bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A comparison of relaxation processes in structurally related van der Waals glass formers: The role of internal degrees of freedom
Authors: Kahle S. , Gapinski J. , Hinze G. , Patkowski A. , Meier G.
Published: February 2005

Depolarized dynamic light scattering (DLS), dielectric relaxation (DS), and deuterium NMR studies of fragile van der Waals glass forming liquids phenylphthalein-dimethylether (PDE) and cresolphthalein-dimethylether (KDE) are presented. In PDE a new dielectric loss process was found, which can be attributed to the 180° flip of the phenyl rings. The previous finding that the distribution of the structural relaxation times measured for PDE and KDE by DS is substantially narrower than that measured by DLS is explained by partial decoupling of the dynamics of the dipole moment from the structural relaxation of the sample. The dynamics of PDE and KDE is compared with the previous studies of two other structurally similar liquids: 1,1′-di(4-methoxy-5-methylphenyl)cyclohexane (BMMPC) and 1,1′-bis(p-methoxyphenyl)cyclohexane (BMPC) in order to relate dynamical features with the chemical structure of the material. The evidence for the intramolecular character of the secondary relaxations observed in BMPC and PDE is presented.
Photodissociation spectroscopy of Zn+(H2O) and Zn+(D2O)
Authors: Abate Y. , Kleiber P. D.
Published: February 2005

We report on a study of the photodissociation spectroscopy of weakly bound Zn+(H2O) and Zn+(D2O) complexes. The work is supported by ab initio electronic structure calculations of the ground and low-lying excited energy surfaces. We assign two molecular absorption bands in the near UV correlating to Zn+ (4s-4p)-based transitions, and identify vibrational progressions associated with both intermolecular and intramolecular vibrational modes of the cluster. Partially resolved rotational structure is consistent with a C2V equilibrium complex geometry. Experimental spectroscopic constants are in very good agreement with ab initio theoretical predictions. Results are compared with previous work on main group and transition metal ion-H2O clusters.
Brownian dynamics algorithm for bead-rod semiflexible chain with anisotropic friction
Authors: Montesi Alberto , Morse David C. , Pasquali Matteo
Published: February 2005

A model of semiflexible bead-rod chain with anisotropic friction can mimic closely the hydrodynamics of a slender filament. We present an efficient algorithm for Brownian dynamics simulations of this model with configuration dependent anisotropic bead friction coefficients. The algorithm is an extension of that given previously for the case of configuration independent isotropic friction coefficients by Grassia and Hinch [J. Fluid Mech. 308, 255 (1996)]. We confirm that the algorithm yields predicted values for various equilibrium properties. We also present a stochastic algorithm for evaluation of the stress tensor, and we show that in the limit of stiff chains the algorithm recovers the results of Kirkwood and Plock [J. Chem. Phys. 24, 665 (1956)] for rigid rods with hydrodynamic interactions.
The stress diffusion coupling in the swelling dynamics of cylindrical gels
Authors: Yamaue Tatsuya , Doi Masao
Published: February 2005

The swelling dynamics of long cylindrical gel is analyzed by the stress diffusion coupling model [T. Yamaue and M. Doi, Phys. Rev. E 69, 41402 (2004)]. Two situations are analyzed: (i) stress induced swelling, where the swelling is caused by an elongational force applied on the gel, and (ii) free swelling, where the swelling is caused by thermodynamic force. The relaxation times characterizing these processes are calculated. It is shown that earlier calculations for the relaxation time, which are based on some physical or mathematical approximations, give results surprisingly close to the rigorous calculation, but the difference can be still seen experimentally.
General relativity via complete integrals of the Hamilton–Jacobi equation
Authors: Montiel-Piña Enrique , Newman Ezra Ted , Silva-Ortigoza Gilberto
Published: February 2005

The aim of this work is to present a formulation to general relativity, which is analogous to the null surface formulation, but now instead of starting with a complete integral of the eikonal equation we start with a complete integral of the Hamilton–Jacobi equation. In the first part of this work we show that on the space of solutions of a certain class of systems of six second-order partial differential equations, uss=Λ(s,s*,γ,u,us,us*,uγ),us*s*=Λ*(s,s*,γ,u,us,us*,uγ), uγγ=Υ(s,s*,γ,u,us,us*,uγ),uss*=Φ(s,s*,γ,u,us,us*,uγ), usγ=Ψ(s,s*,γ,u,us,us*,uγ),us*γ=Ψ*(s,s*,γ,u,us,us*,uγ), a four-dimensional (definite or indefinite) metric, gab, can be constructed on the four-dimensional solution space with local coordinates xa. Furthermore the solutions, u=Z(xa,s,s*,γ), satisfy the four-dimensional Hamilton–Jacobi equation, gabu,au,b=1. We remark that this structure is invariant under a subset of contact transformations. In the next section, as an example, we apply these results to the Schwarzschild metric. Finally we use the four-dimensional metric obtained in the first part and we impose the Einstein equations.
Temperature dependence of the double layer capacitance for the restricted primitive model of an electrolyte solution from a density functional approach
Authors: Reszko-Zygmunt J. , Sokołowski S. , Henderson D. , Boda D.
Published: February 2005

We apply a different version of the density functional theory, given by Pizio, Patrykiejew, and Sokołowski [J. Chem. Phys. 121, 11957 (2004)], for a nonuniform restricted primitive model of an electrolyte solution to evaluate the temperature dependence of the capacitance of an electric double layer. We show that this theory is capable of reproducing the computer simulation data at a quantitative level. In particular, the reversal of the temperature dependence of the capacitance at low temperatures is predicted. This phenomenon has been difficult to predict from theory. Further, this theory also leads to an accurate description of the double layer structure.
Characterizing the network topology of the energy landscapes of atomic clusters
Authors: Doye Jonathan P. K. , Massen Claire P.
Published: February 2005

By dividing potential energy landscapes into basins of attractions surrounding minima and linking those basins that are connected by transition state valleys, a network description of energy landscapes naturally arises. These networks are characterized in detail for a series of small Lennard-Jones clusters and show behavior characteristic of small-world and scale-free networks. However, unlike many such networks, this topology cannot reflect the rules governing the dynamics of network growth, because they are static spatial networks. Instead, the heterogeneity in the networks stems from differences in the potential energy of the minima, and hence the hyperareas of their associated basins of attraction. The low-energy minima with large basins of attraction act as hubs in the network. Comparisons to randomized networks with the same degree distribution reveals structuring in the networks that reflects their spatial embedding.
Dynamics of water in a molecular sieve by quasielastic neutron scattering
Authors: Swenson J. , Jansson H. , Howells W. S. , Longeville S.
Published: February 2005

We have investigated the dynamics of water confined in a molecular sieve, with a cylindrical pore diameter of 10Å, by means of quasielastic neutron scattering (QENS). Both the incoherent and coherent intermediate scattering functions I(Q,t) were determined by time-of-flight QENS and the neutron spin-echo technique, respectively. The results show that I(Q,t) is considerably more stretched in time with a slightly larger average relaxation time in the case of coherent scattering. From the Q dependence of I(Q,t) it is clear that the observed dynamics is almost of an ordinary translational nature. A comparison with previous dielectric measurements suggests a possible merging of the α and β relaxations of the confined water at T=185K, although the α relaxation cannot be directly observed at lower temperatures due to the severe confinement. The present results are discussed in relation to previous results for water confined in a Na-vermiculite clay, where the average relaxation time from spin-echo measurements was found to be slower than in the present system (particularly at low temperatures).
Photoinduced processes in protonated tryptamine
Authors: Kang H. , Jouvet C. , Dedonder-Lardeux C. , Martrenchard S. , Charrière C. , Grégoire G. , Desfrançois C. , Schermann J. P. , Barat M. , Fayeton J. A.
Published: February 2005

The electronic excited state dynamics of protonated tryptamine ions generated by an electrospray source have been studied by means of photoinduced dissociation technique on the femtosecond time scale. The result is that the initially excited state decays very quickly within 250fs. The photoinduced dissociation channels observed can be sorted in two groups of fragments coming from two competing primary processes on the singlet electronic surface. The first one corresponds to a hydrogen-atom loss channel that creates a tryptamine radical cation. The radical cation subsequently fragments to smaller ions. The second process is internal conversion due to the H-atom recombination on the electronic ground state. Time-dependent density functional theory calculations show that an excited πσ* state dissociative along the protonated amino N–H stretch crosses both the locally excited ππ* state and the electronic ground state S0 and thus triggers the photofragmentation reactions. The two processes have equivalent quantum yields, ≈50% of the fragments coming from the H-atom loss reaction. The two primary reaction paths can clearly be distinguished by their femtosecond pump∕probe dynamics recorded on the different fragmentation channels.
Nucleation in a simple model for protein solutions with anisotropic interactions
Authors: Talanquer V.
Published: February 2005

A lattice analog of density functional theory is used to explore the structural and thermodynamic properties of critical nuclei in mixtures of particles with attractive anisotropic interactions. Protein molecules are assumed to occupy the sites on a regular cubic lattice, with effective directional interactions that mimic hydrogen bonding and the solvation forces induced by water. Interaction parameters are chosen to qualitatively reproduce the phase behavior of protein solutions. Our model predicts that critical nuclei of the solidlike phase have nonspherical shapes, and that their specific geometry depends on the nature of the anisotropic interactions. Molecules tend to align in distinctive ways in the core and in the interfacial region of these critical clusters, and the width and structure of the interface are highly affected by the presence of a metastable fluid-fluid critical point. Close to the critical region, the height of the barrier to nucleation is strongly reduced; this effect is enhanced by increasing the anisotropy of the intermolecular interactions. Unlike systems with short-range isotropic interactions, nucleation in our model is initiated by highly ordered clusters in which the order-disorder transition is confined to the interfacial region.
Influence of coupling to spectra of weakly damped eigenmodes in the ion cyclotron range of frequencies on parasitic absorption in rectified radio frequency sheaths
Authors: Hellsten T. , Laxåback M.
Published: February 2005

Coupling to broad spectra of weakly damped magnetosonic eigenmodes in the ion cyclotron range of frequencies is analyzed. Small variations in density or magnetic field can significantly affect the phase of the reflected wave and hence the coupling in large tokamaks. Under such conditions a statistical treatment is appropriate for predictions of coupling properties. Although the average coupling resistance is independent of single pass damping the antenna voltage, the wave field at the walls and the average power absorbed in the plasma are affected. The average losses caused by rectified rf sheath potentials increase with decreasing single pass damping and with decreasing width of the toroidal mode spectrum. The losses are sensitive to the misalignment between the equilibrium magnetic field and the Faraday screens of the antennas. These effects can at least partly explain the reduced heating efficiencies observed in scenarios with weak single pass damping and the differences in performance between different antennas and phasings.
Oblique propagation of large amplitude electromagnetic solitons in pair plasmas
Authors: Verheest Frank , Cattaert Tom
Published: February 2005

Waves in pair plasmas have a fundamentally different dispersion due to the equal charge-to-mass ratios between negative and positive charges, which mix different time scales. In view of possible applications, e.g., to electron-positron and fullerene pair plasmas, stationary nonlinear structures are investigated for oblique or perpendicular propagation with respect to the static magnetic field. A generalized large amplitude extraordinary mode is found, having a linearly polarized electric field that is orthogonal to both the directions of wave propagation and of the static magnetic field. When the Alfvénic Mach number is in a suitably defined range, the pseudoenergy integral admits solutions with a negative wave electric field, in a cone around parallel propagation, and solutions with a positive wave electric field, at all angles of propagation. The exact analytical solution describing these solitary waves has also been obtained. At weakly nonlinear amplitudes, the solutions reduce to familiar solutions of the Korteweg–de Vries or modified Korteweg–de Vries equations.
Generation and saturation of large-scale flows in flute turbulence
Authors: Sandberg I. , Isliker H. , Pavlenko V. P. , Hizanidis K. , Vlahos L.
Published: February 2005

The excitation and suppression of large-scale anisotropic modes during the temporal evolution of a magnetic-curvature-driven electrostatic flute instability are numerically investigated. The formation of streamerlike structures is attributed to the linear development of the instability while the subsequent excitation of the zonal modes is the result of the nonlinear coupling between linearly grown flute modes. When the amplitudes of the zonal modes become of the same order as that of the streamer modes, the flute instabilities get suppressed and poloidal (zonal) flows dominate. In the saturated state that follows, the dominant large-scale modes of the potential and the density are self-organized in different ways, depending on the value of the ion temperature.
ρ
s
scaling of characteristic turbulent structures in the torsatron TJ-K
Authors: Ramisch M. , Mahdizadeh N. , Stroth U. , Greiner F. , Lechte C. , Rahbarnia K.
Published: February 2005

The scalings of correlation lengths and times with the drift-scale parameter ρs and other dimensionless parameters are investigated. Using a novel 8×8 Langmuir probe matrix, the two-dimensional structure of drift-wave turbulence has been measured inside the confinement region of the toroidal low-temperature plasma in the TJ-K torsatron [N. Krause et al., Rev. Sci. Instrum. 73, 3474 (2002)]. Using five different gases from hydrogen to argon, ρs could be varied by a factor of 10. For small ion masses, the scalings of the microscopic parameters turn out to be close to the predictions from drift-wave turbulence, which lead to a gyro-Bohm scaling of the diffusivity. Including heavier ions turns the scaling to more Bohm-like. It is shown that ρs scaling studies carried out on the diffusivity can be misleading if residual dependencies on other parameters are present and the cross phase between poloidal electric field and density fluctuations is not constant as in the present case. The measured turbulent diffusivity is consistent with typical values reported for the edge of fusion plasmas.
Polarization holograms in azo dye-doped polymer dissolved liquid crystal composites
Authors: Ono Hiroshi , Takahashi Fumihiro , Emoto Akira , Kawatsuki Nobuhiro
Published: February 2005

We have investigated holographic recordings in azobenzene-containing amorphous polymers (AP) and polymer-dissolved liquid-crystalline composites (PDLCC) with two waves that have orthogonal linear polarizations. Only linear photobirefringence was induced in AP, while both linear and circular photobirefringences were induced in PDLCC. The value of the photoinduced linear and circular birefringences had an effect on the diffraction properties in the polarization holographic gratings. The diffraction properties in AP and PDLCC samples were well explained by theoretical calculation on the basis of the Jones analysis.
Extremely-high-density carrier injection and transport over 12000A∕cm2 into organic thin films
Authors: Yamamoto Hidetoshi , Kasajima Hiroki , Yokoyama Wataru , Sasabe Hiroyuki , Adachi Chihaya
Published: February 2005

We achieved extremely-high-density steady state carrier injection and transport at over ∼10000A∕cm2 into organic thin films using high thermally conductive substrates, which suppress the temperature rise inside the devices by transferring the joule heat into the substrates. Using a silicon substrate with a high thermal conductivity of 148W∕mK and a small size cathode with a radius of r=25μm, we achieved a maximum current density of Jmax=12222A∕cm2 and power density of Pmax∼105W∕cm2 in an ITO(110nm)∕copperphthalocyanine (CuPc) (25nm)∕MgAg(100nm)∕Ag(10nm) device during a fraction of a second under direct current sweep. Further, we also achieved Jmax=514A∕cm2 in a conventional organic light-emitting diode structure using the same techniques. In the CuPc based devices, we observed characteristic current density (J)–voltage (V) behavior, indicating that the J–V characteristics are controlled by the trap-free space-charge-limited currents in the high current region, and by the trapped-charge-limited current in the low current region.
Magnetoresistance in Ag2+δSe with high silver excess
Authors: Kreutzbruck M. von , Mogwitz B. , Gruhl F. , Kienle L. , Korte C. , Janek J.
Published: February 2005

In the present study, we investigated the galvanomagnetic transport properties of polycrystalline AgxSe thin films with silver excess in the range from x=1.5 to 18. The results prove that the silver excess controls the transition from linear magnetoresistance (MR) behavior to the quadratic ordinary MR and the temperature for the metal–semiconductor transition. Analyzing the MR effect by Kohler’s rule and comparing the results with the field-free resistivity we observe for 2<x<2.3 a steep rise of the product of mean free path and electron concentration (λ·n2∕3). We interpret this result as a consequence of the percolation of nanoscale silver networks within the semiconducting matrix, i.e., as a consequence of the two-phase character of the system.
Using proton-transfer laser dyes for organic laser diodes
Authors: Sakai Ken-ichi , Tsuzuki Takeo , Itoh Yoshihiro , Ichikawa Musubu , Taniguchi Yoshio
Published: February 2005

Photopumping measurements for the dilute thin films of the representative proton-transfer laser dye, 2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)benzothiazole (HBT) revealed that it exhibited better stimulated-emission performance, especially at the high doping level of 26wt%. This suggests that HBT has an ability to form high gain media, in addition to an inherent potential for widely tuning gain wavelength. Both are advantageous for overcoming the polaron-absorption problem that is a major obstacle to making organic laser diodes.
Chronic nicotine administration exacerbates tau pathology in a transgenic model of Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Oddo Salvatore , Caccamo Antonella , Green Kim N. , Liang Kevin , Tran Levina , Chen Yiling , Leslie Frances M. , LaFerla Frank M.
Published: February 2005

The association between nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) dysfunction and cognitive decline in Alzheimer's disease (AD) has been widely exploited for its therapeutic potential. The effects of chronic nicotine exposure on Aβ accumulation have been studied in both humans and animal models, but its therapeutic efficacy for AD neuropathology is still unresolved. To date, noin vivostudies have addressed the consequences of activating nAChRs on tau pathology. To determine the effects of chronic nicotine administration on Aβ and tau pathology, we chronically administrated nicotine to a transgenic model of AD (3xTg-AD) in their drinking water. Here, we show that chronic nicotine intake causes an up-regulation of nicotinic receptors, which correlated with a marked increase in the aggregation and phosphorylation state of tau. These data show that nicotine exacerbates tau pathologyin vivo. The increase in tau phosphorylation appears to be due to the activation of p38-mitogen-activated protein kinase, which is known to phosphorylate tauin vivoandin vitro. We also show that the 3xTg-AD mice have an age-dependent reduction of α7nAChRs compared with age-matched nontransgenic mice in specific brain regions. The reduction of α7nAChRs is first apparent at 6 months of age and is restricted to brain regions that show intraneuronal Aβ42accumulation. Finally, this study highlights the importance of testing compounds designed to ameliorate AD pathology in a model with both neuropathological lesions because of the differential effects it can have on either Aβ or tau.
Interaction of BIG2, a brefeldin A-inhibited guanine nucleotide-exchange protein, with exocyst protein Exo70
Authors: Xu Kai-Feng , Shen Xiaoyan , Li Hewang , Pacheco-Rodriguez Gustavo , Moss Joel , Vaughan Martha
Published: February 2005

Guanine nucleotide-exchange proteins activate ADP-ribosylation factors by accelerating the replacement of bound GDP with GTP. Mammalian brefeldin A-inhibited guanine nucleotide-exchange proteins, BIG1 and BIG2, are important activators of ADP-ribosylation factors for vesicular trafficking. To identify proteins that interact with BIG2, we used cDNA constructs encoding BIG2 sequences in a yeast two-hybrid screen of a human heart library. Clone p2-5-3, encoding a form of human exocyst protein Exo70, interacted with BIG2 amino acids 1–643 and 1–832, but not 644–832, which was confirmed by coimmunoprecipitation of
in vitro
-translated BIG2 N-terminal segments and 2-5-3. By immunofluorescence microscopy, endogenous BIG2 and Exo70 in HepG2 cells were visualized at Golgi membranes and apparently at the microtubule-organizing center (MTOC). Both were identified in purified centrosomes. Immunoreactive Exo70 and BIG2 partially or completely overlapped with γ-tubulin at the MTOC in cells inspected by confocal microscopy. In cells incubated with brefeldin A, most of the BIG2, Exo70, and trans-Golgi protein p230 were widely dispersed from their perinuclear concentrations, but small amounts always remained, apparently at the MTOC. After disruption of microtubules with nocodazole, BIG2 and Exo70 were widely distributed in cells and remained only partially colocalized with p230, BIG2 more so than Exo70. We conclude that in HepG2 cells BIG2 and Exo70 interact in trans-Golgi network and centrosomes, as well as in exocyst structures or complexes that move along microtubules to the plasma membrane, consistent with a functional association in both early and late stages of vesicular trafficking.
Different Signaling and Cell Death Roles of Heterotrimeric G Protein α and β Subunits in the Arabidopsis Oxidative Stress Response to Ozone
Authors: Joo Junghee H. , Wang Shiyu , Chen J.G. , Jones A.M. , Fedoroff Nina V.
Published: February 2005

Arabidopsis thaliana plants with null mutations in the genes encoding the α and β subunits of the single heterotrimeric G protein are less and more sensitive, respectively, to O3 damage than wild-type Columbia-0 plants. The first peak of the bimodal oxidative burst elicited by O3 in wild-type plants is almost entirely missing in both mutants. The late peak is normal in plants lacking the Gβ protein but missing in plants lacking the Gα protein. Endogenous reactive oxygen species (ROS) are first detectable in chloroplasts of leaf epidermal guard cells. ROS production in adjacent cells is triggered by extracellular ROS signals produced by guard cell membrane-associated NADPH oxidases encoded by the AtrbohD and AtrbohF genes. The late, tissue damage–associated component of the oxidative burst requires only the Gα protein and arises from multiple cellular sources. The early component of the oxidative burst, arising primarily from chloroplasts, requires signaling through the heterotrimer (or the Gβγ complex) and is separable from Gα-mediated activation of membrane-bound NADPH oxidases necessary for both intercellular signaling and cell death.
Robot machines rapid prototype
Authors: Vergeest Joris S.M. , Tangelder Johan W.H.
Published: February 2005

Describes the application of an industrial robot to the rapid prototyping of 3D CAD‐defined products. Outlines the equipment and the major software issues of the fully automatic offline generation of the robot instructions. Presents performance, limitations and practical results.
General Structure Functions
Authors: Montero J. , Tejada D.J. , Yáñez J.
Published: February 2005

A general concept of a structure function is proposed by considering a general order topology, where possible degrees of performance for the system and its components are going to be represented. Finite multistate structure functions and continuum structures can therefore be viewed as particular cases. Gives general definitions of minimal path and minimal cut, allowing general reliability bounds based on them. These are applied to some multivalued structures.
Wiener‐Hopf Equation Revisited
Authors: Ghosal Amitava
Published: February 2005

Discusses a class of integral equations known as the famous Wiener‐Hopf equation which has interesting practical applications in stochastic systems like queues, network queues or water reservoir systems.
Improving the performance of a computer company in supporting its reverse logistics operations in the Asia‐Pacific region
Authors: Wee Kwan Tan Albert , Shin Yu Wei , Arun Kumar
Published: February 2005

A study was conducted on a leading US‐based computer maker to examine its reverse logistics operations in the Asia‐Pacific region. This US company had set up a spare parts business unit in Singapore to take care of the Asia‐Pacific customers for its products, which were still under warranty or service contracts. Defective parts were sent to its US headquarters for refurbishment and repair, and subsequently return to the Asia‐Pacific region. The study revealed a number of interesting findings. These included: about 50 percent of the products returned to the USA cost less than half the reverse logistics costs; the current information technology systems supporting the reverse logistics operations are not used in assisting the company’s managers in making critical decisions but in data collection; and decision making on reverse logistics at each of the company’s Asia‐Pacific offices was inconsistent and lacked standardization. Recommendations were subsequently made to overcome some of the inefficiencies in managing the reverse supply chain.
Embracing electronic publishing
Authors: Wills Gordon
Published: February 2005

Describes how MCB University Press has started to come to terms
with the metamorphosis which electronic publishing offers. Sees a future
where interactive multimedia products and services are the norm and are
quite differently distributed, based on new alliances from within but
also from outside the traditional players. Explores how MCB′s strengths
might be used to succeed in the new frameworks and concludes that
double‐loop action learning is the only viable way ahead. Identifies
that authors will be a constant point of reference and that networked
desktop PCs and networked homes will open vast new markets to those who
can re‐present knowledge and information to gain and hold their
attention. Outlines what MCB has done so far.
A world‐leading learning organization: a case study of Tomra Systems, Oslo, Norway
Authors: Harung Harald S.
Published: February 2005

Researchers and practitioners have found a correlation between a mature corporate culture and high levels of collective performance. One of the features of advanced organizations is the ability to satisfy all stakeholders simultaneously: shareholders, organizational members, customers and society at large. While the benefits of a healthy corporate culture may be widely acknowledged in theory, in practice there is usually a considerable gap between the desired state of affairs and reality. Considers Tomra Systems ‐ the world leader in reverse vending machines for the recycling of beverage containers. States that what is extraordinary about this organization is not its laudable goals, but the fact that it has realized these ideals to a remarkable degree.
Exploring the strategic risk frontier
Authors: Slywotzky Adrian
Published: February 2005

This article urges executives to expand their view of risk. Instead of just defending against bad risk events, leading companies define and anticipate the upside risks that, when well managed, can deliver the maximum rewards. The discipline of strategic risk management allows firms to raise their growth potential in addition to reducing their economic volatility. The author shows executives how to avoid the biggest risk of all – not taking the right growth risks for the business. Businesses today are exposed to greater risks across the board, ranging from political risks to product liability and environmental hazard risks. There also are a set of strategic risks that have become increasingly disruptive. These include not just the obvious high‐probability risks that a new ad campaign or new product launch will fail, but other less‐obvious risks as well in areas such as technology and customer needs. Failure to anticipate and manage this spectrum of strategic risks can expose a company to dramatic decreases in shareholder value and severe swings in stock prices. In today’s risk‐intense environment, firms must manage their economic and risk profiles more actively. The goal is not to eradicate risk, but to deliver the maximum reward for an acceptable level of risk. The author addresses some of the most important forms of strategic risk and the countermeasures that can be used to address them.
Communication in Greek sports sciences
Authors: Laios Athanasios , Theodorakis Nikos
Published: February 2005

Communication is one of the most important functions of management. Coaches of team and individual sports should know how to communicate successfully with athletes and assistants in order to maximize individual and team performance. A lack of communication means problems in coordination, cohesion and cooperation among the group. The coach, acting like the transmitter, should find the most appropriate ways to send its messages to the receivers, athletes and assistants. Effective communication between coaches and athletes in practice, before, during and after the game is a crucial factor and could affect positively or negatively team and individual performance. This research, based on review of literature and questionnaires, indicates the communication barriers among coaches and athletes, defines basic communication principles, and suggests methods of improving communication. The results and conclusions of this research are important for coaches, who coach and lead athletes and wish to have an effective and fruitful communication style.
Researching strategy formulation and implementation in dynamic
environments
Authors: Feurer Rainer , Chaharbaghi Kazem
Published: February 2005

Addresses the need of organizations for an integrated understanding
of strategy formulation and implementation, especially those which
confront highly dynamic and uncertain environments. Highlights the
current lack of common perspective, vocabulary and conceptual base in
research approaches, many of which result in inapplicable or irrelevant
strategy formulations. Aims to provide a framework for researching
strategy formulation and implementation which avoids full predefinition
of research objectives and methodology, but which rather allows them to
emerge holistically through research processes.
Growth of organ systems of Dentex dentex(L) and Psetta maxima(L) during larval development
Authors: Sala R. , Santamaría C. A. , Crespo S.
Published: February 2005

Growth in volume of common dentex Dentex dentex and turbot Psetta maxima during larval development was studied by means of a quantitative histological method. A two‐phase pattern of volume increase was recorded for both species, turbot volume being always higher than dentex volume. During the first phase, the increase was small but during the second phase volume rose sharply from 22 days post hatch (dph) and 17 dph onwards in dentex and turbot, respectively. In dentex, the specific growth rate (G) of the whole larva as well as that of all the structures studied (nervous tissue, trunk musculature, digestive tract, liver, pancreas, spleen and thymus) was always higher during the second phase, whereas in turbot, only total volume of the larva, trunk musculature and nervous tissue had a higher G during the same period. The pattern of allometric growth of digestive organs was similar for both species. These organs showed an initial positive allometric growth that later became near‐isometric (digestive tract and liver) or negative (pancreas). In dentex, nervous tissue and trunk musculature showed near‐isometry throughout the period studied. In turbot, nervous tissue exhibited negative allometry and trunk musculature changed from negative to positive allometry. In both species studied, the highest allometry coefficients were recorded for digestive organs before the larva switched to strict exotrophy. This would indicate the importance of the development of these organs for survival.
Effects of testosterone and β‐glucan on immune functions in tench
Authors: Vainikka A. , Jokinen E. I. , Kortet R. , Paukku S. , Pirhonen J. , Rantala M. J. , Taskinen J.
Published: February 2005

A hormone manipulation was performed to examine the effects of testosterone on basal and β‐glucan‐induced immune functions in wild‐caught male and female tench Tinca tinca. Testosterone administration elevated testosterone concentration in plasma, but did not suppress lytic activity of plasma or the chemiluminescence response of blood or head kidney phagocytes in any of the three successive samples or in any of the treatment groups. Both testosterone and β‐glucan administrations had a negative effect on the relative mass of the spleen, and testosterone‐treated fish lost more mass than control fish. Males had a relatively larger spleen than females, but there were no gender differences in immune function. β‐glucan‐administration did not affect the plasma testosterone concentration.
Variability in diet and foraging behaviour between sexes and ploidy forms of the hybridogeneticSqualius alburnoidescomplex (Cyprinidae) in the Guadiana River basin, Portugal
Authors: Gomes‐Ferreira A. , Ribeiro F. , Moreira da Costa L. , Cowx I. G. , Collares‐Pereira M. J.
Published: February 2005

Samples of theSqualius alburnoidescomplex, a hybridogenetic Iberian minnow composed of diploid, triploid and, less commonly, tetraploid forms, were collected from a tributary of the Ardila River (Guadiana River basin) between February 1999 and January 2001. Seasonal variation in diet was evident, and was probably linked to prey availability. Distinct foraging behaviours between ploidy forms were found towards several prey items, suggesting that diploid adult males fed mostly near the surface, whereas diploid adult females tended to feed near the bottom and submerged vegetation. Triploid females exhibited an intermediate foraging behaviour, although there was greater affinity towards diploid male feeding behaviour. Diploid males which, in contrast to diploid and triploid females, have non‐hybrid genomes in the Guadiana drainage, exhibited a higher specialization for food. Despite considerable dietary overlap, there appeared to be spatial segregation of feeding niches between the three forms, especially during dry periods when prey availability was lower, which may be a strategy for diminishing competition for food. Therefore, considering asexual generalist and specialist hypotheses, it appears that the different ploidy levels are generalist, opportunistic feeders that partition the resources when limited.
Temporal and size‐related changes in the frequency of empty stomachs in smelt
Authors: Vinni M. , Lappalainen J. , Horppila J.
Published: February 2005

The frequency of empty stomachs (FES) of 3290 smelt Osmerus eperlanus was analysed during winter and two growing seasons. Variations in FES showed that smelt is a daytime feeder and feeding activity is low during the hours of darkness and also during the winter under ice cover. The results suggested further that the diet shifts of smelt are not permanent until the onset of piscivory.
Reproductive ecology of the river lamprey
Authors: Jang M.‐H. , Lucas M. C.
Published: February 2005

The reproductive ecology of river lamprey Lampetra fluviatilis was investigated during the spawning period 2003 in the River Derwent, north‐east England. Over this period 1199 ± 104 individuals day−1(mean ± s.d.) were counted on one spawning site (area c. 450 m2), but mark‐recapture estimates suggested that >5000 river lamprey used this site over the same period and egg deposition was estimated as 168 000 eggs m−2. The operational sex ratio of river lamprey in spawning clusters changed between spawning phases, from domination by females during the nest‐building phase (male : female ratio, 1 : 3·46), to a preponderance of males during the spawning phase (male : female, 1 : 0·37), followed by a return to a majority of females after spawning (male : female, 1 : 3·74). Recapture data showed that >97% of recaptured, tagged males were recorded at two or more nests, whereas almost 50% of recaptured, tagged females were recorded at the same nest, suggesting a promiscuous mating system, with a tendency towards polygyny within the population. Within the lower 80 km of the River Derwent and its tributaries, evidence of river lamprey spawning was found at only six sites, and most spawning (>80% of the observed spawning population) was at one site.
Lofexidine for opiate detoxification
Authors: Bearn Jenny
Published: February 2005

The evolving role for lofexidine in the treatment of opiate detoxification over the last decade is reviewed. Lofexidine is no better than methadone or clonidine in attenuating withdrawal symptom severity, although it has a more favourable side-effect profile than clonidine. In conjunction with opiate antagonists, lofexidine may facilitate accelerated withdrawal, although activity and low liability for misuse, lofexidine may be more widely acceptable to clinicians than methadone, particularly those working in out-patient, non-specialist and prison treatment settings. Further studies in these treatment settings will be particularly apposite since, apart from the studies highlighted, the evidence base for the clinical value of lofexidine is mainly to be derived from in-patient trials.
The clinical use of buprenorphine in opiate addiction: evidence and practice
Authors: Law Fergus D. , Myles Judy S. , Daglish Mark R. C. , Nutt David J.
Published: February 2005

Buprenorphine is a partial μ-opioid receptor agonist that is being increasingly used in clinical practice in the treatment of opioid dependence in the UK, USA, and, elsewhere. Its unique pharmacological properties mean it is a relatively safe drug, it can be given by alternate day dispensing, and it is associated with relatively mild symptoms on withdrawal. The interpretation of the research literature on buprenorphine is however, complex, and often appears to be in conflict with how buprenorphine is used in clinical practice. This article describes these apparent contradictions, their likely explanations, and how these may further inform our clinical practice. The article also describes the clinically relevant pharmacological properties of buprenorphine, compares it to methadone, relates the evidence to clinical experience, and provides practical advice on how to manage the most common clinical techniques. The best quality evidence suggests that very rapid buprenorphine induction is not associated with a higher drop-out rate than methadone, that buprenorphine is probably as good as methadone for maintenance treatment, and is superior to methadone and α-2 adrenergic agonists for detoxification. However, buprenorphine cannot yet be considered the ‘gold standard’ treatment for opiate dependence because of the higher drop-out rates that may occur on induction using current techniques, its high-cost relative to methadone, and because the place of buprenorphine in treatment is still continuing to evolve.
Heroin prescription for heroin addiction – an English view
Authors: Carnwath Tom
Published: February 2005

Heroin has been prescribed in England for the treatment of heroin addiction for almost 100 years. For many years, England was almost the only country where this occurred, and the British system was consequently the subject of international curiosity. In spite of this long history, very little research has been carried out locally, and until recently, there were no guidelines as to best practice. In 1965, it was decided that only doctors with a Home Office license could prescribe heroin. Since that time, the proportion of opiate addicts treated with heroin has greatly diminished, as has the number of doctors willing to prescribe. One doctor in particular remained an enthusiastic proponent of heroin prescription. His claims impressed some Swiss clinicians, who proceeded to establish a multicentre trial in Switzerland. This was followed by a similar trial in the Netherlands. These trials apparently indicated that a proportion of treatment-resistant opiate addicts could respond well to heroin, although the researchers' conclusions have been disputed. The National Treatment Agency in England is now developing guidelines for good practice based on this new information and is planning to set up some pilot sites. It is likely that practise in England will remain somewhat different from continental practice, particularly with respect to long-term supervised injecting. It is unclear how much funding will be released to support heroin prescription. Without adequate funding, it is likely to disappear.
A Perceptual Traffic Jam on Highway N170
Authors: Gauthier Isabel , Curby Kim M.
Published: February 2005

Whether face processing is modular or not has been the topic of a lively empirical and theoretical debate. In expert observers, the perception of nonface objects in their domain of expertise is remarkably similar to their perception of faces, in patterns of both behavioral performance and brain activation, providing some evidence against the modularity of face perception. However, the studies that have yielded these results do not rule out the possibility that object expertise and face processing occur in spatially overlapping, but functionally independent, brain regions. Recent research using an interference paradigm reveals that expert object (car) processing interferes with face processing. The level of interference was proportional to an individual's level of car expertise. These results may provide the most direct evidence to date that face and object recognition are not functionally independent.
Monolithic t‐ZrO2 Nanopowder through a ZrO(OH)2·xH2O Polymer Precursor
Authors: Mondal Aparna , Ram Shanker
Published: February 2005

Monolithic t‐ZrO2 (tetragonal structure) nanopowder is synthesized with an amorphous ZrO(OH)2·xH2O polymer precursor. The H2O molecules impart the structure and promote reconstructive thermal decomposition of the structure to t‐ZrO2 nanoparticles on heating at temperatures as low as 200°C. A prevalent endothermic heat output in the dissociation process controls the local temperature in exothermic nucleation and growth of various groups of the reaction species so that it is self‐controlled in high‐energy nanoparticles. Crystallites are, on average, d= 8 nm diameter, and they have a high value of Gibbs free energy or lattice volume Vo= 0.06770 nm3. The excess volume decreases to Vo= 0.06705 nm3 if the reaction temperature is increased to >200°C, i.e., approximately the bulk value of 0.06681 nm3; there is a minor increase to d= 12 nm at 600°C. Many oxygen vacancies in the thin surface space‐charge layers seem to support the stability of small particles in this particular polymorph. A pure m‐ZrO2 (monoclinic structure) appears with d= 22 nm at temperature as low as 800°C. The results are analyzed using X‐ray diffractometry, microstructure, infrared spectroscopy, and thermal studies of the polymer precursor and derivative t‐ZrO2 nanoparticles.
Chemical Processing of CaHPO4·2H2O:
Authors: Tas A. Cuneyt , Bhaduri Sarit B.
Published: February 2005

The aim of this paper is to develop a robust chemical process to synthesize Na‐ and K‐doped brushite (DCPD: dicalcium phosphate dihydrate, CaHPO4·2H2O), a potential starting material for bone substitutes. The powders were synthesized by using sodium phosphate and potassium phosphate and aqueous solutions containing calcium chloride at room temperature, followed by drying at 37°C. DCPD powders thus formed were found to contain 460 ppm K and 945 ppm Na. On calcination in air, these powders readily transformed into monetite (DCPA: dicalcium phosphate anhydrous, CaHPO4) first, and then into Ca2P2O7(calcium pyrophosphate). Na‐ and K‐doped DCPD powders were shown to completely transform, in less than 1 week, into poorly crystalline carbonated apatite on immersion in an acellular simulated/synthetic body fluid (SBF) solution at 37°C. The Tris (i.e., tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane) buffered SBF solution used in this study had a carbonate ion concentration of 27 mMequal to that of human plasma. DCPD powders of this study displayed a notable apatite‐inducing ability. This finding suggests the use of these DCPD powders as the starting materials for potential bone substitutes, which can be easily manufactured in aqueous solutions friendly to living tissues, at temperatures between room temperature and 37°C.
Oxygen Grain‐Boundary Diffusion in Polycrystalline Mullite Ceramics
Authors: Fielitz Peter , Borchardt Günter , Schmücker Martin , Schneider Hartmut , Willich Peter
Published: February 2005

Oxygen tracer diffusivities of low‐ and high‐alumina mullite ceramics (72 wt% Al2O3, 28 wt% SiO2and 78 wt% Al2O3, 22 wt% SiO2, respectively) were determined. Gas/solid exchange experiments were conducted in an atmosphere enriched in the rare stable isotope18O, and the resulting18O isotope depth distributions were analyzed using SIMS depth profiling. The investigation showed that grain‐boundary diffusivities for both mullite ceramics were several orders of magnitude higher than mullite volume diffusivity. Activation enthalpies of oxygen diffusion were 363 ± 25 kJ/mol for the low‐alumina and 548 ± 46 kJ/mol for the high‐alumina materials. Because the glassy grain‐boundary films were not identified, the differences between the low‐ and high‐alumina materials might be explained by different impurity concentrations in the grain boundaries of the two materials.
Investigation of Lamella‐Twinned Crystallites and Dislocations in Paraelectric Phases of Bi2O3‐Doped BaTiO3
Authors: Feng Qiquan , McConville Caspar J.
Published: February 2005

Defects in the paraelectric phases of BaTiO3 doped with Bi2O3 were analyzed by transmission electron microscopy under two‐beam conditions. (111) twin structures were characterized by selected area diffraction and bright‐field images. The orientation relationships of the (111) twins were determined using stereograms. Lamella‐twinned crystallites included in the paraelectric phases were found in this system. Pure wedge fringes were analyzed in these grains using electron diffraction and imaging techniques. Double diffraction was observed in the overlapped regions of the matrix and the microtwin in the [113] direction, and high‐density dislocation loops were seen in some grains. Weak‐beam dark‐field microscopy techniques were used to observe the dislocation loops, which predominately lay on {100} crystal planes with Burgers vectors a〈100〉, and were found to be pure edge dislocations. Some dislocations were transformed into crystallographic shear planes.