a new method for the two-dimensional direction-of-arrival (DOA) estimation of multiple coherently distributed (CD) sources, which can provide lower computational complexity while sustaining the estimation performance within a tolerable level. Design/methodology/approach |!|#8211; Using three parallel uniform linear arrays (ULAs), a new method for parametric estimation of multiple coherently distributed sources is proposed. The proposed method is based on the Taylor approximation to the generalized steering vectors (GSVs) of shifted ULAs, and utilizes the special array geometry. In addition, a simple parameter matching procedure is also given in this paper. Findings |!|#8211; Several numerical experiments have been designed. The experiments are based on coherently distributed source model, and the noise is assumed to be zero-mean and spatially and temporally white and Gaussian. Numerical results show that the proposed method can exhibit good estimation performance under small angular spread and be applicable to the multisource scenario with different angular distributions. Research limitations/implications |!|#8211; This research is limited to CD sources. Furthermore, the proposed method is based on the small angular approximation to GSV. Hence, it is fitter for the case of small angular extension. Originality/value |!|#8211; Without any spectrum-peak searching, the proposed method provides lower computational cost compared to the classical spectrum-based methods. Moreover, it does not depend on the prior knowledge about angular distribution shape and is hence robust to mismodeling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose |!|#8211; The aim of the paper is to demonstrate a fast numerical solution for Raman fiber amplifier equations using proposed guess functions and MATLAB intrinsic properties. MATLAB BVP solvers are addressed for the solution. Design/methodology/approach |!|#8211; The guess functions proposed for the solution of RFA equations using MATLAB BVP solvers are derived from Taylor expansion of pump and signal wave near the boundary to specifically obtain convergence for the initial mesh point. The guess functions increase simulation speed significantly. In order to improve the simulation speed further, vectorization and analytical Jacobians are introduced. Comparisons among bvp4c and bvp5c have been made with respect to total pump power, number of signals, vectorization with/without analytical Jacobians, fiber length, relative tolerance and continuation method. The simulations are performed to determine the effect of the run time on the choice of the number of equally spaced mesh points (N) in the initial guess, and thus optimal N values are found. Findings |!|#8211; MATLAB BVP solvers have been proven to be effective for the numerical solution of RFAs with the proposed guess functions. In particular, with vectorizing, run time reduction is between 2.1 and 5.4 times for bvp4c and between 1.6 and 2.1 times for bvp5c and in addition to vectorizing, with the introduction of the analytical Jacobians, the reduction is between 2.4 and 6.2 times for bvp4c and 1.7 and 2.2 times for bvp5c, respectively, depending on the total pump power between 1,000|!|#8201;mW and 2,000|!|#8201;mW and the number of signals. Also, simulation results show that the efficiency of the solution with proposed guess functions is improved more than six times compared with those of previously reported continuation methods. Results show that the proposed guess functions with the vectorization and analytical Jacobians can be used for the performance evaluation of RFAs for the high power systems/long gain fiber span. Practical implications |!|#8211; The robust improvement of the solution proposed in this paper lies in the fact that the derived guess functions for the RFAs are highly effective in the sense that they assist the solver to converge to the solution for any total pump power value in a wide range from 1 to 3,000|!|#8201;mW and for any fiber lengths ranging 1 to 200|!|#8201;km which are used in practical applications. Hence, it is practicable for the performance evaluation of the existing RFA networks. Originality/value |!|#8211; The novelty of this method is that, starting with the co-propagating single pump and signal RFA schema, the authors derived the guess function specifically for the initial mesh points rather than using its analytical approximations. Moreover, the solution is generalized for co-/counter propagating pumps/signals with the curve fitted coefficient(s). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose |!|#8211; The purpose of this paper is to determine the external magnetic field density of the traction transformer for EMU and to find the model for its computation. Design/methodology/approach |!|#8211; The magnetic flux density in the surrounding region of the traction transformer was modeled and calculated using FEM. The transformer was modeled in a way that tank, clamps and current sources were taken into account. Most frequent operating modes for the basic 50|!|#8201;Hz current harmonic, and most represented higher harmonic of 1,950|!|#8201;Hz loading current, were analyzed. Findings |!|#8211; Matching calculated and measured values were obtained on the finished transformer. The developed calculation has proved to be a useful tool for the stray field calculation outside this type of transformer. Calculated values of the flux density are lower then the maximum permitted values defined by the DIN VDE 0848 standard. Originality/value |!|#8211; This paper presents a study of calculation compared to measurement of magnetic field density outside an oil immersed transformer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to achieve high-performance aerofoils that enable delayed stall conditions and achieve high lift to drag ratios. Design/methodology/approach – The unsteady Reynolds averaged Navier-Stokes equations are employed in conjunction with a shear stress transport (κ-ώ) turbulence model. A control equation is designed and implemented to determine the temporal response of the actuator. A rotating element, in the form of an actuator disc, is embedded on the leading edge of NACA 0012 aerofoil, to inject momentum into the wake region. The actuator disc is rotated at different angular speeds, for angles of attack (α) between 00 and 240. Findings – Phenomena such as flow separation, wake vortices, delayed stall, wake control, etc. are numerically investigated by means of streamlines, streaklines, isobars, etc. Streamwise and cross-stream forces on the aerofoil are obtained. The influence of momentum injection parameter (ξ) on the fluid flow patterns, and hence on the forces acting on the streamlined body are determined. A synchronization-based coupling scheme is designed and implemented to achieve annihilation of wake vortices. A delayed stall angle resulted with an attendant increase in maximum lift coefficient. Due to delay and/or prevention of separation, drag coefficient is also reduced considerably, resulting in a high-performance lifting surface. Research limitations/implications – The practicality of momentum injection principle requires both wide ranging and intensive further studies to move forward beyond the proof of concept stage. Practical implications – Determination of forces and moments on an aerofoil is of vital interest in aero-dynamic design. Perhaps, runways of the future can be shorter and/or more pay load can be carried by an aircraft, for the same stall speed. Originality/value – The paper describes how a synchronization-based coupling scheme is designed and implemented along with the RANS solver. Furthermore, it is tested to verify the dynamic adaptability of the wake vortex annihilation for NACA 0012 aerofoils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The integration of humans with and within today's ever more complex and increasingly more adaptive software and systems poses an ever-growing challenge. This paper discusses this integration challenge from the perspective of capitalizing on the strengths of humans, software, and systems while circumventing their respective limitations. Specific findings and examples of integration challenges that go beyond the usual human factors perspective are presented. The paper concludes with a research agenda for advancing the state-of-the-art in integrating humans with adaptive software and systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses issues concerning collaborative authorship among scientists. When two collaborators are in professional or personal conflict, usually one leaves the other's name off a paper, which happens in both domestic or international collaborations. On the other hand, the ghost authorship arrangement happens when one author agrees to have his name left off a publication in exchange for some other form of compensation. In the case of a researcher's name appearing on a paper without his knowledge, it is called surprise authorship. The difference in motivations between honorary authorship and gift authorship is also analyzed.

The article presents four research papers which were taken from a topic-contributed session, titled "Statistical Consultation with Limited Resources," presented at the 2009 Joint Statistical Meetings in Washington, District of Columbia. It states that consulting statisticians were often asked to do more with less while maintaining work efficiency. The research papers include "Short-Term Statistical Consulting with Limited Time and Resources," by Mark Glickman.

The article discusses the involvement of tribal college and university (TCU) faculty in published research work. As reported, every year, faculty members publish research papers in academic journals at the colleges and universities in the U.S. and almost none of these papers are written by TCU faculty. Educator Hans A. Schmitt says that take research out of a teacher's life, and he is condemned to a robot existence. Faculty member Cassandra Manuelito-Kerkvliet says that teachers need that outside outlet of research and writing to maintain a passion and spark for the material they are teaching. Deborah Hunt, project director at the American Indian College Fund, says that TCU policies don't necessarily support research activities.

The article raises the argument from the Royal Society that high quality and publicly accessible datasets should be given as much credit as standard publications in the research excellence framework (REF). In its report "Science as an Open Enterprise: Open Data for Open Science," the Royal Society recognizes the skill and creativity required to acquire data and it argues for motivation for data release. Professor Geoffrey Boulton cites the reason behind the risk of datasets losing out to REFs.

Abstract: Introduction: Intracellular signaling/synthetic pathways are being increasingly extensively characterized. However, while these pathways can be displayed in static diagrams, in reality they exist with a degree of dynamic complexity that is responsible for heterogeneous cellular behavior. Multiple parallel pathways exist and interact concurrently, limiting the ability to integrate the various identified mechanisms into a cohesive whole. Computational methods have been suggested as a means of concatenating this knowledge to aid in the understanding of overall system dynamics. Since the eventual goal of biomedical research is the identification and development of therapeutic modalities, computational representation must have sufficient detail to facilitate this ‘engineering’ process. Adding to the challenge, this type of representation must occur in a perpetual state of incomplete knowledge. We present a modeling approach to address this challenge that is both detailed and qualitative. This approach is termed ‘dynamic knowledge representation,’ and is intended to be an integrated component of the iterative cycle of scientific discovery. Methods: BioNetGen (BNG), a software platform for modeling intracellular signaling pathways, was used to model the toll-like receptor 4 (TLR-4) signal transduction cascade. The informational basis of the model was a series of reference papers on modulation of (TLR-4) signaling, and some specific primary research papers to aid in the characterization of specific mechanistic steps in the pathway. This model was detailed with respect to the components of the pathway represented, but qualitative with respect to the specific reaction coefficients utilized to execute the reactions. Responsiveness to simulated lipopolysaccharide (LPS) administration was measured by tumor necrosis factor (TNF) production. Simulation runs included evaluation of initial dose-dependent response to LPS administration at 10, 100, 1000 and 10,000, and a subsequent examination of preconditioning behavior with increasing LPS at 10, 100, 1000 and 10,000 and a secondary dose of LPS at 10,000 administered at ∼27h of simulated time. Simulations of ‘knockout’ versions of the model allowed further examination of the interactions within the signaling cascade. Results: The model demonstrated a dose-dependent TNF response curve to increasing stimulus by LPS. Preconditioning simulations demonstrated a similar dose-dependency of preconditioning doses leading to attenuation of response to subsequent LPS challenge – a ‘tolerance’ dynamic. These responses match dynamics reported in the literature. Furthermore, the simulated ‘knockout’ results suggested the existence and need for dual negative feedback control mechanisms, represented by the zinc ring-finger protein A20 and inhibitor kappa B proteins (IκB), in order for both effective attenuation of the initial stimulus signal and subsequent preconditioned ‘tolerant’ behavior. Conclusions: We present an example of detailed, qualitative dynamic knowledge representation using the TLR-4 signaling pathway, its control mechanisms and overall behavior with respect to preconditioning. The intent of this approach is to demonstrate a method of translating the extensive mechanistic knowledge being generated at the basic science level into an executable framework that can provide a means of ‘conceptual model verification.’ This allows for both the ‘checking’ of the dynamic consequences of a mechanistic hypothesis and the creation of a modular component of an overall model directed at the engineering goal of biomedical research. It is hoped that this paper will increase the use of knowledge representation and communication in this fashion, and facilitate the concatenation and integration of community-wide knowledge. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In this paper, we describe a quality checklist that parents, teachers, clinicians, and policy-makers with basic research skills can use to systematically evaluate the methodological quality of single-case studies on social skill training of children with autistic spectrum disorder (ASD). We provide a rationale for included quality indicators, and two examples of how the checklist can be used to assess the quality of individual papers and the quality of a body of research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In crisp run control rules, usually it is stated that a process moves very sharply from in-control condition to out-of-control act. This causes an increase in both false-alarm rate and control chart sensitivity. Moreover, the classical run control rules are not implemented on an intelligent sampling strategy that changes control charts’ parameters to reduce error probability when the process appears to have a shift in parameter values. This paper presents a new hybrid method based on a combination of fuzzified sensitivity criteria and fuzzy adaptive sampling rules, which make the control charts more sensitive and proactive while keeping false alarms rate acceptably low. The procedure is based on a simple strategy that includes varying control chart parameters (sample size and sample interval) based on current fuzzified state of the process and makes inference about the state of process based on fuzzified run rules. Furthermore, in this paper, the performance of the proposed method is examined and compared with both conventional run rules and adaptive sampling schemes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In this paper we consider an inverse scattering problem whose aim is to recover the impedance function for an arbitrary crack from the far field pattern. Because of the ill-posedness of this problem, regularization method for example, Tikhonov regularization, is incorporated in our solution scheme. Several numerical examples with only one incident wave are given at the end of the paper to show the feasibility of our method. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Purpose - The paper is aimed at understanding and investigating Gregory Bateson's and Heinz von Foerster's peculiar relation to knowledge, the unknowable, and research. From this, the question of how to carry on their heritage is raised. Design/methodology/approach - The whole paper is designed as an epistemological experiment starting from reflections on Gregory Bateson's metalogues and adopting a methodological style of reasoning. A strong focus is laid on the combination of loose and strict thinking which is characteristic of both Heinz von Foerster and Gregory Bateson. Findings - In order to preserve and further develop their heritage, it is necessary to deal with Bateson's and Foerster's view(s) on the relations between the unknowable and the meaning of research. This has to be done in a manner in which epistemology and research become a personal as well ecological matter in which the relationship between the single individual and its greater context becomes explicit. Research limitations/implications - This paper refuses to view science and cybernetics within predefined boundaries. It suggests that the form of science and its relations to the individual and the community should be viewed as processes of constant re-generation. Originality/value - The value of this paper lies in viewing the similarities of Bateson's and von Foerster's peculiar style as general guidelines for future research and an understanding of epistemology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to ask what role robustness plays in current medicine and in how far medical practices influence human robustness and thus the ability to be adapted and survive under changing conditions. Design/methodology/approach - In order to do this Bateson's concepts of learning and network pathologies are applied to the medical topic of immune reaction. Findings - Current medical research does not take sufficiently into account that natural stimuli and therapeutic interventions might lead to a large-scale of changes. This is mainly due to the lack of related epistemological tools. Practical implications - This lack leads to a restricted validity of many medical findings. There is even some evidence that the current therapeutic approach might lead to a decline of human robustness. Originality/value - This paper shows how systemic concepts can contribute to a deeper understanding of the therapeutic processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article deals with the results of a review conducted by the School of Cancer Sciences at the University of Birmingham in England regarding a conference study conducted by the University of Sheffield's Academic Unit of Bone Metabolism research radiologist Gurong Jiang. The review team which was led by the school's head Paul Moss ruled that the move of the university to ask the researcher to pull her conference submission is reasonable. It mentions that Jiang accused the university of preventing the release of her findings.

Purpose - The main intention of this paper is to state the benefits of using online videogames as a research environment, where AI algorithms are improved by means of learning from real-human-behaviour examples. Design/methodology/approach - The manner of taking advantage from the flux of real-human-behaviour examples inside an online videogame is stated. Then Mad University, a prototype online videogame specifically conceived and developed for this purpose, is explained. Findings - Human-like AI in artificial algorithms can be boosted by means of a specific kind of online videogame called MMORPGs, used as a research environment. Research limitations/implications - Mad University is a prototype videogame which has been developed to experiment with AI algorithms that aim to learn strategies in a generalized fashion. The next research step will be to improve Mad University and to put it to work with hundreds of players and then research and test the effectiveness of the AI algorithms. Originality/value - This paper proposes a new way of testing and experimenting with AI algorithms in order to obtain more human-like results, and claims to have attempted to develop a generalized learning method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents information on two research papers related to quality and reliability engineering. The first paper is "Maintenance Policies for Systems with Condition-Monitoring and Obvious Failures," by professor Lisa Maillart of Case Western Reserve University. She has developed a model in which either imperfect observations or perfect observations are scheduled adaptively as the system deteriorates. The information can be used to schedule preventive maintenance. Another paper is "A Change Point Analysis for Modeling Incomplete Burn-In for Light Displays," by Suk Joo Bae of Hanyang University in Korea and Paul Kvam of the Georgia Institute of Technology. They developed a method to find out the change point from the luminosity trajectory during burn-in.

During the past decades, research has progressed on the biomedical implantable electronic devices that require power and data communication through wireless inductive links. In this paper, we present a fully integrated binary phase-shift keying (BPSK) demodulator, which is based on a hard-limited COSTAS loop topology, dedicated to such implantable medical devices. The experimental results of the proposed demodulator show a data transmission rate of 1.12 Mbps, less than 0.7 mW consumption under a supply voltage of 1.8 V, and silicon area of 0.2 mm² in the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) CMOS 0.18-μm technology. The transmitter satisfies the requirement of applications relative to high forward-transferring data rate, such as cortical stimulation. Moreover, the employment of BPSK demodulation along with a passive modulation method allows full-duplex data communication between an external controller and the implantable device, which may improve the controllability and observability of the overall implanted system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article focuses on federal funding of scientific research in Canada and how scientists are reacting to rejection of research grants. Michel Desjardins, who holds a Canada Research Chair in cellular microbiology at the Université de Montréal, applied for a research grant from Genome Canada, the arms-length foundation that since 2000 has provided most of the federal money in Canada that goes toward genetic research. In a previous competition, Genome Canada had granted him money for projects that led to research papers in two prestigious journals, Cell and Nature. Genome Canada funds only half the cost of a research project. It requires that researchers identify other agencies or private-sector donors willing to pay the other half. Desjardins' tuberculosis project had an $8-million budget, so he needed $4 million from Genome Canada. Near the end of April, Genome Canada told Desjardins his project had been rejected. He never had a chance to defend his science in front of other scientists. To Desjardins, this was a fundamental breakdown in the doctrine of "peer review," by which scientists decide among themselves which of their colleagues should have a project funded or a paper published. Biomedical researchers in Canada are a tightly knit community. It didn't take long for rejected scientists to find one another and compare notes. In a series of interviews with Maclean's, more than a dozen researchers across the country depicted Genome Canada as an organization that has become so concerned about demonstrating sound book-keeping that it is failing to promote the best science. Serious complaints are also being levelled by scientists who survived the co-funding exam and who are still in the running for big Genome Canada grants.

In this paper we present the new version of the SCELib program (CPC Catalogue identifier ADMG) a full numerical implementation of the Single Center Expansion (SCE) method. The physics involved is that of producing the SCE description of molecular electronic densities, of molecular electrostatic potentials and of molecular perturbed potentials due to a point negative or positive charge. This new revision of the program has been optimized to run in serial as well as in parallel execution mode, to support a larger set of molecular symmetries and to permit the restart of long-lasting calculations. To measure the performance of this new release, a comparative study has been carried out on the most powerful computing architectures in serial and parallel runs. The results of the calculations reported in this paper refer to real cases medium to large molecular systems and they are reported in full details to benchmark at best the parallel architectures the new SCELib code will run on.Program summary: Title of program: SCELib2Catalogue identifier: ADGUProgram summary URL: Program obtainable from: CPC Program Library, Queen''s University of Belfast, N. IrelandReference to previous versions: Comput. Phys. Commun. 128 (2) (2000) 139 (CPC catalogue identifier: ADMG)Does the new version supersede the original program?: YesComputer for which the program is designed and others on which it has been tested: HP ES45 and rx2600, SUN ES4500, IBM SP and any single CPU workstation based on Alpha, SPARC, POWER, Itanium2 and X86 processorsInstallations: CASPUR, localOperating systems under which the program has been tested: HP Tru64 V5.X, SUNOS V5.8, IBM AIX V5.X, Linux RedHat V8.0Programming language used: CMemory required to execute with typical data: 10 Mwords. Up to 2000 Mwords depending on the molecular system and runtime parametersNo. of bits in a word: 64No. of processors used: 1 to 32Has the code been vectorized or parallelized?: YesNo. of bytes in distributed program, including test data, etc.: 3 798 507No. of lines in distributed program, including test data, etc.: 187 226Distribution format: tar.gzNature of physical problem: In this set of codes an efficient procedure is implemented to describe the wavefunction and related molecular properties of a polyatomic molecular system within the Single Center of Expansion (SCE) approximation. The resulting SCE wavefunction, electron density, electrostatic and exchange/correlation potentials can then be used via a proper Application Programming Interface (API) to describe the target molecular system which can be employed in electron–molecule scattering calculations. The molecular properties expanded over a single center turn out to also be of more general application and some possible uses in quantum chemistry, biomodelling and drug design are also outlined.Method of solution: The polycentre Hartee–Fock solution for a molecule of arbitrary geometry, based on linear combination of Gaussian-Type Orbital (GTO), is expanded over a single center, typically the Center Of Mass (C.O.M.), by means of a Gauss–Legendre/Chebyschev quadrature over the θ,φ angular coordinates. The resulting SCE numerical wavefunction is then used to calculate the one-particle electron density, the electrostatic potential and two different models for the correlation/polarization potentials induced by the impinging electron, which have the correct asymptotic behaviour for the leading dipole molecular polarizabilities.Restrictions on the complexity of the problem: Depending on the molecular system under study and on the operating conditions the program may or may not fit into available RAM memory. In this case a feature of the program is to memory map a disk file in order to efficiently access the memory data through a disk device.Typical running time: The execution time strongly depends on the molecular target description and on the hardware/OS chosen, it is directly proportional to the (r,θ,φ) grid size and to the number of angular basis functions used. Thus, from the program printout of the main arrays memory occupancy, the user can approximately derive the expected computer time needed for a given calculation executed in serial mode. For parallel executions the overall efficiency must be further taken into account, and this depends on the no. of processors used as well as on the parallel architecture chosen, so a simple general law is at present not determinable.Unusual features of the program: The code has been engineered to use dynamical, runtime determined, global parameters with the aim to have all the data fitted in the RAM memory. Some unusual circumstances, e.g., when using large values of those parameters, may cause the program to run with unexpected performance reductions due to runtime bottlenecks like those caused by memory swap operations which strongly depend on the hardware used. In such cases, a parallel execution of the code is generally sufficient to fix the problem since the data size is partitioned over the available processors. When a suitable parallel system is not available for execution, a mechanism of memory mapped file can be used; with this option on, all the available memory will be used as a buffer for a disk file which contains the whole data set, thus having a better throughput with respect to the traditional swapping/paging of the Unix OS. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]