bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Application of Liquid-Surface Tension for Generating an Electromeniscus Phenomenon Used in the Carbon Nanotube Erection Process
Authors: Matsuura Hiroshi , Tanikawa Tamio , Furukawa Hiromitsu
Published: February 2005

In this paper, we discuss the influence of surface tension on the geometry of an oscillating liquid surface interacting with a high-frequency electric field. Knowledge of the geometry of the liquid surface controlled by an electric field is important for mounting carbon nanotubes (CNTs) onto substrates. Our results show that liquids with low surface tension can generate a high-aspect electromeniscus that is necessary for sealing CNTs and erecting them in the desired positions on various substrates. We demonstrated that the electromeniscus can be manipulated to erect carbon nanotubes on glass substrates.
Metal-Coated Carbon Nanotube Tip for Scanning Tunneling Microscope
Authors: Ikuno Takashi , Katayama Mitsuhiro , Kishida Masaru , Kamada Kazunori , Murata Yuya , Yasuda Tatsuro , Honda Shin-ichi , Lee Jung-Goo , Mori Hirotaro , Oura Kenjiro
Published: February 2005

A metal-coated carbon nanotube (CNT) tip for scanning tunneling microscope (STM) has been developed. By pulsed laser deposition (PLD), a CNT attached to a tungsten tip was uniformly coated with 3–6 nm of tungsten thin layer. The observation of a Si(111)-7×7 surface using the tungsten-coated CNT tip demonstrated stable atomic imaging and potentiality of scanning tunneling spectroscopy (STS) measurement, which can be achieved from the pristine stage. It was demonstrated that the mechanical robustness and flexibility of the tip were maintained by virtue of the thin coated layer.
Giant Ferroelectric Polarization Beyond 150 µC/cm2 in BiFeO3 Thin Film
Authors: Yun Kwi Young , Ricinschi Dan , Kanashima Takeshi , Noda Minoru , Okuyama Masanori
Published: February 2005

Ferroelectric BiFeO3 thin films have been deposited on Pt/TiO2/SiO2/Si substrate by pulsed-laser deposition. From the X-ray diffraction analysis, the BiFeO3 thin film consists of perovskite single-phase, and the crystal structure shows the tetragonal structure (c/a = 1.018) with a space group P4m
m. It is obtained that the BiFeO3 thin film shows a well-saturated remarkably giant saturation polarization of 158 µC/cm2 and a remanent polarization of 146 µC/cm2 for a maximum applied voltage of 20 V at 90 K. These values of polarization are largest ever-measured in ferroelectrics.
Focused Ion Beam Patterning for Fabrication of Periodical Two-Dimensional Zinc Oxide Nanodot Arrays
Authors: Ueda Masaya , Kim Sang-Woo , Fujita Shizuo , Fujita Shigeo
Published: February 2005

Widely well-aligned two-dimensional ZnO nanodot arrays (e.g., 40,000 nanodots of 130 nm diameter and 9 nm height over 150 ×150 µm2 with a period of 750 nm) have been fabricated by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition on SiO2/Si substrates patterned by focused ion beam (FIB). A low-magnification FIB patterning mode allowed the periodical nanopatterning of the substrates over a large area in a short time. Cathodoluminescence and photoluminescence were apparently observed from the ZnO nanodots.
Theoretically Predicted Nonlinear Phase Imbalance Requirement for Delayed-Interference Signal-Wavelength Convertors (DISC)
Authors: Ueno Yoshiyasu
Published: February 2005

We have studied the previously demonstrated wavelength conversion of 168-Gb/s random data pulses with semiconductor-optical-amplifier (SOA)-based delayed-interference signal-wavelength converters (DISC). Consequently, we predict an additional requirement for the converters – the nonlinear phase shifts in the two-split interference components must be unbalanced.
Nanoscale Phase Change in Telluride Films Induced with Scanning Tunneling Microscopes
Authors: Sugawara Kentaro , Gotoh Tamihiro , Tanaka Keiji
Published: February 2005

Crystallization in amorphous Ge2Sb2Te5 films has been demonstrated using scanning tunneling microscopes. Pulse voltages higher than 3 V applied through W tips produce electrically conductive deformed marks with a diameter larger than ∼50 nm. Raman scattering spectra show that such marks contain crystalline Te, which indicates that a structural phase change from amorphous to crystalline states is induced. The formation processes of the marks are discussed.
Visible-Blind Metal-Semiconductor-Metal Photodetectors Based on Undoped AlGaN/GaN High Electron Mobility Transistor Structure
Authors: Jiang Hao , Egawa Takashi , Ishikawa Hiroyasu , Shao Chunlin , Jimbo Takashi
Published: February 2005

Visible-blind Schottky metal-semiconductor-metal photodetectors (MSM-PDs) fabricated on an undoped AlGaN/GaN high electron mobility transistor (HEMT) structure were reported. Dark-current density as low as 1.8 ×10-8 A/cm2 at 10 V bias was obtained. A peak responsivity of 114 mA/W at 350 nm was measured under top illumination with a constant irradiation power density of 10 µW/cm2, which corresponds to an external quantum efficiency of 40%. The MSM-PDs based on this structure are of advantage for monolithic integration with HEMT circuits in one epitaxial step.
Tunable Exchange Interaction in Quantum Dot Devices
Authors: Tamura Hiroyuki , Shiraishi Kenji , Takayanagi Hideaki
Published: February 2005

We theoretically discuss the Ruderman-Kittel-Kasuya-Yosida (RKKY) interaction between semiconductor quantum dots (QDs). When each QD having a local spin is coupled to the conduction electrons in semiconductors, an indirect exchange interaction, i.e., the RKKY interaction, is induced between two local spins. The RKKY interaction between QDs, which is mediated by the Fermi sea in semiconductors, is modulated by changing the Fermi energy, and the magnitude or even the sign of the exchange interaction can be tuned, which leads to a tunable magnetic transition in QD devices. We estimate the magnitude of the RKKY interaction in QDs as a function of the electron density and the inter-dot distance.
Direct Observation of Mn Clusters in GaN by X-ray Scanning Microscopy
Authors: Martínez-Criado Gema , Somogyi Andrea , Hermann Martin , Eickhoff Martin , Stutzmann Martin
Published: February 2005

The effect of Mn doping in GaN was studied by X-ray absorption techniques. In fluorescence detection mode, Ga and Mn elemental maps show homogeneous distributions in most of the samples, except for the highest Mn-doped GaN layer, which clearly exhibits the Mn cluster formation on the micrometer scale. X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) spectra measured around the Mn atom have revealed a smoothing and broadening of all features as a function of Mn content, suggesting the presence of short-range disorder. However, no evidence of disorder activated phonon modes and/or additional secondary phases were observed by Raman scattering, supporting that the long-range crystalline order was retained. Nevertheless, the frequency shift of the E2 phonon mode as well as the bound exciton data confirm the doping-induced tensile strain in the GaN layers.
Energy Distribution of Ion-Induced Secondary Electrons from MgO Surface
Authors: Tsujita Takuji , Nagatomi Takaharu , Takai Yoshizo , Morita Yukihiro , Nishitani Mikihiko , Kitagawa Masatosi , Uenoyama Takeshi
Published: February 2005

Energy distributions of ion-induced secondary electrons (IISEs) from a MgO thin-film surface were investigated. An abnormal IISE emission was observed in addition to the normal one and it continued after ion irradiation was cut off, and thus was a so-called self-sustained electron emission. The energies of the abnormal secondary electrons (SEs) are lower than the vacuum level at the MgO surface. In addition, the energy distribution of the abnormal SEs is very close to the profile of the density of states of the valence band (VB). The results strongly suggest that the abnormal SEs are emitted from the VB of MgO by the field emission.
Generation of Protein Crystals Using a Solution-Stirring Technique
Authors: Adachi Hiroaki , Niino Ai , Matsumura Hiroyoshi , Takano Kazufumi , Kinoshita Takayoshi , Warizaya Masaichi , Inoue Tsuyoshi , Mori Yusuke , Sasaki Takatomo
Published: February 2005

Crystals of bovine adenosine deaminase (ADA) were grown over a two week period in the presence of an inhibitor, whereas ADA crystals did not form using conventional crystallization methods when the inhibitor was excluded. To obtain ADA crystals in the absence of the inhibitor, a solution-stirring technique was used. The crystals obtained using this technique were found to be of high quality and were shown to have high structural resolution for X-ray diffraction analysis. The results of this study indicate that the stirring technique is a useful method for obtaining crystals of proteins that do not crystallize using conventional techniques.
InAlN/GaN Heterostructure Field-Effect Transistors Grown by Plasma-Assisted Molecular-Beam Epitaxy
Authors: Higashiwaki Masataka , Matsui Toshiaki
Published: February 2005

We report on the plasma-assisted molecular-beam epitaxy growth and device characteristics of InAlN/GaN heterostructure field-effect transistors (HFETs). The In mole fraction in InAlN was estimated to be 0.15 from the X-ray diffraction profile. The surface root-mean-square roughness of the InAlN layer was less than 3 nm. The room-temperature Hall mobility was 654 cm2/V·s, and the sheet electron density was 1.7 ×1013 cm-2. The InAlN/GaN HFET, which had a source-drain spacing of 3 µm and a gate length of 1.5 µm, showed a good pinch-off characteristic. The maximum source-drain current density and extrinsic transconductance were 500 mA/mm and 52 mS/mm, respectively.
Epitaxial Growth of Si-Based Ternary Alloy Semiconductor Ba1-xSrxSi2 Films on Si(111) Substrates by Molecular Beam Epitaxy
Authors: Inomata Yuya , Suemasu Takashi , Izawa Takamasa , Hasegawa Fumio
Published: February 2005

We have grown [100]-oriented Ba1-x
Sr
x
Si2 epitaxial films with different Sr molar fractions x on Si(111) substrates by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) at 600°C using a [100]-oriented BaSi2 epitaxial template formed by reactive deposition epitaxy (RDE). It was found from Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy (RBS) measurements that the Sr molar fraction of the grown Ba1-x
Sr
x
Si2 layers increased from 0 to 0.49 with increasing deposited Sr-to-Ba ratio from 0 to 2.5. θ-2θ X-ray diffraction measurements revealed that the a-axis lattice constant of Ba1-x
Sr
x
Si2 decreased linearly with the Sr molar fraction.
Formation of Self-organized GaN Dots on Al0.11Ga0.89N by Alternating Supply of Source Precursors
Authors: Ke Wen-Cheng , Huang Huai-Ying , Ku Ching-Shun , Yen Kao-Hsi , Lee Ling , Chen Wei-Kuo , Chou Wu-Ching , Lee Ming-Chih , Chen Wen-Hsiung , Lin Wen-Jen , Cheng Yi-Cheng , Cherng Ya-Tong
Published: February 2005

The self-organized GaN dot structure is successfully grown on a slightly lattice-mismatched Al0.11Ga0.89N epilayer using flow-rate modulation epitaxy (FME) growth technique. From the variation of dot density with growth temperature, we can observe that the GaN dot growth is controlled predominately by the surface diffusion of Ga adatoms at substrate temperatures below 915°C and by re-evaporation at higher temperatures. Because of the special alternating gas supply feature in FME, during the Ga source step, it is the Ga metal that is deposited on the underlying Al0.11Ga0.89N layer. This is because of the large lattice mismatch of 41.8% between the Ga metal (4.51 Å) and Al0.11Ga0.89N (3.18 Å). We consider that the GaN dot growth in our study is mainly through the Volmer-Weber growth mode, not the commonly used Stranski-Krastanow growth mode.
Low-Voltage Operation of Vertical-Cavity Intensity Modulator Using InP-based Surface-Emitting Laser Structure
Authors: Onodera Atsushi , Onishi Yutaka , Nishiyama Nobuhiko , Caneau Catherine , Koyama Fumio , Zah Chung-En
Published: February 2005

A vertical-cavity intensity modulator using a 1.55 µm surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) structure has been demonstrated. A contrast ratio of more than 10 dB with a low voltage of 1 V was obtained with an input light power of 1.9 dBm. The insertion loss was as low as 3.8 dB in the on state at a bias voltage of 1 V. The proposed device has potential for low insertion loss, low modulation voltage and polarization-insensitive operation.
Minimal Phase-Change Marks Produced in Amorphous Ge2Sb2Te5 Films
Authors: Gotoh Tamihiro , Sugawara Kentaro , Tanaka Keiji
Published: February 2005

The smallest mark which can be produced in phase-change recordings has been explored using an atomic force microscope. Electrical pulses applied to amorphous Ge2Sb2Te5 films through conducting cantilevers can produce crystalline marks, the size decreasing with decreases in input power, pulse duration, and film thickness. The smallest mark obtained is ∼10 nm in diameter in a film with thickness of ∼1 nm. Formation mechanism of the mark is discussed.
AlGaN/GaN Heterostructure Field-Effect Transistors (HFETs) on Si Substrates for Large-Current Operation
Authors: Iwakami Shinichi , Yanagihara Masataka , Machida Osamu , Chino Emiko , Kaneko Nobuo , Goto Hirokazu , Ohtsuka Kohji
Published: February 2005

We demonstrated AlGaN/GaN heterostructure field-effect transistors (HFETs) grown on 2 inch Si (111) substrates by metalorganic chemical vapor phase epitaxy (MOVPE). Using GaN/AlN multilayers, we successfully fabricated nonpitted and crack-free GaN films thicker than 1 µm on Si substrates. An electron mobility of 1200 cm2/V·s, a sheet carrier density of 4.5 ×1012 /cm2, and a sheet resistance of 1100 Ω/sq were obtained. Fabricated 60-mm-gate-width HFETs exhibited a maximum drain current of more than 10 A, an on-state resistance of 0.5 Ω, and a breakdown voltage of more than 350 V.
Spin-Filter Transistor
Authors: Sugahara Satoshi , Tanaka Masaaki
Published: February 2005

We propose and theoretically analyze a spin-filter transistor (SFT) employing the spin-filter effect in a ferromagnetic barrier layer. The proposed SFT has a tunneling-injection-type hot-electron-transistor structure with a thin ferromagnetic emitter barrier and a thick ferromagnetic collector barrier. The emitter barrier acts as a tunneling injector of highly spin-polarized hot electrons from the nonmagnetic emitter to the nonmagnetic base, and the collector barrier acts as a spin analyzer that determines the flow of spin-polarized hot electrons from the base to the nonmagnetic collector or to the base electrode. By the combination of these two spin filters, the output characteristics of the SFT depend on the magnetization configuration (parallel or antiparallel) of the emitter and collector barriers. The SFT can realize not only a very large magnetocurrent ratio, but also current and power gains.
Proton Dynamics in Chemically Amplified Electron Beam Resists
Authors: Yamamoto Hiroki , Kozawa Takahiro , Nakano Atsuro , Okamoto Kazumasa , Yamamoto Yukio , Ando Tomoyuki , Sato Mitsuru , Komano Hiroji , Tagawa Seiichi
Published: February 2005

The proton dynamics of poly(4-hydroxystyrene) (PHS) films were investigated using Coumarin 6 (C6). The acid density was 0.022 nm-3 at the exposure dose of 10 µC cm-2 (75 keV electron beam). The absorption intensity of C6 proton adducts was saturated at a certain concentration of C6, indicating an almost complete addition of protons at this C6 concentration. Protons can move in PHS films near C6 molecules even at room temperature. Also, the absorbed dose was estimated using 60Co γ-rays. The acid yield can be well explained by an acid generation model involving the ionization of a base polymer.
High Sensitivity InSb Ultra-Thin Film Micro-Hall Sensors for Bioscreening Applications
Authors: Sandhu Adarsh , Sanbonsugi Hideaki , Shibasaki Ichiro , Abe Masanori , Handa Hiroshi
Published: February 2005

A high sensitivity, 4.5 µm×4.5 µm InSb thin film micro-Hall sensor (micro-HS) with a minimum field detection (Bmin) of 77 nT/(Hz)1/2was developed for bioscreening applications and used for the detection of a single 2.8 µm diameter superparamagnetic microbead by monitoring its ac magnetic susceptibility. The scalability of the InSb micro-HS was demonstrated by fabricating 500 nm×500 nm InSb nano-Hall sensors withBminof 0.72 µT/(Hz)1/2that could potentially be used to detect 100 nm sized superparamagnetic particles.
Significant Change in In-Plane Magnetic Anisotropy of (Ga,Mn)As Epilayer Induced by Low-Temperature Annealing
Authors: Kato Hiroaki , Hamaya Kohei , Taniyama Tomoyasu , Kitamoto Yoshitaka , Munekata Hiro
Published: February 2005

We find significant changes in the in-plane magnetic anisotropy of a (Ga,Mn)As epilayer by low-temperature annealing. Detailed magnetization and transport measurements reveal an enhancement in the contribution of a uniaxial anisotropy along [110] after annealing. The change in the magnetic anisotropy is affected by increasing hole concentration due to the annealing.
Polarization-Selective Holographic Optical Element for Dense Magnetooptical Pickup Heads
Authors: Vu Viet-Tien , Kim Nam , An Jun-Won , Shin Chang-Won , Lee Kwon-Yeon , Suh Dongwoo , Park Yongwoo , Rue Hojun , Paek Mun-Cheol , Pyo Hyeon-Bong
Published: February 2005

A polarization-selective holographic optical element with compact dimensions of 2.4 mm×1 mm×1 mm (width × length × thickness) is proposed. The element includes three modules: a holographic polarizing beamsplitter, a holographic input coupler, and a dove-prism coupler so that a simple and dense optical pickup head can be achieved. Polarization properties of holographic volume gratings are briefly discussed. Based on the results obtained, the fabrication of the element is implemented and described. The performance of the element in magnetooptical pickup heads is demonstrated using a differential detector.
Low-Concentration Deep Traps in 4H-SiC Grown with High Growth Rate by Chemical Vapor Deposition
Authors: Danno Katsunori , Hashimoto Koichi , Saitoh Hiroaki , Kimoto Tsunenobu , Matsunami Hiroyuki
Published: February 2005

Epitaxial growth was performed on 8° off-axis 4H-SiC(0001) by horizontal hot-wall chemical vapor deposition (CVD) in a SiH4-C3H8-H2 system at 1550°C. High growth rates of 10–13 µm/h were attained by growth with a high SiH4 flow rate of 4.0 sccm. A mirror like surface was obtained by employing an optimum C/Si ratio and by an improved process of initial growth. The epilayers grown with an optimum C/Si ratio showed high purity in the low 1013 cm-3 range (n-type) and low trap concentrations in the low 1011 cm-3 range. Minority carrier lifetime was investigated by a differential microwave-detected photoconductance decay (µ-PCD) measurement. A long carrier lifetime of approximately 2 µs was obtained for a 50-µm-thick epilayer
Activity Properties and Location of Neurons in the Motor Thalamus That Project to the Cortical Motor Areas in Monkeys
Authors: Kurata Kiyoshi
Published: February 2005

The activity of neurons in the motor nuclei of the thalamus that project to the cortical motor areas (the primary motor cortex, the ventral and dorsal premotor cortex, and the supplementary motor area) was investigated in monkeys that were performing a task in which wrist extension and flexion movements were instructed by visuospatial cues before the onset of movement. Movement was triggered by a visual, auditory, or somatosensory stimulus. Thalamocortical neurons were identified by a spike collision, and exhibited 2 distinct types of task-related activity: 1) a sustained change in activity during the instructed preparation period in response to the instruction cues (set-related activity); and 2) phasic changes in activity during the reaction and movement time periods (movement-related activity). A number of set- and moment-related neurons exhibited direction selectivity. Most movement-related neurons were similarly active, irrespective of the different sensory modalities of the cue for movement. These properties of neuronal activity were similar, regardless of their target cortical motor areas. There were no significant differences in the antidromic latencies of neurons that projected to the primary and nonprimary motor areas. These results suggest that the thalamocortical neurons play an important role in the preparation for, and initiation and execution of, the movements, but are less important than neurons of the nonprimary cortical motor areas in modality-selective sensorimotor transformation. It is likely that such transformations take place within the nonprimary cortical motor areas, but not through thalamocortical information channels.
Depolarization Initiates Phasic Acetylcholine Release by Relief of a Tonic Block Imposed by Presynaptic M2 Muscarinic Receptors
Authors: Parnas H. , Slutsky I. , Rashkovan G. , Silman I. , Wess J. , Parnas I.
Published: February 2005

The role of presynaptic muscarinic autoreceptors in the initiation of phasic acetylcholine (ACh) release at frog and mouse neuromuscular junctions was studied by measuring the dependency of the amount (m) of ACh release on the level of presynaptic depolarization. Addition of methoctramine (a blocker of M2 muscarinic receptors), or of acetylcholinesterase (AChE), increased release in a voltage-dependent manner; enhancement of release declined as the depolarizing pulse amplitude increased. In frogs and wild-type mice the slope of log m/log pulse amplitude (PA) was reduced from about 7 in the control to about 4 in the presence of methoctramine or AChE. In M2 muscarinic receptor knockout mice, the slope of log m/log PA was much smaller (about 4) and was not further reduced by addition of either methoctramine or AChE. The effect of a brief (0.1 ms), but strong (−1.2 μA) depolarizing prepulse on the dependency of m on PA was also studied. The depolarizing prepulse had effects similar to those of methoctramine and AChE. In particular, it enhanced release of test pulses in a voltage-dependent manner and reduced the slope of log m/log PA from about 7 to about 4. Methoctramine + AChE occluded the prepulse effects. In knockout mice, the depolarizing prepulse had no effects. The cumulative results suggest that initiation of phasic ACh release is achieved by depolarization-mediated relief of a tonic block imposed by presynaptic M2 muscarinic receptors.
Constitutive mobilization of CD34+ cells into the peripheral blood in idiopathic myelofibrosis may be due to the action of a number of proteases
Authors: Xu Mingjiang , Bruno Edward , Chao Joseph , Huang Stephen , Finazzi Guido , Fruchtman Steven M. , Popat Uday , Prchal Josef T. , Barosi Giovanni , Hoffman Ronald ,   for the MPD Research Consortium
Published: February 2005

Idiopathic myelofibrosis (IM) is characterized by increased numbers of CD34+ cells in the peripheral blood (PB). We explored the possible mechanisms underlying this abnormal trafficking of CD34+ cells. Plasma levels of neutrophil elastase (NE), total and active matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9), and soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1) were dramatically increased in IM. The absolute number of CD34+ cells in the PB was correlated with the levels of sVCAM-1. Marked elevations of the levels of NE but not total and active MMP-9 as well as MMP-2 were detected in media conditioned by IM mononuclear cells (MNCs) as compared with that of healthy volunteers. IM MNC-conditioned media, however, was shown by zymographic analysis to contain increased gelatinolytic activity corresponding to the molecular weight of MMP-9. IM MNC-conditioned media also exhibited a greater ability to cleave VCAM-1 and c-kit in vitro, consistent with the biologic actions of NE. In addition, the increased ability of IM PB CD34+ cells to migrate through a reconstituted basement membrane was diminished by several inhibitors of MMP-9 activity, indicating that these cells express increased levels of this MMP. These data indicate that a proteolytic environment exists in IM which might result in the sustained mobilization of CD34+ cells.
Use of dietary supplements by female seniors in a large Northern California health plan
Authors: Gordon Nancy P , Schaffer Donna M
Published: February 2005

Background

Women aged ≥ 65 years are high utilizers of prescription and over-the-counter medications, and many of these women are also taking dietary supplements. Dietary supplement use by older women is a concern because of possible side effects and drug-supplement interactions. The primary aim of this study was to provide a comprehensive picture of dietary supplement use among older women in a large health plan in Northern California, USA, to raise awareness among health care providers and pharmacists about the need for implementing structural and educational interventions to minimize adverse consequences of self-directed supplement use. A secondary aim was to raise awareness about how the focus on use of herbals and megavitamins that has occurred in most surveys of complementary and alternative therapy use results in a significant underestimate of the proportion of older women who are using all types of dietary supplements for the same purposes.

Methods

We used data about use of different vitamin/mineral (VM) supplements and nonvitamin, nonmineral (NVNM) supplements, including herbals, from a 1999 general health survey mailed to a random sample of adult members of a large Northern California health plan to estimate prevalence of and characteristics associated with supplement use among women aged 65–84 (n = 3,109).

Results

Based on weighted data, 84% had in the past 12 months used >1 dietary supplement, 82% a VM, 59% a supplement other than just multivitamin or calcium, 32% an NVNM, and 25% an herbal. Compared to white, nonHispanic women, African-Americans and Latinas were significantly less likely to use VM and NVNM supplements and Asian/Pacific Islanders were less likely to use NVNM supplements. Higher education was strongly associated with use of an NVNM supplement. Prevalence did not differ by number of prescription medications taken. Among white, nonHispanic women, multiple logistic regression models showed that college education, good health, belief that health practices have at least a moderate effect on health, and having arthritis or depression significantly increased likelihood of NVNM use, while having diabetes decreased likelihood.

Conclusions

An extremely high proportion of older women are using dietary supplements other than multivitamins and calcium, many in combination with multiple prescription medications. Increased resources should be devoted to helping clinicians, pharmacists, supplement vendors, and consumers become more aware of the safety, effectiveness, and potential side effects of dietary supplements.
BMP4-dependent expression of Xenopus Grainyhead-like 1 is essential for epidermal differentiation
Authors: Tao Jianning , Kuliyev Emin , Wang Xi , Li Xiuling , Wilanowski Tomasz , Jane Stephen M. , Mead Paul E. , Cunningham John M.
Published: February 2005

Morphogen-dependent epidermal-specific transacting factors have not been defined in vertebrates. We demonstrate that a member of the grainyhead transcription factor family, Grainyhead-like 1 (XGrhl1) is essential for ectodermal ontogeny in Xenopus laevis. Expression of this factor is restricted to epidermal cells. Moreover, XGrhl1 is regulated by the BMP4 signaling cascade. Disruption of XGrhl1 activity in vivo results in a severe defect in terminal epidermal differentiation, with inhibition of XK81A1 epidermal keratin gene expression, a key target of BMP4 signaling. Furthermore, transcription of the XK81A1 gene is modulated directly by binding of XGRHL1 to a promoter-localized binding motif that is essential for high-level expression. These results establish a novel developmental role for XGrhl1 as a crucial tissue-specific regulator of vertebrate epidermal differentiation.
Emergent modes of work and communities of practice
Authors: Iedema Rick , Meyerkort Shannon , White Les
Published: February 2005

This paper argues that the recent emphasis on teams in the health services research literature tends to be attributed to our rising recognition that flexible and self-organizing teams are in the best position to handle the increasing complexity and fragmentation of health services. With a brief review of two papers on health-care teams as its point of departure, this paper argues that the concern with teams harbours a realization that the organizational-managerial point of gravity of most clinical work lies with those who do the work. In the context of health reforms sweeping across most countries in the industrialized world, this means that teams are to embody dynamic self-organization as do 'communities of practice (CoPs)', and be the origin of the managerial and documentary realities that describe, define and validate them. Following through on this last point, the paper reflects on some of the constitutive facets of teams as CoPs, and proposes that in the context of health reform such emergent teamness encompass participating, knowledging and boundary spanning. Fusing contextual, attributional and processual dimensions of team conduct, these notions are elaborated to show how descriptions of teamness can be rendered sensitive to the prerogatives of health reform. The paper concludes with outlining some of the implications of this proposal for how we reconceptualize health services management.
Binding of eukaryotic initiation factor 3 to ribosomal 40S subunits and its role in ribosomal dissociation and anti-association
Authors: KOLUPAEVA VICTORIA G. , UNBEHAUN ANETT , LOMAKIN IVAN B. , HELLEN CHRISTOPHER U.T. , PESTOVA TATYANA V.
Published: February 2005

The multisubunit eukaryotic initiation factor (eIF) 3 plays various roles in translation initiation that all involve interaction with 40S ribosomal subunits. eIF3 can be purified in two forms: with or without the loosely associated eIF3j subunit (eIF3j+ and eIF3j−, respectively). Although unlike eIF3j+, eIF3j− does not bind 40S subunits stably enough to withstand sucrose density gradient centrifugation, we found that in addition to the known stabilization of the eIF3/40S subunit interaction by the eIF2•GTP•Met-tRNAiMet ternary complex, eIF3j−/40S subunit complexes were also stabilized by single-stranded RNA or DNA cofactors that were at least 25 nt long and could be flanked by stable hairpins. Of all homopolymers, oligo(rU), oligo(dT), and oligo(dC) stimulated the eIF3/40S subunit interaction, whereas oligo(rA), oligo(rG), oligo(rC), oligo(dA), and oligo(dG) did not. Oligo(U) or oligo(dT) sequences interspersed by other bases also promoted this interaction. The ability of oligonucleotides to stimulate eIF3/40S subunit association correlated with their ability to bind to the 40S subunit, most likely to its mRNA-binding cleft. Although eIF3j+ could bind directly to 40S subunits, neither eIF3j− nor eIF3j+ alone was able to dissociate 80S ribosomes or protect 40S and 60S subunits from reassociation. Significantly, the dissociation/anti-association activities of both forms of eIF3 became apparent in the presence of either eIF2-ternary complexes or any oligonucleotide cofactor that promoted eIF3/40S subunit interaction. Ribosomal dissociation and anti-association activities of eIF3 were strongly enhanced by eIF1. The potential biological role of stimulation of eIF3/40S subunit interaction by an RNA cofactor in the absence of eIF2-ternary complex is discussed.
Processing bodies require RNA for assembly and contain nontranslating mRNAs
Authors: TEIXEIRA DANIELA , SHETH UJWAL , VALENCIA-SANCHEZ MARCO A. , BRENGUES MURIEL , PARKER ROY
Published: February 2005

Recent experiments have defined cytoplasmic foci, referred to as processing bodies (P-bodies), wherein mRNA decay factors are concentrated and where mRNA decay can occur. However, the physical nature of P-bodies, their relationship to translation, and possible roles of P-bodies in cellular responses remain unclear. We describe four properties of yeast P-bodies that indicate that P-bodies are dynamic structures that contain nontranslating mRNAs and function during cellular responses to stress. First, in vivo and in vitro analysis indicates that P-bodies are dependent on RNA for their formation. Second, the number and size of P-bodies vary in response to glucose deprivation, osmotic stress, exposure to ultraviolet light, and the stage of cell growth. Third, P-bodies vary with the status of the cellular translation machinery. Inhibition of translation initiation by mutations, or cellular stress, results in increased P-bodies. In contrast, inhibition of translation elongation, thereby trapping the mRNA in polysomes, leads to dissociation of P-bodies. Fourth, multiple translation factors and ribosomal proteins are lacking from P-bodies. These results suggest additional biological roles of P-bodies in addition to being sites of mRNA degradation.
Coefficient of Consolidation and its Correlation with Index Properties of Remolded Soils
Authors: Sridharan A , Nagaraj HB
Published: February 2005

Knowledge of the rate at which the compression of the soil layer takes place is essential from design considerations. This can be achieved by determining the value of the coefficient of consolidation, cv. To obtain cv, it is essential to conduct a routine one-dimensional consolidation test. With the obtained time-compression data, and using any one of the several available curve-fitting procedures, cv can be evaluated. This is a time-consuming process. Also, the fact that many curve-fitting procedures are available in the literature suggests that none of them are completely satisfactory in evaluating cv and, hence, the large variation in the evaluated values by different procedures. Hence, it is desirable to predict the value of cv by any correlation equation relating with some simple index property. This will be quite satisfactory, especially so for preliminary assessment purposes. From the present experimental study on remolded soils, it is found that cv has a better correlation with the shrinkage index, which is the difference between liquid limit and shrinkage limit.
Strategies for Safe and Effective Therapeutic Measures for Chronic Arsenic and Lead Poisoning
Authors: Kalia Kiran , Flora Swaran J.S.
Published: February 2005

Strategies for Safe and Effective Therapeutic Measures for Arsenic and Lead Poisoning: Kiran Kalia, et al. Department of Biosciences, Sardar Patel University, India— Exposure to toxic metals remains a widespread occupational and environmental problem in world. There have been a number of reports in the recent past suggesting an incidence of childhood lead poisoning and chronic arsenic poisoning due to contaminated drinking water in many areas of West Bengal in India and Bangladesh has become a national calamity. Low level metal exposure in humans is caused by air, food and water intake. Lead and arsenic generally interferes with a number of body functions such as the central nervous system (CNS), the haematopoietic system, liver and kidneys. Over the past few decades there has been growing awareness and concern that the toxic biochemical and functional effects are occurring at a lower level of metal exposure than those that produce overt clinical and pathological signs and symptoms. Despite many years of research, we are still far from an effective treatment of chronic plumbism and arsenicosis. Medical treatment of acute and chronic lead and arsenic toxicity is furnished by chelating agents. Chelating agents are organic compounds capable of linking together metal ions to form complex ring‐like structures called chelates. They have been used clinically as antidotes for acute and chronic poisoning. 2, 3‐dimercaprol (BAL) has long been the mainstay of chelation therapy for lead or arsenic poisoning. Meso 2, 3, ‐dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) has been tried successfully in animals as well as in a few cases of human lead and arsenic poisoning. DMSA could be a safe and effective method for treating lead or arsenic poisoning, but one of the major disadvantages of chelation with DMSA has been its inability to remove lead from the intracellular sites because of its lipophobic nature. Further, it does not provide protection in terms of clinical/ biochemical recovery. A new trend in chelation therapy is to use combined treatment. This includes the use of structurally different chelators or a combination of an adjuvant and a chelator to provide better clinical/ biochemical recovery in addition to lead mobilization. The present review article attempts to provide update information about the current strategies being adopted for a safe, effective and specific treatment for two major toxic metals or metalloid.
Volume‐expandable monomer 5,5‐dimethyl‐1,3‐dioxolan‐2‐one: Its copolymerization behavior with epoxide and its applications to shrinkage‐controlled epoxy‐curing systems
Authors: Morikawa Hiroshi , Sudo Atsushi , Nishida Haruo , Endo Takeshi
Published: February 2005

The copolymerization of epoxides and a six‐membered cyclic carbonate, 5,5‐dimethyl‐1,3‐dioxan‐2‐one (DM6CC), was carried out with 1,8‐diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec‐7‐ene as an initiator. In the copolymerization of glycidyl phenyl ether (GPE) and DM6CC, DM6CC remarkably accelerated the polymerization rate of GPE and also effectively suppressed chain‐transfer reactions, which occur in the homopolymerization of the epoxide. This suppression resulted in the formation of the corresponding copolymer with a higher molecular weight. Similar effects of DM6CC were also observed in a curing system with a Novolac‐type multifunctional epoxide (Novolac glycidyl ether). The curing reaction of the epoxide in the presence of DM6CC smoothly proceeded and yielded the corresponding networked polymer, showing a decrease in the volume shrinkage as the DM6CC content increased. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 96: 372–378, 2005
Synthesis and properties of new polyurethanes with triazene moieties in the main chain
Authors: Buruiana Emil C. , Melinte Violeta , Buruiana Tinca , Simionescu Bogdan C.
Published: February 2005

A new diol with bistriazene groups, 1,1′[4,4′‐diphenylether]‐3,3′‐di(β‐hydroxyethyl methyl)‐bistriazene (BTD), was synthesized and characterized. BTD, along with N‐methyldiethanolamine as a chain extender, was used to prepare a segmented polyurethane based on poly(tetramethylene oxide) diol (weight‐average molecular weight = 2000) and 2,4‐tolylene diisocyanate (80:20 v/v 2,4‐/2,6‐isomer mixture). Subsequent quaternization of the amine with benzyl chloride formed the cationomer. The structure–property relationships, including the photochemical behavior of the triazene linkage in these polymers, were investigated with respect to another polyurethane prepared from 4,4′‐diphenylmethane diisocyanate and a bistriazene compound. Photolysis experiments were carried out in polymer solutions and in the film state, and the reduction of the π–π* absorption band, characteristic of the triazene chromophore in ultraviolet spectra, was followed. A kinetic evaluation revealed a first‐order photoprocess. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 96: 385–391, 2005
Structure and physical properties of cellulose acetate butyrate/poly(butylene succinate) blend
Authors: Tatsushima Tohru , Ogata Nobuo , Nakane Koji , Ogihara Takashi
Published: February 2005

Cellulose acetate butyrate (CAB)/ poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) blend films were prepared by using a cast blend method with chloroform. Homogenous blend films were obtained over a wide range of the blend ratio. The compatibility and physical properties of the blends have been investigated. The following conclusions were deduced: i) CAB molecules inhibit crystallization of PBS in the blends; ii) over the range of PBS contents from 0 to 30 wt %, PBS molecules have a high miscibility with CAB molecules and PBS molecules are in an amorphous state; iii) over the range of PBS contents from 30 to 80 wt %, PBS molecules form both crystalline and amorphous regions, and a portion of the amorphous PBS molecules is blended with CAB molecules; iv) porous material could be obtained by immersing the blend films in acetone. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 96: 400–406, 2005
Studies on the grafting of acryloylated potato starch with styrene
Authors: Fang J. M. , Fowler P. A. , Hill C. A. S.
Published: February 2005

An investigation of graft polymerization to determine the potential of a starch‐bonded acryloyl group as a suitable coupling agent with vinyl monomers was carried out. In this case, potassium persulfate was used as a free‐radical initiator using water as the reaction solvent for further graft polymerization. This work revealed the ability of water as a reaction medium; perhydroxyl and hydroxyl radicals were easily formed from persulfate to produce free radicals to activate the styrene monomer towards grafting with acryloylated potato starch. The graft copolymers were characterized by FT‐IR spectroscopy and further confirmed using saponification. The analysis results showed the grafted potato starch with the styryl chain afforded protection to the ester bond, which resisted the alkaline hydrolysis. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 96: 452–459, 2005
Ridge regression optimization using a harmonious approach
Authors: Forrester J. B. , Kalivas J. H.
Published: February 2005

A critical component of ridge regression (RR) is determining the optimal ridge parameter value, λ, where λ≥0. Improper selection of λ not only generates an under‐ or overfitted model but also leads to incorrect conclusions in inter‐model comparison studies such as between RR, PLS, PCR and other modeling methods. Several methods for determining the optimal RR model are evaluated in this paper. For example, the commonly used ridge trace is identified as subjective and impractical. A direct calculation method from the literature yields over‐ or underfitted RR models with λ either too small or to large respectively. Methods for determining λ based on a harmonious approach are discussed. The harmonious approach optimizes λ by inspecting the bias/variance tradeoff. Of the methods investigated, plotting a variance indicator against a bias measure to yield an L‐curve appears not only to simplify selection of λ but also to reduce the chance of obtaining an under‐ or overfitted RR model. It is shown with four data sets that the L‐curve harmonious approach consistently provides good models. The effective rank of models is also discussed in conjunction with the harmony/parsimony tradeoff. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Functional holography of complex networks activity—From cultures to the human brain
Authors: Baruchi Itay , Towle Vernon L. , Ben‐Jacob Eshel
Published: February 2005

A functional holography (FH) approach is introduced for analyzing the complex activity of biological networks in the space of functional correlations. Although the activity is often recorded from part of the nodes only, the goal is to decipher the activity of the whole network. This is why the analysis is guided by the “whole in every part” nature of a holograms—a small part of a hologram will generate the whole picture but with lower resolution. The analysis is started by constructing the space of functional correlations from the similarities between the activities of the network components using a special collective normalization or affinity transformation. Using dimension reduction algorithms like PCA, a connectivity diagram is generated in the 3‐dimensional space of the leading eigenvectors of the algorithm. The network components are positioned in the 3‐dimensional space by projection on the eigenvectors and connect them with colored lines that represent the similarities. Temporal (causal) information is superimposed by coloring the node's locations according to the temporal ordering of their activities. Utilizing the analysis, the existence of hidden manifolds with simple yet characteristic geometrical and topological features in the complex biological activity was discovered from cultured networks to the human brain. These findings could be a consequence of the analysis being consistent with a new holographic principle by which biological networks regulate their complex activity. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Complexity 10: 38–51, 2005
Synthesis and Molecular Structure of New Unsaturated Analogues of Nucleotides Containing Six‐Membered Rings
Authors: Brel Valery K. , Belsky Vitaly K. , Stash Adam I. , Zavodnik Valery E. , Stang Peter J.
Published: February 2005

The reaction of 1‐(chloromethyl)‐3‐(diethoxyphosphonyl)allenes 15 and 16 with purine and pyrimidine bases in the presence of cesium carbonate afforded new acyclic analogs of nucleotides containing a 1,2‐alkadienic skeleton (17−24). Intramolecular cyclization of the alkoxides tethered to the allenyl moiety yielded dihydropyrans 33−38 and dihydrofurans 39 and 40. Dealkylation of the dihydropyrans led to the corresponding phosphonic acids. The molecular structures of new nucleotide analogs 33 and 36 were determined by single‐crystal X‐ray analyses. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2005)
Synthesis of Novel Dendrimeric Systems Containing NLO Ligands
Authors: Brouwer Arwin J. , Liskamp Rob M. J.
Published: February 2005

The convergent synthesis of novel dendrimeric systems containing NLO‐ligands is described. The poor solubility properties of dendrimers of type A containing NLO‐ligands enticed us into developing novel dendrimers of type B leading to the convergent synthesis of third generation NLO‐containing dendrimer 15 containing branches of unequal length. Furthermore, a strategy was developed for connection of dendrons leading to dendrimer‐to‐dendrimer systems of type C. For this a dendrimer was required of which selectively one branch could be deprotected i.e. dendrimer 22. To the deprotected branch a next dendrimer moiety was attached leading to 23, also containing a deprotectable branch, which was used for attachment of another dendrimer moiety, leading to dendrimer‐to‐dendrimer system 24. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2005)
Prostaglandin E and prostacyclin receptor expression in tumor and host tissues from MCG 101‐bearing mice: A model with prostanoid‐related cachexia
Authors: Wang Wenhua , Andersson Marianne , Lõnnroth Christina , Svanberg Elisabeth , Lundholm Kent
Published: February 2005

Preclinical and clinical studies in our laboratory have suggested that prostaglandin (PG) E2 is involved in anorexia and cachexia development, although the role of COX pathways on the pathogenesis of cancer cachexia remains to be clarified. Expressions of PGE (EP1, EP2, EP3α,β,γ and EP4) and PGI (IP) receptors in the central nervous system (brain cortex, hypothalamus and brain stem), in peripheral (liver, white adipose tissue and skeletal muscle) and tumor tissue from MCG‐101‐bearing mice with and without indomethacin treatment were investigated by RT‐PCR and immunohistochemistry. Expression of EP1 in the liver and EP4 receptor in white adipose tissue were upregulated and responded to indomethacin treatment, while downregulated expression of EP3 in skeletal muscle from tumor‐bearing mice was unresponsive to indomethacin treatment despite improved carcass weight. Expression of EP and IP receptors in brain and tumor tissue from tumor‐bearing mice were neither related nor responsive to systemic PGE2 levels including increased IL‐1bβ, IL‐6 and TNF‐aα host activities. The expression IP receptor in CNS, peripheral tissue and tumor tissue was unchanged by cachexia development. Our results suggest that transcription of EP receptors in liver, fat and skeletal muscle tissue may be a control level for host metabolic alterations during tumor progression, while overall EP and IP receptor expression in CNS did not indicate an important control level for appetite regulation in MCG 101‐bearing mice despite prostanoid related anorexia. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.