bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
DNA vaccines prime CD8+ T cell responses to epitopes of viral antigens produced from overlapping reading frames of a single coding sequence
Authors: Fissolo Nicolas , Riedl Petra , Reimann Jörg , Schirmbeck Reinhold
Published: December 2004

A hepatitis B virus (HBV)‐derived sequence that encodes the 832‐residue polymerase (Pol) protein of HBV in the primary open reading frame (ORF), and the three (large, middle and small) hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) variants in an alternative ORF was used. This sequence was cloned into expression vectors in which Pol was expressed under heterologous (HCMV, SV40 or metallothionin) promoter control. Some Pol‐encoding vectors coexpressed Pol as well as readily detectable amounts of HBsAg. Efficient HBsAg expression depended on endogenous HBV promoter sequences but was apparently also facilitated by heterologous promoter sequences located upstream of the HBV Pol sequence. DNA immunization of mice efficiently coprimed CD8+ T cell responses to epitopes of Pol and HBsAg. Over expression of Pol (using an hsp73‐facilitated expression system) did not correlate with the immunogenicity of the Kd/Pol140–148 epitope. Immunodominant Ld‐restricted CD8+ T cell responses to HBsAg down‐modulated priming of CD8+ T cell responses to other HBsAg epitopes but not to the Kd/Pol140–148 epitope. Different antigens transcribed from alternative reading frames of a single sequence in a DNA vaccine can thus efficiently prime multispecific T cell responses.
A Novel Dinuclear FeII Spin‐Crossover Complex Based on a 2,2‐Bipyrimidine Bridge Ligand: [Fe(CH3bipy)(NCS)2]2bpym
Authors: Gaspar Ana B. , Ksenofontov Vadim , Martinez Víctor , Muñoz M. Carmen , Real José A. , Gütlich Philipp
Published: December 2004

The dinuclear iron(II) complex {[Fe(CH3bipy)(NCS)2]2bpym} has been synthesised and its crystal structure determined at 293 K. The magnetic properties display intramolecular antiferromagnetic coupling at 1 bar (J = −4.2 cm−1), and the onset of a pressure‐induced spin conversion is observed at 11 kbar. Magnetic field Mössbauer measurements have been carried out at 4.2 K, and indicate that the HS species correspond to [HS‐HS] pairs. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2004)
Synthesis of (Indenylidene)phosphoranes − A Novel Class of Ligand Precursors for Main‐Group and Transition Metal Organometallics
Authors: Rufanov Konstantin A. , Ziemer Burkhard , Hummert Markus , Schutte Stefan
Published: December 2004

IndPPh2 (1) reacts with RCH2Br to form the phosphonium salts [RCH2P(Ph)2Ind]+Br− (2: R = Ph; 3: R = C6F5) in high yields. Oxidation of 1 with H2O2 in THF proceeds smoothly to give the phosphane oxide IndP(O)Ph2 (4). Dehydrobromination of 2 and 3 with NaH in THF yields the corresponding indenylidenephosphoranes C9H6=P(Ph)2CH2R (5: R = Ph; 6: R = C6F5). Further deprotonation of 6 with excess NaH results in formation of sodium 1‐{[(pentafluorophenyl)methylidene]diphenylphosphoranyl}indenide (7), isolated as a solvate with three THF molecules. A detailed NMR study of new ligand precursors and X‐ray structure studies of 5 and 7 have been accomplished. A short F→Na coordination contact in the molecular structure of 7 has been detected. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2004)
E1‐Ngn2/Cre is a new line for regional activation of Cre recombinase in the developing CNS
Authors: Berger Joachim , Eckert Silke , Scardigli Raffaella , Guillemot François , Gruss Peter , Stoykova Anastassia
Published: December 2004

We generated a transgenic mouse line named E1‐Ngn2/Cre that expresses Cre recombinase and GFP under the control of the E1 enhancer element of the gene Ngn2 (Scardigli et al.: Neuron 31:203–217, 2001). Cre‐recombinase activity and GFP fluorescence are consistent with the reported expression pattern controlled by the E1‐Ngn2 enhancer. Recombination was detected in the progenitor domains p1 and p2 in the ventricular zone of the neural tube and in distinct domains of the pretectum, the dorsal and ventral thalamus, the tegmentum of the mesencephalon, and the hindbrain. In the developing cortex, Cre‐recombinase activity is confined to a subpopulation of progenitors predominantly in the region of the ventral and lateral pallium. The E1‐Ngn2/Cre mouse line thus provides an excellent novel tool for a region‐specific conditional mutagenesis in the developing CNS. genesis 40:195–199, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Unique contribution of heat shock transcription factor 4 in ocular lens development and fiber cell differentiation
Authors: Min Jin‐Na , Zhang Yan , Moskophidis Demetrius , Mivechi Nahid F.
Published: December 2004

Mammalian ocular lens development results via a differentiation program that is highly regulated by tissue‐specific transcription factors. Central to this is the terminal differentiation of fiber cells, which develop from epithelial cells on the anterior surface of the lens, accompanied by a change in cell shape and expression of structural proteins (such as membrane proteins MP19, MIP26, connexin 43, 46, and 50, cytoskeletal proteins CP49, CP115, and α, β, and γ crystallins), creating a transparent, refractive index gradient in the lens. Mutations in genes controlling eye development and in lens structural protein genes are associated with multiple ocular developmental disorders, including cataracts and other opacities of the lens. Here we show that heat shock transcription factor 4 (HSF4) expression in the developing lens is required for correct lens development and that inactivation of hsf4 leads to early postnatal cataract formation with primary effects specific to terminal fiber cell differentiation. These data suggest that HSF4 acts as a critical transcription factor for lens‐specific target gene expression, in particular regulating the small 25 kDa heat shock protein that acts as a modifier for lens opacity and cataract development. Thus, HSF4 fulfills a central role in controlling spatial and temporal expression of genes critical for correct development and function of the lens. genesis 40:205–217, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A team approach to goal attainment: Villanova University
Authors: Kelley John M. , Trainer James F.
Published: December 2004

Over the past decade, cross‐functional quality improvement teams have been formed not only to reengineer work processes but also to enhance community and create incentives and recognition; they have moved the university from planning to action.
Strategic planning at Carroll Community College
Authors: Clagett Craig A.
Published: December 2004

Guided by clear planning principles, and under the custodial care of a governance council, the model strategic planning process at Carroll Community College is evidence‐driven, connected to budget decisions, and continuously refreshed.
Comparison of osteoblast responses to hydroxyapatite and hydroxyapatite/soluble calcium phosphate composites
Authors: Ogata Korenori , Imazato Satoshi , Ehara Atsushi , Ebisu Shigeyuki , Kinomoto Yoshifumi , Nakano Takayoshi , Umakoshi Yukichi
Published: December 2004

Hydroxyapatite/soluble calcium phosphate composites (HAp/SCaP) are novel HAp‐based materials with enhanced solubility that have been developed by annealing HAp in a vacuum. This study compared the effects of HAp and HAp/SCaP on osteoblast proliferation, differentiation, and mineralization using an MC3T3‐E1 cell culture system. MC3T3‐E1 cells were cultured on HAp or HAp/SCaP, and the number of attached cells and their morphology were examined. The influence of the extract from HAp/SCaP on osteoblast differentiation was determined by the measurement of alkaline phosphatase activity and reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction analysis of the expression of osteoblastic markers. In addition, mineralization was evaluated by the staining of calcium deposits with Alizarin red. Attachment of a greater number of cells exhibiting no degeneration in their morphology was observed on HAp/SCaP compared with HAp after incubation for 7 days or more. Culturing cells with the extract from HAp/SCaP resulted in promotion of alkaline phosphatase activity, the expression of type I collagen, and bone‐like tissue formation. The results of the present study indicate that HAp/SCaP shows greater ability in osteogenesis than HAp by increasing collagen synthesis and calcification of the extracellular matrix. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res 72A: 127–135, 2005
The effect of pre‐coking on the activity and selectivity of the catalytic cracking of squalane
Authors: Chia DA , Trimm DL
Published: December 2004

The pre‐coking of cracking catalysts has been reported to increase the yield of light cycle oil from fluid catalytic cracking. The present studies investigating an equilibrated catalyst show that this is not the case. The effect of pre‐treating equilibrated catalysts with coke and with ammonia shows that conversion was decreased in both cases and the product selectivity of the process changed. Both coke and ammonia were found to decrease site density, reducing the importance of hydrogen transfer reactions. Increased yields of light cycle oil as a result of pre‐coking can only be expected with fresh catalyst, where small amounts of coke deactivate the most acidic sites. Such sites have already been deactivated on equilibrated catalyst. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry
A typology of continuous improvement implementation processes
Authors: Rijnders Sander , Boer Harry
Published: December 2004

This article presents a typology of continuous improvement (CI) implementation processes. The typology is based on an empirical study of 26 companies engaged in the implementation of CI. The data underpinning the typology was collected through retrospective interviews guided by a semi‐structured questionnaire. Four different approaches to implementing CI are identified, described and analysed. The resulting typology contributes to the development of CI implementation theory—an underdeveloped area of theory—and is useful for companies considering to engage in, or step up, their CI activities. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Managing the knowledge landscape of an MNC: knowledge networking at Ericsson
Authors: Magnusson Mats G.
Published: December 2004

In organizations striving for continuous innovation, the deliberate handling of knowledge plays a fundamental role. This far, most knowledge management initiatives have consisted of the implementation of new IT tools allowing for more efficient information handling. This approach has been criticized, as it does not consider certain aspects of knowledge, e.g. tacitness, social embeddedness and the creation of new knowledge. Alternative knowledge management approaches based on a more comprehensive notion of knowledge have been called for, but few examples of what these could look like in practice have been given. One example of an attempt to manage knowledge in a more holistic manner is knowledge networking. Based on case studies of seven different knowledge networking initiatives within Ericsson, the key components of the overall approach are described and some of the challenges posed to management are identified. Key issues that need to be attended to when designing and implementing individual knowledge networking initiatives are the extension and focus of user groups, the role of management in the initiatives and the promotion of knowledge‐sharing behaviour throughout the organization. Ericsson's knowledge networking strategy aims at developing a loosely coupled structure of nuclei for knowledge creation and sharing, connected to each other by different kinds of knowledge directories. This appears to have some advantages compared to traditional knowledge management strategies, as it supports the creation and sharing of both tacit and explicit knowledge. Furthermore, its strong focus on locally developed initiatives and knowledge directories may offer a more dynamic support structure than traditional top‐down initiatives focusing primarily on knowledge repositories. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Corrosion fatigue of spot‐welded austenitic stainless steels in 3.5% NaCl solution
Authors: Somervuori M. E. , Alenius M. T. , Hänninen H. E. , Karppi R.
Published: December 2004

Corrosion fatigue and fatigue properties of spot‐welded austenitic stainless steels EN 1.4301 and EN 1.4318 in 2B or 2F and 2H conditions were investigated in 3.5% sodium chloride (NaCl) solution and in air. The shear‐loaded specimens were single spot overlap joints.

The effect of steel grade, load, frequency, temperature and type of chloride on fatigue strength of the 1.0 mm thick steel specimens was evaluated by using the Taguchi Method®. Increase of the load, rise of temperature and lowering of the frequency accelerate corrosion fatigue of the spot‐welded steel samples. Type of chloride had only a minor effect on fatigue strength. The 2B grade spot‐welded steel samples exhibited better fatigue strength than the 2H grade samples of the same steels.

On the basis of the results obtained by the Taguchi Method® the S‐N curves were defined for the spot‐welded 1.9 mm thick steels in 3.5% sodium chloride solution at 50°C. For reference the fatigue experiments were performed in air at the ambient temperature. Comparison of the results shows that corrosive environment decreases remarkably the fatigue strength of the spot‐welded steels. The EN 1.4301 2H and EN 1.4318 2H steels have no distinctive difference in their corrosion fatigue strength even though they show a different fatigue behaviour in air.

The microscopic investigations indicate that the fatigue cracks in the spot welds initiate from either side of the recrystallised area in the HAZ outside the spot‐weld nugget both in air and in the corrosive environments. Pre‐exposure in the corrosive environment seems to have no major influence on the crack initiation, because the cracks do not initiate at the heat‐tinted area of the crevice where the crevice corrosion occurs.
Corrosion resistance of the high‐strength filler metal NiCr20Fe14Mo11WN (alloy 50 PLUS)
Authors: Brill U.
Published: December 2004

The Nb‐free NiCr20Fe14Mo11WN alloy has been developed as a new filler metal which combines high strength and excellent corrosion resistance in wet environments at ambient temperatures.

The alloy is characterized by exceptional resistance to pitting and crevice corrosion, no sensitiveness to chloride induced stress corrosion cracking and shows high mechanical properties, e.g. 0.2 %‐yield strength.

Because the alloy is practically free of stable nitride formers like niobium, titanium etc., no nitride formation during welding of super austenitic, duplex and super duplex steels is possible, which proves the alloy to be superior to alloy 625.
Fuzzy cluster analysis constructed by numeric genetic algorithm (NGA) and its use in the evaluation of heterogeneity of temporarily protective oil coating
Authors: Zhong Q. , Rohwerder M. , Chen W. , Liu D.
Published: December 2004

A fuzzy cluster analysis based on a numeric genetic algorithm (NGA) was applied for the study of the inhomogeneity of temporarily protective oil coating. Three different types of film behaviour can be assigned to the investigated temporarily protective coating: corrosive, protective and unstable. It is suggested that utilizing this method could evaluate the heterogeneity of temporarily protective oil coating more efficiently, precisely and more comprehensively.
Comparison of four methods for monitoring the kinetics of curing of a phenolic resin
Authors: Malkin A.Ya. , Gorbunova I.Yu. , Kerber M.L.
Published: December 2004

The kinetics of curing of several phenolic resin compounds were studied with the use of four techniques: viscometry, infrared spectroscopy (IR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and thermomechanical analysis. The objective was to compare the effectiveness of these methods. It was found that the viscosity increase during oligomer curing can be described by an exponential function, and that the rate of viscosity increase can be described in terms of a “viscometric” kinetic constant, kη. The gel‐time, t*, was found by extrapolation of the time dependence of the reciprocal viscosity. The product (t*kη) appears to be constant for all temperatures. It was concluded that each experimental technique reflects a different kinetic process, and it is not possible to correlate the results of one technique with those of another. The degree of conversion at the gel point, β*, depends on temperature, and it is thought that this is due to the heterogeneous nature of curing. The glass temperature (as determined from the maximum in the loss tangent) is related to the degree of curing by the DiBenedetto equation, which can be used to determine the degree of conversion during the final stages of the reaction. POLYM. ENG. SCI. 45:95–102, 2005. © 2004 Society of Plastics Engineers
Proteomic analysis of plasma membrane vesicles isolated from the rat renal cortex
Authors: Cutillas Pedro R. , Biber Juerg , Marks Joanne , Jacob Richard , Stieger Bruno , Cramer Rainer , Waterfield Michael , Burlingame Alma L. , Unwin Robert J.
Published: December 2004

Polarized epithelial cells are responsible for the vectorial transport of solutes and have a key role in maintaining body fluid and electrolyte homeostasis. Such cells contain structurally and functionally distinct plasma membrane domains. Brush border and basolateral membranes of renal and intestinal epithelial cells can be separated using a number of different separation techniques, which allow their different transport functions and receptor expressions to be studied. In this communication, we report a proteomic analysis of these two membrane segments, apical and basolateral, obtained from the rat renal cortex isolated by two different methods: differential centrifugation and free‐flow electrophoresis. The study was aimed at assessing the nature of the major proteins isolated by these two separation techniques. Two analytical strategies were used: separation by sodium dodecyl sulfate‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS‐PAGE) at the protein level or by cation‐exchange high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) after proteolysis (i.e., at the peptide level). Proteolytic peptides derived from the proteins present in gel pieces or from HPLC fractions after proteolysis were sequenced by on‐line liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry (LC‐MS/MS). Several hundred proteins were identified in each membrane section. In addition to proteins known to be located at the apical and basolateral membranes, several novel proteins were also identified. In particular, a number of proteins with putative roles in signal transduction were identified in both membranes. To our knowledge, this is the first reported study to try and characterize the membrane proteome of polarized epithelial cells and to provide a data set of the most abundant proteins present in renal proximal tubule cell membranes.∁
Lu2O3:Yb3+ ceramics – a novel gain material for high‐power solid‐state lasers
Authors: Takaichi K. , Yagi H. , Shirakawa A. , Ueda K. , Hosokawa S. , Yanagitani T. , Kaminskii A. A.
Published: December 2004

We have developed Yb3+:Lu2O3 ceramics with nanocrystalline technology and a vacuum sintering method. A laser diode end‐pumped efficient Yb3+:Lu2O3 ceramic laser was demonstrated. A 0.7 W cw output power was obtained with the slope efficiency of ≈36% at 1035 nm wavelength, and 0.95 W with the slope efficiency of ≈53% at 1079 nm. We classify the Lu2O3:Yb3+ ceramics as gain medium for high‐power solid‐state lasers (© 2005 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Application of tandem mass spectrometry combined with gas chromatography to the routine analysis of ethyl carbamate in stone‐fruit spirits
Authors: Lachenmeier Dirk W. , Frank Willi , Kuballa Thomas
Published: December 2004

Gas chromatography (GC) coupled to mass spectrometry (MS) operated in selected ion monitoring (SIM) mode is currently the method of choice for the determination of the toxic contaminant ethyl carbamate in alcoholic beverages. However, even after extensive sample cleanup over diatomaceous earth columns, the identity of ethyl carbamate often cannot be ascertained with confidence, due to inconsistent ratios of the SIM ions m/z 62, 74 and 44 because the qualifier ions are highly susceptible to interferences. Therefore, a new method combining GC and tandem MS using a triple‐quadrupole instrument is introduced to determine ethyl carbamate in stone‐fruit spirits. For quantitative analysis the characteristic transitions of m/z 74 → 44 and m/z 62 → 44 for ethyl carbamate as well as m/z 64 → 44 for the deuterated internal standard ethyl carbamate‐d5 were monitored in the multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode. In the validation studies, ethyl carbamate exhibited good linearity with a regression coefficient of 1.000. The limits of detection and quantitation were 0.01 and 0.04 mg/L. The recovery of the method was 100.4 ± 9.4%. The precision never exceeded 7.8% (intraday) and 10.1% (interday) and the trueness never exceeded 11.3% (intraday) and 12.2% (interday) at any of the concentrations examined, indicating good assay accuracy. A good agreement of analytical results between a previously developed GC/MS SIM method and the GC/MS/MS MRM procedure was found (R = 0.987). Regarding the validation data, the procedure is sensitive, selective and reproducible. The applicability of the developed method was demonstrated by the investigation of 70 stone‐fruit spirits from commercial trade. The ethyl carbamate concentration of the samples ranged between 0.07 and 7.70 mg/L (mean 1.21 mg/L). The main advantage of the developed GC/MS/MS method is the reliability of the results without the need for time‐consuming confirmatory analyses. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Dissociation of gas‐phase dimeric complexes of lactic acid and transition‐metal ions formed under electrospray ionization conditions; the role of reduction of the metal ion
Authors: Kumar M. Ravi , Prabhakar S. , Kumar M. Kiran , Reddy T. Jagadeshwar , Vairamani M.
Published: December 2004

Dimeric complex ions of the type [M(A‐H)A]+, where M = metal ion (Co, Ni, Cu, and Zn) and A = ligand (lactic acid, methyl lactate or ethyl lactate), were generated in the gas phase under electrospray ionization conditions. The collision‐induced dissociation spectra of [M(A‐H)A]+ ions were recorded to study the behaviour of ligand and metal ions in decomposition of these dimeric complex ions. Based on the fragmentation pathways observed for complex ions of lactic acid, it is found that both the carboxylic and hydroxyl groups of lactic acid are involved in the complex formation following displacement of a proton by the metal ion. The dimeric complex ions of Co, Ni, and Zn dissociated to yield similar types of ions, whereas that of Cu behaved differently. The dissociations of Co‐, Ni‐, and Zn‐bound dimeric complexes involved losses of neutral molecules while keeping the oxidation state of the metal ion unchanged. However, elimination of radicals is found in the dissociation of dimeric complex ions of Cu, and the oxidation state of copper is reduced from Cu(II) to Cu(I) in the resulting fragment ions. The deprotonated ligand is involved in the fragmentation pathway of Cu complexes, whereas it is intact in other complexes. The oxidation state of the metal ion, nature of the ligand, and site of attachment to the metal ion are found to control the dissociation of these dimeric complex ions. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Quantitative determination of fluvastatin in human plasma by gas chromatography/negative ion chemical ionization mass spectrometry using [18O2]‐fluvastatin as an internal standard
Authors: Leis Hans Jörg , Windischhofer Werner
Published: December 2004

A sensitive and specific method for the quantitative determination of fluvastatin in human plasma is presented. The drug was isolated from plasma by extractive alkylation with pentafluorobenzyl bromide and further derivatized to the bis‐trimethylsilyl derivative. [18O2]‐Fluvastatin was prepared from unlabelled fluvastatin and used as an internal standard. Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry under negative ion chemical ionization conditions was used for quantitative measurement of the drug, using m/z 554.26 and 558.26 for target and internal standard, respectively. Calibration graphs were linear within a range of 2 and 512 ng mL−1 plasma. Intra‐day precision was 0.94% (2 ng mL−1), 2.53% (8.2 ng mL−1), 2.16% (81.9 ng mL−1) and 3.26% (409.6 ng mL−1); inter‐day variability was found to be 1.64% (2 ng mL−1), 0.97% (8.2 ng mL−1), 1.97% (81.9 ng mL−1) and 2.01% (409.6 ng mL−1). Intra‐day accuracy showed deviations of 0.6% (2 ng mL−1), 0.37% (8.2 ng mL−1), −1.52% (81.9 ng mL−1) and −1.67% (409.6 ng mL−1); inter‐day accuracy was of −1.64% (2 ng mL−1), −1.13% (8.2 ng mL−1), −2.28% (81.9 ng mL−1) and −0.46% (409.6 ng mL−1). The stable isotope labelled standard was found to be stable under the analytical conditions. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Reversible Regulation of Gelatinization of Potato Starch with Poly(ε‐lysine) and Amino Acids
Authors: Ito Azusa , Hattori Makoto , Yoshida Tadashi , Takahashi Koji
Published: December 2004

Poly(ε‐lysine) (PL), lysine (Lys), monosodium glutamate (GluNa), glycine (Gly), alanine (Ala), and leucine (Leu) were used to regulate the characteristic gelatinization behavior of potato starch. As determined by differential scanning calorimetry, PL, Lys, and GluNa with positive or negative net charge elevated the gelatinization temperature with increasing amount added as compared with the small effect of Gly, Ala, and Leu with zero net charge. The peak viscosity evaluated by a Rapid Viscoanalyser was markedly decreased by adding PL, Lys, and GluNa, whereas Gly and Ala had no effect on the peak viscosity. The swelling was also decreased by added PL, Lys, and GluNa, whereas it was unchanged by added Gly, Ala, and Leu. Potato starch immersed in PL or amino acid solution released most of the retained PL and amino acids by the subsequent washing with water. The increased gelatinization temperature of the PL‐treat­ed potato starch returned to the original value by washing with water. It is thus considered that the regulatory effects of PL and amino acids on the gelatinization behavior of potato starch were substantially reversible.
The influence of plant characteristics on the entry mode choice of overseas firms
Authors: Elango B.
Published: December 2004

One of the most important strategic decisions a manufacturing firm makes while expanding overseas is making the choice between setting up greenfield operations or acquiring a local firm. Using a knowledge‐based framework, I propose that the ability to transfer knowledge and competencies across national boundaries is much easier in plants characterized by physical capital investment. Hence, during overseas entry, manufacturing firms are likely to use greenfield operations. On the other hand, in plants characterized by human capital investment, the difficulty in transferring knowledge and the need to learn and adapt to host nation requirements will make a local acquisition the preferred mode of entry by manufacturing firms. Using 682 entry decisions made by manufacturing firms during entry into the U.S., I investigate this notion while controlling for size of the industry, research intensity of the industry, degree of unionization, cultural distance, and the value of investment. Study findings indicate that in plants characterized by human capital intensity, the preferred entry mode is acquisitions over greenfield operations. However, foreign entrants with physical capital‐intensive plants prefer greenfield operations over acquisitions.
Coordinating product design, process design, and supply chain design decisions
Authors: Rungtusanatham M. , Forza C.
Published: December 2004

Despite the undeniable appeal and importance of coordinating decisions across products design, manufacturing process design, and supply chain design to both science and practice, we know very little about how to do so to maximize operational, supply chain, and firm performance. This special issue on Coordinating Product Design, Process Design, and Supply Chain Design Decisions was conceived early 2003 to bring awareness to and to spur scholarly research into this topic. In doing so, we cast a wide net from both content and methodological perspectives, encouraging interdisciplinary papers that were theory‐building and/or theory‐testing in purpose using either empirical‐based (e.g., case research, survey research, historical research, etc.) and/or modeling (i.e., optimization or simulation) methodologies.

The resulting seven papers represent the fruits of this harvest and are being presented in two consecutive parts. Whereas Part A introduces the three papers that speak to the performance implications of coordinating product design, manufacturing process design, and supply chain design decisions, Part B introduces the remaining four papers that address how and why these three decision areas can be coordinated. Included in Part A of this special issue, we also make the review process transparent for third‐party evaluation and, more importantly, formally recognize and thank the numerous colleagues from across multiple disciplines and academic institutions around the world for their efforts in helping us produce this two‐part special issue.
Anisotropy and mantle flow in the Chile‐Argentina subduction zone from shear wave splitting analysis
Authors: Anderson Megan L. , Zandt George , Triep Enrique , Fouch Matthew , Beck Susan
Published: December 2004

We examine shear wave splitting in teleseismic phases to observe seismic anisotropy in the South American subduction zone. Data is from the CHARGE network, which traversed Chile and western Argentina across two transects between 30°S and 36°S. Beneath the southern and northwestern parts of the network, fast polarization direction (ϕ) is consistently trench‐parallel, while in the northeast ϕ is trench‐normal; the transition between these two zones is gradual. We infer that anisotropy sampled by teleseismic phases is localized within or below the subducting slab. We explain our observations with a model in which eastward, Nazca‐entrained asthenospheric flow is deflected by retrograde motion of the subducting Nazca plate. Resulting southward flow through this area produces N‐S ϕ observed in the south and northwest; E‐W ϕ result from interaction of this flow with the local slab geometry producing eastward mantle flow under the actively flattening part of the slab.
A note on the relationship between ice core methane concentrations and insolation
Authors: Schmidt Gavin A. , Shindell Drew T. , Harder Susan
Published: December 2004

We re‐examine the link between July 30°N insolation and methane in the Vostok ice core. Based on this link, Ruddiman [2003] suggested that an anthropogenic source of methane must have been present after 5 kyr BP in order to prevent concentrations from declining as insolation decreased through the Holocene. We conclude however, that since precessional forcing does not explain the large glacial‐interglacial excursions, the component of methane variability associated with precession is significantly smaller than assumed by Ruddiman [2003]. The implied decrease from 10 kyr BP to the present associated with precession alone is 60 ppbv or less. We argue that increased emissions controlled by northern wetlands and river delta development likely contributed to the observed increase, consistent with similar stable CH4 levels at MIS 11 in the Vostok and Dome C records. Therefore a significant anthropogenic input is not obviously required to explain the late Holocene record.
Microscopic simulations of fracture dissolution
Authors: Szymczak P. , Ladd A. J. C.
Published: December 2004

Microscopic simulations of fracture dissolution are reported, taking account of the explicit topography of the pore space, the transport of reactants and products, and the chemical kinetics at the solid surfaces. A three‐dimensional numerical model has been constructed, in which the fluid velocity field is calculated with an implicit lattice‐Boltzmann method, and the transport of dissolved species is modeled by an innovative random walk algorithm that incorporates the chemical kinetics at the solid surfaces. The model contains no free parameters or semi‐empirical mass‐transfer coefficients. The simulated morphological changes in a complex fracture are compared with recent laboratory experiments [Detwiler et al., 2003] with the same initial topography.
Potential barrier in the electrostatic sheath around a magnetospheric spacecraft
Authors: Thiébault B. , Hilgers A. , Sasot E. , Laakso H. , Escoubet P. , Génot V. , Forest J.
Published: December 2004

Plasma and field measurements on board magnetospheric spacecraft can be influenced by the spacecraft potential and emitted particles such as photoelectrons and secondary electrons. There exist contradictory requirements for, on one hand, minimizing the spacecraft potential and, on the other hand, minimizing perturbations in the sheath and contamination by spacecraft‐generated electrons. Assessment and mitigation of such effects therefore require improved quantitative modeling of the spacecraft electrostatic sheath. In this paper a fully self‐consistent model of the plasma around an electron‐emitting central body in a spherically symmetric geometry is used to analyze the electrostatic sheath around an idealized magnetospheric spacecraft. Although the model is too simplistic to allow detailed comparisons with observations, it helps to analyze the phenomenon of potential barrier occurrence and some global characteristics, which can be relevant to conductive magnetospheric spacecraft like Geotail or Cluster. It is shown that nonmonotonic potential with negative potential barrier can exist all around a positively charged spacecraft even in the case of realistic illumination pattern. The magnitude of the potential barrier in regions of the magnetosphere with large Debye‐length plasma is found to be as large as a few volts negative for small positive spacecraft potential but that it quickly vanishes when the potential is increased by a few volts. Furthermore, the location of the potential barrier is found to be much more variable than previously predicted.
Postmidnight storm‐time enhancement of tens‐of‐keV proton flux
Authors: Ebihara Y. , Fok M.‐C.
Published: December 2004

We investigated the global morphology of the storm‐time distribution of ring current protons and energetic neutral atoms (ENAs) observed by the High‐Energy Neutral Atom (HENA) imager on the IMAGE satellite. The postmidnight enhancements of the proton and ENA fluxes were in particular focused on in this study, and the following six possible mechanisms causing the postmidnight enhancements were tested by using a self‐consistent kinetic simulation of the ring current protons: (1) shielding electric field, (2) gap between the region 2 field‐aligned current and the auroral oval, (3) strong gradient of the ionospheric conductivity near the terminator, (4) plasma sheet density, (5) plasma sheet temperature, and (6) local‐time dependence of the plasma sheet density. When the ring current is self‐consistently coupled with the ionosphere through the region 2 field‐aligned current, the simulated postmidnight enhancements are found to agree well with the IMAGE/HENA observations, even though effects other than shielding fields were not included. The overall convection strength is found to have a substantial influence on the morphology of the distribution of the ring current protons. The MLT of the flux peak is also shown to depend slightly on the plasma sheet density and solar activity. A local‐time dependence of the plasma sheet density can produce a pronounced postmidnight enhancement without introducing the self‐consistent electric field. Other possible mechanisms causing the postmidnight enhancements are also discussed in detail.
Diffractionless propagation of light in a low-index photonic-crystal film
Authors: Iliew R. , Etrich C. , Peschel U. , Lederer F. , Augustin M. , Fuchs H.-J. , Schelle D. , Kley E.-B. , Nolte S. , Tünnermann A.
Published: December 2004

We experimentally demonstrate diffractionless propagation of light over 12 diffraction lengths in a two-dimensional photonic crystal film made of silicon nitride (SiNx). We show that self-guided beams may propagate for transverse electric (TE) and transverse magnetic (TM) polarized light but at slightly different frequencies. Three-dimensional calculations are used to optimize the structure for low loss and narrow beam operation in this low-index photonic crystals. Experimental and theoretical results are in good agreement.
Spin-polarized tunneling in room-temperature mesoscopic spin valves
Authors: Valenzuela S. O. , Tinkham M.
Published: December 2004

We study optimization of spin injection and detection both at 4.2K and at room temperature using a metallic mesoscopic spin valve structure with tunneling interfaces between the ferromagnetic electrodes (CoFe or NiFe) and the central metallic conductor (Al). We investigate the influence of the barrier transparency on the spin polarization of the tunneling electrons by varying the O2 exposure of the Al film before depositing the ferromagnetic electrodes. An increase of the polarization from ∼10% to 16% (25% at 4.2K) is observed as the resistance of the junction is increased from 100to700Ωμm2. A spin transresistance as high as 2.5Ω is obtained at 4.2K.
Effects of periodic delta-doping on the properties of GaN:Si films grown on Si (111) substrates
Authors: Wang L. S. , Zang K. Y. , Tripathy S. , Chua S. J.
Published: December 2004

In this study, the effects of periodic Si delta-doping on the morphological and optical properties of GaN films grown on Si (111) substrate have been investigated. It is found that the flow rate of Si dopant during growth significantly affects the surface morphology, structural and optical quality of GaN. Compared to undoped GaN on Si(111), films grown using periodic delta-doping show a significant reduction of the in plane tensile stress, which is confirmed by the blueshift of the E2(TO) phonon and band edge photoluminescence peaks. The crack density in GaN films also reduces due to delta-doping.
Room-temperature external cavity GaSb-based diode laser around 2.13μm
Authors: Jacobs U. H. , Scholle K. , Heumann E. , Huber G. , Rattunde M. , Wagner J.
Published: December 2004

We report on a grating-tuned room-temperature (AlGaIn)(AsSb) diode laser oscillating on a single external cavity mode in the wavelength region around 2.13μm. A total tuning range of 43nm with an optical output power of up to 14.7mW was achieved with a linewidth less than 3.85MHz.
Wave-shaped Si crystal wafers obtained by plastic deformation and preparation of their solar cells
Authors: Nakajima Kazuo , Fujiwara Kozo , Pan Wugen
Published: December 2004

We can prepare wave-shaped crystal wafers by the plastic deformation of Si crystal wafers, and we report on the characteristics of solar cells fabricated using the wave-shaped Si wafers, in order to demonstrate whether the shaped wafers are of high quality to be used in the preparation of devices or not. To obtain wave-shaped Si wafers, graphite dies were used. The diameter of the convex and concave waves formed in the dies is 4mm. The Si wafers were pressed by an overload of 200N. A thickness versus temperature region for obtaining well wave-shaped Si wafers by plastic deformation was determined. Solar cells were prepared using wave-shaped wafers pressed at 1100 and 1200°C. The wafers were annealed at 1109 and 1209°C, respectively, for 1h in a hydrogen atmosphere. The conversion efficiency of the wave-shaped solar cells is 6.0%–10.1%. Thus, it is clarified that the wave-shaped wafers are of high quality to be used in the preparation of devices. The quality of the wafers can be significantly improved by suitable thermal treatments.
Chemical ordering in ilmenite-hematite bulk ceramics through proton irradiation
Authors: Allen D. M. , Navarrete L. , Dou J. , Schad R. , Padmini P. , Kale P. , Pandey R. K. , Shojah-Ardalan S. , Wilkins R.
Published: December 2004

We demonstrated the capability of MeV proton irradiation to promote chemical ordering processes in a solid at low temperature. We used the ilmenite–hematite solid solution system which allows estimation of the degree of ordering through measurement of its magnetization. Normally, ordering through diffusion would require high temperature annealing. At high temperatures, however, the equilibrium state would be less ordered and thus the achievable ordering incomplete. High energetic protons continuously transfer energy to the sample through electronic interaction which locally deposits large quantities of energy without a general increase of the sample temperature. This promotes diffusion processes which allow the system to relax towards the ordered equilibrium state.
Effect of the satellite lines and opacity on the extreme ultraviolet emission from high-density Xe plasmas
Authors: Sasaki Akira , Nishihara Katsunobu , Murakami Masakatsu , Koike Fumihiro , Kagawa Takashi , Nishikawa Takashi , Fujima Kazumi , Kawamura Tohru , Furukawa Hiroyuki
Published: December 2004

Extreme ultraviolet (EUV) emission from Xe plasma in the λ=13.5nm band is theoretically investigated for lithographic application. It appears that a large number of satellite lines due to the 4d–4f, 4d–5p, and 4p–4d transitions significantly contribute to the emission over the spectral range from 10to17nm. At electron densities above 1020∕cm3, laser-produced Xe plasmas attain quasilocal thermodynamic equilibrium (LTE) in order to make the emission intensity in the 13.5nm band comparable to that in the 11nm band.
Fatigue-free behavior of Bi3.25La0.75Ti3O12 thin films grown on several bottom eletrodes by the polymeric precursor method
Authors: Simões A. Z. , Ries A. , Filho F. M. , Riccardi C. S. , Varela J. A. , Longo E.
Published: December 2004

Fatigue-free Bi3.25La0.75Ti3O12 (BLT) thin films were grown on LaNiO3,RuO2, and La0.5Sr0.5CoO3 bottom electrodes in a microwave furnace at 700 °C for 10 min. The remanent polarization (Pr) and the drive voltage (Vc) were in the range of 11–23μC∕cm2 and 0.86–1.56 V, respectively, and are better than the values found in the literature. The BLT capacitors did not show any significant fatigue up to 1010read∕write switching cycles.
Grown-in twin boundaries affecting deformation mechanisms in nc-metals
Authors: Frøseth A. G. , Derlet P. M. , Van Swygenhoven H.
Published: December 2004

Molecular dynamics simulations have recently shown that the presence of grown-in twin boundaries in nc-Al promotes slip activity in the form of twin boundary migration. In this letter we investigate the effect of grown-in twin boundaries on the plastic deformation mechanism in nc-Ni and Cu, and show that (1) for these particular fcc metals twin boundary migration is not the favored deformation mechanism and (2) that the Schmid factors of the grown-in twin plane play a correspondingly important role. The results are explained in terms of the different ratios of the extrema of the generalized planar fault curves.
Impact of polydispersity on light propagation in colloidal photonic crystals
Authors: Allard Mathieu , Sargent Edward H.
Published: December 2004

The influence of polydispersity, or variations in the size of particles, on the transmittance of slabs of colloidal photonic crystals is analyzed. A model based on simulated annealing simulates the assembly of particles with a given size distribution into a dense array. The model reveals the existence of a transition between ordered and random packing at a polydispersity between 3% and 4%; this transition is associated with large changes in optical properties, in the form of greatly increased scattering and reduced contrast associated with the transmittance in and out of the stop band. The predictions of the model correspond closely to experimental measurements.
Mechanism for ohmic contact formation of Ni∕Ag contacts on p-type GaN
Authors: Jang Ho Won , Lee Jong-Lam
Published: December 2004

The mechanism for ohmic contact formation of Ni∕Ag contacts on p-type GaN was investigated using synchrotron photoemission spectroscopy. A low contact resistivity of 6.6×10−5Ωcm2 was obtained from Ni(50Å)∕Ag(1200Å) contact after annealing at 500°C in O2 ambient. Ni out-diffused to form a NiO and Ag in-diffused into the contact interface during the oxidation annealing. Out-diffused Ga atoms from GaN could dissolve in the Ag layer to form Ag–Ga solid solutions, leaving Ga vacancies below the contact. Ga vacancies could increase the net hole concentration and reduce the surface band bending, resulting in the ohmic contact formation.
Surface plasmon polariton based modulators and switches operating at telecom wavelengths
Authors: Nikolajsen Thomas , Leosson Kristjan , Bozhevolnyi Sergey I.
Published: December 2004

We report design, fabrication, and characterization of thermo-optic Mach–Zender interferometric modulators and directional-coupler switches whose operation utilizes the long-range surface-plasmon-polariton waveguiding along 15-nm-thin and 8-μm-wide gold stripes embedded in polymer and heated by electrical signal currents. The devices are characterized at the light wavelength of 1.55 μm, featuring low driving powers (<10mW for modulators and <100mW for switches), high extinction ratios (>30dB), moderate response times (∼1ms), and the total (fiber-to-fiber) insertion loss of ∼13dB (for modulators) and ∼11dB (for switches) when using single-mode fibers.
Noncontact surface tension and viscosity measurements of rhenium in the liquid and undercooled states
Authors: Ishikawa Takehiko , Paradis Paul-François , Yoda Shinichi
Published: December 2004

Surface tension and viscosity of liquid rhenium, which have hardly been measured due to the extremely high melting temperature of rhenium, were measured using an electrostatic levitation method combined with the oscillation drop technique. Sample position instability problems caused by the photon pressure of the heating lasers and by sample evaporation were solved by modifying the electrodes design. Good sample stability allowed the measurements of the surface tension and the viscosity over wide temperature ranges including the undercooled states. Over the 2800–3600K interval, the surface tension of rhenium was measured as σ(T)=2.71×103−0.23(T−Tm), where Tm is the melting temperature, 3453K. At Tm, the datum agrees well with the literature values. Similarly, on the same temperature range, the viscosity was determined as η(T)=0.08exp[1.33×105∕(RT)](mPas).
Silicon oxide colloidal∕polymer nanocomposite films
Authors: Wang Haifeng , Cao Wenwu , Zhou Q. F. , Shung K. Kirk , Huang Y. H.
Published: December 2004

The quarter-wavelength (λ∕4) acoustic matching layer, a vital component in medical ultrasonic transducer, can bridge the large acoustic impedance mismatch between the piezoelectric material and the human body. Composite materials are widely used as matching materials in order to cover the wide acoustic impedance range that cannot be accomplished by using a single-phase material. At high frequencies (>50MHz), the λ∕4 matching layers become extremely thin so that the fabrication of homogeneous composite material matching layers becomes very challenging. A method is reported in this letter to fabricate sol-gel silicon oxide colloidal∕polymer composite film on silicon substrate, in which the particle size of silicon oxide colloidal is between 10 and 40 nm. The acoustic impedance of the nanocomposite films versus aging temperature has been measured at the desired operating frequency.