bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Induction of Micronuclei in Human TK6 Lymphoblasts by 2‐Dodecylcyclobutanone, a Unique Radiolytic Product of Palmitic Acid
Authors: Sommers Christopher H.
Published: July 2007

ABSTRACT: Palmitic acid, the most abundant fatty acid in the human diet, causes oxidative DNA damage, DNA strand breakage, necrosis, and apoptosis in human and rodent cellsin vitro, while excess fatty acids in the diet increase the risk of colon cancerin vivo. Irradiation of palmitic acid leads to the formation of 2‐dodecylcyclobutanone (2‐DCB), a unique radiolytic product formed at part‐per‐million levels in fats. Recent research has raised the possibility that, like palmitic acid, 2‐DCB can also cause DNA strand breaks in human and rodent cells. In order to more fully understand the clastogenic potential of 2‐DCB, it was tested for the ability to induce the formation of micronuclei (MN) in human TK6 lymphoblasts. TK6 lymphoblasts were exposed to 13.3, 26.5, and 53 μM of 2‐DCB for 24 h, both with and without exogenous metabolic activation (EMA). The number of MN per 1000 binucleated cells was induced 2.65‐fold without EMA, and 2.85‐fold in the presence of EMA at the highest 2‐DCB concentration of 53 μM. Cytotoxicity of the TK6 lymphoblasts treated with 53 μM 2‐DCB was 51.7% in the absence of EMA, and 61.7% in the presence of EMA. Thus, like palmitic acid, 2‐DCB may be weakly clastogenic against human cellsin vitro. Given the amount of 2‐DCB that would be consumed when compared with that of its clastogenic parent fatty acid, 2‐DCB is unlikely to have any significant impact on human health.
A Photon Migration Method for Characterizing Fiber Formation in Meat Analogs
Authors: Ranasinghesagara J. , Hsieh F. , Yao G.
Published: July 2007

ABSTRACT: Meat analogs produced by high‐moisture extrusion of soy proteins are good alternatives to animal meat and have many health benefits. In addition to textural properties, an abundant fibrous structure in such extrudates is a key factor for consumer acceptance. Although several techniques have been developed for quantifying fiber formation in extrudates, their applications for real‐time quality control in manufacturing process have been challenging. In this study, we developed a nondestructive imaging technique to quantify fibrous structures in soy protein extrudates. The spatial distribution of light reflectance on sample surface was imaged and a fiber formation index was derived based on the random‐walk theory of light transport in anisotropic media. This method has a potential to be used as a nondestructive, real‐time quality control tool for products with fibrous structures.
Evaluation of Garam Masala Spices and Phosphates as Antioxidants in Cooked Ground Beef
Authors: Vasavada Mihir N. , Dwivedi Saumya , Cornforth Daren
Published: July 2007

ABSTRACT:  This study determined antioxidant effects and sensory attributes of individual ingredients (black pepper, caraway, cardamom, chili powder, cinnamon, cloves, coriander, cumin, fennel, ginger, nutmeg, salt, star anise) of an Indian spice blend (garam masala) in cooked ground beef. Thiobarbituric acid (TBA) values were measured as an indicator of rancidity for cooked samples on 1‐, 8‐, or 15‐d refrigerated storage. Cooked samples were evaluated by a trained panel (n= 13) for the intensity of rancid odor/flavor, beef flavor, and spice flavor and correlated with TBA values of same day samples. We also investigated possible additive effects between spice antioxidants and iron binding (type II) antioxidants on lipid oxidation by measuring TBA values. All spices had antioxidant effects on cooked ground beef, compared to controls. Among spices, cloves were the most effective in controlling lipid oxidation, with TBA values of 0.75, after 15‐d refrigerated storage. All spices at their recommended levels lowered rancid odor and flavor in cooked ground beef, compared to controls. As expected, most spices also imparted distinctive flavors to cooked ground beef. There was a positive correlation (0.77) between TBA values on 15‐d refrigerated storage and rancid odor/flavor. Type II antioxidants (iron‐binding phosphate compounds) were more effective than individual type I antioxidants (spices and butylated hydroxytoluene; BHT) for maintenance of low TBA values in cooked ground beef during storage. Additive effects were observed with rosemary + milk mineral or sodium tripolyphosphate (STP) compared to rosemary alone.
Ingredient Levels Optimization and Nutritional Evaluation of a Low‐calorie Blackberry (Rubus irasuensis Liebm.) Jelly
Authors: Acosta O. , Víquez F. , Cubero E. , Morales I.
Published: July 2007

ABSTRACT:  Response surface methodology (Box‐Behnken design) was applied to assess and model effects of 3 factors, sweetener, low methoxyl pectin, and calcium content (each at 3 levels), on the overall acceptability of a blackberry (Rubus irasuensis Liebm.) jelly, as determined by 100 consumers. Jelly was produced using clarified juice, obtained from a cross‐flow microfiltration process. Results showed that the model fit was significant, and there was satisfactory correlation between actual and fitted values (R 2= 0.925 and adjusted R 2= 0.791). The model presented no significant lack of fit (P= 0.096). Sweetener level had a significant effect on overall acceptability (P≤ 0.05), but low methoxyl pectin and calcium levels did not. The statistical model was further used to optimize the factor levels for highest acceptability, in order to obtain a jelly that provided less than 8 calories per serving, making it possible to label the product as “low calorie.” The product is a good alternative for consumers who wish to diminish sucrose intake.
Development of Reduced Beany Flavor Full‐fat Soy Paste for Comminuted Meat Products
Authors: Das Arun K. , Anjaneyulu A.S.R. , Kondaiah N.
Published: July 2007

ABSTRACT: The study was aimed to develop a processing technology for reduced beany flavor full‐fat soy paste (FFSP) after moist heat treatment of soybeans at 100 °C for 0, 5, 10, and 15 min. Sensory studies of paste showed that 15‐min heat treatment significantly (P< 0.01) improved color and consistency, while paste was free from typical beany flavor. The physical, functional, and sensory properties of soybean were sensitive to moist heat treatment, and such treatments can have a substantial influence on their use in food systems. Goat meat patties were selected to evaluate the potential application of FFSP in meat food system. The soy proteins incorporated in goat meat patties as FFSP increased moisture and fat and decreased protein, shrinkage, hardness, springiness, chewiness, and shear force values. Sensory analysis of patties showed that use of FFSP resulted in a reduction of specific soybean off‐flavor (beany and bitter notes) and off‐aroma. Addition of paste made the goat meat patties more tender and juicy, and overall acceptability of the products was comparable to control. Soy proteins as FFSP could be utilized as nonmeat protein source and could improve the sensory characteristics of comminuted meat products to which they are added.
Effect of pH‐Shift Processing and Surimi Processing on Atlantic Croaker (Micropogonias undulates) Muscle Proteins
Authors: Kristinsson H. G. , Liang Y.
Published: July 2007

ABSTRACT:  Extraction and recovery of fish muscle proteins with the pH‐shift process was investigated for Atlantic croaker and compared to a laboratory scale surimi process. The acid‐aided process led to higher recoveries (P < 0.05) than the alkali‐aided process, which in turn led to higher recoveries (P < 0.05) than surimi processing. Lipid reductions were highest (P < 0.05) for the alkali‐aided process, followed by the acid‐aided process, with surimi giving the least reduction. No major differences in recovered proteins could be seen for the three processes, except both pH‐shift processes had a protein band (∼150 KDa) possibly representing partial hydrolysis of myosin. Oscillatory rheology on protein pastes during heating and cooling showed the highest storage moduli for the alkali‐aided isolate, followed by the acid aided isolates and surimi. Torsion testing on protein gels demonstrated significantly higher strain and stress values for gels made from frozen isolates with added cryoprotectants compared to fresh gels without added cryoprotectants. Gel stress was significantly higher (P < 0.05) for the frozen gels with added cryoprotectants made from the isolates, compared to surimi. Although isolate pastes had higher (P < 0.05) lightness values than surimi pastes, surimi gels had higher (P < 0.05) lightness than isolate gels. The acid‐aided gels had higher levels of yellowness than the other treatments. Both surimi and alkali‐aided isolates had significantly (P < 0.05) lower oxidation levels compared to the ground raw material. The acid isolate had poor oxidative stability and gave higher oxidation values than the raw material. Surimi and alkali‐aided pastes and gels also had higher oxidative stability than acid‐aided gels.
Food Mycotoxins: An Update
Authors: Murphy Patricia A. , Hendrich Suzanne , Landgren Cindy , Bryant Cory M.
Published: July 2007

The Institute of Food Technologists has issued this Scientific Status Summary to update readers on the science of fungal toxins.
Can redistribution of breeding colonies on a landscape mitigate changing predation danger?
Authors: Kenyon James K. , Smith Barry D. , Butler Robert W.
Published: July 2007

The reproductive success of colonially breeding species depends in part upon a trade‐off between the benefit of a dilution effect against nestling predation within larger colonies and colony conspicuousness. However, there may be no net survivorship benefit of dilution if smaller colonies are sufficiently inconspicuous. This raises the question about how the size distribution of breeding colonies on a landscape might change as the predation danger for nestlings changes. In southwest British Columbia, Canada, bald eagle Haliaeetus leucocephalus populations have increased exponentially at ∼5% per year in recent decades and prey upon nestlings of colonial breeding great blue herons Ardea herodias faninni. Motivated by field data on reproductive success in relation to colony size, modeling is used to ask under which circumstances trading off a dilution benefit against colony conspicuousness can improve population reproductive success. That is, which colonial nesting distribution, dispersed and cryptic versus clumped and conspicuous, best mitigates predation danger on nestlings? When predators are territorial, the modeling predicts a dispersed nesting strategy as attack rate increases, but not as predator numbers increase. When predators are non‐territorial, the modeling predicts a dispersed nesting strategy as predator numbers and/or attack rates increase. When predators are both territorial and non‐territorial, colonial nesting within a predator's territory improves reproductive success when attack rates are low. This suggests nesting in association with territorial predators may offer decreased levels of predation when compared with nesting amongst non‐territorial predators. Thus a change in the colony size distribution of colonially breeding species might be anticipated on a landscape experiencing a change in predation danger.
Growth and energetics of a small shorebird species in a cold environment: the little stintCalidris minutaon the Taimyr Peninsula, Siberia
Authors: Tjørve Kathleen M. C. , Schekkerman Hans , Tulp Ingrid , Underhill Leslie G. , De Leeuw Joep J. , Visser G. Henk
Published: July 2007

The little stintCalidris minutais one of the smallest shorebird species breeding in the Arctic (weighing 4.3 g on hatching). Their chicks are small and have a high surface area‐to‐volume ratio. We determined prefledging growth, energy expenditure and time budgets for little stint chicks in northwestern Taimyr, Siberia. A modified power curve was introduced to model the relationship between daily energy expenditure and body mass. Total metabolisable energy, TME, over the 15‐d prefledging period was 107% greater than the allometric prediction for a bird the size of a little stint. Their growth rate coefficient was 14% greater than the prediction for a bird their size. The growth of young chicks was reduced in cool weather, possibly due to a reduction in foraging time in order to be brooded and reduced food availability which impact foraging efficiency. We did not detect weather effects on energy expenditure of chicks, but lack of temperature variation during energy expenditure measurements may have prevented this. In sum, both growth rate coefficient and energy expenditure of little stint chicks were greater than predicted and this is similar to that observed in other arctic shorebird species.
Calcium‐dependent inactivation of calcium channels in cochlear hair cells of the chicken
Authors: Lee Seunghwan , Briklin Olga , Hiel Hakim , Fuchs Paul
Published: July 2007

Voltage‐gated calcium channels support both spontaneous and sound‐evoked neurotransmitter release from ribbon synapses of cochlear hair cells. A variety of regulatory mechanisms must cooperate to ensure the appropriate level of activity in the restricted pool of synaptic calcium channels (∼100) available to each synaptic ribbon. One potential feedback mechanism, calcium‐dependent inactivation (CDI) of voltage‐gated, L‐type calcium channels, can be modulated by calmodulin‐like calcium‐binding proteins. CDI of voltage‐gated calcium current was studied in hair cells of the chicken's basilar papilla (analogous to the mammalian cochlea) after blocking the predominant potassium conductances. For inactivating currents produced by 2.5 s steps to the peak of the current–voltage relation (1 mm EGTA internal calcium buffer), single exponential fits yielded an average decay time constant of 1.92 ± 0.18 s (mean ±s.e.m., n= 12) at 20–22°C, while recovery occurred with a half‐time of ∼10 s. Inactivation produced no change in reversal potential, arguing that the observed relaxation did not result from alternative processes such as calcium accumulation or activation of residual potassium currents. Substitution of external calcium with barium greatly reduced inactivation, while inhibition of endoplasmic calcium pumps with t‐benzohydroquinone (BHQ) or thapsigargin made inactivation occur faster and to a greater extent. Raising external calcium 10‐fold (from 2 to 20 mm) increased peak current 3‐fold, but did not alter the extent or time course of CDI. However, increasing levels of internal calcium buffer consistently reduced the rate and extent of inactivation. With 1 mm EGTA buffering and in 2 mm external calcium, the available pool of calcium channels was half‐inactivated near the resting membrane potential (−50 mV). CDI may be further regulated by calmodulin‐like calcium‐binding proteins (CaBPs). mRNAs for several CaBPs are expressed in chicken cochlear tissue, and antibodies to CaBP4 label hair cells, but not supporting cells, equivalent to the pattern seen in mammalian cochlea. Thus, molecular mechanisms that underlie CDI appeared to be conserved across vertebrate species, may provide a means to adjust calcium channel open probability, and could serve to maintain the set‐point for spontaneous release from the ribbon synapse.
Fast visuomotor processing made faster by sound
Authors: Reynolds Raymond F. , Day Brian L.
Published: July 2007

Reaction time to a visual event can be dramatically reduced if the visual stimulus is accompanied by a startling sound. The mechanism may involve a motor programme being stored and triggered early by the sound. However, in a choice reaction task the required response is not known in advance, and so cannot be stored. In this case startling sound does not usually speed up the reaction and may even be detrimental to performance. Here we show that the reaction time of a special type of visually evoked movement can be substantially reduced by startling sound, even though the movement requires choice. The task involved stepping onto an illuminated target that sometimes moved mid‐step left or right, requiring a foot trajectory adjustment. These adjustments occur at much shorter latency than conventional visuomotor reaction tasks and are thought to involve subcortical brain areas. The presence of the sound, which carried no information, shortened the already fast mean response time of 134 ms by ∼20 ms. We attribute this to auditory–visual interaction since sound alone had no effect. Although we observed startle responses, the quickening effect was not contingent upon their presence. Given minimum motor and sensory conduction time, we estimate that the loud sound reduced the central visuomotor processing time by at least 30%.
Imaging the vascular wall using confocal microscopy
Authors: Arribas Silvia M. , Daly Craig J. , González M. Carmen , McGrath John C.
Published: July 2007

Blood vessels are capable of structural changes in a dynamic process called ‘vascular remodelling’, which involves cell growth, death, phenotypic change and migration, as well as extracellular matrix synthesis and degradation. An integrated view of the interrelationships of the different elements of the arterial wall is made possible by fluorescence confocal microscopy which enables collection of serial optical sections of relatively thick specimens without the need to cut them as with conventional histology. With the aid of image analysis software, these serial sections can be further reconstructed to obtain 3‐D images, where the structures of interest are localized and quantified. Confocal microscopy can be combined with pressure myography to obtain, simultaneously, information on vascular function and 3‐D structure at near‐to‐physiological conditions. There are a vast number of fluorescent compounds useful for imaging vessel structure and function. Nuclear dyes allow the identification of the different types of vascular cells and the quantification of their number, shape and orientation. The speed of confocal image acquisition and processing makes it possible to scan entire intact arteries stained with fluorescent kits or antibodies to locate infrequent events such as cell apoptosis, proliferation or migration. Confocal microscopy is not only useful for imaging vascular wall structure, but also to visualize and quantify, by the intensity of fluorescence, the generation of vascular cell factors such as nitric oxide or superoxide anion. In conclusion, confocal microscopy and image analysis software provide insight into vascular wall structure and function and the active process of vascular remodelling in physiological and pathological situations.
The Evolution of Selfing in
Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Tang Chunlao , Toomajian Christopher , Sherman-Broyles Susan , Plagnol Vincent , Guo Ya-Long , Hu Tina T. , Clark Richard M. , Nasrallah June B. , Weigel Detlef , Nordborg Magnus
Published: July 2007

Unlike most of its close relatives,
Arabidopsis thaliana
is capable of self-pollination. In other members of the mustard family, outcrossing is ensured by the complex self-incompatibility (
S
) locus,which harbors multiple diverged specificity haplotypes that effectively prevent selfing. We investigated the role of the
S
locus in the evolution of and transition to selfing in
A. thaliana
. We found that the
S
locus of
A. thaliana
harbored considerable diversity, which is an apparent remnant of polymorphism in the outcrossing ancestor. Thus, the fixation of a single inactivated
S
-locus allele cannot have been a key step in the transition to selfing. An analysis of the genome-wide pattern of linkage disequilibrium suggests that selfing most likely evolved roughly a million years ago or more.
AN ONTOLOGY FOR UNDERSTANDING AND APPLYING OBJECT-ORIENTED DESIGN KNOWLEDGE
Authors: GARZÁS JAVIER , PIATTINI MARIO
Published: July 2007

After years of experience in object-oriented design, software engineers have accumulated a great deal of knowledge in the design and construction of object-oriented systems: important contributions to this field including principles, heuristics, lessons learned, bad smells, refactorings, and so on, with the resultant major improvements in software development. However, this large body of knowledge is still not well organized, its terminology is ambiguous, and it is very difficult to make practical use of the contributions made. In this regard, we believe it is important to define an ontology in order to structure and unify design knowledge, since a good understanding of the experience derived from practical work is critical for software engineers. This ontology could be used to improve communication between software engineers, inter-operability among designs, design re-usability, design knowledge searching and specification, software maintenance, knowledge acquisition, etc. In the ontology we incorporate knowledge specific to both domain and technology. Such an organized body of knowledge could also be used for registering and documenting design rationale issues.
EFFECT OF COATING CONTENT ON THE PROPERTIES OFA1(OH)3–Y(OH)3/ZrB2COMPOSITE PARTICLES
Authors: SONG JIE-GUANG , ZHANG LIAN-MENG , LI JUN-GUO , SONG JIAN-RONG
Published: July 2007

Zirconium diboride is widely applied to high-temperature materials, but it is easily oxidized at high temperature. To increase the oxidation resistance of zirconium diboride at high temperature, the A 1( OH )3– Y ( OH )3is coated on the ZrB2surface to prepare A 1( OH )3– Y ( OH )3/ ZrB2composite particles. In this paper, the effect of coating content on the properties of A 1( OH )3– Y ( OH )3/ ZrB2composite particles is investigated. It is analyzed that the particle size and particle size distribution of A 1( OH )3– Y ( OH )3/ ZrB2composite particles is increased with the coating content. The dispersion of ZrB2particles is largely increased with the coating content of 0%–20%; the dispersion of ZrB2particles is similar when the coating content is from 20% to 30%. The oxidation resistance ratio of the ZrB2particles with 30% coating content is the best than that of other conditions—it is about three times more than that of the original ZrB2particles.
STRUCTURE CONTROL AND FERROELECTRIC PROPERTIES OF SrBi4Ti4O15 THIN FILMS ON Si SUBSTRATES COATED BY (100)- AND (110)-ORIENTED LaNiO3 ELECTRODES
Authors: WANG PILONG , HU GUANGDA , DING YANXIA , FAN SUHUA
Published: July 2007

SrBi 4 Ti 4 O 15 ( SBTi ) thin films were prepared on (100)- and (110)-oriented LaNiO 3( LNO ) electrodes by a metalorgranic decomposition (MOD) technique at an annealing temperature of 650°C. c-axis-oriented SBTi thin film with volume fraction of 0.89 can be formed on a (100)-oriented LNO film due to the epitaxial relationship between c-axis-oriented SBTi and LNO (100). In contrast, SBTi film deposited on LNO (110) shows random orientations with strong (119) and (200) peaks. The remanent polarization (Pr) and coercive field (Ec) of the random oriented SBTi film were 18.1 μC/cm2 and 70 kV/cm, respectively. This suggests that (110)-oriented LNO electrode is a better choice for obtaining SBTi films with higher volume fraction of a(b)-axis-orientated grains.
THE ORGANIC LED SURFACE: A SYNCHROTRON RADIATION PHOTOEMISSION STUDY
Authors: PI TUN-WEN , YU T. C.
Published: July 2007

Tris(8-hydroxyquinolato) aluminum ( Alq 3), a prototypical molecule for organic light-emitting devices, has been studied via synchrotron radiation photoemission to investigate (1) the surface electronic structure of the molecules at room temperature and at elevated temperatures, (2) adsorption onto the inorganic Si (001)-2×1 surface, and (3) doping with the alkaline metal Mg . For case (1), three chemical environments of carbon are resolved. Moreover, the shake-up satellite structures are detected in all the N 1s, C 1s, O 1s, and Al 2p core-level spectra, but with different magnitudes. Annealing allows for a charge redistribution within Alq 3 itself. As to case (2), the organic molecules not only passivate the dangling bonds, but also rupture the dimer bonds. The wave function of the surface dangling bonds and of the pyridyl side of an 8-quinolinol ligand overlaps greatly so that charge is polarized towards, the organic adlayer. However, the polarization diminishes at greater coverage. With regard to case (3), the N 1s core-level spectra appear as an Mg -induced charge-transfer component with a binding energy lower than the original component. This new component grows gradually in intensity with increasing concentration of the dopant. Moreover, Mg also affects the O 1s core, as manifested by a component lying at a +1.09 eV higher binding energy than the original component. The Mg 2p core-level spectra, although rather broad, exhibit a shift toward a lower binding energy with increasing Mg vapor. Upon examining all these experimental results, we propose that Mg in the surface Alq 3 molecules forms clusters. Each cluster attaches to a pyridyl ring, affecting not only the nitrogen atom at that ring, but also the oxygen atom in the adjacent phenoxide ring. The depleted charge in the affected oxygen then flows about its adherent ligand and resides on the pyridyl ring at that ligand, resulting in a high Alq 3 anion state.
EFFECTIVENESS OF COOP ADVERTISING PROGRAMS IN COMPETITIVE DISTRIBUTION CHANNELS
Authors: KARRAY SALMA , ZACCOUR GEORGES
Published: July 2007

We propose a model of retail promotions for competitive distribution channels and investigate whether cooperative advertising programs are profitable for such channels. While previous studies showed that coop programs increase total channel profits in bilateral monopolies, no evidence of such a result has been provided for channels where competition is present at the manufacturing and the retailing levels. In this paper, we consider a distribution channel formed by two manufacturers and two retailers and propose a model that accounts for brand and store substitution effects generated by the retailer's promotional efforts. The efficiency of the coop plan is investigated by comparing equilibria of four non-cooperative games; one where manufacturers do not offer any promotional support to the retailers, one where manufacturers do offer such a support and two scenarios where in turn only one manufacturer is offering such program. We show that when competition is introduced, coop ad programs may be due to a prisonner's dilemma situation for the manufacturers. The benefit for retailers and consumers is also assessed.
A MODIFIED DUOPOLY GAME MODEL IN BULK COMMODITY TRANSPORTATION MARKETS
Authors: YANG ZHIYONG , PERAKIS A. N.
Published: July 2007

In this paper, we try to analyze the interactions among the shippers and the carriers, including the rail and marine shipping industry, in the bulk shipping market. Our paper presents both a two-player game model, and a two-stage, three-player, game model that includes the buyer as an active player. Assuming the players have complete information, we derive an analytical solution to a two-stage, three-player game with capacity constraints. We also present a numerical algorithm to solve a two-stage, three-player game with complete information. A grain transportation scenario in the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway is used to illustrate our models. The results suggest that the two-stage, three-player game model has a better prediction capability than the duopoly game model in the bulk shipping competition problem.
TWISTED DUAL GAMES AND THEIR PROPERTIES
Authors: KIKUTA KENSAKU
Published: July 2007

We define a duality of solutions in coalitional games that we call a twisted duality. This twisted duality extends the rule of self-duality in bankruptcy problems. After showing that the prekernel and prenucleolus exhibit twisted duality, we define a twisted reduced game property and characterize the prekernel and prenucleolus by axioms including this property. We note that the Shapley value satisfies twisted duality, and we define another twisted reduced game property by and characterize the Shapley value by axioms including this property.
MEASURING THE POWER OF PARTIES WITHIN GOVERNMENT COALITIONS
Authors: WIESE HARALD
Published: July 2007

The paper presents a coalition-structure value that is meant to capture outside options of players in a cooperative game. It deviates from the Aumann-Drèze value by violating the null-player axiom. We use this value as a power index and apply it to weighted majority games.
THE E-MAIL GAME REVISITED — MODELING ROUGH INDUCTIVE REASONING
Authors: DULLECK UWE
Published: July 2007

I study the robustness of Rubinstein's (1989) E-Mail Game results by varying the information that players can utilize. The article follows one of Morris' (2002) reactions to the E-Mail game "that one should try to come up with a model of boundedly rational behavior that delivers predictions that are insensitive to whether there is common knowledge or a large number of levels of knowledge". Players in my model are presumed to use 'rough inductive reasoning' because they cannot utilize exact information.

The information structure in the E-Mail game is generalized and the conditions are characterized under which Rubinstein's results hold. I find that rough inductive reasoning generates a payoff dominant equilibrium where the expected payoffs change continuously (instead of discretely) in the probability of "faulty" communication.
THE CENTIPEDE OF ROSENTHAL
Authors: MARCHI EZIO
Published: July 2007

In this short note we extend the very well known Centipede game of Rosenthal to the same extensive games with perfect information. The only difference that here the Centipede games have instead of numbers as payoff functions, they have variables. We introduce and study the relationship between the structure of subgame perfect equilibrium points (see Osborne (1994), Binmore (1994)) and the friendly equilibrium points due to Marchi (2004a) and (2004b). We solve an Asheim's conjecture (private communication).
COMPETITIVE TAX EVASION AND TRANSFER PRICES
Authors: GANGOPADHYAY PARTHA
Published: July 2007

We develop an interactive model involving competitive tax evasion to determine optimal transfer prices by multinational firms. We establish that the proposed game is characterized by multiple equilibria. Implications of these multiple equilibria are examined.
ERRATUM: "RATIONAL DYNAMICS AND EPISTEMIC LOGIC IN GAMES"
Authors: VAN BENTHEM JOHAN
Published: July 2007

Game-theoretic solution concepts describe sets of strategy profiles that are optimal for all players in some plausible sense. Such sets are often found by recursive algorithms like iterated removal of strictly dominated strategies in strategic games, or backward induction in extensive games. Standard logical analyses of solution sets use assumptions about players in fixed epistemic models for a given game, such as mutual knowledge of rationality. In this paper, we propose a different perspective, analyzing solution algorithms as processes of learning which change game models. Thus, strategic equilibrium gets linked to fixed-points of operations of repeated announcement of suitable epistemic statements. This dynamic stance provides a new look at the current interface of games, logic, and computation.
CO-OPETITION STRATEGY FROM THE PATENT ANALYSIS PERSPECTIVE: THE CASE OF THE STENT MARKET
Authors: LAI KUEI-KUEI , SU FANG-PEI , WENG CALVIN S. , CHEN CHIAU-LING
Published: July 2007

Information about technological innovation and its evolutionary path can be explored by patent analysis. Therefore, for those firms which are dependant on large investments and a high business performance, such as stent manufacturers, integrating patent information with business strategy is the critical issue. The competition between stent manufactures is intensifying because of increasing global volume demand and improving technological performance. From a resource-based view, adopting a co-opetition strategy is essential for firms to keep sustainable competitive advantage. Over the last decade, patent rights have become a major tool of the co-opetition strategy. This study analyzes patent data from the USPTO during 1984 to 2005 and constructs patent information indicators to verify the process of technology evolution. On these grounds, we can understand the relative technological position and technological strength of the major manufacturers in this industry and also inspect their changes of position and business scope to examine the relationship between each firm's technology strategy and business strategy.
ADHESION BETWEEN CARBON NANOTUBES AND SUBSTRATE: MIMICKING THE GECKO FOOT-HAIR
Authors: ZHOU W. , HUANG Y. , LIU B. , WU J. , HWANG K. C. , WEI B. Q.
Published: July 2007

A continuum model is developed based on the van der Waals interactions to study the adhesion between multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) and substrates. Simple, analytical expressions for the binding energy and pulling force are obtained in terms of the MWCNT radius, number of walls, and parameters in the van der Waals potential. For a 1 cm by 1 cm template with densely packed MWCNTs (50 nm in spacing), the total pulling force can reach 26.6 N and 21.9 N for the graphite and polyethylene substrates, respectively.
Low-Temperature Polysilicon History and A CPU with an Operating Frequency in the GHz Range
Authors: Yamazaki Shunpei
Published: July 2007

Research on LTPS (low-temperature polysilicon) technology proceeded from the early 1980s together with the development of laser devices. At present, in 2007, technology for manufacturing a high-performance semiconductor film on glass is already being put into practice. In this paper, I would like to discuss the history of LTPS and the development of CGS (continuous-grain silicon) technology which enabled the realization of system-on-glass technology. In addition, I will compare the characteristics of ULSI (ultra-large-scale integration) on silicon and UTFTs (ultra-thin film transistors) on glass and talk about their potential for application to various devices.
Electrical Performance and Reliability Aspects of Strain Engineered Deep Submicron CMOS Technologies
Authors: Claeys Cor , Eneman Geert , Bargallo Gonzalez Mireia , Put Sofie , Simoen Eddy
Published: July 2007

To keep track with Moore's law, strain engineering based on either a global or a local approach is gaining much interest and has already been successfully implemented for 65 and 45 nm technology nodes. Although the first goal is to improve the drive current by mobility enhancement, other performance parameters such as leakage current, carrier lifetime and low frequency 1/f noise have to be considered. The implementation of stressors also impacts the radiation hardness of the devices. First some general comments are given on strain engineering techniques already used, before discussing more in detail their impact on several electrical device parameters. Attention mainly will be given to illustrate a global approach based on strained Si on strain-relaxed SiGe buffer layers and the use of process-induced stressors such as an embedded SiGe layer and a contact etch stop layer (CESL). Both are gaining strong interest for implementation in a FinFET technology. Some advantages and disadvantages of the different approaches will be outlined.
Leakage Current-Free Pixel Structure Using a Blocking Transistor for Active-Matrix Display
Authors: Park Hyun-Sang , Lee Woocheul , Kuk Seung-Hee , Han Min-Koo
Published: July 2007

We presented a new thin film transistor (TFT) pixel structure for active-matrix organic light-emitting diode (AMOLED) displays in which the holding capacity is enhanced by employing only one additional switching transistor. The off-state resistance of the switching TFT is considerably increased by suppressing its drain-source voltage, so that the gate bias of the current driving transistor is prevented from being varied during a frame period. SPICE simulation results show that the deviation range of OLED current in the proposed pixel is significantly reduced to 1.5%, whereas that in the conventional pixel exceeds 13%. This leakage current-free pixel scheme, where the undesirable effects by troublesome leakage current is successfully suppressed, can be of significant help to apply polycrystalline or nanocrystalline silicon TFTs to pixel array circuits.
Investigation of Hump Degradation by F-N stress for Narrow Width n-MOSFETs with Shallow Trench Isolation (STI)
Authors: Seo Jae Yong , Seok Jeong-Eun , Kim Hyun-Jung , Lee Sang-keun , Jeon Jae-Eun , Kim Yeong-Geun , Lee Won-Shik
Published: July 2007

To understand relationship between hump degradation and FN stress, we have investigated FN stress induced damage process in this paper. We have found that sub-threshold hump increase could be caused by edge hole trap along the STI/Si interface. The surprising degradation of double-hump is observed depending on the bias-temperature stress. The FN stress induced transistor hump makes the off leakage current (Ioff) and degradation of memory device performance
Electrical Characterization of Advanced Gate Dielectrics for Scaled CMOS Technology
Authors: Ma T.P.
Published: July 2007

This paper reviews the following electrical characterization techniques for measuring the microscopic bonding structures, impurities, and electrically active defects in advanced CMOS gate stacks: (1) Inelastic Electron Tunneling Spectroscopy (IETS), (2) lateral profiling of threshold voltages, interface-trap density, and oxide charge density distributions along the channel of a MOSFET, and (3) PASHEI (Pulse Agitated Substrate Hot Electron Injection) technique for measuring trapping effects in the gate dielectric at low and modest gate voltages.
Defects and Defect Precursor Reductions in Non-Crystalline Thin Films: Intermediate Phases Generated by Chemcial Bonding Self- Organizations
Authors: Lucovsky Gerald , Phillips James , Kasap Safa
Published: July 2007

Thin films with intermediate phase (IP) bonding regimes have been incorporated into optical, electrical and other devices, and semiconductor dielectric interfaces as well. These IPs result from chemical bonding self-organizations that suppress local bond-strain, are associated with chemically-ordered-rather than random-alloy-bonding, and in many instances break bond-bending constraints through local site symmetry reductions.
Air Cavity Generation for Interconnect and High Resolution Displays
Authors: Kohl Paul A.
Published: July 2007

A new approach for the wafer-level fabrication of silicon-VLSI-based liquid-crystal (VLSI/LC) microdisplays has been investigated. Fabrication of the LC cell gap is based on the same processes developed for creating ultra low-k dielectrics for VLSI interconnect. A dimensionally precise planar LC cavity is created by use of a sacrificial polymer placeholder in an all build-up process. The process flow for a reflective LC display is presented along with early tests using a polyimide alignment layer.
Heterojunctions between Silicon and the Semiconducting Metal Silicides β-FeSi2 and MgSi2
Authors: Baleva Mitra I. , Goranova Ekaterina , Marinova Maya , Atanasov Alexandar
Published: July 2007

The current-voltage dependences of heterojunctions between the silicon and the semiconducting metal silicides β-FeSi2 and MgSi2, prepared by ion-beam synthesis, followed by rapid thermal annealing, are reported. It was found that the anisotype junctions showed a rectifying behavior, reflecting the heterojunctions energy band diagrams, constructed on the base of the previous optical and structural investigations.
Electromigration Reliability Assessment of Cu-based Metallization Systems by a Wafer-Level Approach
Authors: Impronta Maurizio , Marras Alessandro , De Munari Ilaria , Scorzoni Andrea , Valentini Maria Grazia
Published: July 2007

Recently, a fast improved isothermal method (ISOT) has been devised to characterize the electromigration (EM) wafer level reliability (WLR). In this paper, the usefulness of ISOT will be shown, not only for the aim of process monitoring in production, but also, when the method is applied carefully, to complement and, in perspective, to substitute the expensive standard package-level reliability (PLR) tests, currently used to assess the EM reliability. The complete methodological approach is described, as well as precautions to control the stress conditions and normalization procedures to account for the process parameter spread. Some results on double-damascene 90 nm Cu technology are shown.
New LC (Laser Crystallization) Method for GHz Level TFT Operation
Authors: Tanaka Koichiro , Omata Takatsugu , Moriwaka Tomoaki , Oishi Hirotada , Yamazaki Shunpei
Published: July 2007

We have developed a new laser crystallization method that can make a poly-Silicon film with large crystal grains each having more than 1 micron in diameter on a glass substrate by using a high repetition pulse laser. This high repetition pulse laser is the harmonic of a solid state laser with a repetition rate of 10 MHz or more, and its pulse width is 10 ns or less, typically several tens of picoseconds. We used the green pulse laser having 40 W or more with a repetition rate of 80 MHz, and we obtained large long crystal grains with more than 1 x 10 microns. By using this poly-Silicon, we obtained N-channel type TFTs which have a mobility of 300 cm2/Vs or more. These TFTs enable the operation of 1 GHz at the level of a ring oscillator, when a voltage of a drive signal is 3.3 to 5 V.
Dielectric Reliability for Future Logic and Non-Volatile Memory Applications: a Statistical Simulation Analysis Approach
Authors: Padovani Andrea , Larcher Luca , Chimenton Andrea , Pavan Paolo , Olivo Piero
Published: July 2007

In this paper, we present a physically-based Monte-Carlo (MC) model reproducing the leakage current flowing across typical dielectric layers (SiO2, high-k) used in ULSI technologies. Simulations will be shown to predict accurately currents measured on MOSFETs, large area MOS capacitor, and tunnel oxides of Flash memories after electrical and radiation stresses. Statistical aspects related to leakage current and threshold voltage are reproduced correctly, allowing worst case corner prediction, necessary to assess dielectric damaging effects on logic circuits and non-volatile memory operation.
Moisture Induced Accelerated Aging of an Amorphous Silicon TFT-Photodiode Array
Authors: Hennessy William A. , Albagli Douglas , Couture Aaron J.
Published: July 2007

Large area electronic devices based on amorphous silicon thin film technology are finding increased use in applications including information displays, x-ray detectors, antenna arrays, surveillance radar, and sensors for chem-bio hazard detection. 1 Fabricated on a variety of substrate materials, these devices generally consist of multilayered structures of conducting, semi-conducting, and insulating films. High density fine-lined interconnect technology is frequently employed to achieve the desired electrical connection between various circuit elements. In practice, the majority of these devices are assembled into non-hermetic or quasi-hermetic second level package enclosures for eventual field use. Accordingly, the thin film structures will be subjected to prolonged exposure to environmental or ambient moisture. This situation is further complicated since, in many cases, the levels of ambient moisture will exhibit significant fluctuation due to the relatively uncontrolled environment the devices are ultimately deployed within. It is therefore essential that one understand the potential performance degradation of the device due to extended exposure to ambient moisture. This paper describes the accelerated moisture induced aging of a glass substrate based large area amorphous silicon based TFT-photodiode active matrix. A high temperature water immersion technique is utilized to enhance the moisture penetration rate through the final layer of protective device passivation. The ability of this test methodology to rapidly characterize the reliability performance of a passivation layer is presented. The moisture induced stress sensitivity of device parametrics, FET and photo-diode leakage, interconnect degradation, and metallic corrosion as a function of prolonged high temperature water exposure is discussed.
Radiation Exposure Effect on Amorphous Silicon Thin Film Transistors
Authors: Nominanda Helinda , Kuo Yue , Chen Chia-Chieh , Hwang Chyi-Ching
Published: July 2007

Amorphous silicon thin film transistors have been exposed to Co-60 radiation. Electrical characteristics of transistors at different experimental stages have been measured and compared. The gamma-ray irradiation damaged bulk films and interfaces, which caused the shift of the transfer characteristics to the positive gate voltage direction indicating more negatives charge trapped. The transistor's field effect mobility, on/off current ratio, and interface state density were deteriorated by the irradiation process. Thermal annealing almost restored the electrical characteristics to the original state.
Nuclear expression of E2F4 induces cell death via multiple pathways in normal human intestinal epithelial crypt cells but not in colon cancer cells
Authors: Garneau Hugo , Alvarez Laetitia , Paquin Marie-Christine , Lussier Carine , Rancourt Claudine , Tremblay Éric , Beaulieu Jean-Francois , Rivard Nathalie
Published: July 2007

E2F transcription factors control cell cycle progression. The localization of E2F4 in intestinal epithelial cells is cell cycle dependent, being cytoplasmic in quiescent differentiated cells but nuclear in proliferative cells. However, whether nuclear translocation of E2F4 alone is sufficient to trigger intestinal epithelial cell proliferation remains to be established. Adenoviruses expressing fusion proteins between green fluorescent protein (GFP) and wild-type (wt)E2F4 or GFP and nuclear localization signal (NLS)-tagged E2F4 were used to infect normal human intestinal epithelial crypt cells (HIEC). In contrast to expression of wtE2F4, persistent expression of E2F4 into the nucleus of HIEC triggered phosphatidylserine exposure, cytoplasmic shrinkage, zeiosis, formation of apoptotic bodies, and activation of caspase 9 and caspase 3. Inhibition of caspase activities by zVAD-fmk partially inhibited cell death induced by E2F4-NLS. An induction of p53, phosphorylated Ser15-p53, PUMA, FAS, BAX, RIP, and phosphorylated JNK1 was also observed in HIEC expressing E2F4-NLS compared with wtE2F4-expressing cells. E2F1 and p14ARF expression remained unaltered. Downregulation of p53 expression by RNA interference attenuated cell death induced by E2F4-NLS. By contrast, the level of cell death was negligible in colon cancer cells despite the strong expression of E2F4 into the nucleus. In conclusion, deregulated nuclear E2F4 expression induces apoptosis via multiple pathways in normal intestinal epithelial cells but not in colon cancer cells. Hence, mutations that deregulate E2F4 localization may provide an initial proliferative advantage but at the same time accelerate cell death. However, intestinal cells acquiring mutations (e.g., p53, Bax loci, etc.) may escape apoptosis, thereby revealing the full mitogenic potential of the E2F4 transcription factor.
Hepatic lactate uptake versus leg lactate output during exercise in humans
Authors: Nielsen H. B. , Febbraio M. A. , Ott P. , Krustrup P. , Secher N. H.
Published: July 2007

The exponential rise in blood lactate with exercise intensity may be influenced by hepatic lactate uptake. We compared muscle-derived lactate to the hepatic elimination during 2 h prolonged cycling (62 ± 4% of maximal O2uptake, V̇o2max) followed by incremental exercise in seven healthy men. Hepatic blood flow was assessed by indocyanine green dye elimination and leg blood flow by thermodilution. During prolonged exercise, the hepatic glucose output was lower than the leg glucose uptake (3.8 ± 0.5 vs. 6.5 ± 0.6 mmol/min; mean ± SE) and at an arterial lactate of 2.0 ± 0.2 mM, the leg lactate output of 3.0 ± 1.8 mmol/min was about fourfold higher than the hepatic lactate uptake (0.7 ± 0.3 mmol/min). During incremental exercise, the hepatic glucose output was about one-third of the leg glucose uptake (2.0 ± 0.4 vs. 6.2 ± 1.3 mmol/min) and the arterial lactate reached 6.0 ± 1.1 mM because the leg lactate output of 8.9 ± 2.7 mmol/min was markedly higher than the lactate taken up by the liver (1.1 ± 0.6 mmol/min). Compared with prolonged exercise, the hepatic lactate uptake increased during incremental exercise, but the relative hepatic lactate uptake decreased to about one-tenth of the lactate released by the legs. This drop in relative hepatic lactate extraction may contribute to the increase in arterial lactate during intense exercise.