bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Vanadium-Phosphorus Catalysts Modified with Magnesium, Calcium and Barium
Authors: Brutovský Milan , Kladeková Daniela , Reiffová Katarína , Košturiak Adam
Published: July 2002

Vanadium-phosphorus catalysts specially modified with promotors can ensure an efficient and selective oxidation of C4 hydrocarbons, even also that of butane to maleic anhydride. The catalysts with incorporated Mg, Ca or Ba ions provide a higher conversion of butane, yield of maleic anhydride, and selectivity for the latter compound than the unmodified catalyst. The conversion of butane and yield of maleic anhydride decrease with increasing basicity of the incorporated modifiers in the order: Mg, Ca, Ba, however, the selectivity of formation of maleic anhydride increases in the opposite order, which is interpreted by the idea that on the modified V-P catalysts the conversion of butane decreases faster than the yield of the anhydride with the natural basicity of the above-mentioned modifiers.
Expectation Values of Quasibound States: Nuclear Quadrupole Coupling Constants of BH in the X1 Σ+ and B1 Σ+ States
Authors: Juřek Michal , Špirko Vladimír , Kraemer Wolfgang P.
Published: July 2002

The 10B and 11B nuclear quadrupole coupling constants of the bound and quasibound rotation-vibrational levels of BH in the ground X~1Σ+ and double-minimum excited B~1Σ+ electronic states are evaluated using ab initio calculated potentials and electric field gradients. The predicted expectation values of the resonance states are found to be smooth continuations of those of the bound states, but their dependence on the rotational and vibrational quantum numbers differs from the standard Dunham-type polynomial dependences obtained for bound state constants.
Lengthening of the Alkyl Chain in Steroid O-(ω-Carboxyalkyl)oximes by Wittig Reaction
Authors: Pouzar Vladimír , Slavíková Tereza , Černý Ivan
Published: July 2002

The steroid O-alkyloximes with various alkyl length (2-4 carbons) and with terminal hydroxyl groups were oxidized to aldehydes and their Wittig reaction with triethyl phosphonoacetate was studied. Oximes derived from 17-oxoandrost-5-en-3β-yl acetate and from 7-oxo and 19-oxocholest-5-en-3β-yl acetate were used. Except of 7- and 19-[O-(2-hydroxyethyl)]oximes, all the hydroxyalkyloximes gave successively aldehydes and corresponding unsaturated esters. The method is useful for the lengthening of the carbon chain in ω-substituted O-alkyloximes.
Four Decades of Organic Chemistry of closo-Boranes: A Synthetic Toolbox for Constructing Liquid Crystal Materials. A Review
Authors: Kaszynski Piotr
Published: July 2002

Introduction and transformations of organic functional groups to ten- and twelve-vertex closo-boranes and heteroboranes is reviewed in the context of preparation of liquid crystalline compounds. The review, containing 198 references, is designed as a synthetic manual for materials chemists and focuses on methods for engineering molecules with elongated shapes and variable dipole moments. Several underdeveloped aspects of closo-borane chemistry are identified.
Excess Enthalpy in the Systems Nitromethane-Water and Methyl tert-Butyl Ether-Water. Employing Data on Excess Enthalpy for Thermodynamic Description of Heterogeneous Systems
Authors: Řehák Karel , Novák Josef P. , Konetzná Jana , Heintz Andreas , Voňka Petr , Matouš Jaroslav
Published: July 2002

The excess enthalpies measured in nitromethane-water and methyl tert-butyl ether-water systems at several temperatures are given. The values of the excess enthalpy were determined in both the homogeneous and heterogeneous regions. It is shown how the data for the heterogeneous region can be included in the calculation of parameters of empirical relations for the excess Gibbs energy. It follows from these calculations that the relations for the excess Gibbs energy can be obtained on the basis of the excess enthalpy data measured at several temperatures if the data also cover the heterogeneous region.
Ring-Chain Tautomerism. Part 10. The Reaction of Oxocarboxylic Acids with Diazodiphenylmethane
Authors: Bowden Keith , Mišić-Vuković Milica M. , Ranson Richard J.
Published: July 2002

The rate coefficients for the esterification of a series of oxocarboxylic acids with diazodiphenylmethane have been determined in ethanol or 2-methoxyethanol at 30.0 °C. These and the rates of reaction with model compounds have been used to estimate the equilibrium constants for ring-chain tautomerism for the oxocarboxylic acids.
Bioremediation of Heavy Metal Pollution Exploiting Constituents, Metabolites and Metabolic Pathways of Livings. A Review
Authors: Kotrba Pavel , Ruml Tomáš
Published: July 2002

Removal of heavy metals from the soil and water or their remediation from the waste streams "at source" has been a long-term challenge. During the recent era of environmental protection, the use of microorganisms for the recovery of metals from waste streams as well as employment of plants for landfill applications has generated growing attention. Many studies have demonstrated that both prokaryotes and eukaryotes have the ability to remove metals from contaminated water or waste streams. They sequester metals from soils and sediments or solubilize them to aid their extraction. The proposed microbial processes for bioremediation of toxic metals and radionuclides from waste streams employ living cells and non-living biomass or biopolymers as biosorbents. Microbial biotransformation of metals or metalloids results in an alteration of their oxidation state or in their alkylation and subsequent precipitation or volatilization. Specific metabolic pathways leading to precipitation of heavy metals as metal sulfides, phosphates or carbonates possess significance for possible biotechnology application. Moreover, the possibility of altering the properties of living species used in heavy metal remediation or constructing chimeric organisms possessing desirable features using genetic engineering is now under study in many laboratories. The encouraging evidence as to the usefulness of living organisms and their constituents as well as metabolic pathways for the remediation of metal contamination is reviewed here. A review with 243 references.
Electrochemistry and Spectroelectrochemistry of Strongly Electron-Withdrawing Metallated Octanitrophthalocyanines
Authors: Tse Yu-Hong , Kobayashi Nagao , Lever A. B. P.
Published: July 2002

The spectral and electrochemical properties of metallated octanitrophthalocyanines, [MII{(NO2)8pc}] where M = Zn, Cu or Co, were studied by electrochemical and spectroelectrochemical methods as well as electronic absorption and magnetic circular dichroism spectroscopy. Aggregation is observed for several species. The octanitrophthalocyanines are easier to reduce and more difficult to oxidize than most other metallophthalocyanines. Indeed, the first ring-localized reduction potential observed with these phthalocyanine species, is the most positive of the metallated, neutral phthalocyanines in the literature. These data are added to existing Hammett free energy relationship database to extend design protocols for substituted metallophthalocyanines. Optical spectra for several redox series are presented and related to the existing literature.
A randomised clinical trial of the efficacy of drop squats or leg extension/leg curl exercises to treat clinically diagnosed jumper's knee in athletes: pilot study
Authors: Cannell L J , Taunton J E , Clement D B , Smith C , Khan K M
Published: July 2002

Objectives—To compare the therapeutic effect of two different exercise protocols in athletes with jumper's knee.

Methods—Randomised clinical trial comparing a 12 week programme of either drop squat exercises or leg extension/leg curl exercises. Measurement was performed at baseline and after six and 12 weeks. Primary outcome measures were pain (visual analogue scale 1–10) and return to sport. Secondary outcome measures included quadriceps and hamstring moment of force using a Cybex II isokinetic dynamometer at 30°/second. Differences in pain response between the drop squat and leg extension/curl treatment groups were assessed by 2 (group) × 3 (time) analysis of variance. Two by two contingency tables were used to test differences in rates of return to sport. Analysis of variance (2 (injured versus non-injured leg) × 2 (group) × 3 (time)) was also used to determine differences for secondary outcome measures.

Results—Over the 12 week intervention, pain diminished by 2.3 points (36%) in the leg extension/curl group and 3.2 points (57%) in the squat group. There was a significant main effect of both exercise protocols on pain (p<0.01) with no interaction effect. Nine of 10 subjects in the drop squat group returned to sporting activity by 12 weeks, but five of those subjects still had low level pain. Six of nine of the leg extension/curl group returned to sporting activity by 12 weeks and four patients had low level pain. There was no significant difference between groups in numbers returning to sporting activity. There were no differences in the change in quadriceps or hamstring muscle moment of force between groups.

Conclusions—Progressive drop squats and leg extension/curl exercises can reduce the pain of jumper's knee in a 12 week period and permit a high proportion of patients to return to sport. Not all patients, however, return to sport by that time.
Warm up practices of golfers: are they adequate?: Table 1
Authors: Fradkin A J , Finch C F , Sherman C A
Published: July 2002

Background—Although it is widely recommended that golfers warm up before play or practice to enhance their physical performance and reduce their injury risk, it is not known to what extent they actually undertake such warm up procedures.

Objective—To collect information about the proportion of golfers who actively warm up and to determine the types of warm up behaviours.

Methods—This study was conducted over three weeks at three different golfing venues: a private golf course, a public golf course, and a golf driving range. Golfers' warm up behaviours, defined as any form of preparative exercise, were recorded by direct observation by two independent observers.

Results—The sample consisted of 1040 amateur golfers (852 men and 188 women) aged at least 18 years. Only 54.3% (95% confidence interval 49.8 to 58.8) performed some form of warm up activity. Air swings on the tee were the most commonly observed warm up activity, with 88.7% (95% confidence interval 85.9 to 91.5) of golfers who warmed up performing these.

Conclusions—Only a small proportion of amateur golfers perform appropriate warm up exercises. To improve on this, golfers should be educated about the possible benefits of warming up and be shown how to perform an appropriate warm up routine.
Role of mast cells in chronic stress induced colonic epithelial barrier dysfunction in the rat
Authors: Santos J , Yang P-C , Söderholm J D , Benjamin M , Perdue M H
Published: July 2002

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Stress may be an important factor in exacerbating inflammatory bowel disease but the underlying mechanism is unclear. Defective epithelial barrier function may allow uptake of luminal antigens that stimulate an immune/inflammatory response. Here, we examined the effect of chronic stress on colonic permeability and the participation of mast cells in this response.

METHODS

Mast cell deficient Ws/Ws rats and +/+ littermate controls were submitted to water avoidance stress or sham stress (one hour/day) for five days. Colonic epithelial permeability to a model macromolecular antigen, horseradish peroxidase, was measured in Ussing chambers. Epithelial and mast cell morphology was studied by light and electron microscopy.

RESULTS

Chronic stress significantly increased macromolecular flux and caused epithelial mitochondrial swelling in +/+ rats, but not in Ws/Ws rats, compared with non-stressed controls. Stress increased the number of mucosal mast cells and the proportion of cells showing signs of activation in +/+ rats. No mast cells or ultrastructural abnormalities of the epithelium were present in Ws/Ws rats. Increased permeability in +/+ rats persisted for 72 hours after stress cessation.

CONCLUSIONS

Chronic stress causes an epithelial barrier defect and epithelial mitochondrial damage, in parallel with mucosal mast cell hyperplasia and activation. The study provides further support for an important role for mast cells in stress induced colonic mucosal pathophysiology.
Response to a behavioural treatment, biofeedback, in constipated patients is associated with improved gut transit and autonomic innervation
Authors: Emmanuel A V , Kamm M A
Published: July 2002

BACKGROUND

Although behavioural treatment (biofeedback) successfully treats the pelvic floor abnormalities in patients with idiopathic constipation, many patients also normalise their impaired bowel frequency. We postulated that a response may be associated with altered cerebral outflow via extrinsic autonomic nerves to the gut. We investigated whether treatment changes extrinsic innervation, using mucosal laser Doppler flowmetry, whether autonomic changes are gut specific, and whether it changes gut transit.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Forty nine patients (44 female, mean age 39 years) with idiopathic constipation were studied before and after biofeedback treatment (mean five sessions). Rectal mucosal blood flow was measured by laser Doppler flowmetry to assess direct extrinsic gut nerve autonomic activity. To assess general autonomic activity, RR (interval between successive R waves on the electrocardiogram) variability, Valsalva ratio, orthostatic adjustment ratio, and phase II:IV blood pressure ratio (II:IV) of the Valsalva manoeuvre were measured. All autonomic tests were compared with those of 26 healthy volunteers (19 female, mean age 37 years).

RESULTS

Twenty nine of 49 patients were symptomatically improved. Treatment reduced those with ⩽3 bowel actions per week (27 v 9, prev post), need to strain (26v 9), and laxative or suppository use (34v 9). Biofeedback reduced retained markers by 32% in those with slow transit and by 20% in those with normal transit. Twenty two had slow transit before treatment—14 felt symptomatic improvement of whom 13 developed normal transit. There was a significantly greater increase in rectal mucosal blood flow in patients who subjectively improved compared with those who did not (29%v 7%; p<0.03) and in those with improved bowel frequency (33% v 9%, increasedv unchanged bowel frequency; p<0.05). Thirty five patients had abnormal RR variability and 33 an abnormal Valsalva ratio; one had an abnormal orthostatic adjustment ratio and one an abnormal II:IV ratio. None of the general cardiorespiratory autonomic reflexes was changed by treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Biofeedback treatment affects more than the pelvic floor. Successful outcome after biofeedback treatment is associated with improved activity of the direct cerebral innervation to the gut and improved gut transit. This effect is gut specific; cardiovascular autonomic reflexes were not altered.
Is there a coherent social conception of disability?
Authors: Harris John
Published: July 2002

Is there such a thing as a social conception of disability? Recently two writers in this journal have suggested not only that there is a coherent social conception of disability but that all non-social conceptions, or “medical models” of disability are fatally flawed. One serious and worrying dimension of their claims is that once the social dimensions of disability have been resolved no seriously “disabling” features remain. This paper examines and rejects conceptions of disability based on social factors but notes that physical and mental conditions which disadvantage the individual have social dimensions.
Futility has no utility in resuscitation medicine
Authors: Ardagh Michael
Published: July 2002

“Futility” is a word which means the absence of benefit. It has been used to describe an absence of utility in resuscitation endeavours but it fails to do this. Futility does not consider the harms of resuscitation and we should consider the balance of benefit and harm that results from our resuscitation endeavours. If a resuscitation is futile then any harm that ensues will bring about an unfavourable benefit/harm balance. However, even if the endeavour is not futile, by any definition, the benefit/harm balance may still be unfavourable if the harms that ensue are great.

It is unlikely that we will ever achieve a consensus definition of futility and certainly not one that is applicable to every patient undergoing resuscitation. In the meantime our use of the term “futile”, in the mistaken belief that it tells us whether it is worth resuscitating or not, has no utility as it will never succeed in telling us this. Furthermore we risk causing offence by use of the term and we risk harming the patient's autonomy by using futility as an overriding force. Instead we should consider the utility of our endeavours, for which an assessment of the harms of resuscitation should be added to our considerations of its benefit. This balance of benefit and harm should then be evaluated as best it can be from the patient's perspective. The words futile and futility should be abandoned by resuscitationists.
Dementia in prison: ethical and legal implications
Authors: Fazel S , McMillan J , O'Donnell I
Published: July 2002

As the number of elderly prisoners increases in the UK and other Western countries, there will be individuals who develop dementia whilst in custody. We present two case vignettes of men with dementia in English prisons, and explore some of the ethical implications that their continuing detention raises. We find little to support their detention in the various purposes of prison put forward by legal philosophers and penologists, and conclude by raising some of the possible implications of The Human Rights Act 1998.
Personal exposures of children to nitrogen dioxide relative to concentrations in outdoor air
Authors: Linaker Catherine H , Chauhan Anoop J , Inskip Hazel M , Holgate Stephen T , Coggon David
Published: July 2002

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the relation between fluctuations in personal exposure to nitrogen dioxide (NO2) in school children and changes in outdoor NO2concentrations.

METHODS

114 Asthmatic school children aged 7–12 years were recruited from the Southampton area. Weekly average personal exposures to NO2were measured over a 13 month period with passive diffusion tubes. At the same time, outdoor NO2concentrations were monitored at a fixed site in the centre of Southampton. Correlations between weekly personal exposures and mean outdoor concentrations during the same periods were examined.

RESULTS

Mean duration of follow up was 32 weeks. Measurements of weekly mean personal NO2exposures were generally low and ranged from 0.7 to 496 μg/m3with a geometric mean of 17 μg/m3. Substantial variation in personal exposures occurred between children and more especially within individual children from week to week. Daily outdoor concentrations of NO2ranged from 4.3 to 29.8 μg/m3, with a geometric mean of 12.3 μg/m3. There was no evidence of seasonal variation in outdoor concentrations. No significant correlation was found between each child's weekly mean personal exposures to NO2and mean outdoor concentrations for the corresponding periods.

CONCLUSION

At low outdoor NO2concentrations, fluctuations in NO2in outdoor air as measured at a central monitoring station do not contribute importantly to variations in personal exposure when averaged over a week.
Changes in frequency of premature complexes and heart rate variability related to shift work
Authors: van Amelsvoort L G P M , Schouten E G , Maan A C , Swenne C A , Kok F J
Published: July 2002

OBJECTIVES

To investigate whether an increased risk of cardiovascular disease might be caused by increased arrhythmogeneity and by unfavourable changes in autonomic cardiac control the changes in the occurrence of premature complexes (PVCs) and in heart rate variability (HRV) were studied in subjects who started to work in shifts.

METHODS

1 Year changes in frequency of PVCs and HRV were measured in 49 shift workers and 22 control subjects working in daytime. All respondents were starting in a new job in integrated circuit or waste incinerator plants.

RESULTS

The incidence of PVC increased significantly in shift workers over the 1 year follow up, compared with daytime workers. The frequency of ventricular extrasystoles increased in 48.9% of the shift workers, and in 27.3% of the daytime workers. The Spearman correlation coefficient between the number of nights worked and the change in PVCs was 0.33 (p=0.004). A small non-significant unfavourable change in HRV was found in both the shift and daytime workers.

CONCLUSIONS

A change in arrhythmogeneity, but not in cardiac autonomic control, might explain the increased risk of cardiovascular disease in shift workers.
Primary amyloidosis of the larynx
Authors: Daudia Anurag , Motamed M , Lo S
Published: July 2002

Primary laryngeal amyloidosis is a rare benign disease of unknown aetiology. It can present with dysphonia or stridor. A woman presenting with airway compromise, who required a tracheostomy, is reported.
Drug induced chest pain—rare but important
Authors: Davey Patrick , Lalloo David G
Published: July 2002

Pericarditis, usually viral in origin, is an infrequent cause of chest pain. Pericarditis due to drug allergy is even less frequent and is thus rarely considered in the differential diagnosis. A case is reported of a woman who presented with severe chest pain, caused by minocycline induced pericarditis. Such allergy may be more common than reported. It is suggested that drug induced pericarditis should be included in the differential diagnosis of acute chest pain.
Tobacco lobby political influence on US state legislatures in the 1990s
Authors: Givel Michael S , Glantz Stanton A
Published: July 2002

BACKGROUND

Throughout the 1990s the tobacco lobby was a potent political force in US state legislatures advancing its pro-tobacco agenda.

OBJECTIVE

To describe the market and political motivations of the tobacco lobby and the strategies they use to achieve these goals in US state legislatures.

DESIGN

This study is a content analysis and summary overview of recently released historical tobacco industry documents; tobacco related government documents; and recent state tobacco control policy reports.

RESULTS

In the 1990s, the tobacco lobby engaged in a comprehensive and aggressive political effort in state legislatures to sell tobacco with the least hindrance using lobbying, the media, public relations, front groups, industry allies, and contributions to legislators. These efforts included campaigns to neutralise clean indoor air legislation, minimise tax increases, and preserve the industry's freedom to advertise and sell tobacco. The tobacco lobby succeeded in increasing the number of states that enacted state pre-emption of stricter local tobacco control laws and prevented the passage of many state tobacco control policies. Public health advocates were able to prevent pre-emption and other pro-tobacco policies from being enacted in several states.

CONCLUSIONS

The tobacco lobby is a powerful presence in state legislatures. Because of the poor public image of the tobacco lobby, it seeks to wield this power quietly and behind the scenes. State and local health advocates, who often have high public credibility, can use this fact against the tobacco lobby by focusing public attention on the tobacco lobby's political influence and policy goals and expose links between the tobacco lobby and its legislative supporters.
Sociodemographic predictors of success in smoking intervention
Authors: Monsó E , Campbell J , Tønnesen P , Gustavsson G , Morera J
Published: July 2002

AIM

To examine the role of sociodemographic factors as predictors of sustained smoking cessation for the population who volunteer to participate in intervention programmes.

METHOD

Data for the 3575 smokers who participated in the CEASE (collaborative European anti-smoking evaluation) trial, a European multicentred study that used transdermal nicotine patches as an adjunct to smoking cessation in the chest clinic, were analysed. The effects of age, sex, smoking habit, socioeconomic status (housing conditions, education, and employment), disease, smoking habits of relatives, and baseline markers of tobacco use on sustained smoking cessation (self-reported abstinence and expired carbon monoxide < 10 parts per million) were assessed using logistic regression modelling (odds ratio (OR), 95% confidence interval (CI)).

RESULTS

477/3575 smokers were sustained abstainers one year after the intervention (overall success rate 13.3%). In the univariable logistic regression models an effect of active treatment on smoking cessation was observed (OR 1.50, 95% CI 1.15 to 1.96), and additional effects on outcome were found for age (OR 1.02, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.03), sex (menvwomen: OR 1.38, 95% CI 1.14 to 1.68), housing conditions (OR 1.43, 95% CI 1.25 to 1.65), current respiratory (OR 0.79, 95% CI 0.67 to 0.92) or cardiac disease (OR 0.46, 95% CI 0.28 to 0.75), and markers of tobacco use (cigarettes per day: OR 0.79, 95% CI 0.69 to 0.90; expired carbon monoxide: OR 0.98, 95% CI 0.97 to 0.99). Education and employment did not have a significant effect on the outcome. The effect of the variables associated with success in smoking cessation persisted after adjustment for covariates.

CONCLUSION

Age, sex, and housing conditions have a major effect on smoking cessation in European smokers participating in smoking cessation programmes.
Ginsenosides as host resistance factors in American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius)
Authors: Nicol R W , Traquair J A , Bernards M A
Published: July 2002

American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius L.) produces a number of saponins (ginsenosides). The ability of saponins from cultivated American ginseng to inhibit fungal growth in vitro was evaluated. Fungi exhibited a range of sensitivity to ginsenosides extracted from roots collected in two growing seasons. Important root pathogens (Cylindro carpon destructans, Fusarium solani, and Fusarium oxysporum) were unaffected by these phytochemicals at a concentration of 1 mg·mL1, whereas the growth of Alternaria panax and nonpathogenic Trichoderma spp. was inhibited. The same trend emerged when a range of ginsenoside concentrations was used on a subset of fungi. Hyphal growth of C. destructans was unaffected up to a level of ginsenosides approaching that found in roots (i.e., ~ 3% dry weight). The growth of F. solani was significantly less than that of the control at saponin concentrations of 0.1 to 3.0% (w/v), but was relatively unaffected in comparison to growth of Trichoderma hamatum and A. panax.Key words: ginsenoside, antifungal, pathogenic fungi, disease resistance, phytochemicals.
U-Pb zircon age constraint for late Neoproterozoic rifting and initiation of the lower Paleozoic passive margin of western Laurentia
Authors: Colpron Maurice , Logan James M , Mortensen James K
Published: July 2002

A concordant UPb zircon age of 569.6 ± 5.3 Ma from synrift volcanic rocks of the Hamill Group, southeastern Canadian Cordillera, provides the first direct UPb geochronologic constraint on timing of latest Neoproterozoic rifting along western Laurentia. This age confirms a previous estimate of 575 ± 25 Ma for timing of continental breakup, as derived from the analysis of tectonic subsidence in lower Paleozoic miogeoclinal strata of the North American Cordillera. It also corresponds to the timing of passive margin deposition in the "underlying" Windermere Supergroup of the northern Cordillera, as determined by chemostratigraphic correlations. These timing relationships imply a different breakup history for the northern, as compared to the southern, Cordillera. We propose a model that attempts to explain this paradox of Cordilleran geology. The earlier Neoproterozoic (Windermere-age) rifting event probably records breakup of a continental mass from northern Laurentia followed by development of a passive margin. Accordingly, the Windermere Supergroup of the southern Canadian Cordillera was deposited in an intracontinental rift. The second Neoproterozoic rifting (HamillGog) is interpreted to indicate continental breakup and establishment of a passive margin along western Laurentia.
Prefabricated vertical drains (PVDs) in soft Bangkok clay: a case study of the new Bangkok International Airport project
Authors: Bergado Dennes T , Balasubramaniam A S , Fannin R Jonathan , Holtz Robert D
Published: July 2002

This paper presents the performance of a full-scale test embankment constructed on soft Bangkok clay with prefabricated vertical drains (PVDs) at the site of the new Bangkok International Airport in Thailand. The embankment was square in plan with a maximum height of 4.2 m, 3H:1V side slopes, and base dimensions of 40 m by 40 m. The piezometric level with depth is characterized by negative drawdown starting at around 8-10 m depth caused by excessive withdrawal of groundwater. Instrumentation was provided to monitor both horizontal and vertical movements of the test embankment. The measured increases in undrained shear strengths with depth are in agreement with the values calculated from the SHANSEP technique. The secondary compression ratio, Cα, was 0.018, or within the normal values for marine clays. The coefficient of horizontal consolidation measured in the field, Ch(field), was higher for soil at 4 and 10 m depths than for the weakest soil at 6 m depth. The back-calculated Ch(field)values range from 3 to 8 m2/year, and the ratio of Ch(field)to Ch(lab)ranges from 4 to 5, where Ch(lab)is the coefficient of horizontal consolidation measured in the laboratory. The degree of consolidation estimated from the pore-pressure dissipation measurements agreed with those obtained from settlement measurements. The water-content reductions from field measurements were also in good agreement with the values computed from the consolidation settlements. The full-scale study confirmed that the magnitudes of consolidation settlements increased with the corresponding decrease of PVD spacing at a particular time period. Lastly, the results of the full-scale study have proven the effectiveness of PVDs for the improvement of soft Bangkok clay.Key words: soft clay, consolidation, prefabricated vertical drain, preloading, test embankment.
Cationic thiolate and selenolate complexes of platinum(IV)
Authors: Janzen Michael C , Jennings Michael C , Puddephatt Richard J
Published: July 2002

The reaction of the adamantanoid compounds [Hg4(EPh)6(L)4][ClO4]2(E = S or Se, L = PEt3or PPh3) with [PtMe2(bu2bpy)] (bu2bpy = 4,4'-di-tert-butyl-2,2'-bipyridine) occurs easily to give the first examples of cationic thiolate or selenolate derivatives of platinum(IV), [PtMe2(EPh)L(bu2bpy)][ClO4], and the addition is shown to occur with trans stereochemistry. The new complexes are characterized by NMR spectroscopy and when L = PEt3by X-ray structure determinations. When L = PPh3, a competitive reaction leads to methyl group transfer from platinum to mercury to give MeHgEPh (E = S or Se).Key words: oxidative-addition, platinum, thiolate, selenolate, mercury.
ON SOLVING MULTIMESSAGE MULTICASTING PROBLEMS
Authors: GONZALEZ TEOFILO F.
Published: July 2002

In this paper we survey algorithms and complexity results for the multimessage multicasting problem and its variations under a unified notation. The main results apply to the multimessage multicasting problem for complete networks and pr-networks (multistage interconnection networks that can realize all permutations in one communication phase and replicate data on each switch). We also discuss algorithms that allow message forwarding and distributed algorithms where each processor only knows local information. Different applications where this problem naturally arises are explored.
CONVERGENT WEAK COUPLING EXPANSIONS FOR LATTICE FIELD THEORIES THAT LOOK LIKE PERTURBATION SERIES
Authors: MACK GERHARD , PORDT ANDREAS
Published: July 2002

We propose a new form of convergent weak coupling expansion for the lattice field theory. It has the advantage that it is very similar to standard (Feynman) perturbation theory. Convergence is proven for sufficiently weak local coupling, i.e. when the theory is close to a free field theory. In the proof, use of analyticity in field variables, as pioneered by Kupiainen and Gawedzki, is supplemented with techniques for handling derivatives with respect to free propagators.
PROJECTIVE REPRESENTATIONS OF INFINITE-DIMENSIONAL ORTHOGONAL AND SYMPLECTIC GROUPS
Authors: LUNDBERG LARS-ERIK
Published: July 2002

We consider some particular projective representations of the restricted orthogonal and symplectic groups. These representations are related to so-called "second quantization". In particular, we apply our results to the loop group LS1 and the diffeomorphism group Diff + (S1).
COHERENT STATES AND QUANTUM DYNAMICS OF NON-LINEAR SYSTEMS
Authors: HABA Z.
Published: July 2002

We discuss a quantum-mechanical analog of the classical angle variable. A localized wave packet is constructed generalizing the conventional coherent state of minimal uncertainty. For small ħ the wave packet moves along a certain trajectory close to the classical torus. In a class of integrable Hamiltonian systems we estimate that the wave packet preserves its shape at least for times of order [Formula: see text].
The Connes–Lott Program on the Sphere
Authors: Mignaco J. A. , Sigaud C. , Vanhecke F. J. , Da Silva A. R.
Published: July 2002

We describe a classical Schwinger-type model as a study of the projective modules over the algebra of complex-valued functions on the sphere. On these modules, classified by π2(S2), we construct hermitian connections with values in the universal differential envelope. Instead of describing matter by the usual Dirac spinors yielding the standard Schwinger model on the sphere, we apply the Connes–Lott program to the Hilbert space of complexified inhomogeneous forms with its Atiyah–Kähler structure. This Hilbert space splits in two minimal left ideals of the Clifford algebra preserved by the Dirac–Kähler operator D=i(d-δ). The induced representation of the universal differential envelope, in order to recover its differential structure, is divided by the unwanted differential ideal and the obtained quotient is the usual complexified de Rham exterior algebra with Clifford action on the "spinors" of the Hilbert space. The subsequent steps of the Connes–Lott program allow to define a matter action, and the field action is obtained using the Dixmier trace which reduces to the integral of the curvature squared.
OSCULATION AND SINGULARITY OF CHARGE 2 (COMPLEXIFIED) BPS MONOPOLES
Authors: SMALL A. J.
Published: July 2002

Hurtubise showed that the singular locus of the complexification of a BPS monopole intersects the degeneracy locus of the complex Higgs field in a null curve [Formula: see text] has a dual [Formula: see text]: by adapting a criterion of Hitchin it is shown that for a generic charge 2 monopole, [Formula: see text], the monopole's spectral curve.
GENE EXPRESSION PROGRAMMING AND ONE-DIMENSIONAL CHAOTIC MAPS
Authors: HARDY YORICK , STEEB W.-H.
Published: July 2002

Gene expression programming is applied to find one-dimensional maps. A survey on gene expression programming is also given.
A Critical Analysis of Professional and Academic Publications on Traditional Chinese Medicine in China
Authors: Leung P. C. , Wong M. W. N.
Published: July 2002

An open competition for scientific reports on Chinese medicine invited enthusiastic subscriptions of over 10,000 manuscripts. Three categories were separated viz, clinical studies, literature review and laboratory studies. Reports of very high quality were found among the literature review group. Clinical studies appeared to be generally weak; very few follow the evidence-based approach or pass the test of biometa-analysis.
RESOLUTION OF THE STRONG CP PROBLEM
Authors: LEE TAEKOON
Published: July 2002

It is shown that the quark mass aligns QCD θ vacuum in such a way that the strong CP is conserved, resolving the strong CP problem.
NULL HELICES IN LORENTZIAN SPACE FORMS
Authors: FERRÁNDEZ ANGEL , GIMÉNEZ ANGEL , LUCAS PASCUAL
Published: July 2002

In this paper we introduce a reference along a null curve in an n-dimensional Lorentzian space with the minimum number of curvatures. That reference generalizes the reference of Bonnor for null curves in Minkowski space–time and it is called the Cartan frame of the curve. The associated curvature functions are called the Cartan curvatures of the curve. We characterize the null helices (that is, null curves with constant Cartan curvatures) in n-dimensional Lorentzian space forms and we obtain a complete classification of them in low dimensions.
INTEGRATION MEASURE AND EXTENDED BRST-COVARIANT QUANTIZATION
Authors: GEYER BODO , LAVROV PETR , NERSESSIAN ARMEN
Published: July 2002

We propose an extended BRST-invariant Lagrangian quantization scheme of general gauge theories based on explicit realization of the "modified triplectic algebra" that was announced in our previous investigation (hep-th/0104189). The algebra includes, besides the specific odd operators Va appearing in the triplectic formalism, also the odd operators Ua introduced within modified triplectic quantization and the second-order odd operators Δa. While the operators Va can be viewed as anti-Hamiltonian vector fields generated by a second-rank irreducible Sp(2) tensor, the operators Ua are the anti-Hamiltonian vector fields generated by a Sp(2) scalar. We show that some even supersymplectic structure, defined on the space of fields and antifields, provides the extended BRST path integral with a well-defined integration measure. All the known Lagrangian quantization schemes based on the extended BRST symmetry are obtained by specifying the (free) parameters of that method.
CASIMIR ENERGY OF A DILUTE DIELECTRIC BALL AT ZERO AND FINITE TEMPERATURE
Authors: NESTERENKO V. V. , LAMBIASE G. , SCARPETTA G.
Published: July 2002

The basic results in calculations of the thermodynamic functions of electromagnetic field in the background of a dilute dielectric ball at zero and finite temperature are presented. Summation over the angular momentum values is accomplished in a closed form by making use of the addition theorem for the relevant Bessel functions. The behavior of the thermodynamic characteristics in the low and high temperature limits is investigated. The T3-term in the low temperature expansion of the free energy is recovered (this term has been lost in our previous calculations).
PHASE EQUILIBRIA IN THIN POLYMER FILMS
Authors: MÜLLER M. , BINDER K. , ALBANO E. V.
Published: July 2002

Within self-consistent field theory and Monte Carlo simulations the phase behavior of a symmetrical binary AB polymer blend confined into a thin film is studied. The film surfaces interact with the monomers via short ranged potentials. One surface attracts the A component and the corresponding semi-infinite system exhibits a first order wetting transition. The surface interaction of the opposite surface is varied as to study the crossover from capillary condensation for symmetric surface fields to interface localization/delocalization transition for antisymmetric surface fields. In the former case the phase diagram has a single critical point close to the bulk critical point. In the latter case the phase diagram exhibits two critical points which correspond to the prewetting critical points of the semi-infinite system. Only below a triple point there is a single two-phase coexistence region. The crossover between these qualitatively different limiting behaviors occurs gradually, however, the critical temperature and the critical composition exhibit a non-monotonic dependence on the surface field. The dependence of the phase behavior for antisymmetric boundaries is studied as a function of the film thickness and the strength of the surface interactions. Upon reducing the film thickness or decreasing the strength of the surface interactions we can change the order of the interface localization/delocalization transition from first to second. The role of fluctuations is explored via Monte Carlo simulations of a coarse grained lattice model. Close to the (prewetting) critical points we observe 2D Ising critical behavior. Also, there is a rich crossover behavior between Ising critical, tricritical and mean field behavior. At lower temperatures capillary waves of the AB interface lead to a pronounced dependence of the effective interface potential on the lateral system size.
PERCOLATION APPROACH TO THE METAL–INSULATOR TRANSITION IN TWO DIMENSIONS
Authors: MEIR YIGAL
Published: July 2002

A simple non-interacting-electron model, combining local quantum tunneling via quantum point contacts and global classical percolation, is introduced in order to describe the observed "metal–insulator transition" in two dimensions.1 It is shown that many features of the experiments, such as the exponential dependence of the resistance on temperature on the metallic side, the linear dependence of the exponent on density, the e2/h scale of the critical resistance, the quenching of the metallic phase by a parallel magnetic field and the non-monotonic dependence of the critical density on a perpendicular magnetic field, can be naturally explained by the model.
THE DISCRETE NONLINEAR SCHRÖDINGER EQUATION: A SURVEY OF RECENT RESULTS
Authors: KEVREKIDIS P. G. , RASMUSSEN K. Ø. , BISHOP A. R.
Published: July 2002

In this paper we review a number of recent developments in the study of the Discrete Nonlinear Schrödinger (DNLS) equation. Results concerning ground and excited states, their construction, stability and bifurcations are presented in one and two spatial dimensions. Combinations of such steady states lead to the study of coherent structure bound states. A special case of such structures are the so-called twisted modes and their two-dimensional discrete vortex generalization. The ideas on such multi-coherent structures and their interactions are also useful in treating finite system effects through the image method. The statistical mechanics of the system is also analyzed and the partition function calculated in one spatial dimension using the transfer integral method. Finally, a number of open problems and future directions in the field are proposed.
COHERENT TRANSIENTS OF PSEUDOISOCYANINE J AGGREGATES: VIRTUAL EXCITONS IN THE INTERMEDIATE EXCITON-PHONON INTERACTION SYSTEM
Authors: SASAKI F. , KATO T. , KOBAYASHI S.
Published: July 2002

Results of picosecond and nanosecond pump-probe experiments are reported in pseudoisocyanine J aggregates near the inverse Raman resonance. Reflecting the width of the pump-light spectrum, the inverse Raman term dominates the nonlinear absorption spectra in the nanosecond experiments. We find at least four Raman lines around 170 meV, that are not resolved in the picosecond experiments. The observed spectra agree well with the calculated spectra based on the third order nonlinear susceptibility with four Raman lines.
SIMULATION AND NEW SENSOR TECHNOLOGIES FOR INDUSTRIAL CRYSTALLIZATION: A REVIEW
Authors: BRAATZ RICHARD D. , FUJIWARA MITSUKO , MA DAVID L. , TOGKALIDOU TIMOKLEIA , TAFTI DANESH K.
Published: July 2002

A significant proportion of materials are produced in crystalline form. Many of these crystals are produced by nucleation and growth from solution. In these processes, the control of the crystal size distribution can be critically important for efficient downstream operations such as filtration and drying, and product effectiveness (e.g., flowability, bioavailability, tablet stability). Such control has recently become possible due to new sensor technologies that can peer into the crystallization process as it occurs, and high resolution algorithms which can efficiently simulate crystallization processes. This paper provides an overview of recent advances in areas.
UNIVERSAL DESCRIPTION OF STRONGLY CORRELATED SYSTEMS
Authors: LIU YU-LIANG
Published: July 2002

In the eigen-functional theoretical framework, exact/accurate treatment of high-dimensional strongly correlated electron systems may be realized. The two key steps of this method are that under the path integral formulation we first change a D-dimensional quantum many-particle system into an (D+1)-dimensional (time-dependent) effective "single-particle" problem, then by solving the eigen-equation of the propagator operator of the particles, we can obtain the ground state energy functional and action, respectively. Under the eigen-functional theory, the problems of quantum many-particle systems end in to solve the equation of phase fields that are completely determined by the electron interaction. In practice this equation of the phase fields can be numerically solved for large lattice sites. After replacing the real time by the imaginary time, this method can also be applied for finite temperature cases.
STABILITY OF HYPOTHETICAL CARBON PHOSPHIDE SOLIDS
Authors: LIM ADELE TZU-LIN , ZHENG JIN-CHENG , FENG YUAN PING
Published: July 2002

Using first-principles calculation, we have investigated the stability of various possible structures for hypothetical carbon phosphide solids with composition C 3 P 4. Unlike C 3 N 4, the calculations predict that pseudocubic-C3P4 is energetically favored relative to α-C3P4 and β-C3P4. The pseudocubic phase has bulk modulus of 230 GPa, highest among the various structures considered.
STUDY OF ELECTRONIC STRUCTURE OF MgB2 BY MULTIPLE-SCATTERING CALCULATIONS OF B K-EDGE XANES
Authors: WU ZIYU , SAINI N. L. , BIANCONI A.
Published: July 2002

The MgB 2 system is studied by self consistent multiple-scattering calculations at the B K-edge X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES). We find that the features in the B K-edge XANES are strongly affected by medium and long range order with large influence of the core hole potential suggesting that the band structure calculations are not enough to provide a quantitative interpretation of the spectral features. We have investigated evolution of density of states in the conduction band as a function of Al substitution in place of the Mg. The results are consistent with the fact that the Al substitution influences mainly the density of states in the B σ-band and hence suppresses the superconductivity.
Superconducting Properties of Bi-Sr-Ca-Cu-O Crystallized Glass
Authors: Chudinov S. , Stizza S. , Kościelska B. , Murawski L. , Sadowski W. , Barczyński R. J.
Published: July 2002

This paper reports the crystallization and superconducting properties of Bi 4 Sr 3 Ca 3 Cu 4 O x glass-ceramics. The glass was prepared using the conventional melt-quenching method. X-ray diffraction pattern has shown that the annealing at temperature of 800°C converted the glass into glass-ceramics with Bi 2 Sr 2 CaCu 2 O x superconducting phase (2212-phase). The superconducing transition exhibits the change in the slope that is characteristic for two different superconducting phases. It is observed that T c (zero) increases from 20 K to 80 K with increasing time of annealing. The influence of magnetic field on the superconducting transition has been investigated. Our studies revealed a remarkable broadening of the resistive transition as a function of temperature with increasing field. The temperature width ( T c-T) of the transition for both phases increases with magnetic field according to Tinkham model.
Experimental Investigations on the Critical Vortex Dynamics with Controlled Disorder
Authors: Crescio E. , Gerbaldo R. , Ghigo G. , Gozzelino L. , Mezzetti E. , Minetti B. , Martini L. , Ottoboni V. , Caracino P. , Gherardi L. , Cuttone G. , Rovelli A. , Cherubini R.
Published: July 2002

The possibility to enhance in a predictable way the superconducting properties behavior of a bulk material by introducing linearly correlated defects within a surface layer has been demonstrated. Ag/BSCCO-2223 tapes were irradiated by means of 0.25 GeV Au ions at different fluences, with a dose equivalent field B ϕ ranging from 1 T to 5 T. The implantation depth was about 15 μm corresponding to about 15% of the total sample thickness. Sample independent enhancements of different a.c and d.c properties show up, due to vortex confinement in the whole sample. The sample independence exhibited by all the experimental findings as well as, on the other side, the dose dependence of the enhancements, allow to design in advance the performances of a monofilamentary tape where defect trenches of nanometric size are scratched.