An algorithm for the optimisation of n-forms using symmetric multilinear forms

This paper describes an algorithm for locating stationary points of n-forms. Use is made of the associated n-linear form, the stationary points of which are seen to coincide with those of the n-form. Conditions of convergence are established using the concept of Liapunov stability, and it is seen that the scheme can always be made to converge to the global maximum of the n-form over unit vectors

Reluctant allies? Iuliu Maniu and Cornellu Zelea Codreanu against King Carol II of Romania

Romanian legionary movement, to prevent the incumbent government falsifying the elections of December 1937. Thus far, the secondary literature on the history of interwar Romania has shed little light on Maniu's motives in signing the pact with Codreanu or on the nature and extent of Maniu's relations with the legionary movement in the 1930s. This article, which draws on previously unutilized Romanian archival sources, will examine the links between Maniu and the movement and argue that these extended well beyond the signing of the pact in 1937. It will conclude that Maniu and Codreanu were far from being 'reluctant allies' in their fight against government corruption and King Carol of Romania

Simple Efficient Contracts in Complex Environments

The paper studies a general model of hold-up in a setting encompassing the models of Segal (1999) and Che and Hausch (1999) among others. It is shown that if renegotiation is modelled as an infinite-horizon non-cooperative bargaining game then, with a simple initial contract, an efficient equilibrium will generally exist. The contract gives authority to one party to set the terms of trade and gives the other party a non-expiring option to trade at these terms. The difference from standard results arises because the existing contract ensures that the renegotiation game has multiple equilibria; the multiplicity of continuation equilibria can be used to enforce efficient investment

World wide web and scientific publishing

The relationship of scientific publishing and the world wide web steadily evolves as the internet technology advances in its sophistication and ability to reach an increasing number of people. Many well established medical publication currently publish their journal electronically as well as in print format. Forced by high volume of manuscript submissions as well as financial restraints, some journals publish a number of their articles on the internet alone, while others-such as this journal-are starting an entirely new publication in an electronic version only. The presentation of articles in the field of pediatric cardiology electronically has numerous advantages, particularly the ability to include movie clips, sound and animations in the published articles. This format of publication continues to have limitation. It is still not as widely available as a print journal could be and it is awkward to curl up in bed with a lap top, no matter how small or light it ispeer-reviewe

Study of Serum Leptin in Well-differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma: Correlation with Patient and Tumor Characteristics

Background There is a proven relationship between obesity and several cancers including breast, endometrium, colorectal, and esophagus. With the increasing incidence of both obesity and thyroid cancer, we designed the present study to investigate a causal relationship between leptin, which is one of the well known adipokines, and well-differentiated thyroid cancer (WDTC). Methods Serum leptin levels were measured in 30 patients with WDTC and compared to 30 healthy control subjects before and 1 month after surgery. Other parameters studied included age, sex, body mass index, menopausal status in women, lymph node status, tumor size, and disease multifocality. Results There were no differences between the two groups regarding age and sex. Preoperative leptin levels were higher in the WDTC patients when compared to the control patients [19.25 (1.50–109.60) vs 0.90 (0.50–11.80) ng/ml, p < 0.001, group 1 vs group 2, respectively]. A significant drop in leptin levels 1 month after surgery occurred in the WDTC group, falling from 19.25 (1.50–109.60) to 0.90 (0.60–8.90) ng/ml (p < 0.001). This did not occur in the control group (p = 0.274). Lymph node involvement, tumor size, and multifocality had no effect on leptin levels, although trends were observed (p = 0.48, 0.079, and 0.064), respectively. Conclusions Serum leptin levels were significantly higher in WDTC patients when compared to control group patients, with a significant drop after surgery. Leptin may play a role in diagnosis of WDTC; however, its prognostic value is still undetermined

Robust optimization of cardiovascular stents: A comparison of methods

This is the post-print version of the Article. The official published version can be accssed from the links below. Copyright @ 2004 Taylor & FrancisModern engineering design contains both creative and analytic components. This paper discusses the design process and illustrates links between design optimization and conceptual design through the re-design of a cardiovascular stent. A comparison is presented of two methods for design improvement: genetic algorithms (GA) and model-based robust engineering design (RED). Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models are used to generate measurements of the quality of competing designs based on the concept of dissipated power. Alternative performance measures are also discussed. Environmental noise is introduced into the analysis and consideration is given to the treatment of discrete and continuous design parameters. Improved designs are identified using both methods and verified with further CFD analyses, and the benefits of each method are discussed

Understanding digital eco-innovation in municipalities: An institutional perspective

Municipalities consume over 67% of global energy and are responsible for over 70% of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG). The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change warns that rapid adjustments need to happen at a global level, or the effects of climate change will be irreversible. The contribution of municipalities is therefore vital if GHG emissions are to be reduced. Our research is timely in its exploration of the ways in which municipalities institutionalise environmental sustainability practices in and through Green digital artefacts. Using mechanism-based institutional theory as a lens, the paper presents the findings of three contrasting case studies of large municipalities in the United Kingdom in their respective programmes to leverage the direct, enabling and systemic effects of Green ICT in order to reduce GHG emission and achieve their eco-sustainability goals. The case sites are also regarded as exemplars for further research and practice on digital eco-innovation. The mechanism-based explanations illustrate how a social web of conditions and factors influence eco-sustainability outcomes. We conclude that the digital technology-enabled grassroots-based initiatives offer the best hope to begin the transition to sustainable climate change within municipalities. The contributions of our study are therefore both theoretical and practical