bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Blood tumor permeability of experimental brain tumor: An electron microscopic study using lanthanum
Authors: Kato Takayuki , Tsuchida Takahiro , Kawamoto Keiji
Published: February 2005

In an attempt to assess the permeability of microvessels in the experimental brain tumor model, lanthanum ion (La3+) was used as a low‐molecular weight electron microscopic probe. Rat glioma 9 L and adenocarcinoma ACL15 were transplanted to the brain and subflank of rats. The rats were then anesthetized sequentially perfused with saline, saline plus La3+ followed by a fixative in phosphate buffer. The brain and subcutaneous tumors were removed, further fixed, and processed for electron microscopy. La3+ did not pass through the tight junctions of the normal cerebral endothelium. Similarly, La3+ did not penetrate the endothelial cell wall of the microvessels in the transplanted brain tumors. In contrast, extravasation of La3+ from the microvessels in the transplanted subcutaneous tumors was observed. The electron microscopy examination results indicate that the vesicular transport was a predominant mechanism in the penetration of La3+ through the endothelial cell wall. Since most chemotherapeutic agents similar as La3+ are of low molecular weight, we can suggest from the results of our present study that the blood tumor permeability of the anti‐cancer agents in the rat model of brain glioma transplantation differs from that in the rat model of subcutaneous glioma transportation. In other words, our results indicate that when the subcutaneous glioma transplantation model is used in sensitivity tests of anti‐cancer agents, it will possibly be very difficult to predict the anti‐neoplastic effect in vivo.
Chondromyxoid fibroma of the parietal bone
Authors: Karkuzhali Ponnuswamy , Chithralekha Sethuraman , Muthuvel Esakki , Daniel Rajesh Babbu
Published: February 2005

We report the case of an 11‐year old girl who presented with an intracranial chondromyxoid fibroma arising from parietal bone. Chondromyxoid fibroma is a benign cartilaginous neoplasm, which can be easily mistaken for chondrosarcoma, especially in small biopsies. It is more common in long bones and is least common in cranial bones. Published work describes about 33 cases occurring in cranial bones with almost equal incidence in the bones of the base of the skull and cranial vault. To our knowledge, this is the second case of chondromyxoid fibroma reported to occur in parietal bone and is the first case reported in an English‐language journal. We present this case for its rare anatomical, clinical, radiological and histological presentations.
Comparative status of activated ERK1/2 and PARP cleavage in human gliomas
Authors: Bhaskara Vasanth Kumar , Panigrahi Manas , Challa Sundaram , Babu Phanithi Prakash
Published: February 2005

Gliomas are the most common form of cerebral tumors. Understanding molecular features of glioma will eventually allow for targeted intervention and more promising approaches for treating gliomas. The present study is therefore carried out to check the levels of activated ERK1/2 with respect to phospho‐tyrosine and cleavage of poly ADP‐ribose polymerase (PARP). Recent experiments support  that  extracellular  signal  regulated  kinase (ERK), a mitogen activated protein (MAP) kinase might have a critical role in cell proliferation. PARP is a DNA‐repair enzyme activated by DNA strand breaks. Overactivation of PARP after cellular insult lead to cell death caused by rapid depletion of cellular ATP. Three glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) and two astrocytoma biopsies (core tumor) and peripheral tissues were analyzed for the expression of p‐ERK1/2 and PARP. Results indicate higher p‐ERK1/2 in GBM. Cleaved fragments of PARP (89 kDa) were found to be more in core tumor tissue samples as compared to peripheral tumor tissues of both astrocytoma and GBM.
Connections between the lacrimal gland and sensory trigeminal neurons: a WGA/HRP study in the cynomolgous monkey
Authors: Baljet Bob , VanderWerf Frans
Published: February 2005

The sensory innervation of the lacrimal gland (LG) in the cynomolgous monkey was studied using the retrograde wheat germ agglutinin/horsereadish peroxidase (WGA/HRP) tracer technique. A small solidified piece of WGA/HRP was implanted in the LG. Labelled sensory first‐order neurons were found in the ipsilateral trigeminal ganglion (TG) and in the ipsilateral mesencephalic trigeminal nucleus (MTN). The distribution of labelled TG neurons was restricted to ophthalmic and maxillary ganglionic parts. Sensory innervation of LG by primary afferents is not only restricted to TG; an MTN involvement has also been found. This may imply that there is a central sensory role in the production and release of tears.
Tear‐film lipid layer morphology and corneal sensation in the development of blinking in neonates and infants
Authors: Lawrenson John G. , Birhah Rosalind , Murphy Paul J.
Published: February 2005

The aim of the study was to evaluate the role of lipid layer thickness and corneal sensation in the development of blinking in neonates. The study group comprised sixty‐four neonates and infants (mean age 27.5 ± 15 (sd) weeks, range 3.4–52) whose mothers were attending a general practice healthy baby clinic. Spontaneous eye‐blink activity was determined from digital videographic recordings; tear film lipid layer morphology wasexamined using interference patterns produced by the Keeler Tearscope™ Plus over a five‐point grading scale (higher grades are associated with thick and stable lipid films); corneal sensation threshold was assessed with the Non‐Contact Corneal Aesthesiometer (NCCA), using the eye‐blink response as an objective indication that the cooling stimulus had been felt; palpebral aperture dimensions were measured using calibrated digital still images of the eye in the primary position. The overall mean spontaneous blink‐rate was found to be 3.6 (± 0.3) blinks min−1, and the mean interblink time was 21.6 (± 2.8) s. The lowest blink‐rates were observed in the 0–17‐week age group (average 2 blinks min−1). The blink‐rate showed a highly significant correlation with age (r = 0.46, P < 0.01). The overall mean lipid layer grading was 3.6 (± 0.2 SE) arbitrary units. Higher grades were found in the newborn and the mean grading score reduced with age (P < 0.01). The mean sensation threshold to blink (TTB) was 0.69 (0.04 SE) mbar, which did not differ from a control group of older subjects (P > 0.05). There was a rapid increase in palpebral aperture length and width from birth to 1 year old, with surface area increasing by 50% over the same period. We concluded that the low rate of spontaneous eye blink activity in neonates is associated with a thick stable lipid layer that may be a function of a small palpebral aperture. Furthermore, neonates appear to have the capacity to detect ocular surface cooling, which is a major trigger for spontaneous blinking.
Innervation of the porcine ciliary muscle and outflow region
Authors: May Christian Albrecht , Skorski Liliana Maria , Lütjen‐Drecoll Elke
Published: February 2005

The porcine eye serves as a model to study various functions of the aqueous outflow system. To compare these data with the primate eye, a detailed investigation of the distribution of contractile properties and of the innervation of the outflow region was conducted in the porcine eye. In all quadrants of the anterior eye segment, elastic fibres connected the ciliary muscle (CM) with the well‐developed scleral spur (ScS) and also partly with the corneoscleral trabecular meshwork (TM) and the loops of the collecting outflow channels. Immunohistochemistry with antibodies against smooth muscle α‐actin revealed intense staining of the CM and some myofibroblasts in the ScS and outer TM. In addition to a few cholinergic and aminergic nerve fibres in the outflow region, numerous substance P‐ and calcitonin‐gene related peptide‐positive nerve fibres and nerve endings were found near the outflow loops of the porcine TM. Although the porcine CM serves rather as a tensor choroideae muscle than as a muscle for accommodation, the innervation and morphology of the collecting outflow channel loops and of the expanded TM between the ScS and the cornea showed close similarities to the primate eye.
The human choriocapillaris: evidence for an intrinsic regulation of the endothelium?
Authors: Cavallotti Carlo , Corrado Balacco Gabrieli , Feher Janos
Published: February 2005

The aim of the present study was to describe the ultrastructure of particular cells observed in the microvascular bed of the healthy human choroid, in close relation to the wall of the microvessels and resembling the periadventitial cells of other vascular areas of the human body. Serial sections of 12 fresh human eyes were studied by transmission electron microscopy. In all the eyes, the sections were obtained by cutting from the same zones (inner and outer choroid at the posterior pole of the eye). Standard techniques were used for transmission electron microscopy. Round cell bodies were found in the inner choroid at the posterior pole of the eye, mainly located in the intercapillary connective tissue. The cells were composed of an electron‐transparent cytoplasm containing a few small mitochondria, and a dilated smooth surface of endoplasmic reticulum, at some points continuous with the nuclear membrane. These cells showed processes forming contact with the capillary wall. Some of these processes extended to the elastic layer of Bruch's membrane, but none had contact with the retinal pigment epithelium. A thin basement membrane surrounded both the cell bodies and processes. We believe that these cells are special cells resembling some type of periendothelial cells also localized in other microvascular districts of the human body. The close topographic correlation with the endothelial cells seems to indicate that these special cells play a role in the intrinsic control of proper endothelial functions.
Re‐evaluation and quantification of the different sources of nerve fibres supplying the rat eye
Authors: Cavallotti Carlo , Frati Alessandro , Sagnelli Paolo , Pescosolido Nicola
Published: February 2005

The denervation and/or the removal of peripheral nerve ganglia are useful surgical techniques for studying the source and distribution of peripheral nerves in all organs, including the eye. The amount and distribution of the remaining nerve fibres supplying the eye (after sectioning of various types of nervous fibres and/or removal of nerve ganglia) were evaluated in the rat. Male Sprague–Dawley rats were anaesthetized and one or more of the following nervous tissues were removed: superior cervical ganglion, main ciliary ganglion, pterygopalatine ganglion, trigeminal ganglion and the ophthalmic‐maxillary nerve. In some animals, chemical sympathectomy was performed by administration of 6‐OH dopamine. The eyes were cut in serial sections, but only three regions (cornea, iris and choroid) were harvested and submitted for various nerve fibre staining techniques. The results were quantified and statistically analysed. Superior cervical ganglionectomy and/or chemical sympathectomy induced the destruction of almost all the catecholaminergic nerve fibres in the three examined regions of the rat eye. Removal of the ciliary ganglion (partial parasympathectomy) caused the destruction of about 60% of the cholinergic nerve fibres of the same regions of the rat eye, while subtotal parasympathectomy destroyed about 80% of the cholinergic nerve fibres. Surgical transsection of the ophthalmo‐maxillary nerve or the removal of the trigeminal ganglion led to a degeneration of almost all sensitive nerve fibres of the three examined regions of the rat eye. The denervation experiments confirmed the presence of the different types of nerve fibres (sympathetic, parasympathetic and sensitive) in the three studied structures of the rat eye.
Family, caring and ageing in the United Kingdom
Authors: Gilbert Tony , Powell Jason L.
Published: February 2005

This paper provides a critical exploration of the assumptions and narratives underpinning the development of social policy initiatives targeting caring relationships based upon family ties. Using a narrative approach attention is drawn to the ways in which family identities are open to a far greater range of negotiation than is assumed by policy. Drawing on the United Kingdom as a case example, questions are posed about intergenerational relations and the nature of late life citizenship. The comparatively recent invention of narratives supporting ‘informal care’ and the link with neo‐liberal and ‘third way’ notions of active citizenship are explored. As is the failure of policy developments to take into account the diversity of care giving styles and the complexity of caring relationships. It is argued that the uneven and locally specific ways in which policy develops enables the co‐existence of a complex range of narratives about family, caring and ageing which address diverse aspects of the family life of older people in often contradictory ways.
Young women's lifestyle behaviours and their bone mineral density changes: a grounded theory analysis
Authors: Elgán Carina , Dykes Anna‐Karin , Samsioe Göran , Fridlund Bengt
Published: February 2005

Background:  Only limited information is available on healthy young women's perspective of their own lifestyle behaviours. By lifestyle behaviours, e.g. smoking and physical activity, individuals have the possibility to influence bone mineral density (BMD). The aim of this study was to generate a theoretical model of lifestyle behaviours among young women with different BMD changes.

Methods:  Data were collected by interviewing with 11 women, and the material was analysed by means of the grounded theory.

Findings:  Two core categories were generated: (i) the respondents’ outlook on life and (ii) their life situation. The respondents’ outlook on life was either ‘rigid’ or ‘relaxed’. Respondents who had a rigid outlook on life adjusted with others and had a decreased BMD while those with a relaxed outlook on life were doing things for fun and had an increased BMD level. Life situation also consisted of two categories: ‘stagnation’ and ‘development’. Respondents in a static life situation did not pursue any active actions while in a developing life situation, the respondents were actively striving towards a goal. Four dimensions which characterized the respondents’ outlook on life in relation to their life situation emerged: subordinating and enduring with a decreased BMD level or compromising and discerning with an increased BMD level.

Conclusion:  It seems as if the outlook on life has a greater influence than the acted lifestyle behaviour for bone development. Further research is needed to generalize the findings of this study and to explore the importance of the outlook on life among women of all ages.
Psychiatric nurses’ attitudes towards identified inpatients as measured by the semantic differential technique
Authors: Hellzén Maria , Lind Ingbritt , Dahl Annika , Hellzén Ove
Published: February 2005

Nursing care can figuratively be described as a gift that is given by the nurse in the nurse–patient relationship where attitudes play an important role for the gift's appearance. Sometimes patients are unwilling to or incapable of accepting the gift and this can lead to situations in which nurses are not able to handle their situation in a professional manner. This research survey aimed to investigate nurses’ attitudes and find a structure in nurses’ attitudes towards their patients.

Six psychiatric group dwellings and six acute psychiatric hospital wards participated in the study. In all, 2700 assessments of 163 patients were sent out to 160 respondents and 2436 answers were returned. The semantic differential technique was used. The scale has 57 bipolar pairs of adjective, which estimate an unknown number of dimensions of nurses’ attitudes towards an identified patient. The respondents’ answers were analysed through factor analysis rotated using the Varimax method and etropy‐based measures of association combined with structural plots were also used.

Both the factor analysis and the entropy revealed three factors, which were interpreted as being of evaluative type. Factor 1 was interpreted as describing nurses’ answers mainly as a combination of an ethical and aesthetic evaluation of the patients. Factor 2 was interpreted as being of an empathetic type and factor 3 as nurses’ experiences of the patients’ cognitive capacity. The study indicates that the dominant aspect of nurses’ attitudes in a psychiatric context is the ethical/aesthetic dimension, which is an important finding for the understanding of nurses’ attitudes and actions towards their patients.
Swedish upper secondary school pupils’ sense of coherence, coping resources and aggressiveness in relation to educational track and performance
Authors: Kristensson Per , Öhlund Lennart S.
Published: February 2005

The health of an individual depends on how well he or she can handle various stressors in his or her environment. One vulnerable period occurs during the transition from child to adult. The overall aim of this research project was to determine whether differences in the ability to deal with stress are related to various health indicators, aggression, and school marks during primary and upper secondary school. Data were collected class‐wise and 253 Swedish upper secondary school pupils participated. Three well‐established questionnaires [Sense of Coherence (SOC), Coping Resources Inventory (CRI) and Aggression Questionnaire (AQ)] were used. In addition, blood pressure, teacher evaluation and school marks were collected. Some demographic data such as gender, age and type of study programme were also collected. Both SOC and Coping Resources Inventory correlated significantly positively with many of the primary and upper secondary marks, while the AQ had significantly negative correlations with the mark. Females obtained higher values than males in Coping Resources Inventory, but lower in SOC and AQ.
Evaluating the accuracy of Malformations Surveillance Program in detecting virilization due to congenital adrenal hyperplasia
Authors: Travitz Julie , Westgate Marie Noel , Larson Cecilia , Holmes Lewis B.
Published: February 2005

ABSTRACT  Malformations surveillance programs of newborn infants have been developed as a method for identifying serious and relatively common birth defects. The virilization of newborn infants with the classic 21‐hydroxylase form of congenital adrenal hyperplasia must be identified early if the associated metabolic crisis in the perinatal period is to be prevented. We compared the detection of virilization associated with 21‐hydroxylase congenital adrenal hyperplasia in infants by three methods: an ‘active’ malformations surveillance of medical records at a large urban hospital; routine medical care by examining physicians; and newborn biochemical screening of blood samples. The experience at a large maternity center in Boston, since 1972, showed that pediatricians often recognized affected females (6/6), but not males (0/2); the state newborn screening program, begun in 1990, identified correctly all affected males and females. The Active Malformations Surveillance Program was the least effective screening method, identifying four of six affected females and neither of the affected males. The low rate of detecting affected females by the Surveillance Program was attributed to a failure to sensitize the research assistants to the importance of physicians’ notations regarding the signs and symptoms of virilization. The failure of examining physicians, and thereby, the malformations surveillance program, to detect virilized newborn males was due to the lack of consistent associated physical features. These comparisons between these three methods of detection can be used to design and improve malformations surveillance programs.
A SIMPLE METHOD TO DETERMINE DIFFUSION OF SODIUM IN THE EPIDERMIS OF GREEN OLIVES
Authors: ZURITZ CARLOS ALBERTO , MALDONADO MARIELA BEATRIZ
Published: February 2005

The present study reports a simple method, both mathematical and experimental, to determine variable effective diffusion coefficients for sodium through the skins of olives. Skins removed from green olives, variety Arauco (also known as Criolla), were studied using a lye concentration of 2.25% (w/w) of NaOH at 20C. The diffusion of sodium was evaluated through fresh skins and previously alkali‐treated skins. The measured values of effective diffusion coefficients for untreated (fresh) olive skins increased two orders of magnitude during the processing time, from 10−12 to 10−10 m2/s. Whereas, the effective diffusion coefficients determined for previously treated olive skins were of the order of 10−10 m2/s and increased very little with treatment time.
HIGH‐PRESSURE DIFFERENTIAL SCANNING CALORIMETRY: EVALUATION OF PHASE TRANSITION IN PORK MUSCLE AT HIGH PRESSURES
Authors: ZHU S. , RAMASWAMY H.S. , LE BAIL A.
Published: February 2005

High‐pressure (HP) differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was used to investigate phase‐transition behavior of water in pork muscle at elevated pressures. Fresh pork (rib portion) muscle samples (0.62–0.72 g, vacuum‐packaged in polyethylene pouches) were tested through isothermal pressure‐scan (P‐scan, 0.3 MPa/min) and isobaric temperature‐scan (T‐scan,  0.15C/min) techniques. By using P‐scan testing procedure, the relationship between phase‐transition temperature (T) of frozen pork and the weighted‐average pressure during the phase‐change period (P̄1−2) was found to be T = −1.17 − 0.102P̄1−2 − 0.00019P̄ (R2 = 0.998, n = 10). Comparing with similar temperature pressure relationship classically established for pure water, it was observed that the depression of phase‐change temperature was much more pronounced in pork muscle than in pure water, and the degree of depression increased with an increase in pressure level. The ice content was evaluated with P‐scan at various constant calorimetric temperatures and compared with similar data from conventional DSC. Differences between the two were statistically insignificant (P > 0.05). T‐scan tests demonstrated phase‐transition behavior at constant pressure, but results were not very satisfactory. Overall, HP DSC seems a powerful technique for phase‐transition characterization of water in real foods during HP process.
EFFECTS OF DELIVERY METHOD ON THE SENSORY PERCEPTION OF SEMISOLID DAIRY DESSERTS
Authors: ENGELEN L. , DE WIJK R.A. , PRINZ J.F.
Published: February 2005

This study tests the possibility that sensory attributes are affected by the method by which a food is transferred to the mouth. For example, hot liquids appear to be considerably hotter when taken through a straw than when taken using a cup. Pre‐weighed samples of two vanilla flavoured dairy custards were presented, in random order, to 16 trained panellists using a spoon, an 11‐mm diameter straw or a modified straw that had a 4‐mm diameter constriction within it. Panellists rated products using a subset of attributes generated by a quantitative descriptive analysis panel. The amount ingested was measured by re‐weighing each sample after assessment. Each experiment was repeated three times. There were significant differences in the amount ingested for the two products. The delivery method had no effect on the sensory attributes of the products other than for thickness and melting, where products taken with the spoon were rated as less viscous than when taken through a straw. The constriction in the straw had no effect on either the amount ingested or on any of the sensory attributes. This study demonstrates that resistance to sucking does not affect perception of thickness.
Sham surgery controls are mitigated trolleys
Authors: Albin R L
Published: February 2005

Debate continues about the ethics of sham surgery controls. The most powerful argument for sham surgery controls is that rigorous experiments are needed to demonstrate safety and efficacy of surgical procedures. Without such experiments, there is danger of adopting worthless procedures in clinical practice. Opponents of sham surgery controls argue that sham surgery constitutes unacceptable violation of the rights of research subjects. Recent philosophical discussion has used two thought experiments—the transplant case and the trolley problem—to explore the circumstances under which individuals may be harmed to benefit a larger group. The transplant case is felt to exemplify circumstances that forbid harming some to benefit a larger group while the trolley problem exemplifies circumstances that permit harming some to benefit others. I argue that sham surgery controls satisfy criteria derived from the trolley problem and are morally permissible.
Ethical issues in funding orphan drug research and development
Authors: Gericke C A , Riesberg A , Busse R
Published: February 2005

This essay outlines the moral dilemma of funding orphan drug research and development. To date, ethical aspects of priority setting for research funding have not been an issue of discussion in the bioethics debate. Conflicting moral obligations of beneficence and distributive justice appear to demand very different levels of funding for orphan drug research. The two types of orphan disease, rare diseases and tropical diseases, however, present very different ethical challenges to questions about allocation of research funds. The dilemma is analysed considering utilitarian and rights based theories of justice and moral obligations of non-abandonment and a professional obligation to advance medical science. The limitations of standard economic evaluation tools and other priority setting tools used to inform health policy decision makers on research funding decisions are outlined.
Will international human rights subsume medical ethics? Intersections in the UNESCOUniversal Bioethics Declaration
Authors: Faunce T A
Published: February 2005

The International Bioethics Committee (IBC) of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) is currently drafting aUniversal Bioethics Declaration(“the declaration”). The content and even the name of the declaration has yet to be finalised, but it is expected to range widely over human and non-human bioethics. It appears likely to include many articles directly related to medical ethics. The declaration may well evolve, like theUniversal Declaration of Human Rights, into a component of international customary law, or be the precursor to anInternational Convention on Bioethics. This article discusses whether this process will facilitate bioethics and, in particular, medical ethics, being subsumed by the normative system of international human rights.
Autonomy in medical ethics after O’Neill
Authors: Stirrat G M , Gill R
Published: February 2005

Following the influential Gifford and Reith lectures by Onora O’Neill, this paper explores further the paradigm of individual autonomy which has been so dominant in bioethics until recently and concurs that it is an aberrant application and that conceptions of individual autonomy cannot provide a sufficient and convincing starting point for ethics within medical practice. We suggest that revision of the operational definition of patient autonomy is required for the twenty first century. We follow O’Neill in recommending a principled version of patient autonomy, which for us involves the provision of sufficient and understandable information and space for patients, who have the capacity to make a settled choice about medical interventions on themselves, to do so responsibly in a manner considerate to others. We test it against the patient–doctor relationship in which each fully respects the autonomy of the other based on an unspoken covenant and bilateral trust between the doctor and patient. Indeed we consider that the dominance of the individual autonomy paradigm harmed that relationship. Although it seems to eliminate any residue of medical paternalism we suggest that it has tended to replace it with an equally (or possibly even more) unacceptable bioethical paternalism. In addition it may, for example, lead some doctors to consider mistakenly that unthinking acquiescence to a requested intervention against their clinical judgement is honouring “patient autonomy” when it is, in fact, abrogation of their duty as doctors.
EXACT CALCULATION OF THE MAGNETIC SUSCEPTIBILITY AND THE SPECIFIC HEAT OF THE MIXED SPIN-½ AND SPIN-1 SYSTEM ON THE BETHE LATTICE
Authors: ALBAYRAK ERHAN
Published: February 2005

The thermal behaviors of the order-parameters, susceptibility and specific heat of the mixed spin-½ and spin-1 Blume–Capel Ising ferrimagnetic system is studied on the Bethe lattice by using the exact recursion equations. The exact equations for the order parameters and the susceptibility are obtained for the sublattices with spin-1 and spin-½. Also, the exact expressions for the free energy and the specific heat are obtained on the Bethe lattice as a whole system. Then the thermal behaviors of the order-parameters, susceptibility, inverse susceptibility and specific heat are studied for the coordination numbers q=4 and q=6. The obtained results are illustrated and discussed in detail.
CRYSTALLINE STRUCTURE AND PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF UCo2Al3
Authors: VERDÍN E. , ESCUDERO R.
Published: February 2005

Some intermetallic compounds which contain uranium or cerium present heavy fermion characteristics. Take, for example, in the UM 2 Al 3 ( M = Pd , Ni ) family, superconductivity and magnetism coexist and present heavy fermion behavior. This work presents the crystallographic characteristics and physical properties of a new compound of this family; the intermetallic compound UCo 2 Al 3. Our initial crystallographic studies performed in a small single crystal show that the structure is hexagonal and similar to the UNi 2 Al 3 and UPd 2 Al 3 parent compounds. The space group is P6/mmm with a=5.125 Å and c=4.167 Å crystalline parameters. Measurements of resistivity and magnetization performed on the single crystal reveal that the compound is not superconducting when measured at about 1.8 K. The compound is highly anisotropic and features related to Kondo-like behavior are observed. A weak ferromagnetic transition is observed at a temperature of about 20 K.
OSCILLATING LOCALIZED STRUCTURES IN REACTION–DIFFUSION SYSTEMS
Authors: DESCALZI ORAZIO , HAYASE YUMINO , BRAND HELMUT R.
Published: February 2005

Oscillating localized structures are studied for a simple reaction–diffusion model from an analytical point of view. The result is a particle solution which acts as a source of traveling waves. The analytical expressions obtained are in good agreement with direct numerical simulations.
THE ENTROPY OF STATIONARY SOLUTIONS' MAP OF CELLULAR NEURAL NETWORKS
Authors: WANG YI , CHEN FANG-YUE
Published: February 2005

In this paper, the entropy of the stationary solutions' map of one-dimensional Cellular Neural Networks with threshold is restudied. Under certain parameters, the map is topological conjugate to a Beruonulli shift of certain symbolic space. Further, the topological entropy of the map can be obtained explicitly as a spacial devil-staircase function.
A PHASE-FIELD DESCRIPTION OF SURFACE-TENSION-DRIVEN INSTABILITY
Authors: BORCIA RODICA , MERKT DOMNIC , BESTEHORN MICHAEL
Published: February 2005

In this paper we report on 2D numerical simulations concerning linear and nonlinear evolution of surface-tension-driven instability in two-fluid systems heated from below using classical and phase-field models. In the phase-field formalism, one introduces an order parameter called phase-field function to characterize the phases thermodynamically. All the system parameters are assumed to vary continuously from one fluid bulk to another (as linear functions of the phase-field). The Navier–Stokes equation (with some extra terms) and the heat equation are written only once for the whole system. The evolution of the phase-field is described by the Cahn–Hilliard equation. In the sharp-interface limit the results found by the phase-field formalism recover the results given by the classical formulation.
THE EFFECT OF DIFFUSION FOR A PREDATOR–PREY SYSTEM WITH NONMONOTONIC FUNCTIONAL RESPONSE
Authors: LIU ZHIHUA , YUAN RONG
Published: February 2005

We consider the delayed predator–prey system with diffusion. The bifurcation analysis of the model shows that Hopf bifurcation can occur under some conditions and the system has a Bogdanov–Takens singularity for any time delay value.
CODIMENSION 3 HOMOCLINIC BIFURCATION OF ORBIT FLIP WITH RESONANT EIGENVALUES CORRESPONDING TO THE TANGENT DIRECTIONS
Authors: ZHANG TIANSI , ZHU DEMING
Published: February 2005

Bifurcations of homoclinic orbit with orbit-flip and resonant eigenvalues corresponding to the tangent directions are investigated in a four-dimensional system. The existence, number, coexistence and incoexistence of 1-homoclinic orbit, 1-periodic orbit, 2n-homoclinic orbit and 2n-periodic orbit are given, and the bifurcation surfaces and the existence regions are also located.
MODEL-INDEPENDENT ADAPTIVE CONTROL OF CHUA'S SYSTEM WITH CUBIC NONLINEARITY
Authors: FEKI MOEZ
Published: February 2005

This paper proposes a linear adaptive state feedback controller which achieves asymptotic tracking of the controlled cubic Chua's system. The gain vector is tuned using an adaptation law derived using the Lyapunov stability theory. The aim is to design an adaptive controller that mimics a predetermined input–output linearizing controller known for its effective performance in output tracking. We show that the system model is not necessary to construct the controller. We also show that synchronization of two cubic Chua's systems can be achieved. Numerical simulations are presented to illustrate the efficiency of the proposed scheme.
LOCAL RELAY CONTROL FOR A CLASS OF NONLINEAR SYSTEMS WITH CHAOTIC BEHAVIORS
Authors: RADEV RADOSLAV
Published: February 2005

This work deals with the local relay control of chaotic systems. By means of the maximum principle, the control functions are designed. These functions give a possibility to use a simple feedback control law, which leads the system to the chosen unstable equilibrium point. For illustration, these control laws are applied to the control of Lorenz and Rucklidge systems.
STABILITY ANALYSIS OF PERIODIC SOLUTIONS TO THE NONSTANDARD DISCRETIZED MODEL OF THE LOTKA–VOLTERRA PREDATOR–PREY SYSTEM
Authors: ERJAEE G. HOSSIAN , DANNAN FOZI M.
Published: February 2005

The standard classical discretization methods of differential equations often produce difference equations that do not share dynamics with their continuous counterparts. Recently, Mickens [2000] developed successful nonstandard discretization schemes that produce dynamical consistency, which numerical analysts value highly. Many authors have adapted these methods to various biological models. We review a nonstandard discretized biological model of a Lotka–Volterra predator–prey system in a general form and discuss the stability analysis of its periodic solutions. We also discuss a numerical example of this analysis using the nonstandard discretized predator–prey model.
A MAXIMALLY CHAOTIC 3D AUTONOMOUS SYSTEM
Authors: KOTSIALOS EFTHYMIOS , ROUMELIOTIS MANOS , ADAMOPOULOS MILTIADES
Published: February 2005

In this paper we investigate the dynamical properties of an autonomous system of three ODEs, which exhibits nonlinear oscillation couplings and resonances of high order. This system can be characterized as maximally chaotic, due to its ability to present an attractor of Lyapunov dimension anywhere between 2 and almost 3, thus featuring sink points, limit cycles and strange attractors, some very dense among them, subject to the control of a set of parameters. It incorporates quadratic as well as cubic nonlinearities.
A FLEXIBLE FAILURE-RECOVERY MODEL FOR WORKFLOW MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS
Authors: HWANG GWAN-HWAN , LEE YUNG-CHUAN , WU BOR-YIH
Published: February 2005

In this paper, we propose a new failure-recovery model for workflow management systems (WfMSs). This model is supported with a new language, called the workflow failure-handling (WfFH) language, which allows the workflow designer to write programs so that he can use data-flow analysis technology to guide the failure recovery in workflow execution. With the WfFH language, the computation of the end compensation point and the compensation set for failure recovery can proceed during the workflow process run-time according to the execution results and status of workflow activities. Also, the failure-recovery definitions programmed with the WfFH language can be independent, thereby dramatically reducing the maintenance overhead of workflow processes. A prototype is built in a Java-based object-oriented workflow management system, called JOO-WfMS. We also report our experiences in constructing this prototype.
COOPERATIVE MODELLING EVALUATED
Authors: BEYDOUN GHASSAN , HOFFMANN ACHIM , BREIS JESUALDO TOMÁS FERNÁNDEZ , BÉJAR RODRIGO MARTÍNEZ , VALENCIA-GARCIA RAFAEL , AURUM A.
Published: February 2005

In any modelling activity, a framework to determine the maturity of a developed model before its use is highly advantageous. Such a framework would save modellers expensive time in many areas of information systems. It would also lower the risk of users relying on an incomplete or inaccurate model. In this paper, we develop a framework which uses internal inconsistencies as a quantitative indicator for estimating the completeness and correctness of a model as it is cooperatively evolved. Whilst internal inconsistencies are due to bad fit between different parts of a model, we argue that they are also correlated with how the evolved model fits with the "world". This argument underpins our framework to evaluate integrated models.

Contributions of this paper are three folds: firstly, it presents a theoretically grounded framework for integrating models. We extend an existing incremental modelling framework, NRDR, which represents multiple hierarchical restricted domains (MHRD), with automatic concept integration to allow NRDR to deal with multiple experts. Secondly, we couple this integration framework with a theoretically grounded monitoring process to assess the quality of the cooperatively developed model. Thirdly, we illustrate an initial empirical study of our evaluation and integration framework in a computer hardware administration domain. We capture and integrate computer hardware models from several experts and we use our modelling evaluation framework to evaluate the resultant cooperative model.
Temperature Variation of Lattice Strain in Slightly Mismatched InGaP/GaAs LPE Layers (0<(Δa/a)⊥\lesssim 0.6%)
Authors: Kato Takamasa , Matsumoto Takashi , Ogura Hiroyuki , Ishida Tetsuro
Published: February 2005

The variation of the lattice mismatch of InGaP/GaAs (001) layers with temperature (15 \lesssim T \lesssim 600°C) has been measured. The samples had layer thicknesses of 1–2 µm and a room temperature lattice mismatch of 0<(Δ
a/a)⊥\lesssim 0.6%. It was found that the critical lattice mismatch for the coherent growth was (Δ
a/a)⊥∼0.25% at room temperature. Photoluminescence measurement also supported this result.
Superconducting Transition Temperature of the Quenched Bi0.96Pb0.24SrCaCu1.6Ox: 110 K Phase
Authors: Ishida Takekazu
Published: February 2005

The superconducting transition of a 110 K Bi compound has been examined as a function of quenching temperature T
q. We found that T
c is insensitive to T
q below 650°C. This is in marked contrast with the drastic T
c variation of low-T
c phase reported previously. But the influence of quenching on normal-state conduction resembles that in the case of the low-T
c phase. This situation is difficult to fathom. We propose the possibility that T
c is governed by a central layer of three CuO2 stackings.
A New Method for Improving the Superconducting Transition Temperature of Platy ErBa2Cu3O7-δ Single Crystals
Authors: Hayashi Shigeyuki , Ohno Takashi , Inoue Tetsuo , Komatsu Hiroshi
Published: February 2005

Platy ErBa2Cu3O7-δ single crystals grown from a high-temperature solution were improved to high-quality superconducting crystals of T
c (mid point)∼90 K by annealing with CrO3 as an oxidizing agent.
Superconducting Y-Ba-Cu-O Thick Films on Silicon and Alumina Substrates Prepared by the Plasma Spraying Method
Authors: Mori Natsuki , Itoi Yasuhiko , Okuyama Masaru
Published: February 2005

Thick films of Y-Ba-Cu oxides were prepared on silicon and alumina substrates by the plasma spraying method. As-sprayed films were semiinsulating, and postoxidation was necessary to obtain superconducting films. It was found that the content of copper in the starting material powder is important in producing good-quality samples with onset T
c's around 90 K.
A New Fabrication Process for High-Tc Superconducting Oxide Ceramic Fibers
Authors: Konishi Hajime , Takamura Takumi , Kaga Hisashi , Katsuse Keiichi
Published: February 2005

A new fabrication process for superconducting oxide ceramic fibers, the alginate method, is proposed. This process is based on a gelation of a sodium alginate aqueous solution by sodium ion exchange with protons or multivalent metal ions. Dense Y-Ba-Cu-O superconducting fibers have been successfully fabricated by firing Y-Ba-Cu-alginate fibers at temperatures above 900°C. The fibers have shown a tensile strength of 192 MPa and an end-point critical temperature of 85 K.
Ferroelectric Liquid Crystal Mixtures Doped with Compounds Having Chiral Groups at Both Ends of the Core
Authors: Nakauchi Jun , Kageyama Yoshitaka , Hayashi Seiji , Sakashita Keiichi
Published: February 2005

The transition temperature from chiral smectic C (Sm*C) phase to smectic A (SmA) and the spontaneous polarization (P
s) of mixtures having two components of normal ferroelectric liquid crystal and a compound having two optical active 1-methylheptyl groups at both ends of the core have been investigated. The SmA-Sm*C transition temperature and the magnitude of P
s for the mixtures were found to depend on the absolute spatial configuration of both chiral groups. The maximum P
s (225 nC/cm2) was observed in a mixture doped with a compound whose chiral groups were classified into the same polarity as that of the host ferroelectric liquid crystal.
Chemical Structures of Native Oxides Formed during Wet Chemical Treatments
Authors: Hattori Takeo , Takase Kazuhiko , Yamagishi Hiroaki , Sugino Rinshi , Nara Yasuo , Ito Takashi
Published: February 2005

The chemical structures of the native oxides formed during various wet chemical treatments were measured nondestructively by changing the effective electron escape depth. The structures of the native oxides can be characterized by the distribution of suboxide Si3+ in the native oxide films. If Si3+ is correlated with Si-H bonds, the formation rate of the native oxide during the wet chemical treatment and the interface roughness produced by photoexcited dry etching through the oxide can be explained.
UV Pulsed Laser Annealing of Si+ Implanted Silicon Film and Low-Temperature Super-Thin Film Transistors
Authors: Morita Yasushi , Noguchi Takashi
Published: February 2005

A UV pulsed excimer laser was irradiated onto Si+-implantated thin silicon films. The resultant crystallized state was investigated by UV reflectance measurement and TEM observation. As a result, we found that the grain size depended on the irradiated pulse energy, and that the grain growth was more effective for a smaller Si+ dose, in the low-pulse-energy region of less than 200 mJ/cm2. Moreover, for efficient annealing, the back-side irradiation through the quartz substrate was preferable to the front-side irradiation upon the silicon surface. Using this method, TFT's were fabricated in a low-temperature process, and excellent device characteristics were obtained. The leakage current was below 1×10-13 (A/µm).
Quantum Wire Superlattices and Coupled Quantum Box Arrays: A Novel Method to Suppress Optical Phonon Scattering in Semiconductors
Authors: Sakaki Hiroyuki
Published: February 2005

Electronic structures in various coupled quantum box array systems including quantum-wire superlattices and planar superlattices are examined. The optimal choice of coupling and periodicity in such systems results in miniband structures with medium width E
b and wide energy gap E
g and is found to provide a novel method to substantially reduce the optical phonon scattering of electrons in semiconductors. Feasibility and significances of this approach are discussed.
Dislocation-Free Formation of Artificial Cavities in Si Single Crystal
Authors: Yoshihiro Naotsugu , Natsuaki Nobuyoshi
Published: February 2005

Cavities enclosed in silicon single crystals are formed by utilizing epitaxial growth on surfaces with microstructures consisting of parallel walls. The cavities accompany no dislocations and/or stacking faults in the surrounding crystal. Their as-formed cross-sectional shape is thin: the length being about 2 µm as compared with the width of 0.3 µm. The shape can be controllably changed by heat treatment. It becomes slightly fat and cocoon shaped at a temperature as low as 1000°C. The crystal defects are also not observed in the heat-treated samples.
Electrical Transport Properties of Josephson Junctions Using Polyimide Langmuir-Blodgett Films
Authors: Iwamoto Mitsumasa , Kubota Tohru , Nakagawa Manabu , Sekine Matsuo
Published: February 2005

Using thermally stable ultrathin polyimide (PI) Langmuir-Blodgett films, we made tunnel junctions having structures of Nb/PI/(Pb–Bi) and Au/PI/(Pb–Bi). Then we examined the electrical transport properties of the junctions. Here, Nb and Pb-Bi are superconducting electrodes, and Au is a base-(noble metal) electrode. For Nb/PI/(Pb–Bi) junctions, it was found that an inherent oxide layer formed on a base-Nb electrode makes a significant contribution to the electrical conduction through the PI layer and that a typical current-voltage (I-V) characteristic based on the ideal Josephson junction was obtained even when the number of deposited PI layers was zero. For Au/PI/(Pb–Bi) junctions, typical I-V characteristics of tunnel junctions were obtained at a temperature below the critical temperature of a Pb–Bi superconducting alloy only when the number of deposited layers was 27.
Molecular Orientational Structures in Ferroelectric, Ferrielectric and Antiferroelectric Smectic Liquid Crystal Phases as Studied by Conoscope Observation
Authors: Gorecka Ewa , Chandani A. D. L. , Ouchi Yukio , Takezoe Hideo , Fukuda Atsuo
Published: February 2005

Molecular orientational structures in MHPOBC were studied by means of conoscope observation. Contrary to a ferroelectric response of the conoscope to an electric field in the smectic C* phase, the conoscopic figure in the antiferroelectric smectic CA
* phase does not shift its center and is biaxial with its optic plane perpendicular to the field direction. This conoscope change is only due to a dielectric contribution, indicating the existence of the inherent threshold in the electric field induced transition to the ferroelectric phase. In between the ferroelectric and antiferroelectric phases, a kind of ferrielectric phase was clearly distinguished in the field response of the conoscopic figure; the shift of the conoscope center perpendicular to the applied field and the biaxial optic plane parallel to the field suggest a novel molecular orientational structure.
Growth of Diamond Thin Films by dc Plasma Chemical Vapor Deposition and Characteristics of the Plasma
Authors: Suzuki Kazuhiro , Sawabe Atsuhito , Inuzuka Tadao
Published: February 2005

Diamond thin films have been formed by dc plasma chemical vapor deposition from a gaseous mixture of methane and hydrogen (gas ratio (CH4/H2); 2/100, total gas pressure; 2.66×104 Pa) with a growth rate of ∼20 µm/h. During the course of diamond growth, characteristics of the plasma were measured by the Langmuir single probe method and also by emission spectrometry. From the characterization of the plasma, it was found that the degree of ionization was rather low (∼10-7), and the statistical temperature of hydrogen gas was ∼5×103 K. By a thermodynamic investigation at the gas temperature around 5×103 K, it was revealed that the source gases (H2 and CH4) of over 99% are decomposed to neutral atomic hydrogen and atomic carbon.